Chapter 94: Could This Be a Stroke of Luck?
by xennovel“Not good!”
“Second and Fifth Brothers, hold on!”
The four saw the encroaching net from all sides and the heavy Golden Light Brick crashing down from above, deciding to stop fighting each other to use all their abilities to protect themselves.
“Buzz buzz buzz!”
The small, thin youth riding a flying snake was surrounded by a swarm of insects. They formed a black cocoon around him.
The three brothers on the blood cloud had the eldest among them performing spell gestures, making the blood cloud boil and rise, enveloping them in an attempt to escape the net.
The second brother activated several talismans, forming a protective aura around them.
The fifth brother brought out a fist-sized blue Magic Pearl, emitting a light blue glow above his head.
At that very moment.
“Boom!”
The massive Golden Light Brick crashed down on the four of them.
Lu Changsheng could tell they had impressive tricks, so he didn’t hold back.
He drove the Golden Light Brick to its extreme, aiming to crush them from high above into the ground, turning them into mince!
“They’re not dead yet!”
Now at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, Lu Changsheng’s control over the Talisman Treasure Golden Light Brick and his perceptive abilities had improved greatly.
He could sense that the four were still alive, resisting the Golden Light Brick, trying to break free from its suppression and the net talisman.
Immediately, he took out a stack of talismans.
Top-Tier talismans, Sky Net Talisman!
Top-Tier talismans, Disorder Talisman!
High-Grade talismans, Constriction Talisman!
High-Grade talismans, Dungeon Talisman!
Two Sky Net Talismans flew out.
They formed black nets from all sides around the Golden Light Brick to prevent the four from escaping.
The Disorder Talisman could disrupt the spiritual energy of Qi Refining cultivators.
The Constriction Talisman could bind others’ bodies and restrict movement.
One Disorder Talisman and four Constriction Talismans turned into rainbow streaks directly aiming at the resistance below the Golden Light Brick.
Then, Lu Changsheng instructed the Iron Feather Eagle to dive quickly to where the brick was about to land to deploy the Dungeon Talisman.
But at this point, the Iron Feather Eagle was intimidated by the brick’s might, screeched, and didn’t dare approach.
“Damn it!”
Lu Changsheng threw out his flying Artifact, jumping onto the circular disc to deploy the Dungeon Talisman.
He fortified the ground, forming a cage to prevent the four from escaping with earth techniques during the fall!
After that, Lu Changsheng took out another stack of attack talismans.
If the four were still alive and breathing, he would shower them with another wave of firepower.
Right then.
“Boom!!!”
The Golden Light Brick descended heavily from above, causing a thunderous sound upon impact.
The entire mountain range seemed to shudder.
Nearby spirit beasts and birds took flight in panic, fleeing the forest.
The already frightened Iron Feather Eagle screamed and flapped its wings so wildly it almost plummeted.
Lu Changsheng paid no heed to the Iron Feather Eagle, eyes narrowing as he gazed at the golden brick standing like a small mountain.
“Are they dead?”
At this moment, he couldn’t be sure if the four were dead.
After all, from their performance, these four were no ordinary opponents.
If he hadn’t sealed their path with talismans, they might have escaped the brick’s attack.
“It’s a pity I don’t understand formation techniques. If I could set up a formation, it would be much safer.”
Lu Changsheng thought to himself.
He took out another stack of talismans from his Storage Bag.
High-Grade talismans, Earthfire Rocket Talismans!
High-Grade talismans, Blue Silver Binding Talismans!
Top-Tier talismans, Disorder Talismans!
Four traps were set at the four corners of the Golden Light Brick.
Any slight movement would trigger the Earthfire Rocket Talismans and Blue Silver Binding Talismans.
The ground would hold them while blue vines pierced upwards, working with the rocket attacks.
The Disorder Talisman was to be used along with attack talismans to disrupt their spiritual energy before the firepower.
With preparations complete, Lu Changsheng mentally signaled for the brick to slowly rise.
If the four were still alive, there would be no need to activate the Talisman Treasure again—just crush them again.
As the brick lifted, a hole several feet wide and deep appeared.
Lu Changsheng stood tall, flying gracefully forward to peer into the pit.
Inside the pit.
The brothers from the black cloud were now a mess of crushed flesh, undoubtedly dead.
