This was a very clever design, and also the core of the Talisman Puppet.
It involved connecting Spirit Stones with talismans and refining them together, ensuring the Talisman Puppet could exist for a long time.
However, the usual method to increase a Talisman Puppetâs strength was to improve the talismans; using higher-grade Spirit Stones directly like this was truly a display of immense wealth.
One Medium Grade Spirit Stone could theoretically equal one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
The market price was approximately between one hundred thirty and one hundred sixty.
The three people present were all poor.
Song Yan said with a chuckle, "That we were able to kill the Talisman Puppet so smoothly is all thanks to Fellow Daoist Rongâs Spirit Worm for reconnaissance. You two can take this one."
His heart was bleeding.
But what he said was true, not mere politeness.
Mainly, Wu Huaguo was there, so he didnât dare to say anything against his conscience.
"Good."
The couple also didnât stand on ceremony: "Fellow Daoist Song, there shouldnât be only one Talisman Puppet here... If we find any more Medium Grade Spirit Stones in the future, you and my wife and I will split them evenly."
Song Yan nodded.
He didnât completely trust the couple, but so far, they hadnât given him a false impression... In the World in the Painting, Ink Pool Forest.
"Che Ning" stood before a large, ink-colored stone. This stone had been carved and polished, resembling a uniquely shaped desk.
On the table were brushes, ink, and an inkstone, but no paper or scrolls... Ignoring this, Che Ning trembled as he channeled his spiritual power, making the ancient painting brush float before him.
With his hands spread open, the brush hovered between them.
He looked at the brush and let out a long, relieved breath.
"Hoo..."
It was one foot and three inches long, with a Yunyuan purple bamboo handle and fine, needle-like hairs from the spine of a Moon-Inviting Rabbit demon for the bristles.
On the light purple brush handle, the characters "Guizhen" were engraved.
"Guizhen Brush..."
"Finally, I have it..."
Che Ning seemed to lose all his strength, slumping to the ground, completely devoid of his previous masterâs demeanor.
"Guizhen Brush..."
"xian you scroll..."
"Haha..."
He suddenly burst into maniacal laughter.
"Hahahahahaha..."
Recalling the past twelve years, every step filled with trepidation, walking on thin ice.
Now, he had finally obtained the item he had yearned for in his previous life!
This brush and scroll, two ink treasures, were a set of Low Grade Spiritual Artifacts.
Although they had many restrictions, they were one of the most promising treasures he had heard of in his previous life and hoped to obtain in this one.
Thinking of his previous life, he suddenly felt bitter and oppressed, unable to breathe... His eyes flickered, and he gripped the brush in his hand even tighter.
"Buzzââ"
Just then, a Saber Qi slashed through the air! It cut Che Ningâs figure in half... But... the figure shattered and turned into a splash of ink.
"Clang!"
The long saber was returned to its sheath, and the scar-faced Cultivator walked slowly forward.
He didnât seem surprised by Che Ningâs disappearance.
"Iâm curious..."
Che Ningâs voice rose faintly. He slowly emerged from the shadows beside the large black stone: "Where did you get the courage to attack me?"
The scar-faced Cultivator, despite being only at Qi Refining Stage 6, chuckled and showed no fear: "In such a vast World in the Painting, you want nothing but these ink treasures."
"Then whatâs most precious, how could Old Man Wu not understand?"
Che Ningâs voice was utterly cold: "Some things you might have the life to take, but I fear you wonât have the life to use them..."
"Brother, these items of a literati and refined scholar..."
"Do you understand how to use them?"
The scar-faced Cultivatorâs hand slowly rested on the hilt of the saber behind him, and the Spiritual Qi Aura around him began to slowly rise.
"Whether I understand or not, you donât need to worry about it, brother."
"Oh?"
Che Ningâs face was covered by a bronze mask, so his expression couldnât be seen, but he let out a soft "Yi."
"A secret art to hide oneâs Realm?"
"No... thatâs not right."
"Saber Intent..."
"..."
Che Ning took no action, merely watching the saber artist before him silently.
"Both."
The scar-faced Cultivatorâs Spiritual Qi Realm had now reached Level 8 Qi Refining.
