Chapter Seven: Spirit Stones and Talisman Seals

Immediately, Wang Hu and his two lackeys glared viciously at Chen Yi, then hurriedly fled, fearing that Chen Yi might beat them again. Today was truly their unlucky day. They had planned to take advantage of the Miscellaneous Hall’s distribution of elixirs, hoping to snatch some for their own cultivation in the future. Who could have expected that a boy not even ten years old would turn the tables and rob them instead? It was a complete loss—face and fortune alike. Today, they not only lost their pride but also their possessions.

As Chen Yi walked back to his room with the fat boy, he thought silently, “Wang Hu attained the fourth level of Qi Refinement months ago, while I only broke through today. The reason I was able to defeat Wang Hu, who’s at the fourth level, and his two lackeys at the third, is because my soul has grown immensely, and my perception has sharpened. I could see through their weaknesses at a glance. However, Wang Hu’s elder brother, Wang Long, is one of the top ten disciples in the Outer Sect, and the cultivation required for that is at least the ninth level of Qi Refinement or higher. Though my soul has grown and my perception is enhanced, my own cultivation is still only at the fourth level. To prepare for Wang Long’s future revenge, I must strive to strengthen my cultivation, reach the Foundation Establishment stage, and become an Inner Sect disciple. Then I’ll no longer have to fear Wang Long’s retaliation.”

Upon returning to his room, Chen Yi took out the three pouches seized from Wang Hu and his cronies and began to sort through his spoils. He discovered that the bags contained a sizable number of elixirs—fifty-five Rehmannia Pills in total. Chen Yi knew Wang Hu could not have obtained so many elixirs from the Miscellaneous Hall; these were surely snatched from other disciples. Inside the pouches, Chen Yi also found four talisman papers and twenty spirit stones. Spirit stones are minerals formed underground, imbued with spiritual energy—a single stone contains as much energy as would fill a square mile. One spirit stone can support Chen Yi’s cultivation for a day. The talismans included one Swift Step Talisman, one Cleansing Talisman, and two True Fire Talismans. Since one cannot channel spiritual energy until reaching the seventh level of Qi Refinement, spells cannot be cultivated yet. However, these talismans require only a small amount of true qi to activate and can achieve effects akin to ordinary spells. The Swift Step Talisman, when affixed to the leg and activated with true qi, enables the user to run as swiftly as a thoroughbred. The Cleansing Talisman keeps the user spotless, while the True Fire Talisman is offensive, unleashing a burst of true fire when activated to attack enemies. These talismans and spirit stones were all highly practical for Chen Yi. Truly, in the struggle between villains, evil meets its match—and this time, fortune favored Chen Yi.

“Fatty, since we’ve acquired so many elixirs, spirit stones, and talismans today, we’ll split them evenly—half for each of us,” Chen Yi said to the fat boy resting on his bed.

“Chen Yi, I don’t need them. You know me—I’m too lazy. Giving me these elixirs and spirit stones would just be a waste. I’ve accumulated enough elixirs over the past few months to push my cultivation to the peak of the third level of Qi Refinement. You should keep the elixirs for your own cultivation. The stronger you become, the more I can rely on you as my protector, and I’ll live better in the sect. Just give me the Swift Step and Cleansing Talismans. I’m really interested in those. Talismans cost a spirit stone each, and I’ve never been willing to buy them before,” the fat boy replied from the bed.

Hearing this, Chen Yi didn’t insist further—it was just as well, since he needed those elixirs to advance his own cultivation.

“Alright, Fatty, I won’t give you the elixirs, but you’ll get half the spirit stones. When I’ve improved my cultivation, I’ll be your shield, and you’ll be able to swagger through the Five Elements Sect as you please,” Chen Yi said, half in earnest, half in jest—little did he know his words would one day come true.

After handing the spirit stones and talismans to the fat boy, Chen Yi’s stomach suddenly let out a loud grumble.

“Alright, I’ll take the spirit stones and talismans. But Chen Yi, you haven’t eaten in days—your stomach’s making quite the racket,” the fat boy laughed from the bed.

Chen Yi’s cheeks flushed slightly. He hadn’t eaten for a day and a night, though, as a cultivator, he could absorb spiritual energy. If he were an ordinary person, he would have collapsed already without food or drink. It’s said that once one reaches the Foundation Establishment stage, one can abandon grain and no longer needs to eat, but with his cultivation only at the fourth level of Qi Refinement, Chen Yi was far from that stage. So he decided to go to the dining hall, which fortunately wasn’t far from his quarters.

“Fatty, I’m going to the dining hall for a meal. You stay here and rest,” Chen Yi said to the fat boy, who was preparing to sleep.

But the moment food was mentioned, the fat boy sprang up from the bed with surprising agility, as if he were a different person.

“Let’s go! I’m hungry too. Chen Yi, let’s hurry to the dining hall—today I’m going to feast!”

“Fatty, didn’t you just eat?” Chen Yi asked, puzzled.

“Chen Yi, you wouldn’t know since you’re always in seclusion. Ever since I started cultivating in the Five Elements Sect, my appetite has skyrocketed. The food in the dining hall is much tastier than what we had in the village, and I love to eat, so now I go to the dining hall several times a day—my cultivation time has even decreased,” the fat boy replied, his face full of helplessness.

“Hahaha, Fatty, don’t worry. Once you reach Foundation Establishment, you’ll be able to abandon grain—you won’t need to visit the dining hall anymore,” Chen Yi laughed heartily.

“Chen Yi, stop joking. Let’s hurry to the dining hall—I’m starving,” the fat boy said to Chen Yi, who was still laughing.

In the dining hall, since it was not yet mealtime and the Miscellaneous Hall had distributed elixirs that morning, there were few Outer Sect disciples eating. Still, many servants were busy—ordinary people recruited by the Five Elements Sect to serve its disciples. Compared to commoners, these servants fared much better; they could cultivate basic martial techniques, though they could never break through to the first level of Qi Refinement. Yet, in the mundane world, they would be considered formidable martial artists.

Amid the curious gazes of these martial adepts, Chen Yi and the fat boy ordered several dishes and soups—enough food for five or six people. That explained the odd looks from the servants.

Chen Yi and the fat boy paid no mind to their curious stares. Perhaps because there were few people today, the dishes and soups arrived especially quickly. When the food was served, they began to eat ravenously, as though possessed by starving spirits. The servants watched, thinking these two disciples must not have eaten for ages, and surely their lot in life was quite miserable.