Chapter Thirty-Five: The Celestial Primordial Talisman of Pure Emptiness

After listening to the yellow-faced bandit’s broken confession, Yang Nan felt a sense of reassurance. These reckless thieves possessed considerable strength, but they had the misfortune of encountering someone as ruthless as Bu Xu. Otherwise, the Wang family’s fleet would have suffered a disastrous fate. The three bandits were at least of master-level skill, especially Niu Laoda’s paper-cut soldiers and the deputy’s Blood Demon Ring. Without Bu Xu holding the fort, Yang Nan and his companions would have been in grave peril.

Wang Chang, the shipowner, had shown him such respect by inviting him aboard; it seemed this calamity had indeed turned into a blessing.

“Where did you hide the treasures and weapons?” After hearing the confession, Yang Nan’s lips curled into a faint smile as he looked at Huang Shan and asked calmly.

The yellow-faced bandit breathed a sigh of relief, as if receiving a pardon. Since Yang Nan was asking about the treasures, he would surely not torment him further. He hurriedly replied, “Young master, everything is hidden in a secret chamber on Star Lake Island. I can take you there right now.”

Yang Nan shook his head. What treasures could such insignificant water bandits possibly possess? Merely some gold, silver, jewels, and fine silks—items that were rare and precious to common folk, but utterly useless to him. Apart from the deputy’s artifact refinement skills and the Blood Demon Ring, nothing else was worth his attention; the rest were mere rubbish.

Seeing the change in Yang Nan’s expression, the yellow-faced bandit understood and blinked. Suddenly, he cried out, “I just remembered! Young master, the bull-headed bandit has a supreme treasure from Mount Dragon and Tiger, called... the Divine Talisman of Pure Origin! It’s said to be extremely powerful. He kept it in the secret chamber and never let us see it!”

Divine Talisman of Pure Origin? What manner of artifact was this? Yang Nan looked at Chi Yang in astonishment, but Chi Yang’s eyes widened and he exclaimed urgently, “What did you say? One of the three great mountain-protecting treasures of Mount Dragon and Tiger is actually in the hands of a water bandit?”

The yellow-faced bandit nodded emphatically. “Sir, absolutely right. The bull-headed bandit killed his master and senior brother to obtain this, then fled to the turbulent river.”

Chi Yang sighed, “The Celestial Spirit Talisman, the Divine Talisman of Pure Origin, and the True One Array are the three supreme treasures of Mount Dragon and Tiger. One can summon saint and immortal protectors, its power boundless. One contains a miraculous, spirit-rich domain that aids cultivation. One guards the mountain gates, annihilating gods and saints. With these three divine talismans, Mount Dragon and Tiger has endured for a thousand years, passing down its legacy. I’ve long heard of these talismans,” Chi Yang explained, his voice filled with reverence.

A divine talisman cave that could quicken the progress of ordinary cultivators? Yang Nan was shocked. Such a treasure had fallen into the hands of a river bandit? Without hesitation, he declared, “Chi Yang, there’s no time to lose. Take Huang Shan and head to Star Lake to retrieve this talisman. I’ll send Old Crab with the monster soldiers to join you shortly.” How could Yang Nan not covet a treasure comparable to a mobile sanctuary?

Chi Yang nodded. It was said that the Divine Talisman of Pure Origin could enhance cultivation and transform techniques. Mount Dragon and Tiger had nurtured countless experts thanks to the talisman’s spirit energy. If he could claim it now, his future cultivation would be twice as effective. Better to retrieve it without delay.

He lifted Huang Shan out of the cabin, summoned a monster soldier to carry him, and flew toward Star Lake, wielding his life-bound artifact. Yang Nan pondered for a moment, then called Old Crab, who was gleefully pillaging outside. Hearing his master’s command to raid another stronghold, Old Crab grinned from ear to ear and immediately assembled several hundred monster soldiers to support Chi Yang.

Though Old Crab departed, the Goldfish Spirit and Niu Laoda had not escaped their torment. Old Crab’s notoriously cruel Shrimp Captain took over the fish-scale flaying, continuing the thousand-cut punishment. Yang Nan felt no sympathy for man-eating monsters and wicked river bandits; these two had caused untold suffering, with thousands of lives lost to their hands. Even endless deaths could not atone for their crimes.

Not long after, the hardened Niu Laoda was barely breathing, while the Goldfish Spirit’s scales had been stripped clean by the shrimp and crab soldiers, except where the Golden Dragon ropes bound her. The scales were piled on the ground, forming a small golden mound that radiated a seductive glow.

Yang Nan’s mind was disturbed by thoughts of the Divine Talisman of Pure Origin. Should the world learn of such an immortal artifact falling into his hands, trouble would surely follow. After some contemplation, he turned and entered the cabin.

Bu Xu was seated in meditation. As Yang Nan entered, she slowly opened her eyes and said, “The matter with the river bandits is settled. We should begin our cultivation.”

