Splitting the Heavens

Chapter 1441: Peering into a Rank Seven Talisman Pt.2

It was rare to enter such a flow state and after fusing 3 Variant Talismans, it was pretty much gone. However, he still wanted to continue fusing talismans.

He had a feeling fusing those talismans would be a gateway to becoming a rank seven Talisman Grandmaster.

Grabbing the second sheet of special talisman paper, Shang Xia could tell that the quality was different from the previous one. Not only did it contain more silk, but the spiritual ingredients that made it up were also different from before.

One could even say that they couldn’t be classified as the same type of talisman paper in the first place. Even Ren Huan couldn’t say for sure that the quality was better.

Shang Xia used his divine soul to inspect the composition of talisman paper. He used too many talisman papers in recent years and was able to determine their quality from experience. However, looking at the sheet before him he didn’t know how to start evaluating it and could only try to do so when crafting the talisman.

Opening a bottle of rank six talisman ink that was made with Star Essence Shang Xia looked at the Silver Branch Star Splendor Brush that had dimmed slightly. Even so, he didn’t choose to use the Greenwood Wolf Bristle Brush. Instead, he filled the Silver Branch Star Splendor Brush with inner qi and started the next talisman.

The first Variant Talisman’s runes were quickly completed, and so was the second. Next came the third...

Just as he started on the rune of the third talisman, the starlight that had gathered clashed with the energy contained in the talisman paper so suddenly that Shang Xia failed to suppress it with his soul. In the end, the talisman paper burst into rays of starlight that shot out of the protection formations of the chamber.

Starlight filled the Star Beast Nest and because it was a secret region to begin with, the sudden change in the skies above caught the attention of everyone and they raised their heads to take a look.

The experts of the Spirit Luxuriant World didn’t know what happened to cause it, but Xin Lu had been camping outside Shang Xia’s secret courtyard since she was called over by his External Avatar. Watching the burst of starlight, she revealed a look of shock.

Ren Huan and Shang Xia’s External Avatar arrived next and they looked at how she was immersed in the power of starlight that filled the air. Ren Huan looked at Shang Xia’s External Avatar and he saw the strange look on the External Avatar’s face while staring at Xin Lu.

He didn’t know what was happening, but he could tell that there was some sort of special transformation happening and he asked, “What’s happening to her?”

Shang Xia’s External Avatar replied, “Her opportunity has come. She’s refining her second fate dipper at the moment and the sudden burst of starlight helped to accelerate the progress.”

Ren Huan was taken aback by the revelation and he looked at the courtyard that was surrounded by protection formations and muttered, “What exactly happened within? Can you tell?”

Shang Xia’s External Avatar shook his head and sighed, “The second attempt to craft the talisman failed, but the qi that escaped should be very useful.”

Naturally, he was referring to the help it would bring to Xin Lu.

However, Ren Huan was more focused on the first part of his sentence and he started to mumble to himself, “The second talisman failed... Doesn’t that mean that he succeeded on his first try?”

“Hahaha! That’s right! He completed the fusion of 3 Variant Talismans on the first sheet, and the effects of the talisman will be comparable to the Star Origin Lord Robe. The only thing that cannot be compared to the robe is that the effects of the talisman can only last for a short time.” Shang Xia’s External Avatar chuckled and explained.

Ren Huan nodded and wanted to say something, but he noticed that Shang Xia’s External Avatar was turning in another direction.

Ren Huan followed his gaze and saw a transmission talisman flying over and landing in his hand.

“Interesting...” Shang Xia’s External Avatar scanned through the transmission and mumbled. He handed it over to Ren Huan before laughing, “Let’s go outside together to take a look!”

Ren Huan followed quickly behind him while reading its contents. He couldn’t help but gasp, “Brother Shang, do you think what happened outside had something to do with the sudden burst of starlight?”

Shang Xia’s External Avatar didn’t respond and increased his speed while heading out of the Star Beast Nest.

In the blink of an eye, they emerged from the Star Beast Nest and saw that there was a layer of starlight that covered the entire region. In fact, the chaotic streams of space seemed a lot more mellow where the starlight shone.

“This... Don’t tell me it really has something to do with the talisman that failed...” Ren Huan couldn’t help but mumble as he looked at the region of space around him.

