Chapter 1759: The Talisman Seed That Is Difficult To Recreate

Since Shang Xia had entered the Seven Star Realm, and the world had completed its ascension, it was time to construct the Tongyou Dao Field.

He had 2 options. The first was to expand on the foundations of the Tongyou Elysium. Naturally, doing so would save a lot of resources, and they would be able to create a secret region that could house a Sage. It would also turn into the strongest fortress of the Tongyou Institution.

The second was to abandon the Tongyou Elysium and create a Dao Field from scratch. Doing so would strengthen the institution’s foundations. They would own 2 Elysiums and a Dao Field.

At the same time, they wouldn’t have to worry about any weaknesses they might have missed when upgrading the Tongyou Elysium.

However, the disadvantage was the increased cost in resources and manpower. It would require the effort of many cultivators and would take a lot of time.

The benefits of building a Dao Field as quickly as possible was evident in the existence of the mini Spirit Lyric World. Even if their world crumbled, the Dao Field would be able to escape the fate of destruction and survive on its own. At the very least, they could protect a portion of their cultivators and inheritance.

Shang Xia’s experience in the Essence Xing World also taught him that creating a Dao Field would be extremely beneficial in ensuring the continuation of his rank seven inheritance.

The Tongyou Institution might not have decided on a method going forward, but they had already started gathering resources. Among them were a bunch of rank six and rank seven spiritual treasures. Since Kou Chongxue was in seclusion, they needed Shang Xia’s approval and leadership when proceeding.

However, Shang Xia’s return to the You Continent this time was not only to continue testing how well the newly established Essence Luxuriant World could support him. He also had matters to handle in the Talisman Hall.

In the Talisman Pagoda in the Tongyou Institution...

Shang Xia’s return had not been widely announced. Only a few deputy hall masters and rank four Talisman Grandmasters had been informed. They rushed over to meet him without the slightest delay.

"What is this about? The message I received earlier was vague." Shang Xia didn’t beat about the bush. He asked the moment they arrived.

Deputy Hall Master Lou Zizhang, the most accomplished among the 3 current rank five Talisman Grandmasters, stepped forward. He mastered the creation of 6 different types of talismans, with success rates exceeding 50 percent for 3 of them.

While Shang Xia focused on his martial path, Lou Zizhang practically handled the operations of the Talisman Hall alone.

Hearing Shang Xia’s inquiry, Lou Zizhang quickly replied, "Hall Master, it’s about the Talisman Seed you brought back from the Secret Talisman Gate of the Essence Xing World!"

"Talisman Seed?" Shang Xia blinked, then recalled his experience in the Essence Xing world. He brought it back and placed it in the World Origin Source for nurturing before forgetting all about it.

Seeing Shang Xia’s expression, Lou Zizhang explained, "After you brought it back and placed it in the World Origin Source, you assigned the task of monitoring and nurturing it to us. Later, with your permission, our Talisman Hall used the institution’s resources to build a channel connecting the Talisman Pagoda to the World Origin Source, allowing the seed to be nourished in the pagoda.”

After Shang Xia gave the order, they took 3 years to establish the channel.

Since then, talisman crafting within the pagoda has seen an improvement in success rates. More importantly, the world origin that was drawn to the pagoda enabled the Talisman Hall to attempt crafting higher-tier and experimental talismans.

Since then, they gained another rank five Grandmaster and 3 new rank four Grandmasters. Their status had been greatly enhanced and their reputation as the holy land of talisman crafting in the world was solidified.

Lou Zizhang continued, "We believe that our Talisman Hall will continue to rise with the birth of our Essence Luxuriant World."

Shang Xia nodded slowly. "So, has the Talisman Seed fully matured?"

Lou Zizhang revealed a bitter smile at his question. "It mutated! During the world ascension, although it was contained in our Talisman Pagoda, the Talisman Seed was still infused with world origin. It changed beyond our understanding, and that was why we had to call for you to return!”

"Oh?" Now, Shang Xia was intrigued. "Let’s take a look."

He led the way to the pagoda, and everyone followed closely behind.

The top floor of the pagoda was reserved exclusively for Shang Xia's use, sealed off when he wasn’t present. The Talisman Seed had been placed on the floor below, right in the center.

A narrow tunnel that was connected to the World Origin Source was established there, terminating at a square stone basin about 10 feet wide below the Talisman Seed.

The moment Shang Xia laid eyes on the Talisman Seed, he frowned. “Hmm?”

Standing nearby, Lou Zizhang asked, "Hall Master, have you noticed something?"

Shang Xia grunted softly before stepping closer to examine it carefully. However, he didn’t elaborate further.

Everyone stood behind him with bated breath, not daring to breathe loudly for fear of distracting him. A moment later, Shang Xia clicked his tongue twice before turning back to face everyone. “This Talisman Seed is no longer a rank six treasure. It evolved along with our world and reached the seventh rank.”

Everyone looked at each other with uncertainty, unsure if it was a good or bad thing.

Lou Zizhang hesitantly asked, "So... Does this mean we have a rank seven talisman inheritance?”

𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Shang Xia could guess what they were thinking. Because his path down the dao of talismans was so far ahead of them, a rank seven inheritance might be less useful to them than rank six or rank five ones.

"Not quite," Shang Xia said with a smile. "A Talisman Seed is essentially the refined essence of multiple talismans of the same rank and similar attributes, just like how a cultivator can comprehend a martial intent by mastering techniques of the same level..."

He pointed to the Talisman Seed floating above the stone basin. "When I acquired it, it was formed from several rank six talismans. If nurtured in the World Origin Source and refined into the dantian of a True Immortal, they would instantly gain a rank six martial intent, making them comparable in strength to an expert at the grand completion stage of the Martial Void Realm.”

Lou Zizhang’s eyes widened in shock. "Then... Now that it has advanced, refining it would be equivalent to gaining a rank seven martial intent, right? Wouldn’t that make you step into the grand completion...”

Before he could finish, Shang Xia chuckled and waved. "No. That’s where the limitation lies. While the Talisman Seed has evolved and reached the seventh rank, its core, which are the original talismans that make it up, are still of the sixth rank. Even though it’s a rank seven Talisman Seed, calling it a true rank seven martial intent would be an exaggeration.”

"I see..." Lou Zizhang frowned. He seemed to think of something before he continued, “Still, that’s not bad. If you refine it, even if it’s not a real martial intent, it would still give you another powerful tool."

But Shang Xia simply shook his head. "On the contrary, the best use of this Talisman Seed is not for me to refine it. It should be jointly controlled by several Talisman Grandmasters, allowing a few of you to wield the power beyond your level.”

At those words, the eyes of several sharp Talisman Grandmasters lit up.

Lou Zizhang quickly asked, "May I ask, Hall Master... Can we... Can we try to make another Talisman Seed?”

Shang Xia shook his head. "It would be very difficult. Even if another opportunity like the world ascension came again, there is no guarantee that the Talisman Seed would mutate and evolve this way.”

"However, since this Talisman Seed was nurtured collectively by the Talisman Hall, let it remain here as a core inheritance. It shall be our hidden trump card to be passed down through the generations."