Yang Nan steadied himself, then decided to tell Bu Xu about the Divine Talisman. First, to use this talisman to win her favor; second, he doubted he could hide such a matter from this high disciple of Kunlun. It was better to be honest.

When Yang Nan mentioned that the Divine Talisman was in the hands of river bandits, Bu Xu’s eyes flashed with brilliance, considering the implications. After a moment’s silence, she smiled and said, “Little rascal, you claim it’s to help me heal, but aren’t you just trying to keep me from seizing it?” Her gaze was clear; the Divine Talisman was indeed precious, but Yang Nan’s willingness to offer it was out of fear she might take it by force.

Yang Nan smiled sheepishly. He truly had this intention. By offering the talisman for Bu Xu’s healing, she would be too embarrassed to keep it for herself once recovered. He could gain her goodwill and openly acquire a priceless treasure—a win-win situation. Besides, he would need Bu Xu’s help with the talisman.

Seeing Bu Xu expose his motives, he chuckled, “Sister Immortal, you have vast resources while I have nothing. Please be generous. If you ever need the talisman, you can borrow it anytime.”

Bu Xu smiled faintly. “Agreed. If I have need of the talisman in the future, I’ll send someone to borrow it.”

Yang Nan knew Bu Xu’s approach was fair. The spirit-rich talisman cave was best used for breaking through realms; otherwise, she had little need for it. In essence, the talisman was half hers. As long as Mount Dragon and Tiger remained unaware, wouldn’t it ultimately become Kunlun’s treasure?

Bu Xu’s willingness to compromise stemmed from several considerations—not just her own injuries, but also because Yang Nan would eventually join Kunlun. Otherwise, a dead Yang Nan would be standing in the room. Despite the hundreds of monster soldiers, Bai Yi, and Chi Yang aboard, Bu Xu could kill them all effortlessly. To a master of her rank, so-called monster soldiers were but ants.

Having reached an agreement, they felt a greater closeness. The cultivation technique they practiced—the Eternal Yin-Yang Wheel—was meant for teacher and student, and since Bu Xu had opened her brow chakra to Yang Nan, she had grown to trust him. Now that Yang Nan offered the Divine Talisman to aid her healing, her affection for him increased.

Chi Yang soon returned alone. Entering the cabin, he greeted Yang Nan with a joyful expression. Yang Nan smiled and said, “Chi Yang, I’ve told Sister Immortal about the talisman. Did you retrieve it? Let us see it.”

Chi Yang was momentarily stunned, then understood. Onboard the ship, unless he kept the talisman hidden, Bu Xu would inevitably learn of it. Without hesitation, he took out a treasure streaming with blue light from his River Mountain Ring. The artifact resembled the character for ‘Dao’, glowing azure with waves of powerful spirit energy radiating outward—a glance was enough to know it was extraordinary.

Yang Nan reached out and gently took the peculiar ‘Dao’ character, feeling a surge of dense spirit energy flow into his body. Instantly, the water-elemental force in his dantian, stagnant for so long, became stronger. Yang Nan was astonished, cradling the Divine Talisman of Pure Origin and thinking: If merely touching it absorbs such potent spirit energy, what would happen if I cultivated within its domain? Wouldn’t his progress soar? This talisman was indeed remarkable.

Bu Xu seemed to sense his thoughts and said lightly, “This Divine Talisman of Pure Origin is the mountain-protecting treasure of Mount Dragon and Tiger. Inside, it forms its own sanctuary—a celestial artifact from ancient times. The Dao character itself can be used as a magical tool. If you encounter an enemy you cannot defeat, the talisman’s reverse side bears a light spell that lets its owner fly away instantly, escaping a thousand miles in a blink. Truly a priceless treasure!”

She continued, “You are a novice practitioner. To activate the light spell is difficult, but if you acquire top-tier techniques, within three years you may reach master level with the talisman’s aid, within ten years could achieve grandmaster status, and within thirty years perhaps reach the peak of grandmaster. As for becoming a sage...”

Bu Xu shook her head gently. Though unspoken, Yang Nan understood. Achieving grandmaster in ten years was already extraordinary; relying on a celestial sanctuary to become a sage was nearly impossible, even with superior techniques.

Was becoming a sage so easily attained?

How many years had Bu Xu spent reaching the sage realm? With her exceptional talent, at least a century!

No matter how powerful a celestial artifact, elevating a mortal to sage within a hundred years was impossible. To those beyond the sage rank, such treasures were merely superb places to cultivate. The path to sainthood was not easy.

Nevertheless, Yang Nan was deeply satisfied. Chi Yang had spent nearly twenty years reaching master level; Yang Nan could reach grandmaster peak in thirty years—a true great grandmaster!

What did that mean? To ask for more would surely invite retribution from the heavens! Moreover, once he became a master, he could use the talisman’s light spell. With this protective escape, no one could easily kill him.