Chapter 23

Seeing the shock on Mengkong and Luochong's faces, Chen Xi couldn't help but feel a bit strange. Was there something wrong with practicing visualization techniques?

"Brother, I heard Instructor Mengkong say that the soul visualization technique is extremely rare. In the entire Songyan City, there are no more than three forces that possess a visualization technique."

"The reason why the visualization technique is so precious is that its inheritance cannot be passed down through jade slips, books, or text. Instead, it needs to be personally taught by the original owner through a secret method, and it can only be taught to one person, not widely disseminated. This is precisely why it is so rare."

Younger brother Chen Hao, noticing Chen Xi's confusion, whispered in his ear, "However, I also heard that in those ancient sects with deep foundations, they possess different visualization treasures, which are forged by great sages with their own will. Through these visualization treasures, one can also comprehend the visualization technique. For example, the Inscription Sword Stone of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect is a mysterious and unfathomable visualization treasure."

Chen Xi suddenly understood, recalling the Fuxi divine statue in his mind, and began to deeply appreciate its value.

"I will try my best to learn the visualization technique. If I still can't comprehend the essence of these talisman patterns, I'll come to you again." Qin Hongmian clenched her small fist, her clear eyes filled with passionate and determined light. She waved to Chen Xi and then turned to leave.

"Mengkong, this time I'll let it go, but next time I'll definitely challenge you!" Seeing this, Luochong, unable to ask Chen Xi about the visualization technique, glared at Mengkong with a look of great reluctance and followed after her.

"Finally, that crazy guy is gone."

Watching the two leave, Mengkong smiled and turned to Chen Xi, his gaze peculiar. "No wonder you advanced so quickly; it turns out you practiced the visualization technique."

"Probably." Chen Xi replied casually, unwilling to say more.

"The visualization technique is mysterious and extremely rare and precious. Don't talk about it with others in the future, or you might be in mortal danger."

Mengkong smiled. "But don't worry, although Luochong is a bit crazy, he will never reveal your secret."

Chen Xi nodded, but in his heart, he thought, "There's no wall that doesn't leak. In the future, I will never mention this to anyone. This time, I almost planted a seed of trouble for myself..."

...

The next day, Mengkong took Chen Hao on the journey to Longyuan City in the southern border.

Chen Xi was already feeling sad and reluctant about his younger brother's departure. When he saw Bai Wanqing also leaving with Xi Xi and Mengkong, his mood became even more depressed.

"Brother, don't worry, I'll work hard. You take care of yourself and don't worry about me..."

"Chen Xi, since the day I took Chen Hao to meet Mengkong, I've already agreed to leave Songyan City and return to Longyuan City. Take care of yourself, and if you come to Longyuan City, be sure to visit Aunt Bai."

"Brother Chen Xi, Xi Xi is leaving. Here's the green orange candy I like the most. We'll share it, and after eating it, we'll be the best friends. Goodbye."

The voices of his younger brother, Aunt Bai, and Xi Xi still echoed in his ears. Chen Xi sat in the room for a long time, slowly opening a brocade letter in his hand.

"Chen Xi, the path of cultivation is fraught with danger. To go further, you must possess powerful martial strength that matches your cultivation. Last night, after our deep conversation, I realized that you haven't practiced martial arts for many years, and your martial cultivation is shallow and inadequate, which is a great taboo for cultivators."

"Remember, martial cultivation is the foundation of combat. Sword techniques, palm techniques, saber techniques... no matter what martial skills, you must find your own path in combat. Only then can you be called a true powerhouse!"

"Take care, and we'll meet again—Mengkong."

Chen Xi finished reading the brocade letter and let out a long sigh.

After a long conversation with Mengkong, the top swordsman of Songyan Academy, Chen Xi gained a lot. He realized that although his cultivation had rapidly advanced, the strength he could display was far from satisfactory. The reason was that he had focused on talisman making and cooking, neglecting martial arts practice.

Now, seeing the brocade letter Mengkong left for him, Chen Xi felt grateful and a surge of determination.

In the past, due to the need to support his family and pay his younger brother's tuition, he had spent all his time on talisman making and learning cooking, leaving no time for martial arts practice. Now, with his younger brother's departure, he only needed to pay the tuition for Songyan Academy and could devote time to practicing martial arts.

"Unfortunately, my Chen family was destroyed, and over a thousand martial arts manuals were lost. Grandfather left only the breathing technique 'Purple Dawn Technique' before being killed by our enemies. If I want to practice martial arts, I probably need to join a school."

Chen Xi pondered for a long time, then got up and left the room.

...

Zhang's General Store.

Due to the new talismans being sold out, the frenzied buying spree of the past few days gradually calmed down. However, compared to before, Zhang's General Store had become well-known throughout Songyan City, and the number of customers had increased several times. In this situation, the store owner, Zhang Dayong, was not worried about earning spirit stones.