“Actually, the effects of the starlight weakened a lot. When I sent the transmission, the void hundreds of feet outside the Star Beast Nest turned completely still. Now, the effects only cover 30 or so feet. I’m afraid the effects will wear out soon.” Hai Yuanyuan, who had been waiting outside, interrupted.

As soon as the words left her lips, the final bit of starlight faded and the streams of chaos returned. The Star Beast Nest started to tremble lightly and the protection formations around reactivated.

Shang Xia’s External Avatar looked at Hai Yuanyuan and a frown appeared on his face, “When did you arrive?! Who allowed you to come out here?”

Hai Yuanyuan didn’t seem too afraid of Shang Xia’s External Avatar. She even sized him up and down before mumbling, “Uncle, didn’t you say that your External Avatar had the ability to think individually? Why do you look exactly the same and speak the same way as him?”

Shang Xia’s External Avatar released his divine soul and his expression changed slightly. He growled in a low voice, “Did you enter the chaotic streams alone?!”

Hai Yuanyuan didn’t seem too concerned by his reaction and she muttered in a low voice, “Come on... What’s the matter? The space was completely calm earlier and I only went out to take a look. I didn’t enter the chaotic streams for real. Also...”

“Also?!” Shang Xia’s External Avatar’s expression was completely dark as he glared at her.

Hai Yuanyuan knew that she couldn’t hide what she did from Shang Xia’s External Avatar and she pouted and sighed, “You were the one who assisted in my refinement of my Five Element Fate Dippers. You should know exactly how I can progress. If I enter the chaotic streams, I should be able to condense another set of fate dipper essence...”

“No! The chaotic streams are too dangerous. Only True Immortals have the qualifications to travel through them freely and condense fate dipper essence.” Shang Xia’s External Avatar snapped and seeing as she was about to continue speaking, he interrupted her. “My true body will definitely learn of this and you can just explain it to him yourself. Right, you’re not allowed to try to enter the chaotic streams in the future, not even half a step!”

Hai Yuanyuan knew that she wouldn’t get anywhere even if she tried to go argue with his External Avatar and she pouted angrily before returning to the Star Beast Nest in anger.

“Brother Ren, I apologize you had to see that.” Shang Xia’s External Avatar sighed helplessly.

To that, Ren Huan only chuckled, “Actually, I really envy you for having such an interesting niece who is also your successor. Among the later generation disciples of the institution, she has the greatest hope of entering the Martial Void Realm.”

...

The way the Tongyou Institution nurtured disciples was different from the other factions. There was no direct discipleship, and even though they had teacher and student relationships, it wasn’t as though they would pass down their inheritances so easily.

Of course, it wasn’t as though none of them trained the next generation. The stronger experts would have to choose their inheritors eventually. The Tongyou Institution wouldn’t forbid or interfere in the process, and they might even work to find someone to take over a certain person’s inheritance to prevent it from disappearing altogether. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Naturally, the selection process happened from within the institution. They wouldn’t allow others to easily get their hands on the inheritances.

The most prominent example of experts passing down their inheritances was Shang Xia to Hai Yuanyuan, Shang Lubing to Dou Zhong, and several others...

Every year, when the institution accepted disciples, they would enter the same curriculum as the others and there was no seniority among them. That was the point the other factions found annoying, especially the situation with Shang Xia.

If they used the seniority of Kou Chongxue and Shang Bo as a reference, Shang Xia would be a third generation disciple. If he met people like Yang Taihe and Li Jidao, he should address them as his martial ancestors.

Of course, Shang Xia wouldn’t show them so much respect. Not a single True Immortal in the Spirit Luxuriant World would dare to act high and mighty in front of him, a sixth tier True Immortal!

Moreover, if they wanted to truly count generations, they would have already been off if the True Immortals considered themselves to be of the same seniority as Kou Chongxue.

In the Azure Origin World, Kou Chongxue was already considered a junior among the greatest swordsmen. However, his cultivation rose so rapidly and his status became comparable to theirs after reaching the Martial Void Realm.

Even if they considered Shang Xia as a fourth generation disciple compared to themselves, it would be a stretch!

...

Shang Xia’s External Avatar looked at Ren Huan and mumbled, “Brother Ren, you have entered the Martial Dipper Realm for a long time and your dantian seems extremely full. It’s not impossible for you to refine your fourth fate dipper. Have you not thought of becoming a True Immortal in the future?”

