Chapter 387 - 386: The Secret Realm Opens, Stepping Into the Talisman Method

Seeing the awkwardness on the person’s face, Yuliya tilted her head.

"What’s wrong? Counselor Lee, you’re not telling me you don’t recognize me, are you?"

"No, it’s just that you came at just the right time."

Li Jing smiled and introduced her to the other person.

"This is Director Jiang Yini, my immediate superior."

"Superior?"

Yuliya turned her head, looked closely at Jiang Yini, and nodded with a smile.

"Director Jiang, I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Yuliya, the Guardian God of the Northern God Country."

Jiang Yini didn’t recognize Yuliya.

The identity of the guardian gods in every country is basically top secret.

Only a few high-level people might know about it.

Not to mention Yuliya standing in front of them now.

Jiang Yini didn’t even know who the current guardian gods of Longyu were in detail.

Who exactly the guardian gods of Longyu are, her father is indeed qualified to know.

But that doesn’t mean she has that right too.

She only got to know the real name of Cao Zimo because Qian Zhixing revealed it.

Watching Yuliya arrive in casual clothes, Jiang Yini was curious about her identity.

Suddenly hearing Yuliya’s self-introduction, Jiang Yini was stunned for a moment, and quickly responded with respect.

"Nice to meet you."

After the greeting, Jiang Yini looked at Li Jing.

"Counselor Lee, Guardian God Yuliya is here for you. You can talk to her, I will go and check on the camp."

"Sure."

Li Jing replied.

Paying attention to the words and expressions, it wasn’t just Jiang Yini who understood.

As the Guardian God of the Northern God Country, Yuliya came here personally and directly found him. It was clear that she wasn’t here in an official capacity.

As Jiang Yini left, Li Jing looked at Yuliya.

"Miss Yuliya, you wouldn’t be here to tell me that you plan to enter the Secret Realm, would you?"

Hearing this, Yuliya raised an eyebrow and said.

"It’s no wonder you work in patrol, even guessing this."

With that said, she smiled.

"It seems that the news of the White Hawks participating in the exploration of the Secret Realm has reached you. I won’t need to say more here."

Li Jing nodded and said.

"I am a bit curious, why would the God Kingdom allow the White Hawks to participate."

"I’m sorry, but I can’t disclose that. Counselor Lee, please don’t make this difficult for me."

Yuliya responded, saying.

"What I can tell you is that the deal involves significant interests of the God Kingdom. Also, there would be a Guardian God from the White Hawk faction along with two individuals from the Seventh Realm. Additionally, there will be 600,000 Sky Shield Bureau personnel participating in the exploration."

Three individuals from the Seventh Realm, plus 600,000 Sky Shield Bureau personnel?

Li Jing was surprised and said with a smile that was not entirely a smile.

"Looking at it this way, it seems that the God Kingdom has already made a fortune before entering the Secret Realm."

"Perhaps!"

Yuliya gave a cryptic smile and tilted her head.

"This time Dragon Universe only sent 300,000 people, but the White Hawks sent 600,000 plus three individuals from the Seventh Realm. Counselor Lee, you shouldn’t have any objections, right?"

"Miss Yuliya, don’t think too little of me."

Li Jing grinned and said.

"The Secret Realm was discovered by the North God Kingdom. What objections could I possibly have?"

"That’s good."

Yuliya nodded and said.

"My main reason for coming here is that the higher-ups were worried that the Dragon Universe and you, Counselor Li, might object to this, and they assigned me to conduct some negotiations. If you have any grievances, or if the Dragon Universe party wants to make some demands because of this, let us discuss it."

"No need."

Li Jing waved his hand and said.

"Our participation in this exploration has already gained us much from the Northern God Country. Also, we of Dragon Universe are not like the White Hawks, constantly giving orders to others. We completely respect the independence of any country."

Seeing that someone had stated their position and even blacklisted the White Hawks, Yuliya gave a faint smile.

"In that case, let’s not talk about it anymore. However, I must mention that the White Hawks will be protected by the God Kingdom as long as they do not commit any wrongs while here. The same goes for the Dragon Universe. Counselor Lee, you’re a straightforward person, so if certain situations arise, please try to control yourself."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing blinked twice and said.

"Don’t worry, Miss Yuliya. I understand the rules. I won’t recklessly get into a conflict with the White Hawks."

"Good."

Yuliya responded, saying with a hint of meaning.

