111: Chapter 111 Strengthening Defenses: Exchanging for "Basic Perception Talismans"

Escalating Defenses at the Underground Palace Entrance

The armored vehicle had just arrived at the temporary camp at the entrance to the underground palace when Chen Wu's tactical bracelet chimed with a notification from the "Legacy Point System." A pale gold virtual interface unfolded in mid-air. The digits "Available Points: 8.7 million" were particularly eye-catching—this was the cumulative reward for previously completing missions such as "Five Elements Sparring," "Breathing Legacy," and "Xingji Fist Research." At the very bottom of the interface, the exchange option for the "Elementary Perception Talisman" glowed with a soft light, marked with: "Exchange Cost: 1.5 million points. Effect: Sense hidden Qi Energy traps within 500 meters, duration 24 hours, stackable."

"We must exchange for the Perception Talisman!" Lin Mo's fingertips flew across the virtual keyboard. Beads of sweat from his forehead dripped onto the touchpad as his tablet simultaneously pulled up a 3D model of the underground palace entrance. On the model, the "Qi Energy traps" left behind by Hydra were marked in red; six were hidden beneath the ground, and three were disguised as rock textures, which ordinary detectors could not identify at all. "The Technical Department detected that these traps are a mixture of 'Spirit-Devouring Energy' and 'Taiji Power Vibration Qi.' Once triggered, they will not only detonate the Qi Energy bombs but also interfere with our Qi Energy defenses," the teenager suddenly zoomed in on a corner of the model. "The most dangerous ones are the 'Chain Traps.' After triggering the first one, all traps within 50 meters will detonate within 10 seconds. Even an armored vehicle wouldn't be able to withstand it!"

Grandpa Wang tapped his dry tobacco pipe against the side of the camp tent with a dull thud. The old man took out the "Talisman Records" left behind by his grandfather. Tucked inside the yellowed pages was a hand-drawn Talisman from 1965—a pattern of the "Elementary Perception Talisman" that Chen Wu's Great-grandfather had used. It had a 90% similarity to the Talisman patterns on the System interface, except that the Talisman of that year required "Dragon Pulse Energy" to activate, while the current System version could be exchanged directly using Legacy points. "Your Great-grandfather relied entirely on this Perception Talisman to dodge the 'Poison Arrow Array' of the Qijue Sect when he raided the underground palace back then," he said, pointing the pipe stem at the "Qi Energy Sensing Pattern" on the diagram. "The key to this Talisman is 'Glabella Activation.' By injecting Qi Energy into the 'Perception Point' at the center of the Talisman, you can see the trajectory of hidden Qi Energy. It's more useful than any detector!" A bronze Talisman tablet engraved with the two characters "Perception" suddenly flew out of the camphor wood chest. Pale gold Qi Energy spread along the tablet, tracing a "Talisman Activation" path on Chen Wu's palm.

In the Flower Girl's basket, the eight-colored petals of the inheritance grass suddenly emitted a pale gold light. Dewdrops rolled on the leaves, reflecting the details of the "Perception Talisman" on the System interface—the "Qi Energy Conduction Pattern" on the edge of the Talisman needed to be nourished with "Five Elements Energy" to increase the perception range from 500 meters to 800 meters and extend the duration to 36 hours. The young girl mixed the eight-colored juices. When the multi-colored "talisman power dew" dripped onto the leaves, the petals suddenly unfurled toward the virtual interface. "Elder Zhou said this is a 'Talisman Amplifier'," she said, her fingertips lightly touching the dew. "Applying this to the Perception Talisman can enhance its sensitivity. It can even detect Qi Energy 10 meters underground, like installing a magnifying glass on the Talisman!"

The Section Chief of the Special Incident Response Department walked over, holding the "Trap Response Plan." The screen displayed a triple-layered defense plan: the first layer used the "Elementary Perception Talisman" to locate all traps; the second layer used Su Chen's Mystic Water Energy to freeze the Qi Energy core of the traps to prevent detonation; the third layer used Zhang Hao's iron arm combined with "Energy-Breaking Dew" to completely destroy the trap structure. "The Enforcement Division has already set up a 'Qi Energy Early Warning Network' around the camp," the Section Chief said, suddenly turning the plan toward Chen Wu. "As long as the remnants of Hydra approach within a 5-kilometer radius, the warning network will immediately sound an alarm. Furthermore, we have prepared a 'Talisman Backup Power Source.' In case the Perception Talisman fails, we can quickly restart it using Qi Energy!" The tablet showed that the Elders of the eight major schools had arrived at the camp. Li Xuantong was testing the sensitivity of the warning network with Five Elements Energy, while Zhao Lie was checking the "Energy-Breaking Dew" coating on Zhang Hao's iron arm. Everyone was making final preparations for the underground palace exploration.

