Chapter 10: The Inheritance of Talismans (Part 1)

Guo Shier didn’t follow Monier back to eat talisman food. Instead, the group had a meal at a restaurant near the Path of Delusion. There were many restaurants in the vicinity of the Path of Delusion; many people brought their disciples or friends here to eat and rest while waiting. It was also one of the busiest places in the Chenxiao Sect.

Talisman food was also available there, and Monier ordered a large amount of it. Guo Shier was extremely hungry. He hadn’t felt it while in the Path of Delusion, but as soon as he came out, he became so hungry that he felt dizzy and weak. Ignoring the arguments between his master and masteress, he focused on eating voraciously.

Monier watched Guo Shier with a smile, frequently serving him more food. She already regarded Guo Shier as her own son and was extremely satisfied with him. Her resentment toward Kumu also faded unnoticed. Kumu was frustrated—he had never seen Monier be so gentle with anyone, not even himself had ever received such care.

As he ate, Guo Shier asked, “Master, can we go to the Path of Delusion often?”

Kumu replied, “Once you enter the third circle, you can only go once a year. If you enter the fourth circle, it’s once every three years. So… if you want to go back, you’ll have to wait until next year.”

Monier said, “For the first circle, if there are spots available, you can go once every ten days. For the second circle, once every two months.”

Guo Shier asked, “Do we really have to wait that long?”

Monier replied, “Honey, don’t rush. You’ve already gained a lot. It takes time to digest and absorb this knowledge, and you need practice and training to truly master it… There’s no need to rush to go back again; it won’t be effective. Even if we go to the fifth circle, we have to wait ten to twenty years before we can go back again. Going more often won’t help.”

Guo Shier suddenly remembered that altar. He realized it was similar to the Path of Delusion, just inactive, so the benefits it provided were limited, yet it was still extremely powerful. The reason this Talisman Continent was so advanced was largely due to the Path of Delusion. He asked, “How many master-level disciples does the Chenxiao Sect have?”

Monier said, “Master-level? Oh, you mean great talisman masters and great martial talisman masters? There are many… The Chenxiao Sect has thousands of masters. But… hehe, at your age, there’s probably only one master… with a bright future.”

Kumu said, “He’s still a child. Don’t praise him so much!”

Monier snapped, “What’s the problem? Can’t I give you some praise without you interfering? Hmph, Guo Shier is way better than you. When you were ten, you didn’t even know what to do!”
Kumu said, “I became a junior spellcaster at the age of ten, which was unique even in the Chenxiao Sect!”
Monier smiled happily and said, “By the age of twenty, I advanced to a senior spellcaster—way stronger than you. What’s so great about you?”
Guo Shier quickly asked, “Master, why did the sect leader ask us to come?” He had to interrupt; if his master and master’s wife continued like this, they might start fighting.
Kumu replied, “I don’t know. We’ll find out when we get there.”
Guo Shier asked again, “Master, there’s another path… for those who pursue the spellcraft-martial arts path. What’s it called?”
Monier rushed to answer, “Baby, it’s the Spellcraft-Martial Arts Illusion Path. You can take it too. If you can make it through, you can gain spellcraft-martial arts abilities as well.”
Guo Shier was surprised, “Is that possible?”
Kumu said, “Of course. I reached the fourth circle and became a junior Spellcraft-Martial Arts Master. It’s a pity I can’t go further… But it’s extremely beneficial for actual combat.”
Guo Shier asked, “Master, can the Eagle Demon who came with me also take the Spellcraft-Martial Arts Illusion Path?”
Kumu replied, “I’ve used up my quota… Not this year. No, you’ll need it next year too, so I can’t give it to him.”
Guo Shier grew anxious and asked, “Master, then how can I get a quota?”
Kumu said, “There’s no way. If you want to enter the Illusion Path, you need to register in line and have sect points.”
Guo Shier frowned in thought when he suddenly saw Kumu making a face. It was quite funny to see such a serious person suddenly acting silly. Guo Shier couldn’t help but chuckle, but he quickly realized what was happening. He immediately hugged Monier’s arm and cooed, “Master’s wife, do you still have a quota left?” He was almost sweating with nervousness.
Monier couldn’t resist a child’s coquetry. She had never seen this before, and her heart instantly softened. She kept saying, “Baby, don’t worry. Master’s wife will find a way for you.”
Guo Shier’s whole body covered in goosebumps—caused by his own nervousness. He kept saying, “Thank you, Master’s wife! You’re so kind!”
Kumu rolled his eyes in exasperation.
Monier loved this tactic. She smiled and said, “Alright, alright! Master’s wife will definitely get you a quota!”
Guo Shier said, “Two! I want to go too.”
Monier replied, “Okay, okay, two then… Master’s wife will definitely get them for you!”

Kumu couldn’t help but laugh—getting a spot there wasn’t easy at all. The use of the Spell-Weapon Illusion Path was several times higher than that of the Spell Illusion Path, as there were always more people in the Spell-Weapon profession compared to the Spell profession. If there was one person in the Spell profession, there would be at least six or seven in the Spell-Weapon profession, all of whom relied on the Spell-Weapon Illusion Path to improve their strength. Naturally, the spots were extremely scarce, and with many people from the Spell profession trying to get in, the competition became even fiercer.