"By the way, the Northern God Kingdom’s protection only applies within its territory. Once inside the Secret Realm, they will not offer any protection to the White Hawks. Dragon Universe is different from the White Hawks in this regard. If they encounter any difficulties in the Secret Realm, they can seek the assistance of the God Kingdom immediately."

Hearing this, Li Jing grinned.

He understood this, even without Yuliya having to explain it specifically.

Putting aside the agreement.

The Northern God Kingdom and Dragon Universe have been important strategic partners for a long time, advancing and retreating together.

Of course, the treatment they receive is different.

However, the things Yuliya said before and after her arrival were clearly pointed at him personally.

As if she had predicted that he would have a conflict with the White Hawks...

In the end.

Clarifying the stance and negotiating should have been done with Jiang Yini, not him.

After all, Jiang Yini is the highest executor of this mission.

This situation, to be honest, made Li Jing feel a bit hurt.

He had many ’previous offenses’, but he didn’t think his reputation was so bad that the Northern God Kingdom had to take preventative measures, did he?

After having a quiet bitter laugh, Li Jing spoke.

"May I ask, the White Hawks are bringing three Seventh Realm individuals, and the God Kingdom ..."

"There is no one else besides me."

Yuliya said.

"Exploring the Secret Realm is not a game. The loss of Seventh Realm individuals is not something everyone can bear. The White Hawks have no choice, but our Northern God Kingdom has no necessity to follow them."

With that, she said with a profound meaning.

"I am mainly in charge of watching them. If that doesn’t work out, there’s always Counselor Lee. You wouldn’t refuse to lend me a hand when necessary, would you?"

"Of course not."

Li Jing smiled.

Principally, he didn’t want to get involved in certain situations.

But if it really came to the point that Yuliya said was necessary, he wouldn’t mind helping.

The Seventh Realm, quite wealthy.

And some were White Hawk Guardian Gods...

Being a breadwinner was indeed not easy. He couldn’t miss out on any opportunity to make a small fortune.

Seeing that he agreed without hesitation, Yuliya smiled radiantly and then playfully spoke again.

"Now that everything that needed to be said has been said, Counselor Lee, do you remember that you still owe me a meal?"

"A meal?"

Li Jing was slightly stunned, then laughed.

"Of course I remember. Seeing as Miss Yuliya just brought it up, let’s meet for dinner in the West Asia residential area this evening. Since the Secret Realm won’t open for a while, we have plenty of time..."

Before he finished speaking, a loud boom suddenly rang out from afar.

The sudden change left both Li Jing and Yuliya momentarily stunned.

Not only the two of them, but the representatives of the Jianghai Management Bureau, who were busy building on the lake in the valley, were equally startled and looked up in bewilderment.

Then, a pitch-black crack appeared in the distant sky, in the sight of everybody.

A sudden crack appeared, and Li Jing frowned.

Yuliya also looked serious.

"Counselor Lee, is your mouth a jinx?"

"..."

Li Jing said nothing, whispering to himself.

"It seems that our planned meal isn’t going to happen. With the opening of the Secret Realm, Miss Yuliya, you must have plenty to do, right?"

"Well, there are indeed many things that need to be done."

Yuliya replied with a sigh, then disappeared into thin air, leaving behind her words.

"Though the White Hawk team is still on their way to the Northern God Country, I have many other things to prepare. Let’s grab a meal next time when we have the opportunity."

No sooner had she left than Jiang Yini, who had left a little earlier, arrived.

Seeing that Yuliya was gone, Jiang Yini glanced at a certain individual.

"Is she the one you met when you bombed the God Church Country some time ago?"

"Yes, she was in charge of my reception at the border of the God Kingdom."

Li Jing responded, staring into the pitch-black crack in the distance, and then asked.

"The Secret Realm has opened. Is our Jianghai Management Bureau going to participate in the initial exploration?"

"No."

Jiang Yini shook her head, saying.

"We only have three hundred thousand people here. The risk of the initial exploration is too high, it’s not worth engaging in. Besides, the Secret Realm is, after all, owned by the Northern God Country. It would appear too domineering for us to rush in. The first piece of meat should be allowed to the God Country."

Having said that, she continued.

"Anyway, given our relationship between Longyu and the Northern God Country, they will share whatever exploration information they get. There’s no need for us to get involved in the initial exploration. We can rest here during that period."

"Alright."

