BXBX NOVEL Chapter 208: Surge i
There were only four sheets of rank-2 golden-edged bamboo leaves left.
Chen Mobai intended to use them to draw the rank-2 Yi Wood Divine Thunder Talisman he had been learning diligently for the past two years.
This particular talisman is the one he has studied most proficiently. This is not only because he had used it previously, but because his cultivation technique of eternal youth is also of the wood attribute, making it an especially good match. Even though it has been a long time since he returned to Red Sandstone City, he still remembers vividly the talismans sold in the Wood Spiritual Talisman Shop.
After all, the shop’s talismans were the primary reason for his initially outstanding performance in the Tianhe Realm and during the entrance examination for the magical duel at the academy.
After Chen Mobai was certified as a Rank-1 Talisman Maker, he chose to specialize in the wood talismans.
Within the Dance Tool Dao Academy, it was very easy for him to learn these talismans. However, learning the rank-2 Yi Wood Divine Thunder Talisman held him back for two full months.
It was not until Chen Xinglan’s Foundation Establishment when Chen Mobai took leave to go back to Red Sandstone City and paid a visit to the shopkeeper of the Wood Spiritual Talisman shop. With the latter’s careful instruction, he finally made a breakthrough in drawing this talisman.
Now, out of the three rank-2 talismans he can draw, the “Yi Wood Divine Thunder Talisman” has the highest success rate. It is also the one he is most confident with.
Drawing a talisman consumes a tremendous amount of spirit and spiritual power.
Chen Mobai only began drawing the “Yi Wood Divine Thunder Talisman” again after a night’s rest.
His condition was superb and he successfully drew three out of the four bamboo leaves.
However, when he finished drawing, Chen Mobai discovered a faint crack on the shaft of his green bamboo brush.
After all, it was a Rank-i superior-grade talisman brush. After continuous use over the past couple of days and being used to draw rank-2 talismans, it was showing signs of wear and tear.
It appears that he needs to get a better talisman brush.
As for how to obtain it, Chen Mobai already had an idea in mind.
Purchasing one would definitely be unaffordable. The finished rank-2 magic artifacts from the Immortal Sect generally cost around one million good deed points.
Due to the single functionality of the talisman brush, it would be slightly cheaper. A standard rank-2 talisman brush only costs five to six hundred thousand, but even at this price, Chen Mobai could hardly afford it.
On the Divine Wood Sect’s side, the price for a rank-2 talisman brush is around one to two hundred spirit stones.
Chen Mobai felt that it was too expensive and not worth it.
So, his plan was to buy the raw materials for crafting a brush in the Tianhe Realm and then ask someone to help him make it in the Immortal Sect.
Appropriately, there is a peerless refining genius from his own class within Chen Mobai’s circle of friends.
“Brother, I want to order a rank-2 talisman brush. Do you know any artifact refiners who are good at crafting brushes?”
“Crafting brushes? That is somewhat uncommon, I’ll have to ask around.”
The Refining Implement Department where Ming Yuhua resides mainly focuses on combat and defense magic artifacts. No one really researches auxiliary artifacts like the talisman brush.
Brother, thank you for the effort. I’ll treat you to a meal when you find someone.”
“Alright, but don’t get your hopes up too high, I doubt there is anyone in our Daoist Academy who has studied this.”
After hanging up the phone, Chen Mobai took another two days of rest. After completely recuperating from the mental and spiritual consumption of making talismans, he returned to Giant Tree Ridge.
The sect-wide competition was about to begin.
Within the Divine Wood City, Chen Mobai, Qi Rui, and Xi Jinghuo sat by a window in a tavern, watching the preliminary stages of the competition take place on the ten huge platforms in the center of the city below.
Generally, only 1536 Qi Cultivation disciples are needed for the sect-wide competition. After six rounds of dueling, the remaining 24 will become the elite disciples.
However, due to the large number of recruits by the Divine Wood Sect in these years, the number of Qi Cultivation disciples participating in the sect-wide competition exceeded the limit. But it was not enough to add another round.
