Immortality begins with meditation puppets

Chapter 294: The Dark Magic Appearance, the Sun and the Golden Crow!
On the Dragon and Tiger Arena.

Shi Zhifang held the Soul Refining Banner in his left hand and the Talisman Seal in his right.

Although his appearance is not particularly outstanding, he has a three-colored crimson cloud on his head and holds the treasured Soul Banner in his hand. He is both powerful and wealthy. When he stands on the stage, everyone will call him a handsome and talented man!
As the future sect leader destined to inherit the position of sect leader of the Desire Demon Sect, he is a top-tier second-generation sect leader.

Although he couldn't win over the witch, he had a lot of admirers.

As soon as he appeared, the elders and disciples of the Desire Demon Sect began to speak.

"He is not only a third-grade Netherworld Demon Pill, but also a third-level spirit pattern master. The spirit patterns on his body were all tattooed by himself, stitch by stitch, while looking at himself in a water mirror. He should be able to shine brightly on this arena!"

"With Elder Shi's status, family background, and the fact that he even tattoos himself, if he's not impressive, who is?"

"Who is the hero? None other than Elder Master!"

"My master is amazing! I'd like to see who dares to challenge him to a duel!"

"Our sect's young master has taken to the stage to display his power. Anyone who dares to step onto the stage, regardless of victory or defeat, is an enemy of our Desire Demon Sect, and we will surely kill their entire family!"

"Yes, kill them without hesitation!"

"I might say that normally, but I wouldn't dare say it today. Putting aside others, just the fact that Huang Song is on the stage makes it quite difficult for my Demon Sect to kill his entire Huang family."

The disciples of the Desire Demon Sect are not particularly skilled at flattery, and their skill in flattering others is no better than that of the person they are flattering, Shi Zhifang.

After listening for a few sentences, Su Qing lost interest. No wonder Shi Zhifang wasn't as good at flattering witches as he was. How could his sycophants compare to the performance of Liang Haishun, Pang Feifan, and others during his battles? If his sycophants weren't up to par, how could his sycophantic skills improve under their influence?

Just as he was lamenting that the great cultivators were not as good at talking and flattering as the rogue cultivators, the witch suddenly released a group of golden and iron beasts.

"Those Dream Eater, the Light Bird, and other puppets are specifically designed to target the Joyful Old Demon, so they are not easily exposed for the time being. As for puppets, this is all the assistance I can offer you, Fellow Daoist."

This Starfall Hairpin is imprinted with fourth-order star runes and fourth-order immortal runes. It should be of great use on the arena. The same goes for the Moon Invitation Ring. Although it is difficult for you, fellow Daoist, to refine this third-order spiritual treasure, simply activating the power of the runes within it should still have some effect.

Besides these, Yun'er also has some talismans and rare treasures, which she will give to you, fellow Daoist. If you want a robe, do you prefer? Yun'er also has a third-tier robe; although it's a female cultivator's style, the size is flexible, and it will fit you well and be useful.”

Liu Yun'er took out all sorts of good things without caring whether others could handle them.

At least Shi Zhifang, who was enjoying the fawning of his admirers on the arena, couldn't stand it. Seeing the fierce way he gripped the Soul Refining Banner, Su Qing was afraid that he would go down from the arena and fight the tiger.

"Enough, enough! This humble Daoist hasn't even taken the stage yet! Fellow Daoist Yun'er has so many fine items, why didn't you give some to Fellow Daoist Master earlier!"

Su Qing tried his best to defend the witch. He didn't plan to stay in the Desire Demon Immortal Kingdom for long, but the witch wanted to develop in this sect for a long time. Logically and emotionally, it was best not to offend Shi Zhifang, the future sect leader.

"He has no relation to Yun'er, and Elder Shi is favored by the sect leader." The witch rolled her eyes at Su Qing, implying that Su Qing's relationship with her was unusual, and since Su Qing had no one to care for him, she would.

When it comes to licking, the witch knows better!
Su Qing was deeply moved upon hearing this, and swept all the items she had taken out into her storage bag.