And the youth cocooned by insects was flattened and lifeless.
Beside him, a purple flying snake was also reduced to a bloody pulp.
Lu Changsheng confirmed with his senses that the piles of flesh and cocooned insects, along with the purple python, were lifeless.
But he remained cautious.
Lu Changsheng conjured fireballs in his palm, shooting them into the pit.
Cultivators have many tricks; these four weren’t simple. Caution was necessary.
Only turning to ashes would confirm their death.
Under the fireballs’ flames, the bloody messes quickly burned to remnants.
The black cocoon crackled under the flames.
Suddenly, it shook, and a small figure shot out of it, leaping from the pit.
But the next moment, blue vines shot up, binding the figure.
Simultaneously, rockets appeared from nowhere, heading toward the youth.
Standing on the circular disc, Lu Changsheng was startled by this sight.
To his surprise, the youth was alive, launching a talisman.
“What’s wrong with you?! Can’t you play fair?”
The youth’s expression darkened, looking like someone caught in adultery.
It was as if he were caught like Pan Jinlian by Wu Da.
He’d never seen someone act like this.
Using a Talisman Treasure right away!
Throwing talismans as if they were free.
Aren’t your talismans precious?
He regretted his actions, terribly remorseful.
His hasty prank to shift the blame had backfired.
Now he faced setbacks even more grave.
At risk of losing everything, including his life.
He clapped a Top-Tier Talisman—Golden Light Protection Talisman—shrouding himself in golden light.
Raising a blue orb above his head, he shouted, “If you attack again, I’ll detonate this Thunder Bail! We’ll both perish!”
“Thunder Bail?”
Lu Changsheng squinted at the walnut-sized blue orb, pausing his attack.
He hadn’t seen a Thunder Bail but read about it.
Legend says a Nascent Soul True Lord condensed it from celestial lightning.
It’s powerful enough to obliterate a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
He didn’t expect the youth to possess Thunder Bail.
“Comrade, we have no grudge. Why fight?”
“They say understanding comes from conflict. Let’s leave it at that.”
Seeing Lu Changsheng halt, the youth spoke.
“No grudge?”
“I was traveling. If you hadn’t lured trouble my way, I’d not waste my talismans and Talisman Treasures.”
Lu Changsheng’s eyes were cold.
“I didn’t lure anything. Just drawn to you as a kindred spirit.”
“Besides, that Foundation Establishment spirit material compensates you.”
The youth awkwardly added.
“Ha!”
Lu Changsheng coldly chuckled, gripping a talisman.
“What do you want, then?”
The youth, hearing the cold laugh, grew frustrated.
He wasn’t used to such humiliation.
Today, he barely survived, and even apologies met coldness.
“Compensation!”
“Pay up, and I’ll let you go.”
Ignoring the attitude, Lu Changsheng pulled out more Top-Tier talismans.
If he backed down due to Thunder Bail, the youth would gain the upper hand.
He didn’t believe the youth would choose death.
Presenting so many talismans intimidated the youth.
The implication: mutual destruction would end him alone.
The youth felt the faint pressure from the Golden Brick overhead.
Knowing he couldn’t escape easily today.
He sighed, taking out a Jade Box from his waist, tossing it to Lu Changsheng.
“Inside is a Heart Lotus, a Foundation Establishment spirit material that aids spiritual sense formation. Compensation enough?”
Lu Changsheng enveloped the Jade Box with spiritual energy, inspecting it.
Opening it, he saw a snow-white lotus glowing softly.
The box emitted a refreshing fragrance lifting one’s spirits.
A great Artifact!
Lu Changsheng promptly closed the box, knowing such items needed special storage.
Then he addressed the youth, “Add another body-enhancing Foundation Establishment treasure to settle this.”
“What, do you think they’re everywhere?”
Infuriated by the demand, the youth responded.
Each was 2,000-3,000 Spirit Stones, scarce though noble.
Two were prized possessions.
Yet Lu Changsheng distrusted this youth, inspecting him distrustfully.
His earlier ploy was tempted by a Foundation Establishment treasure.
Under heavy assault, he hadn’t perished—man’s remarkable.
He even wielded Thunder Bail—far from ordinary.
“What are you staring at? Let me go!”
