020: Second Batch of Talisman
Chapter 020: Second Batch of Talisman
The week passed by peacefully like someone's death didn't happen.
There are many things happening in Azar that her short episode is quickly forgotten by the majority, though some people started to pay more attention to her.
The second batch of talisman for the Town Lord was finished and the same Town Guard came to fetch them. No unnecessary words were needed, and the transaction was completed.
Zemirah received her payment for the week and happily swept her spiritual consciousness inside the space bag. She saw that there were four beautiful ornament artifacts inside.
[Orange Sun Fruit Hairpiece], an Uncommon-Quality Low-Stage Grade 1 ornament artifact.
Details: a hairpiece made with the rare Orange Sun Fruit, a fruit known for its skin nourishing effect. The artifact preserved the fruit and amplified its effect.
[Golden Snake Eye Necklace], an Outstanding-Quality Mid-Stage Grade 1 ornament artifact.
Details: a necklace artifact made from the eyes of a Golden Eyes Snake known for its treacherous nature and skill. The artifact can release a [Gold Piece Gaze] attack in the mid-stage Energy Refinement realm.
[Forest Warm Jade Pendant], an Uncommon-Quality Late-Stage Grade 1 ornament artifact.
Details: a pendant made of Forest Warm Jade that can only be found deep in the forest of Jade Light Forest. The jade is known for allowing the user to sense incoming danger, the effect is enhanced in the forest.
[Prison Cold Pearl Bracelet], an Uncommon-Quality Late-Stage Grade 1 ornament artifact.
Details: a bracelet artifact that has the function of imprisoning a person below the Peak-Stage of Energy Refinement realm. It has a special function of torturing the prisoner in deep cold.
Zemirah was satisfied with the reward given by the Town Lord this time. Especially the last two artifacts, the [Forest Warm Jade Pendant] and [Prison Cold Pearl Bracelet].
One can help the owner to perceive danger, it can be of great help so that the owner won't be surprised at the attack.
Then the last can be used when capturing enemies, there is also the additional function of torture. Zemirah doesn't have the skill and courage to torture, but this artifact is good to do the job. She knew that in the future, this would be of great use.
"The [Orange Sun Fruit Hairpiece] can be given to Thea and the rest for Wendy." Zemirah calculated in her mind.
[Ding! Remind the Host that Thea is still a mortal, she can't use spiritual artifacts.]
Zemirah blushed at the reminder, "Oh, I forgot about that."
Speaking of which, Zemirah was annoyed at herself for forgetting about this issue.
"I'll probably find a way to stimulate Thea's spiritual roots. For now, I can only let her drink spiritual tea."
Then she asked Sia, "Sia, you can control the grade, right?"
[Ding! Yes, Host.]
She smiled, "Then I want the [Forest Warm Jade Pendant] to stay in Grade 1, so that I can use it."
[Ding! No problem, Host!]
Zemirah sighed as she looked at the Grade 2 artifacts she couldn't use for the time being. She has the urge to quickly enter the Foundation Building realm, but she knows it is impossible unless she finds a great opportunity.
She called Wendy who was busy practicing with her sword, "Wendy, come and take this."
Wendy knew that the space bag held the artifact her master got from the Town Lord with this week's talisman. She was baffled why her master gave all of them to her, "Master?"
Zemirah waved her hand, "Take them, your master doesn't need them."
Wendy knew her master's words meant she had her own so she didn't ask more. It was just she was quite touched that her master gave all of them to her without hesitation.
"Call Thea, let's have an afternoon snack," Zemirah said as she browsed the spiritual tea she had in her inventory.
She's looking for something that can help Thea stimulate her spiritual roots.
[Name]: [Jade Vein Leaf Tea] [Item]: Spiritual Tea
[Quality|Stage|Grade]: Supreme-Quality Peak-Stage Grade 1
[Details]: A spiritual tea leaf plucked from the Jade Vein Tree that grows in Jade Light Forest. Nourishes the meridian, low chance of healing the injured meridian. Very effective to Energy Refinement Realm and mortals. Has little effect on the Foundation Building realm.
"Found it." Zemirah happily took out the spiritual tea leaf, just in time when Wendy and Thea arrived.
Thea was holding a tray of tea set while Wendy had the tray of pastries.
Zemirah smiled and beckoned to them, "Come and take a sit. I happen to have a good tea here."
Wendy sat beside Zemirah without hesitation while Thea hesitated for a moment and only sat when she saw Wendy nod at her.
"This is [Jade Vein Leaf Tea], it can nourish the meridians. Thea can drink this frequently and maybe you have a chance to stimulate your spiritual roots." They heard Zemirah explain with a smile as she made tea.
They watch Zemirah put the jade-like tea leaves in the teapot, the leaves are so beautiful that one may think it's a precious jade that is coveted by many ladies.
"My lady- I can have spiritual roots?" Thea was shocked at the lady's words.
Everyone thought that spiritual roots were already set when born. That is why mortals are content with their lives while looking up to cultivators who are blessed to have spiritual roots and cultivate immortality.
Zemirah nodded, "Yes, but there is no absolute certainty. We can only try slowly while I try to find heaven and earth treasures that will help."
Thea's heart was filled with hope, although it was a slight chance, she was happy enough to know that the lady was giving her a chance.
"Many thanks to milady. Thea swear that I will serve you with my life, whether I'm a mortal or not."
