Chapter 554 - 483: Void Talisman, Sword Sect’s Fleet

Chapter 554: Chapter 483: Void Talisman, Sword Sect’s Fleet

’It’s brimming with pure qi. When I examine it with my Divine Sense, I can feel a hint of sharpness... The material for this talisman came from a Sword Cultivator, a high-level one at that!’

’Golden Core at the very least, and the chances of it being from a Nascent Soul aren’t low either...’

In the Yaoguang Islands, the Sword Cultivator legacy was widespread; it wasn’t unheard of even among Loose Cultivators.

But a high-level Sword Cultivator at the Nascent Soul realm inevitably brought the Jade Void Sword Sect to mind.

At this thought, Su Ye’s expression turned peculiar. He stared at He Ming for a long moment. "You’re not going to tell me the material for this talisman is a Sword Sect Nascent Soul, are you?"

"No!" He Ming’s reaction was visceral. He shook his head violently at first, only to nod a moment later with a bitter smile.

"Yes. You truly have a discerning eye. During the Reversed Moon War, my ancestor discovered this Void Talisman in a Blood Moon Demon Palace stronghold."

"According to the notes of a Talisman Master from the Demon Palace, this talisman was crafted using the flayed skin of a captured Sword Sect Nascent Soul."

"Tsk..."

"Your ancestor had some serious nerve..."

Su Ye clicked his tongue in amazement. ’The Cangwu He Family is just a Golden Core family, right?’

’How did they dare to hold onto something like this? If the Jade Void Sword Sect found out, their entire family would be wiped out!’

He Ming gave a bitter smile. "My ancestor considered destroying the talisman back then, but it is a fifth-tier talisman, after all. For a minor family like ours, how could we bear to do such a thing?"

"So we carefully sealed it away and only dared to bring it out today."

"Oh?"

"Aren’t you worried I’ll report this to the Jade Void Sword Sect?"

Su Ye asked curiously, his tone teasing as he toyed with the Void Transmission Talisman.

His own conflicts with the Sword Sect hadn’t been revealed. On the contrary, to outsiders, his relationship with the Jade Void Sword Sect seemed quite good—amicable, at the very least.

"Sir, it would be a lie to say I’m completely unafraid... but I believe you can also see that Volcano State is about to become a battlefield."

"To seize the Grotto Heaven and eliminate the last of the Demon Palace’s forces, both the Jade Void Sword Sect and the Star Casting Hall will undoubtedly go all out. When that happens, even Nascent Soul True Monarchs might make a move."

"You will need this talisman as an insurance policy."

He Ming gritted his teeth and laid all his cards on the table.

The Golden Core patriarch his family had previously served had long been at odds with a direct disciple of the True Treasure Pavilion.

Now that their Golden Core patriarch had fallen, that enemy no longer felt restrained. The Cangwu He Family was on the verge of ruin. Even if it was risky, they had to find a cultivator of sufficient stature to serve as their patron!

Furthermore, because of that direct disciple, other Golden Core cultivators were reluctant to offer the He Family their protection.

In He Ming’s estimation, this cultivator, Yehai, was the one most likely to agree to this transaction!

That was why he was willing to offer the talisman as a bargaining chip. Otherwise, He Ming would rather take it to his grave!

However.

Even so, He Ming estimated the chance of Su Ye accepting the deal was only forty percent!

"Hmm..."

Su Ye fell into a contemplative silence, not giving an immediate answer.

A shadow of foreboding fell over He Ming’s heart, and he felt a pang of bitterness.

’As expected...’

’I failed after all.’

It made sense.

A fifth-tier talisman was extremely valuable.

But first, the fact that its Magical Power was leaking already lowered its value.

Moreover, a talisman crafted from the skin of a Sword Sect Nascent Soul would inevitably incur the Sword Sect’s resentment, if not outright hostility. If he belonged to an opposing faction, that would be one thing.

But the True Treasure Pavilion and the Jade Void Sword Sect were, at the very least, quasi-allies.

Su Ye’s actions had to take the Sword Sect’s attitude into account to avoid a diplomatic incident and an international uproar.

But, at that very moment.

"I accept your request."

"I’ll take care of that direct disciple for you... But my protection ends there. You can use my name as a bluff, but I won’t actually intervene on your behalf."

"Do you understand?"

Su Ye’s tone was calm as he gently wagged his finger.