Monier glared at Kumu and said, “Guo Shier is your disciple. You should find a way… Never mind. For the sake of my baby, I won’t hold it against you!”

Kumu really didn’t know how to deal with people. He preferred to use his fists and spells to solve problems. In fact, given his strength and status, he definitely belonged to the upper echelons of the Chenxiao Sect. It shouldn’t have been difficult for him to get two spots, but he didn’t know how to go about it. Monier was a hundred times better at this than him.

After dinner, Kumu said, “Let’s go. We need to see the sect master.”

Guo Shier asked softly, “Master, what’s the sect master’s name? What profession does he have?”

Monier replied, “The sect master’s name is Mo Tian. He’s also in the Spell profession, and he’s a Holy Master.”

Kumu interjected coldly, “He’s your master’s father!”

Monier shouted, “What’s wrong with my father? If not for him, could you be so free now? Doing whatever you want?”

Kumu just smacked his lips and remained silent.

Guo Shier couldn’t help but snicker. Monier took Guo Shier’s hand and followed Kumu forward.

…

The main hall of the Chenxiao Sect was located deep in the mountains. It took Kumu and Guo Shier half an hour to fly there. Monier followed them and quickly landed on the ground. Kumu said, “We can’t fly this distance. We have to walk.”

The three of them walked from the foot of the mountain up to the middle, where there was a cluster of buildings built along the slope, looking quite grand. Upon closer inspection, they were just ordinary stone houses with narrow streets, so much so that Guo Shier couldn’t believe this was the location of the sect. He asked, “Master, is this the sect?”

Kumu replied seriously, “This is the core of the Chenxiao Sect. Important people live here. This is where the elders gather, and behind that is the restricted area… It’s said to be where the Great Holy Masters live, but we don’t know how many of them actually reside there.”

Before Ku Mu could finish speaking, Guo Shier believed it, because on this narrow street, he saw three or four people in purplish-red robes walking by. They were all grand masters at the Saint level—masters who could kill lower-grade mutated talisman beasts as easily as killing chickens. Like ordinary people, they walked on the narrow street with nothing special about them at all.

The three of them followed the street, passed by several rows of houses, and arrived at a wider road. This road was entirely paved with bluestone slabs, very quiet and clean, with no one walking around. Occasionally, an inner sect disciple would pass by in a hurry.

Guo Shier said, “It’s so quiet here.”

Monier replied, “Most people are prohibited from entering here. Without an invitation, even inner sect disciples can’t come in.”

Guo Shier asked, “Does my master qualify to live here?”

Ku Mu said, “I don’t like living here.”

Monier explained, “As long as one reaches the Saint level, they can live here. Of course, it’s not forced. I also don’t like living here—it’s too deserted and boring.”

By the time they spoke, they had arrived at the sect’s location. It was a small two-story stone building. In Guo Shier’s eyes, the architecture here was even worse than that of the Northern Talisman Sect, so crude it was hard to believe. There were two people sitting cross-legged at the entrance, both inner sect disciples in silver-white robes—perhaps direct disciples, as their clothing was similar.

Monier was very familiar with this place. She said, “Xiao Tong, Xiao Mao, is it your turn to be on duty today? Is my father here?”

Xiao Tong quickly stood up and said, “Young lady, the sect master is here.” His gaze shifted curiously to Guo Shier, because Guo Shier was wearing the same silver-white robe as him. Only those at the Master or Mad Master level could wear silver-colored robes. But Guo Shier looked too young, still childlike, so he was quite surprised.

Ku Mu coughed, and Xiao Tong immediately turned away, saying respectfully, “Uncle, please come in.”

Monier took Guo Shier’s hand and led him in.

After passing through the front hall and exiting through a side door, they arrived in the backyard. There was a pool of clear water and an ancient tree with a sprawling canopy, providing shade beneath it. The ground was paved with bluestone, and there were several stone tables and benches. Five elders in purplish-red robes were sitting there.

Guo Shier thought to himself that the Chenxiao Sect lacked creativity. Although purplish-red robes allowed people to quickly identify others’ identities, a group of old men and women all in purplish-red was simply too ugly.

Monier pulled Guo Shier to an old man and said, “Dad, this is Guo Shier. Hehe, my little treasure!”
The old man looked very stern, with a serious expression, and said, “Your little treasure? I thought you didn’t have any children!” His words left Guo Shier speechless. This old man was really harsh, even sparing his own daughter.
Monier acted spoiled and whined. Mo Tian finally couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.
Kumu remained expressionless, his mouth moving slightly—just in time for Guo Shier to see. The lip movements clearly formed two words: Boring.
Guo Shier wore a pure, innocent smile with a hint of naivety and said, “Hello, Grandpa Mo.”
Mo Tian said cheerfully, “This kid is really smart… I heard he’s done amazing things on the Path of Delusion.”