Chapter 6: Hidden Dangers (Part 1)

In the early morning, Guo Shieru stretched and got up from bed. After a busy day the previous day—answering many questions and delivering numerous gifts—he didn’t return to Xijianju until dark. After arranging for his master, master’s wife, and the chubby uncle to stay, he went back to his own room to rest.

As usual, Guo Shieru went outside for his morning exercise, heading to the small pond again. He no longer practiced basic movements but was instead mastering new spell techniques taught byKumoku. These methods were far more advanced and logical than the old ones.

His morning exercise ended quickly. Guo Shieru found Eagle Demon, who was teaching four children in the backyard. He went in and watched for a while before saying, “Uncle Eagle Demon, let’s practice.”

Huo Bao and Hong Shi fought each other, while Chen Bing and Chen Hong fought against each other. Hearing this, they stopped immediately. Guo Shieru took out a wooden stick. Huo Bao wondered, “Isn’t Shieru a master of spells? Why is he using a stick to fight Uncle Eagle Demon?”

Eagle Demon smiled and said, “Kids, watch closely. Shieru is already a junior Spell-Warrior, one level above you all.”

Huo Bao and the other three also advanced rapidly. In just over a year, they had reached the level of advanced Spell-Warriors, just one step away from becoming full Spell-Warriors. This was thanks to the essence bead of the Earth Dragon, which greatly enhanced their potential and physical strength, allowing them to progress so fast. Yet compared to Guo Shieru, they still felt far behind.

Guo Shieru said with a smile, “Once you have the chance to take the Path of Illusory Spell-Warriorship, becoming a full Spell-Warrior won’t be difficult at all.”

Raising his stick, Guo Shieru shouted, “Come on!” and swung at Eagle Demon with a powerful strike. Eagle Demon laughed, “Why do you always start with this move?” and quickly stepped back. Guo Shieru missed and immediately chased after him.

Guo Shieru said, “Full of momentum… satisfying!” As he spoke, he changed his tactic, lifting the stick from below upward, aiming at Eagle Demon’s groin. If successful, even an advanced Spell-Warrior like Eagle Demon wouldn’t be able to withstand it. Eagle Demon flipped sharply, closed in on Guo Shieru, and threw a punch.

The sound of the punch cutting through the air was astonishing. Huo Bao and the others felt their scalps tingle, unsure of how Guo Shieru would respond. Suddenly, Guo Shieru disappeared from his original position. Eagle Demon’s punch missed, and he rushed forward. Then Guo Shieru laughed and said, “Too late!” He reappeared beside Eagle Demon and swung his stick at his neck. However, the stick’s power had almost no effect on Eagle Demon, and it shattered with a crack.

Eagle Demon said, “You’re being unfair again! We agreed not to use teleportation!”

Guo Shier smiled and said, “I can’t dodge… Of course I have to use teleportation. With more practice, I’ll know how to dodge and attack later. Besides… I’m not really a martial artist. Do you really expect me to fight with a talisman sword?”
Eagle Demon was already familiar with his absurd logic and laughed, “Forget it. Arguing with you is worse than fighting you. Your mouth…” He casually shook his clothes to get the wood shavings off and asked, “Should we continue?”
Guo Shier said with a smile, “Continue, but this time use fists and feet! No counterattacks!”
Huo Bao and the others were stunned. How can you fight if you’re not allowed to counterattack? But that was exactly Guo Shier’s requirement. According to him, he was just training, not seeking punishment. His opponent was a high-level martial artist who could crush him with one hand. If he allowed himself to counterattack, he wouldn’t stand a chance.
Eagle Demon chuckled and said, “Go ahead!”
Guo Shier shouted loudly and launched a fierce attack, his fists and feet striking like a storm, producing a loud clattering sound. After a while, he jumped to the side, gasping for breath, his limbs trembling and his body swaying as pain spread throughout his body. Panting heavily, he said, “Uncle Eagle Demon, you’re too insane… Your body is as hard as a stone in a toilet… Ugh, it hurts so much!”
Eagle Demon just laughed. He didn’t even counterattack; he only slightly blocked the attacks aimed at his face and groin. For the rest of his body, no matter how hard Guo Shier struck, he didn’t feel any pain, as if someone was massaging him. Such attacks were nothing to him.
“Do we continue?”
Guo Shier said, “No more. I’ve practiced enough for today.” He wiped his sweat with his sleeve, and his numb limbs gradually regained strength. He couldn’t help but smile bitterly. A high-level martial artist was already this powerful. What about aCrazy Master or aSaint Master? He had no idea how much stronger they would be.
Huo Bao and the others gathered around. They had been apart for some time, so they felt a bit awkward. Guo Shier asked, “Baozi, Shitou, Chen Bing, Xiaohong, do you want to follow me to the Chenxiao Sect?”
Without hesitation, the four replied, “Yes, we will!” Even Luo Zhan couldn’t resist the temptation of the Martial Arts Illusion Path, let alone these kids. Guo Shier said, “Okay. You need to talk to your families first. We don’t know when we’ll be able to return.”