Zemirah blinked at the sudden action of Thea but didn't stop it. Fortunately, she didn't perceive the girl wrongly. The girl knows gratitude and hatred very well.
"Let's hope that your luck is good." Zemirah smiled.
Wendy was silently listening the whole time and spoke, "Sister Thea, you can also cultivate!"She was happy at the news.
Thea was also happy but wasn't blinded as she corrected, "Not yet, only a chance."
"But that was still good! I believe Sister Thea can do it!" Wendy was optimistic about her Sister Thea.
Thea laughed as she sniffed to prevent tears from falling.
They happily drank tea and felt the nourishing energy sweeping their meridian. Zemirah seems to feel her meridian being tempered, "Really a good tea."
Wendy nodded happily as she enjoyed the sensation.
Meanwhile, Thea felt the spiritual tea's effect greatly. She can feel a mysterious energy combing through her body, probably her meridians. She doesn't understand much but she can feel the subtle change within her.
It was addicting, especially since she knew that this energy was helping her to stimulate her spiritual roots to let her cultivate. Though not an instant thing, she believes that gradually as she constantly drinks this tea, she can do it.
"By the way, how's our garden?" Zemirah put down her tea cup and asked.
Thea was immersed in her own world so Wendy spoke. "Not very good, master. The spiritual plants need more and more talismans to be lush and thriving. I think that soon, the talisman cost will exceed the value of the spiritual plants."
Wendy didn't like those trivial things like the spiritual plants would consume her master's precious time.
Zemirah saw her little disciples worry as she smiled, "Don't worry, the master will find a way."
"What way, master?"
Zemirah revealed her plan, "I'll probably recruit a spiritual planter from another village. Your Aunt Riya has suggested me a place."
"Master will leave?" Wendy focused on this point.
"I'll go tomorrow, my trip will take at least three days and a week at most." Zemirah nodded.
She saw her disciple purse her lips but didn't say a word of disagreement. "Stay at home, try to not go outside. The turmoil regarding demonic cultivators has not ended yet."
Wendy's eyes darkened after hearing about the demonic cultivators, "Yes, master. Master has to ensure her safety too."
Zemirah nodded, "Of course."
That afternoon, Zemirah made a trip to Riya's house.
She was surprised to see Riya sitting leisurely on her porch, not busily refining medicinal pills.
"Wow, you actually have a day not being busy?" She saw the table of snacks with different drinks.
Riya saw Zemirah's eyes lit up as she took a seat beside her. "Eat some, I made them."
Zemirah didn't reject and happily snacked with Riya. "Hmm, although they are not comparable to the spiritual chef that can improve the food's spiritual energy, they are tastier."
Riya smiled at the compliment, "You can bring back some for your disciple."
"Noted."
"By the way, I almost forgot why I came." Zemirah patted her hands from the crumbs. "I'm making a trip to Rudd Village tomorrow."
Riya was surprised, "So soon?"
"Hmm, so help me look after my disciple while I'm away," Zemirah said as she handed a wooden box that had talismans inside.
Riya didn't refuse as she knew this was nothing to Zemirah, "That's fine. Remember to buy all the spiritual herbs in the paper I've given you."
"Of course," Zemirah was happy after settling the matter. She also heard Sia's notification from the talisman she gave to Riya.
Riya added more precautions, "When you go to Rudd Village, be cautious on the way. Outside has been quite chaotic. Foundation Building realm battles are not impossible."
"Noted."
"When choosing a spiritual planter, see the character first then ability second. It will be bad if you accept a wolf into the house."
"How bad?"
"Your life can be the price. There are many examples of being betrayed by a white-eyed wolf." Riya's eyes flashed with a cold light as she mentioned the white-eyed wolf.
Zemirah was curious but didn't ask more.
"Well, I remember."
"Before leaving, try to buy some poison. Just in case you encounter some stubbles." Riya added.
Zemirah almost choked on her food. She coughed as she asked, "Poison?" She thought she heard Riya wrong.
Riya saw her disbelieving look and snorted, "Although poison is vicious, it's a convenient way to kill enemies."
Zemirah thought for a moment and didn't agree immediately. As a person from modern Earth, poison is something she will choose to be far away as soon as possible.
Although she already killed someone and in a brutal way at that, she was quite hesitant about using poison.
Just thinking of the thousand ways a person can be poisoned and their gruesome end, she shuddered.
Riya saw Zemirah being silent and shuddering, making her laugh out loud. "Okay, no need to force it. It's just a suggestion, you can think about it."
Zemirah sighed in relief before asking in a whisper, "You know poison?"
Riya thought of being naughty and whispered back, "Yeah, you scared?"
She saw Zemirah's eyes widen, not with fear but amazement. Her reaction made Riya curious since she had seen Zemirah being repulsed with poison earlier.
"That's amazing. I'm quite scared of poison, I can't imagine you can do it." Zemirah was genuinely amazed as she looked at Riya.
She knew Riya normally looked cold but never associated her with the vicious way of poisons.
Riya blinked, dumbfounded at Zemirah's increasing amazement. She instantly confided defeat, "Stop, stop. I'm only an alchemist. Poisons is another dao and I have no energy or talent on it. I'm just teasing you."
Zemirah raised a brow in doubt at her words.
Riya was angered as she insisted, "I really don't know poison!"
Zemirah reluctantly nodded.
"Well, if you say so."