Chapter 352: There Be Bulls!
“Alright, next up we head to the altar. We’ll get ourselves some summoning talisman seals there, so we can totally blend in! Just like that!”
Senior Sister Qing Luan told Yun Zhonghe that simply putting a contract mark on Chen Leling wasn’t quite enough; he needed to get himself a summoning talisman seal as well to make things foolproof.
The summoning mark and summoning talisman seal were like two puzzle pieces that had to fit together. Only when they matched could they confirm their bond, and both were essential.
While everyone usually didn’t check whether cultivators and spirit pets were bonded or not, since they were going incognito, they had to nail it perfectly.
But the summoning talisman seal had to be real—faking one of these was no joke. Because summoning talisman seals were actual copies imprinted directly from the ancestral talismans!
“Ancestral talismans… I think I heard about these somewhere…”
Yun Zhonghe furrowed his brows, trying to remember where. The term seemed so common in various web novels that his brain went blank, forgetting if it had any significance in this world.
At this point, Tao Jiu’er chimed in: “Ancestral talismans come from the complete essence of a fallen Dao-Integration Supreme. When their body integrates with profound pathways, there’s a chance those will condense into ancestral talismans. They hold powerful pathway forces and are completely independent of heaven’s will. And because the supreme has fallen, anyone can control an ancestral talisman.”
Tao Jiu’er knew everything, even having tutored Yun Zhonghe during his childhood.
Yun Zhonghe then smacked his palm in realization, “So that’s how it is!”
He couldn’t help but feel foolish. In games, the concept of ancestral talismans existed, but the gameplay never involved such powers, so he hadn’t given them much thought.
Tao Jiu’er glared at him, hands on her hips, “What do you mean ‘So that’s how it is’? Didn’t I teach you already when you were eight? How could you forget?”
Yun Zhonghe made a strangled noise.
Was she really this precise? Remembering every little detail so vividly?
Tao Jiu’er pouted, “Of course, I remember every single day we were together.”
Yun Zhonghe broke into a cold sweat.
It looked like ancestral talismans were basically powerhouse-level stuff. Unmatched. Even more potent than divine artifacts.
The type of ancestral talismans corresponded to which path the Dao-Integration Supreme had mastered. If someone who fused with the summoning pathway perished, they might drop a summoning ancestral talisman.
Xia Linglong also added, “One reason why the Xuantian Sect became one of the ten great immortal sects and the top on the Eastern Continent is its two dozen Transformation-stage experts and divine artifacts. But two ancestral talismans are what really set them apart.”
The Xuantian Sect had two ancestral talismans: the summoning ancestral talisman and the Heavenly Origin Ancestor Talisman.
The summoning ancestral talisman could keep creating summoning talisman seals indefinitely. No more need for cultivators to spend time and effort on them, which greatly boosted the efficiency of spirit pet masters.
Creating summoning talisman seals wasn’t any easier than mastering spell techniques or swordplay. In fact, it might even be more tedious. Hence, spirit pet masters formed their own schools.
With a summoning ancestral talisman, spirit pet masters could conserve time and effort while granting cultivation-less people the ability to wield spirit pets, practically like having an extra pair of hands.
But unless they specialized in spirit pet cultivation, the spirits summoned usually weren’t too strong—they mostly served as support.
Just like Xia Linglong’s own spirit pet, a spirit horse, sometimes she’d summon it for travel when she couldn’t use her spirit boat or fly by sword.
Most non-specialist cultivators only got spirit pets for transportation.
Onwards to the Heavenly Origin Ancestor Talisman.
This could create secret realms for cultivation, constantly supplying pure spiritual energy—the primary reason the Xuantian Sect’s energy was so abundant. It also connects to the Four Beasts Secret Realm, providing continuous energy supply, or else ancient divine beasts might have been drained out long ago.
Essentially, all existing ancestral talismans were in the hands of the ten great immortal sects and the Immortal Alliance.
Why else would they be so powerful?
Alas, nowadays, you hardly hear any news about Dao-Integration Supremes. Ever since the founding of the Immortal Alliance a century ago, they vanished without a trace, and no new ones have emerged.
