Chapter 22 Second-rank Talisman

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

Life on Qiongbi Peak remained carefree and joyful. Ning Daoran and the Big Stupid Deer were as vigorous as ever, having just finished transplanting a new batch of rice seedlings.

At this moment, a Sound Transmission Talisman suddenly flew into the Small Cloud Mist Array.

The message was from Han Bing and contained only one brief sentence:

"Senior Brother Lin Sheng has been severely injured and brought back, come quickly."

Ning Daoran hurriedly cleaned the mud off his hands, then summoned the green bamboo leaf talisman, taking the Big Stupid Deer with him as they rushed toward the Inner Sect.

The glow of his identity jade token shimmered faintly as it passed through the Protection Array guarding the Inner Sect. Not long after, they arrived at Lin Sheng's residence.

True Yang Peak, one of the four main peaks of the Chaotic Sect.

Although Lin Sheng was a deacon of the Fire Feather Hall within the Inner Sect, he was merely a registered disciple of the Great Elder Gongyang Yan. Thus, his residence was just a small tiled house located halfway up the mountain.

The First-tier Middle-grade Array surrounding the house had already been deactivated. A few sect brothers were pacing in front of the entrance.

"Senior Brother Ning!"

Han Bing emerged from the house, her delicate face filled with anxiety. She grabbed Ning Daoran's hand and led him straight inside.

The sect brothers outside were astounded. Han Bing, with her innate Sword Heart Clarity, was the Third Elder Ning Qing's cherished pupil and was practically guaranteed to become a true inheritor of the sect. How could she be acquainted with an Outer Disciple?

…

On the bed lay Lin Sheng, gravely wounded and unconscious.

His chest was a charred mess, seemingly first scorched by flames, then struck heavily by a blunt weapon. Several ribs were broken, and his entire chest cavity was nearly torn open.

The most critical damage was to his heart meridian, which now appeared to be on the brink of collapse.

"Senior Brother Lin…"

Ning Daoran's heart sank. *A chill ran through his body; Lin Sheng had always been the one who treated him the best in all of the sect, yet now he was reduced to such a dire state.*

"What happened to Senior Brother Lin exactly?"

"He…"

A beautiful Inner Sect senior sister bit her red lip and said, "A few of us were accompanying Senior Brother Lin Sheng deep into the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range to hunt for a First-tier High-grade Demon Beast, but unexpectedly, we were ambushed by a Second-rank Lower Grade Demon Beast. Senior Brother Lin, to save me…"

Han Bing's beautiful eyes were filled with worry. "The Inner Sect Foundation Establishment Elder has already examined Senior Brother Lin's injuries and administered medicine, but he said the injuries are too severe. Whether Senior Brother Lin can survive through tonight is uncertain."

Ning Daoran glanced at her.

*Han Bing was young and inexperienced; the elder's words were clearly meant to comfort her. In reality, the elder was tacitly declaring that Lin Sheng's wounds were beyond saving.*

Lin Sheng remained gravely injured and unconscious...

Ning Daoran furrowed his brows. He decided to try using the Seventh-layer Evergreen Technique to aid in healing.

The jade scroll of the Evergreen Technique stated that, when cultivated deeply enough, its potent Wood Attribute spiritual power could be used for healing.

"Junior Sister, and you, Senior Sister..."

Ning Daoran turned to them and said, "My Evergreen Technique is somewhat accomplished. I want to try and see if I can offer some small assistance. Could you watch the door for me? I'd like to try—it might increase Senior Brother Lin's odds of surviving by ten or twenty percent."

"Junior Brother, you…" The senior sister seemed distrustful of him.

"Senior Sister, let us leave for now."

Han Bing said, "Senior Brother Ning and Senior Brother Lin have a bond as close as brothers. Now that Senior Brother Lin is like this, we might as well let Senior Brother Ning try."

"Alright."

The beautiful senior sister took one last reluctant look at Lin Sheng before stepping aside.

…

Soon, only Ning Daoran and Lin Sheng were left in the room.

He first carefully examined Lin Sheng's injuries through Divine Sense, then gently grasped Lin Sheng's burned wrist and sighed, "Senior Brother, it seems your courageous pursuit of progress has backfired this time."

