Chapter 10: Earth Mole Rat (Part 2)

In truth, Guo Shier knew his methods were simple and crude. The only practical aspect was their ability to quickly capture the essence of dying mutated talisman beasts, killing them in the process. Similar to crafting insect talismans, this was one of the most basic skills for creating beast and insect talismans in ancient traditions. Of course, this wasn’t for crafting low-level talismans but rather the most fundamental high-level ones.

With the final incantation, the Earth Mole Rat’s essence separated from its body, and its struggling form gradually calmed down. Under the suppression of the virtual talismans in the array, the essence shrank and moved above Guo Shier’s chest.

At this point, Guo Shier began sealing the essence. Countless incantations formed numerous virtual talismans, rapidly creating runes. Within a dozen seconds, a circular sealing talisman sphere appeared.

Guo Shier smiled—this was the first step in sealing the essence. It wasn’t suitable to craft talismans here, so he placed the sealing sphere inside a spirit storage talisman, planning to make beast talismans later when he had time.

He dismissed the array and started purifying the essence blood beads, then the fresh blood. Unlike level four or five mutated talisman beasts, an eighth-level mutated talisman beast, even if not particularly strong, was a treasure in every part. Guo Shier wouldn’t discard it easily.

Qi Dayong widened his eyes and said, “Lao Xuan, Xuan Ai… aren’t you going? That’s an eighth-level mutated talisman beast… every part of it is valuable!”

Eighth-level mutated talisman beasts were common for great sage masters but precious for junior sage masters, not to mention mad masters. Qi Dayong was eager to get his hands on it, but he knew Guo Shier’s strength and knew it was impossible for him to snatch it.

Xuan Ai smiled and said, “It’s fine. I’ll get my share.” He had already discussed the profit distribution with Guo Shier in advance—each of the three would take one-third. Ultimately, he still benefited the most, as the high-level mutated talisman beast would surely be hunted by Guo Shier and Eagle Demon. He hardly needed to lift a finger, and even if he did, it wouldn’t matter due to his insufficient strength.

Of course, Guo Shier and Eagle Demon also benefited, as many matters required Xuan Ai’s intervention. As an inner disciple of Haimen, he had many advantages, making cooperation the best approach.

The fur of the Earth Mole Rat was extremely valuable. Since Guo Shier hadn’t decided what to make with it, he temporarily peeled off the fur, used virtual talismans to simply tan it, and stored it away. An eighth-level mutated Earth Mole Rat was sixty to seventy meters long, with the fur on its back being the most useful—fur from other parts was not as good.

With the help of the Eagle Demon, Guo Shier quickly stripped off the fur and then cut away large pieces of rat meat. The meat of level-8 mutated talisman beasts was of top quality, containing powerful vitality, and eating such meat was highly beneficial for professionals. The earth mound rats also had something extremely precious: the whiskers above their mouths. Each whisker was as thick as a thumb, pale golden in color, and varied in length—making them rare materials for talismans. These whiskers were extremely flexible, and the Eagle Demon used his life talisman sword to carefully extract them from the meat; it was almost impossible to cut them off. In total, over a hundred whiskers of varying lengths were collected—some over ten meters long and others five to six meters—carefully stored in a spirit-sealing talisman. Guo Shier then focused on the head of the earth mound rat, knowing that most mutated talisman beasts had talisman beads in their heads, especially the higher-level ones. The Eagle Demon split open the rat’s hard skull and extracted a golden talisman bead the size of a football. This was essential for crafting talismans of the earth mound rat beast; without it, even if the talisman was made, its power would be greatly reduced. Thus, it was something Guo Shier must obtain. Handling a level-8 mutated talisman beast was extremely laborious. Fortunately, with the help of the Eagle Demon and the use of virtual talismans, Guo Shier was able to deal with such a large carcass. Virtual talismans allowed him to quickly cut large pieces of meat and store them directly in large talisman bags—a skill he had mastered thoroughly. After working for four or five hours, the two finally finished. Only some blood, broken bones, and rotten flesh remained on the ground, as the entire massive carcass of the mutated talisman beast had been cut up and stored. Guo Shier straightened up, stretched his body, and sighed, “This is also a physically demanding task. I’m really tired!” Xuan Ai and Qi Dayong walked over. Guo Shier asked, “Who is this?” Xuan Ai smiled and said, “This is my senior fellow disciple, Qi Dayong.” Qi Dayong stepped forward and said, “A disciple of the inner sect of Haimen, an intermediate-level Talisman-Warrior Master, Qi Dayong.” This was the etiquette of major sects—introducing oneself by name and profession. Guo Shier smiled and said, “A wandering professional, a junior-level Talisman Sage, Guo Shier.” The Eagle Demon also said, “A wandering professional, a follower, a junior-level Talisman-Warrior Sage, Eagle Demon.” Qi Dayong was slightly stunned. Although there were many wandering professionals at the sage level, those with great strength were highly sought after by various sects and major schools. The strength displayed by Guo Shier was clearly on par with that of a junior-level great sage. Just with his Spirit Beast and Spirit Worm, he could compete with a junior-level great sage. Could such a person really be a wandering professional? “Pleasure to meet you! I also want to thank Master Guo for his help.”

