Youth must seize the moment; how can one remain young forever? Chapter Thirty-Four: Redeeming Talismans

In the height of summer, the trees grew lush and verdant, exuding a soothing coolness. Sunlight, like fine golden sand, filtered through the overlapping leaves and sprinkled gently upon the road.

Upon a smooth ancient path, two carriages traveled one after the other at a steady pace. The horses pulling the carriages were tall and strong, moving with vigorous strides that kept the carriages gliding smoothly. Driving the lead carriage was Li Er.

Inside one of the carriages sat Bai Qingzhou, alone. The wooden interior was spotless, with a soft blanket covering the floor and a small table set in the middle, upon which lay fresh fruits and clear wine.

Bai Qingzhou sat with eyes closed, quietly recuperating his strength. After the sect learned of his advancement to the fourth level of Qi Refinement, their efficiency was remarkable. In less than five days, they sent a fellow disciple at the second level to replace Bai Qingzhou’s position.

Once all matters were handed over to his successor, Bai Qingzhou departed from Ningshui Prefecture, making his way slowly by carriage toward Xuanyang Sect. Today marked the third day of his return journey.

He had not used the Cloudrider Talisman to fly directly home because he carried a great many belongings—enough to fill more than half a carriage—with two attendants accompanying him as well. The small flying talisman simply could not accommodate them all.

Thus, they had no choice but to return slowly by carriage.

A sigh drifted from the other carriage—a woman’s voice.

Bai Qingzhou opened his eyes. His senses were keen; he recognized instantly that it was Ji Nian sighing. He could not help but recall the events when they left Ningshui Prefecture, especially Ji Si’s actions that day.

“I am deeply in love with Li Lang; I beg the immortal master to grant us your blessing!”

On hearing they would soon return to the mountain gate, Ji Si knelt on the ground and spoke these words with unwavering resolve. Beside her knelt a pale scholar, his expression tense.

Bai Qingzhou was taken aback. Further inquiry revealed that the scholar was a registrar in the local government office, and due to Ji Si’s long-term responsibilities there, they had frequent contact. Over the course of a year, their mutual affection deepened, and they had already pledged themselves to one another in secret.

Upon learning they must part for a long time, Ji Si found the courage to ask Bai Qingzhou to approve her resignation, forsaking the coveted servant position in the immortal sect to spend her life with her beloved.

Seeing her determination, Bai Qingzhou, though reluctant, did not wish to separate a loving couple. He approved her request, bestowed them with ample worldly gold and treasures, and only then departed Ningshui Prefecture.

Now, Ji Nian’s sighs in the carriage were naturally due to her sorrow at being separated from her close friend.

The carriages rolled steadily along the official road, the journey peaceful and uneventful.

Before long, Li Er’s voice called out, “Immortal Master, we can see the mountain gate ahead.”

At these words, Bai Qingzhou opened his eyes, lifted the carriage curtain, and gazed into the distance.

Not far away rose a lofty mountain, shrouded in immortal mist, with verdant hills and clear waters, birds singing among fragrant blossoms—a scene as if painted, a paradise untouched by the mundane world.

This was indeed the mountain gate of Xuanyang Sect.

Encircling the mountain was a semicircular shield of spiritual energy, enveloping the peak and inspiring awe in all who beheld it.

Bai Qingzhou knew this shield was the sect’s great protective formation, the Ninefold Yellow River Array, renowned for its formidable defense—said to withstand the assault of several mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The carriages drew closer to the gate. At the foot of the mountain, they set down their carriages and continued on foot. Though burdened with many supplies, their strength far surpassed ordinary men, and they carried the goods with ease.

The gatekeeper was unfamiliar with Bai Qingzhou, but after a brief inspection of his waist token and a few polite words, they proceeded up the stone path.

Strolling slowly over the jade-green slabs, familiar scenes came into view, and the dense spiritual energy of the mountain began to soothe Bai Qingzhou’s heart. A smile softened his face, and a sense of inexplicable joy filled him.