Li Jing agreed and told Jiang Yini about the lineup of the White Hawk that Yuliya had told him about.

Jiang Yini didn’t seem surprised when she learned the details.

She had already anticipated the possibility of a White Hawk Guardian God coming. Two extra members of the Seventh Realm didn’t make a big deal.

As for the 600,000 members of the Sky Shield Bureau...

This only indicated that the White Hawk had invested a lot.

Looking at a certain person, Jiang Yini spoke.

"Can I discuss something with you?"

?

Li Jing.

"I want to follow you into the Secret Realm this time."

Jiang Yini whispered.

Li Jing frowned upon hearing this.

"Wouldn’t it be inappropriate for you, the director, to follow me?"

"What’s the big deal?"

Jiang Yini pouted, saying.

"The Secret Realm has already opened, and I won’t hide it from you anymore. I didn’t come here this time to command the exploration, but to find an opportunity to breakthrough to the Sixth Realm."

An opportunity to break through to the Sixth Realm?

Li Jing was taken aback and inquired oddly.

"You... are you in the late stage of the Fifth Realm?"

"Well, have been for some time now."

Jiang Yini responded, then smiled meaningfully.

"Being a director isn’t just about sitting in an office handling affairs all day. I never took on the role of director for career advancement or fortunes, but for the resources that come with the role. With the successive appearances of the 107 Small Secret Realm and the Chongyuan Holy Realm, the Jianghai Management Bureau has reaped good results. The benefits I have gained are not lesser than yours despite your continuous travel."

"..."

Li Jing was silent.

As the director of the Management Bureau, her benefits should not be lesser.

Especially considering that the Jianghai area had experienced the appearance of two Secret Realms, both big and small, in a short period of time.

Jiang Yini didn’t participate in the exploration on both occasions.

However, as the director, as long as the Jianghai Management Bureau made a "profit", she could earn a huge amount of merit commission.

This director, who just sat in her office, not only earned no less than him, but also enjoyed a relatively easy time.

Remembering that Jiang Yini’s talent was already exceptional, Li Jing felt relieved.

When Jiang Yini left the Jiang family to struggle in Jianghai, she lost not only the support of her family but also time for cultivation.

Now, as a director, she has completely stabilized and isn’t short of resources.

Without a lack of resources and no need to compete for a higher position, it wouldn’t be a difficult feat for her to step from the mid-stage of the Fifth Realm to the late stage.

Looking at Jiang Yini, who was waiting for his response, Li Jing said.

"Okay, let’s go together."

Having received his consent, Jiang Yini smiled sweetly, saying.

"I hope you don’t mind me intruding on your two-person world with Sisi."

"Exploring the Secret Realm isn’t like going on a vacation, what do you mean by a world of two?"

Li Jing couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time.

...

The opening of the Secret Realm Passage was unexpected, earlier than anticipated.

However, the Northern God Country’s reaction was not slow, allowing for immediate gathering of personnel at the Secret Realm Passage to establish a temporary defensive position and prevent any suspicious entities from emerging.

Approximately three hours of time passed.

After the research staff of the God Country confirmed that the Secret Realm Passage was stable enough, more than ten teams from the Special Situations Bureau set off as the preliminary exploration team into the Secret Realm.

Around the same time when the preliminary exploration team set off, the large team from White Hawk arrived.

The large team had barely arrived and hadn’t even completed settling down when the White Hawk’s preliminary exploration team was dispatched.

Li Jing watched with envy.

If possible, he also wanted to participate in the preliminary exploration.

However, due to various considerations and respect for the Northern God Country, he and Longyu decided not to participate.

If they were to form their own preliminary exploration team, then there would be no difference between Longyu and the omnipresent White Hawk.

In the blink of an eye, the time came to dusk.

Heavenly King Group’s camp.

Li Jing, Liu Sisi, Jiang Yini, and Jiu Li sat at the dining table in the tent.

Feeding oneself before leaving is someone’s "traditional skill".

Having dinner with three enchanting beauties is also an enjoyable thing.

At the dining table, Li Jing mentioned to Liu Sisi that Jiang Yini would be accompanying them on this trip.

Liu Sisi, being acquainted with Jiang Yini, naturally had no objections.

In fact, she was very pleased that Jiang Yini could join them.

Being alone with Li Jing could indeed be an intimate world of two, but her "personal safety" could not be guaranteed.

With an additional person, Li Jing would surely exercise some restraint.

