Chapter 215

Chapter 215

All the Tianfu Sect disciples present were elite inner disciples, deeply obsessed with talismans. When they focused on studying the stone talisman, they completely forgot about their surroundings.

Wu Qijie watched them with a headache. They all crowded around the stone talisman, leaving no space for anyone else to approach. He couldn't help but remind them, "Stop your research and make some room."

The Tianfu Sect disciples didn't even lift their heads, muttering to themselves, completely ignoring his words.

Wu Qijie had no choice but to walk over, extend his hands, and pull out those Tianfu Sect disciples who were almost glued to the talisman stone. Before they could protest, he said, "Move aside and let Young Master Ning take a look."

The Tianfu Sect disciples looked at him in confusion, still unable to react.

Only Wang Quanfang was not pulled away by Wu Qijie. Facing a Heavenly Talisman Master, he remained courteous.

Even though the other Tianfu Sect disciples were unhappy with his actions, they did not get angry when faced with a cultivator of the Yuan Emperor realm. They merely stretched their necks, their eyes still fixed on the talisman stone, their obsession making one feel uneasy and prompting a few steps backward.

When Ning Yuzhou walked over, Wang Quanfang was still dazed.

Ning Yuzhou stood before the talisman stone, looking down at it. The other Tianfu Sect disciples felt bewildered. The runes on this talisman stone were extremely ancient; even Senior Brother Wang, a Heavenly Talisman Master, couldn't understand them. Could he?

Qiao Leshui saw this and wanted to shout loudly that if Young Master Ning couldn't understand them, no one here could either.

But thinking that Ning Yuzhou was already examining the talisman stone and would soon prove himself, he decided not to stir up trouble.

Su Wangling coughed, ignoring the puzzled faces of the Tianfu Sect disciples, and asked, "Young Master Ning, is this talisman stone also a Demon Suppression Talisman?"

"Yes," Ning Yuzhou replied while examining it. "It turns out that what is being suppressed here is a Blood Demon..."

After his explanation, everyone understood that the Blood Demon Forest got its name because a Blood Demon was being suppressed within it. The black withered trees in the forest, which exuded tree sap like blood, were actually manifestations of the Blood Demon's power. The Blood Demon used these withered trees to feed the turbid blood beasts in the forest, hoping to use their strength to destroy the talisman stone and break free.

Everyone present was shocked and quickly checked the talisman stone.

Fortunately, the runes on the talisman stone were clear and showed no signs of contamination. Its power remained stable, indicating that the turbid blood beasts hadn't attacked it yet.

Wu Qijie pondered, "It seems that the strongest turbid blood beast in the Blood Demon Forest is only at the Yuan Emperor realm. To destroy the talisman stone, it would need a turbid blood beast at the Yuan Emperor realm. These turbid blood beasts, although fed by the Blood Demon, are still unintelligent creatures. The Blood Demon can't really count on them to destroy the talisman stone."

No wonder the blood pearls of the turbid blood beasts possessed such vibrant vitality. They were nourished by the Blood Demon's power, which transformed into the vitality of the blood pearls, allowing alchemists to use them to refine the Nether Blood Pills.

Everything was now clear.

Su Wangling couldn't help but sigh.

He owed his survival to these Nether Blood Pills; otherwise, he would have died long ago during repeated episodes.

The Tianfu Sect disciples were speechless, unable to say anything.

After a moment, they looked at Ning Yuzhou with burning eyes and asked incredulously, "Can Young Master Ning understand the runes on the talisman stone?"

Ning Yuzhou nodded modestly, "I know a little bit."

The Tianfu Sect disciples rejoiced, looking at him as if he were a rare treasure, eager to discuss the mysterious ancient runes with him immediately.

"Young Master Ning, when you have time, let's discuss the Dao of Talismans. I hope you won't hesitate to guide us."

"Young Master Ning... no, Brother Ning, from now on, you are my brother, Brother Ning. Please teach me the ancient runes."

"..."

Seeing their actions, Qiao Leshui couldn't help feeling a chill. Were these Tianfu Sect disciples too enthusiastic?

Only Wen Qiao remained calm, observing the withered trees without surprise. Even Wen Tutu and Wen Guangun calmly took out spirit fruits, sitting on Wen Qiao's shoulders, munching while watching Ning Ge subdue another group of brothers.

In the end, it was Wu Qijie who stepped forward to stop the Tianfu Sect disciples who were about to study ancient runes with Ning Yuzhou in the Blood Demon Forest. He said sternly, "Everyone, we should leave here first and find the Feixian Island disciples."

The Tianfu Sect disciples hesitated, saying, "It doesn't matter if we don't find them. We can stay here and study the runes on the talisman stone."

"Yes, such ancient runes are very rare."

"We might encounter them again later."

"By the way, Young Master Su, how did you know there was a talisman stone here? Did you encounter it before?"