“There’s so little spiritual energy in the mundane world—this is where a cultivator truly belongs…”

He greeted fellow disciples along the way, engaging in friendly conversation. Soon, the three returned to the small courtyard they had not seen for nearly a year.

The courtyard, unattended for many days, appeared a bit desolate. After setting down their goods, Bai Qingzhou instructed his two companions to tidy up the place, then left for the Hall of Merits.

Every disciple sent out on assignment was required to report to Steward Dai Ba upon return, and Bai Qingzhou was no exception.

He made his way leisurely to the familiar doorway of the Hall of Merits, which had not changed in his absence. Entering, he soon found the outer sect steward, Dai Ba, at his usual spot.

“Steward Dai, I have returned!” Bai Qingzhou greeted with a salute and a smile.

After a year, Dai Ba’s temples showed more white, yet he remained spirited, his eyes warm and kind.

“Haha, excellent—so you’ve reached the fourth level of Qi Refinement!” Dai Ba, with his keen experience, spotted the change in Bai Qingzhou immediately. Spiritual energy leaked subtly from his strengthened skin—a telltale sign after recent advancement. Continued cultivation would eventually mask this trait.

“I was fortunate, nothing more…” Bai Qingzhou replied cheerfully.

“No need for modesty!” Dai Ba chuckled, stroking his beard. “Now, tell me—what did you accomplish in Ningshui Prefecture?”

Bai Qingzhou obliged, detailing the various affairs he managed during his assignment.

When he finished, Dai Ba praised him: “Well done—everything is clear and orderly.”

He then asked, “You’ve earned a good number of merit points this time. Have you considered what to exchange them for?”

Bai Qingzhou had already decided and answered directly, “I would like to exchange for a piece of defensive armor.”

He had thought this through—he wanted to participate in the arena competitions at the marketplace. His offensive weapon, the Shangqing Sword, was sufficient, but for defense, he had only the basic Water Shield, which was far from enough in a real fight. A fine piece of armor would greatly enhance his combat ability.

“Armor, you say… let me think.” Dai Ba closed his eyes in thought. After a moment, he said, “There is a mid-grade Yellow Brass Inner Armor, just right for you—but…”

Seeing Dai Ba hesitate, Bai Qingzhou asked, “But what?”

Dai Ba chuckled. “But the Yellow Brass Inner Armor is worth more than thirty low-grade spirit stones. Your current merit points won’t cover it.”

“Are there other options?” Bai Qingzhou pressed.

“In that case, you can exchange for some defensive talismans.”

Bai Qingzhou saluted earnestly. “I ask for your guidance, Steward Dai!”

Dai Ba smiled, stroking his beard. “It’s not guidance—simply, for defense during the Qi Refinement stage, the best is the top-grade Golden Vajra Talisman, but your points are still not enough. For now, you could redeem several mid-grade talismans—I recommend the Earth Shield Talisman and the Stone Wall Talisman, each costing only three points.”

“How many merit points do I have now?” Bai Qingzhou asked.

“Let me check,” Dai Ba replied, searching through the records. Soon, he pointed at a ledger. “You have eighteen merit points remaining.”

Bai Qingzhou considered, then said, “I’ll redeem two Earth Shield Talismans, two Stone Wall Talismans, and one Heavenly Thunder Talisman.”

“Very good!”

...

Bai Qingzhou returned to his courtyard, delighted with his newly acquired talismans, only to find two visitors waiting for him—Qin Yihan and Ruan Xiuqi.

Seeing these old friends, Bai Qingzhou’s spirits rose. “What brings you two here?” he greeted them warmly.

Qin Yihan’s complexion was as fair as ever, and like Bai Qingzhou, his skin glowed faintly with spiritual energy—he too had reached the fourth level of Qi Refinement. Ruan Xiuqi, meanwhile, seemed unchanged, likely still at the third level.

