Attacked by the Female Demon at the Beginning - Chapter 375

Chapter 375: The Hypocrite

“Talisman?”

Mi Lingyue was somewhat surprised, “Just teaching some talisman-making experience will do? No need to teach powerful talismans?”

Jiang Hao shook his head.

He just needed to learn the art of talisman-making; as for what talismans to create, he could buy them later.

After all, he would buy a little at a time, make a little at a time, and then sell them.

This was normal progress.

Exceptional progress could easily bring trouble to oneself.

For instance, even if he knew how to make the Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman, he wouldn’t be able to sell it.

So, there was no need to spend time learning these.

Learning the experience and how to make talismans was enough.

When the time came, no matter what talisman he got his hands on, he would be able to learn it in the fastest way possible.

That would be the greatest help to him.

“First, I need to see what your foundation is like. What talismans do you know?” Mi Lingyue asked.

At this point, the other two also looked over, as they had some understanding of talisman-making as well.

“From the basic Swift Travel Talisman to the Concentration Talisman, Divine Sword Talisman, and the Ten Thousand Swords Talisman, Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman, I know these kinds of basic ones,” Jiang Hao said.

“You know the Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman too?”

Mi Lingyue was a bit surprised.

“Yes,” Jiang Hao nodded.

He then took out all such talismans he had made.

Mi Lingyue’s only comment was that the quality was very high.

And then she said no more.

Jiang Hao was a bit puzzled; was this praise or criticism?

“Did you learn this on your own?” Mi Lingyue asked.

“Yes, is there something wrong?” Jiang Hao wondered.

“Have you ever seen particularly impressive brushwork? That is, have you seen very powerful talismans?”

Jiang Hao nodded slightly.

Could the other party really tell?

After looking at the talisman scripts for a long time, Mi Lingyue slowly began to speak.

“You seem to have a decent talent for talisman-making, but your learning process has been quite ordinary. Furthermore, being able to discern the brushstrokes from a talisman indicates that you can pursue this path. However, I don’t know how far you can go; initially, you can progress through hard work, but later on, it’s about insight. This matter is profound and mysterious; you’ll understand in time.”

“I’ll teach you the basic brushwork now, which will help you better grasp the brushwork you’ve seen before. But don’t be confused by the brushwork; don’t try to forcibly imitate it. You need to find your own way. Talisman-making, alchemy, array formation, and forging are all similar in that they require flexibility. You need to find the path that suits you best.”

“Of course, without sufficient spirituality, don’t use ‘finding your own path’ as an excuse for straying off course. Some people are naturally suited for this and find a direct path to great heights. Others need to solidify their foundation to seek the path to greatness; you must recognize who you are.”

Jiang Hao nodded. He could do this.

Although it was nice to have some talent, it was just that—a bit of talent.

He wasn’t extraordinarily gifted; he had to take it one step at a time.

How far he could go depended on himself.

Of course, he didn’t need to go very far; as long as he could continue to earn spirit stones, that was enough.

The essence was to improve his cultivation.

Afterward, he began to learn. There were many aspects to brushwork: drawing lines, light and heavy strokes, curvature of lines, and so on.

He truly benefited a lot.

After learning some, Jiang Hao shared a few words with the others.

These were things he knew that others did not.

With this, Mi Lingyue completely relaxed.

She didn’t dare to speak loudly anymore.

She wasn’t Heavenly King Hai Luo.

Later, Jiang Hao asked about the peerless genius from the Corpse Realm from two hundred years ago.

“I heard it was someone from the west; we don’t have them in the north,” was his response.

The west was precisely where Taoist Shang’an was located.

So the peerless genius from two hundred years ago was likely him.

……

The next day.

The sparring between Mingyue Sect and Tianyin Sect began.

Jiang Hao had just arrived at the Spiritual Medicine Garden when Xiao Li and the others were already waiting.

“Senior Brother Jiang, do you want to come with us?” Xiao Li asked, holding a rabbit.

“You guys go ahead,” Jiang Hao said.

It wouldn’t start until noon, so he had time to tend to the spiritual herbs in the Spiritual Medicine Garden.

Watching them leave, Jiang Hao walked into the Spiritual Medicine Garden.

【Strength+1】

【Spirit+1】

【Spirit Sword+1】

…

It had been a while, and he felt like he had gained a lot more in terms of spirit swords.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t sell them.

