Chapter 59: Could it be that Master Yu Wan has broken through to the Golden Core?!

Indeed, after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, Cao Xuan had been thinking: once he obtained the cultivation method for Foundation Establishment, he would find an opportunity to present a gift and receive a reward in return! After all, it was only through his tireless efforts, extraordinary talent, and a little assistance from the system that he was able to grow so quickly.

He originally planned to return the jade slip to his master after finishing his cultivation, using some excuse. Yet, when he opened his eyes, his master was already gone, and he wasn’t entirely sure whether returning it in this manner counted as giving a gift. Upon reflection, it seemed more like returning something, not gifting.

As fate would have it, just as he needed an opportunity, Senior Sister Li Yao appeared, and Cao Xuan’s eyes lit up—he immediately formed a plan. Through words, he could unsettle her, thus achieving his goal of presenting a gift.

And now, the system panel had provided feedback:

[Ding~ Li Yao’s multiplier is 50x, returning the “Heavenly Talisman Codex” Foundation Establishment chapter]

[Due to emotional fluctuations during the gifting, a critical hit was triggered! Reward stacked, returning “Heavenly Talisman Codex” Foundation Establishment Complete Insight!]

[“Heavenly Talisman Codex”: The sect’s inherited cultivation method, establishing a foundation with heavenly talismans and gaining the favor of the heavenly way, able to condense a heavenly golden core—one of the highest-level Foundation Establishment methods in the cultivation world!]

Cao Xuan gazed at the panel, lost in thought, and arrived at his destination without realizing it.

Li Yao pointed to a residence. “This is the cave dwelling Master arranged for you. Here’s the restriction token—keep it safe.”

She paused, then asked, “Junior Brother, how much do you know about talismans?”

Cao Xuan returned to himself, shook his head. “I haven’t studied them.”

Li Yao looked as though she had expected this. “Since I’ve accepted your jade slip, I won’t keep anything from you. Take this jade slip—these are some insights I have regarding talismans.”

“‘Rune Cloud Formula’ is merely a cultivation method and doesn’t involve the creation of talismans, but if you study talismans, it will greatly help your understanding of the method.”

Cao Xuan accepted it without hesitation.

“Senior Sister, if I encounter difficulties regarding talismans, may I visit you for guidance? I apologize again for any earlier offense, and hope you can forgive me.”

For the sake of this fiftyfold return, Cao Xuan prepared excuses in advance. Only by establishing relationships with those who have high multipliers could he seize the chance to give gifts.

Li Yao’s expression grew solemn. “Since you’ve joined our Talisman Peak, as its chief disciple, I naturally have the responsibility to instruct you on behalf of Master.”

“Here’s my spiritual communication talisman, and my cave dwelling is…”

“If you have questions in the future, you can contact me with a message or visit my cave dwelling, and I’ll guide you personally.”

“All right, go and familiarize yourself with the ‘Rune Cloud Formula’ first.”

Having finished her instructions, Li Yao turned and left with a graceful air.

In her mind, Master’s newly accepted junior brother, able to break through to Foundation Establishment at such a young age, must possess exceptional talent.

“Unfortunately, if he’s never studied talismans, it’s not so easy to get started,” Li Yao sighed. “I expect it won’t be long before Junior Brother comes seeking help. I should look for and review basic methods like ‘Talisman Basics’ and ‘Runes and Spiritual Energy’.”

“Otherwise, if Junior Brother asks about fundamental questions and I can’t answer, that would be embarrassing.”

Through practice, Li Yao could easily craft a high-quality spiritual talisman; but if suddenly asked why a particular pattern is drawn that way, such a basic question might stump her.

…

Cao Xuan entered his new cave dwelling—a spacious residence with four courtyards. One had to admit, as his strength grew, the quality of his dwelling improved as well.

“Heh, from a double dormitory upon joining the sect, to a single apartment, and now to a standalone villa!”

“Indeed, even in the cultivation world, just as in my previous life, the higher one’s status, the better one’s living conditions!”

For cultivators, the size of the cave dwelling isn’t truly important; what matters is proximity to spiritual veins and whether there are spiritual gathering arrays inside—these are most beneficial for cultivation.

Still, living in a larger house does make one’s mind and body more comfortable.

