Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 752: Five Element Armored Talisman

Hua Miaoqing chuckled lightly at Fang Chen's question. "Senior Brother Yu is currently experimenting with an ancient pill formula. The specific pill flames required are beyond his current capabilities, so he needs Senior Brother Zhao's assistance.

"Senior Brother Zhao's true form as a Fire Flood Dragon, coupled with his three thousand years of cultivation, grants him an extraordinary mastery of fire-attribute energy. His expertise in this field surpasses even some Immortal Kings. His flames are ideal for testing the effects of this ancient formula. 

"As for me, you're likely aware that talisman crafting demands extremely fine and precise control of spiritual energy. Such intricate control is beyond the reach of most cultivators. I assist by helping Senior Brother Zhao refine his fire energy, making it more stable and delicate."

An ancient formula? 

Fang Chen pondered silently. It seemed Yu Qingzhi intended to refine the Blood Spirit Pill differently this time. Recalling Yu Qingzhi's earlier conversation with Yu Qingmei, Fang Chen speculated that the most crucial ingredient in the pill might be karma itself.

Karma was a concept most cultivators avoided at all costs, going to great lengths to sever their connections to it. In contrast, mortals were inherently steeped in it. The karmic weight of even an ordinary mortal often surpassed that of a Golden Core Realm cultivator.

Using karma as an ingredient?

This was unprecedented in the Heavenly Supreme Pill Technique. Fang Chen decided that, if given the chance, he would subtly probe the Alchemy Department of the Desolate Academy to discern their stance on such controversial methods.

A few hours later, Fang Chen and Hua Miaoqing arrived at the domain of the Talisman Department. Spread out before them were numerous spiritual mountains, each marked by caves that had been meticulously opened into dwellings over the years.

The mountains were rich with spiritual energy, featuring springs and fields brimming with life. Various spiritual materials were cultivated in the fields, while rare flowers and herbs grew naturally within the mountain terrain.

Passing by one of the caves, Fang Chen noticed an ancient wooden trunk over ten zhang long lying in front of the cave entrance. The wood appeared scorched, as if struck by lightning, and emitted a faint, peculiar aura.

"That's Nine Tribulation Wood," explained Hua Miaoqing with a smile, noticing Fang Chen's curiosity. "When a cultivator at the Dao Union Realm faces their ninth tribulation, any ancient tree that has lived for over a thousand years and is struck by the tribulation lightning but does not disintegrate into ash becomes Nine Tribulation Wood.

"It's extremely rare since most trees struck by the lightning would be completely obliterated. It takes a great deal of luck for one to survive intact."

Fang Chen nodded thoughtfully. Upon hearing its name, he immediately recalled that this material was also an ingredient in certain pill formulas.

He remembered purchasing a type of cinnabar known as Nine Tribulation Cinnabar long ago. It turned out to be a byproduct of Dao Union Realm cultivators' tribulations. However, the cinnabar he had purchased back then was from a cultivator's first tribulation, making it relatively cheap.

"Senior Sister Hua, are you familiar with Nine Tribulation Cinnabar?" Fang Chen asked with a smile. "I once had the good fortune to buy a small bottle of it, but I used it up long ago. I've been hoping to acquire more since then."

"Nine Tribulation Cinnabar? It's not particularly rare here at the Desolate Academy," Hua Miaoqing shared. "Even in the outside world, it's relatively easy to come by."

She explained, "When Dao Union Realm cultivators undergo tribulation, the soil beneath them would turn into Nine Tribulation Cinnabar. If they are out in the sea, then it's an opportunity missed. The quality of the cinnabar corresponds to the number of tribulations they've faced.

"The price gap between First Tribulation Cinnabar and Ninth Tribulation Cinnabar is substantial, but neither is overly expensive. After all, each tribulation produces several thousand cubic feet of cinnabar."

Fang Chen nodded again, his interest deepening. The wealth of resources available within the Desolate Academy was truly astounding. It seemed he'd have plenty of opportunities to explore and collect rare materials here.

Soon, however, a realization hit him. "Wait, thousands of cubic feet!?"

Fang Chen's expression turned slightly strange. Back when he had purchased the First Tribulation Cinnabar in the past, a small bottle cost him five taels. That was as expensive as gold. The cinnabar even had a much higher density than gold.

If one cubic meter of gold weighed approximately 19 tons, then thousands of cubic meters of cinnabar would amount to tens of thousands of tons!

No wonder I was able to buy it so easily near Grand Xia. It seems far from scarce.

Hua Miaoqing continued, her tone slightly envious, "The finest cinnabar in our Desolate Academy is said to be the Immortal Jade held by Senior Zhao.

