44: Chapter 44 Advancement to Quasi-Second-Tier Rune Master

On the other side.

The handsome Young Lord of the Lai Family, Lai Tianxiang, was already standing on the light-crossing boat refined by his family's Guest Elder, unwilling to fall behind.

The youths of Yellow Ox Immortal City were unhurried, still listening to Fourth Disciple's instructions.

What drew the most attention was the edge of the river valley.

A large group of Loose Cultivators had entered the Secret Realm at some unknown time.

A man in a bamboo hat shouted loudly, "Anyone wanting to cross the river, pay up and get on board! Tickets are a hundred Spirit Stones each, two spots at a time, first come first served!"

"One hundred Spirit Stones covers the trip there but not back! You'll need another ticket to return!"

He marveled inwardly.

Compared to fighting on the other side of the river, this job of ferrying people was indeed safer and more profitable.

Another fifteen minutes passed.

As the light-crossing boat of Yellow Ox Immortal City vanished into the distant horizon, the riverbank gradually became empty, with only a few people left to guard it.

The rest of the people scattered in all directions to continue searching for spiritual items.

...

Meanwhile.

On the opposite bank of the Flowing Light Talisman River.

In a dark cave somewhere, a faint white skeleton lay upon stone steps, its bones creaking and rattling.

In the hollow eye sockets, two clusters of eerie green flames ignited with a "poof."

"Heh, heh..."

The skeletal mouth, with only white teeth remaining, let out a metallic sound.

In the next instant.

An arm bone suddenly lifted, the skeletal claw opened and then clenched into a fist, pushing against the muddy ground as it slowly stood up.

The pressure of the Foundation Establishment Stage spread out from this skeleton like threads.

"Jie jie jie, this seat has come back to life!"

"Haha, this Reversal of Death into Life Foundation Establishment Technique really works! I, Lu, have lived another life!"

"Huang Jinglong, wash your neck and wait! I, Lu, will surely avenge the grudge of being skinned!"

Amidst the creaking sounds, the skeleton walked out of the cave entrance.

"It's the Abundant Period. I can absorb the Divine Souls of some juniors later to stabilize my Foundation Establishment Realm."

...

Half an hour later.

On the boundless Talisman River.

The wooden boat and the paper boat were traveling side by side.

Suddenly.

"Ouch."

Ding Zhengxiang, who was standing at the bow refining Spirit Siphoning Talismans, suddenly became unsteady, leaning against the hull while holding onto the gunwale.

His voice was somewhat weak, "This old man's strength is failing. Fellow Daoist Xu, please come and help."

Xu Changsheng sneered, "Fellow Daoist Ding, surely you aren't slacking? We haven't even covered a tenth of the distance."

Ding Zhengxiang held his forehead, looking exhausted. "Stop joking, Fellow Daoist, and come help."

As the rate at which he injected spiritual power into the hull slowed down, the generation of Spirit Siphoning Talismans also slowed, and the entire boat began to descend slowly.

Chen Xuan, from behind, urged, "If Fellow Daoist Xu has the strength, it would be best to put in some effort. Otherwise, the boat might sink before we're even halfway."

Xu Changsheng chuckled, "Just a joke. Don't worry, you two."

He then stepped forward and began drawing Talisman markings on the hull according to the refinement method for Spirit Siphoning Talismans. By using the existing light-crossing boat, a First-rank Mid-grade Talisman Master could assist the main helmsman in this way.

After the Spiritual Qi reversed for one cycle.

Xu Changsheng's face showed surprise.

Through the hull, he came into contact with the vast array of Talismans on the Talisman River.

The forms of countless Talismans flowing echoed in his mind.

"This... seems like a Talisman Legacy."

He increased the injection of spiritual power, coming into more contact with the fragmented Talismans outside.

He became increasingly certain.

The points that had confused him.

The net that had enveloped him.

The pillar that had blocked him.

In this instant, everything seemed to be understood.

"So that's how it is!"

Xu Changsheng quickly realized, a faint, imperceptible smile touching the corners of his mouth.

Under the dismantling of his "One Proof Eternal Proof" talent, this Flowing Light Talisman River had actually turned into a second-rank talisman Legacy.