The disciples of the Desire Demon Sect were filled with envy and jealousy. They all said that their senior sister was kind-hearted and benevolent even to spirit beasts, and wished they could take her place and be her dogs.

Seeing this scene, Shi Zhifang on the arena really wanted to come down and kill that unruly Tiger King on the spot. He didn't want his father, the sect leader, to love him, but he also wanted his fellow Daoist Yun'er to love him!

But a single glance from his father and master made him feel rooted to the spot, forced to stand on the arena and wait for the cultivators to come up and fight.

No matter who comes on stage, I will swiftly and decisively defeat them, so that Yun'er will know that a true strong person does not need to rely on others to stand tall and upright.

As Master Yu pondered how to kill his opponent and how to approach Yun'er with the talismanic inheritance, he was lost in thought.

On the arena, a beam of blue light appeared, revealing Huang Song, a top second-generation immortal from the Western Sea, who was waving a feather fan and was even more dashing than his master, Fang.

"This humble Daoist greets Fellow Daoist Master, and wishes to learn your profound skills. Please do not hold back later!"

Of all the people I hate in my life, the first is tiger-faced men, and the second is this pretty boy!
Shi Zhifang, who was ugly like his father but not beautiful like his mother, felt a surge of anger whenever he saw Huang Song's handsome face.

Of course, his anger stemmed even more from the fact that this fiend had previously joined forces with the Joyful Old Demon to kill several of his elders and disciples from the Desire Demon Sect.

"Master, may we begin?"

After taking the stage, Shi Zhifang, who had been harboring several waves of anger, ignored Huang Song and turned to ask Jade Wall Immortal.

“Talented people have emerged in the cultivation world. This True Man has not appeared in the world for thousands of years. Today, as soon as I appeared, I was able to meet two outstanding talents of the future who have condensed the third grade of Golden Core. With the abilities of the two fellow Daoists, they should be able to win the approval of the Myriad Manifestations Talisman.”

Now that you two have stepped onto the arena, the start time is entirely up to you. I will not interfere with anything that happens on this Dragon Tiger Talisman arena. You need not worry about me; just do as you please!

Master Yu Bi stood with his hands behind his back and spoke in a deep voice.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Shi Zhifang, seeking revenge for his grudges, roared angrily, burst open his robes, revealing the spiritual patterns on his body.

This was intentional on his part. These spirit patterns were all third or fourth tier spirit patterns. Without a sufficiently strong physique and a divine soul far surpassing that of ordinary cultivators, one simply could not control them.

Even though his master was exceptionally talented and a third-tier spirit rune master, he still needed his father, the sect leader's, help to successfully imprint the fourth-tier Soul Demon Rune and Blood Spirit Rune.

Such a powerful physique should surely catch Fellow Daoist Yun'er's eye and win her heart. You should know that although the Tiger King is mighty, he is still not as mighty as I am!
"The body and hair are the foundation of a cultivator. Having spiritual patterns on one's body may damage the physical foundation. Fellow Daoist Su, please don't follow his example and tattoo these strange things on your body!"

Liu Yun'er's eyes lit up, and after that, she gently instructed Su Qing.

Su Qing nodded in agreement. Leng Fengxiang's tattoo, which resembled an evil spirit, had already served as a sufficient warning to him. Besides, the tattoos he had on his body were Dao patterns. Only an ugly thing like Shi Zhifang would carelessly brand such low-end items as spirit patterns onto his body.

Although ugly, its power should not be underestimated.

On the arena, a spiritual pattern appeared on Shi Zhifang's body, which then caused the Myriad Manifestations Talisman to emit its light.

Clearly, he gained the approval of the Myriad Manifestations Talisman with a single move.

Su Qing stared intently at it.

It was observed that, apart from the four-tier Soul Demon and Blood Spirit runes, the light of the Myriad Manifestations Talisman also enhanced the other runes below the fourth tier, with only the third-tier Living Gold rune receiving its power.

"Only fourth-tier runes, or third-grade and above runes, will be recognized by the Myriad Manifestations Talisman Paper!"

