Mo Fan had once studied talisman crafting, but although he had grasped some basics of the talisman Dao, they were completely incomparable to the methods Xia An had just taught him.
To say nothing else, there were already more than a dozen different ways just to produce talisman paper, talisman sand, and talisman brushes.
Moreover, talisman paper, sand, and brushes made from different materials naturally possessed different effects.
Talismans crafted from high-quality materials would see their power greatly increased.
All of this was completely new to Mo Fan, and he was certain that these techniques formed part of the Xia family talisman inheritance. Though they were only foundational, if they were released to the outside world they would probably cause an enormous sensation.
Furthermore, there were several varieties of messaging talismans. They were not limited to simple messaging talismans; one could even craft messaging artifacts. On top of that, there were hundreds of different talisman markings.
The entire crafting process for a messaging talisman consisted of arranging those hundreds of markings on the talisman paper using a mixture of talisman sand and void sand in precise proportions, thereby forming a special array pattern that enabled long-distance communication.
What disappointed Mo Fan, however, was that all of these messaging talismans were only mid-to-short range. The maximum transmission distance was a mere few hundred li, far from the tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of li he truly desired.
Perhaps noticing the disappointment on Mo Fan’s face, Xia An immediately understood and gave a wry smile. “Although my Xia family is a talisman-crafting clan, we do not possess every kind of talisman. If the benefactor requires ultra-long-distance messaging talismans, I fear they can only be found in the Divine Domain.”
“Why the Divine Domain?”
Mo Fan looked at the girl.
“All the talismans we have today evolved from ancient talismans of the primordial era. Those ultra-long-distance messaging talismans were one type of ancient talisman, and they were not rare in that era.
But the primordial era is simply too distant, and countless secrets have been buried by the passage of time.
The Divine Domain is vast and resource-rich. It is known as the central land of the Nine Provinces Continent, and it contains many primordial ruins. The methods to craft those messaging talismans are certainly preserved there.
Moreover, the Divine Domain is home to numerous holy lands, transcendent powers that stand above all other factions. It is very likely that they possess the crafting methods for those ancient talismans.” Xia An spoke with open longing.
Mo Fan nodded, finding himself in full agreement with her words.
“Regardless, I must thank both of you this time. These messaging talisman methods are indeed extremely important to me!”
Although he had not obtained the formula for ultra-long-distance messaging talismans, Mo Fan was still deeply grateful for the talisman-crafting knowledge Xia An had imparted.
Almost the instant he received it, his main body far away at Black Wind Mountain emerged from seclusion, sought out Bai Tian Tian, passed a copy of the talisman methods to her, and briefed her on the situation at Three Saints Island.
“I never imagined you were originally from the Bai family of Yingzhou Holy City. No wonder the Su and Wang families targeted you.”
Seeing Bai Tian Tian again, everything finally clicked into place for Mo Fan.
She had never told him the truth about her origins before, yet now he had learned it from the Xia siblings.
No wonder Bai Tian Tian was so extraordinary. One of her ancestors had been the White Tiger Saint King, a legendary demon saint!
Among demonkind, bloodline inheritance carried enormous weight!
“So you already know. Actually, I didn’t know I belonged to that Bai family at first either. From the moment I gained consciousness, I was already in White Saint Lake.
I only learned about the Bai family when the Su and Wang families began persecuting me. That was when I discovered I carried the bloodline of White Saint Bai from Yingzhou City a thousand years ago.
As for memories of my ancestors, I have only recently awakened fragments of them.”
Bai Tian Tian smiled bitterly, then spoke to Mo Fan with a grave expression. “You had better stay out of matters on Three Saints Island. The Su and Wang families are far more complicated than what you have managed to uncover on the surface.”
“What do you mean?”
Mo Fan was slightly taken aback.
“Ever since I broke through to the King realm, I have gradually awakened more bloodline memories, including fragments from Ancestor White Saint.
In truth, during the great battle a thousand years ago, the Spirit Severing cultivators of the Su and Wang families did not actually perish. They were only gravely injured, nowhere near death!
