Chapter 2: Sword Talisman (Part 1)

Guo Shier smiled happily, “It worked! Success! This talisman is… hmm?” Any talisman of quality above that of a spirit talisman, once absorbed by one’s life talisman, meant that the owner of the life talisman could control it, while others could not touch it. This was why he had a true ancient talisman, and his master Luo Jie wouldn’t come to check it.
As he carefully examined this true spirit talisman, Guo Shier was filled with joy. It must be a very powerful talisman—no wonder Qin Han couldn’t activate it. To use a talisman of the true spirit talisman level or higher required strong spiritual power; talismanic power or spell power didn’t matter as much. That’s why Guo Shier could control his life talisman sphere so easily.
If one used spell power instead of spiritual power and a spirit talisman as their life talisman, at least ten years of cultivation would be needed to gain control over it; otherwise, it would be difficult to command it. This was what set Guo Shier apart from other spellcasters.
“This is a true spirit talisman for single-target attacks… Hmm… I don’t know what form of attack it uses, but its power must be immense!”
After a while, Guo Shier added, “Hey, only one attack? No, it can be regenerated! Wait, no—this is a talisman that can retract and release attacks! It’s amazing!”
By now, Qin Han was completely convinced. He nodded and said, “I can only activate it twice. Although its power is great, the activation time is too long, making it somewhat impractical. Moreover, I can’t incorporate this talisman into my life talisman… It’s a shame. It’s actually a true spirit talisman. Sigh, it’s not meant for me.”
Luo Jie said excitedly, “Let’s test its power!” He pointed at a large tree outside and said, “Attack that tree. Let’s see just how powerful this true spirit talisman really is!”
Guo Shier replied, “Okay, I’ll give it a try.”
Outside the reception hall was a large courtyard with many tall ancient trees. Luo Jie was referring to a giant tree as thick as a human arm. Guo Shier stepped out of the hall. Many talisman warriors and martial artists were standing outside. Upon seeing the three of them come out, they immediately formed a protective formation. Luo Jie smiled and said, “No need to be nervous. Everyone, step aside.”
Guo Shier released his life talisman sphere and, imitating his master’s way of using the life talisman book, gave it a light tap. Instantly, the life talisman sphere swelled to the size of a football, spinning rapidly in front of his chest. Three light dots also rotated slowly around it, creating a stunning sight—like a spinning planet surrounded by three satellites.

With a flick of his finger, a pale golden True Spirit Talisman floated up. Guo Shieru tapped it gently again, and a pale golden light rose, like a golden thread ascending into the air. Pointing at an ancient tree not far away, Guo Shieru shouted, “Go!”
A sharp, shrill howling sound arose.
A pale golden light the size of a door panel descended from the sky, striking the ancient tree at a 45-degree angle.
Crack! Creak… Boom!
The large tree lurched downward and collapsed with a thunderous noise; the cut was smooth and even, as if cut by a knife through tofu.
Guo Shieru exclaimed in surprise, “Huh? That’s not right! Haha, I get it!”
The door-panel-sized light screen did not disappear but, following Guo Shieru’s command, suddenly flew up and circled above the ancient tree. At his shout, “Come down! Haha!” the light screen dropped straight down like a giant sword slashing from above.
The ancient tree was split in two in one strike. Guo Shieru said excitedly, “Again! Sweep it away!”
Boom! Boom! Boom…
One after another, the ancient trees in the courtyard collapsed—the power of that pale golden light screen was truly immense. Luo Jie kept saying, “Enough, Shieru, stop already… Stop! Stop!”
With a shake of his finger, Guo Shieru sent the light screen sweeping toward a stone house not far away.
The stone house was silently cut in half by the light screen. Guo Shieru was shocked. He shouted, “Retreat!” The light screen shrank rapidly, turning into a dot of light before returning to the talisman. Guo Shieru let out a sigh and said, “What an amazing True Spirit Talisman! It’s like a giant light sword. From now on, I’ll call it the Sword Talisman!”
Boom!
The stone house collapsed in a thunderous crash.
A person rushed out of the stone house, cursing loudly, “Damn it… This crappy house… How did it collapse?”
Everyone was stunned and burst into laughter.
Only Qin Han did not laugh; his face was filled with bitterness. When he used this talisman, he could only unleash one-tenth of its power, and not even continuously. What was most infuriating was that he could never incorporate this talisman into his core talisman. He had spent countless years on it, and only now did he realize that the obstacle to his becoming a great talisman master was this Sword Talisman. After pondering for a while, he suddenly said, “Master, I understand!”
Luo Jie asked curiously, “What do you understand?”
Qin Han replied, “Master, do you have any spirit talismans? Please give one to your disciple!”
Luo Jie without hesitation released his core talisman book, tapped it, and a talisman flew out. Wiping it gently with his hand, he said, “Alright, this is a spirit talisman. Here it is for you!”