Su Qing muttered to himself, his eyes fixed on the fierce battle on the arena.

He will definitely go on stage to compete for the inheritance of the talismanic arts. Right now, it's always good to watch the duel between these two, see through their opponents' strengths and weaknesses, and understand the ins and outs of this Myriad Manifestations Talisman Paper.

With the spirit runes on his body, and the three major runes of Soul Demon, Blood Spirit, and Living Gold further enhanced by the Myriad Manifestations Rune, he possesses a powerful spiritual presence.

Shi Zhifang's appearance changed dramatically, and the Soul Demon Spirit Pattern granted him the ability to protect himself with a hundred demons. The hundred demons surrounded his body, making him both offensive and defensive.

The Blood Spirit Rune grants him the power to unleash his full potential through burning blood, transforming droplets of blood into spirits, and also grants him exceptional regenerative abilities.

The Living Gold Rune coats its body with a layer of dark gold spiritual light, seemingly transforming it into a metallic spirit. It possesses both the defensive capabilities of a spirit and the ability to amplify the destructive power of various Taoist techniques.

Besides the spiritual patterns on his body, the Soul Refining Banner and the Talisman Seal in his hands are also extraordinary. Although they have not yet shown their power, neither Huang Song on the arena nor the cultivators watching below the arena dare to underestimate them.

"Demon Cloud Sea!"

Shi Zhifang shouted, and the Soul Banner in his hand waved. A fourth-order demonic rune flashed by, and then demonic clouds rose from the banner, instantly enveloping the arena in demonic clouds.

Within this demonic cloud, all demonic techniques employed will be amplified, making it the most common Daoist art used by cultivators of the Desire Demon Sect in battle. Huang Song, however, remained motionless within the demonic cloud, his feather fan waving without generating any wind, yet emitting countless points of azure light.

Where the blue light passed, the demonic clouds vanished, which only fueled Shi Zhifang's anger. He shook the soul banner several more times, but Huang Song easily extinguished it each time, and only then did he have no choice but to calm down.

"The Yaoguang Fan has third-grade, fourth-level Sun Runes on it, which have the power to cleanse the universe and eliminate evil. Fellow Daoist Su may be able to use the Moon Essence Runes in the Inviting Moon Ring to counter it when you encounter it later."

The witch, who came from the Liu family of Penglai, was knowledgeable and experienced. She hated the Huang family to the bone and was also very familiar with the family's various methods. Fearing that Su Qing would suffer a loss when she went on stage, she took advantage of the moment when Shi Zhifang was being beaten to explain everything to Su Qing.

Without the cover of the demonic cloud, the demonic cultivators' many sneaky and underhanded methods could no longer be used. However, Shi Zhifang was no ordinary demonic cultivator. He raised the soul banner again, summoning two Golden Core Soul Demons and leading more than twenty Foundation Establishment Soul Demons. With overwhelming demonic power, the shadowy figures charged towards Huang Song.

At the same time, he used the power of the Soul Banner to accelerate the condensation of his Daoist arts, and demonic smoke rose from his body, and blood light shone brightly.

In an instant, a blood-red, gold-stained demonic handprint appeared above his head.

"The Demonic Light Great Handprint, a low-grade Earth-level Dao technique, is enhanced by the Blood Spirit Rune and Living Gold Rune on its body, transforming from illusory to real, making its attack even more powerful. It can contend with a third-tier body cultivator, but its energy consumption is far lower than that of a third-tier body cultivator. Its power has already reached the level of a mid-grade Earth-level Dao technique!"

Although she didn't think Shi Zhifang could defeat Huang Song, and didn't believe he had a chance to fight Su Qing, Liu Yun'er still casually commented on Shi Zhifang's method just in case.

Su Qing nodded upon hearing this. This Demonic Light Handprint should be an advanced version of the Xuanhuang Handprint that he had once tried to obtain from the witch but then abandoned. It was a pity that the witch was not interested in this, otherwise, once she cultivated it to the Earth level, he could have obtained it and used it.

On the arena, the Soul Banner Demon used by Shi Zhifang to confuse the enemy's spells was easily blocked by the Golden Guard General and his team of Golden Guards sent by Huang Song.

