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Chapter 117 Defector

……

The news that a vast number of demons existed in the western part of the continent, and that the teleportation array of the Sovereign Sect could instantly send people there, quickly spread throughout Chang'an City.

Almost daily, cultivators came to the manor to inquire about eligibility for participation and the activation time of the magic array. Upon learning that no sect's permission was required to slay demons, their excitement was palpable. However, Chen Xuan didn't send everyone who came. He erected a notice board outside the new house, outlining the necessary procedures for teleportation and providing a basic guide to demon slaying. In short, he sent people every three days, and those who arrived were required to immediately report to the Immortal Alliance Expeditionary Force, obey the Alliance's commands, and cooperate with allies to fight against the demons.

Anyway, he didn't specify which celestial phenomenon was suitable for teleportation, or how long each celestial phenomenon would last. Whether he would still be here in six months was another matter.

In fact, when the so-called teleportation array was activated again three days later, the number of cultivators who decided to try their luck in France reached as many as 120.

Under Xu Yuanqing's impetus, the Immortal Alliance also changed its previous wait-and-see attitude and began to actively promote the Great Expedition Plan in order to alleviate the increasingly serious resource contradictions within the sect. After all, as long as they went to the west, even the most mediocre cultivators would have a chance to kill demons—provided they could survive the battlefield.

In fact, at this point, Charles VII's commission had already been fulfilled.

Chen Xuan felt that even if he didn't do any further publicity, the news would eventually spread throughout all the factions in the Central Plains.

He began to focus more on finding the little guest's enemies.

Malena stood before him, her face bearing a solemn expression that said, "Whatever you need, just say the word, and I'll go through fire and water for you."

Ah... there's no need to be so serious. He actually quite liked the other person's skeptical expression at the beginning.

Chen Xuan took a sip of tea. "How's your learning going with Master Liu lately?"

"The main problem is the language barrier... Some things are hard to understand even with a translator's explanation. However, Master Liu said that I'm quite good at talisman techniques and have a certain talent for them."

Master Liu… Master Liu, right? Chen Xuan asked in surprise, “You can actually make talismans?”

Just as tasting hundreds of herbs is the core skill of herbalism, the core of talisman art is obviously talisman making. A talisman drawn by an excellent talisman master can be used as hard currency among cultivators. Chen Xuan carried several Wind Riding Talismans with him, and even a glance at the strange and complicated characters on them would make him sleepy.

How did a European witch learn these words when she had difficulty even communicating?
“Yes, for example, Master Liu said that these talismans I made are all of superior quality.” Marlena took out three talismans from her pouch and unfolded them in front of Chen Xuan.

The latter almost choked on the tea.

These yellow papers are clearly written in French!

The only common feature is that each letter is drawn in a flamboyant and exaggerated manner, overlapping and interweaving with each other, with a large number of twisted lines occupying almost every corner of the talisman paper.

One word to sum it up: scribbles!

It's more like an abstract painting than words.

"Uh... what kind of talisman is this?"

"An invisibility talisman. When I drew it, I imagined it to be omnipresent, like air. Master Liu said that words are the expression of intention, and the more precise the intention when drawing the talisman, the more spiritual energy is incorporated, and the better the talisman's effect will be," the witch explained earnestly.

Well... words are just a vehicle for expressing emotions, and they are not limited to a single format. It's just that I'm ignorant.

Since any kind of text is acceptable, what about simple pictures?
For example, if an artist specializing in human aesthetics creates a work with strong emotions and infuses it with spiritual power, can it also be used as a talisman?
Chen Xuan knew of a type of talisman called a puppet talisman, which summoned the creature on the talisman for cultivators to control.

He'd been thinking too far ahead, so he coughed twice. "Alright, since you've learned something, it's not in vain that you've been a disciple of this sect for so long. I heard from Jeanne that you're very good at finding people?"

Malena paused for a moment, then realized, "You're asking about tracking techniques, right?"

She whistled, and a moment later an owl fluttered down from upstairs and landed on her shoulder.

“It’s called Sinda. It’s both my eyes for keeping watch and a messenger. You can keep an eye on whoever you want by just letting it take a look.”

Chen Xuan looked up in surprise. "When did it run upstairs?" This was the main building of the manor, and he hadn't left the hall since he called Marlena over.

"Coo-coo meow." Sinda nuzzled her face.

