Chapter Forty-Eight: The True Interpretation of the Celestial Talisman of Pure Subtlety and Grand Void

The night was tranquil, the bright moon shining gently upon all. Dappled patterns of pine shadows stretched across the clearing, illuminated by the silvery glow. Though it was already deep into the night, the atmosphere among those gathered only grew more fervent.

A few fellow cultivators fixed their gazes on Lin You, their eyes burning with intensity. It was the twilight of the immortal path; spiritual energy was fading day by day. Practitioners like themselves, far from attaining longevity, often saw their own life force drained with each use of spiritual treasures and mystical arts. Without the aid of rare elixirs, the dream of eternal life was nothing more than an illusion.

There were no true elixirs of immortality in the world, and undying immortals were all but impossible to find. Spiritual herbs were scarce, and pills capable of prolonging life had become the stuff of legend—appearing only in fleeting glimpses, if at all. Now, before their eyes stood a living alchemist—how could anyone remain unmoved?

One after another, they stepped forward to barter with Lin You.

"Fellow Daoist Yuchen, I have here a mystical art—might I exchange it for two spirit pills?"

"Do you have need of talismans, fellow Daoist? They contain magical arts, useful for warding off foes!"

"This old Daoist has a rare spirit seed..."

Seeing the crowd grow a little unruly, Jiang Liunian shook his head and called for order. "Fellow cultivators, let us not break the rules. All trades must be by mutual consent!"

Reminded thus, the group felt a bit embarrassed and quickly returned to their original sequence, each approaching to trade in turn.

The man in scarlet robes, apart from the burly Sheng Chuan, had been the second to arrive atop the mountain, and so he now stepped forward as the second to trade. His face brightened with anticipation as he produced three talismans made of beast hide, and addressed Lin You solemnly:

"Fellow Daoist Yuchen, I possess here three talismans, each containing a spell called Crimson Fire. Its power rivals the full-force strike of a martial arts grandmaster. Would you consider exchanging them for some spirit pills?"

It was Lin You’s first encounter with such talismans in this world, and curiosity stirred in his heart. He accepted the three, feeling the searing warmth in his palm—within each was sealed a blazing crimson flame.

Yet he found little interest in the talismans themselves. Within his own domain, he could rival a martial grandmaster without need for such additions. What intrigued him, however, was the art of crafting these talismans. If spells could be sealed within, might it not also be possible to seal greater powers?

With that thought, Lin You deliberated for a moment, then returned the talismans.

The scarlet-robed Daoist’s heart skipped a beat—these were his prized possessions, the best he had to offer. Could it be that Fellow Daoist Yuchen found them unworthy?

He was about to offer further enticement when Lin You suddenly asked:

"May I ask, Fellow Daoist Chiyunzi, would you be willing to part with the method of talisman crafting?"

Chiyunzi was taken aback, surprised that Lin You had no interest in the talismans themselves, but instead desired the craft behind them. He hesitated.

The technique was a fortuitous acquisition, profound and mysterious—far superior to common skills! Yet crafting talismans drained him deeply; after making just a few, his life force was depleted, forcing him to seek out spiritual medicines for recovery.

Should he trade the secret for pills, or keep the jade manual for himself?

Lin You, seeing his inner conflict, did not press. He sipped his tea quietly, waiting for Chiyunzi to reach a decision. It was only a passing fancy, after all—if the trade succeeded, so much the better; if not, he would not force it.

After a moment's struggle, Chiyunzi made up his mind.

"Fellow Daoist Yuchen, this method is most precious—no less than a spiritual treasure itself. If you are truly sincere, please name your price." He produced a jade booklet and placed it on the table.

On its surface, ancient characters were engraved: "True Explanation of the Celestial Void Talisman Path." A faint spiritual light flowed over the script, as if encompassing all mysteries.

Lin You regarded the jade manual with newfound seriousness. Without opening it, he knew it was genuine.

After a moment’s thought, he named his offer: "Would a bottle of Nourishing Essence Pills suffice in exchange?"

Chiyunzi hesitated. "Could you add a little more? This manual may hold clues to a hidden paradise. Were I not truly desperate, I would never consider selling it!"

At this, Linghuzi’s expression changed, and he asked urgently, "What? Clues to a hidden paradise? Is that true, Chiyun?"

Chiyunzi answered somewhat sheepishly, "It’s only a guess. The manual bears the name 'Celestial Void,' and I suspect it originated from such a place."

Linghuzi looked disappointed, and the others seemed puzzled by the exchange.

Jiang Liunian, curious, asked, "What is a hidden paradise? Why have I never heard of it before?"

Linghuzi scratched his head and explained, "This is only rumor, mind you, but they say our world suffered a great calamity, nearly severing all spiritual energy. Yet there remain secret paradises where the spiritual flow endures. If one could find such a place, immortality might be within reach!"

The others, hearing this for the first time, exchanged surprised glances.

Lin You pondered, then asked, "Has anyone ever entered such a hidden paradise?"

Chiyunzi, somewhat embarrassed, shook his head. "I’ve never heard of it, but I believe they exist! This jade manual is proof enough."

Lin You neither agreed nor argued. He had his own sanctuary, a place of abundant spiritual energy—his path to longevity lay in diligent cultivation, not in chasing after phantoms.

What mattered to him was the manual itself.

He spoke to Chiyunzi: "I will add half a bottle more of spirit pills. Does that suffice?"

"Deal!" Chiyunzi’s eyes shone with delight. He had only hoped for another pill or two—the idea of a hidden paradise was far too speculative. The outcome exceeded his hopes, and he agreed at once.

With the trade concluded, Lin You handed over the pills and took possession of the jade manual.

Now it was the female cultivator’s turn to trade. Yet she hesitated, then turned to Linghuzi and said, "Fellow Daoist Linghuzi, why don’t you go before me?"

Linghuzi was puzzled, but seeing her determined expression, he did not press further. With a word of thanks, he stepped up to Lin You.

With some embarrassment, Linghuzi produced a tiny jade vial and set it before Lin You.

"I am poor in worldly goods," he admitted, scratching his head. "I doubt anything else I own would interest you. After much thought, only this might have some value."

Within the vial was a shriveled silver-white gourd seed—an heirloom from his own lineage. According to the records, it was a spirit seed from ancient times.

A spirit seed, so it was said, was the final fruit of a world-rooted spirit plant, a seed born of nature’s own making, each one harboring boundless mysteries. Should it ever sprout, it would rival the legendary treasures of the Dao.

Yet the records stated that this seed had withered since antiquity, and even ancient cultivators, after infusing it with immense spiritual energy, could not coax it to life.

Still, Linghuzi reasoned, as a seed of a world-rooted spirit plant, it should at least count as a treasure. Surely it could fetch some spiritual medicine in trade.