To maintain the configuration of the 24 elite disciples after six rounds, the Divine Wood Sect conducted a preliminary contest to eliminate some of the Qi Cultivation disciples.
Naturally, those in the late stages of Qi Cultivation like Chen Mobai didn’t need to participate in the preliminary contest. This year, Xi Jinghuo had advanced to the 7th level of Qi Cultivation, making things a bit easier for him.
The three of them watched the Fight Duels among the disciples at the 3rd and
4th Qi Cultivation stages below, feeling completely unenthused.
“Brother Chen, you are going to shine brightly this year.”
Xi Jinghuo suddenly uttered a statement that Chen Mobai did not understand.
“Oh? Brother Xi, why do you say that?”
“The Spirit Plant Department has applied for a rank-2 Divine Wood Sword for you. This news has already spread widely.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai couldn’t help but laugh.
It must have been Brother Li Li who spread the news.”
“The reason that each of the Twelve Departments can secure a position among the elite disciples each year is because the sect allows them to lend rank-2 magic artifacts to promising disciples. While this helps maintain the face of the Twelve Departments, such a practice is common knowledge. Therefore, during the yearly sect-wide competition, those who have connections will always inquire about which artifacts are lent out.”
Xi Jinghuo naturally belonged to those with connections.
Qi Rui was not aware of this. He only understood after hearing it and wore a regretful expression on his face.
“Does your Spirit Plant Department really have such good benefits that they could lend out two rank-2 flying swords? Our Talisman Division only has one set of rank-2 armor for Elder Sister Ding Ying.”
Chen Mobai could only answer with silence. However, when Qi Rui mentioned Ding Ying, his eyes flashed subtly.
This outstanding disciple from the previous class had not taken the Foundation Building Pill because she practiced the two-phase method, just like Yuan Chiye. Last year, she ranked sixth among the elite disciples and was considered a talent likely to succeed in the Foundation Establishment.
“If you fail to become one of the elite disciples this year because of the open conflict regarding the three Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Spirit Plant Department, you may be left out for a long time. It’s likely that you won’t be able to borrow a rank-2 magic artifact in the next decade or so.”
Xi Jinghuo’s words were somewhat chilling. Chen Mobai hadn’t noticed this before, but after being prompted by Xi Jinghuo, his face suddenly registered comprehension.
Indeed, that would be the case.
In the Spirit Plant Department, Liu Guilong, the original elite disciple, had lost his position to Li Li last year due to failing the Foundation Establishment.
This year, Liu Guilong’s injuries healed, and if he had a rank-2 magic artifact, he would have a high chance of reclaiming his position as an elite disciple.
But obviously, Li Li isn’t willing to back off. Behind both of them are the Spirit Plant Department’s dean and vice-dean, two Foundation Establishment Elders, and they all need a reason to meddle.
Whether Chen Mobai was proactively involved or was selected as a formidable piece in their game by Sun Gaochang, the three Foundation Establishment Elders tacitly agreed that he should receive a rank-2 flying sword.
If he cannot become an elite disciple this year, the distribution of spirit swords in the Spirit Plant Department will have been established, and the other sword will definitely go to Liu Guilong.
Therefore, in this sect-wide competition, many people might be watching Chen Mobai from the sidelines.
“Thank you for your warning, Brother Xi.”
Having understood the hidden implications behind his obtaining a Rank-2
Divine Wood Sword, Chen Mobai sincerely toasted Xi Jinghuo.
“This wine is not as good as the one you brew.”
After finishing his drink, Xi Jinghuo shook his head, critiquing the spiritual wine served at the tavern.
I have long finished the liquor I brewed last year, but this year I brewed a hundred jars. When they are opened, I will treat you all to a feast.”
Upon hearing this, Qi Rui’s face lit up with joy.
Time passed quickly. With the preliminary contest over, the main competition of the sect-wide competition was about to begin.
Chen Mobai encountered his first-round opponent, who turned out to be someone he knew..