"What is going on now???"

The presence of Yan Chunyu’s name on the list left Jiang Xu completely bewildered.

’What kind of role is Yan Chunyu playing in all this?’

"It’s not just me; Shan Lanlan is going too. She’s also very worried about Chairman Yan."

Jiang Xu truly hadn’t expected that so many people he knew would be participating this time.

"But this Secret Realm is so dangerous. Aren’t you afraid?"

"Didn’t the Sect say that it’s not actually that dangerous? Our main goal is just to check on Chairman Yan’s situation. If things go smoothly, I won’t put myself in harm’s way," Ding Shiping said reassuringly.

"In that case, Brother Ding, please be careful. I’ve heard there are many Restrictions inside the Secret Realm. Don’t be the first to act on anything; wait a bit before you move. And don’t go into the Inner Area, let alone the core..."

It was as if Jiang Xu and Ding Shiping had swapped roles. At this moment, Jiang Xu was the chatterbox, while Ding Shiping simply listened with a smile.

"I think you should stop talking starting now, Brother Ding. Hold it in for two months. Who knows, by then you might even unleash power at the Golden Core Stage."

"Haha, if you make me stay silent for two months, you might as well just kill me. I’d probably feel better that way."

Ding Shiping gave a couple of awkward laughs:

"You don’t need to worry so much. Inner Sect Disciples aren’t sacrificed that easily. Besides, Chairman Yan is one of the Top Ten Inner Disciples. She’ll watch out for us."

Despite his words, Jiang Xu was still worried.

...

After leaving Ding Shiping’s residence, Jiang Xu felt an even greater sense of urgency.

’My Cultivation needs to improve as fast as possible. My cultivation speed has increased, but it’s still not as fast as taking pills. The effects of Qi Replenishing Pills are no longer enough to accelerate my Cultivation; I need to switch to the more expensive Qi Condensing Pills.’

’It’s definitely safe within the Sect, but the rate of earning Spirit Stones is slow. It has its pros and cons. With the current tense situation, I desperately need to increase my strength, and that will inevitably require Spirit Stones.’

’If I suppress my own growth just to hide my abilities, I’ll be putting the cart before the horse.’

’From now on, I’ll reveal my talent for Talisman Making bit by bit, and then reveal my strength bit by bit. As long as what I show is always just the tip of the iceberg, it shouldn’t bring too much danger!’

From that day on, Jiang Xu began to turn in Fireball Talismans at the Talisman Pavilion in exchange for Spirit Stones.

He would go every few days, but he only brought two or three talismans each time, never more than four at most.

At this frequency, the disciple at the Talisman Pavilion’s exchange counter didn’t pay him any mind at all.

After all, he handled hundreds, even thousands, of Talismans a day; he wouldn’t notice the small number Jiang Xu turned in.

This situation put Jiang Xu’s mind at ease, and he began to trade his Talismans more frequently.

...

「Two months later.」

"Junior Brother Jiang, congratulations on passing the assessment and becoming a Tier One Lower Grade Talisman Maker."

Yu Wenfeng examined the two Fireball Talismans Jiang Xu had made, looking somewhat surprised.

Jiang Xu had also pondered for several days before deciding to take the assessment to become a Tier One Lower Grade Talisman Maker.

Just like the third trial before, successfully creating two Fireball Talismans out of twenty attempts was considered a pass.

"To be honest, I didn’t expect to become a Tier One Talisman Maker so quickly. I think it’s probably because Senior Sister Leng’s lecture a month ago was so effective. I was just lucky to have a small epiphany, barely scraping into the Tier One ranks," Jiang Xu said humbly.

"Even if you benefited greatly from Senior Sister Leng’s class, it’s still because you have a natural talent for Talisman Making that you were able to have that epiphany. But Senior Sister Leng is indeed an excellent teacher. After her lecture, several Tier One Lower Grade Talisman Makers have advanced to Middle Grade."

As she said this, Jiang Xu clearly sensed that she wasn’t entirely natural when mentioning Leng Qingqiu.

Yu Wenfeng was a kind person. Afterward, she took the time to explain some of the issues with his Talisman drawing before leaving to report the situation in the main hall of the Talisman Pavilion.

Jiang Xu left as well.

Little did he know...

In a hidden corner of the assessment hall, a figure was concealed in the shadows, watching them leave.

...

The two-month period was up.

In the next few days, the Sect’s Secret Realm exploration team was due to set out.

Many of Jiang Xu’s acquaintances were part of the expedition.

Jiang Xu bid them farewell one by one in advance.

Finally, he went to see Zong Ziqi.

Zong Ziqi’s master was going to the Secret Realm, so he was surely feeling down.

Jiang Xu decided to go and comfort him.

"What? Fellow Daoist Zong, you’ve decided to go with the team?" Jiang Xu was utterly shocked.

Jiang Xu had originally come over to persuade Zong Ziqi to look on the bright side and not get too hung up on it. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

But who would have thought...

The guy actually wanted to go with them.

"Not with the team. I wish I could, but my master won’t allow it. I’m actually planning to head to the vicinity of the Endless Forest and stay in the area near the Secret Realm for a while, until I can be sure my master has returned safely."

"You... Your master truly has a good disciple!"

Jiang Xu was moved by Zong Ziqi’s actions.

No wonder his master was willing to take risks for him; he truly knew how to repay a debt of gratitude.

"It’s not that dramatic. I just don’t want my conscience to be troubled. I can’t sit around and wait quietly in the Sect.

Besides, I’m a Sword Cultivator. If I stay in a comfortable environment like the Sect for too long, my bones will get rusty. My Cultivation has stagnated recently, so it’s high time I found a place to temper myself.

The Endless Forest happens to be dangerous enough for me to properly improve myself.

Also, I can’t keep spending more Spirit Stones than I earn. This is a good chance to replenish my supply.

It’s killing multiple birds with one stone."

Only then did it dawn on Jiang Xu.

Zong Ziqi was, after all, a Sword Cultivator.

For a Sword Cultivator, there is no standing still on the path of the Sword Dao; if you don’t advance, you fall behind.

Once the sword in their hand lacked tempering, it would quickly grow dull.

It wasn’t just the sword that would grow dull, but the heart as well.

And once the heart grew dull, a Sword Cultivator was no longer a Sword Cultivator.

With that, Jiang Xu understood Zong Ziqi’s choice.

But understanding was one thing; Jiang Xu still felt it was a great pity.

He had grown accustomed to having such a friend around. If he left, Jiang Xu would feel a bit out of sorts.

Besides, the situation in the Endless Forest wasn’t stable, and there was no telling what might happen.

For him to go at a time like this made Jiang Xu worry for Zong Ziqi’s safety.

So, Jiang Xu took out about twenty Talismans and gave them to Zong Ziqi. Among them were Fireball Talismans, Golden Light Talismans, Light Body Talismans, and Cold Ice Talismans.

All of them were ones Jiang Xu had made over the past few months.

Although Zong Ziqi was a Body Cultivator and had no Magical Power in his Qi Sea, Body Cultivators had a unique Secret Technique for activating Talismans. They only needed to smear the Talisman with their own blood, which contained Spiritual Qi, and then guide it with their Spiritual Power to activate it.

"Take care, Brother Zong. These few Talismans are all I have to support you with. You must come back safely!"

Zong Ziqi accepted the Talismans with a solemn expression.

"After this departure, who knows how long it will be before we meet again. I will keep the kindness of Brother Jiang firmly in my heart. Although I have many Treasures on me, most of them belong to my master, so please forgive me for not being able to gift them to you. And to exchange something as vulgar as Spirit Stones for them would be too great an insult to our friendship."