Ruan Xiuqi extended a hand with a grin. “I came as soon as I heard you’d returned! So, where’s my novel?”

“And mine! I want my gift, too!” Qin Yihan chimed in.

Bai Qingzhou laughed, “Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten either of you!”

He turned and entered the storeroom, setting down his sword and talismans before bringing out the gifts he had collected in Ningshui Prefecture, handing them to each in turn.

Ruan Xiuqi’s gift was a stack of over a hundred novels, all gathered by Bai Qingzhou during his idle moments in Ningshui Prefecture. Qin Yihan’s gift consisted of exquisite mundane jewelry—combs, hairpins, bracelets, earrings, jade pendants, and more. Most of the space in the returning carriage had been taken up by these items.

“Thank you, Brother Bai!”

“Wow, I love these gifts!”

Both were thrilled, their faces beaming with joy. The gifts far surpassed those of last time.

Seeing their happiness, Bai Qingzhou felt a sense of accomplishment.

After a while, Ruan Xiuqi grinned mysteriously, produced a small booklet from his sleeve, and handed it to Bai Qingzhou. “Here’s a new release—you must not have seen it while you were away!”

Bai Qingzhou looked and saw it was the “Langya List of Liyang Prefecture.”

“Oh? There’s a new one?” he exclaimed happily.

The “Langya List of Liyang Prefecture” was written by Master Zhuge, published every two years, recording the most interesting rankings and stories in the cultivation world. The version Bai Qingzhou had previously read was already two years old.

Qin Yihan said playfully, “That’s right—it’s the latest edition. There’s a surprise in it for you, too.”

Bai Qingzhou eagerly flipped through it, and when he reached the Talents List, he understood Qin Yihan’s hint.

Their sect master, Li Yuyun, had climbed another rank.

Liyang Prefecture’s Talents List:

...

Ninth place: Li Yuyun, Sect Master of Xuanyang Sect, thirty-six years old, fifth level of Foundation Establishment.

Comment: Worthy of the title ‘genius,’ likely to reach the Golden Core realm before fifty.

Reading this, Bai Qingzhou felt a surge of pride—his own sect master was so highly regarded.

For a moment, he was filled with self-satisfaction.

Yet inevitably, his eyes wandered to the top of the list, where the same name reigned:

First place: Huo Hao, inner disciple of the Xuan Shuang Sword Sect, twenty-one years old, ninth level of Foundation Establishment.

Comment: A prodigy of his generation! The greatest talent in Liyang Prefecture in a millennium!

At the sight of this, Bai Qingzhou’s joy faded, replaced by frustration. This man’s extraordinary talent left others feeling utterly powerless.

Ruan Xiuqi, seeing his expression, laughed, “Don’t worry about that freak!”

“Mm…” Bai Qingzhou nodded ruefully.

Truly, comparison is the thief of joy.

Ruan Xiuqi chuckled, then suddenly remembered something and asked urgently, “So, tell us—after so long in the prefecture city, did anything interesting happen? Any wandering heroes? What about that girl you mentioned last time, the one who was unconscious for years?”

Qin Yihan agreed, “Yes, Bai Qingzhou, you were gone so long—you must have some stories to share!”

Shaking off his envy, Bai Qingzhou smiled at them both. “All right, let me tell you everything…”

The three sat around the stone table in the courtyard as Bai Qingzhou recounted the strange and wondrous events he had encountered during his assignment in Ningshui Prefecture.

In the course of his nearly year-long station, Bai Qingzhou’s people skills had improved greatly, and his storytelling had become much more vivid. He spoke at length of strange tales, ghosts and spirits, natural wonders, and the ways of the world, leaving his friends amazed and wide-eyed.

They talked late into the night before, at last, Qin Yihan and Ruan Xiuqi departed, still reluctant to end the evening, each returning to rest.