Chapter 261: Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman

"But I am not a bloodthirsty person. As long as you answer a few of my questions truthfully..."

Di Que's tone shifted as he fixed his gaze on Daoist Master Xuanyu’s eyes. He asked, "I once heard that the Inner Vision Primordial Talisman, one of the four great secret talismans of the Shangyuan Tranquility Palace, was created by your grandmaster after exhausting his life’s efforts. It’s said to be of immense aid when breaking through to the Spiritual Infant Realm. Is that true?"

Daoist Master Xuanyu's eyes burned with fury. "You dare covet the secret talisman of my sect? You’re courting death!"

Di Que ignored Xuanyu’s anger entirely and continued calmly, "I was skeptical at first. But after thorough investigation, I discovered that despite the Shangyuan Tranquility Palace’s fluctuating fame and never dominating the Small Cold Domain, its heritage is even older than that of the Taiyi Core Sect. Every time your sect faced a crisis, a Spiritual Infant cultivator would emerge to turn the tide. Surely, this talisman must hold extraordinary power!"

"I only wish to borrow the Inner Vision Primordial Talisman for a look. I hope you won’t be so stingy, Old Geezer."

Daoist Master Xuanyu furiously retorted, "In your dreams!"

Di Que’s expression turned cold. "If I hadn’t shown mercy, you would already be a corpse. Now that your astra and talismans are destroyed, killing you would be effortless. Hand over the Inner Vision Primordial Talisman, and I’ll spare your life. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless!"

Despite Di Que’s threat, Daoist Master Xuanyu showed no fear. Instead, he mocked, "Do you take me for a naïve child? This grudge is irreconcilable. If you let me go, I will dismember you into pieces! Refusing means death, but handing over the talisman is also death. Try me! Let’s see if you can retrieve the Inner Vision Primordial Talisman after I’m gone!"

"Hmph!"

Di Que sneered. "Do you think I’d act without preparing an escape route? Even if your sect’s grandmaster personally hunts me down, I’m confident I can evade capture. Killing you does me no good and might even risk injury from your counterattack. That’s not in my interest. Consider carefully—what’s more important? The talisman or your life?"

Hearing this, Daoist Master Xuanyu hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing his face.

His expression betrayed his inner conflict as he lowered his head slightly, his gaze shifting unpredictably.

Di Que didn’t press him, idly toying with the Heavenly Sound Conch while watching Daoist Master Xuanyu with an amused expression, waiting for his decision.

"Even if I give you the Inner Vision Primordial Talisman, you won’t be able to use it. Aren’t you afraid I’ll trace it back to you once I leave? I can provide you with the method to craft the talisman instead."

Daoist Master Xuanyu suddenly raised his head and proposed.

Di Que chuckled disdainfully. "Spare me the tricks, Old Geezer. I’ve specifically studied the art of talismans to deal with the Shangyuan Tranquility Palace. Secret talismans are just a type of spiritual talisman, usable by anyone. They aren’t like astras that require recognizing a master. Crafting such talismans is as difficult as crafting astras. I have no interest in wasting my time. Using your Inner Vision Primordial Talisman directly is far easier. Let’s see how you track me afterward!"

Daoist Master Xuanyu’s face turned green, then pale, before he finally clenched his teeth and extended his hand.

A faint white light emerged in his palm, gradually expanding. The talisman took shape—a palm-sized, slender piece resembling a jade tablet.

Unlike the Heavenly Blade Talisman, it had distinct protrusions, which, upon closer inspection, appeared to be Jiao. These Jiao intertwined to form a mysterious seal.

For some reason, Qin Sang felt a strange sense of familiarity upon seeing this talisman.

As Qin Sang pondered this odd feeling, Daoist Master Xuanyu tossed the talisman into the air. What followed was a sudden and drastic change!

A thunderous roar erupted from the talisman as the protruding Jiao came alive. The talisman shattered into fragments, releasing six miniature Jiao that burst forth with a deafening roar.

Though small, these Jiao were identical to real ones—serpentine bodies with scales, four claws, and bumps on their heads hinting at the emergence of a horn.

Among them were white, azure, and black Jiao.

These were not physical beings but ethereal forms—the spiritual remnants of fallen dragons. Despite their intangible nature, they exuded an unmistakable draconic aura, leaving onlookers awestruck.

These are... Jiao spirits!

In that instant, Qin Sang’s mind reeled with realization.

The Three-Jiao Chariot!

From the Tianjing Hidden Realm to this ancient estate, Qin Sang had felt something unusual about the Three-Jiao Chariot when riding with Daoist Master Xuanyu. Now, seeing the six Jiao spirits before him, he recognized that three of them were the very same Jiao from the chariot.

Not only that, when Daoist Master Xuanyu had retracted the chariot, the resulting runes were a simplified version of the secret talisman’s markings.

What he had assumed was an astra turned out to be a spiritual talisman that sealed the spirits of Jiao!

But what connection did the so-called Inner Vision Primordial Talisman have with these Jiao spirits?

Qin Sang was bewildered. After the Jiao spirits materialized, their bodies grew larger with the wind. The six Jiao turned and lunged at Daoist Master Xuanyu, coiling themselves tightly around him.

The spirits exhaled dragon breath, a radiant brilliance rising like a red haze, accompanied by a thunderous roar that shook the heavens.

Empowered by the Jiao, Daoist Master Xuanyu transformed into a streak of light and shot into the sky at an astonishing speed.

Only then did Qin Sang understand. This talisman was a secret escape talisman, likely one of the four great secret talismans. Daoist Master Xuanyu’s verbal sparring with Di Que had been nothing more than a ploy to buy time to activate it.

With the Jiao spiraling around him and their dragon breath rolling forth, Daoist Master Xuanyu seemed like a divine dragon incarnate.

"The Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman!"

Di Que remained unfazed. His eyes gleamed coldly as he sneered. "I’ve long suspected your Three-Jiao Chariot was no ordinary item. Break!"

Daoist Master Xuanyu’s speed was extraordinary—beyond anything Qin Sang had ever witnessed. It was as if he were teleporting.

Unfortunately, no matter how fast Daoist Master Xuanyu moved, he could not escape.

Just as he was about to approach the totem barrier, a faint ripple of spiritual power suddenly appeared beneath the barrier. With a loud shout from Di Que, the ripple revealed itself to be a golden, bell-shaped astra.

Neither Qin Sang nor Daoist Master Xuanyu had noticed when Di Que had hidden this astra here. The golden bell was a trap, and Di Que had let Daoist Master Xuanyu activate the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman only to lure him in.

Dong!

The bell vibrated.

Its sound, like a massive tolling bell, momentarily froze Daoist Master Xuanyu mid-flight.

Immediately after, a golden ray shot out from within the bell. Moving with incredible speed, it circled Daoist Master Xuanyu in an instant.

Snap!

The Jiao spirits let out a mournful wail as the golden ray severed their heads. Their spiritual forms shattered and vanished.

The Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman’s true body emerged, its brilliance fading as the spirits perished, leaving it pale and lifeless.

The talisman could not escape destruction either. The golden ray struck its core, leaving a deep and alarming crack. Moments later, it shattered with a resounding snap. The talisman’s fragments scattered in two directions—one piece landed on a stone platform, while the other plunged into the lava below, sending up a small splash before being consumed.

With the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman destroyed, Daoist Master Xuanyu was left exposed, his face filled with despair.