Vast and boundless Talisman knowledge flooded into his brain like seawater.

It broke through his original shackles almost instantly.

He was only half a step away from becoming a Quasi Second-Rank Talisman Master.

The mana transfer was too rapid, causing some dizziness. He took out several Qi-replenishing Pills from his Storage Pouch, swallowed them, and continued his comprehension.

Seeing Xu Changsheng immersed in it.

Ding Zhengxiang and Chen Xuan glanced at each other.

They exchanged looks, and with a tacit understanding, the former reduced the spiritual power being input into the light-crossing boat once more.

As one waxed and the other waned.

The boat's hull sank again.

Chen Xuan teased, "Fellow Daoist Xu, don't just go through the motions. The boat is sinking again, put some effort into it."

Hearing this.

Xu Changsheng nodded suddenly and increased the spiritual power transfer even more.

At this moment.

It seemed that even the Qi-replenishing Pills couldn't maintain his spiritual power level. He began to gasp for breath, and his mana level dropped layer by layer.

"Just a bit more, just a little bit more. One more incense stick's worth of comprehension and I can break through to Quasi-Second Tier!"

Seeing him in this state.

Chen Xuan triumphantly high-fived Ding Zhengxiang and sent a Divine Sense transmission openly.

The former was complacent, "I didn't expect this Xu Changsheng to still be as foolish as before, believing whatever is said. No wonder Jinger chose me; what future could there be following a man like him?"

Ding Zhengxiang stroked his broken beard, "It's truly absurd that such a blockhead has survived until today. Fellow Daoist Chen, if you don't act now, then when?"

Under the exchange of glances.

Chen Xuan stepped forward, mana condensing in his leg, preparing to deliver a flying kick to knock Xu Changsheng off the boat.

"Stop!"

A majestic, angry shout came from behind.

It was Xie Wantang.

She had been watching the light-crossing boat ahead; how could Chen Xuan's movements escape her eyes?

"What is Fellow Daoist Chen doing?"

Chen Xuan stood on one leg and looked back.

His handsome face wore a silly grin, filled with an air of embarrassment.

He lowered his leg awkwardly and patted his backside, "I've been sitting too long, just stretching my limbs. Surely Fairy Xie wouldn't mind that?"

Xie Wantang spoke righteously, "Stretching is fine, but Fellow Daoist Xu is a Guest Elder of my Xie Family. I advise you not to have any ill intentions toward him."

Having failed to strike.

Chen Xuan could only return to the stern with a sinister look on his face.

Xie Wantang did not return to the cabin. Standing at the front of the biluo flying boat, her beautiful eyes remained fixed on the light-crossing boat before her.

He sent a Divine Sense transmission to Ding Zhengxiang, "This is difficult. This bitch is becoming increasingly rampant, relying on her status as Senior Brother Jiang's Dao Companion."

The latter nodded, "Don't worry, Fellow Daoist Chen. There will be a fork in the road ahead. I'll find a way to take the other path and shake them off."

"Good!"

Right at this moment.

Xu Changsheng's eyes shone with a brilliant light.

He had finally torn through all shackles just now, advancing to a Quasi Second-Rank Talisman Master.

This meant that as long as he advanced to Foundation Establishment, he would naturally be a Second-rank Low-grade Talisman Master.

How could he not have known about Chen Xuan's movements just now?

In reality, although the Qi-replenishing Pills couldn't keep up with the expenditure, with his Talisman attainment, he wouldn't run out of Qi as quickly as a First-rank Mid-grade Talisman Master.

He could have easily dodged it, but since Xie Wantang had intervened, he was happy to let it be.

He turned back and cupped his hands to thank Xie Wantang.

The latter nodded slightly in response.

The dark clouds overhead were extremely thick.

In the next moment.

A sudden change occurred.

The river constructed of Talisman Paper began to surge turbulently.

"This is?"

Ding Zhengxiang looked into the distance, where a white line seemed to be rushing toward them, connecting the sky and the earth.

"Not good, it's a Talisman Explosion River Roar! Turn back quickly!"