Although the Tianfu Sect disciples occasionally became obsessed with talismans, they weren't stupid. Connecting this to Su Wangling's earlier behavior, they realized there was more to the story.

Su Wangling didn't hide anything and explained to them about the several talisman stones they encountered after entering the Heavenly Plains.

The Tianfu Sect disciples were initially stunned, then understood what these talisman stones represented, and their faces turned grim.

Wang Quanfang suddenly remembered something and said with a realization, "I remember hearing from the elders in our sect that some disciples once discovered similar Demon Suppression Talisman stones in the Heavenly Plains. However, because the runes on the talisman stones were profound and ancient, they couldn't move the stones and instead copied the runes to bring back for further study..."

As for whether any results were achieved, none of the Tianfu Sect disciples present knew.

After all, their talisman levels were still too low compared to the Heavenly Talisman Masters, and Wang Quanfang had only recently become a Heavenly Talisman Master. The elders naturally wouldn't share much with them.

Actually, these talisman stones in the Heavenly Plains weren't a secret. However, previous cultivators entering the Heavenly Plains didn't care about them, and the environment was peculiar and dangerous. People assumed that the Heavenly Plains were once an ancient battlefield, which led to the emergence of many dangerous monsters. Since these creatures were trapped in the Heavenly Plains and couldn't leave, they didn't need to worry too much about them.

Wu Qijie and Su Wangling were delighted and hurriedly asked, "Senior Brother Wang, are your sect's ancestors truly studying them?"

"I believe so."

They happily exclaimed, "That's great!"

Professional matters should be handled by professionals! It's better to entrust these talisman stones to the Tianfu Sect's talisman masters than to people like them who know nothing. Earlier, Wu Qijie, out of precaution, tried to learn ancient runes from Ning Yuzhou but nearly vomited from the effort.

He simply wasn't cut out for learning talismans. Seeing those runes gave him a headache, and he could barely remember a few runes, leading to even more confusion. He even forgot the ones he had memorized.

If not for his young master's poor health, Wu Qijie would have gladly handed the task over to him.

Su Wangling said, "Once we leave the Heavenly Plains, it would be best to have Senior Deng from your sect examine and possibly repair those talisman stones."

That Senior Deng—Deng Ningjun—is the ancestor of the Heavenly Talisman Sect who specializes in researching ancient runes. She is quite renowned on the Flying Star Continent. If she has already studied the rune stones of Heaven's Origin, it would be perfect; at least repairing them shouldn't be an issue.

After discovering that the sword hanging over their heads wouldn't fall for now, Su Wangling, Wu Qijie, Qiao Leshui, and the other cultivators from the Flying Star Continent all breathed a sigh of relief. However, they still felt that if they found more rune stones, they should check their condition. If any needed repair, they should note their locations and inform the ancestor of the Heavenly Talisman Sect after leaving Heaven's Origin.

The disciples of the Heavenly Talisman Sect all responded affirmatively.

After inspecting the rune stone, the disciples of the Heavenly Talisman Sect reluctantly left.

If not for the ever-present turbid blood beasts in the Blood Demon Forest, they might have been reluctant to leave, preferring to stay and thoroughly study the rune stone.

"Once we find our fellow Daoists from Feixian Island, let's come back and take a look."

A disciple of the Heavenly Talisman Sect whispered to his fellow disciples, unwilling to part with the rune stone.

"No need to come back!" Wang Quanfang stopped them. "According to Young Master Su, there are many such rune stones in Heaven's Origin. We can choose one in a safer location. The rune stone by the blood river where Young Master Su and the others crossed earlier is quite safe."

Although there are many hungry ghosts in the blood river, they won't come ashore where the rune stone is located, making it much safer than the Blood Demon Forest.

The disciples of the Heavenly Talisman Sect all agreed, so they asked Su Wangling about the location of the blood river.

Qiao Leshui noticed that these disciples seemed determined to go to the blood river to study the rune stone and couldn't help but feel uneasy. He asked, "Fellow Daoists, have you forgotten why you came to Heaven's Origin?"

The disciples of the Heavenly Talisman Sect looked at him blankly and said, "No, we haven't forgotten!"

"But how could we possibly find the divine tree with our abilities?"

"Even if we could find it, we wouldn't be able to obtain it."

"We might as well do what we like instead of getting involved in such matters! After all, we were ordered by our sect to enter Heaven's Origin for trials, which is also a form of trial."

The disciples of the Heavenly Talisman Sect spoke confidently, leaving Qiao Leshui speechless.

These disciples truly saw themselves as participants in trials within Heaven's Origin, completely unconcerned about the divine tree or whether they could find it.

Su Wangling and Ning Yuzhou remained silent. These disciples of the Heavenly Talisman Sect were surprisingly clear-headed, and dealing with such people was naturally better than dealing with those who were greedy and confused, at least they wouldn't hold them back.

