Chapter 26: Explosive Element Technique
"Oh no, I can't practice it. It will kill me if I continue."
In Yunzhong City, Lin Jiang angrily put down the powerful Overlord Scroll. Three months ago, he obtained this martial arts technique from the Duobao Pavilion steward, naively thinking it was tailor-made for him.
So as soon as Lin Jiang arrived home, he eagerly began studying it. However, after three months had passed, Lin Jiang decided to give up.
The Overlord Scroll was known for its short lifespan. Lin Jiang thought it only consumed his remaining years, which he wasn't afraid of. His remaining years were already fifteen thousand, so he had plenty.
But after practicing, he realized it was not like that at all. The Overlord Scroll actually consumed his physical body. The energy of this technique was extremely dominant, but the price was damaging the body. If he practiced it extensively, his body would eventually deteriorate, turning him into a living dead with countless years of life but a ruined body.
This went against Lin Jiang's intentions. He didn't seek immortality through cultivation, but rather a means to protect himself. So he could only painfully give up this heavenly level cultivation method.
"But it's not all in vain. One of the secret techniques in the Overlord Scroll is quite suitable for my needs."
Lin Jiang sighed again, as the Overlord Scroll contained several secret techniques, one of which was the Explosive Element Technique, an extremely dominant technique.
This Explosive Element Technique used life force as fuel and instantly doubled one's attack power. Doubling the power cost ten years of life, and at its highest, it could increase attack power tenfold, costing a hundred years of life.
For other cultivators, this move meant seeking death. The Golden Core Period only had five hundred years of life, and most cultivators who reached this period were already over a hundred years old. Only those with around four hundred years of life remaining could afford to use it. If they encountered a strong enemy and used up a hundred years of life, they probably wouldn't reach the Nascent Soul stage in this lifetime.
Lin Jiang didn't care. With his lifespan of over ten thousand years, using a hundred or so of them is nothing. Even if he increased it by a hundred and eighty times, he could afford it. With his current Qi Refining cultivation at the seventh level, it was unlikely that anyone within the Qi Refining Period would be his opponent.
Therefore, Lin Jiang had decided to practice the Explosive Element Technique. It would be one of his trump cards in the future.
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"Taoist friend Jiang"
In the early morning, Lin Jiang arrived at the bustling marketplace. A beautiful young woman beside him warmly greeted him. Perhaps because it was still early and there weren't many customers, a few male cultivators were surrounding the woman. Upon seeing Lin Jiang, the men immediately showed a hostile gaze.
"Ah, hello, Taoist Friend Liu."
Lin Jiang politely greeted back and then took out a cloth, laying it on the ground and placing the spiritual talismans he was selling one by one.
Now, Lin Jiang's spiritual talismans for sale have been upgraded to first-grade premium. He had previously sold all the second-class intermediate spiritual talismans to a certain shop, recovering more than three thousand spirit stones in cost.
"Taoist Friend Jiang, you have made progress in your talisman techniques. Today, there are two new types of spiritual talismans. It's truly a cause for celebration."
The beautiful young woman didn't care about Lin Jiang's coldness and got closer to him. In these past few months, her attitude towards Lin Jiang suddenly became much more enthusiastic.
She discovered that Lin Jiang was one of the few wealthy and promising people in this big marketplace. Lin Jiang, despite being young, had a high level of skill and was extremely proficient in drawing powerful symbols. The first grade premium spiritual talisman that he could draw was not something that anyone in the Qi Refining Period could create. Even those who had spent half their lives studying spiritual talismans couldn't reach this level.
The value of a first level premium spiritual talisman also skyrocketed. A regular one could be sold for ten spirit stones, and the material cost of a spiritual talisman was just one spirit stone. Even when taking into account the occasional failures, the income was still considerable. Earning a few hundred spirit stones in a month was definitely one of the top incomes in this big marketplace.
"Not bad, I've made some progress."
Lin Jiang nodded, feeling quite pleased with himself. He had a natural talent for drawing symbols, and now he could draw nine kinds of first grade premium spiritual talismans with a high rate of success. For every ten he drew, five or six would turn out well.
Based on the price of a first level premium spiritual talisman, he would be able to maintain a balanced income and expenditure this year or maybe even next year. If the success rate could be slightly higher, he could make a small profit and slowly accumulate wealth.
"Taoist Friend Jiang, how many spiritual talismans can you draw in a day now?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Taoist Friend Jiang, please don't misunderstand. I just wanted to ask, if you're drawing fewer talismans, you could try the Soul Refining Technique. It's an excellent technique for strengthening your spiritual consciousness. Even top sects like Zhonghang Sect are using it. If you combine it with some Soul Nourishing Pills, it would be incredibly powerful for us Talisman Makers."
