Chapter 224: Xiao Mi Yun Fan

"The place my sister mentioned is at the center of the mountain range," Wang Yu said with a bitter tone, truly regretting having taken on these two items.

"Hehe, younger brother, rest assured—I told you this journey wouldn't be overly dangerous, so I wouldn't deceive you."

"For this entry into the secret realm, my ancestor specially gave me a talisman artifact capable of concealing my aura, possessing unimaginable power—once activated, even Foundation Establishment cultivators cannot detect it."

"The only drawback is that once activated, this talisman artifact requires constant infusion of spiritual energy to maintain its effect—that's why I needed to find someone to accompany me."

"Otherwise, I alone could never sustain this talisman artifact."

"To be honest, my ancestor originally arranged for another person to accompany me in retrieving the item, but who knew our entry points were randomized, and afterward I could no longer contact him—otherwise, I wouldn't have troubled you, younger brother," Bai Yun said with a light laugh, clearly confident about this journey.

"Talisman artifact! Though I've never seen a real one, I've long heard of its fame—since our ancestor gave you such a treasure, then the matter is no longer concerning," Wang Yu said, visibly moved, his worries dissipating considerably.

"Who says you've never seen a real one? When we traveled together back then, you saw me activate a defensive talisman artifact—the turtle-shell silhouette—that was also a talisman artifact, but after multiple uses, its power was nearly gone. This Xiao Mi Yun Fan talisman artifact, however, is brand-new and can be used multiple times," Bai Yun said.

"Hmm, so that turtle-shell silhouette you released back then was also a talisman artifact—I never imagined that," Wang Yu recalled the scene from years ago, marveling aloud, then rolled up the scroll and returned both items to her.

"Now, have you truly decided to accompany me on this journey?" Bai Yun carefully re-stowed the two items; having explained everything, she finally confirmed once more with Wang Yu.

"Since my sister has said so much, how could I possibly refuse? But I have one condition—I hope you'll agree to it," Wang Yu said solemnly, having made his decision and no longer wishing to delay.

"Oh? Tell me, younger brother Wang," Bai Yun asked curiously.

"I hope you'll promise me, within your ancestor's capability, not a general favor, but that when I become a True Disciple, I may become his registered disciple—and if I ever miraculously reach Foundation Establishment, I hope he will formally accept me as his disciple," Wang Yu said slowly.

Upon hearing this, Bai Yun froze, then after a long pause, replied with a strange expression:

"Younger brother, you really dare to think like that."

"Do you know how many Foundation Establishment cultivators in our sect desperately want to join our ancestor's lineage? Yet he's only taken two formal disciples."

"Our sect has so many Foundation Establishment cultivators—but how many have ever been accepted as disciples by a Jin Dan elder?"

"I know it's a fantasy to become his direct disciple, so I only dare ask for the status of a registered disciple—if I never succeed in reaching Foundation Establishment, I won't dare dream of becoming his true disciple," Wang Yu smiled.

"If it's just the status of a registered disciple… since younger brother Wang has said so, I'll ask him for you when the time comes—but I can't guarantee he'll agree. If he refuses, we'll stick to the original condition," Bai Yun thought for a moment, then finally nodded.

"Thank you, sister," Wang Yu said, overjoyed. "If it were anyone else, I wouldn't bother—but you're the ancestor's descendant, and you've just accomplished a great deed for him; surely he'll grant you this favor." He showered her with praise, having only intended to test the waters—but from Bai Yun's reaction, it seemed there was real hope.

If he truly became a registered disciple of the Tian Chan Elder, that status would be far more practical and valuable than a mere favor within her ancestor's capability.

Even as a registered disciple of a Jin Dan elder, he would enjoy lifelong security within the Four Symbols Sect.

Of course, this was because he realized that Tian Chan Elder had sent his own descendant into such a perilous secret realm—he knew the item Bai Yun sought must be of immense importance to the elder, or else he would never have dared to make such a request.

"Enough. You yourself said you want to become my ancestor's registered disciple—I must first accomplish this great deed for him. No time to waste—let's depart now."

"To be safe, I'll activate the Xiao Mi Yun Fan talisman artifact now," Bai Yun, ever decisive, immediately pulled from her sleeve a snow-white, silk-thin piece of beast hide, faintly inscribed with a miniature green banner pattern.

This was the talisman artifact!

Wang Yu looked at it, his heart stirred—he recalled the beast hide in his own hand, inscribed with a crimson long-knife pattern.

Could that also be a demonic talisman artifact?

He was filled with surprise and delight.

At that moment, Bai Yun began pouring spiritual energy into the beast hide.

The next instant, the snow-white hide shimmered with tiny silver lights.

Slowly, a half-foot-long green miniature banner emerged from the hide.

The banner's surface was densely covered with layers upon layers of green spiritual runes, countless in number.

"So this is what a true treasure looks like,"

Wang Yu stared at the green banner's phantom form, eyes gleaming, murmuring softly.

"Who said the Xiao Mi Yun Fan is a true treasure? It's merely a spirit artifact—far from a true treasure. Let me show you its power," Bai Yun said, unimpressed by his awe, then seized the green banner's phantom as if it were solid, and gave it a gentle shake.

A soft "puff."

A ring of green aura rippled outward from the banner; wherever the green light passed, space twisted, blurred—and Bai Yun, along with the jade flying boat behind her, vanished instantly.

"Not a true treasure—just a spirit artifact."

Wang Yu first froze, then immediately his eyes glowed with light as he swept his spiritual sense forward.

With his current terrifying mental strength, his spiritual sense far surpassed that of any cultivator at his level—even without forming a true spiritual thought, its sheer power made it impossible for ordinary cultivation-level concealment techniques to hide anything at such close range.

Yet when his vast spiritual sense swept across the area, he felt only emptiness—as if no one had ever stood where Bai Yun had been.

Wang Yu silently astonished; his eyes flickered with light several times, yet even his superhuman vision detected no anomaly.

"Impressive—this is the power of a talisman artifact. Younger brother has truly broadened his horizons. Such unimaginable power—Foundation Establishment cultivators truly couldn't detect it," Wang Yu smiled, applauding generously.