The Lord of Void and Real

44  Chapter 43: Talismanic Instruments

"When you were having a contest of magic with Brother Ding just now, you both managed to fight using your own weapons. The power of the Bronze Money Sword and the Peach Wood Sword could easily break wood and destroy forests, are these supposed to be the rumored magical instruments?" Shen Luo asked as they walked along.

"What you're referring to? It's not a magical instrument," Bai Xiaotian shook his head. While speaking, he pulled out the Bronze Money Sword from his sleeve and handed it over to Shen Luo. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Shen Luo did not stand on ceremony and took it, giving it a careful once-over.

This Bronze Money Sword was not more than two feet long and rather delicately made. It was made of ninety-nine slightly rusted ancient coins woven together with a red string.

These ancient coins all had the same design, with images of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals encircling a square hole on one side and the four characters for 'long life and prosperity' inscribed in regular script on the other. They were eighty-one rare pieces of ancient coins.

These coins were also minted by the government but were generally not used in commerce. They were often used for certain rituals such as the opening of a furnace, securing a treasury, and prayers for blessings. Their number was nowhere near as great as that of common coins. So, there is something mysterious about this red string?

Could it be that there's something unusual about this red string holding the ancient coins together?

Curious, Shen Luo rubbed the red string with his fingers and sniffed it. He detected a faint smell of cinnabar but could not tell what material it was made from.

When Bai Xiaotian saw how fascinated he was, he couldn't help but smile.

"Enough, stop analysing it. The key is not on the Bronze Money Sword; even if you tore it apart, you wouldn't understand it," he said, and took the sword back from Shen Luo. He then pulled a 'Yellow Paper Charm' from his sleeve and stuck it to the handle of the sword.

As he pinched a magic spell with one hand and begun chanting softly, a faint red light lit up on the charm, enveloping the entire sword, just like when they were dueling earlier.

Bai Xiaotian flicked his fingers, making the Bronze Money Sword tremble slightly before it suddenly shot up into the air, started spinning, and began hovering around them.

Shen Luo's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help feeling a sincere sense of admiration.

22:13

Bai Xiaotian had no intention of showing off. After a brief demonstration, he called back the Bronze Money Sword, removing the charm from it.

"As you saw, this Bronze Money Sword requires a charm to activate it. The power comes primarily from the charm. It's a pseudo-magical instrument known as a 'talismanic instrument'. Its power is way less than that of a true magical instrument," Bai Xiaotian said, tucking the Bronze Money Sword and the charm back in his sleeve.

Shen Luo understood that Bai Xiaotian had no problem demonstrating the talismanic instrument to him, but the charm on the Bronze Money Sword was not meant to be shown to just anyone - a rule of the sect, and a principle of conduct. No matter how close their relationship, they could not overreach.

Shen Luo did not harbor any ill feelings over this. Instead, he admired him even more and felt that Bai Xiaotian was indeed someone worth knowing.

"If a talismanic instrument is already so amazing, how wondrous could a magical instrument be?"Shen Luo asked with a longing look in his eyes.

"Not only are the real magical instruments extremely powerful, but they also require a highly skilled user. Only monks at the Grain Avoidance Stage can use them. Even in our entire Spring and Autumn Pavilion, I'm afraid only the Pavilion Master and that Elder Ancestor possess one. Even Master Luo and Elder Master Wang do not have them," Bai Xiaotian said with a yearning expression on his face.

"I can understand the Pavilion Master having one, but what about this Elder Ancestor, have you ever seen him?" Out of curiosity, Shen Luo asked the question.

This Elder Ancestor was somewhat of a mystery within the Spring and Autumn Pavilion. While everyone had heard of him, few disciples had ever actually seen him, making him seem particularly enigmatic.

Some people speculated that he had lived for hundreds of years. Others said that he had already attained immortality. Still others claimed that he had actually passed away long ago, and that the Pavilion was just keeping it a secret to maintain a strong facade.