“Me?” Ren Huan was caught by surprise and he forced a chuckle, “No matter what, I cannot be considered to be a direct member of the institution. I only got to where I am now because of your care all these years. It’s fortunate for me to have my current achievements and I wouldn’t dare to dream of stepping into the Martial Void Realm. I heard that there can only be a limited number of True Immortals in our world. Even if our institution obtains a few more slots, how can I take the opportunity away from others?”

Shang Xia’s External Avatar burst out laughing in response, “You have to put yourself first at times. Brother Ren, you need to be prepared for anything. Even if your hope of entering the Martial Void Realm is miniscule, you will have hope at the very least. If your cultivation remains stuck here, there won’t be a chance.”

“Brother Shang...” Ren Huan revealed a laugh that didn’t seem like one and he looked a little unsure. Eventually, he seemed to have made up his mind and he cupped his hands in Shang Xia’s direction, “Many thanks for the pointers!”

Shang Xia’s External Avatar didn’t move to the side and he accepted Ren Huan’s thanks.

Ren Huan wasn’t exactly unqualified, and his cultivation met the mark. He was also an amazing craftsman and had pretty good luck. He wasn’t lacking when compared to the elite experts of the institution.

In recent years, his cultivation stagnated after he reached the third element of the Martial Dipper Realm. When Shang Xia’s External Avatar saw him, he noticed that Ren Huan had slackened off in his cultivation and his drive was nowhere to be seen.

If one didn’t try to progress in their cultivation, they would eventually regress and it wasn’t difficult if Shang Xia wanted to find out the reason behind his reluctance to cultivate. He purposely pointed it out now that they had met.

It was true that there was a limited number of True Immortals a world could produce, but one didn’t have to rely on their world if they wanted to become one...

Also, at the rapid pace of the Spirit Luxuriant World's improvement, they had closed the gap between the Spirit Mammoth World and Spirit Abundance World. Who could be sure how quickly they would progress in the future?

As the 2 of them chatted outside the Star Beast Nest, they ensured that no other changes occurred and the chaotic streams returned to their original strength before returning.

Ren Huan seemed to have thought of something and he opened his mouth slightly, but the words failed to emerge.

Shang Xia’s External Avatar noticed the look on his face and asked with interest, “Brother Ren, is there something on your mind?”

Raising his head to look at the External Avatar, Ren Huan suddenly tossed out a bomb that caught Shang Xia by surprise. “Brother Shang, can you tell me the truth? Is Wei Zheng your son?”

No matter how Shang Xia prepared himself for what Ren Huan might ask, he didn’t expect a question like that. His External Avatar trembled slightly and turned slightly blurry. “Ahem... Cough, cough!”

Shang Xia’s External Avatar forcefully composed himself and asked, “How is that possible?! Who’s coming up with this nonsense?!”

Ren Huan’s eyes widened in shock and he continued, “What do you mean nonsense? The kid pretty much resembles you. He has been staying with his mother beside Lady Hai in the city and everyone isn’t blind...”

The evidence was fight before their fucking eyes!

Shang Xia’s External Avatar didn’t even need to share his thoughts with his true body to know how his true body would react.

“Right, that kid has always been favored by your aunt, Shang Xi, who frequently brings him into the Shang Clan. It’s also said that your grandfather takes really good care of him...” Ren Huan continued.

Hearing Ren Huan mention evidence after evidence, Shang Xia’s External Avatar eventually interrupted him, “Alright, alright, Brother Ren, there’s no need to continue. No matter what, that kid isn’t mine! Wait... I mean, it’s not what you guys are thinking of anyway!”

Ren Huan narrowed his eyes slightly and revealed a knowing smile after hearing the flustered response. “No matter what we’re thinking, the kid is related to you anyway! Brother Shang, that kid has already grown up. Even if no one else says anything, do you think he doesn't know what is going on? You better prepare yourself...”

“Ahem... Strictly speaking... This matter really doesn’t concern me. I mean, it doesn’t concern my true body. Ah fuck! Let’s not talk about it anymore!” Shang Xia’s External Avatar sighed.

The next moment, a huge commotion broke out in the Star Beast Nest again and a powerful stream of starlight poured out from the courtyard and dyed the skies in the Star Beast Nest a pretty color.

“This... Did he fail the third attempt as well?” Ren Huan couldn’t help but ask.

Shang Xia’s External Avatar fell silent for a moment before mumbling, “No... Something happened, but he didn’t fail.”