So I suspect that the Spirit Severing cultivators of those two families may still be alive!”
Bai Tian Tian’s words left Mo Fan deeply shocked. Yet when he thought about it, much of what Xia An had told him was merely hearsay. No one had actually witnessed those two old monsters pass away.
“That shouldn’t be possible!”
“If those two old monsters didn’t die, then during the struggle for the three holy cities a thousand years ago, when the Su and Wang families were on the verge of annihilation, why did they never appear?
If they were truly still alive, how could they allow their clans to decline like that?”
Mo Fan frowned, finding it hard to comprehend.
“There are some things I cannot yet explain in detail. All of this may be connected to the secrets of the three holy cities. Moreover…”
Bai Tian Tian paused for a moment, then lowered her voice and continued, “Moreover, in none of the bloodline memories did I see any scene of my Bai family ancestor perishing.”
Mo Fan froze, then his pupils suddenly contracted!
Though Bai Tian Tian had spoken vaguely, Mo Fan understood her meaning perfectly.
Was it possible that all three Spirit Severing cultivators of Three Saints Island had faked their deaths?
“After I broke through to the King realm, I did consider returning to Three Saints Island to settle some matters. But once my bloodline memories awakened, I understood far more, and a certain fear of Three Saints Island grew in my heart.
So I abandoned the idea of returning for now.
Originally I did not intend to tell you any of this, but since your avatar has already reached Three Saints Island, I felt it necessary to warn you, lest you act impulsively and get dragged into that enormous maelstrom.”
Bai Tian Tian looked at Mo Fan earnestly and continued, “As for the messaging talismans, I will make the arrangements. I will select some demons and train them to become exclusive talisman masters for Black Wind Mountain.
What you need to do now is cultivate diligently. All the demons of Black Wind Mountain are counting on you!
Only when you grow stronger will I have the confidence to return to Three Saints Island, uncover its secrets, and take revenge on the Su family!”
“Understood. I’ll leave the affairs of Black Wind Mountain in your hands for now!”
Mo Fan nodded. The excitement he had felt upon obtaining the messaging talisman methods instantly turned heavy.
Just a single Three Saints Island contained so many hidden matters. He could scarcely imagine how many secrets the entire Nine Provinces Continent still held, or how many existences there were who could decide his life or death with a flick of their wrist!
“Bai Tian Tian is right. I really do need to become stronger as quickly as possible!”
Returning to his seclusion area, Mo Fan sat cross-legged on the ground. A demon core appeared in his hand.
“This is already the fifth demon core. Once I refine it, I will fully step into the mid-stage of the King realm!”
A gleam flashed in Mo Fan’s eyes as he immediately began refining the demon core.
Meanwhile, far out at sea, Mo Fan’s group on the ship finally caught sight of the harbour of Three Saints Island.
Countless vessels were coming and going at the harbour, presenting a scene of great prosperity. Mo Fan also noticed grey-robed cultivators moving through the crowds.
The style of those robes was identical to the cultivators Mo Fan had killed on the ferry. They belonged to the Su family!
Fortunately, Xia An and Xia Ning now wore special disguises.
During this time, Mo Fan had also taught them a qi-concealing technique, so the Su family cultivators at the harbour did not detect anything unusual.
Mo Fan had asked why they did not land elsewhere, only for Xia An to explain that landing anywhere else would be far more dangerous because the Su family had long since placed informants all around these waters.
The harbour was different. Although the Su family conducted checks there too, the constant flow of people meant inspections were not overly strict.
The most dangerous place is often the safest. That is what people mean by “darkness under the lamp”.
While undergoing inspection, Mo Fan noticed that the passing cultivators were clearly unhappy about the Su family searches, yet because of the Su family’s power, they could only fume in silence.
Just as the group of five completed their inspection and prepared to leave, a resounding voice suddenly rang out from afar, instantly echoing throughout the entire harbour.
“By order of the War King, all people and all vessels are forbidden to leave the harbour from this moment onward!”
“Anyone who forces their way out will be killed without mercy!!”