When Chen Wu clicked the "Exchange" button, 1.5 million Legacy points were instantly deducted. Three pale gold "Elementary Perception Talismans" flew out of the virtual interface and landed in his palm. The moment the "Qi Energy Sensing Pattern" on the Talisman made contact with his Yijin Energy, it suddenly lit up with a soft light. The global livestream camera zoomed in, clearly showing the pale gold Qi Energy flowing within the patterns, which was perfectly consistent with the Qi Energy trajectory of the Talisman paper hand-drawn by Chen Wu's Great-grandfather. The chat stream instantly exploded with a sea of golden comments: "Looking forward to the effect of the Perception Talisman." The ID of that migrant worker brother popped up with a message: "Teacher Chen, if the Perception Talismans are not enough, we will donate points!" In less than ten minutes, the Legacy points donated by students worldwide through the "traditional martial arts Charity Platform" exceeded 1 million. Lin Mo said, moved: "This is the sentiment of Martial Artists around the world. We will definitely be able to safely pass through the traps!"

Activation and Testing of the Perception Talisman

Following Grandpa Wang's instructions, Chen Wu injected his pale gold Yijin Energy into the "Perception Point" of the Perception Talisman. The Talisman suddenly floated up from his palm, rotated half a turn in mid-air, transformed into a golden light pattern, and gently adhered to his glabella. In an instant, Chen Wu's vision changed, and the Qi Energy trajectories around the camp became clearly visible: the pale blue Mystic Water Energy warning network, the light brown Five Elements Energy test waves, and even the Qi Energy of earthworms moving 3 meters underground all formed tiny points of light in his field of vision. "Within a 500-meter radius, a total of 9 Qi Energy anomalies were discovered," Chen Wu said, his voice filled with surprise. He pointed to the left side of the underground palace entrance. "There are 3 hidden traps there, and their Qi Energy fluctuations are completely consistent with Hydra's 'Taiji Power Vibration Bombs'!"

Li Xuantong immediately led the Disciples of the Xingyi Sect to investigate. The light brown Five Elements Energy spread along the ground. When the Qi Energy made contact with the location Chen Wu pointed out, the ground suddenly emitted a purple light, which perfectly overlapped with the Qi Energy trajectory displayed by the Perception Talisman. "There really are traps!" The old man's voice was filled with excitement. He carefully dug up the ground with Five Elements Energy, revealing a black device the size of a fist, engraved with the Hydra totem. "This is a miniature version of the 'Taiji Power Vibration Bomb.' Once stepped on, the Qi Energy within a 5-meter radius will be thrown into chaos!" The slow-motion footage of the global livestream showed that the Qi Energy trajectory marked by the Perception Talisman perfectly surrounded the bomb's detonation device, forming a red warning circle. As long as one did not step into the circle, the trap would not be triggered.

Lin Mo's tablet suddenly popped up "Perception Talisman Parameters": "Current perception range 800 meters (talisman power dew amplification), perception accuracy 98%, duration 36 hours, capable of tracking 10 Qi Energy targets simultaneously." The teenager's fingertips danced on the virtual keyboard, synchronizing the trap locations detected by the Perception Talisman to everyone's tactical bracelets. "The Technical Department analyzed through AI that these traps form a 'Nine-Palace Chain Formation.' As long as we destroy the 'Formation Eye Trap' in the center, the other traps will temporarily fail!" The tablet showed that the Formation Eye Trap was located exactly in the center of the underground palace entrance, disguised as an ordinary bluestone. The Qi Energy fluctuation on it was extremely weak; if not for the Perception Talisman, it would have been impossible to discover.

Zhang Hao suddenly volunteered: "I will go and destroy the Formation Eye Trap!" His iron arm was coated with "Energy-Breaking Dew," and Mystic Water Energy formed a thick layer of defensive shield on the surface of his arm. Chen Wu transmitted the Qi Energy trajectory in real-time via the Perception Talisman, guiding Zhang Hao to avoid the surrounding traps: "There is a 'Spirit-Devouring Landmine' 3 meters to the left front. Go around to the right side; the Qi Energy fluctuation there is the weakest!" Zhang Hao followed the instructions and approached the Formation Eye bluestone step by step. The moment his iron arm made contact with the bluestone, the Perception Talisman suddenly issued an urgent warning. Black Qi Energy suddenly emerged from beneath the bluestone—it was a "Secondary Trap" hidden by Hydra!

