There was a clear reason Li Xin decided to learn the Demonic Beast Talisman.
Above all else, it was to survive.
The Daejin Domain had already fallen into the grasp of demonic beasts. Even those cultivators praised as formidable had failed to last even a single day before the Demon King. In such a situation, what could a single talisman practitioner at the first stage, second layer possibly do? The chances of Li Xin escaping the Daejin Domain safely on his own were nearly nonexistent.
No—close to zero. Under the current circumstances, there was only one realistic way to survive—to join the Daejin Sect as a helper under the Xu family. Of course, it wasn’t as if there were no other options. He could leave the Xu family and join another merchant guild or sect, or reveal his talent and seek out those who might covet it.
But the likelihood that they would truly value Li Xin, a mere loose cultivator, was extremely low. Most would use him as long as he was useful, then discard him as a pawn. Or worse, send him into battles against demonic beasts as a disposable resource.
Li Xin calculated calmly, coldly, and with absolute realism. And in the end, he arrived at a single conclusion. Helping the Xu family offered the highest probability of survival.
And then there was Xu Hui and Xu Yul. Their character inspired a certain degree of trust in Li Xin. They did not force him to learn the Demonic Beast Talisman. They explained everything thoroughly and repeatedly warned him of its dangers. Only after that did they ask him,
“Do you really intend to learn it?”
That small consideration struck deeply into Li Xin’s heart. Even in a situation where the rise and fall of their family was at stake, they still knew how to consider the weak.
Even if it wasn’t entirely sincere—that attitude alone was proof that the Xu family still possessed the dignity of a prestigious lineage.
More importantly, Li Xin had confidence of his own. The Demonic Beast Talisman was created by shaving away the life of the talisman practitioner. Because the price was so severe, no matter how outstanding a practitioner was, they could not draw many of them.
But Li Xin was different. He possessed a special ability where the effects of talismans were engraved directly onto his body.
He hadn’t tested it yet, but instinctively, Li Xin knew. That he could offset the lethal side effects of the Demonic Beast Talisman to some extent. Moreover, the moment he declared his intent to learn the Demonic Beast Talisman, the Xu family would treat him not as a mere loose cultivator, but as a successor.
Information, materials, space, protection—they would spare no effort in providing full support. After laying out, organizing, and calculating every one of these assumptions in his mind, only a single conclusion remained.
This brings me not a single loss.
The risks were certainly there. However, there was no such thing as a choice without risk in this world.
Of course, there are still questions left…
Xu Yul. The young man he met in the Archive Pavilion had displayed profound knowledge of talisman methods. Above all, he was remarkably well-versed in the Demonic Beast Talisman, a highly specialized talisman.
And the Xu family. Though fallen now, they were once a family whose power rivaled that of sects. That such a place did not have even a single person capable of drawing the Demonic Beast Talisman was strange.
The talent Li Xin had displayed outwardly was by no means extraordinary. If that level was enough to approach the Demonic Beast Talisman, there was no way the Xu family lacked individuals more outstanding than him.
“You must have a lot of questions.”
As if she had read his mind, Xu Hui met his gaze. Li Xin did not avert his eyes and asked honestly.
“Is there truly no talisman practitioner in the Xu family who can draw the Demonic Beast Talisman?”
As though she had expected the question, Xu Hui nodded calmly.
“The most important thing in drawing the Demonic Beast Talisman isn’t talent. It’s one’s state of mind.”
“State of mind…?”
“Survival instinct. The most primal instinct shared by all living beings. Unless you overcome that instinct, the Demonic Beast Talisman can never be completed.”
Only after hearing those words did he understand. Why Xu Yul could not draw the Demonic Beast Talisman. Why even the once-renowned talisman practitioners of the Xu family had failed to pass it down. They could not overcome their fear of death, unlike Xu Hui.
It wasn’t that they were wrong. This was a problem any cultivator who dreamed of eternity and pursued immortality was bound to face.
“The older you get, the higher your realm, the more you possess—the greater that fear becomes. The more you have to protect, the more you have to lose. And the more that happens, the further you drift from the Demonic Beast Talisman.”
Xu Hui looked at Li Xin for a moment, then continued gently.
“In comparison, you’re still young, your realm is low… and you don’t have much to lose.”
“I’m just an ordinary loose cultivator who fears death as well.”
“But your state of mind was solid. You didn’t overreach, you didn’t waver, and you advanced slowly and cautiously. That attitude is perfectly suited for drawing the Demonic Beast Talisman. Even if you fail to draw the Demonic Beast Talisman, it’s fine. We’re simply staking everything on the highest possibility.”
Hearing Xu Hui’s words, a thought suddenly crossed Li Xin’s mind. The most important element in drawing the Demonic Beast Talisman—was none other than composure. That was why, in every evaluation the Xu family had made, Li Xin had been deemed suitable. A brief silence followed, then Xu Hui spoke unexpectedly.
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“…I’m sorry.”
Unlike her usual demeanor, her voice was painfully fragile.
“The Demonic Beast Talisman is far too dangerous for someone as young as you to bear. But in the current situation… there’s no one else I can entrust it to.”
Words that only someone fully aware of the Demonic Beast Talisman’s side effects could say. Soon after, her voice hardened with resolve.
“Only draw the Demonic Beast Talisman until we escape the Daejin Domain. After that, you don’t need to touch it again.”
“Until we escape the Daejin Domain…”
“Of course, by then your lifespan will have shortened considerably. But if you don’t die outright… you can break through your realm and recover it.”
She then took out a small bottle from her robes. Inside the transparent glass bottle was a single ash-gray pellet.
“This is the Longevity Shadow Pill. If you take it, you’ll be able to break through to the first stage, third layer immediately.”
Li Xin carefully accepted the bottle.
