Chapter 118: The Immortal's Abode

Deciding to bolster his efforts with magic, Xu Cheng softly chanted, "Supreme Enlightenment Wisdom Seal of the Great Boundless Radiance Immortal Art!"

By activating this supreme state of perfect awakening, the once profoundly obscure Supreme Treasure Talisman Record appeared incredibly simple in his eyes. Immediately following this, the Eye of the Yellow Springs manifested at the center of his brow, allowing him to decipher a talisman within moments. Under the influence of these two arts, he forgot time, space, and self; there was nothing in his vision but the Supreme Treasure Talisman Record.

Dozens of days passed in succession, and all one hundred and eight talismans within the Treasure Record were imprinted upon Xu Cheng’s mind.

Waking from his deep focus, he tossed the purple jade book toward Zhentong, who was in the midst of cultivation. Struck by the jade volume, Zhentong jolted awake, dazed and muttering, "Who? What happened?"

"It’s done. I have studied the Supreme Treasure Talisman Record; here it is back."

It was unclear whether Zhentong was truly foolish or merely pretending. After speaking, Xu Cheng sat cross-legged on the ground, preparing to refine the tiger fangs.

"Impossible! The Supreme Treasure Talisman Record is unfathomably profound. An ordinary cultivator would need three to five years just to begin to unravel the magical patterns within!" Zhentong exclaimed, agitated. He recalled his own struggle when trapped by the Five Ghosts; he had attempted to study the record, but as it was a superior talismanic art of the Maoshan Sect, he hadn't even managed to master a single vertical line. He simply did not believe it.

"That only applies to ordinary cultivators. I am no ordinary cultivator," Xu Cheng replied casually. Internally, however, he was contemplating the feasibility of cultivating the Supreme Treasure Talisman Record with his own mana. It seemed impossible unless he destroyed his entire foundation to re-cultivate Maoshan sect mana, which was clearly not viable; doing so would likely cause his body to dissolve into a puddle of black sludge within the mysterious Yellow Springs Realm. After a moment's thought, he realized that the Golden Light of Merit was the most suitable substitute. Although it was not his own mana, the Golden Light could harmonize with any spell or magical power.

"You're just bragging!" Zhentong clearly remained unconvinced.

Surprised that someone would doubt him, Xu Cheng asked, "What if I can manifest the talismans from the record?"

"Then I... I will take you to an ancient cave dwelling left behind by an ascended being that no one else has discovered!" Zhentong’s eyes darted around as his mind raced, and he quickly made the offer.

It seemed this fellow wasn't truly a fool, Xu Cheng thought with secret amusement. If there was an immortal's cave, why hadn't he ventured there himself? There was likely some hidden trap.

"That sounds great! From now on, do not disturb me! If I fail the manifestation... you know the consequences!" Xu Cheng’s eyes flashed with a piercing, cold light, heavy with threat.

"I know, I know! Interrupting someone's cultivation is no less than the enmity of killing one's father; I would never offend a senior like that!" Zhentong nodded like a chick pecking at grain, standing aside to quietly wait and see how Xu Cheng would manifest the talismans.

The latter sat quietly, controlling the Golden Light of Merit stored within his body to begin outlining the first talisman—one capable of controlling divine lightning, possessing the most formidable power. Every line within the talisman contained countless runes, placing an immense drain on the Golden Light of Merit.

An hour later, having consumed one thousand units of merit, Xu Cheng successfully manifested the first talisman. Once formed, it drew an unknown aura into his body. This jade-green energy was converted into "Jade Mana." Only with this color did it resemble the mana of an orthodox Taoist. This jade-like mana did not merge with his ink-black mana but instead circulated around his body independently. His ink-black mana felt more like that of a demonic practitioner, yet arts themselves had no inherent good or evil—only the practitioner’s character determined that.

Next came the second talisman. Its function was similar to his Godly Travel Art, and with the boost from the Jade Mana, the consumption of Golden Light was significantly lower. Even so, it cost eight hundred units of merit. Once mastered, Xu Cheng did not pause and immediately began the third, which could manipulate various water sources.

The third, the fourth, the fifth...

Two days passed. Xu Cheng had successfully mastered thirty-six talismans, and his Golden Light of Merit was completely exhausted. However, the thirty-five talismans had simultaneously drawn down celestial light, and the amount of Jade Mana refined was nearly equal to his black mana. Only then did he slowly wake.

"Well? In these two days, senior, did you manage to cultivate even a single talisman?" Zhentong asked with a smirk, seemingly convinced the other had failed.

However, having deeply imprinted every fiber of the patterns into his heart under the influence of Great Wisdom, Xu Cheng only needed to follow the steps to succeed. He said nothing, pouring his mana into the thirty-six talismans, which then manifested in the air around him, glowing with the luster of green jade. If released, this area for dozens of miles would turn into a living hell.

"Se... Senior!" Zhentong’s jaw dropped as if unhinged; he compared the thirty-six talismans against the Supreme Treasure Talisman Record, and they were identical, down to the finest detail. His shock was beyond words.

"How is it? Are my thirty-six talismans acceptable?" Xu Cheng pushed Zhentong’s jaw back into place and asked with a slight smile.

"In this world of cultivators, you are the best!" Zhentong regained his composure and gave a thumbs up.

"Enough, where is this immortal’s cave you spoke of?" Xu Cheng pressed. That was a dwelling left by an ancient immortal; there had to be some heavenly treasures. If he could collect them, refine them, and integrate them into his own body, perhaps he could finally become a normal human being.

"Let’s be clear first: I discovered that cave when I was just beginning my studies, using an Earth-Escaping Talisman. There was a giant beast guarding the entrance. My mana was too weak back then, so I didn't dare enter; I only took a glance from afar before fleeing! So, I don't know the true strength of that creature," Zhentong said, giving Xu Cheng a meaningful look that implied: fight if you can, run if you can't.

"Lead the way!" Xu Cheng was not angered by the fellow's trickery; he intended to go take a look first, and if he couldn't win, he would simply wait until his cultivation was higher.

"Understood, understood!" Zhentong nodded repeatedly. His form merged into a purple talisman made of mana, and in the blink of an eye, he was dozens of miles away. The magic of the Maoshan Sect was indeed miraculous.

Xu Cheng transformed into a five-colored streak of light and followed close behind. He was experimenting to see if the Maoshan Sect’s Lesser Five Elements Creation Art would be more suitable. It was clear that since the Maoshan Sect belonged to the Immortal Path, the Lesser Five Elements Creation Art flowed with extraordinary smoothness when driven by this new mana.

When he had previously used his Yellow Springs mana to drive the art, there had been many obstructions, as if a river had been blocked halfway, unable to unleash the full power of the technique. Having this Supreme Talisman Record was, indeed, a fortunate outcome.