Saying so, the dense Seventh-layer Evergreen Technique power flowed into Lin Sheng's wrist like a gentle stream.

Instantly, a faint trace of vitality began to manifest in the severely burned wrist. It seemed as though layers of lush greenery were continuously healing the grievous wounds.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, while Lin Sheng's surface injuries remained largely unchanged, new blood vessels and flesh had begun to regenerate beneath the burned tissue, nurturing his body anew.

His heart meridian!

The heart meridian, devastated by the Second-rank Demon Beast, was the true fatal wound!

Ning Daoran dared not rush himself. *Although his mana intensity was already firmly above Lin Sheng's, the dense Wood Spirit Power provided by the Seventh-layer Evergreen Technique was exceptionally potent. If it surged in like a torrent, Lin Sheng's fragile body might not withstand it.*

Thus, the delicate stream of Wood Spirit Power trickled slowly into his body, protecting Lin Sheng's heart meridian while carefully reconstructing its life force, drop by drop.

This approach, however, caused Ning Daoran to feel dizzy and light-headed as he expended a significant portion of his Evergreen Technique energy, even depleting his own primordial qi.

Specifically, it came at the cost of his lifespan.

In just one hour, Ning Daoran's lifespan was shortened by nine months, yet Lin Sheng's life force continued to emerge within him.

Although there was little visible change on the surface, the flesh beneath what resembled a scorched wasteland was now teeming with boundless vitality.

"Creak!"

Ning Daoran pushed the door open and stepped outside, his body swaying slightly as he leaned against the Big Stupid Deer's neck.

"Moo~~~"

The Big Stupid Deer called out gently, clearly worried about Ning Daoran's condition.

"I'm fine."

Ning Daoran turned to the others and said, "I've done some shallow healing for Senior Brother Lin using the Evergreen Technique. As for its effectiveness, I can't be certain. I'll head back now…"

"Alright. Thank you, Junior Brother!"

Returning to Spiritual Field Courtyard No. 77, Ning Daoran slept for three days straight. Upon waking, his lifespan had already recovered.

Good news soon came. Lin Sheng had regained consciousness and was now recovering from his heavy injuries.

He had tried several times to personally visit Qiongbi Peak to thank Ning Daoran for saving his life, but that beautiful senior sister had stopped him every time.

It seemed that, following the battle with the Second-rank Demon Beast, the senior sister had developed a deep admiration for Lin Sheng's "courageous pursuit of progress."

Indeed, since ancient times, fairies have loved bold men...

…

Half a month later, Lin Sheng's injuries were mostly healed.

He knew Ning Daoran had used some kind of technique to save him, a matter of considerable importance, so naturally, Lin Sheng kept it a secret.

Thus, Lin Sheng publicly credited the elder's exceptional medical skill, along with his own luck, for his survival.

Such gestures of reciprocation are only natural.

One day, Lin Sheng, now recovered, brought that senior sister to Qiongbi Peak to express his gratitude.

Ning Daoran didn't leave his courtyard. Being too conspicuous could interfere with his grand plan of "spending a century farming in the sect."

"Junior Brother Ning, Junior Brother!"

Lin Sheng knocked on the courtyard door and then turned to the woman beside him, saying, "Ruyan, you don't need to hold me; I'm fine now."

"Senior Brother Lin!"

Ning Daoran immediately dispelled the Small Cloud Mist Array, allowing his senior brother and senior sister to enter.

Lin Sheng, exuding the "Qi Sheng" aura from the True Yang Furnace Technique, stepped into the courtyard and, as usual, let his eyes roam unabashedly. Aside from a new potted plant on the windowsill, everything remained the same!

It was wonderful.

The beautiful senior sister glanced with interest at the Small Cloud Mist Array, her gaze landing precisely on the spot where the array plate was buried—clearly, she was an expert.

"Senior Brother, since you're here, why not join us for dinner on Qiongbi Peak tonight?"

"Sure! It's been ages since I've tasted the cooking of Junior Brother Ning and Junior Brother Lu. The cravings in my stomach have already started acting up!"

"Old Lu!"

Ning Daoran nodded with a smile. "Go stir-fry two dishes. I'll prepare a fish and a chicken later."

