Eternal Tale

Chapter 266: The Seated Oblivion Talisman — A Thousand Years of Illusion

Years later, in Guiyi City of Da Li, on a secluded street.

The street was bustling, filled with Qi Refinement cultivators, and occasionally a few Foundation Establishment cultivators, all meticulously searching for cultivation materials.

On this street, there was an inconspicuous shop on the brink of closing down... yet the two Crane Spirit Trees at the entrance were growing quite well.

In front of the shop were three empty rocking chairs, and if one listened closely, strange chuckles could be heard from the backyard.

“This is the Seated Oblivion Talisman—do you understand its meaning?”

A man stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the sky, his eyes full of confidence. “When combined with the Three Ascension Arts, its effects are even more profound.”

Inside the yard, a large black ox and a small lion stared in awe at the talisman in the man’s hand, their eyes filled with admiration.

Xiao Chi wagged his tail, even raising his paws in respect. “Brother Xun, after years of research and sudden enlightenment, I must say, I’m impressed!”

“Moo!” Black Ox’s eyes widened; it was just as impressed.

Chen Xun laughed heartily. Even after all these years, he hadn’t given up. In this city, he delved into the art of talisman crafting while waiting for the Heavenly Gate to open. “Come, let me explain its effects.”

Back in Yuxu City, they didn’t have such good conditions. Sea beasts were abundant, and as long as they had spirit stones, they could buy anything they wanted. Now, they were practically wealthy in spirit stones.

His grand plan for talismans had finally made significant progress with the ample supply of spirit stones and materials!

Black Ox and Xiao Chi moved closer, eyes full of curiosity. Their elder brother had opened this shop to secure better prices, and as the owner, he naturally garnered some respect.

Chen Xun held the silver talisman between two fingers, a faint chill emanating from it. The blood-red rune patterns on it were jagged, almost as if it were a failed talisman.

He began to boast as he introduced it, “The Seated Oblivion Talisman draws on the world’s vital energy, harnesses the blood of sea beasts, and is further refined using the Rootless Essence Flower I cultivated, sealing its essence into the talisman.”

“Brother Xun, what’s its effect?” Xiao Chi didn’t quite grasp it, having spent most of his time helping with inventory. “Isn’t this just ordinary essence blood?”

But from his experience, regular talismans carried a specific aura and were identifiable at a glance. Yet, Brother Xun’s…

Xiao Chi knew that his elder brother was a dignified person, so he held back his words. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this talisman was of dubious quality, much like Brother Xun’s three ‘rusted’ mountain-splitting axes.

“Moo~” Black Ox seemed half-understanding, figuring that their elder brother had once again created some new form of essence unseen in the world.

Over the years, they had experimented with the blood of various species to nurture the Rootless Essence Flower, all meticulously recorded in their notebooks.

“Heh, the effect of this talisman…” Chen Xun grinned mysteriously. “When activated by me, it can cause a cultivator’s blood and energy to go haywire, reversing the flow of spiritual power through their meridians, inducing a forced state of deviation!”

“The effect is akin to a Heart Refinement Tribulation, triggering the deepest ancestral essence within one’s bloodline, making them forget all hardships. Combined with the first art of ascension, it creates an illusion spanning a thousand years, allowing the target to ‘ascend’ without pain or awareness.”

Hiss!

Black Ox and Xiao Chi, utterly convinced, gasped. As expected of their elder brother.

“However, the effectiveness of this talisman depends on the materials and the level of the sea beast’s blood. For now, I can only affect those at the Foundation Establishment stage.”

Chen Xun sighed, his head tilting even higher. “But I’ve already developed the secret technique and discovered a new approach to talisman crafting. No more sticking to the usual methods.”

He felt a sense of wonder. The Rootless Essence Flower’s enhancement on talismans was beyond his expectations, even imparting the characteristics of vital energy—silent and undetectable to cultivators.

Vital energy was far more terrifying than the five elemental energies. Though the five elements had long been harnessed by cultivators, they couldn’t fully control them and used them only as support.

However, no one had ever captured or utilized vital energy. If they weren’t practicing the Five Elements Immortal Dao, they wouldn’t have been able to interact with this energy.

The path of cultivation was intricate and interconnected. The more one understood, the more one felt their insignificance, drawing them deeper into its mysteries.

“Moreover, the way this talisman is activated is quite unique. It blends seamlessly with the vital energy of the world, remaining hidden and undetectable.”

Chen Xun slowly lowered his gaze, looking down at Xiao Chi and Black Ox. “Imagine laying out a mass of these Seated Oblivion Talismans in ambush—who could withstand it?”

He had tested this talisman before. It didn’t possess the might of a grand spell nor did it unleash dazzling lights; instead, it crystallized silently in mid-air, resonating with the world’s vital energy.

The space would tremble slightly, the ripples passing through the body, penetrating the bloodlines. It was similar to the power of the Extinguishing Spirit Wind, bypassing protective barriers.

Back when he fought demonic cultivators, the protective shields could block sword energy, but the Extinguishing Spirit’s force directly pierced his divine sense, only to be resolved by his spiritual aperture.

“Exactly, Brother Xun! This talisman consumes no spiritual energy and can be prepared in advance. We wouldn’t even need to show ourselves.”

Xiao Chi’s eyes lit up. It was the perfect tool for ambushes, with terrifying effects. “No cultivator could possibly withstand the onset of deviation.”

“Moo~~” Black Ox nudged Chen Xun, giving an approving look. As expected of their leader.

Combining his formations with Brother Xun’s talisman, no one would escape their grasp. Even if something major happened, the perpetrators would remain unknown, and any surviving enemies would be left with a lasting curse.

“Old Ox, I’m quite interested in the corrupted lifespan blood as well.”

Chen Xun glanced at Black Ox, who looked back with a twinkle in his eyes. To cut away one’s lifespan—it seemed almost… too good an opportunity!

“Brother Xun, Brother Ox, that stuff corrupts lifespan…” Xiao Chi exclaimed. “Messing with it could be dangerous. What if it drains all our years?”

“Moo~~”

“Xiao Chi, don’t worry. I have a plan.”

Chen Xun and Black Ox shared a knowing smile, making Xiao Chi gulp nervously. He had no idea how much lifespan his two elder brothers had left.

It seemed like they were curious about everything. From the Forbidden Sea to the sea of thunder, and even the grand formation—all places they had ventured into. Now they were planning to cross the Heavenly Gate. It was an experience he had never dared to imagine.

So thrilling…

Xiao Chi stared blankly at them, realizing he had already accompanied them to countless dangerous places and had managed to live over 400 years.

Chen Xun’s eyes drifted into the distance. “Brothers, get ready. It’s time to move out.”

“Moo~~!”

“No problem, Brother Xun!”

Black Ox and Xiao Chi’s expressions turned serious. The day had finally come, and their eyes showed their determination. Over the years, the number of cultivators arriving in the city had grown.

“We’ve been in Da Li for over four hundred years, and at last, the time has come.”

Lightning flickered in Chen Xun’s eyes as he gazed at the sky. The city was filled with an increasing number of cultivators, with experts gathering, and a heavy atmosphere hung over the entire place.

The western coast was fully blocked off by the major powers of Da Li. Word had it that Deity Transformation cultivators were already stationed there, and major commerce guilds had issued orders forbidding any attempts to venture out to sea.

The cities along the western coast had been evacuated, all mortals relocated far inland, as the brewing storm approached!