"Unfortunately, this material can only be found in immortal ruins. People like us have no chance of ever using it. It's said that if Immortal Jade is used to craft talismans, even the most ordinary talismans could be transformed into something extraordinary."

Fang Chen was intrigued. "Immortal Jade?"

Hua Miaoqing was filled with awe as she shared, "Yes, it's exceedingly rare. From what I've heard, Immortal Jade forms from the bones of a deceased Immortal after countless years of erosion in a highly spiritual environment.

"Just one tael of Immortal Jade could purchase an entire manor under Central Continent Empire jurisdiction."

She smiled faintly. "Of course, this is just something to hear and dream about. Whether you walk the path of Alchemy or dedicate your life to talisman-crafting like Senior Zhao, becoming someone of his stature still doesn't guarantee you'd ever obtain Immortal Jade. It's all about fate, not strength."

She added with a light chuckle, "If we're comparing grades, Nine Tribulation Cinnabar is a low-grade, earth-rank material, while Immortal Jade is a saint-rank cinnabar."

As they conversed, a towering bamboo building over a hundred zhang high came into view ahead.

Hua Miaoqing wore a smile as she stood before the towering bamboo structure. "This is the bookshelf for the scripture for the Talisman Department. If you truly want to understand talismans, this place holds what you seek. However, as a disciple of the Alchemy Department, you can only access the first ten floors. 

"Beyond that, you'd need approval from higher-level mentors like Teacher Yan or Teacher Xin, which can be quite troublesome.

"Still, given your cultivation level, the first ten floors are more than enough for you to gain a proper introduction to talismans."

"Thank you," said Fang Chen.

He cupped his hands in gratitude, his gaze lingering on the majestic structure.

For many wandering cultivators, access to such profound knowledge of talismans might be an unattainable dream. Yet, here in the Desolate Academy, it was readily available—another clear divide between those with a background in prestigious sects and those wandering cultivators.

After entering the bamboo tower, Hua Miaoqing selected two books for Fang Chen. 

"These can only be read here and cannot be taken out," she reminded him.

One book detailed the grades and origins of various talisman-crafting tools, while the other focused on techniques for precise spiritual energy manipulation. It included four small techniques, which, though unnecessary for Fang Chen, could fetch a high price if disseminated outside.

"Study carefully. But remember—Desolate Academy's methods are not to be transmitted outside. If the headmaster finds out, you'll face consequences ranging from a harsh punishment to permanent expulsion," reminded Hua Miaoqing.

Having warned Fang Chen, she headed upstairs.

Fang Chen opened the first book. It contained detailed descriptions of essential materials like cinnabar, talisman paper, and talisman brushes, along with their raw material sources.

The Nine Tribulation Cinnabar was listed as a low-grade, earth-ranking material. While it might seem like earth rank sounded average, in reality, anything classified as earth rank was already among the rarest treasures of the mortal realm.

As for heaven-rank materials above earth rank, they were items only accessible to Immortal Kings or First Rate Sect Leaders.

Fang Chen's fingers lightly traced the inked lines of the book as he thought to himself, Even here, where earth-rank materials are considered accessible, their significance is immense. The gap between heaven and earth is truly insurmountable for most.

As Fang Chen read, he noticed an introduction about a material called True Dragon Jade, derived from the bone of a True Dragon. "True Dragon Jade, high or even peak grade earth rank?"

Even the most ordinary True Dragon Jade surpassed the best Nine Tribulation Cinnabar in grade. Coincidentally, Fang Chen happened to possess a defective pill refined by Immortal King Ji. With a special method, its essence could be extracted and transformed into True Dragon Bone Powder. This was not only usable for Alchemy but also ideal for crafting talismans.

Fang Chen's eyes flickered, and he made a quick calculation in his mind. "The price should not be low."

He decided to find an opportunity to "convince" the Fifth Princess and Ning Tieniu to hand over the defective pills in their possession. Leaving such treasures with them was a complete waste.

After finishing the two books, Fang Chen began exploring the collection of talisman techniques.

There was a variety of techniques, from low-grade, yellow-rank to profound-rank, top-grade. The ten floors held an abundance of knowledge.

Yellow rank talismans alone numbered over 200 types, while there were 33 types of profound rank talismans.

The complexity of these talismans was staggering. For an average cultivator, memorizing and mastering every detail without error could take several years.

Fortunately, Fang Chen's Primordial Immortal Eyes gave him a significant advantage, allowing him to effortlessly grasp the principles and nuances, seamlessly integrating their knowledge.

Fang Chen suddenly came across a talisman that piqued his interest. "Five Elements Armored Talisman…."