"Junior Brother, let me introduce you."

Lin Sheng turned to the young woman beside him and said with a smile, "This is my Inner Sect junior sister, Liu Ruyan. We were adventuring together in the depths of the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range this time."

Liu Ruyan's rosy cheeks flushed slightly. "If it weren't for Senior Brother risking his life and severely wounding that demon beast, my life would have long been lost to that Foundation Establishment demon beast."

"Why does Junior Sister Ruyan treat me so distantly and formally?"

"Oh, come on..."

*Ning Daoran couldn't help feeling a bit speechless. He had been quietly minding his own business at home—how had he ended up being fed a mouthful of dog food?*

"Greetings, Senior Sister Liu!"

"There's no need for such courtesy, Junior Brother Ning."

Liu Ruyan turned to inspect the Small Cloud Mist Array and said with a smile, "Junior Brother's array should have been here for quite some time. Its concealment effects are still intact, but the soundproofing function has deteriorated due to severe damage, is that correct?"

"Huh? Senior Sister Liu is an Array Master?"

"Not at all."

Liu Ruyan shook her head with a smile. "I'm a Talisman Master, and First-tier Talismans include a talisman array category. That's how I noticed the flawed portions of this Small Cloud Mist Array."

Saying so, she took out a Spirit-infused Talisman from her storage bag and said, "This First-tier Lower Grade Soundproof Talisman is a gift to you, Junior Brother. You can remove the array plate and attach this soundproof talisman inside. The soundproofing effect should last at least ten years!"

"Oh?"

Ning Daoran accepted the talisman as if it were a precious treasure and said, "Thank you, Senior Sister!"

"Junior Brother, you might not know, but Junior Sister Ruyan is a genius Talisman Master. She's currently a First-tier High Grade Talisman Master, and within the Chaotic Sect, there are barely a handful as skilled as she is."

Lin Sheng spoke proudly with a smile, "While we were adventuring in the depths of the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range, if not for her powerful talismans protecting us, the trip would have been far more troublesome."

Ning Daoran's eyes lit up.

A First-tier High Grade Talisman Master—that alone was impressive enough.

Talismans amplify combat power, and the power of a First-tier High Grade Talisman equates to a full-strength strike from someone at the Qi Refining Ninth Level!

Moreover, once a Talisman reaches the second rank, even a Second-stage Lower Grade Talisman is equivalent to the full-force strike of someone at Early-stage Foundation Establishment!

Across the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range, some cultivation families without any Foundation Establishment cultivators were able to rival Foundation Establishment families simply by possessing several Second-rank Talismans. This showed just how invaluable Talismans truly were.

The stunningly beautiful senior sister before him, unexpectedly a First-tier High Grade Talisman Master, was truly worth admiring.

"Senior Sister is truly remarkable..."

Ning Daoran sincerely exclaimed, "Might Senior Sister be able to craft Second-rank Talismans?"

By principle, a First-tier High Grade Talisman Master, even if disregarding costs, success rates, and material loss, could use their abilities to forcefully produce a Second-stage Lower Grade Talisman.

"Oh, Junior Brother, why do you ask?" Liu Ruyan smiled faintly, her radiant face calm and unreadable.

But Ning Daoran, with his strong Divine Sense cultivated to Late-stage Qi Refining, immediately detected a slight fluctuation in her emotions.

Got it!

This Senior Sister Liu Ruyan, deeply reserved, indeed possessed the ability to create Second-rank Talismans.

"Junior Brother, what do you need a Second-rank Talisman for?" Lin Sheng asked.

"Ahem..."

Ning Daoran replied somewhat awkwardly, "These past few years of favorable weather have yielded abundant Spirit Rice harvests. I often go down the mountain to sell Second-tier Spirit Rice in exchange for Spirit Stones.

But I've heard that the area near Yellow Dragon Square has grown quite unsafe. There have been several instances of pillaging and killing within the past six months, which gives me some anxiety.

So I thought having a Second-rank Talisman for protection might help me avoid such fear and trepidation."

Liu Ruyan's watery eyes looked straight at him and said, "Does Junior Brother truly want a Second-rank Talisman?"