“It says you forgot to close the window on the third floor,” Malena said. “I can also summon a ghost dog that is extremely sensitive to smells. If there is a scent feature, it will not lose track of you even if it is ten miles away.”

"I see," Chen Xuan thought to himself. So this is the search and tracking magic Joan of Arc was talking about? It's all too real! "What if they have no reliable information and are forced to search based solely on a portrait?"

“That won’t work.” Malena shook her head. “Your request is more like divination and prophecy… As far as I know, these two kinds of magic are more like rumors made up by fools to smear us.”

That makes sense.

But this also meant that his plan to find the murderer or Ah Jiu's master using magic was doomed. He had asked Ah Jiu several times if the other person had left any personal belongings, and the answer was always no. In addition, their house had been burned down, making it extremely unlikely that they would find any clues at the scene.

Chen Xuan could only wait for the Immortal Alliance to release the results of their investigation.

Five days later, the Grand Historian Hongli personally visited Chen Xuan.

"Sect Leader Chen, I sent a trusted confidant to Feng County to carefully check their fugitive records. I found that four sects reported this matter, and all of them occurred within the last six months. None of them are named Ji Yanshu." He said, handing over a list.

Ji Yanshu is the name of Master Ajiu.

Of course... it's possible that this is a fabricated pseudonym.

Chen Xuan quickly scanned the list. Of the four applications for the capture of traitorous disciples, three had already been marked with vermilion ink, proving that the disciples had been brought back. Their fate was entirely up to the sect. The remaining disciple was still at large, but judging from the description, he was only in his early twenties, which did not match Master Ajiu at all.

The other three's sect applications were mostly submitted two or three months ago, and the arrests were swift and decisive, with the defectors apprehended within days, which does not align with Ajiu's account.

Could it be that Master Ji is truly a rogue cultivator, and the attacks he receives from other cultivators are purely due to personal grudges?
Chen Xuan thought for a moment, then his gaze lingered on the "fleeing person".

What if we can't catch it?

"That person's name will remain in the Immortal Alliance's roster. Every year during the sect competition, sects from other regions will update their rosters to prevent the recruitment of traitorous cultivators as disciples," Hongli replied. "However, it's normal that we can't catch him. After all, the world is so vast; he could easily find a small town to live in seclusion. Small sects have limited manpower and won't expend too much energy on catching people. Reporting to the Immortal Alliance and ensuring that the traitor can never join another sect is enough punishment."

A thought flashed through Chen Xuan's mind: according to Ajiu, Ji Yanshu was injured in the mountains five years ago and was rescued by his parents.

"Does the Immortal Alliance still have the list from five years ago?" he asked.

"Yes, most of the important documents, letters and records since the founding of the Immortal Alliance are preserved in the Four Directions Study, and the list of cultivators is no exception."

A dynasty with a tradition of recording history is a good one, even if it can no longer be considered a legitimate feudal dynasty. Chen Xuan immediately cupped his hands and said, "I wonder if the Grand Historian could do me a favor?"

Hongli quickly returned the greeting, "Sect Leader Chen, you are too kind. As long as it is within my duty, please feel free to tell me."

"I want you to help me check the unsolved fugitive records from the past five years... that is, among those cultivators who are still on the run, is there anyone named Ji Yanshu?"

“Hmm…that’s not difficult. However, the sheer number of files is a problem; it might take some time to review them,” Hongli replied. “Sect Leader Chen, please rest assured, I will prioritize assigning personnel to complete this task.”

"Then I'll leave it to you," Chen Xuan said gratefully.

"Oh, by the way, the Governor also asked me to pass on a message to you," the Grand Historian said before leaving. "The Sect Competition is only fifteen days away. Five days before the competition begins, the Immortal Alliance will announce the competition details, and the relevant areas will be sealed off. Don't forget to submit your team list so that your sect disciples can prepare in advance."

So formal? It's like the imperial examination. Chen Xuan couldn't help but wonder, "Is the competition not just a duel in the arena?"

"Of course." The other party smiled. "With so many cultivators, it would take forever to spar with each one individually. So the Immortal Alliance usually arranges a team competition first to determine the top ten sects before starting the group competitions. The team competition usually starts from Chang'an City, and the city is even sealed off on the day of the competition, so cultivators from all over the country must enter the city in advance, otherwise they will miss this grand event."

(End of this chapter)