Chapter 116: The Sinful Bone, Ancient Cultivation Secrets, and the Storage Pouch

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“How much are these talismans priced at?”

Soon, someone spoke up to inquire.

The others wore expressions of eager anticipation.

At this crucial moment before the upcoming adventure, the value of these spiritual talismans was magnified immensely.

Not to mention, even without this occasion, many had long considered purchasing some talismans as personal protection.

After all, these were simple to activate and cost almost nothing to use—who wouldn’t want such things?

“Thank you all, fellow cultivators, for your recognition of my talismans, and my gratitude also to Talisman Master Feng for setting aside his prejudices to vouch for me.

However, as I said earlier, I came here to exchange for a talisman of suppression.

Therefore, at present, I only wish to trade these talismans for one powerful suppressive artifact, and I must apologize for that,” Chen Yushu said with a slight bow.

Before this, he wouldn’t have minded selling these talismans outright.

But now, as he was about to take part in the “Corpse Rising” ritual and face unknown dangers, he naturally didn’t want to part with too many talismans.

Unless it was for a suppressive artifact.

A suppressive artifact was essential for opening his spiritual altar. Previously, he used the Soul Severing Ruler as his suppression talisman. While effective against malevolent ghosts and vengeful spirits, it was of limited significance to him.

After all, he already possessed the strength to handle such foes; an additional method of the same level, especially one that was time-consuming and taxing, was more of a burden than a boon.

Moreover, a suppressive artifact’s role was to restrain and control; it couldn’t be used freely.

If the Soul Severing Ruler was used as a suppressive talisman, he couldn’t wield it against enemies, which in a way would weaken his power.

But if he had another suppressive artifact, it would be entirely different.

The artifact would suppress evil, and if the opponent resisted, he could still use the ruler to slay them.

The two methods would complement each other perfectly.

“True suppressive treasures are exceedingly rare.

The demand is huge.

Any cultivator walking the Yin path would desire one.”

Seeing the silence that fell over the crowd, with no one speaking further, a hint of disappointment flashed across Chen Yushu’s eyes.

But he had anticipated this and could only accept it, nodding as he prepared to return to the crowd.

“Speaking of which, I do have an item that can serve as a suppressive artifact.

However, it’s somewhat special, and I fear you might hesitate to use it,” came a voice at that moment.

Chen Yushu looked over and saw it was the woman in the middle of the Three Heroes beneath the ridge.

“What item?” Chen Yushu asked.

“Sin Bone.”

The woman spoke plainly.

“Hm? Sin Bone?”

Chen Yushu was taken aback.

“Yes, a finger bone.

A jade-like finger bone.”

The woman flipped her hand, revealing a finger bone as white and translucent as jade for all to see.

“Sin Bone? The legendary bone of immortals?

It is said that ancient immortals caused the cataclysm that transformed the world and brought demons upon the land.

Hence, many call them sinners, ‘Sin Immortals.’

When they fell, it is said they were punished by heaven and earth, their souls dragged into the Underworld’s hells, suffering punishment and becoming malevolent spirits capable of wreaking havoc on the living.

Using relics of theirs, such as bones, risks allowing them to be summoned back from the Underworld to possess and seize control.

Even if one survives, the result is a wretched existence, neither fully human nor ghost.”

Those familiar with the matter hurriedly explained with fearful tones.

Sin Bones are naturally powerful and indeed among the best suppressive artifacts.

In earlier times, many Yin cultivators used them as prime suppressive talismans during rituals.

The ancient cultivators were overwhelmingly strong, wielding heavenly magic and invincible bodies, capable of blocking the sky with a single hand or traversing thousands of miles, and wielding spells that could kill or control the weather.

In many ways, ancient cultivators far surpassed modern Yin cultivators, who mainly refine the spirit.

Their bones were intertwined with their flesh and life force, naturally formidable.

Bones surviving thousands of years typically reflected their immense power in life, comparable to disaster-level or even catastrophe-level evil spirits.

Using their bones as suppressive artifacts often yielded excellent results.

However, Yin cultivators soon discovered that the more often these bones were used to suppress evil, the more the souls trapped in the Underworld’s eighteen hells could connect with the bones, eventually manifesting themselves.

When that happened, it spelled disaster for any Yin cultivator.

They would face the very disasters and catastrophes of ancient cultivators, now returned from hell.

Without a powerful protector, death was inevitable.

