72: Below the level of a god, all are but ants!

It was another year of falling snow when the tightly closed Immortal Cave quietly opened.

Su Ling walked out with his hands behind his back and looked up at the sky above Thousand Star City.

Rows of ancient-looking Flying Boats carried many Core Formation Cultivators into the distance.

“The National War is about to begin.”

Exactly two years had passed since the City Lord's Mansion issued the Mobilization Order.

Core Formation Cultivators with such ambitions gathered from all directions.

So much so that the vast Thousand Star City felt somewhat overcrowded.

Rumors circulated that Thousand Star City had summoned a total of ten thousand Core Formation Cultivators for this National War, and even many Outer Sect Disciples of the Bitao Sect were participating.

When Su Ling heard this news, he couldn't help but wonder if Lu Tao would participate.

When they had parted before, Lu Tao was still in the Early Core Formation Stage.

However, given Senior Wu Haiya's affection for him, his Cultivation Techniques and Magic Treasures were surely of the highest caliber.

Presumably, even if he participated, he would remain safe and sound!

Thousand Star Market, Treasure Pavilion.

“Brother Han, you've finally come out of seclusion.”

Seeing Su Ling appear, Zheng Cheng greeted him with a face full of smiles.

Three months ago, Su Ling had visited the Treasure Pavilion and handed over 1,500 second-tier talismans of various grades to Zheng Cheng.

He stated plainly that he might be in seclusion for a period of time.

At that time, Zheng Cheng, who had successfully advanced to the Peak Core Formation Stage, jokingly said that once Su Ling reached Peak Foundation Establishment, he would help keep an eye out for Medicinal Pills and spiritual items for breaking through to Core Formation.

Three months had passed, and although Su Ling's aura had grown stronger, he was still a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator.

After leading Su Ling to a private room to sit down, Qing Ming timely served spiritual tea and fruit.

Having successfully achieved Foundation Establishment half a year ago, for some reason, he still performed the duties of a handyman.

After Qing Ming withdrew, Zheng Cheng took a sip of tea before tentatively asking, “Brother Han, was the Breakthrough not very smooth?”

“Sigh, just a little bit short.”

Su Ling shook his head and said helplessly.

The Nine Nether Secret Record was indeed powerful, but it was also exceptionally difficult to Cultivate.

He hadn't felt it much during the Qi Refinement Stage; it was nothing more than consuming a few more Medicinal Pills.

But after advancing to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, Su Ling estimated that the magic power required to break through was comparable to advancing from the Early Stage to the Middle Stage of Core Formation.

On top of that, he still needed to use his magic power to nourish the Spirit Treasure, the azure roc wings, which invisibly increased the difficulty by a large margin.

He had originally thought he could succeed in three months.

He hadn't expected to still be a bit short in the end.

“No need to worry, it will happen naturally when the time is right.”

Zheng Cheng laughed and consoled him.

“Mhm.”

Su Ling nodded; the Breakthrough wasn't a problem, the rest was just a matter of time and effort.

After some brief pleasantries, he asked, “Having come out of seclusion this time, I mainly want to purchase some yao blood to prepare Talisman ink.”

Not long after the auction ended, Su Ling visited the Treasure Storing Tower and spent several thousand Spirit Stones to buy a Medium Grade lightning-attribute Formation Plate, the Five Thunder Body Tempering Formation.

He used the lightning power condensed by the Formation to continuously infuse the azure roc wings.

At the same time, Su Ling purchased a significant amount of essence blood from Third-tier Demon Beasts from the Myriad Treasures Pavilion.

Anyway, third-tier yao blood still had some effect on the azure roc wings.

Following the principle that every little bit helps, Su Ling didn't give up on the third-tier just because fourth-tier yao blood was more effective.

Besides, he was indeed trying to use third-tier yao blood to draw Talismans in his spare time from cultivation.

However, after Su Ling used the sable hair brush to draw his first third-tier Low Grade Vajra Barrier Talisman, he tried drawing with the ink abyss brush.

The 40% success rate of the ink abyss brush dropped directly to 10%.

Su Ling judged that it was mainly because he had a magic power reserve close to the Core Formation Mid-stage, but lacked the degree of condensation of the Core Formation Stage.

Furthermore, he hadn't even reached the entry level for third-tier Talismans.

Therefore, even though the ink abyss brush was powerful enough, it couldn't raise the success rate to 40%.

Next, he planned to properly study the drawing of third-tier Talismans.

Once he successfully achieved Core Formation and entered the threshold of third-tier Talismans, with the ink abyss brush in hand, the Spirit Stones he earned would see a significant increase.

“Whatever yao blood you want, just say the word. If I don't have it here, I can get it from other shops!”

Zheng Cheng waved his hand and said nonchalantly.