From the bottom of his heart, Shen Luo would rather believe that his Senior Ancestor indeed has a long lifespan and is still alive to this day.

"Although I have never seen him, Master Luo told me that our Senior Ancestor is indeed in seclusion. He rarely shows himself, and probably only the Pavilion Master and Master Luo have the chance to meet him," Bai Xiaotian said.

"Does this mean that the path of cultivating immortality can indeed prolong one's lifespan?" Shen Luo asked, clearly delighted.

"Naturally. As long as one can pass through the various stages of cultivation, with each advancement in realm, one's maximum lifespan will significantly increase. Our Senior Ancestor already is several hundred years old," Bai Xiaotian affirmed, nodding.

"To think it's possible... Judging by the levels of cultivation, I suppose I am currently at the lowest level, right?"

Upon receiving this affirmative answer from Bai Xiaotian, a surge of enthusiasm welled up in Shen Luo's heart, his desire to survive growing even stronger.

"Well..." Bai Xiaotian said, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his face.

"I understand. I take it that I'm not even considered at the lowest level," said Shen Luo, who seemed to understand immediately. He twitched the corner of his mouth slightly as he spoke.

"The lowest level of cultivation is the Qi Refining Stage. As long as one can cultivate mana, they are considered to be in the Qi Refining Stage, which is the level that I am at now. The next stage above this would be the Grain Avoidance Stage, which both Master Luo and the Pavilion Master are at," Bai Xiaotian explained reluctantly.

"I see. What about our Senior Ancestor? Do you know what his cultivation level is?" asked Shen Luo.

"Master Luo hasn't mentioned it, but judging from Senior Ancestor's estimated lifespan, he has probably already reached the Soul Condensation Stage, which is a level above the Grain Avoidance Stage," Bai Xiaotian guessed, shaking his head.

Upon hearing this, Shen Luo immediately committed it to memory.

Today, Bai Xiaotian's words felt like opening a door in his mind, showing him a glimmer of hope for survival, while also making him more aware of his own insignificance as an ordinary mortal. It triggered a flurry of mixed feelings in his heart.

Ordinary people's lifespan merely spans a few short decades. After taking into account the time spent in childhood and old age, how much time is actually left in between?

Yet he was not even guaranteed this brief interlude. How could he be content with that?

"Brother Bai, the technique you used during your bout with Brother Ding was the 'Pure Yang Sword Technique', wasn't it?" asked Shen Luo after collecting his thoughts.

Bai Xiaotian was slightly taken aback, seemingly surprised that Shen Luo knew about the Pure Yang Sword Technique.

"Don't be surprised. Although I am only a registered disciple and can't access other techniques, it isn't too hard to gather some information if one spends a bit more money. I know that the Small Transformation Yang Skill is simply a foundational technique used by mortals to train their bodies, in preparation for cultivating the Pure Yang Sword Technique. And the Pure Yang Sword Technique is the true technique that allows one to cultivate magical abilities within our Pavilion, correct?" explained Shen Luo, seeing the confusion written on Bai Xiaotian's face and responding with a small smile.

"You certainly are well-informed. Correct, the Small Transformation Yang Skill is indeed a foundational technique. Only disciples who have achieved perfection in this can attempt to cultivate the first layer of the Pure Yang Sword Technique," replied Bai Xiaotian, after hesitating for a bit, finally deciding to stop beating around the bush.

"In other words, as long as I perfect the Small Transformation Yang Skill, I can begin to cultivate the Pure Yang Sword Technique and truly start on the path of cultivation?" Shen Luo asked seriously.

"It's not as simple as that. Having the qualifications to attempt the first layer of the Pure Yang Sword Technique doesn't mean one can understand the Dao. Only after reaching this state of understanding can one be considered a Qi Refining Cultivator and officially step onto the Immortal Path," Bai Xiaotian shook his head repeatedly.

"Understanding the Dao?" This time, Shen Luo was truly surprised.