Thus, the legend of the “Sin Bone” spread, and cultivators conscientiously forbade their use as suppressive artifacts.

Some sects and the Suppression Bureau even issued bans.

Yet, secretly, many still used them.

Whether banned or not was the Bureau’s concern, but whether to use them was each cultivator’s own choice.

When facing powerful malevolent spirits, the choice was stark: don’t use the bone and die, or use it and have a chance.

Therefore, many high-level Yin cultivators secretly kept one or two Sin Bones for emergencies.

Rumor even had it that many within the Suppression Bureau themselves used Sin Bones as suppressive artifacts.

Hence, the bans gradually became mere formalities.

Of course, as time passed, Sin Bones grew ever rarer.

Outside, they were said to be impossible to find.

So when one of the Three Heroes presented a Sin Bone, the crowd was shocked.

Some even thought to seize it by force.

“Why hesitate? I’ll trade for this suppressive artifact,” Chen Yushu quickly agreed, though he didn’t fully grasp the implications of a Sin Bone.

“Jade-quality Sin Bones usually fetch around fifteen hundred taels in private trade.

This finger bone is small, so I’ll concede to a price of one thousand taels.

You can hand over talismans of equal value,” the woman said swiftly.

“Agreed!”

Chen Yushu nodded and then looked toward Talisman Master Feng.

“Senior Feng, you surely know the value of these talismans well.

Would you help me appraise them?

As thanks, I will gift you a Thunder Summoning Talisman.”

Feng’s refusal was about to spill from his lips but immediately turned into:

“I pride myself on helping others. Of course, no problem.”

He then carefully examined each talisman and said:

“Low-grade Calming Talismans use the most basic pleated paper and Yin Blood Ink but have reached low-grade quality. Each could be priced at ten taels.

Low-grade Ghost-Slaying Talismans are essential for Yin cultivators when traveling. The ordinary quality ones from Chaoyang Taoist Temple usually sell for fifteen taels.

This one could easily fetch twenty-three or twenty-four.

The Thunder Summoning Talisman is stronger than the Ghost-Slaying, capable of calling down lightning to slay ghosts. Worth about thirty taels each.

Lightness Talismans, as the name suggests, make one as light as a swallow and are always useful—fifteen taels each.

Lastly, the Spirit Summoning Talisman aids cultivation; it’s somewhat extravagant for daily use but invaluable during breakthroughs. Low-grade versions sell for at least twenty taels.”

Feng’s honest evaluation pleased the knowledgeable onlookers, some nodding silently.

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In the end, Chen Yushu and the woman agreed on twenty Ghost-Slaying Talismans and fifteen Thunder Summoning Talismans.

To make up the difference, he offered three each of Calming Talismans, Lightness Talismans, and Spirit Summoning Talismans.

Though there was a slight premium, Chen Yushu felt no loss.

Suppressive artifacts were hard to come by, especially Sin Bones.

Though risky, compared to the potential dangers, even if it yielded little, he was satisfied.

With the deal done, Chen Yushu stepped down, and several others approached to negotiate their needs.

One even presented a Taoist visualization method from the Yin path’s heritage.

Chen Yushu, however, already had the White Tiger visualization and was unwilling to switch.

The trading soon wound down.

At that moment, the organizer of this gathering, the Broad-Righteous Taoist, approached again.

“This exchange has concluded smoothly.

I believe most have obtained what they sought.

Thus, this gathering I organized is a success.

Now, I have a private request.

Within Jianghuan Town, there is a place I have my eye on.

But it harbors a troublesome malevolent spirit.

I, Broad-Righteous Taoist, consider myself capable but dare not act rashly against it.

Therefore, I invite fellow cultivators to join me in exorcising it.

As compensation, each participant will receive at least a hundred taels of silver.

Additionally, those interested in my Changchun Technique may copy some.

Also, any spoils from the exorcism will be shared fairly; I will not withhold a single cent.

If interested, please contact me privately afterward.”

Someone below couldn’t help but ask, “Which place do you have in mind, Senior?”

“That place I can tell you—it’s the Zuo Family Mansion!

To be candid, this mansion was once the home of a close friend.

But after a malevolent spirit invaded, it became a haunted house.

Returning to this old site, I cannot bear to see my friend’s home so disturbed.

Hence, I’ve decided to exorcise the spirit occupying the mansion.”

A trace of sorrow crossed the Broad-Righteous Taoist’s face, as if mourning his old friend.