"Retreat quickly! It's a 'Spirit-Devouring Counter-Kill Bomb'!" Chen Wu's Xingji Fist suddenly erupted. The light brown Xingyi Energy flew toward Zhang Hao, forming a rotating Qi Energy circle in front of him. Zhang Hao immediately retreated. The Mystic Water Energy on his iron arm fused with the Qi Energy circle, blocking the Qi Energy impact of the counter-kill bomb. The slow-motion footage showed that the moment the counter-kill bomb beneath the bluestone made contact with the Energy-Breaking Dew, its Qi Energy core suddenly froze, and no explosion occurred. "That was close!" Zhang Hao wiped the sweat from his forehead. "If not for the Perception Talisman, I would definitely have triggered the trap!"

In the Flower Girl's basket, the seven-colored petals of the inheritance grass suddenly unfurled toward the direction of the Formation Eye bluestone. Dewdrops rolled on the leaves, reflecting the internal structure of the counter-kill bomb—besides Spirit-Devouring Energy, a "Signal Transmitter" was hidden inside the bomb body. Once detonated, it would immediately notify the remnants of Hydra. The young girl sprinkled "talisman power dew" onto the counter-kill bomb. The multi-colored light fused with the Qi Energy of the Perception Talisman, forming a "Signal Shielding Layer" on the bomb body. "Elder Zhou said this is 'Talisman Power Shielding'," she said, her fingertips lightly touching the bomb body. "It can cut off the transmitter's signal. Even if the trap is triggered, Hydra won't receive the message. It's just like pulling the plug on their communicator!"

In the chat of the global livestream, a sea of comments flooded in: "The Perception Talisman is too useful." That Nurse Emily from London sent a video; she had made a "Simulated Perception Talisman" using simple Materials, and although the effect was not as good as the System version, it could still detect Qi Energy anomalies around her. A Martial Artist from Russia stated that he had developed a "Qi Energy Perception Bracelet" based on the principles of the Perception Talisman and was preparing to promote it to students worldwide. Even the "Anti-Hydra Alliance" of the United Nations sent a request, hoping to obtain the technical parameters of the Perception Talisman for use in global anti-trap operations. A comment from Africa received 300 million likes: "The Perception Talisman can not only protect Teacher Chen but also protect more people. This is the true power of traditional martial arts!"

All-Round Alert at the Camp

As night fell, the camp at the entrance of the underground palace entered a state of all-round alert.

Chen Wu handed the other two "Elementary Perception Talismans" to Su Chen and Zhao Lie, respectively, and the three formed a "triangular perception network" covering a 1000-meter radius around the camp, allowing any abnormality in Qi Energy to be detected immediately.

Li Xuantong's Xingyi Sect Disciples set up a "Five Elements Warning Formation" on the perimeter of the camp, with light brown Qi Energy tracing five paths on the ground, forming a dual defense with the perception network; Love led the Taiji Sect Disciples in practicing "Qi Energy monitoring," using the fluctuations of Taiji Power to capture subtle sounds in the surroundings and prevent sneak attacks from Hydra's "stealth modified soldiers."

Grandpa Wang's dry tobacco pipe tapped out a dull sound in the center of the camp.

The old man flipped through the "Alert Chapter" of the *Talisman Records*, where Chen Wus Great-grandfather's defensive experience was recorded on the yellowed pages: "Night defense requires the trinity of 'Talisman, Formation, and Person'; Talismans detect traps, Formations block sneak attacks, and people guard vital points."

He pointed his pipe at the camp's defensive layout, "Your preparations now are more comprehensive than they were back then; you have perception Talismans to detect traps, the Five Elements Formation to block sneak attacks, and the support of global Martial Artists. Even if Hydra sends more modified soldiers, they won't be able to gain any advantage!"

The bronze Talisman board in the camphor wood chest suddenly resonated with the three perception Talismans, and pale golden Qi Energy formed a "perception core" in the center of the camp, expanding the perception range of the three to 1500 meters and allowing the sharing of all Qi Energy data, realizing the goal of "if one person discovers it, everyone is warned."

