Chapter 48: Talisman Treasure! (Please follow! Please collect!)

Cree—!!

Right after the long cry came a sharp, terrifying violent gale.

Boom boom boom!!

Gusts of strong wind pounded the treasure ship's protective array, sending out dull thuds, accompanied by the ship's violent shaking and the fluctuating spiritual power.

"Not good, if this continues the array won't hold!"

The Ma family cultivators on the treasure ship shouted with extremely grim faces.

And the cultivators who had been full of confidence in the Ma family now also became panicked.

A second-tier beast is not comparable to a first-tier beast; it can rival a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Foundation Establishment!

For any Qi Refining cultivator, Foundation Establishment is a great mountain before them; most who try to cross it die halfway up.

Most importantly, this mountain now presses down on them like dark clouds over a city; that instinctive fear and awe often surpass even their mental reverence.

"Don't panic!"

At this moment, another Ma family late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, Ma Boyuan, shouted.

His face was solemn yet appeared unusually calm; only his tightly clenched palms and the fine sweat on his palms revealed his inner unrest.

However, at this time someone spoke up, which still had some effect.

"Daoist Zheng, please help me jointly control the treasure ship's array," Ma Boyuan said, looking at another passenger cultivator at late-stage Qi Refining.

This person was Zheng Wenhao, wearing a Confucian robe, with a handsome appearance that bore a scholarly air.

"Good!"

But even late-stage Qi Refining cultivators inevitably feel panic and fear when facing a second-tier beast.

Upon hearing Ma Boyuan's call, Zheng Wenhao didn't hesitate and flew to his side.

Then they saw Ma Boyuan produce a small flag; its spiritual power flickered, faintly linking every corner of the treasure ship, forming its protective array.

Array flag!

Hum—

Amid a surge of spiritual power, the treasure ship's shaking and vibration diminished greatly.

Many cultivators, seeing this, breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, the Ma family treasure ship's array is not weak.

Clatter—

The earlier sky‑covering bat swarm swept past, and the cultivators standing on the treasure ship finally regained a wide view.

At the same time, they finally saw that second-tier beast.

Appearing before everyone's eyes was a falcon with a menacing aura.

Red feathers extended from its head to its wings, the tail feathers were black, its belly tinged yellow, a pair of sharp eyes like those of a hawk fixed on the cultivators aboard the treasure ship, and its hooked claws glinted coldly in the moonlight.

Second-tier beast, the Red-backed Arrow-wing Falcon!

It fixed its gaze on the cultivators aboard this ship.

For the vast majority of demonic beasts, cultivators are absolutely their favorite food, without exception.

That fierce hawk‑like gaze swept over, making all cultivators on board shudder, their hairs standing on end.

"It's fine, it's fine; before setting out I divined that although this journey will have obstacles, we should be able to reach our destination smoothly. Fu De Heavenly Venerable, Qing Yi Heavenly Venerable, Tian Qing Supreme Venerable."

The plump Daoist Qian Dajiang, who had somehow appeared beside Yunhe, turned pallid, large beads of sweat continually falling, clutching his duster and muttering incessantly, not knowing what names he was chanting.

Yunhe's expression was also not good; he ignored Qian Dajiang's self‑comfort, for he knew clearly that the treasure ship's array probably couldn't hold much longer.

However, staring at this somewhat irritable Red‑backed Arrow‑wing Falcon, he noticed some clues.

"It's wounded."

"Huh?"

Seeming to hear Yunhe's murmur, Qian Dajiang's expression brightened: "It's wounded—where?"

Following Yunhe's gaze, even without his reminder Qian Dajiang noticed the abnormality at the falcon's claws.

A smear of bright red kept dripping from its claws, obviously a serious wound.

This is likely one reason for its extreme agitation.

And it wasn't only Yunhe who noticed this.

Ma Shaoyuan, who had always stood at the prow holding a long sword, likewise gazed at the falcon's feet, his eyes flashing, his three‑foot green blade trembling and humming, spiritual power flowing through it.

