Chapter 112: Calculating Schemes to Exchange for Black Bamboo

Inscribing talismans was something Lingxiang was skilled at, but inscribing them for a divine weapon or artifact was a first for her.

Generally, talismans are burned up after use, so there is no need to pay too much attention to whether the Spirit Power on the Yellow Paper and Cinnabar can last long; even for suppression talismans, unless they are for sealing demons, this point does not need to be considered. However, an artifact is different; it cannot be discarded after a single use, which is why Lingxiang pondered it for a long time.

Regarding the Demon Rat incident at Youran Abode on the day of the Lantern Festival, she had noticed the remains of one of the demon rats, and it was clearly wounded by Spirit Qi. According to the situation at the time, Long Qi did not yet understand the method of Guiding Spirit into Artifact, and even if he did, it would have been Spirit Qi of the Five Elements fire aspect. And if it were based on Xin Yi's cultivation, he would never have left such a shallow wound. Therefore, the wound on that demon rat must have come from Rendong.

Firstly, although Rendong has a False Spiritual Root, he at least possesses all Five Elements, making it highly possible for him to draw out such clear, cold Spirit Power. Secondly, he was holding an unopened Soft Sword; if it were just an ordinary sword wound, it would not have left such traces.

After calculating every possibility, only Rendong could have done it.

Originally, Lingxiang thought that although Xin Yi was not proficient in Daoist techniques, he had achieved Golden Core through his own Martial Dao and possessed the strange arts of the Lu Family; if he were taught some Daoist techniques and Dharma Techniques, his cultivation would certainly be able to reach a higher level.

And Long Qi was already practicing the "Coiling Dragon Sword Formula"; if supplemented with the Daoist method of guiding spirits, allowing him to communicate his intent with the spirit of the Seven-Star Dragon Abyss, his future cultivation would also be smooth. It was just that, relatively speaking, he was somewhat lacking in mental cultivation methods, but with a little guidance in the future, these would not be problems.

Only the matter of Rendong's cultivation truly caused Lingxiang some concern.

Rendong's Spiritual Root aptitude was not as good as Long Qi's or Xin Yi's, and unlike them, he had no family heirlooms, nor was there anything outstanding about him. Furthermore, he had no prior Martial Dao training; now that he had to cultivate, he could only proceed step by step.

But Lingxiang was not a person who followed the rules rigidly. If she really followed the standard cultivation steps, not to mention whether this gradual progress was feasible, even if he truly achieved something in the Dao, Rendong would likely be as old as Zhuzhang Laoren by then.

She herself had a Residual Spirit Root and no path for cultivation; could it be that she would be unable to find a way for someone with a sound Spiritual Root?

Just when she was completely baffled, seeing that wound on the day of the Lantern Festival truly gave Lingxiang a sudden enlightenment, just like the saying: "When mountains and rivers seem to leave no path, a village appears amidst the willows and flowers."

Judging by that wound, although Rendong has a False Spiritual Root, he can unintentionally fuse the Five Elements and Guide Spirit into Artifact. Since that is the case, she would use this as a breakthrough point to select a cultivation path that could play to his strengths.

After much thought, if she really wanted to start from this aspect, she still had to consult Zhuzhang Laoren, who had been through it all. It just so happened that on that day, Zhuzhang Laoren told her about the Purple Leaf Golden Cloud, so she took the opportunity to ask.

Back then, Zhuzhang Laoren also suffered from his Spiritual Root aptitude, but fortunately, Wuweidaoren discovered his great talent for Array Formation and persuaded him, who had wanted to give up, to try using this as a breakthrough point. Sure enough, it truly allowed him to achieve great success in this area, and because of his superb array techniques, his cultivation progressed, breaking through realms repeatedly. Even half of the array books studied by Zhaoming Zhenren came from his hand.

It was also that day that Zhuzhang Laoren gave Lingxiang a method.

Since Rendong can fuse the power of the Five Elements and Guide Spirit into Artifact, it would be better to teach him to circulate the Five Elements and then guide him to unleash Five Elements Witchcraft. And the method of talismans is the most intuitive.

Five Elements talismans can separately draw out his Five Elements power, and can also be combined in twos or threes to form other strange phenomena.