So existing ancestral talismans are all unique.
While chatting about these topics, they headed toward the Beast Tamer Peak’s altar.
Yun Zhonghe just listened. Ancestral talismans felt so distant, unrelated to their stories.
Astonishment swept through him as a rugged stone tower came into view.
The tower held the summoning ancestral talisman. The guarding force?
That’s right, a bunch of minotaurs!
No way, real minotaurs—heads like bulls and bodies like people!
Qing Luan immediately greeted them.
The intimidating minotaur before them transformed into a joyful presence seeing her, “Oh, hello Xiao Luan! What brings you here today?”
Yun Zhonghe was shocked. A talking minotaur?!
Qing Luan laughed sheepishly, “Uncle Niu Da, Uncle Niu Er, Uncle Niu San! Good day!”
Huh? Who named these guys? So casually?
“Cow”-related names aplenty.
Qing Luan: “And Elder Brother Cow Gaidan, Elder Brother Cow Tiezhu, Elder Brother Cow Tie Dan!”
Yun Zhonghe nearly choked.
“Haha! Welcome!” chuckled the minotaurs.
Wearing robes yet towering three meters tall, muscles bulging like bricks, Qing Luan barely reached their waist.
As a fan of pure relationships, Yun Zhonghe naturally felt slightly awkward. But business was business.
Qing Luan remained calm, probably accustomed to this. Xia Linglong said the minotaurs were all the Beast Tamer Peak’s master’s spirit pets.
Yun Zhonghe could only marvel. Normally, one would only bond with one spirit pet. Signing up a herd? Feasible?
Xia Linglong smiled, “The peak master is a formidable Transformation-stage cultivator. In terms of raw spiritual energy, perhaps even surpassing the sect master!”
Such formidable energy… her talent in that area might rival Mu Jixue’s.
Yet Yun Zhonghe saw strategic foresight in this. All these minotaurs had achieved the Yuan Ying stage, with at least one at the Transformation stage—physically robust.
Spellcasters feared melee, especially with higher cultivation levels making the difference starker. High-ranking cultivators needed protection, and these minotaurs were perfect for defense.
Facing a strong enemy, deploying the minotaurs first then taking it easy in the back would be the plan B.
Wrestling with a bull? Even a physical cultivator would hesitate.
Qing Luan acquainted herself with the minotaurs, explaining their purpose eventually.
Instantly, all eyes fell on Yun Zhonghe.
“Ah, an Outer Gate Disciple seeking summoning talisman seals?” suspicious glances swiveled.
By Xuantian rules, any sect disciple could obtain them gratis, though Outer Gate Disciples rarely took advantage due to the costs, their own cultivation often lagging. Not to mention, dedicating spiritual energy to a spirit pet drained them further.
“Ah? Could this be the spirit beast they plan to bring under bond?”
Niu Er, dubbed by Qing Luan, scrutinized Chen Leling.
Chaos ensued.
Bad. They might recognize Chen’s disguise!
Yun Zhonghe’s heart raced. Niu Er’s intense gaze made him tense.
Awkward.
Yet relief washed over them when Niu Er nodded, “Cursed Eyed Bull?”
This massive cow was undoubtedly their own kind.
Only a cursed-eyed bull could be this large!
Yun Zhonghe suppressed a chuckle, “Yes, a cursed-eyed bull.”
Niu Er rubbed his chin, “Well, good luck! Cursed-eyed bulls start off as golden core stage. With her already in yuan Ying stage, can you handle it?”
Qing Luan interjected, “Our Junior Brother is quite taken with my student. So no summoning talisman seals are needed; just a simple first-tier seal for binding will do.”
Summoning talisman seals could forcibly recruit spirit beasts. However, the seal’s quality must match or exceed the beast’s to tame it. Capturing yuan Ying stage spirit beasts required at least fourth-tier seals.
If they willingly bonded, even lower-tiers could suffice.
Understanding that they only intended a basic bond, the minotaurs assented, letting them into the stone tower.
Lead by Uncle Niu Da, they approached a multilayered tower. This structure had safeguarded the Xuantian Sect for centuries—it was one of its lifelines.