Unlike other cultivators filled with dread, Ma Shaoyuan's eyes held a hint of excitement.

The next moment.

Ma Shaoyuan lightly raised his arm, and his flying sword rose slowly, spiritual power condensed but not released.

All that could be seen was that on his upturned palm lay a talisman.

Upon it was etched a small sword, shimmering with flowing light, lifelike, as if a true peerless blade, its chill piercing.

Others had little reaction, but seeing this, Ma Boyuan's pupils shrank sharply and he shouted:

"Shaoyuan, no!"

However, Ma Shaoyuan paid no heed.

He merely kept pouring magical power into the talisman, and the little sword upon it grew ever more vivid, as if about to fly off the paper.

"A talisman, a talisman treasure?!"

Qian Dajiang beside Yunhe, upon seeing this, was greatly shocked, stammering out two words.

"Talisman treasure?"

Yunhe's face showed doubt.

He could be considered an entry-level talisman master, yet he had never even heard the term "talisman treasure."

However, he could sense that this object was probably quite extraordinary.

Qian Dajiang swallowed his saliva and explained:

"Talisman treasures are objects that only mighty cultivators of the Jie Dan Stage can refine."

Through his simple explanation, Yunhe finally realized how extraordinary the talisman script in Ma Shaoyuan's hand was at this moment.

Talisman treasure is a special object that infuses the power of one's own dharma treasure into a sealed special talisman, allowing other non-Jie Dan cultivators to unleash part of the dharma treasure's power, and possessing both the qualities of a talisman script and a dharma treasure.

Therefore, talisman treasures are also called "false dharma treasures."

It was only now that Yunhe understood what Ma Shaoyuan intended to do.

He actually wanted to slay this scoundrel?!

Slay this second-tier beast!

"What gall!"

Yunhe couldn't help but praise him in his heart.

Facing a second-tier beast comparable to a Foundation Establishment cultivator with only Qi Refining cultivation base, just this courage alone is worthy of praise.

While Qian Dajiang was explaining to Yunhe, the talisman treasure in Ma Shaoyuan's hand burst forth with blinding daylight, and at the same time he said:

"Big brother, this scoundrel is injured; he must be a loser from the territorial struggle in Tianling Mountain!"

Tightly, the spiritual energy on his body rose.

He let out a loud shout:

"If not now, when else? Go!"

He immediately joined his fingers to form a sword and pointed into the void.

Swish—

In the next instant, the talisman treasure shot forth; with a "hum," it turned into a three-zhang giant sword, spiritual energy coiling around it, sharpness radiating, its momentum immensely grand!

"Cry!!!"

The red-backed arrow-winged vulture obviously also sensed the threat from the talisman treasure, let out a frightened cry, folded its wings, and turned into a sharp arrow that shot out.

"Where do you think you're going!"

Seeing this, Ma Shaoyuan could not possibly allow the precious talisman treasure to miss its strike.

He traced the sword finger again, a sword-shaped small boat appeared beneath his feet, and it actually pursued!

"Shaoyuan!"

Ma Boyuan tried to stop him, but could not stop him at all.

"Fellow Daoist Ma, Fellow Daoist Shaoyuan, can you slay this scoundrel?"

Zheng Wenhao, who kept infusing spiritual power into the battle flag, swallowed his saliva and asked:

Upon hearing this, Ma Boyuan merely wore a face of helplessness.

He actually knew very well why Ma Shaoyuan had to slay this demon beast.

Ma Shaoyuan was the most talented of his generation in the Ma family, yet he had been stuck at the peak of energy refinement for a long time.

The Ma family had not lacked preparation of foundation building pills for him, but Ma Shaoyuan always felt his chance of success in foundation building was low, so he did not take the pills to attempt foundation building.

The Ma family ancestor saw Ma Shaoyuan's hesitation and doubt, fully understood his concerns, and having grown under the Ma family's protection, Ma Shaoyuan lacked the resolve to forge ahead heedless of death.

Therefore, they arranged for him to lead the Ma clan caravan, which was both a trial for him and a means to help him find a breakthrough opportunity.

