Chapter Thirty-Two: The Tempest of Pear Blossom Needles

After finishing his words, Ge Qian turned and headed back to the medicinal garden. He had barely left the marketplace when a cultivator at the fifth level of Qi Condensation blocked his path.

This man had dark skin, a wide mouth, and bright, spirited eyes. He smiled slightly, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Brother Ge Qian, I have long admired your name and waited here especially for your arrival."

Ge Qian's heart stirred; he immediately recognized the man as Wu Jiang, renowned for his skill in crafting talismans. The spirit talismans Wu Jiang produced were powerful, activated swiftly, and consumed little spiritual power. Thus, Wu Jiang was famous among the lower-ranked disciples. Blocking Ge Qian’s path was likely to request him to refine some medicinal pills. Ge Qian clasped his hands in return and said, "So it’s Senior Brother Wu Jiang. You’ve taken precious time to stop me—are you here for some pill refinement? I am naturally willing to help."

Wu Jiang reached out and produced over a dozen spirit talismans: five Fireball Talismans, three Vajra Talismans, and two Flying Needle Talismans. The spiritual pressure emanating from them showed they were the finest among low-tier talismans. He shook the talismans in his hand and said, "Brother, I am out of spirit herbs. I came to negotiate a trade: I’ll exchange these talismans for a bottle of Bone-Washing Pills from you. Naturally, the more pills you can offer, the better."

Ge Qian pondered for a moment before replying, "Senior Brother, I only have one bottle of Bone-Washing Pills, and I rely on them to advance my cultivation. Although your talismans are excellent, they cannot help me break through my realm, so I am not inclined to trade for them."

Hearing Ge Qian's lack of interest in his talismans, Wu Jiang grew angry. With these talismans, he would have a clear advantage in any spell duel—even against cultivators a tier above him, a volley of talismans could leave the opponent gravely injured unless they had formidable defenses. Ge Qian truly thought that refining a few pills made him remarkable; if not for the low cost, no one would seek out this so-called good-for-nothing. Wu Jiang’s face turned cold as he said, "Are you looking down on my talismans, Brother Ge Qian? Do you think little of me?"

Ge Qian smiled slightly. "You misunderstand, Senior Brother. Your talisman-crafting skills are famed throughout the Celestial Star Sect, and everyone admires you—I myself have looked up to you for a long time. Although I have only one bottle of pills, I am willing to trade with you. However, instead of talismans, I would like to exchange for your talisman-crafting insights. To be honest, I am very interested in the art of talisman-making."

Wu Jiang's mind raced. In four years, the grand competition would be held. By then, with a stock of talismans in hand, he was sure to make it into the top ten. Obtaining a Foundation Establishment Pill would allow him to advance to the Foundation stage, deepening his understanding of talisman-crafting. His current insights seemed insignificant in comparison.

Besides, if this so-called good-for-nothing acquired them, he’d soon realize that talisman-crafting was nothing like pill-refining. Mastering a single craft was already a gift from the heavens—greed would only leave him with nothing in the end, and regret would come too late. Thinking this, Wu Jiang’s expression softened. "My understanding of talismans is only superficial—merely the basics. If you’re interested, feel free to take them."

He tossed a jade slip to Ge Qian, who caught it and scanned it with his spiritual sense, confirming it contained Wu Jiang’s recorded insights on talismans. He stored it in his pouch and threw back a jade bottle.

Wu Jiang received it, and after a sweep with his spiritual sense, nodded in satisfaction. "Brother, I also have some cinnabar and talisman paper—essentials for crafting talismans. If you wish to study talisman arts, you’ll need them. If you were to purchase them in Five Peaks City, you know the dangers involved. If you give me five Bone-Washing Pills, they’re all yours."

Ge Qian understood perfectly. Wu Jiang’s materials were worth three pills at most. He was leveraging the risks in Five Peaks City to inflate the price—now it was a matter of who valued their goods more.

Ge Qian wore a look of hesitation, finally taking out two Bone-Washing Pills, and said apologetically, "I only have these two pills left. If you’re willing to trade, I’ll take advantage of the deal. If you’re unwilling, we’ll call off the transaction."

Wu Jiang narrowed his eyes, cursing inwardly at Ge Qian’s cunning, but the lure of the pills was too great. "We’ll trade this time, but don’t expect such concessions again!"

So, the two exchanged goods with satisfaction. Wu Jiang departed on his sword, and Ge Qian returned to the medicinal garden.

The first thing Ge Qian did upon returning was to study various spells. To achieve anything in talisman arts, one must be well-versed in the Five Elements. Spirit talismans are spells sealed onto talisman paper through incantations, allowing for instant activation.

Talisman-crafting could only be attempted at the fourth level of Qi Condensation. Ge Qian took out the basic Five Elements spells gifted by Wang Yudong; his first choice was Fireball.

The power of the Fireball Talismans he used to kill Hu Ye had left him deeply impressed. Fireball condensed spiritual power into a rapidly burning sphere—the fire was Qi Condensation spiritual fire, capable of turning refined steel to ash on contact.

Ge Qian formed seals and chanted, gently pointing; a tiny flame sputtered from his fingertip. He was overjoyed, but the flame quickly dissipated into blue smoke—he had failed.

He tried again, forming seals and casting the spell. This time, a fireball the size of an egg appeared at his fingertip, radiating intense heat. He directed it with his spiritual sense, smashing it into a massive stone.

The stone instantly turned to ash. Ge Qian exhaled in relief—it had taken him a full month to master Fireball.

Yet the time spent was worthwhile; he gained a new understanding of spells and benefited greatly. His second choice was Flying Needle, which condensed spiritual power into fine needles—fast enough to easily pierce low-grade armor, and small enough to be stealthy, perfect for assassination or sneak attacks.

Ge Qian practiced Flying Needle relentlessly. After half a year, he finally mastered it.

He formed seals and cast the spell—ten flying needles appeared in the air, vanished in a flash, and a row of tiny holes appeared on the stone wall.

He was very satisfied. After repeated improvements, although the power of Flying Needle had not increased much, he had made great strides in speed and quantity. He even gave it a poetic name: Rain of Pear Blossom Needles.

A year passed by swiftly. Ge Qian not only made great progress in spellcasting, but his spiritual sense, now able to extend outward, enhanced his control over the timing and mastery of the pill furnace, advancing to a fourth-tier low-grade alchemist. He could produce six pills per batch—subtracting five for other cultivators, he could pocket one for himself as profit.

Finally, the clouds parted to reveal the moon—he could recover his profits.

His cultivation advanced to the fourth level, marking him as a true mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivator. At this moment, a transmission talisman appeared in his cave abode. Ge Qian no longer needed to place it on his forehead to read it; a sweep of his spiritual sense revealed its contents.

A hint of a cold smile appeared at his lips. He rose and walked out, opening the protective array. A beautiful young woman entered—her figure was well-proportioned, her skin fair, lips bright red, though her demeanor was somewhat proud and cold. She was at the peak of Qi Condensation.

Ge Qian clasped his hands and said, "Senior Sister Yingxue, what spirit herbs do you require? I’ll fetch them right away."

Yingxue smiled slightly. "I never expected that after these few years, you would reach the fourth level of Qi Condensation. I must say, I misjudged you back then."

The Mortal Path to Immortality, Chapter Thirty-Two: Rain of Pear Blossom Needles, update complete!