Chapter 7: Anluo Stone (Part 1)

Kumu didn’t answer Guo Shier’s question but reached out to take the item. Monier cheerfully tossed it to him and said, “I bought it from a small stall. Hehe, isn’t it strange? There’s Anluo Stone here too, carved into trinkets for sale. Hehe, I’m really lucky, right?”
Guo Shier was surprised. “Elder Sister, so this is useful? No wonder you bought all of them. Is it really useful?”
Monier threw another one to Zhu Juan, looking very proud. Extremely curious, Guo Shier pulled at her sleeve and kept asking questions.
“Elder Sister, what is Anluo Stone?”
Monier smiled and said, “It’s a material used for making talismans. It’s very precious.”
Guo Shier was puzzled. “Very precious? What kind of talismans are made from it? Why so precious?” He couldn’t understand. At their level, they shouldn’t care about talisman-making materials—they already had virtual talismans that were even more powerful than real ones. Why would they need materials for real talismans?
Monier said, “I don’t know what kind of talismans it’s used for, but I know it’s a precious material that even the Advanced Talisman Continent is collecting.”
Kumu stared intently at the Anluo Stone and said, “Shier, the people here have no idea how precious this thing is. You need to find a way for the Northern Talisman Sect to dig it up. Remember, these materials must not get out. We’ll take them all. Not even the Chenxiao Sect may know… I know this thing, this material is incredibly valuable. Even professionals from the Advanced Talisman Continent would be tempted to snatch it if they saw it.”
Zhu Juan scratched his head, a bit confused. “Mumu, is this thing really that important?”
Kumu replied coldly, “Fatty, it’s much more important than you think.”
Monier was also stunned. She only knew the stone was precious but didn’t expect Kumu to value it so highly. She said, “Alright, to reassure your master, dear, go and give instructions on how to handle this… Understood?”
Guo Shier nodded and immediately sent someone to call Qin Han, the head of Luo Jie’s estate, and also sent people to summon Luo Zhan and Eagle Demon.
Qin Han was already an inner sect elder, so this task was a trivial matter for him. He agreed right away. Guo Shier specifically asked Luo Zhan to accompany him to supervise. Since his master attached great importance to this matter, he didn’t dare neglect it. Moreover, he had his own selfish motive—he wanted to hoard some Anluo Stone for himself. Although he didn’t know its use, it might be useful for exchanging things on the Advanced Talisman Continent.

There’s also the Ethereal Stone, and Guo Shier also plans to get involved. This matter must be arranged through him, so it’s only fitting for him to get involved—he wants to plan for his future. Having lived through several lifetimes, he understands the importance of preparing in advance; these things need to be planned ahead to avoid future headaches from gathering various materials.

Even if Kumu and Monier know that Guo Shier is collecting these materials, they won’t have any objections. Guo Shier is their heir, and if the materials they collect aren’t needed, they’ll leave them to Guo Shier later.

Qin Han left in a hurry with Luo Zhan—there was no time to delay completing the task assigned by Master Guo Shier. Fortunately, the North Talisman Sect is very powerful in this area, so it’s just a minor matter, and there are plenty of people willing to handle it.

Kumu said, “Fatso, you need to go back and inform the sect about things here. Use the altar secret realm as the passage.”

Guo Shier stood up to stop him, saying, “Master, don’t rush to communicate with the sect. Wait for a while first.”

Kumu was a bit puzzled and asked, “Why?”

Guo Shier replied, “There are some things we need to collect first. If the sect comes in, it will be inconvenient for us.”

Kumu was momentarily stunned before realizing what he meant. After pondering for a while, he agreed that his disciple had thought more thoroughly and nodded, saying, “Alright, Fatso, wait for now. Hmm, we need to visit the Talisman Market more often to see if there are any good items we can ask the North Talisman Sect to collect for us.”

Zhu Juan was much shrewder than Kumu. He also didn’t want to go back yet—once the sect’s people arrived, they would lose many advantages. He nodded and said, “No problem. I’ll go to the Talisman Market today. Hehe, there seems to be quite a few good items here.”

Monier said, “That’s for sure. Each continent has its own specialties. We were able to find this place all thanks to Baobei.”

Kumu stood up and said, “Alright, I’m going to the underground talisman-making room.” Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left. They were used to Guo Shier’s reclusiveness. Monier said, “Fatso, I’ll stay with Baobei. If you go to the Talisman Market, just have Baobei find someone to accompany her.”

Guo Shier asked the Eagle Demon to accompany Zhu Juan to the Talisman Market, while he and Monier went to find Qin Han—he had some matters to discuss with his senior brother.

……

Qin Han had arranged for the search for the Anluo Stone veins and also wanted to talk to Guo Shier. Before he could send anyone to invite Guo Shier, Monier and Guo Shier arrived already.

Guo Shier asked, “Senior brother, is there any news about Master and Grandpa Nanshan?”