Su Qing had already heard the witch tell him the secrets of creating such puppets.

General Jinwu is a third-order immortal-type sun-shaped puppet, crafted with fourth-order immortal runes as the ruler, fourth-order sun runes as the ministers, and third-order living gold, third-order materials, and second-order biomimetic runes as assistants.

This puppet can perform Taoist arts and use supernatural powers. Every move it makes carries the power of the sun, and it has a certain restraining effect on evil spirits and demons.

The Golden Guards were merely a lower-end version of the Golden Guard General. All their rune materials were a grade inferior to those of the Golden Guard General, but their golden armor shone brightly, and their hands were stained with gold and gleamed. When they gathered together, under the leadership of the Golden Guard General, they slaughtered the Soul Ghosts, who howled like ghosts and were powerless to resist.

However, Shi Zhifang already knew that Huang Song, with his Golden Guard General and Golden Guards, could suppress the ghosts nurtured by his Soul Banner. So he was not angry about this setback. He focused his mind and struck down the Demonic Light Handprint, intending to cover the sky with one hand and end this battle.

That demonic handprint was like Mount Tai pressing down, or a divine palm strike. The palm print encompassed the entire arena, giving Huang Song no room to dodge or move, leaving him no choice but to face the power of the palm directly.

After taking the stage, Huang Song, who had been calm and collected, suddenly became serious.

He put away the fan and then took out a third-tier fire-gold beast shrouded in flames from his storage bag.

He secretly activated his magic, and spiritual light shot out from his hand, landing directly on the fire crow. In an instant, spiritual patterns flickered on the fire crow's body, and radiant light rose. Its crow feathers all fell off and were plated with gold. Another foot grew from its body, and the three feet treading on fire rushed straight towards the demonic light handprint that was coming down in front of it.

"The Fire Golden Crow is a third-tier spirit beast. The Huang family used their inherited secret techniques to imprint fourth-tier Sunburst Runes and fourth-tier Burning Sun Runes on its body, transforming it into a rune spirit beast that can use the power of runes."

Even with the runes on its body being recognized and empowered by the Myriad Manifestations Talisman, the Fire Golden Raven itself would still struggle to withstand the Demonic Light Handprint.

However, if combined with the Huang family's superior-grade earth-level Dao technique—the Golden Crow of the Sun—and this Dao technique is used to empower the Fire Golden Crow, transforming it into the Golden Crow of the Sun, then this demonic light handprint can be easily broken.

"Fellow Daoist Su, do not fear this method. The Fire Golden Crow cannot withstand the power of the Sun Crow. Once used, it needs to be nurtured with secret methods for a hundred years before it can be used again. Even though Huang Song holds a high position in the Huang family, he may not have many Fire Golden Crows on him for casting spells!"

According to Liu Yun'er, after Huang Song sacrificed one of his Fire Golden Crow abilities to create the Sun Golden Crow technique, the Demonic Light Handprint that his master relied on to win was now extremely fragile.

Indeed, the golden crow rose from below, bursting forth with flames, its great sun shining brightly, and the fire that burned the heavens.

The demonic light vanished, the eerie shadows burned, and the hand seals were broken—all in one swift motion.

With the Demonic Light Handprint broken, Shi Zhifang was forced to retreat several steps. He felt a sweet taste in his throat, and a mouthful of hot blood was about to be spat out, but he swallowed it back down, showing his toughness.

By this time, he understood that Huang Song's methods were quite effective against the Taoist arts and spiritual objects of his Desire Demon Sect.

Although he was upright and did not seek help from outsiders, since he could not defeat him with his own methods, he still had to use his father's affection. Even if it was humiliating, it was better than being knocked off the stage and suffering the humiliation of defeat.

The talisman seal in his hand, which was covered with many runes and veins, lit up with talisman light. In an instant, hundreds of runes and thousands of points of talisman light surged out from the talisman seal.