The beautiful woman saw Lin Jiang frown and quickly explained that she knew this question was a bit personal, but she just wanted to find a topic to have a deeper conversation with him. Although she may not be good at drawing symbols, she is quite knowledgeable about the Talisman Maker industry because her family has a Talisman Maker.
"I already know, I have also been practicing the Soul Refining Technique."
Lin Jiang replied that he didn't know about these things before, but after coming to Yunzhong City, he had learned about the Soul Refining Technique. It was a very advanced secret art that could enhance one's spiritual awareness, but as it was widely spread, it was not expensive.
The more expensive item was the Soul Nourishing Pill, which cost thirty spirit stones for thirty pills, and it needed to be taken regularly. This could be quite costly, but Lin Jiang decided to buy it as he believed that when it came to work, one must have the right tools. Drawing symbols and the strength of the soul were closely related, so it was an investment in himself.
"Then we can exchange our knowledge of the Soul Refining Technique. I have been practicing it since I was young and have gained a lot from it."
The beautiful woman was instantly excited, finally finding a common topic. It was rare.
"Taoist friend Liu, you should communicate with the other Taoist friends. I am not convenient."
Lin Jiang glanced at those jealous men and couldn't help shaking his head. This woman was so attractive, he couldn't afford to mess with her.
The beautiful woman turned her head and wasn't pleased. These fools, why were they so clueless? Didn't they see that she was unwilling to bother with them anymore? Why were they still hanging around?
"It's okay, my Taoist friend Jiang, they are not Talisman Makers, so we can't really connect. I prefer Talisman Makers."
The beautiful woman said to Lin Jiang and intentionally flirted with her hair, revealing a charming expression.
"Drawing symbols is part of my life, but honestly, I don't enjoy it. Okay, let's start doing business. Taoist Friend Liu, please go."
Lin Jiang's face suddenly became serious and he made a gesture of requesting someone to leave. He wanted to chase someone away.
The beautiful woman heard this and was momentarily stunned. Then she stomped her foot and walked back to her own stall, angrily shooing away a few bootlickers.
"He's really stubborn, no, he's like a stone in a pit. Hmph."
Soon, Lin Jiang heard a tender complaint from beside his ear, but he pretended not to hear it.
"Hehe, Brother Jiang, Sister Liu really likes you."
Just as one annoying person left, another annoying person appeared. Zhang Ruifeng stepped onto the scene.
"Don't talk nonsense. You're just a little kid who knows nothing about likes."
"I'm not a little kid. I'm thirteen this year. If I were an ordinary person, I could get married next year."
Zhang Ruifeng looked up, trying to make himself look stronger. Was thirteen years old too young? His relatives without Spiritual Roots started marrying at fourteen. It was a sign of adulthood.
"You should reach the Qi Refining level first before talking. Without cultivation, you can't speak with authority."
Lin Jiang smiled and said, instantly poking at Zhang Ruifeng's ego.
In Yunzhong City, they encourage starting cultivation at the age of twelve. Even if the conditions were good, they still started at this age. It was said that starting cultivation too early was not beneficial for the future and could prematurely trigger potential.
So, like Lin Jiang, Zhang Ruifeng also tested his Spiritual Root last year. He had Five Spiritual Roots, which were the worst talent in the cultivation world. He had been practicing for over a year, but hadn't even reached the Qi Refining level.
Of course, Lin Jiang didn't feel good about laughing at others either because the original host, Lin Jiang, also took over two years to reach the Qi Refining level after cultivating Qi into his body. Then he stayed at the Qi Refining level for many years. It was truly embarrassing. That was why he was called the shame of the Lin family.
Upon hearing Lin Jiang's words, Zhang Ruifeng instantly became furious. His face turned red, and he began gasping for breath, unable to retort because not cultivating Qi into his body for over a year was truly wasteful.
"Brother Jiang, I will surpass you sooner or later."
"Really? Then I'll be waiting for you."
"You just wait and see."
"Hmm, I'll wait. By the way, cultivating requires a lot of money. Without spirit stones, it's hard to make progress. So, in order to catch up with my level of cultivation, you should focus on earning more money instead of idly chatting with people. You're not an ordinary person anymore, understand?"
Lin Jiang said, "Young man, I've made myself clear, right? You need to focus on your cultivation and stop talking so much. I'm fed up with it."
"But I was trying to make money."
Zhang Ruifeng said, "Why do you always complain about I talking too much? Even my father couldn't stand it, so he sent me to Yunzhong City to set up a stall at such a young age. Despite being talkative, I actually earned quite a bit of money."