"Agreed!"

"We shall do as you say!"

He Ming’s eyes lit up, and he agreed on the spot!

For any ordinary power, Su Ye’s terms would be considered nothing short of harsh. He would only intervene once, yet the annual tribute would be substantial!

’Wasn’t this just getting paid for doing nothing?’

But the Cangwu He Family’s situation was unique, and the threat they faced was imminent!

If they could just survive this crisis, they were confident they could sustain the family until a second Golden Core cultivator was nurtured!

「Soon.」

He Ming left the Grotto Heaven with his daughter.

He had secured the deal, and the threat from the True Treasure Pavilion’s direct disciple was neutralized. He could finally get a peaceful night’s sleep!

’The only regret...’

He Ming glanced at his daughter and sighed inwardly. ’My Xinlan is a peerless beauty, but it’s a shame that Mr. Su showed no interest at all.’

’Sigh...’

...

’A Human Skin Talisman...’

Su Ye sat on the main seat, holding the Void Talisman, his eyes glinting.

To be honest, if this were a normal talisman, he would never dare use one that was leaking Magical Power.

This was especially true for a Void Transmission type; even though his physical body had reached the fifth tier, there was still a chance he could perish while using it.

But.

This was a Human Skin Talisman refined using Demon Dao methods, and that made Su Ye a little tempted.

It had to be said, the Blood Moon Demon Palace had ruled Yaoguang for millennia. Their Demon Dao methods, though cruel and bloody, truly had their merits.

For example, a normal talisman leaking Magical Power could only be discarded, or one could take a gamble on using it.

Demon Dao talismans, on the other hand, incorporated resentful souls during their creation, which left room for restoration.

’I remember a particular method... by refining it with the life-soul and blood qi of a compatible source, I can make up for the leaking Magical Power and restore this talisman to its normal state.’

Su Ye’s eyes flickered.

’A life-soul and blood qi with an affinity for this talisman paper?’

’Doesn’t that mean a cultivator from the Jade Void Sword Sect?’

Su Ye stroked his chin, a strange look appearing on his face.

’Kill a Sword Sect cultivator?’

’And... given the talisman’s tier, I’d need a late-stage Golden Core at the very least?’

’A pity... I didn’t collect Jiang Wenyuan’s life-soul and blood qi because I was worried about being tracked.’

Su Ye felt a slight sense of regret.

As for offending the Jade Void Sword Sect, he couldn’t care less.

After all, if his identity were ever exposed, the Jade Void Sword Sect’s animosity toward him would probably max out instantly!

This had nothing to do with his intentions and everything to do with his threat level!

—Even the most loyal general would be viewed with suspicion by the emperor after commanding an army of hundreds of thousands.

—Because at that point, he possessed the ability to overthrow the dynasty and usurp the throne in a coup!

By the same token, the relationship between Su Ye and the Jade Void Sword Sect was no different.

Besides, unlike in his past life, which had no supernatural powers, all great power in this Cultivation World was held by the individual.

For the powerful, countermeasures like political scheming were pitifully ineffective; the only real threat was someone even stronger.

The Jade Void Sword Sect couldn’t afford the price of trust, and neither could Su Ye.

’All I can say is...’

’In the world of power, there is no room for mercy.’

Su Ye sighed softly.

...

At this time.

In Volcano State, there were several late-stage Golden Core cultivators from the Sword Sect.

Su Ye began his preparations, selecting a suitable target to hunt. He would use their blood and soul to repair this fifth-tier Void Talisman.

’Who should I choose...?’

Su Ye rested his chin in his hand, twirling a lock of long hair with his fingertip as he fell into thought.

He wouldn’t prioritize targeting Sword Sect cultivators he was acquainted with, like Lu Chen and Qin Wuyou, so long as he had other options.

He had some morals, but not many.

However, just as Su Ye was lost in thought, a Communication Talisman flew into his Grotto Heaven.

’Nanyaoguang Corporation... A situation of the highest priority?!’

Glancing at the insignia, Su Ye was taken aback, his brow furrowing slightly.

His Divine Sense surged out, sweeping over the Communication Talisman.

The information within caused Su Ye’s expression to darken instantly!

’The Jade Void Sword Sect fleet has appeared off the coast of the Far South Continent and forcibly taken over the port...’

"Chi Weixuan!"

"Good... Very good!"