"Is there such a restriction? Only one day of efficacy?" Xie Lingyun showed a hint of disappointment upon hearing this.
Zhang Chen was silent; there was nothing he could do about it, unless his skill improved further, otherwise it seemed impossible to alter this rule.
"I still need to verify the effects of this talisman." Xie Lingyun placed the rune on her arm before immediately activating her cultivation technique.
As Xie Lingyun activated the technique, the next moment saw black smoke gathering around her: "Mere mortal ants, you cannot escape the fate I have set for you. You dared to use means to harm me; this ancestor decides not to show mercy to you..."
The Celestial Demon’s voice echoed, hauntingly unpredictable, filled with unspeakable terror, casting a shadow over one’s heart involuntarily.
But before the voice finished, the rune on Xie Lingyun’s arm flickered, shooting forth a Golden Light, impacting the unformed black smoke. A scream was heard as the black smoke was obliterated and dissipated by the light.
"It worked!" Xie Lingyun opened her eyes, filled with joy, her eyes reddened with excitement, tears welling up.
Heaven sees pity, for how much effort has she put into suppressing and combating this damned demon? Being haunted by the demon since childhood, unable to find peace day and night, constantly facing the threat of death. The oppression in Xie Lingyun’s heart is indescribable.
"Was the demon destroyed?" Zhang Chen inquired.
Xie Lingyun’s face turned serious upon hearing: "The demon resides within my mind, merging with it. Unless I die, and he loses his mental shelter, he remains Immortal. The Golden Light merely injured him, weakening his power."
Xie Lingyun spoke seriously; at this moment, the rune drawn by Zhang Chen turned into ash, drifting from Xie Lingyun’s sleeve.
"Immortal? Is there such an incredible method in the world?" Zhang Chen’s eyes were filled with disbelief.
"Previously, when the demon was weaker, my father once killed it using the Supreme Zen Method; however, the demon is Immortal, like weeds growing back despite fire burning them away, ready to reemerge soon. But later, as my cultivation improved, the demon’s power kept growing stronger, even forcing me to elevate my cultivation, seeking to possess and devour me." Xie Lingyun felt a bit sorrowful:
"Yet now, with your talisman aiding me, if I can suppress the demon for a while, it can grant me some time. Perhaps I can survive a bit longer."
Zhang Chen fell silent upon hearing, for the power working on the mind, even his Light of the True God was helpless. His Light of the True God was strong, but could only suppress the demon once it emerged. As for the demon’s hiding deep within the mind, that’s beyond Zhang Chen’s reach.
Zhang Chen worried that if he couldn’t fundamentally suppress the demon, once the demon recuperated, it would spell big trouble for him, for with his Light of the True God attempting to restrain the demon, the demon would surely not spare him, and between them, one must fall.
"Could you teach me your technique of Talisman Drawing? Whatever terms you have, feel free to state them. Wealth, treasures, anything you desire, I can provide all. I can even assure you enjoy a worry-free life for generations." Xie Lingyun gazed at Zhang Chen, hesitated briefly before asking.
She indeed knew it was somewhat coercive, yet there was no alternative the talisman only worked for a day; she couldn’t possibly have Zhang Chen accompany her everywhere could she? If Zhang Chen were to accidentally encounter misfortune someday, wouldn’t she also suffer?
Relying on Zhang Chen for her future was something Xie Lingyun couldn’t accept.
If she depended on Zhang Chen, wouldn’t she be subject to others’ control? That was unacceptable to her.
Zhang Chen replied hurriedly: "The noble lady favors my Talisman Drawing method; it’s my honor. As for wealth, please don’t mention that again. I find life in the mountains quite pleasant, free from worldly distractions; wealth and treasures are sources of trouble. I plan to stay in the mountains for life and never want to go down to meddle in worldly affairs."
Zhang Chen wasn’t a fool; does he care about wealth? With the Fox Spirit, he lacked no abundance of riches.
But Xie Lingyun, being Xie Xuan’s daughter, the leader of Northern Land’s Inspection and Supervision Department, if he could have Xie Lingyun owe him a favor, that would be ideal.
Xie Lingyun was taken aback by Zhang Chen’s response, utterly unexpected; she couldn’t have imagined Zhang Chen would respond like that, nor could she have predicted his character to be so noble, which made her feel somewhat shameful, believing her previous offer sullied the young man’s traits.
"If you want nothing, I don’t know how to repay you." Xie Lingyun was troubled upon hearing, aside from wealth, her only valuable possession was her acquired Visualization Technique, yet it was the Xie Family’s secret, beyond her authority to share.
However, while pondering, Xie Lingyun suddenly had an idea. The young man, having delved into the talisman ways, the Inspection and Supervision Department seems to have a few ancient texts about talismans. They’ve been gathering dust since being excavated from ancient tombs; after research by the department’s seniors, they deemed the so-called Qi Cultivation Technique and Talismanic Technique to be nonsense, thus receiving no attention.