Everyone present showed admiration.

Few would go to such lengths for a departed companion—spending money and effort to help cleanse their home.

Chen Yushu’s pupils contracted at the mention of the Zuo Family Mansion.

He had a deep impression of it, especially the occupant.

Since mastering his Qi-sensing technique, he had nearly confirmed through observation that the strongest presence he had ever sensed lived there.

Even the ghostly woman in the Tianyuan Mountain Spirit Den and the evil corpse he later encountered were far weaker.

So even though Chen Yushu considered his own strength considerable now, he had always marked that mansion as forbidden territory.

He would not approach it unless absolutely necessary.

Hearing the Broad-Righteous Taoist’s plan to target it, Chen Yushu was surprised but silently wished him well, not wanting to stir up trouble by getting involved.

Afterward, besides the exorcism proposal, others stepped forward to discuss the upcoming exploration of the century-old tomb.

Only then did Chen Yushu learn the government had scheduled the excavation for three days later.

The speaker was the shopkeeper of Duobao Merchant House in Qinghe County.

He openly stated that if anyone found anything valuable inside, they could bring it to the shop for sale, where they would offer fair and high prices.

With that, the Immortal Technique gathering officially adjourned.

Groups of Yin cultivators dispersed.

At this point, everyone’s expressions grew wary, subtly distancing themselves from others.

Chen Yushu and Shi Hao descended the stairs and exited the General’s Temple.

Outside, the stalls had long been taken down, and even the formation that blocked mortals had vanished without notice.

Upon leaving the gate, they saw a pavilion and various cultivators who had left earlier or hidden nearby.

Among Yin cultivators, there was never true harmony.

They often fought, killed, and seized treasures from one another.

Such a disorderly gathering, especially in such a remote place, was a perfect ambush spot in many eyes.

“Follow me.”

Chen Yushu took a few steps forward, furrowed his brow, then turned and headed in another direction.

A scarred man concealed in a corner narrowed his eyes, sensing misfortune—had he been discovered?

Yet he made no rash move.

Even if two fat targets escaped, there were still others to trap.

Who ended up the prey or the predator depended on skill.

Chen Yushu soon avoided another area and took a narrow path to the left.

“That place is so open, with the Long River beside it. Could there really be an ambush?” Shi Hao asked, still alert.

The path seemed flat, with a steep rock face on the left and the river on the right, hardly a place to hide people.

Moreover, this detour added almost the time of an incense stick to their journey.

“No.

Just two spirits lying dead.

If you want to help them fulfill their grudges, you can go that way,” Chen Yushu said, shaking his head.

“I’d better not,” Shi Hao quickly declined.

He was curious yet cautious.

Two dead spirits? He wasn’t reckless.

Fortunately, the journey went smoothly.

They parted near the pharmacy, and Chen Yushu headed home.

From afar, he saw the Zuo Family Mansion.

It was on the only route from the pharmacy to his home.

Though he avoided it when possible, daily life forced him to pass by.

Recalling Broad-Righteous Taoist’s proposal, Chen Yushu used his Qi-sensing technique again.

A raging surge of malevolent energy enveloped it.

Though other areas were calm, the mansion was shrouded in black mist and permeated by terror, extremely forbidding.

Even approaching it caused a palpable dread.

“An extreme Fire Evil Yin place.

No wonder it’s so vicious.

Broad-Righteous Taoist’s plan to draw it out won’t be easy,” Chen Yushu murmured and quickly passed, returning home.

“Finally done.

And safely back!”

Closing the door behind him, Chen Yushu breathed a long sigh of relief.

He was quite satisfied with this trade.

First, he had achieved his goal of exchanging for superior beast-skin talisman paper.

Though expensive, it was worth it to him.

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With his talisman crafting skills, he believed these sheets of beast-skin paper would soon become powerful talismans at his command.

“Besides, I obtained a Sin Bone.

An ancient cultivator’s finger bone.”

Chen Yushu couldn’t help but take the bone out from his bosom.

In fact, he had already used his Qi-sensing technique to examine it before acquiring it.

He clearly sensed a strong presence of malevolence within.

Not ordinary evil energy, but blood evil and vengeful evil, along with a kind of curse-like power—strange and formidable.

It was indeed an excellent suppressive artifact—if one disregarded the potential consequences.

Chen Yushu was naturally wary of those consequences.

But some things were just like that.

Facing powerful malevolent spirits, if you don’t use such artifacts, you die outright.