Huo Bao and the others nodded in agreement, each showing a pleased expression. They all understood that if they stayed at Beifu Gate any longer, they might forever lose the chance to follow Guo Shier. To follow Guo Shier, one had to at least reach the level of a Fumu Master; otherwise, they would only be a burden, unable to help Guo Shier and even slowing him down.

Aunt Lan walked into the backyard and said, “Shier, it’s time to eat. Let’s go over there.”

Guo Shier called out, and everyone laughed as they headed outside. Guo Shier took a bath first before eating.

After serving breakfast to his master, master’s wife, and Uncle Zhu, Qin Han came in with a few others. He said, “Shier, some elders from Beifu Gate—Qi Tian, the head of Beifu Gate, has come to visit.”

Kumu remained seated motionless. Monier stood up along with Guo Shier. On one hand, she felt she, as the head of the family, should show respect to the head of Beifu Gate; on the other hand, she wanted to recruit professionals from Beifu Gate. Uncle Zhu, the fat man, also stood up, sharing Monier’s thoughts, and went to greet them with a smile.

Guo Shier knew his master’s temper and ignored him, letting Kumu sit there carelessly. He said, “I am Guo Shier, a senior grand talisman master and inner disciple of Beifu Gate. It’s an honor to meet you, Head Qi.” This was necessary—any disciple of Beifu Gate had to introduce themselves and their rank when first meeting the head.

Qi Tian already knew Guo Shier was a senior grand talisman master, but he was still surprised when he saw him in person, as Guo Shier was extremely young. He didn’t dare act arrogantly and said with a smile, “Shier, I’ve heard a lot about you. Hehe, may I ask you to introduce these elders?” He kept a very humble attitude.

Guo Shier said, “That person sitting over there is my master, Kumu, a senior talisman sage. This is my master’s wife, Monier, a junior talisman sage. And this is Uncle Zhu… Uncle Zhu, are you a middle-level or senior talisman sage?”

Zhu Juan replied, “I’m not as extreme as your master. I’m a middle-level talisman fanatic.” There was still a hint of pride in his voice, as he had only recently reached the middle level and couldn’t compare to Kumu, who was almost at the level of a grand sage.

Although Qi Tian had also reached the master level, only at the junior stage, it was his first time hearing the term “talisman sage,” so he asked in confusion, “Shier, sage… talisman sage? What kind of classification is that?”

Kumu looked down on Qi Tian but was too lazy to speak.

Guo Shier explained, “Master Qi, according to our classification, the Master level is the highest profession here, but in their place, a Master is only considered an intermediate profession. After advancing to Master, there are three further levels: Mad Master, Saint Master, and Great Saint Master, with each level also having lower, middle, and higher subcategories.”

Qi Tian was shocked and exclaimed, “A Master is only an intermediate profession?” It was only then that he began to worry about the safety of his sect. He knew well just how destructive a Master could be, and how much a profession’s strength increased after advancement. The three people before him were all experts at the Saint Master level. Although he wasn’t sure just how powerful they were, he knew the difference between profession levels was enormous—meaning these three had terrifying strength.

Qin Han gestured for Qi Tian to sit down.

Zhu Juan asked, “Master Qi, have you had any contact with other continents?”

Qi Tian replied, “Some experts from our sect have had contact with them before, but they were generally not very friendly. So… it was just limited contact, with little understanding gained.”

Zhu Juan understood. This continent had been isolated for a long time, and because the local professionals were too weak, it hadn’t caught the attention of other continents. It was like a huge piece of unexploited meat—a low-level continent untouched by others. Eager, he asked, “Are there many secret realms here?”

Qi Tian said, “Well, not many. There are four fixed secret realms, and the rest are sporadic ones that appear occasionally and disappear quickly.”

Kumu, Zhu Juan, and Monier all looked enlightened. With so few secret realms here, no wonder they hadn’t been discovered by outsiders.

Qi Tian continued, “In recent years, secret realms have appeared more frequently. The fixed ones… once opened, they hardly ever close again.” He said this innocently, as he had no idea about the cruelty of other continents.

Guo Shier shuddered at hearing this—it wasn’t a good sign.

Zhu Juan was also stunned. He exchanged a glance with Monier and said, “Oh? The fixed secret realms never close?”

Qi Tian nodded, “Yes. Our North Talisman Sect’s fixed Yanhuo Secret Realm hasn’t closed since it opened, and many disciples from both the inner and outer sects have entered it. I heard the Wild Beast Secret Realm of the West Talisman Sect is the same—it opened even earlier and still hasn’t closed.” He spoke excitedly, “With these fixed secret realms, our North Talisman Sect can achieve great development!”

Guo Shier sighed inwardly; he knew he was in trouble. If a secret realm remained open, it was equivalent to creating a passage, and once discovered by other continents, invasion would be almost inevitable. With the current strength of the North Talisman Sect, they simply couldn’t resist. He didn’t know what to say either, his face turning pale.
Monier shook her head and said, “Baby, don’t worry.” She could tell Guo Shier was anxious.
Kumu said calmly, “You’d better get ready for war.”
Qi Tian was stunned and asked, “What?”
Kumu closed his eyes and stopped explaining.