Clan Cultivation: Starting with Plundering Demonic Beast Talents

"The clan elders have already sent me a message reminding me of this matter. Black Wind Stronghold is nothing but a rat in the gutter."

"Several hundred spirit stones won't be enough to invite a Foundation Establishment cultivator. I'll just accompany my elders on this trip."

Lin Qingyang waved his hand, not paying much attention to Hong Yifei's reminder.

A few days ago, his family sent a letter with a reward offered, and the target was him.

The bounty came from the nearby bandit-rebel force, Black Wind Stronghold.

Although it is called a stronghold, it is actually homeless. However, every year it sends contact jade slips to major Foundation Establishment forces and also issues tokens to independent cultivators to accept missions.

If his head were obtained by a rogue cultivator, he could exchange it for spirit stones through a jade slip.

Four hundred spirit stones, nearly the price of three high-grade magic artifacts, are a very high price to pay for a bounty on a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

He knew that even a rogue cultivator like Hong Yifei, who was in the late stage of Qi Refining, could not earn more than a hundred spirit stones a year.

Four hundred spirit stones to kill a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator is enough to drive a rogue cultivator mad.

These days, many people come to his door, inviting him with different reasons: to explore the caves of the ancients, to travel together to Feng Huo City, and some even try to lure him with the essence blood of second-tier water-attribute demon beasts.

Unfortunately, he never left the market.

"Master Lin, with your caution, you will surely achieve longevity in the path of immortality."

Hong Yifei flattered him, then said, "The elders of the Lin family are very powerful, so naturally the cultivators would not dare to offend them."

"However, noble elders are very busy with many affairs of state. If you urgently need to enter or leave the market on a certain day, and it is inconvenient for the elders to accompany you."

"My brothers and I are protected by your talisman and are willing to protect your safety."

As he spoke, he handed over a communication talisman.

Lin Qingyang was somewhat surprised. He took it and then smiled. "Fellow Daoist Hong, you're too kind. This is just a normal transaction, a matter of mutual consent. But I still thank you. If you need anything, I certainly won't hesitate to ask."

He casually took the talisman, determined to throw it into a shop in the market later. He wouldn't carry it with him at all; who knows if it contained a location talisman?

Since independent cultivators are driven by profit, if the Zhao family knew about their relationship, it wouldn't be difficult for them to bribe a few with spirit stones.

……

When Lin Qingyang returned to Baifu Pavilion, the store was packed with customers. The shop assistants were practically running themselves ragged, and many rogue cultivators were all smiles, hoping to buy more Water Escape Talismans.

A sharp-eyed cultivator recognized him and stepped forward decisively, cupping his hands and saying, "I am Lie Shanyun, paying my respects to Master Qingyang."

"A few days ago, thanks to your water escape talisman, I was able to escape from the jaws of a monster."

His actions drew many rogue cultivators who came forward to pay their respects, not for any other reason than to make a good impression.

This magnificent scene attracted the curiosity of passing monks, who entered the shop and brought in even more revenue.

At this moment, the Zhuang Ning Pavilion across the street had significantly fewer customers than this side.

Even after they launched bundled services, they failed to attract many customers.

After all, a high-quality water escape talisman is a trump card, used to save one's life. It's never too much to collect as many as you can. Even if you don't need them, you can still make a small profit by trading them.

Every few days, Baifu Pavilion releases a batch of high-quality talismans, which often results in long queues in front of the store.

The Zhao family was naturally furious, but unfortunately, Lin Qingyang never left the market.

Lin Qingyang had anticipated the Zhao family's hatred.

But he doesn't lack resources now.

At this moment, the rogue cultivators had already retreated, and he returned to his residence, activating the protective array.

A water turtle had its talent easily stolen.

Lin Qingyang felt as if he were enveloped by water spirit energy, and he could manipulate its flow at will, with every move accompanied by raging waves.

The simple, archaic characters on the jade talisman changed accordingly.

[Talent: Basic Water Manipulation (5/100)]

[Water Control Talisman: Proficient (26/200)]

"Water Control Talisman, a mid-grade first-tier talisman, temporarily increases a cultivator's affinity for water-attribute spiritual energy and reduces the resistance in seawater, thus compensating for the cultivator's shortcomings in hunting demons in water."

"Like the Water Escape Talisman, it is also the most commonly used talisman for rogue cultivators hunting demons."

Lin Qingyang's face lit up with joy as he took out the prepared talisman paper and spirit ink from the worktable.

A myriad of insights welled up within me.

About three days later.

Ten talisman papers, three of which are successful, a success rate of 30%. After deducting costs, at least ten spirit stones can be obtained.

"Let's go to Nanlu River to test its quality."

He carried the talisman and headed to the city gate of the market.

Because the entire market town is built on the Ling River, there are still quite a few tributaries.

One reason is that the Lin family is one of the four major families, and one of the Lin family uncles, who is in the late stage of Qi Refining, is responsible for guarding this place to prevent any stray demonic beasts from entering.

This uncle was a mortal who was brought to Qingchi Mountain to cultivate. He was kind and loyal to his family, and it is said that he had a good relationship with his father back then.

"Greetings, Uncle Zonglian. I am Qingyang, and I have just crafted a water-controlling talisman. I hope to test its effectiveness underwater."

Lin Qingyang presented three light blue talismans.

"Could it be that Qingyang's talismans have improved again?"

Lin Zonglian was pleasantly surprised. As he was stationed in the neighborhood, he naturally knew how much benefit his nephew had brought to the family.

Now that he has even developed a water-controlling talisman, with the blessings of his ancestors, he must protect it thoroughly.

"Go ahead with peace of mind. Second-tier demonic beasts will be detected when they get within a few miles of the great formation. As for first-tier demonic beasts, Uncle Seven will help you stop them all."

With the protection of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, he felt much more at ease and descended about three zhang (approximately 13 meters).

By this point, the water pressure was extremely high, and his spiritual energy was being depleted very quickly. With his cultivation level of the fourth stage of Qi Refining, he estimated that he could only last for a quarter of an hour at most.

Thinking about it, he held a slightly dim water escape talisman, which was the very talisman he had obtained from Lin Qingwan.

Once activated, the surrounding water elemental energy is attracted, forming a thin water film on the outer layer of the body.

Lin Qingyang checked again and estimated that it could be extended by another 15 minutes.

Then, he switched to a "masterpiece" water escape talisman he had drawn himself, which summoned more water spirit energy and made the water film thicker.

He tried circulating his magic power again, estimating that he could extend it by another quarter of an hour.

This effect is even more pronounced than the Water Escape Talisman.

He had some guesses about this, since he had already mastered the basics of Water Release Techniques and Water Pincer Techniques, which were themselves an improvement on his water control, so it was not surprising that they were even more effective.

For example, some Golden Core cultivators can integrate their supernatural powers into their natal magic artifacts to create talismanic treasures, allowing lower-level cultivators to unleash some of the power of Golden Core cultivators.

"rustle."

The sound of water plants being stirred.

Lin Qingyang glanced around and immediately spotted a spirit fish with sword-like teeth on its back and a body length of about ten feet suddenly attacking this place.

"Oh no, a saber-toothed fish, Qi Refining Level 7."

Lin Zonglian's expression changed drastically on the surface of the water. He quickly used a water escape talisman to escape underwater.

He hadn't expected that a saber-toothed fish was hiding underwater. This kind of spirit fish was extremely ferocious. On the surface of the water, he could use the power of his magical artifact to kill this demon.

However, underwater, he can only exert 60-70% of his combat power, and he can probably only barely maintain an undefeated record.

……