This Talisman Seal is a third-tier magic weapon from the Talisman Dao Sect in the past. It can generate the power of runes to fight enemies. If it is used in conjunction with the Talisman Dao Sect's successor to use the Talisman Generates Myriad Manifestations Technique, its power and effect are comparable to a fourth-tier spiritual treasure.

Although the Demon Sect was more eager than anyone else to seize the treasures left behind by the Talisman Dao Sect, they had little interest in the Talisman Genesis Technique and could not unleash its full power. However, on the Dragon and Tiger Talisman Battle Platform, where talismans were the source of power, activating this treasure would still provide an extra boost.

Just as his father, the sect leader, had predicted, as soon as this talisman seal was created, the Myriad Manifestations Talisman Paper on the arena shot out a thicker and more abundant spiritual light than the previous one projected onto the fourth-order talisman, thus empowering the seal.

As a result, the runes formed by this seal all have greatly increased power.

But then one could see three-tiered bionic runes, transforming into dragons and tigers, charging and killing their opponents.

It contains a third-tier Spring Wood rune, radiating verdant vitality and aiding in healing and recovery.

It has a third-tier Mother River rune, which generates a water dragon for protection and allows water-drowning beasts to kill enemies.

It possesses three levels of living gold runes, which cloak it in armor, and also condense into golden swords and spears, with countless blades.

······
Without him needing to inject much magic power, this talisman itself unleashed a barrage of attacks towards Huang Song.

Upon seeing this, Huang Song's face turned cold. Seeing how unscrupulous he was, using the treasure of the former Fu Dao Sect to cheat, he immediately became unkind and auctioned off the fourth-tier Juchao House.

"Although this object is a spiritual object, it is comparable to a mobile immortal city. It is equipped with arrays inside and out, and contains many magical artifacts and puppets. If there is a large-scale battle in the Western Sea, the cultivators of Penglai Sect will use this house to kill evil monsters and destroy enemy cultivators. They rarely suffer defeat!"

Even when Liu Yun'er saw the Golden Crow of the Sun appear, she remained unmoved, but when she saw this Nest House, her expression changed.

Her expression changed, and Su Qing's expression changed accordingly.

According to Liu Yun'er, this Nest House was created by a fourth-level weapon refiner in collaboration with several third-level professionals, who spent a massive amount of spiritual treasures and materials to produce a fourth-level spiritual item.

Such treasures are not something that just anyone can possess, even though Penglai Immortal Realm is the overlord of the Western Sea, with abundant talent and resources.

At least back then, the Liu family only had two houses. The Huang family was more powerful and wealthier than the Liu family, but they still didn't have many houses for them to use. Huang Song brought one, and he was essentially a celestial city by himself, making him extremely difficult to deal with.

They all found it difficult to understand from the audience, and Shi Zhifang on stage found it even more difficult, his teeth aching from chewing.

The talisman is indeed extraordinary; it generates myriad paths and moves without being urged.

But after Huang Song hid in the nest house, there was a fourth-order array protecting the outside of the nest house, and inside there were holes from which came out rows of magic cannons and crossbows, as well as talismans, with talisman paper emanating from inside.

After a barrage of magical cannon fire and a flurry of exploding talismans, the magical cannon fire and talismans not only easily dispelled the runic aura evolved from the talisman seal, but also relentlessly pursued him.

His master was not a cowardly or timid person. Even when suppressed by the nest house, he still managed to activate the golden core within his body.

He summoned a dark magical form, its body shrouded in black clouds, resembling the malevolent form of an ancient evil god returning to the world. A wicked dragon coiled around its arm, and it held a Soul Refining Banner. With a wave of the banner, it could summon the power of the Nine Netherworlds, causing a dramatic change in the celestial phenomena over a hundred miles, seemingly possessing the power to alter the very heavens and earth.

With the Dharma Image activating the Soul Refining Banner, the banner's power greatly increased. After only a short while of waving, the magic cannon puppets and talismanic paintings attacking from within Ju'an Nest were all absorbed into the Soul Banner, unable to harm the master in the slightest.

Shi Zhifang rarely took a hard line like this.

But it only lasted for a short while.

(End of this chapter)