Chapter 8: Green Arrow Talisman

The Immortal Sect inherited many systems from the previous civilization on Dadi Star. For instance, any elixir introduced to the market must list all its ingredients on the packaging. This means that the formula for every elixir must be included with its sale. However, attempting to refine a finished product solely based on the formula provided with the elixir's description is essentially an impossible feat. The combination of modern pharmaceutical processes and elixir refining involves complexities that could not be fully explained even in three days and three nights. Therefore, although elixir formulas are public knowledge, the industry of elixir refining and production remains a monopoly.

However, each new elixir developed by the various university academies and Daoist temples requires immense resources. Thus, it is only fair that they profit; otherwise, no one would be willing to invest in the pharmaceutical industry relying solely on subsidies from the Immortal Sect.

The Purple Flame Elixir, developed by Chixia Academy, is specifically designed for cultivators in the mid-stage Qi Condensation realm to aid in breakthroughs. For instance, using the Purple Flame Elixir to break through from the fourth to the fifth layer of Qi Condensation yields the highest success rate, approximately sixty to seventy percent. However, when breaking through from the fifth to the sixth layer, the success rate drops by more than half, to only twenty or thirty percent. Furthermore, if taken by cultivators with a strong Water spirit root affinity, its effectiveness is halved again. Conversely, cultivators with strong Wood and Fire spirit root affinities can see their success rate increase by an additional ten percent. Despite these variations, the Purple Flame Elixir remains the most popular among elixirs of its kind. Due to its mild medicinal properties, Chixia Academy has spent centuries perfecting the Purple Flame Elixir's crafting process, achieving a state of complete purity with no residual toxins. After consumption, the user only needs to cultivate with the Immortal Sect's widely practiced Qi Nurturing Art for ten days to half a month to alleviate any after-effects from a forceful breakthrough.

Chen Mobai was very fortunate. The Purple Flame Elixir uses the 'Purple Sun Sunflower,' a plant unique to Danxia City, as its primary ingredient. It contains a trace of Yang Fire Purple Qi, and when nourished and dissolved with Water spiritual energy, its effects can be greatly amplified. Conveniently, this water mansion was built directly atop a mid-grade, second-tier water spiritual vein, where the Water spiritual energy was most potent.

Two days later, Chen Mobai opened his eyes, a look of pleasant surprise on his face. Feeling the spiritual power within his body flowing freely, without the slightest obstruction, he confirmed that his Qi Condensation Fifth Layer realm was now fully stabilized. It had taken less time than he anticipated, a testament to his underestimation of the spiritual energy found in a mid-grade, second-tier water vein. However, he couldn't be blamed; after all, he was from an ordinary family and had never cultivated in a spiritual land of the water mansion's caliber before.

He retrieved the box of glass beads he had purchased earlier. One bead, two beads, three beads... until the fifth bead emanated a vibrant glow and slowly floated from his palm. Chen Mobai smiled happily. Now, he might truly be able to cultivate to the sixth layer of Qi Condensation before the college entrance examination.

He stood up and stretched. Chen Mobai once again began to survey the water mansion. It remained unchanged, just as it had been. Over the past two days, he had again consulted Old Man Ding, fabricating a story that his private tutor, impressed by his rapid progress, had increased the difficulty of his assignments and presented him with the challenge of this complex restriction.

Old Man Ding, believing his guidance had been highly effective for Chen Mobai, was greatly pleased. After carefully inquiring about the complex restriction's characteristics, he drew upon his teaching experience to provide two methods for breaking it. The first method was similar to Chen Mobai's own idea: use powerful restriction-breaking talismans to strike the weakest point of the restriction, overcoming it by sheer force. The second method involved using ingenuity to counter ingenuity. While complex restrictions are formidable, their intricate design, being a combination of multiple interlocking spells, means that breaking just one component can cause the others to falter, even if they remain otherwise intact. If the restriction setter's skill was average, the remaining components might even conflict and automatically disintegrate upon the disruption of one spell.

Old Man Ding, being a rather proud individual, provided Chen Mobai with the latter solution. This method required using a magical artifact infused with Wood-attribute spiritual energy to sever the spiritual energy supply to the water mansion's spiritual vein. Once the complex restriction revealed itself, it could then be systematically dismantled using specific techniques.

However, Chen Mobai was destitute; his only magical artifact was the child-sized Demon-Subduing Sword hanging in his room. Imbued with a 'Light Spell,' it barely qualified as a low-grade, first-tier ornamental artifact. He checked the Immortal Sect's online marketplace and discovered that the cheapest Wood-attribute magical artifact meeting the requirements cost 500 Merit Points. He was therefore forced to pursue the first method of breaking the restriction.

Chen Mobai pulled three talismans, each inscribed with a green long arrow, from his pocket, a pained expression on his face. These were mid-grade, first-tier 'Green Arrow Talismans,' each valued at 35 Merit Points. After two days of consulting Old Man Ding, Chen Mobai learned that the most effective way to deal with unfamiliar Water-attribute restrictions was to use Wood-attribute spells, talismans, or magical artifacts. According to the Five Elements, using Fire against Water is naturally the most effective. However, if the hidden power of the Water-attribute restriction greatly exceeded initial estimates, the violent reaction between Water and Fire spiritual energies could impact the breaker, potentially leading to immediate and fatal consequences. Wood also overcomes Water, but its interaction with Water-attribute spiritual energy is not as violent as that of Fire. Even if the restriction's power proved to be extraordinary, the aftershocks would not be too intense.

The power of this 'Green Arrow Talisman' was comparable to that of the 'Water Sword Talisman' Chen Mobai had previously considered adding to his shopping cart. Once cast, the 'Water Sword Talisman' would condense a transparent long sword made of flowing water, which could gather, disperse, and flow at will, lasting for up to fifteen minutes. In contrast, the 'Green Arrow Talisman,' when activated, would condense green long arrows whose number depended on the caster's cultivation level, with a maximum of six arrows released at once. As Chen Mobai was at the fifth layer of Qi Condensation, he would be able to release five long arrows. While a bit wasteful, there was no alternative; this was the most suitable talisman for breaking the restriction.

To ensure success in one attempt, Chen Mobai not only depleted all his savings but also sold all the blank talisman paper he had accumulated from his free time. Only then did he barely manage to gather enough Merit Points to purchase these three 'Green Arrow Talismans.' He muttered that if there was nothing valuable inside after he broke the restriction, he would have suffered a tremendous loss.

Chen Mobai muttered to himself as he gathered the spiritual power within his body. He even took out his 'Wood Armor Talisman,' infused it with spiritual energy, and pre-activated it, guarding against any unexpected accidents or aftershocks during the imminent restriction-breaking.

Suddenly, a rushing sound of water filled the air. As Chen Mobai's eyes widened in disbelief, he saw an opening appear in the spherical light barrier that enveloped the entire water mansion, and then two figures descended. The two figures were an old man and a young one. The old man had graying hair and held a black flag; his eyes gleamed with sharp light. The young man had an ordinary appearance, wore a brown long robe, and immediately maintained a two-meter distance from the old man after landing. The two, along with Chen Mobai, who stood in the front hall, formed a triangle, and they all stared at each other in mutual surprise.