Qin Han also expressed concern, “No, they’ve been gone for a long time, and there’s no news at all.”
Guo Shier smiled bitterly. “Sigh, where could they have gone?”
Monier comforted him, “Honey, don’t worry. Where did your master go?”
Guo Shier hung his head dejectedly. “He went to the Altar Secret Realm. We originally planned to meet there, but we ran into people from the Fuye Family… Later, they captured Fuye Xiangrong, who said he had seen my master and Grandpa Nanshan, but they managed to escape. They pursued them for over ten days… The Fuye Family didn’t catch my master, but they should be back by now…”
Qin Han hadn’t expected so many complications and didn’t know what to say for a moment.
Monier’s expression changed slightly as she said, “This is troublesome. Xiao Qin, do you know your master’s location using the talisman gate?”
Poor Qin Han didn’t even know about the talisman gate, so how could he know his master’s location? He shook his head. “I don’t know.”
Guo Shier asked, “Senior brother, did my master say anything else when he left?”
Qin Han shook his head. “Nothing else. I’ve told you everything.” A hint of worry appeared on his face as he added, “At that time, I thought my master was just going out for a short trip and would return soon, so he didn’t say much.”
At that moment, several people came in from outside. Qin Han was surprised. “Old Wu, why are you here?”
It was Wu Qirong, an old friend of Luo Jie and a great sorcerer of the Northern Talisman Gate, accompanied by a few professionals from the inner sect. He smiled and said, “Qin Han, hehe, I’m here to give Shier his identity badge. Shier, you’re amazing! At just eleven years old, you’ve already become a senior great talisman sorcerer. The elders discussed it and decided to grant you the status of an elder of the Northern Talisman Gate, while the other three seniors will be given the status of honored guests…”
Guo Shier had met Wu Qirong once before and knew he was a good friend of his master Luo Jie. He smiled and said, “Grandpa Wu, thank you for your trouble.”
Wu Qirong glanced at Monier curiously, secretly surprised. He realized he couldn’t gauge Monier’s strength at all, which meant her strength was far greater than his own.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wu Qirong gave her the identity badge before leaving.
Qin Han said, “Congratulations, junior brother.”
Monier curled her lips. She didn’t care at all about Guo Shier obtaining the position of elder in the Northern Talisman Gate. An elder from such a small sect was nothing worth mentioning. What she didn’t know was that gaining an elder position in the Northern Talisman Gate meant Guo Shier had entered its elite ranks and could reap many benefits.

Guo Shier casually hung the identity badge around his waist. He now had two identity badges—one as an elder of the Northern Talisman Gate and the other as an inner disciple of the Chenxiao Sect.
Although Monier disdained it, she said nothing and just smiled at Guo Shier.
……
Guo Shier returned to Xijianju and called over Huo Bao and the others, asking, “Baozi, who was in charge of your physical training?”
Huo Bao replied, “It was Grandpa Qin who did it personally. When the old man was around, he helped us with our physical training.”
Guo Shier pondered for a moment before saying, “Stop for now.”
Chen Bing asked, “Shier, why stop?”
Guo Shier replied, “Once we get to the Chenxiao Sect, I’ll try to secure four spots for you to pursue the Path of Illusory Talismans and Martial Arts. What you need now is to strengthen your willpower. If you have a strong willpower, following the Path of Illusory Talismans and Martial Arts will bring great benefits.”
Huo Bao said with a wry smile, “Then how do we train for that?”
Guo Shier shrugged and said, “I don’t know either. You’ll have to figure it out on your own.”
Monier burst into laughter and said, “I didn’t expect there to be an ancient follower system here. These kids are quite good. If they follow the Path of Illusory Talismans and Martial Arts, they should be able to reach the level of intermediate or advanced Talisman and Martial Arts masters. Their potential is quite good.”
Huo Bao and the others’ eyes lit up. If they could quickly advance to advanced Talisman and Martial Arts masters, they would have the confidence to keep up with Guo Shier.
Guo Shier said, “My wife, for those four spots… I need four spots for the Path of Illusory Talismans and Martial Arts, plus spots for some others. I still don’t know how to handle that.”
Monier smiled and said, “You already have plenty of points. It’s easy to exchange them for spots.”
Guo Shier was stunned and asked, “Where did I get those points?”
Monier replied, “The points from one altar secret realm are enough to allow all the people you lead to pursue the Path of Illusory Talismans and Martial Arts. Not to mention, with the support of the Northern Talisman Gate, there are even more points. After you go back, you basically won’t need to take missions anymore.”
Guo Shier was delighted. “Ah? There’s such a good thing? Hehe, that’s great! I was worried about where to find spots after Baozi and the others go there.” Solving the spot problem for Huo Bao and the others relieved him greatly. Knowing he had many points to exchange for spots, he began to consider whom to give them to. This matter required careful consideration; he wouldn’t easily give spots to those who weren’t close to him.

Huo Bao and the other three clearly felt much more awe toward Guo Shier, no longer daring to tease him. They sat there with serious expressions, including Chen Hong. Guo Shier was quite annoyed. He said with a smile, “Why are you all so serious? Trying to act like adults?”
Hong Shi was the first to let out a sigh. “Ugh, I can’t hold it in anymore. I’ll just say it… Shier won’t change! Hehe, Shier, you don’t know—after you came back… you seem even more formidable. I’m too scared to move around in front of you.”
Guo Shier asked in confusion, “Am I that scary?”
Huo Bao and the others nodded vigorously, making Guo Shier want to hit them. He asked, “What’s so scary about me?”
Monier giggled happily. She said, “Shier, you can’t blame them. You’ve advanced to a senior Great Talisman Master, which inherently gives you a certain aura of authority. They’re far behind you, so of course they feel uneasy. It will be much better once they advance to Talisman Warriors. For now, it’s hard for them to act casually around you.”
Chen Hong whispered, “Very scary…”