CHAPTER 63: CHAPTER 63: FLOOD DRAGON POOL

So, these two aberrant fiends also came looking for that ink jade ring...

Aside from various odds and ends found in the packages carried by the two aberrant fiends, there was also a clammy, slippery scroll made of animal hide that exuded a cold, sticky sensation.

The Bitter Pool Elusive Scales Heart Scripture

A Spell Heart Scripture?

Curiously flipping through the sticky and cold scroll in his hand, Qi Xiu casually picked up a mountain hare purple-hair brush beside him and effortlessly penned several Suppression Talismans.

He cleared away the strange, malevolent energy attached to the scroll, which prevented others from prying into it.

Feeling that the chilling air on the scroll had dissipated, Qi Xiu twisted it between his fingers and unfurled the entire scroll.

The lengthy scroll, nearly three meters long, was spread out on the floor of the main hall.

Qi Xiu gathered up his sleeves, thoughtfully looking at the strange symbols on the scroll that writhed curiously, resembling characters yet not quite forming any known script.

In the understanding of people like Yuan Baiyi and Jin Tai, he had always been a prodigy cultivating both spellcraft and martial arts.

But only Qi Xiu himself knew that his so-called spellcraft was actually Cloud Talismanic Techniques evolved from the Divine Marvel of his calligraphy.

It was fundamentally different from true spellcraft.

He himself did not know spellcraft at all.

The Bitter Pool Elusive Scales Heart Scripture before him was the first Spell Heart Scripture he had ever encountered.

Time and again, he scanned the symbols and marks on the Spell Heart Scripture scroll.

Qi Xiu’s gaze was serious as he pondered the meanings these characters represented.

In the unseen world, the Divine Marvel that effort would surely be rewarded began to take effect.

Threads of Spiritual Light converged in Qi Xiu’s sea of Consciousness, until suddenly, a stroke of wisdom was born from an inspired insight.

His eyes brightened, and Qi Xiu suddenly felt a breakthrough in understanding.

The initially abstruse and incomprehensible characters suddenly came to life before his eyes.

Vast swathes of knowledge about spells emerged.

The Power System he had never encountered before excited Qi Xiu.

In this chaotic world, any additional strength was another ace up his sleeve.

The lamp burned all night.

As dawn broke and the chirping of birds and insects filled the air, Qi Xiu let out a long breath, rested his hands behind his head, and lay on the ground facing up, his eyes sparkling.

Apparently, the difference between spellcraft and martial arts is so vast. No wonder Jin Tai and Yuan Baiyi were so surprised and shocked when they found out I cultivated both.

Cultivators of spellcraft, like martial artists, also progressed through three realms before reaching the Initiate Realm: the Seeking Spells Realm, the Root Establishment Realm, and the Heart Wisdom Realm.

But unlike martial artists, who had to reach the True Intent Realm to wield Divine Marvels with the power of their True Intent Internal Qi, spellcasters could begin to grasp Divine Marvels and cast spells as soon as they entered the Seeking Spells Realm.

Even though the power was very weak, it was indeed an extraordinary force.

This also led to a very high threshold for entry into the world of spellcraft, truly one in a hundred.

And compared to practicing martial arts, carelessness in the study of spellcraft could lead to a backlash.

No small number of cultivators perished along this path.

Therefore, there are many martial artists in this world, but few spellcraft practitioners.

After lying down for a while, Qi Xiu got up and took out the ink jade ring from the secret compartment.

The item is good, but the conditions for using it are too stringent.

Looking at the ink jade ring wrapped and sealed in oiled paper, Qi Xiu propped his chin with one hand and pondered silently.

This ink jade ring was named Flood Dragon Pool.

It was the exclusive Magic Artifact of the Bitter Pool Elusive Scales Heart Scripture.

Therefore, to control this Magic Artifact, one not only had to understand the refinement incantations but also possess compatible Mana.

Otherwise, it was simply unusable.

Should I learn another form of spellcraft?

Glancing at his proficiency panel, Qi Xiu rubbed his temples.

As the old saying goes, don’t bite off more than you can chew.

The various skills he was currently mastering nearly filled up all his time each day: Calligraphy, Purple Golden Skill, Alchemy, Painting, Ghostly Shadow Shapelessness...

These five skills all had their uses.

If he were to learn another form of spellcraft, it would inevitably encroach on the time he dedicated to practicing other skills.