He carried his valuables with him, so there was no need to move much. Cao Xuan activated the defensive array of the cave dwelling and entered his cultivation chamber.

“Let’s see how much help the ‘Heavenly Talisman Codex’ and Complete Insight can be to my cultivation.”

[Ding~ Would you like to use the Complete Insight of the ‘Heavenly Talisman Codex’?]

“Yes!”

[Ding~ You have entered the Heavenly Talisman Sanctuary, becoming a direct disciple of Elder Heavenly Talisman.]

[Elder Heavenly Talisman holds great expectations for you, immediately imparting the sect’s inherited method, the ‘Heavenly Talisman Codex’.]

[As you open the Codex, your mind blanks out, your eyes shining with wisdom!]

[…]

[Elder Heavenly Talisman reveals a pained expression, forced to revisit the basics of talismans for deeper study.]

[He never imagined that after cultivating for ten thousand years, he would need to relearn the fundamentals in order to teach you.]

[After one hundred years, you are in a cave dwelling surrounded by talismans you have drawn!]

[You realize that talismans embody the laws of heaven and earth, with oneself as the talisman, and the heavens as the symbol—‘Heavenly Talisman Codex’ minor achievement!]

[…]

[After two hundred and fifty years, you fail to break through to the Golden Core stage and die.]

Cao Xuan’s brow furrowed, his closed eyes showed a trace of pain; the taste of death was unpleasant.

“So this is what it’s like when a cultivator’s lifespan ends…”

A Foundation Establishment cultivator has a lifespan of two hundred years; by relying on the minor achievement of the ‘Heavenly Talisman Codex’ and locking spiritual energy with talismans, Cao Xuan managed to live an extra fifty years!

[Second life begins!]

[You enter the Heavenly Talisman Sanctuary as Elder Heavenly Talisman’s direct disciple.]

[Perhaps it is an illusion, but Elder Heavenly Talisman looks at you as if recalling a former disciple, his expression bitter.]

[He imparts the ‘Heavenly Talisman Codex’ and prepares to teach you the basics of talismans—yet you wave your right hand, draw talismans in the air, and Elder Heavenly Talisman is shocked.]

[You master the basics in one day, condense spiritual energy; in three days, you achieve minor success in the ‘Heavenly Talisman Codex’, astonishing the entire sanctuary, hailed as the arrival of the Talisman Dao Child!]

[…]

[After two hundred years, in a secluded cave dwelling unnoticed by anyone, you achieve complete mastery of the ‘Heavenly Talisman Codex’!]

Cao Xuan opened his eyes; only a quarter of an hour had passed, yet his gaze was aged, as if he had cultivated for centuries. Soon, he shook his head and returned to himself.

Cao Xuan laughed bitterly. “From Dao Child of the Talisman, to the wastrel of Talisman Sanctuary—my life is quite legendary.”

There was no help for it; the more dazzling one was upon entering the sect, the greater the expectations, and the more intense the disappointment and malice afterward.

Unfortunately, in the simulation he had no system, no way to give gifts and receive returns. Aside from cultivation, he suffered from a lack of resources.

Moreover, his Nine-Temper Spirit Root was not particularly remarkable. With a top-tier Foundation Establishment method like the ‘Heavenly Talisman Codex’, it took him several years just to understand it.

It proved that while top-tier methods are powerful, suitability matters most.

Cao Xuan believed that if he had chosen a more ordinary Foundation Establishment method, such as the ‘Rune Cloud Formula’, he might have managed to break through to the Golden Core stage.

Cultivation is like rowing upstream—without progress, one falls back. Obscure and difficult methods require much time to study, leaving little time for actual cultivation.

[Ding~ Complete Insight of the ‘Heavenly Talisman Codex’ infusing!]

[Due to two simulated lives, the host will receive an extra portion of mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation!]

While Cao Xuan was organizing his two hundred years of cultivation insights, the system suddenly issued a prompt in his mind.

Boom!

The ‘Heavenly Talisman Codex’ began to operate on its own, spiritual energy from heaven and earth gathered, and a massive talisman formed atop Talisman Peak.

Li Yao, deep in thought and not yet at her cave dwelling, sensed something amiss overhead, abruptly looking up at the enormous talisman in the sky.

“What the—! What’s happening?”