Leaving the area where the rune stone was located, it took them a day to finally exit the Blood Demon Forest.

Behind them, the roars of the turbid blood beasts echoed. These beasts chased them out of the forest but turned back half a mile away, unwillingly.

The turbid blood beasts rely on the Blood Demon Forest and don't venture far beyond its boundaries.

The group heaved a sigh of relief after escaping the turbid blood beasts. When they left, the number of beasts was overwhelming, impossible to kill off entirely.

Leaving the Blood Demon Forest did not mean safety.

Ahead, strange cries rang out, followed by four cultivators fleeing in disarray, pursued by a flock of three-headed birds.

The birds cackled, their bodies covered in black bone spines rather than feathers. They swooped down from the sky, their curved black claws mercilessly piercing through a cultivator's body.

The cultivator screamed and fell from the sky, torn into pieces by the other birds.

The faces of the disciples of the Heavenly Talisman Sect changed slightly. They quickly invoked talismans, forming a protective array around them, and then used the talismans to battle the birds that had discovered them.

Wen Qiao, Qiao Leshui, and Wu Qijie rushed forward to slay the birds.

The few fleeing cultivators, recognizing the disciples of the Heavenly Talisman Sect, ran over, their faces showing surprise.

The disciples of the Heavenly Talisman Sect were skilled in using talismans. Their variety of talismans could crush enemies simply by bombarding them. Although their combat strength wasn't strong, their survival rate was high because they had plenty of talismans. Forming a protective array and bombarding enemies with talismans made them stronger than those who fought alone.

After half an hour, they finally killed the flock of birds.

The three surviving cultivators rested for a moment before thanking everyone for saving them.

These three were wandering cultivators. Earlier, they accidentally entered a valley, unaware that it was the territory of the three-headed birds. They were relentlessly pursued. Originally, there were seven of them, but four had already died in the attacks.

Mentioning this, the three wandering cultivators showed signs of sorrow.

Only a fraction of what wandering cultivators say can be trusted. Neither the disciples of the Heavenly Talisman Sect nor Su Wangling fully believed them, but they didn't plan to travel together anyway, so it didn't matter.

The disciples of the Heavenly Talisman Sect asked, "Have you seen any disciples from Feixian Island?"

The three wandering cultivators' eyes flickered. "Are you looking for the disciples of Feixian Island?"

"Yes, we have something to discuss with them."

One of the wandering cultivators in the Yuanling realm replied, "We haven't seen any disciples from Feixian Island, but we heard they went to the Soulfall Graveyard."

Given Feixian Island's status on the Flying Star Continent, their disciples attract attention wherever they go. Cultivators entering Heaven's Origin subconsciously keep track of the movements of disciples from famous sects, learning their whereabouts promptly.

Especially those who came to Heaven's Origin hoping to find the divine tree, they believe the disciples of major sects have the means to locate it, so they always pay attention to their movements. These wandering cultivators were no exception.

Su Wangling and the others didn't doubt the words of the wandering cultivators.

"Why would they go to the Soulfall Graveyard? I've heard it's not peaceful," Su Wangling murmured.

Wu Qijie said, "Disciples of Feixian Island are known for their courage and skill. It's not surprising they would go there, especially since it was once a battlefield, offering many opportunities."

Greater danger often means greater opportunities; perhaps the divine tree is there too?

Though Wu Qijie didn't finish his thought, everyone present understood. Even the three wandering cultivators couldn't help but wonder if they should try their luck at the Soulfall Graveyard. Why else would the disciples of Feixian Island go there?

Among them, only Wen Qiao and Qiao Leshui had the purest intentions.

Qiao Leshui felt anxious. "Should we still go?"

"Why not?" Wu Qijie replied. "We're already here, so let's go."

Everyone agreed. The three wandering cultivators hesitated but ultimately decided not to join them. Not that they didn't want to, but they dared not travel with the disciples of famous sects, fearing they couldn't compete for any treasures. It was better to act separately.

Although it might be dangerous, most wandering cultivators were used to traveling alone and didn't find it uncomfortable.

After bidding farewell to the three wandering cultivators, they set off immediately for the Fallen Soul Graveyard.

Still led by the Tianfu Sect disciples, they had a rough map of the Heavenly Plains. Although not detailed, it was one of the best resources the Tianfu Sect could offer, even something Su Wangling did not possess.

The Fallen Soul Graveyard wasn't far; they arrived in half a day.

Standing on a high ground, they looked down into a deep pit below.

This deep pit was the Fallen Soul Graveyard. It was said that this graveyard was once a battlefield where many cultivators had perished.

When the cultivators first discovered the Fallen Soul Graveyard, they found numerous high-grade spirit artifacts here. Unfortunately, due to the passage of time, many of these artifacts had lost their spiritual energy and turned into scrap. However, even if only one or two artifacts remained usable, their high grade still made them highly sought after by cultivators.