After meal, the three women left.

Jiang Yini, being the Bureau Director, obviously couldn’t drop everything and not care about anything.

Even though she had agreed to follow Li Jing and break away from the majority, prior to entering the Secret Realm, she still had to manage the important matters.

Jiu Li, being the temporary leader of the Heavenly King Group, demonstrated a rather reliable side.

With the Secret Realm already open, she had many arrangements to make.

With Jiu Li taking on the responsibility, Li Jing as the hands-off boss certainly wouldn’t worry too much.

He knew it already.

Although Jiu Li might seem unreliable, she is actually dependable.

Handing the Heavenly King Group over to Jiu Li, he could rest assured.

Liu Sisi, having the intention to learn about exploring the Secret Realm, also made up her mind to follow Jiu Li before entering the Secret Realm.

After a meal, only Li Jing was left alone. He had nothing to do, so he took out his mobile phone to contact Xiao Ai.

"Xiao Ai, search for Talisman Methods, pick a highly effective one for me."

With the Heaven’s Creation Skill, Li Jing could now say he has graduated from Artifact Refinement.

As for other areas related to creation, he had planned to delve into them, only he lacked Skill Points.

Looking at the impending trip into the Secret Realm, he intended to arrange for the Talisman Method first.

There was no rush for Alchemy.

He’d consider that when he had an excess of skills later on.

He had this idea in mind beforehand.

Moreover, actually.

Before coming to Northern God Country, he had prepared a batch of basic materials needed for the Talisman Method, such as yellow paper and cinnabar; even buying a separate spiritual pen.

The main reason he chose to prioritize the Talisman Method was due to his consideration of taking Liu Sisi with him on this trip.

If he was to take his own wife, he would naturally do his best to ensure her safety.

However, once inside the Secret Realm, no one could be sure what would happen.

Tackling the Talisman Method beforehand and preparing some top-notch talismans for Liu Sisi as a contingency was undoubtedly a prudent choice.

Now that Jiang Yini would also join them, he needed to prepare even more.

Xiao Ai never let Li Jing down, quickly responding with a message.

Li Jing opened the message.

What Xiao Ai had picked for him was a Talisman Method named Zhou Tian Talisman.

Upon first look into the method, a prompt popped up in front of Li Jing.

"Discovered active skill Zhou Tian Talisman, confirm login?"

Not in a haste to confirm logging in, Li Jing scrutinized the method.

As per his request.

The completed Zhou Tian Talisman had a very high effect, essentially the cream of the crop among Talisman Methods.

The only downside was its low success rate and high material consumption.

One peculiar feature was that during the carving of the talisman, special fresh blood or the carver’s own fresh blood could be used as a lead. Depending on the energy strength of the blood, it could effectively enhance the stability of the imprinted spell formula, the carrying capacity of the yellow paper, and to a certain extent increase the upper limit of the product talisman. The cost was further reducing the success rate.

This feature is present in all Talisman Methods.

But to call it highly efficient, is rare.

Because the higher the efficiency, the lower the success rate.

Most Talisman Methods does not pursue high efficiency in the use of fresh blood as lead, instead, opting for balance.

After a brief scan of the description, Li Jing was pleased.

As for the proficiency of the Talisman Method, he was not worried.

And the proficiency of the spells he has already learned is likewise not a problem.

However, to produce a high-quality talisman, neither of these are key.

Just like Artifact Refinement, the quality of products produced by making talismans has a certain level of randomness.

On the subject of variables, making talismans is even more unpredictable than Artifact Refinement.

Artifact Refinement can be improved by using high-quality materials to boost compatibility and upper limit, while the same cannot be said for making talismans.

The materials needed for making talismans are those basic ones, without too much variation.

High-quality basic materials can indeed improve the quality of the finished product, but the effect is relatively limited.

The real key influencing factor in making talismans lies mainly in the sturdiness of the spell formula, and the bearing capacity of the carrier.

If the spell formula is not sturdy enough, the refining will fail.

If the carrier’s bearing capacity is not enough, the carrier will directly burst.

Following that is the success limit, which will determine the effect of the finished talisman.

The success rate, needless to say.

If it fails, it’s all for naught.

The above four points have a much higher impact on talisman making than any other aspect.

Apart from the success rate, Zhou Tian Talisman complements the other three key points.

Li Jing was more than willing to sacrifice the success rate for the completeness of the other three aspects.