But if it were purely used for the method of talismans, it would be too troublesome; not to mention the drawing and preparing of talismans, he couldn't possibly carry a pocket full of Talisman Paper when he had to face things alone in the future.

Therefore, Zhuzhang Laoren told Lingxiang to make a folding fan for him.

The folding fan he spoke of was not the paper fan used by the young masters in Chenjian, but an iron fan like a weapon.

Iron fan techniques are diverse; stabbing, hacking, picking, pressing, and parrying are also close to the Soft Sword Rendong used when he started, so it should be easy to pick up. Moreover, after the fan is opened, it can block hidden weapons and spells; although it is a bit short, it can be compensated for by the method of guiding spirits. There are also many patterns carved on the fan, which is perfect for engraving Five Elements talismans to help him guide spirits.

"But compared to other weapons, a fan cannot be used for hard clashes; it relies more on clever force, striking after the enemy to arrive first. Won't it be too feminine?" Lingxiang was very hesitant after hearing what Zhuzhang Laoren said.

"Hey~ If it is as you say, that kid can Guide Spirit into Artifact, so he can wrap the fan surface with Spirit Qi; even if he uses rough techniques, it should be fine. Besides, if he can really improve his cultivation with this, why care about the thoughts of vulgar people?"

Lingxiang felt this made sense: "If so, then I will make it as an artifact. But if it is made of iron, it will be too troublesome. I remember you have a few Hundred-Year Black Bamboo here, old man. You don't use them anyway, why not cut one for me..."

Before Lingxiang finished speaking, Zhuzhang Laoren immediately wailed: "I knew you were eyeing my treasures! For a hundred years, I haven't even had designs on them, and you, for the sake of that disciple of yours, actually want to destroy my bamboo garden? No, no, don't even think about it."

"Hey! Why be like this, old man?" Seeing Zhuzhang Laoren like this, Lingxiang actually began to act like a spoiled child. "Those Black Bamboos are just sitting there, it would be better to give them to me to make a bamboo fan; that would be putting them to good use. Besides, I'm only asking for one, not taking them all. You don't have to be so stingy; you're already several hundred years old."

"Stingy?" Zhuzhang Laoren's beard flew up when he heard this. "If I were stingy, would I have let you, this little bandit, take so many things away? You have no idea how much effort I spent on these Black Bamboos; you make it sound so easy!"

Seeing that Zhuzhang Laoren seemed determined, Lingxiang hurriedly stood up and looked down at him, saying, "You really won't give it?"

"Absolutely not!"

The two confronted each other for a moment, but Lingxiang suddenly laughed—this old man, he was actually playing mind games with her.

She sat down gracefully and smiled: "Tell me, what will it take for you to give it to me?"

Zhuzhang Laoren opened one eye and glanced at Lingxiang, then cleared his throat and said: "I heard you developed a Gathering Spirit Pill a few days ago; it must be extremely useful. If you take a hundred or so and trade them with me, perhaps I will give you one."

What a big mouth, a hundred or so!

"Forget about a hundred or so, but I have three left. If you really want them, I can give them all to you; otherwise, I'll give them to someone else and earn a favor." Lingxiang smiled and took a Pouch from her Universe Bag, weighing it in her hand.

Hearing the Pouch rustle, Zhuzhang Laoren immediately turned his head. That Purple Leaf Golden Cloud was about to bloom, and after it bloomed, it would need to be well-nourished; the Gathering Spirit Pill was indeed a top-tier choice. Not to mention three, even one or two would be enough.

But that was Hundred-Year Black Bamboo!

Forget it, forget it. He had never gotten the better of this little bandit, so three it is!

"Since that's the case, after that Purple Leaf Golden Cloud is used for medicine and refining, you must share a few with me. If you agree, I will give you a piece of Hundred-Year Black Bamboo."

This old man, he actually learned to extort her like this. Forget it, forget it. When the time comes, how many pills are refined, this old man won't know anyway; isn't it up to her to decide?

"It's a deal!"

Hearing this, Zhuzhang Laoren snatched the Pouch from Lingxiang's hand.

"A promise is a promise!"