“Continuously consuming pills can raise your realm in an instant. But if you do that, learning the Demonic Beast Talisman will only become more difficult. At the third layer, you must be able to draw a three-stroke Demonic Beast Talisman. If you can’t… then no matter how much you move your hands at a higher realm, the demonic beast’s aura will devour you.”
Li Xin slowly nodded.
One step at a time, steadily.
That was the only way the Demonic Beast Talisman could be mastered and drawn.
***
Inside a quiet room.
Moonlight filtering through the window illuminated the small glass bottle in his hand. An ash-gray pellet inside the transparent bottle—the Longevity Shadow Pill.
They say you shouldn’t casually consume pills given by others, but…
There was no way the Xu family would go to such lengths just to scheme against a loose cultivator at the first stage, second layer.
“Hoo—”
Li Xin took a deep breath and tossed the pill into his mouth. The moment it slid down his throat, an explosive surge of energy erupted, as if scorching magma wrapped around his entire body. He shut his eyes tightly.
Heat surged up his spine, violently churning through his meridians, and his body felt as though it were swelling inside a massive pressure cooker. To break through from the second layer to the third, the Yin Linking Vessel had to be merged into the qi meridians. This was normally a process that demanded significant time and effort. But now, Li Xin possessed the overwhelming power of the Longevity Shadow Pill.
The pill’s force rampaged unrestrained through his body. Like a long-awaited downpour after a drought, the medicinal energy rapidly seeped into the Yin Linking Vessel, widening its pathways. It felt as though a massive vortex was raging within him, and at its center, a new channel of energy opened, sending a shiver of exhilaration through his entire body.
How much time had passed? When the violent storm of energy finally subsided, Li Xin slowly opened his eyes. His body felt light, and his mind clearer than ever before. The surrounding qi felt so vivid it was almost within reach.
He rose from his seat and lightly moved his body. The response of his flesh was completely different from before. The energy flowing from his fingertips was more condensed, and his steps were noticeably lighter. His senses had sharpened as well, to the point where he felt he could perceive even the faintest movements of air from afar.
“So breaking through a realm could be this easy…”
He keenly felt, with his entire body, just how much exceptional resources could simplify and optimize cultivation.
My choice was right.
At the same time, he reaffirmed that choosing the dangerous path of the Demonic Beast Talisman had been the correct decision. With the Xu family’s full support, his growth would only accelerate from here on.
***
The next day Li Xin visited Xu Hui’s residence once more. Before properly learning the Demonic Beast Talisman, there was only one thing he needed to do first—laying the foundation.
Breaking through to the first stage, third layer was far from sufficient as the minimum requirement for drawing the Demonic Beast Talisman. The Demonic Beast Talisman required powerful essence. To achieve that, a body-refining technique was essential.
“Starting today, you will learn the Demon Blood Tempering Steel Art.”
Xu Hui took out a bottle and shook it. A dark bluish-black liquid sloshed inside, exuding a sinister aura.
“Demonic beast blood, whether strong or weak, always carries poison. The Demon Blood Tempering Steel Art absorbs that poison to temper the skin, muscles, bones, and internal organs.”
Li Xin’s gaze wavered slightly. Absorbing demonic beast blood to temper the body…
Just hearing it sounded unbearably painful.
Xu Hui extended her hand again and unfurled two scrolls. One shimmered with a blue, watery hue, the other with a deep green glow.
“I’ll also show you auxiliary techniques that can be practiced alongside it.”
Xu Hui pointed first to the blue scroll.
“Clear Flow Art. A water-aligned orthodox technique that purifies qi and blood and stabilizes the mind. It reduces internal injuries caused by toxins.”
Then she pointed to the green scroll.
“Wood Vitality Art. A wood-aligned technique specialized in regeneration and recovery. It improves resistance to external shocks and rapidly restores vitality damaged when drawing the Demonic Beast Talisman.”
A selection made with consideration for Li Xin’s relatively strong affinity with water and wood qi.
Li Xin pondered briefly. The Clear Flow Art excelled at internal purification, while the Wood Vitality Art favored external defense. When the answer was unclear, seeking advice was the fastest path.
“Which one would be more suitable for me?”
Xu Hui looked at Li Xin’s pale face before speaking.
“…I recommend the Wood Vitality Art.”
The moment he heard that, Li Xin answered without the slightest hesitation.
“Then I’ll learn the Wood Vitality Art.”
“Hm, very well.”
Xu Hui nodded, seemingly satisfied with his response.
Still, better than nothing.
In truth, auxiliary techniques weren’t particularly important to Li Xin. Rather than spending time mastering them—it was far more profitable to internalize even a single talisman and reap rewards through that process.
“Good. But don’t forget that body refinement must remain the priority.”
Li Xin nodded sincerely.
The Demon Blood Tempering Steel Art did not consume mental energy, and cultivation was possible simply by immersing the body in blood. It was the optimal method to practice even during rest periods after talisman crafting. Of course, the process would be painful.
“There are no shortcuts in body refinement. Don’t skip daily training, and in your remaining time, try familiarizing yourself with three-stroke talismans.”
Three-stroke talismans. At those words, Li Xin’s eyes lit up. Though he had only recently broken through to the first stage, third layer, his thirst for talisman crafting was already growing. But Xu Hui’s next words soothed his impatience.
“There’s no need to rush. The difficulty gap between two-stroke and three-stroke talismans is extreme. Don’t hurry—take enough time to develop a proper feel.”
Xu Hui spoke as though she wouldn’t mind waiting several months. She believed in Li Xin’s potential and preferred steady growth over reckless attempts.
“Is there any talisman in particular you wish to learn?”
A talisman he wanted to learn…
At those words, Li Xin thought of the incomplete talisman he had carefully kept close to his chest, one he had unfolded countless times.