If the failure rate is high, just practice more.

Materials aren’t expensive anyway, he doesn’t lack money.

Just need to spend more time.

Having understood Zhou Tian Talisman, Li Jing chose to add it to his repertoire.

"Adding success, acquired Active Skills Zhou Tian Talisman."

Spending the remaining five skill points out of six on Zhou Tian Talisman, Li Jing got up, activated Silent Shadow, and took to the skies, quietly leaving.

...

A moment later.

Li Jing arrived in a desolate area far from West Asia.

The Northern God Country is sparse with people, it’s truly easy to avoid prying eyes.

Casually landing in an open space, Li Jing took out all the necessary materials for making talismans, and placed down an empty two-liter bottle.

Having confirmed that the materials were correct, he gestured to take out the Flying Sword Blue Edge, and without a word, slit his wrist.

With the strength of his body now, bleeding is indeed a challenge.

Fortunately, the Flying Sword Blue Edge is sharp enough to make a cut without too much difficulty.

Considering the low success rate of the Zhou Tian Talisman, Li Jing controlled the wound on his wrist to prevent it from healing automatically. He stopped only after he’d filled a full two-liter bottle.

Having a physically strong body is carefree.

A measly two liters of fresh blood is not a problem for him.

As for the energy contained in his own Immortal Learning, Li Jing was incredibly confident.

The potency of his blood should not be too low.

Too bad that all of his previous new god blood was sold to the Research Institute, otherwise, he could directly use the new god blood.

The effect would certainly be better than his own.

Not to mention the divine nature, the worst of the new gods is at the Eighth Realm.

When the preparations were finished, Li Jing sat cross-legged on the ground, began to meditate, and the Thunder element Spirit energy from the surrounding Earth realm quietly gathered around him.

Without any delay, he picked up a piece of high-quality yellow paper and lightly tossed it into the air.

"Firm."

With a pointed finger, the yellow paper suspended vertically in front of him.

Li Jing’s gaze was sharp as he took out the Spiritual Pen for talisman making, first dipped in his fresh blood, then took some cinnabar, spirit ink, and other materials, and then wrote.

When the pen fell, Li Jing directly started to inscribe the spell formula of the Five Thunder Righteous Method, pouring spiritual power into it.

However, before he could write a few strokes.

With a "bang" sound, the talisman paper exploded.

It was a setback from the get-go, expectedly.

But this failure came rather quick.

Li Jing stopped, frowning.

The failure before him was not a problem with the success rate, after all, he hadn’t finished writing.

He was just too greedy...

At the peak of Five Thunder Righteous Method, he was immediately attempting to write talismans at his own boundary level.

The yellow paper simply couldn’t bear it...

Yellow paper, of course, Li Jing bought the best.

Not just yellow paper, he also picked the best for other materials.

Even though he now used his own blood as a primer, and the Zhou Tian Talisman highly effectively increased its load-bearing capacity, it still couldn’t bear it.

Should he drop down and try at the sixth realm level?

Drop down? Hell no!

A plenty of materials anyway!

Go head to head!

Li Jing decisively picked up another piece of yellow paper and tossed it up, the Spiritual Pen dropped again.

"Bang!"

Another sheet of yellow paper exploded.

But this time, it held on for a few strokes longer than the last.

Another failure, Li Jing’s expression remained unchanged as he swapped for another piece of yellow paper.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

The yellow papers continuously exploded, failing over thirty times in a row.

Unconsciously, half of the two liters of fresh blood Li Jing had put down was gone.

However, he did not give up.

Among the more than thirty failures, there were quick and slow explosions.

During the slowest time, he was just three strokes short of completing the spell formula.

Just three strokes, that means there is hope!

Picking up the pen once again, Li Jing quickly inscribed with the Spiritual Pen in his hand.

This time, he was lucky.

He quickly reached the last stroke.

Success?

Li Jing’s eyes glowed as he finished the last stroke.

Having completed the spell formula, he swiftly made his hand signs, a layer of silver light swept over the surface of the yellow paper.

It seemed like a success?

Li Jing’s eyes lit up, his hands continuously forming signs, and in his heart, he was silently praying.

Please don’t explode, please don’t explode!

Just as he had hoped.

The yellow paper did not explode.

He had succeeded in making the talisman.

Quite casually, a Five Thunder Righteous Method talisman of Seventh Realm strength slowly floated down and fell into his hand.