If you use them, at least you survive.

As for the aftermath?

“After I die, let the floodwaters come,” many thought.

Chen Yushu instinctively felt this item could be used, but sparingly.

Only in encounters with evil spirits of disaster-level or above.

“Also, from this gathering, I learned some news.

In three days, the government will dispatch forces to excavate the century-old tomb.

Many from the martial world will follow, either to fish in troubled waters or participate directly.

Everyone has their own agenda.

Additionally, there are some updates about the ancient cultivators…”

Chen Yushu pondered silently, curious about the ancient cultivator lineage.

Why were they called sinners and sin immortals?

Why did they seem damned, consigned to hell to suffer eternal torment upon death?

He thought long and hard, recalling records from the Tranquil Academy.

In the end, he shook his head helplessly.

The vast collection in the academy’s Wenchang Pavilion had very little information on the subject.

As if it had been deliberately erased.

“Perhaps it’s due to scarce records.

Or maybe those books are forbidden texts, deliberately suppressed?”

Chen Yushu wondered, but with so little data, he had no answer.

“Regardless, the techniques and relics left behind by ancient cultivators are precious treasures, coveted and fought over by countless martial artists and Yin cultivators.

Take, for instance, the Spirit Stone Shi Hao brought out.

It’s said to be the power source of ancient cultivators.

Even ordinary Yin cultivators or martial artists can use it to enhance their strength.

But such stones are increasingly rare, almost disappearing with each use.

Besides that, there are storage pouches…”

Chen Yushu’s thoughts flickered.

Storage pouches existed in this world.

They were relics from ancient cultivators.

Unfortunately, they were extremely rare and exorbitantly priced.

Only high-level Yin cultivators or those who had reached profound levels in martial cultivation, with mastery over the Dao of Martial Arts, might possess one.

As for now, he had only heard of them, never seen one.

“Also, there will likely be disputes in the Zuo Family Mansion.

So for now, it’s best to stay home and avoid going out.

Tell Xiao Yin not to go out either.

As for Xiao Hong’s invitations, have Xiao Yin refuse a few times; she’ll probably stop coming.”

Chen Yushu did not want Xiao Yin to take risks.

Knowing the dangers in the mansion, he certainly didn’t want Xiao Hong coming over to disturb her, nor did he want Xiao Yin to go out seeking her.

…

“As expected.

After switching from pleated paper to beast-skin talisman paper,

The Golden Armor Talisman no longer shattered under spiritual energy as before.

This one succeeded in a single attempt.

The spiritual energy is restrained yet contains profound mysteries.

It’s done!”

Chen Yushu sat in his study, drawing talismans.

Soon, he looked at one in his hand with a joyful expression.

To ensure accuracy, he quickly made a second Golden Armor Talisman.

A smile finally spread across his face.

He knew the limitation that had long plagued his talisman crafting was overcome with the new beast-skin paper.

Then, he turned his attention to the two talismans he had yet to master: the Ice Arrow Talisman and the Armor Talisman.

Both were increasingly difficult to draw.

Ordinary pleated paper could never bear the complexity.

Now, with the new beast-skin paper, he was eager to try drawing these as well.

Especially the Armor Talisman.

He had long yearned to master it.

Armor talismans served as protective wards—standard for high-level Yin cultivators and also useful during altar openings.

Having such golden armor by his side would not only intimidate ghosts but also demons and humans alike.

At a command, the armor would deploy, an awe-inspiring sight just to imagine.

He soon immersed himself in drawing on the beast-skin talisman paper.

Though seemingly rough, the paper’s surface where the talisman was drawn was surprisingly smooth.

The brush moved without resistance, in fact, very smoothly.

However, the Ice Arrow Talisman still failed.

Its rune structure was too complex—thirty-three symbols in total.

Its difficulty far exceeded that of the Golden Armor Talisman.

One attempt, two, three...

After the fifth try,

Chen Yushu felt a smoothness in his hand, as if aided by divine force.

The entire talisman was drawn in one continuous flow.

Whoosh!

In the void, spiritual energy rippled.

Chen Yushu sensed a force being poured into the talisman.

Then, the talisman trembled slightly before settling.

It was complete!

“Ice Arrow Talisman successfully drawn.”

A faint smile appeared on Chen Yushu’s face.

He looked at the attribute panel and indeed saw the “Ice Arrow Talisman: Entry Level” listed.