Why aren’t there eighty hours in a day?

Scratching his head, Qi Xiu now deeply felt the difficulty of becoming a Hexagon Warrior.

The development time was just too long.

It’s just that...

Looking at the Flood Dragon Pool Ring in his hand, Qi Xiu licked his lips.

The Divine Marvel of this Magic Artifact truly made his heart itch with desire.

Before he knew about it, it didn’t really matter, but to keep it locked away in a hidden compartment now that he knew its capabilities was simply too tantalizing to bear.

「...」

"Young Master, the family has sent a message back. Both of those aberrant fiends were from the Blood Covenant. It is said that during this period, a Blood Covenant sub-temple in White Pear Ditch has been unusually active. Many Sect Members have been frequently venturing out. Apparently, they are all looking for a certain Magic Artifact. However, the family has yet to find out what that Magic Artifact is."

Sun Yueting passed a secret letter to Song Tingye with a solemn expression.

The Blood Covenant was a nearly top-tier demonic force in Dianchuan Province, with numerous sub-temples and a motley membership of Demons, Demonic Cultivators, and aberrant fiends. That their members would suddenly appear in Baoho County was obviously not good news.

Blood Covenant? Looking for a Magic Artifact?

Song Tingye couldn’t help but recall those wandering sorcerers from a few years ago as he lightly folded the envelope.

"Did you find out who that man in black was?"

"We checked. The family feedback suggests that the Internal Qi that man used was purplish-red and of a pure yang nature. This is similar to the Ziyang True Purple Golden Skill circulated within the military. However, as far as I know, although the Ziyang True Purple Golden Skill is of a pure yang nature, its Internal Qi is gentle and restrained. But when that man made a move, his Fiery Energy was explosive and fiercely indomitable, completely different from the Ziyang True Purple Golden Skill," said Sun Yueting.

"Young Master, what if we can’t find that man?"

"If we can’t find him, then we can’t find him."

Song Tingye rose and burned the secret letter by the candle flame, the gradually brightening light dancing in his pupils.

"This person was willing to act to save you, which at least means he’s not a villain. The remaining bailiffs and clerks in Baoho County never mentioned such an expert ever existed here. This indicates the man is of a leisurely disposition and likely stays in Baoho County seeking seclusion. Such people abide by the principle that if no one offends them, they will offend no one. Perhaps in a moment of crisis, they could lend us a helping hand."

"A moment of crisis? You mean..." Sun Yueting’s expression shifted, his brows furrowing.

"Demonic Evil Cultivators are all of twisted character, cruel and vicious, unlike ordinary people. Having suffered successive setbacks in our Baoho County, they certainly won’t let the matter rest. Perhaps the Blood Covenant’s next wave is already on its way."

Song Tingye burned the secret letter and sat down calmly, a hint of a smile appearing on his lips. "This Magistrate was just wondering how to intensify efforts to rally the people and boost morale. This Blood Covenant is really considerate. Using their Sect Members’ lives to aid my path to enlightenment—how exceedingly charitable of them. Yue Ting, go select a hundred or so able-bodied young men around the age of twenty. I still have a set of Armored Soldier Talismans. This ’play’ is significant; we absolutely cannot afford to bungle it. Also, notify the family to send over a packet of ginseng."

"Ginseng? Young Master, you already used up this month’s quota last month. If you request more, the apothecary is unlikely to approve it," said Sun Yueting with an awkward expression.

"Ah... then tell the apothecary to put it on Jiufang’s tab. He’s been raking in fame and fortune in Qingliu County; he can afford to bleed a little. Hmm, since it’s on Jiufang’s tab, have the apothecary send two more packets, top-grade at least."

Song Tingye nodded seriously as he spoke.

"Three packets of ginseng? Consuming that much could be harmful, Young Master," Sun Yueting said, concerned.

"It’s not for me to consume. I plan to use the ginseng as a gift to invite that mysterious expert into our game. With him around, my foundation in Baoho County will be even more solid. He’s a martial artist; he definitely won’t be able to refuse ginseng. As long as I can hold out until I reach the Initiate Realm, never mind a few packets of ginseng; even a greater price would be worth it."

A sharp light flickered in his eyes, and Song Tingye’s words carried an air of absolute determination.

It was as if the opportunity to reach the Initiate Realm was already firmly within his grasp!