[Three-Stroke Ice Shadow Talisman has been completed.]

  [Completion Evaluation: Extreme]

  [You have gained perfect comprehension of the principle of Ice Shadow.]

  ['Ice Heart Without Shadow' is awakened.]

  [Affinity with Water-attribute qi has greatly increased.]

  [The Three-Stroke Ice Shadow Talisman has fully integrated into the body.]

  [Current Applied Value: Extreme]

  As Li Xin read the words rising before his eyes, he felt as though his entire body had sunk into icy water. Water qi surged from the depths of his heart like a spring, coursing through his meridians and spreading throughout his body. A chill seeped into every blood vessel and every corner of every cell.

  At the same time, the fluctuations of spiritual power emanating from his body gradually subsided. It was not that his aura had diminished, but rather that his very presence had grown faint, as if an invisible mist now cloaked him.

  A technique to conceal one’s aura…

  Li Xin realized that this technique resembled the Concealment Art commonly practiced by cultivators. The Concealment Art likewise hid one’s aura, preventing others from discerning one’s realm. However, because it was so widely known, there existed countless methods to counter it. As a result, the Concealment Art had long since become little more than a hollow technique in real combat. But Ice Heart Without Shadow was different. To a cultivator, what was most troublesome was not a technique of overwhelming power, but one they had never seen before. Familiar techniques at least had countermeasures, but an unfamiliar one was difficult to analyze even at the moment it struck.

  This will not be broken.

  Most astonishing of all was that maintaining Ice Heart Without Shadow consumed almost no energy. So long as his spiritual power did not run completely dry, the technique could be sustained indefinitely. Moreover, while it remained active, the speed at which he could draw upon the power of Ice Shadow increased dramatically.

  It manifests the instant I think of it.

  The activation speed of his techniques became noticeably faster, and his reaction speed improved severalfold. Even in unexpected situations, he could now respond with far greater flexibility.

  Li Xin felt deep satisfaction with the gains brought by the Extreme Grade Ice Shadow Talisman. For a moment, he was tempted to complete his other talismans at Extreme Grade as well, but that would have been putting the cart before the horse. Rather than focusing on a handful of strokes to produce a few Extreme Grade talismans, once he embodied all sixty-four Mother Strokes, he would be able to draw far more varieties of Extreme Grade talismans. Instead of clinging to small gains before his eyes, he chose to focus on the greater picture.

  The hide has fully dried… it’s time to draw the Demonic Beast Talisman.

  For others, crafting a Demonic Beast Talisman was an extremely difficult task. For Li Xin, however, it was no different from drawing any other Three-Stroke talisman. His only concern was how much lifespan would be consumed this time.

  This time, he resolved to use only the bare minimum. Just enough energy for the talisman to barely function—embedding no more than three months of lifespan. This was to deliberately control the talisman’s quality.

  [Three-Stroke Yin–Yang Talisman has been completed through the principle of Ice Shadow.]

  [Completion Evaluation: Mid-Low ]

  [The remnant soul of the demonic beast harmonizes with the body.]

  He had aimed for Lower Grade, but the result was slightly higher—Mid-Low. The natural enhancement of his physical abilities had elevated the completion rating.

  Through this Demonic Beast Talisman, Li Xin’s body was strengthened once more. However, the change was no longer as dramatic as before. While the talisman’s grade played a part, the greater reason was that Li Xin’s essence—his physical foundation—had grown exceedingly robust. He had entered a stage where minor stimulation no longer brought obvious growth; only greater stimuli would produce clear advancement.

  One Demonic Beast Talisman is enough.

  Li Xin drew only a single Demonic Beast Talisman and stopped. The Demonic Beast Talisman created through the principle of Ice Shadow was merely proof of his worth. The talismans the Xu Clan truly desired—those to be used in a Talisman Array—would be different. Even the Xu Clan would not wish for him to waste lifespan on such pieces.

  ***

  Li Xin carried the completed Demonic Beast Talisman to Xu Yul. It had taken him only four days to craft it.

  Xu Yul was momentarily speechless. He had expected the process to take at least a month. Yet not only had it been completed with astonishing speed, the first Demonic Beast Talisman Li Xin had ever drawn was closer to Proper Grade than to Lower Grade.

  He hasn’t merely grasped a trick… he has attained true insight.

  "Xu Hui will be pleased with this result."

  Xu Yul’s words were sincere. He seemed convinced that Li Xin possessed far greater talent in crafting Demonic Beast Talismans than anticipated. But soon, his expression grew heavy.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  “…You must never reveal to other members of the clan that you have completed a Demonic Beast Talisman.”

  Not to tell anyone that I’ve drawn one…?

  At that moment, the fragments of information Li Xin had gathered pieced together into a single, vast picture. The sect leader—once the clan’s unifying pillar—had died suddenly at the hands of a Demon King.

  Xu Hui’s dissatisfaction toward the Xu Clan. The relationship between Xu Hui and Xu Yul. The inexplicable hostility the Xu Clan showed toward Xu Yul. All of it pointed to a single answer.

  An internal power struggle…

  After the sect leader’s death, the Xu Clan had lost its center. In the ensuing vacuum, a new struggle for authority must have begun.

  Liu Guangjin of the Baizhang Association and Xu Renlu of the Script & Brush Pavilion are likely on this side as well.