He could only occasionally give them away as gifts.

For example, if he needed help with something from the outer sect, instead of giving spirit stones, he would give a spirit sword, which made the other party even happier.

He had no loss of his own.

Within the sect, he would not sell these items.

It’s easy to attract unnecessary trouble.

At noon, Jiang Hao arrived at the arena outside the Law Enforcement Peak.

Many people had gathered around.

Everyone was interested in the sparring between our sect and Mingyue Sect.

Even though they knew they were no match, they couldn’t help but come to watch.

Even if it meant facing humiliation, they had to see it.

When Jiang Hao arrived, he saw that the person standing on the arena was none other than Man Long, who had reached the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul stage.

As the former top disciple, he had no equal among his peers.

Moreover, he had not been deprived of the qualification to participate in the previous competition, so he could obtain resources, visit Mingyue Sect, and spar with them now.

He stood there with absolute confidence.

His talent, fortuitous encounters, and strength were beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Even against Mingyue Sect, he was confident he could put up a fight.

Jiang Hao looked around and noticed that on a high spot, Xu Bai was standing with Elder Bai Zhi and others.

“He looks refined and cultured, a classic hypocrite,” a man nearby muttered angrily.

“Exactly, a petty person is a petty person, no one looks down on that, but those from righteous sects love to pretend to be gentlemen. If he wins, he’s all grace and poise; if he loses, he’s just frustrated and angry, then resorts to using his higher realm to pressure others. Just watch, if his opponent isn’t strong, he’ll win effortlessly, crush them, and then talk about how he’s been let off easy. Shameless, doesn’t he know his own cultivation level? And yet he’s making a big deal about wanting to spar,” a fairy added.

Jiang Hao stood in the crowd, not thinking too much but rather wanting to see what would happen next.

However, he felt that what the two people beside him were saying made some sense.

At that moment, Xu Bai soared into the sky and landed on the arena.

His cultivation level had suddenly become Nascent Soul complete.

Man Long faced him as if he were a formidable enemy, his vital energy surging without any underestimation.

“I am Xu Bai, may I ask who you are?” Xu Bai said with a smile.

“Man Long.” Man Long’s voice was deep.

“May we begin?”

“Of course,” Xu Bai didn’t waste words.

Whoosh!

Man Long leaped into action.

Boom!

A powerful punch aimed at Xu Bai.

Xu Bai simply raised his hand to defend and was pushed back a bit by the punch.

“Good!”

A bunch of people below shouted.

Man Long didn’t pause for a moment, pressing his advantage.

Boom!

Boom!

He punched rapidly, each blow bursting with power.

The arena shattered under the force of his punches.

Xu Bai retreated while counterattacking, and after a short time, he began to fight back.

Using his fingers as swords, he found gaps and struck Man Long’s body.

Pfft!

Blood sprayed out.

However, Man Long ignored it and continued his assault.

As time passed, Xu Bai struck Man Long no less than a hundred times.

Blood was everywhere, making the crowd feel as if this spar had traces of a battle to the death.

But for some reason, Man Long seemed to grow stronger and more vigorous as the battle went on, even surpassing his past self.

He had exceeded his previous limits.

At this moment, even Man Long felt something strange; he was fighting exceptionally well, his body felt different from before, with no hindrance.

It was as if he had reached his peak.

Roar!

With a roar, the vital energy around him transformed into a fierce beast, majestic and powerful.

Man Long unleashed his strongest attack, charging forward.

Boom!

Xu Bai countered with his palm.

A powerful shockwave spread out.

In an instant, both Man Long and Xu Bai were pushed back a bit.

Man Long stood in place, his eyes filled with excitement yet also unwillingness.

“It seems we are evenly matched, Man Long my friend, you truly are extraordinary,” Xu Bai said politely.

His face was all smiles, making people feel as if they were basking in the warmth of spring.

Looking at the man before him, Man Long clenched his teeth.

Even though he was unwilling, he had to admit that even though it seemed they were evenly matched, the other party had been guiding him all along.

Guiding him with the cultivation of Nascent Soul complete.

It was precisely this that allowed him to perform like never before.

Yet the other party didn’t mention it, only spoke of a draw.

Man Long clasped his fists and bowed respectfully, saying:

“I admit defeat, both in spirit and in words.”