Li Nanzhu naturally agreed with pleasure. Her last trip for experience was with First Senior Brother and Seventh Senior Brother; although First Senior Brother wasn't coming this time, having Second Senior Brother lead the team was much the same. She secretly looked forward to it, as it was a perfect chance to see how Second Senior Brother, a music cultivator, fought.
"It doesn't seem like any secret realms are opening lately?" Duan Xianxing flipped through a communication jade slip. "If we aren't going to a secret realm, can we only go to the Forest of Demonic Beasts?"
Zhu Yinxi nodded. "The periphery of the Forest of Demonic Beasts is still very suitable for low-level cultivators to gain experience. With us protecting her, there shouldn't be any major issues."
Li Nanzhu had no reason to refuse. The Forest of Demonic Beasts—treasures were everywhere there. While it couldn't compare to the rarity of the heavenly materials and earthly treasures in a secret realm, it was rich in resources and had always been the top choice for major sects' training expeditions.
More importantly, she remembered from the original text that there was a great opportunity for Cang Dongqing in the Forest of Demonic Beasts. She just didn't know which stage the plot had reached or if that opportunity had already been taken. If it hadn't been claimed yet, she wouldn't hesitate to beat her to it.
"Little Junior Sister has been in seclusion for five days, so there's no rush to depart. Having just broken through, you can take a few more days to regulate your breathing. We should also prepare some talismans and pills in case they aren't enough. Buying supplies at the edge of the Forest of Demonic Beasts is twice as expensive as usual."
So only five days had passed? Calculating the time according to the timeline, it should still be early for Cang Dongqing to go to the Forest of Demonic Beasts, so she didn't need to rush. Furthermore, in the original story, Cang Dongqing only went there after reaching Qi Condensation Great Perfection and being on the verge of breaking through to Foundation Establishment.
Coincidentally, the Five Elements Dao Sect truly lived up to its reputation as a villainous sect; the timing and location they chose for training always seemed to clash with the heroine. However, this made things convenient for her plans.
"I can't draw mid-grade talismans for the time being," Li Nanzhu pondered. "But now that I've reached Qi Condensation Great Perfection and have more spiritual energy storage, perhaps I can attempt to draw tier 2 talismans."
Her meridians had now expanded to twice their original size, and the amount of spiritual energy she could store was incomparable to before. However, with her current cultivation, the number of talismans she could draw was limited after all; she still needed to buy some at the market.
However, this task could only be entrusted to Second Senior Brother. If it were given to Seventh Senior Brother, he would likely buy back more failed talismans that only tunneled ten meters underground.
"But," Li Nanzhu changed the subject, "when I first arrived, were you two studying talismans? Why not use them at the martial arts arena? It's too dangerous to do it in the courtyard."
After all, the corner of the house that had been blown away by the explosion talisman was still missing.
"Um, we were studying your talismans, Little Junior Sister." Duan Xianxing didn't dare speak this time, so Zhu Yinxi answered for him.
"My talismans? They're just tier 1 talismans, they shouldn't be worth studying, right?" Li Nanzhu was somewhat puzzled. While their effects were indeed better than ordinary talismans, they shouldn't reach the level where her senior brothers would need to study them.
"Little Junior Sister's talismans... are very special," Zhu Yinxi murmured thoughtfully, before explaining his findings in detail.
"Seventh Junior Brother and I tested the talismans you drew previously. Not only are the effects better, but more strangely, the auxiliary-type talismans can actually help one perceive Dao rhyme."
"Dao... rhyme?" Li Nanzhu didn't know how to respond for a moment. How could such a high-end concept appear in her talismans? But seeing his serious expression, she couldn't help but think it over.
"To put it simply, after using Little Junior Sister's talismans, it's easier for me to perceive my own Dao methods and cultivation techniques when I enter a meditative state," Zhu Yinxi explained. "And when Seventh Junior Brother uses them while practicing swordplay, the flow of his sword intent becomes more fluid. I thought it was just my own illusion, but I didn't expect Seventh Junior Brother to feel the same."
"Let me think..." Li Nanzhu rubbed her chin. Was the principle behind this because of the Eight Principles of Yong? She was indeed connecting with the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth when she drew the symbols, but normal talisman masters could do the same. Even if the Eight Principles of Yong was a unique path she had forged, it shouldn't produce such an effect, right?
"Anyway, Little Junior Sister is only at Qi Condensation right now. It's fine if you can't figure it out, as long as they work well. Don't you agree, Second Senior Brother?"
Duan Xianxing didn't care much about it. Whether the talismans contained Dao rhyme or not, they were just auxiliary tools to him. He preferred direct combat; having support was great, but its absence wouldn't affect his fighting.
"True," Zhu Yinxi agreed. "Perhaps these characteristics will become more apparent when Little Junior Sister can draw higher-level talismans. There's no need to think too much now, though it would be good if you could draw a few more."
"Of course." Li Nanzhu would have done so even if they hadn't asked. After all, one could never have too many talismans. "I happen to plan on trying tier 2 talismans as well. Perhaps there will be new discoveries."
Having agreed to set off in five days, the three went their separate ways.
Upon returning to her room, Li Nanzhu didn't rush to draw talismans. Instead, she took out a piece of paper and recorded the general events regarding the Forest of Demonic Beasts from the original text.
Although she trusted her memory, it was safer to have it in black and white just in case. It was hard to guarantee she wouldn't miss something if an accident occurred, and recording it early would facilitate her future plotting.
Now that she had reached Qi Condensation Great Perfection, it was hard to say who would win if she crossed paths with Cang Dongqing.
Last time, severely wounding Cang Dongqing had truly been a stroke of luck. If First Senior Brother hadn't wounded the two from the Wuji Sect beforehand, leaving her without backup, she wouldn't have had the chance to hurt her, let alone cause her cultivation to drop. She just didn't know how much of the other girl's injuries had recovered by now.
However, judging by the child of fortune's halo, Li Nanzhu speculated that even if the other hadn't reached Qi Condensation Great Perfection yet, she was at least at level nine. With her talent as a heavenly spiritual root genius, her cultivation speed would certainly not be slow.
But she still had to prepare for the worst. It would be troublesome if her interference caused a butterfly effect that led the other to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage early.
Li Nanzhu was clearly overthinking in this regard. Given Immortal Venerable Ling Xiao's personality, he had been loudly boasting about his disciple's excellence ever since he took her in. If she had truly reached Foundation Establishment, the communication jade slips would currently be filled with news of Cang Dongqing breaking through in less than half a year; Ling Xiao was never stingy with money when it came to promoting his prized disciple.
She didn't think too much about it now, her mind full of the plot in the Forest of Demonic Beasts.
Meanwhile, within the Sword Heart Sect.
"Congratulations, Senior Sister Dongqing, on reaching Qi Condensation Great Perfection again."
Cang Dongqing's face, which had been beaming with smiles due to her breakthrough, instantly stiffened. The disciple realized their slip of the tongue and hurriedly bowed before retreating.
"A mere outer disciple..." Cang Dongqing gritted her teeth, burying all her hatred deep in her heart. When she lifted her face again, she was once more the gentle and kind senior sister.
She swore that sooner or later, she would make those who had hurt her pay a agonizing price!
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