  The fact that they were stationed in the barren Qingshan Valley rather than the Immortal City further proved that Xu Yul and Xu Hui’s faction was at a clear disadvantage. Had they held firm standing within the clan, they would not have forsaken the prosperity within the Immortal City. This was why Xu Yul had instructed him to conceal the existence of the Demonic Beast Talisman. They were likely planning something significant using it.

  "I understand."

  Though he had grasped the underlying situation, Li Xin nodded and agreed. He did not wish to become deeply entangled in the Xu Clan’s internal strife. Yet another thought crossed his mind.

  Rather, this situation could become an opportunity for me.

  Opportunities did not arrive on their own; they were forged. If he wished to create the best possible circumstances, he had to prepare in advance.

  Seeing Li Xin comply without protest, Xu Yul nodded. Then he handed Li Xin a sheet of paper.

  "Drawing a Three-Stroke Demonic Beast Talisman is not the end. These are the talismans you must now learn."

  Upon checking the paper, Li Xin saw the names of several talismans written upon it.

  Four-Stroke Invisibility Talisman

  Five-Cycle Concealed Shadow Talisman

  Six-Cycle Smoke Shadow Talisman

  Seven-Stroke Silent Movement Talisman

  Eight-Stroke Illusory Phantom Talisman

  "Must I learn them all?"

  Xu Yul shook his head.

  "You need not learn them all. But it is best to master talismans of the highest possible grade. The power of a Talisman Array varies drastically depending on which talisman serves as its core."

  Hearing this, Li Xin reviewed the names once more. From the Invisibility Talisman to the Illusory Phantom Talisman, all specialized in concealment and obscuration. He engraved the five talismans firmly into his memory.

  Xu Yul then drew out a book from his robes and handed it over.

  "It is the Invisibility Talisman Crafting Method. Take a look."

  "This is…"

  At first glance it appeared ordinary, yet upon closer inspection, the ink had not even fully dried.

  Did Xu Yul write this himself?

  It did not merely describe how to draw the talisman. It was filled with Xu Yul’s personal insights embedded within each stroke, as though he were teaching at one’s side. It was on a completely different level from the common copied manuals found on the market. This was not simply a Crafting Method, but a treasure condensed from Xu Yul’s cultivation experience and realizations.

  "Among Four-Stroke talismans, the most fundamental and practical is the Invisibility Talisman. Use it as your foundation to join the Talisman Union."

  It seemed that once Li Xin successfully completed a Four-Stroke Invisibility Talisman, Xu Yul intended to lead him into the Talisman Union to obtain formal qualification. This was both the most efficient path for Li Xin’s growth and proof of the great expectations Xu Yul placed upon him.

  "I understand."

  Li Xin nodded obediently and tucked the book into his robes.

  ***

  After parting with Xu Yul. Li Xin brushed his fingers over the cover of the book he had received.

  Perhaps I am assuming the worst and overreacting.

  Even so, his plan did not change. If their intentions were purely goodwill, he could repay them later from an equal standing when they needed assistance.

  In the end, the path one walks is determined by oneself alone.

  Li Xin did not wish for the Xu Clan to learn the full extent of his strength. For that, he needed a new identity—one not named Xu Li Xin.

  Let’s find suitable items.

  In the outer city’s stalls, Li Xin purchased a loose black robe that covered his entire body, concealing his physique. Next, he bought a mask-type artifact. The mask blurred the wearer’s facial features, making it difficult for observers to remember a precise impression. It also emitted subtle spiritual fluctuations that distorted the wearer’s voice.

  Even so, it was not enough. An individual’s aura was unique; mere disguise could not perfectly conceal one’s innate presence. But Li Xin now possessed the newly awakened Ice Heart Without Shadow.

  As cold qi enveloped his entire body, the fluctuations of his spiritual power vanished as if they did not exist. Judging by appearance alone, none would guess his identity.

  At the very center of Qingshan Immortal City’s inner district stood a grand and sturdy building known as the Heavenly Talisman Pavilion. The entire surrounding area belonged to the Qingshan Sect. From its location alone, one could infer the status and influence of the Talisman Union. The massive entrance was sealed by heavy iron doors, above which the emblem of the Talisman Union shone in gold.

  Upon entering, a space far larger and taller than expected unfolded before him. Polished marble paved the corridors, and enormous stone pillars upheld the ceiling. Several large notice boards lined the walls, covered with thin sheets of paper densely inscribed with missions. This place also served as an intermediary office where talisman masters accepted and brokered tasks.

  On one side, talisman masters traded materials, appraised completed talismans, or sought advice on crafting. The Heavenly Talisman Pavilion was not merely a place to produce and sell talismans. It was a crucial hub where talisman masters exchanged knowledge, accumulated merit, and honed their Dao.

  As Li Xin stepped inside, the gazes of the Union members in the corridor turned toward him in unison. His black robe and masked face naturally drew attention.

  Ignoring their stares, Li Xin approached the receptionist. The receptionist showed a brief flicker of surprise at his appearance, but soon resumed a composed demeanor and began the procedure.

  "What business brings you here?"

  "I have come to register a name with the Union."

  The receptionist lifted a brush and asked,

  "Your name?"

  "Muyeong."

  Though the receptionist clearly knew it was an alias, he stared at Li Xin for a moment before nodding and writing down the name ‘Muyeong’ on the registration form. The Union had all sorts of people; such individuals were not uncommon.

  "To obtain formal qualification as a talisman master of the Union, you must undergo an examination."

  The sheet handed over detailed the examination procedures and conditions.