“If there's gold-thunder attribute, that would be best; both third and fourth-tier are fine.”

Su Ling pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and smiled.

Not long after the auction ended, the Low-Grade Spirit Stones Su Ling had earned through the Treasure Pavilion had already exceeded 300,000.

Subtracting the needs for daily cultivation and purchasing yao blood and Talisman paper, plus the remaining 70,000 Spirit Stones from before.

In Su Ling's storage bracelet, there was still a stock of nearly 300,000.

He was much wealthier than the average Core Formation Loose Cultivator.

The essence blood of a Fourth-Tier Demonic Beast averaged only about 30,000 per catty, which he could completely afford.

“As expected, you have quite a grudge against the Gold Sword Talisman and the Shocking Thunder Talisman!”

Zheng Cheng couldn't help but smile at this, then thought for a moment, “We happen to have some third-tier gold-thunder attribute yao blood in the shop, but for the fourth-tier, I'll have to get it from a branch.”

After he returned, he heard from Qing Ming that ‘Han Yu’ wanted gold-thunder attribute yao blood to try drawing these two kinds of Talismans.

It was just that during the time Su Ling came before his seclusion, he hadn't mentioned this need.

So Zheng Cheng hadn't paid much attention.

Now that Su Ling had brought it up, transferring stock from other branches was just a simple matter.

“May I ask Big Brother Zheng, what is the price of fourth-tier yao blood...”

“The essence blood of Fourth-Tier Demonic Beasts ranges from 10,000 to 100,000 on the market, depending specifically on the quality of the essence blood.”

Zheng Cheng explained, “However, Brother Han, if you want it, I can make the call to give you an additional 10% off on top of the Guest Elder's 10% discount, selling it to you at a 20% discount.”

“In that case, thank you very much, Big Brother Zheng.”

Su Ling showed a look of gratitude and thanked him sincerely.

“Why so polite? Once you advance to Core Formation and raise the success rate of third-tier Talismans to 20%, won't my Treasure Pavilion be the one to ultimately benefit!”

Zheng Cheng raised his teacup in a gesture, a teasing look on his face.

“Haha, rest assured, my Talismans will only be sold to Big Brother Zheng.”

Their teacups clinked in the air as Su Ling laughed heartily, “I won't even acknowledge the other managers of the Treasure Pavilion.”

Thousand Star City's Treasure Pavilion is overseen by a Soul Transformation Stage Branch Manager, with four Nascent Soul Stage Head Managers under him.

They are respectively responsible for artifacts and Talismans, pills and Formations, spiritual medicines and techniques, and intelligence sales.

Zheng Cheng is subordinate to the Nascent Soul Stage Head Manager of the artifact and Talisman business.

He is mainly responsible for the business of Cultivators at or below the Core Formation Stage.

There was already a competitive relationship between the various Head Managers and Managing Managers.

Originally, because a second-tier talisman Maker had fallen and the volume of the Talisman business had suffered, Zheng Cheng had received some criticism for it.

But Su Ling's appearance not only filled the vacancy of that second-tier talisman Maker, but the quality of the Talismans he provided also received much praise.

Especially two months after the auction, based on the Fire Bird Talisman, Su Ling used magic power containing ice-flame characteristics to draw the second-tier High Grade ice crow talisman.

After delivering ten ice crow talismans to the Treasure Pavilion, the ice crow talismans, which combined freezing and explosive power, immediately caused a small-scale sensation.

The sales volume of other Talismans in the Treasure Pavilion also saw a slight increase along with it.

Coupled with Zheng Cheng's successful advancement to the Peak Core Formation Stage, he received the Head Manager's praise, who seemed to treat him as a successor.

Therefore, Zheng Cheng's regard for ‘Han Yu’ increased by a few more notches.

After all, there were many Loose Cultivators in Thousand Star City, and the business with the highest traffic was still with those Foundation Establishment and Core Formation Stage Cultivators.

“The National War is finally about to start, otherwise, who knows how many more people would have died in the Yaoxing Sea.”

Having finished their business talk, the two also chatted about recent major events. Zheng Cheng said with much emotion, “You have no idea. Those Loose Cultivators at the Peak Foundation Establishment or Core Formation Stage have gone crazy in the last three months to improve their survival rate in the National War. Incidents of killing and looting have been occurring one after another.”

“Doesn't the Law Enforcement Team care?”

Su Ling frowned slightly; he had been in seclusion during this time, and his information about the outside world was indeed quite limited.

“Heh, do you know why the Upper Sect only registers Spirit Transformation Cultivators?”

Zheng Cheng winked and whispered somewhat mysteriously.

“Why?”

Su Ling, not understanding, asked casually.

“I wonder if you've heard a saying?”

Without waiting for Su Ling's answer, Zheng Cheng continued, “Below Soul Transformation, all are ants!”