In the Flower Girl's basket, the eight-colored petals of the inheritance grass suddenly all pointed toward the outskirts of the camp.

Dewdrops rolled on the leaves, reflecting a patch of forest 5 kilometers away—the perception Talisman showed three faint strands of black Qi Energy moving toward the camp; they were Hydra's "stealth modified soldiers"!

The young girl immediately told Chen Wu about the situation: "Their Qi Energy is masked by 'invisibility Talismans,' which ordinary detectors can't find at all. Fortunately, the perception Talisman can detect 'Qi Energy residue'!"

Chen Wu synchronized the Qi Energy trajectories to everyone through the "perception core," and Zhao Lie's Baji Energy instantly condensed in his palms: "I'll go meet these sneaking scumbags and let them know that even if they can turn invisible, they can't hide from the eyes of the perception Talisman!"

Zhang Hao volunteered to accompany him, his iron arms coated in "talisman power dew," and his Mystic Water Energy defensive shield adjusted to maximum intensity.

Following the guidance of the perception Talisman, the two quietly approached the forest—when they were 100 meters away from the modified soldiers, the perception Talisman suddenly indicated that the opponent's "invisibility Talisman" was beginning to fail, and the black Qi Energy fluctuations became increasingly obvious.

"Now!" Zhao Lie's Baji Energy suddenly erupted, and the pale black rigid energy blasted toward the nearest modified soldier. Before the opponent could react, they were struck in the chest by the rigid energy, the invisibility effect vanished instantly, revealing the black uniform and the Hydra totem.

Another modified soldier tried to escape using a "Qi Energy jetpack," but Zhang Hao's iron arm suddenly swept across, and his Mystic Water Energy froze the opponent's Qi Energy—slow-motion footage showed that the modified soldier had a "Qi Energy suicide bomb" hidden at their waist; if not for the perception Talisman marking it in advance, the two might have triggered an explosion during the capture.

"Speak! Where is your leader, 'Nine Heads'?" Zhao Lie's fist pressed against the modified soldier's chest, the pale black Baji Energy preventing the opponent's Qi Energy from condensing.

Black blood spilled from the corner of the modified soldier's mouth, but they gritted their teeth and remained silent, attempting to use their teeth to crush a "poison sac" hidden in their mouth—Chen Wu's Yijin Energy was suddenly injected remotely through the "perception core," and the pale golden Qi Energy instantly froze the poison sac, preventing the suicide.

Lin Mo's tablet suddenly popped up the modified soldier's "mission briefing": "Hydra leader 'Nine Heads' is hiding in an abandoned factory 10 kilometers away with a 'Qi Energy tank,' planning to sneak-attack the camp at 3 AM to steal the technical parameters of the perception Talisman."

The youth's fingertips flew across the virtual keyboard, synchronizing the factory's location to the Special Incident Response Department, "The Enforcement Division has dispatched a 'Qi Energy assault team' carrying 'Yijin Energy shockwave' weapons to the factory for a siege, expected to arrive within 1 hour!"

The tablet showed that the global "Anti-Hydra Alliance" had also taken action; Martial Artists in Europe intercepted Hydra's weapons transport lines, police in the Americas destroyed their communication base stations, and traditional martial arts enthusiasts in Asia set up a "human warning circle" around the factory to prevent Nine Heads from escaping.

When Zhao Lie and Zhang Hao returned to the camp with the captives, the assault team from the Special Incident Response Department sent news of victory: Hydra leader "Nine Heads" had been captured, and the "Qi Energy tank" had been destroyed by the "Yijin Energy shockwave" without causing any casualties.

In the global livestream's comment feed, waves of "Satisfying!" flooded the screen. That migrant worker brother sent a video: he and other viewers were cheering outside the factory, holding signs saying "traditional martial arts will win!";

Nurse Emily in London organized her hospital colleagues to pray for the assault team using the "Mystic Water Breathing Method"; even the staff at the Antarctic research station sent a message saying they witnessed the siege process via satellite and felt proud of the victory of traditional martial arts practitioners—a comment from the United Nations received 500 million likes: "This is the first victory of the global Anti-Hydra Alliance; thank you, Chen Wu and your perception Talisman, for showing us the way!"

Final Preparations for the Underground Palace Expedition

As the morning light illuminated the entrance of the underground palace, all preparations for Chen Wu's team were complete.