"Uncle Zhang." Chen Xi pushed the door open.

Seeing Chen Xi, Zhang Dayong, who was dozing behind the counter, opened his eyes and smiled broadly. The dozen or so talisman apprentices working nearby also stopped their tasks, their faces showing admiration and respect.

What's wrong with a broom star?

As long as it brings benefits to everyone, even if it's the reincarnation of a misfortune god, it's worth a warm welcome!

Chen Xi had been staying in the small black room of Qingxi Winehouse and didn't know how popular his new talismans were on the market, nor did he know that he had been given the title of "Mysterious Talisman Master."

So he looked at everyone with some confusion, his mood much calmer and more open than those present.

"Good boy! You've been gone for a whole half month. Do you still have the nerve to see me?" Zhang Dayong smiled and pretended to be angry as he led Chen Xi into an elegant room.

Chen Xi felt a bit embarrassed. "Uncle, I had some other matters these days and couldn't get away, so..."

"Alright, you've grown up. You have your own things to do, and Uncle understands."

Zhang Dayong waved his hand, not caring, and then asked with a smile, "How many talismans did you make this time?"

Chen Xi shook his head and said thoughtfully, "Uncle Zhang, I probably won't be able to make talismans in the future. I need to focus on practicing martial arts and improving my strength."

Zhang Dayong was stunned for a moment before regaining his composure. "I knew this day would come, but I didn't expect it to be so soon."

Leaving Zhang's General Store, Chen Xi felt a bit complicated.

Over the years, if not for Zhang Dayong's care, he, his grandfather, and his younger brother would have become street beggars long ago. Now, to practice martial arts, he had to quit this job, and he felt a bit guilty.

"Uncle Zhang, I will never forget your kindness!"

Standing in front of the signboard of Zhang's General Store, Chen Xi's eyes flashed with determination, and he resolutely turned and left.

...

Linglong Pavilion.

Linglong Pavilion was a place that specialized in selling cultivation techniques, from low-level to high-level, offering a wide variety to meet the needs of many independent cultivators. Even cultivators from families and schools often came to look for treasures, making it quite famous in Songyan City.

"In terms of qi cultivation, I practice the family-inherited 'Purple Dawn Technique.' For body cultivation, I practice the 'Zhou Tian Star Slaying Body Forging Technique' taught by Senior Ji Yu. What martial arts should I practice to bring out my full potential?"

Chen Xi stood in front of the counter, looking at the various martial arts manuals, unsure where to start.

"Senior, would you like me to help you select some cultivation techniques?" A beautiful female attendant suggested.

Chen Xi thought for a moment and asked, "What martial arts are there for body cultivation?"

The female attendant was taken aback, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes. In Songyan City, body cultivators were mostly lowly laborers, poor and powerless.

Hearing that Chen Xi wanted to buy body cultivation techniques, the female attendant naturally assumed he was struggling in poverty.

"There are very few body cultivation techniques, only a dozen or so. Please look over there." The female attendant's attitude became cold, and she no longer called him "Senior," pointing to a corner of the counter.

"The Tiger Taming Bone Claw, Dragon Form Leg Technique, Demon Subduing Great Hand Seal, Golden Vulture Body Technique..." Chen Xi scanned through them, surprised. "Each one costs more than a hundred spirit stones, and these are just basic body cultivation techniques. The prices seem a bit exorbitant, don't they?"

The female attendant's disdain grew, and she replied coldly, "These are all treasures collected by our Linglong Pavilion. Even basic techniques are far superior to the common ones on the market. If you think they're too expensive, you can look elsewhere."

As she spoke, the female attendant turned and left, muttering, "If you can't afford it, just say so. Complaining about the price, hmpf, these body cultivators are truly incomprehensibly poor."

Chen Xi shook his head, not bothering to argue with the female attendant, and spent over a hundred spirit stones to buy the "Great Collapse Fist." Just as he was about to leave Linglong Pavilion, someone called out to him from behind.

"Chen Xi!" The voice was low and powerful.

Chen Xi turned around and saw the tall and muscular Luochong walking out of Linglong Pavilion.

"These are thirteen body cultivation jade slips, bought for you by Miss. Keep them well." Luochong said, tossing a treasure pouch to Chen Xi, and then turned and walked back into Linglong Pavilion.

What's going on?

Chen Xi was stunned, his gaze sweeping over Linglong Pavilion, where he saw Qin Hongmian in a simple dress waving at him.

Did she see everything just now?

It must be so; otherwise, why would Luochong randomly give him some body cultivation jade slips?

However, Chen Xi couldn't accept this gift. He didn't want to owe anyone a favor, so he walked back into Linglong Pavilion, but when he looked around, Qin Hongmian was already gone.

"Senior, I... I'm sorry."

The female attendant walked over, looking as if she had been severely struck, and apologized in a low voice, her tone filled with dejection and deep respect, no longer cold or mocking.

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