And just now, Ma Shaoyuan obviously took this wounded second-tier red-backed arrow-winged vulture as the embodiment of his inner anxiety and hesitation.

Slaying this scoundrel would cut away all his worries and hesitation.

Imagine, if even a second-tier beast can be slain, how could he still fail to establish his foundation?

But after all, this is a second-tier beast, so Ma Boyuan felt quite uneasy in his heart.

"Ancestor, I hope you are right."

Boom!!!

Far off, a tremendous roar suddenly rang out, accompanied by the impact of the sweeping shockwave.

Therefore, the cultivators on the deck all stared intently at the source of the commotion, their heartbeats as if right by their ears.

Has he been killed?

"Get ready to run."

Yunhe said in a low voice, his whole body tense.

"Run?" Qian Dajiang's expression went blank.

Where to run?

There is a great formation on the treasure ship, and with so many cultivators around, running anywhere would not be safer than here, right?

Moreover, judging from Ma Shaoyuan's momentum, he might actually be able to slay that second-tier beast.

But Yunhe did not explain, merely silently walking to the edge of the treasure ship's deck.

Yes, the red-backed arrow-winged vulture is injured, and not lightly—it is indeed a good opportunity.

But Ma Shaoyuan overlooked one point.

A wounded wild beast is often even more terrifying!

Furthermore, Yunhe had also seen a foundation building great cultivator take action during the chaos at the Hepan Market; he could not help but admit that the talisman treasure was very powerful, that attack just now far exceeded the capability range of an energy refinement cultivator, but to say it could slay a second-tier beast comparable to a foundation building great cultivator would still be lacking somewhat.

It could possibly cause heavy injury, but it would be extremely difficult to slay!

The talisman treasure is strong, but it also depends on the user.

The distant commotion gradually faded, the impact's air wave also slowly subsided, everyone held their breath, awaiting the result.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths.

I don't know how much time has passed.

Sweat seeped from his palms.

His legs trembled slightly.

Fear spread rapidly in the silence.

Boom!!!

Suddenly.

A mass of extremely terrifying red flame rose from the ship's bottom.

"Demonic fire!" Ma Boyuan exclaimed in shock.

Demonic fire is an ability possessed only by certain demonic beasts, and releasing it when one's cultivation base is insufficient greatly drains the beast's essence and energy.

This red-backed arrow-winged falcon has gone mad!

Pfft—

Ma Boyuan and Zheng Wenhao almost simultaneously spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, their faces as white as paper.

The treasure ship's grand formation was forcibly torn open a breach!

Cree!!

I don't know why, Yunhe faintly felt that amidst this long cry, besides anger, there was also a hint of desolation and sorrow.

Sorrowful?

The blood-soaked red-backed arrow-winged falcon flashed past, its eyes blood-red, filled with grief and rage.

No——!!

Zheng Wenhao's desperate voice quickly faded away.

Thus, the treasure ship's protective formation was completely broken!

Run!

Yunhe made a quick decision.

Only after three or four cultivators with similarly quick reactions jumped down did he leap from the treasure ship.

He did not use the Ink Cloud Boat, because he knew it was insufficient to carry him away from the red-backed arrow-winged falcon, and might even make him a more conspicuous target.

After landing, he did not run around indiscriminately, but directly formed hand seals.

Earth Escape Technique!

His target was the collision site where Ma Shaoyuan had just chased over.

Whether according to the 'crater theory' or the 'the most dangerous place is the safest place' and many other miscellaneous theories, that place should be the safest direction.

Of course, there is also another point that is equally important.

If Ma Shaoyuan really died, then that talisman treasure probably.

Fact proves.

Yunhe's judgment was not wrong.

The rising and falling cries on the ground gradually faded away, and he arrived at the collision site.

When he emerged from the earth, Yunhe's expression uncontrollably stiffened for a few seconds.

He saw the gruesome corpse not far away, and also saw a blood-soaked broken.

Egg?!

(End of chapter)