Qin Han’s eyes were filled with tears as he said, “Thank you, master!”
Guo Shier asked curiously, “Senior brother, what’s wrong?”
Qin Han gently patted his shoulder and said, “I also need to thank my junior brother. You helped me understand a truth!” He released his life talisman—a spiritual talisman that transformed into a phantom version of his life talisman book. He was on the verge of advancing, but had been stuck at the stage of materializing his life talisman book.
Qin Han placed that spiritual talisman on his life talisman, and instantly, a bright light flashed as the life talisman emitted a dazzling glow. Luo Jie exclaimed, “He’s advanced!” He stepped back a few steps, tears welling in his eyes. This was his only disciple to advance to the rank of Grand Talisman Master. When the light in front of Qin Han faded, a life talisman book glowing with a crimson light appeared before everyone.
Qin Han’s white hair and beard completely disappeared, the wrinkles on his face vanished rapidly, and his joints made crackling sounds. His slightly hunched back straightened out, revealing a middle-aged bald man full of vigor, with a joyful smile on his face.
Luo Jie laughed heartily, tears streaming down his face. He was filled with mixed emotions—deep concern and relief—manifested through his laughter. For some reason, Guo Shier felt a pang in his heart. He knew well that without this advancement, Qin Han wouldn’t have lived another few years. He stepped forward to support Luo Jie and whispered, “Master!”
Qin Han bowed respectfully and said, “Thank you, master. Thank you, junior brother!” He raised his head, tears still in his eyes.
Luo Jie said, “There’s no need to thank me, Xiao Han. Go back to the Northern Talisman Sect.”
Qin Han nodded. “Yes, master.”
Guo Shier said cheerfully, “Congratulations, senior brother!”
The people who had rushed out of the stone house initially stared in shock before also running over. Guo Shier couldn’t help but smile and say, “Grandpa Qinan, I’m sorry… I messed up just now…”
Qi Nanshan was surprised. “Ah, was it you? I finally got some sleep, and you guys woke me up. Sigh.”
Qin Han called out, “Brother Qi.”
Qi Nanshan said, “Uh, it’s Xiao Han. You’ve advanced to Grand Talisman Master?”
Qin Han replied, “If it weren’t for master and junior brother coming to see me… I wouldn’t have had this chance to advance. My junior brother is my lucky star.”
Qi Nanshan glanced at Guo Shier and said indifferently, “I’m not surprised by whatever this little rascal does.”
Guo Shier shouted, “Grandpa Nanshan, don’t talk to me like that!”
Qi Nanshan laughed heartily.

Qin Han advanced to become a Grand Talisman Master, which immediately alarmed the head of the Qin family, causing a stir throughout the entire Qin clan. A family with a Grand Talisman Master would automatically rise to the status of a first-class family. A master-level individual is highly respected wherever they go; even in a massive organization like the Northern Talisman Sect, such a person is greatly valued.

Qin Zhuo rushed over as soon as he heard the news and spoke to Qin Han in a friendly and eager manner.

Guo Shier observed coldly. He noticed that Qin Han’s expression was somewhat indifferent, not as enthusiastic as Qin Zhuo’s. He also politely declined Qin Zhuo’s attempts to keep him. After some thought, he understood that Qin Han was not highly regarded in the Qin family. Given Qin Han’s age, if he didn’t advance any further, he wouldn’t live much longer. From this, it could be inferred that Qin Han must have suffered a lot within the family.

Qin Han said indifferently, “In a while, I’ll return to the Northern Talisman Sect. I’ll take care of those in the family who are there. Don’t worry. If the head of the family has nothing else to do, I need to rest.”

Qin Zhuo said awkwardly, “Then rest well. Hehe, I’ll come back tomorrow.” With that, he left in frustration.

Guo Shier asked, “Senior brother, was he not good to you?”

Qin Han shook his head with a bitter smile and said, “He’s the head of the clan and has many matters to manage. Hehe…” He didn’t want to continue the topic and asked, “Junior brother, your Life Talisman is quite unique. Why is it round?”

Guo Shier smiled and said, “It was given to me by a senior. It’s called a Life Talisman Ball. Pretty interesting, right?”

Qin Han asked, “Is it that senior we met in the secret realm last time?”

Guo Shier nodded and said, “That person is really amazing. To this day, we still can’t figure out what his profession is.”

Qin Han sighed, “You’re so lucky. Sigh, why can’t I encounter such good fortune?”

Guo Shier smiled and said, “It’s not certain yet whether it’s good or bad. I indeed encountered a rare opportunity, which allowed me to advance to a Talisman Master… But it was only thanks to two talismans. Without them, I might not even be able to defeat a mere Talisman User. Hehe.”

Qin Han said, “You’re only nine years old. Sigh, it makes me envious just thinking about it.”

Luo Jie asked, “Shier, did you bring back a Talisman Armor Maker?”

Guo Shier smiled and said, “Yes. His name is Zhu Dachang. He’s a talisman maker from the Zhu Merchant Guild. Well, he agreed to make soft talisman armor for us for free, so I gave him the talisman bear skin to use.”

“For free? Why would he make it for you for free?”

Guo Shier said, “I’m just a kid; I don’t have any money… So… heh, he probably looked at my poverty…”
Qi Nanshan laughed and scolded, “Heh, you little rascal, are you bullying someone again?”
Guo Shier protested, “How could I bully others? I’m a kid—I’m the one who gets bullied, not the one who bullies. Master, Grandpa Nanshan is bullying me!”
Qi Nanshan was instantly speechless.
Luo Jie laughed heartily and said, “Alright, Shier, go back first. We’ll leave here in about ten more days. Your senior brother needs time to strengthen himself. Once he fully completes his advancement, we’ll go.”
Guo Shier nodded, bid farewell to the elders, and left.
…