The effects of the three "Elementary Perception Talismans" were still ongoing, the "Five Elements Warning Formation" and the "Qi Energy warning network" around the camp were operating normally, and the Elders of the eight major schools had organized their respective weapons: Li Xuantong's Five Elements Energy modified sword, Zhao Lie's Baji Energy iron gauntlets, and Su Chen's Mystic Water Energy ice blade were all coated with "talisman power dew," capable of effectively countering Hydra's Qi Energy modified weapons.

Grandpa Wang's dry tobacco pipe tapped out a brisk, dull sound at the edge of the camp.

The old man handed the *Talisman Records* to Chen Wu: "This contains all the techniques your great-grandfather used with the perception Talisman," he pointed his pipe at one of the pages, "When you encounter a 'Qi Energy maze' in the underground palace, use the 'trajectory tracking' function of the perception Talisman to find the correct route; when you encounter 'illusion traps,' inject Five Elements Energy to make the perception Talisman emit 'illusion-breaking light' to help you stay clear-headed."

Pale golden Qi Energy surged from the pages, resonating with the perception Talisman between Chen Wu's brows, forming a "Talisman Technique" totem in his palm that contained three core functions: "Tracking," "Illusion-breaking," and "Warning."

In the Flower Girl's basket, the eight-colored fruits of the inheritance grass suddenly split open, and countless tiny seeds carrying the Qi Energy of "talisman power dew" flew toward the entrance of the underground palace.

The seeds that landed in Chen Wu's palm glowed with seven colors, and after merging with his Yijin Energy, the perception range of the perception Talisman suddenly expanded to 2000 meters, and it could penetrate the rock layers of the underground palace to detect the Qi Energy fluctuations inside.

"Elder Zhou said these are 'Talisman Power Seeds,'" the young girl's fingertips lightly touched Chen Wu's palm, "They allow the perception Talisman to continuously absorb surrounding Qi Energy within the underground palace so it will never fail, just like installing a perpetual motion machine for the Talisman!"

The Section Chief of the Special Incident Response Department walked over holding a holographic report, the tablet displaying the latest detection results from inside the underground palace: the underground palace was divided into four areas: "Earth Form Array," "Pole Array," "Legacy Array," and "Yijin Pavilion," among which the Qi Energy fluctuations in the "Legacy Array" were the strongest and required using the rigid-soft energy of "Xingji Fist" combined with the perception Talisman to break; the entrance to the "Yijin Pavilion" had a "Qi Energy stone door" that required the Qi Energy of the eight major schools to be injected simultaneously to open.

"All preparations are ready," the Section Chief's voice was filled with excitement, "The special police of the Enforcement Division are staying at the camp, and the global 'Anti-Hydra Alliance' has also entered a state of alert. As long as you enter the underground palace, you can focus on breaking the Formations and obtaining the full volume of the *Muscle Tendon Change Classic*!"

As Chen Wu's team walked toward the entrance of the underground palace, the global livestream camera focused on them.

The "Return safely" messages sent simultaneously by 46 billion viewers formed a wall of light in the virtual space, Aunt Zhang Guilan led her old sisters in performing the "Xingji Lean" footwork to see them off, Nurse Emily held a sign saying "We are waiting for you to teach us new moves," and the migrant worker brother planted flags saying "traditional martial arts protection" all around the camp.

Chen Wu suddenly stopped and waved at the camera, the perception Talisman between his brows glowing with pale golden light: "Thank you everyone, we will return safely with the full volume of the *Muscle Tendon Change Classic*, and we will continue to pass on the spirit of traditional martial arts, because we know that 46 billion people are supporting us from behind!"

The team's figures gradually disappeared into the shadows of the underground palace entrance, and only the pale golden light of the perception Talisman continued to flicker in the darkness, like a morning star guarding the Legacy.

In the global livestream's comment feed, a final row of neat text scrolled by: "Perception protects the road, traditional martial arts are of one heart; Yijin Pavilion opens, the Legacy continues forever!" This message was lit up by 46 billion viewers simultaneously, like an eternal river of light, illuminating the darkness of the underground palace and the future that global traditional martial arts practitioners are protecting together.

Chen Wu knew that there were countless traps and challenges waiting for them inside the underground palace, but he was no longer worried—because he had the most reliable comrades, the support of global Martial Artists, and the perception Talisman and ancient martial wisdom passed down for thousands of years; they were destined to win this battle to protect the *Muscle Tendon Change Classic* and the Legacy of traditional martial arts.