Buzzââ
The moment he drew his saber, the Ink Pool Forestâs sky and clouds changed dramatically, and the scar-faced Cultivatorâs imposing Aura... actually pressed directly towards the Level 9 Qi Refining Realm!
"Severing Tide!"
Three zhang away, a saber strike came.
His figure twisted strangely, appearing inches in front of Che Ning along with the vast and surging Saber Qi.
Che Ning snorted softly, not retreating but advancing, holding the ancient painting brush, and meeting the scar-faced Cultivator.
Bang!
Che Ning, who rushed towards him, along with the ancient painting brush, once again turned into a splash of ink.
It was like a snowman trying to embrace him, but melting the moment it was exposed to the scorching sun.
"Whoosh..."
The ink wet the scar-faced Cultivatorâs clothes.
"..."
There was a diagonal ink stain on his forehead; it was the mark "Che Ning" left on his glabella with the painting brush the moment his Saber Intent dissipated.
Water droplets were flowing down his cheeks and chin, dripping into his collar.
He frowned, warily staring at his surroundings.
"Hmm..."
Che Ning walked out from behind him, casually took out a piece of drawing paper from his qiankun bag, and actually started painting.
From time to time, he would also hold the brush and gesture horizontally and vertically towards the scar-faced Cultivator.
"Youâre like a fly!"
The scar-faced Cultivator gripped his saber hilt again: "Letâs see how long your rotten flesh can hide!"
"Hmm..."
Che Ning suddenly nodded in satisfaction.
He put down his brush and signed his name.
In an instant, the scar-faced Cultivator suddenly looked dazed, staring at the saber in his hand.
He had been accompanied by a saber since childhood, and even in the mortal world, he had roamed the Jianghu with his saber, carving out a notorious demonic reputation.
By chance, he entered the Cultivation World and had an extraordinary Opportunity, comprehending a tiny bit of Saber Intent.
But now, as he touched the saber, for some reason, it felt so unfamiliar.
Che Ning looked at the painting brush in his hand with intoxication.
"This brush is called âGuizhenâ."
"Putting aside those romantic stories and legends, letâs just talk about its function..."
Che Ning walked slowly closer.
"Recording."
The scar-faced Cultivatorâs eyes widened.
"It can record the appearance of an object in a painting at a certain moment..."
"Spiritual Qi..."
Che Ningâs voice carried a hint of arrogant hoarseness.
"Or... Aura."
The scar-faced Cultivatorâs heart sank to rock bottom, but he certainly wouldnât sit idly by and wait for death.
His Saber Intent was sealed by this sinister painting brush, but his saber techniques remained.
"Confine!"
Spiritual Qi transformed into ink, surging and churning, condensing into chains that pierced through the scar-faced Cultivatorâs protective spiritual armor, binding his hands and feet.
"Hmph!"
The scar-faced Cultivatorâs Spiritual Qi surged around him, shaking off the ink, and he swung his saber to strike at Che Ning.
But Che Ning still didnât evade, merely fully channeling his Spiritual Qi, his internal spiritual power rapidly depleting.
Thump.
At a certain moment, a drop of ink could be heard falling... The scar-faced Cultivator found that, at some point, his saber had returned to its sheath, and he was facing the black stone, his protective spiritual armor gone, his back to Che Ning.
He had returned to the action of sheathing his saber just moments before.
"Brother, why donât you understand yet..."
"You are now, inside the painting..."
Actually, Che Ning had many ways to kill the scar-faced Cultivator.
But just like a child who has just received a brand new toy, at this moment, he absolutely had to show its most fun aspect.
Although he relied on the Spiritual Qi left in the brush by a Foundation Establishment Senior, Che Ning was still satisfied at this moment.
Before the scar-faced Cultivator even realized it, countless ink marks had remained around his body, and now they all erupted at once.
"Bang."
Blood mixed with ink slowly flowed on the ground... The scar-faced Cultivatorâs eyes widened in defiance, then he lost his breath.
Che Ning slowly walked past him, taking his qiankun bag.
"In this world, everyone will have their own Opportunities and fortuitous encounters."
"But some people are arrogant and conceited... they are not worthy of such Opportunities."
"If you have an Opportunity, you still need to seize it well."
"Rather than being arrogant and looking down on others."