Among the high-level talismans, the Five Elements spell talismans are passable, but the power of most high-level spells is still inferior to that of magic treasures. As a result, once cultivators form their Golden Cores, they generally abandon further training in the Five Elements spells.
However, this doesn’t mean high-level spells are entirely useless. According to Han Li’s knowledge, there are several powerful Five Elements spells that, when unleashed, even Nascent Soul cultivators dare not face head-on. But these spells are not only difficult to master—even if comprehended, their execution is cumbersome and time-consuming. Given the effort required, it’s often more efficient to simply attack with magic treasures.
Yet Han Li vaguely recalled hearing from other cultivators that the Mulan people’s spellcasters seemed to have overcome this limitation. They had developed many high-powered “spirit arts” that could be cast instantly, allowing low-level spellcasters to contend with ordinary cultivators without relying on magic tools or talismans. High-level spellcasters, when combining spirit arts with magic treasures, became even more formidable, undoubtedly surpassing cultivators of the same rank.
This was why the major forces of the South Sky, even when united against the Mulan people, could only defend themselves rather than decisively crush their opponents.
After forming his Nascent Soul, Han Li, with a clear sense of his limitations, began studying the most rudimentary high-level spells. He managed to grasp three or four of them, though their casting speed was abysmal. He was certain that if he tried using these spells in actual combat—unless he had an indestructible turtle shell for protection—he’d be annihilated by an opponent of the same rank long before completing even half the incantation.
However, combining high-level talismans with magic treasures in battle proved devastatingly effective. If he unleashed twenty or thirty high-level attack talismans in one go, as he might with low-level ones, even late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators would have no choice but to flee immediately. After all, such an attack would be equivalent to being struck simultaneously by dozens of Nascent Soul cultivators. No matter how extraordinary the target’s cultivation technique or defensive treasures, as long as their power remained within the Nascent Soul realm, they would be utterly incapable of withstanding it.
But such an attack was merely a fantasy. A single assault would consume tens of thousands of spirit stones—an extravagance no one could afford. Moreover, high-level talismans were already scarce in the cultivation world, with most being auxiliary in nature.
Lost in thought, Han Li strolled through the market streets, glancing at the larger magic tool shops and general stores. Only major establishments were likely to carry top-tier talisman brushes.
There was no need to inquire at smaller shops—nine out of ten wouldn’t stock such niche magic tools, let alone top-tier ones.
While some small stores might indeed hide rare treasures, Han Li had no intention of wasting time searching them all. With so many shops in Tiantian City, even if he did nothing else, it would take him over ten days to inspect them all.
Apart from Han Li, other cultivators moved in and out of the shops lining the street, each with their own expressions as they sought their desired items. Most were Foundation Establishment cultivators, with a few Core Formation cultivators occasionally appearing. As for Qi Condensation cultivators, aside from locals, outsiders of that level were exceedingly rare.
Han Li had concealed his cultivation level to mid-Core Formation, so while many cultivators passed him on the street, only the Foundation Establishment ones cast him respectful glances. Core Formation cultivators who didn’t know him merely gave him a passing glance. Thus, he attracted little attention as he leisurely browsed one large shop after another.
When Han Li emerged from yet another pavilion, disappointed once more, most of the day had slipped by unnoticed.
Surveying the darkening sky and the moonlight stones gradually illuminating the shops, Han Li hesitated, debating whether to return to his lodgings or visit a couple more stores first.
Just then, a commotion erupted not far ahead, as if a dispute had broken out. Nearby cultivators, curious, began gathering around.
Frowning, Han Li clasped his hands behind his back and turned expressionlessly, intending to head back.
But before he could take two steps, a harsh, loud voice rang out: “What, is this how all you Falling Cloud Sect cultivators behave? Break something and refuse to pay for it?”
“It’s not that I refuse to pay—it’s just that I’ve just bought other items and truly don’t have that many spirit stones on me. Besides, this is only a mid-tier Fire Cloud Talisman. How can it cost three hundred spirit stones? At most, it’s worth a little over a hundred. And I’ve already left my sect token here as collateral. Once I return to the inn, I’ll borrow some spirit stones from my fellow disciples and come back,” retorted a younger male voice, equally indignant.
Han Li’s steps halted abruptly. That voice sounded familiar—likely someone he knew from the Falling Cloud Sect.
Rubbing his chin in thought, Han Li turned and headed toward the source of the disturbance. Whoever it was, he might as well take a look. As one of the sect’s three elders, it wouldn’t be right to feign ignorance and walk away.
Moments later, Han Li spotted a small crowd gathered outside a modest general store, where several cultivators seemed to be in a standoff. Among them was a black-clad, handsome young man with an angry expression—none other than Sun Huo from Fire Cloud Peak, whom Han Li had met at the Sword Trial Conference.
Twenty years had passed, but Sun Huo’s appearance hadn’t changed much, though his cultivation had improved noticeably. Opposite him stood three unfriendly local cultivators, likely the shop’s owner and attendants.
The middle-aged shopkeeper, sporting a short beard, rolled his eyes and sneered, “A worthless token—what use is that to me? If you abandon it and flee back to the Falling Cloud Sect, am I supposed to chase you all the way to the Stream State? Enough nonsense. If you don’t have the spirit stones, hand over items from your storage pouch as collateral. As for that Fire Cloud Talisman—do you think it’s some ordinary mid-tier talisman? It’s the work of Tiantian City’s master talisman maker. How can it compare to common ones? Three hundred spirit stones is already a bargain. Are all Falling Cloud Sect cultivators this penniless?”
Glancing at the wooden box held by an attendant, the shopkeeper’s face twisted with exaggerated regret, as if he’d suffered a great loss.
“Fine! It’s your item—say whatever you want. A regular Fire Cloud Talisman, and you claim it’s made by a master,” Sun Huo retorted, his anger giving way to bitter laughter.
“Oh? Can you tell the difference between a master’s work and a common talisman? Or do you truly refuse to compensate this shop? Then don’t blame me for summoning the city’s law enforcers,” the shopkeeper threatened coldly.
Sun Huo’s face paled, then flushed. He knew full well whose side the Nine Nations Alliance’s law enforcers would take. And given the murkiness of the situation, he was clearly being forced into a corner.
After a long, conflicted silence, Sun Huo stomped his foot and slapped his storage pouch, producing a stack of talismans—mostly low-tier ones of primary or mid-level grade.
“These may not be high-level, but they’re worth two to three hundred spirit stones,” he said through gritted teeth.
The shopkeeper’s expression softened slightly. “That’s more like it.” He reached out to take them.
“Wait—this one doesn’t belong here!”
Before the shopkeeper could take the talismans, Sun Huo’s eyes swept over them, and his expression changed. He quickly withdrew a half-torn yellow talisman slip before handing the rest over.
“Hmph! Getting worked up over a ruined blank talisman slip? The Falling Cloud Sect must be truly destitute,” the shopkeeper mocked, reaching out again.
But just then, a figure flashed between them, intercepting the talismans.
Sun Huo started, and the shopkeeper stumbled back in alarm. “Who are you? What’s the meaning of this?”
“Nothing much. I just heard you repeatedly slandering the Falling Cloud Sect. Care to repeat those words to my face?” The interloper’s voice was icy.
As he spoke, an overwhelming spiritual pressure erupted from him, forcing nearby cultivators back several steps. Those with weaker cultivation staggered, some even dropping to one knee as if weighed down by a mountain.
Two passing Core Formation cultivators fared slightly better, though one swayed and cried out in shock, “A Nascent Soul cultivator! Senior, you—”
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