If it weren’t for Guo Shier’s intervention, they might have lost many members, and they would also be punished upon returning, as the sect strictly forbade them from challenging those above their rank.
Guo Shier asked, “The Earth Mole Rats aren’t very strong; they usually stay underground. How did you encounter them?”
Qi Dayong stammered, “We just had bad luck, hehe…”
Guo Shier knew they must be hiding something and asked tentatively with a smile, “Are you going back, or will you stay here?”
Qi Dayong replied, “We need to stay for a few more days.”
Guo Shier already understood they had secrets and nodded, “Okay. I’ll be living in Qingcheng for some time. We can talk when I have free time.” He didn’t press further. After all, this was Hai Men’s territory, and they were inner disciples of Hai Men, while he was just a wandering professional—there was no need to offend them.
Qi Dayong clearly breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Great! Let’s talk when we have time!” He then said to Xuan Ai, “Lao Xuan, come to my place when you’re free.”
Xuan Ai knew this guy was definitely hiding something, but he didn’t want to ask—it was considered taboo. He smiled and said, “Dayong, let’s do missions together next time.”
After exchanging a few words, Qi Dayong led the group back the way they came. He was excited—having dealt with the Earth Mole Rats, he could continue digging. There should be no more powerful mutated talisman beasts. He couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity; otherwise, he wouldn’t have given up on the Earth Mole Rats so easily.
Watching the group fly back toward the mountains, Guo Shier smiled and said, “I wonder what treasure has them so eager?”
Xuan Ai replied, “There are many treasures in this secret realm, but most are in the areas where mutated talisman beasts gather. It’s not easy to get them.”
Guo Shier already knew this and said, “No need to worry about them. Let’s focus on our own work.” He didn’t want to get involved, nor could he—after all, they were inner disciples of Hai Men and the local power brokers here. Provoking them wasn’t wise, especially with Xuan Ai by his side.
Xuan Ai said, “Let’s not go deep into the mountains. We can find enough prey nearby.”
The three of them, along with Guo Shier’s Soul Beast and Soul Worm, had enough strength to fight against level-8 mutated talisman beasts—though it depended on the specific beast. Some particularly powerful level-8 ones were beyond their capabilities. Handling level-7 mutated talisman beasts wasn’t a problem, as with the suppression of the Giant Nest Dragon, they could hardly escape their attacks.

Guo Shier has his own plans. Obtaining the sect’s inheritance from Haimen is just one goal; he doesn’t really care about it. He believes Haimen’s inheritance won’t be very good—only ordinary traditions will be passed down, and many things surely won’t be given to outsiders.
His other goal is to cultivate his own Spirit Beasts and Spirit Insects—this is the task he truly wants to accomplish. Ever since he saw Li Ran’s Soul Altar, he realized that Spirit Beasts and Spirit Insects are essential for it and must not be ignored. Although he still doesn’t know their role in the Soul Altar, he has already guessed their importance.
Guo Shier is ambitious. After meeting true masters of talismans, he understood that only by establishing a Soul Altar can one truly enter the world of talismans and grasp its mysteries. Whether it’s a Saint or a Great Saint, they are still in the process of accumulation; no matter how powerful they are, they can’t compare to professionals who possess a Soul Altar.
Thus, starting as a Saint, Guo Shier has been preparing various materials. He firmly believes that with solid foundations, once he rises to the rank of a high-level Great Saint, he won’t waste time collecting materials and can directly construct his own Soul Altar. This is the path he has planned for his future.
In his private secret realm, although there are dangers, they aren’t severe, as Xuan Ai is with him. He has a rescue signal talisman exclusive to inner sect disciples, allowing him to seek help in case of danger. Even if he dies before reaching safety in the realm, experts from his sect will come to investigate, ensuring he isn’t easily bullied by outsiders.
Guo Shier and the others flew along the edge of the mountainous area, searching for suitable prey, ready to hunt at any moment.
Bang!
An orange-red signal rose from the mountains, ascending high into the sky and turning into a blinding flash that remained there for a long time. Soon after, another signal appeared. Seven signals hung in the sky, visible from afar.
Xuan Ai stopped and looked up, his face instantly turning pale.
Guo Shier asked, “What’s wrong?”
Xuan Ai replied, “These are inner sect rescue signals, as well as summoning signals from the sect. I… must go there!”
Eagle Demon said gravely, “Those came from the mountains… With your strength, going in is seeking death!”
Xuan Ai’s face turned deathly white as he said, “If I don’t go, once discovered, the consequences will be severe!”
Guo Shier asked, “What consequences?”
Xuan Ai replied, “Beheading… My family will be expelled from Haimen.”
Guo Shier pondered for a moment before saying, “Let’s go take a look…”

Xuan Ai showed a grateful expression. If it were just him, it would be extremely difficult for him to muster the courage to enter the mountainous area.
Volume 15: The Land of Earthfire