Annoyed, the youth clutched the Thunder Bail.
“Seeing you control those insects, I’d bet you know Beast Taming.”
“Share its heritage, and I might let you go.”
Wary of pushing too hard.
A desperate dog leaps; a cornered man does worse.
Intrigued by the taming technique.
Began contemplating keeping insects.
“No can do—family secret.”
Firm rejection followed by, “I can share Beast Taming though.”
“At what level?”
Lu Changsheng queried.
He wanted to domesticate a Nine Abyss Mastiff.
Yet avenues in the Market remained closed-minded.
Be it technique or cultivation, a monopoly.
First-level heirs were slightly accessible.
But higher ones, barring money, wouldn’t come.
Of course, his skill level hindered access.
“Second-level Beast Taming.”
Replied the youth.
“Alright.”
Nodding, Lu Changsheng pondered its usability.
If useless, at least it held financial worth.
The youth gave a Jade Slip from the Storage Bag.
Lu Changsheng checked it with spiritual power.
Skim-jotting methods to train spirit beasts.
“Very well, you may leave!”
Storing the slip, Lu Changsheng allowed it.
The youth was surprised by the assent.
But seized the chance, casting a flying Artifact, leaving cautiously.
Lu Changsheng watched the youth depart.
Once distant, he relaxed.
Gesture beckoning storage items in the pit.
Seizing garments and bags.
Then storing the Golden Light Brick.
Its glow somewhat faded.
The recent ordeal had its cost—a count estimate.
At full exertion, it might last six or seven rounds.
A Foundation stage might see just two.
Yet regret was absent, packing archives.
Proceeding to recover Artifacts and examine bodies.
Resources were money.
A long search bore two bodies.
Extracting clothes and bags, sanctifying remains.
“Though lured by blame, I greedily set to theft.”
“Killing for riches was a mistake.”
Gathered, Lu Changsheng reflected.
The prior two acts, lucrative felt rewarding.
Hence brought ideas.
Yet this time, lessoned caution ingrained.
Even holding treasures, he wasn’t invincible.
That youth’s survival defied odds and struck him.
“Never underestimate others; steadiness above haste.”
Preparing to assess gains.
Suddenly sensing distant vibrations.
Looking up.
It was the departing youth.
Prepping another stack of talismans.
“Wait, my friend! A partnership, perhaps?”
Youth declaimed cautiously.
“Partnership?”
Curious and wary.
They’d just fought, now a proposal?
“I’m venturing to explore a True Person’s dwelling—a cooperative aim.”
Announced the youth.
“No interest.”
Lu Changsheng declined.
The greed he felt led to theft, now unwelcome.
Exploring a dwelling held no appeal.
Not even a Nascent Soul’s enigma drew him.
A hostile world eyed his soul.
“Truthfully, my ancestor’s relic—a bloodline Artifact.”
“Having lost means while escaping, I seek help.”
“After entering, aside from the treasure, other assets are yours.”
The youth bargained.
To his dismay, Lu Changsheng refused immediately.
For exploration had been his priority.
But threats diverted him.
Cursed by fateful encounter, he found unexpected duress.
Beast and beetle lost, powers dwindled.
Prized possession brought him.
“Uninterested, seek another.”
Lu Changsheng was unbending.
Only a fool risked all for such a venture.
No reward outweighed the peril.
With unfamiliar foes, why tread danger?
Collect treasures, retreat to the Market wise.
“I trust your judgment, yet present a Blood Contract.”
Heard the youth.
“We’ll bind in code: no strike, or life ends.”
He persisted.
“No deal; no dwelling sways me.”
For luring fate held no brilliance.
No vow would convince such folly.
Insistent, the youth stormed away.
“Hmm?”
Upon retreating, he felt his Peach Blossom Gu signal.
Faintly hinting missed fortune.
“Lucky chance?”
Confused.
Rejecting partnership, missed fortune?
Isn’t this a romantic link alone?
“Wait, might this youth be a girl?”
A thought crept.
“The start of camaraderie, a budding bond?”
Nodded thoughtfully.
“Bah! What woman needs pursuit? Not Lu!”
“White Jade Tower awaits!”
Scoffing, unregretful.
Unveiled a Hundred Mile Escape Talisman, left quickly for covert gains.