Why are the Talismans I Drawn Banned Again?!

Qi Chi had been very vexed lately.

As the day of the celebration drew near, more and more lords of the Sea Tribe arrived from various places.

At the same time, each of these lords seemed to have their own set of strange quirks.

Some lords, instead of staying in the fine guest hotels, insisted on clinging to coral trees in the dead of night, their eyes as wide as street lamps—who could stand that?

Qi Chi was already nearly worn out dealing with these lords, but who would have thought, just at this critical moment, Tun Sheng, of all people, had the nerve to arrange a meeting with him.

He even talked about the “life-and-death situation for the whole Aquatic Tribe.”

The matter was made to seem very serious.

But frankly, Qi Chi didn’t believe it.

Outside the Wuhuan Fortress, Qi Chi went to meet Tun Sheng as agreed.

“Tun, fellow cultivator, long time no see,” Qi Chi said with a smile as he clasped his hands in greeting to Tun Sheng.

Tun Sheng returned the gesture: “Qi, fellow cultivator, I’m sorry to trouble you.”

“No trouble at all, no trouble at all. We are both part of the Aquatic Tribe; it’s only right that we help and support each other.”

Seeing Qi Chi’s response, Tun Sheng got straight to the point. He briefly described the situation to Qi Chi and then said earnestly, “Qi, fellow cultivator, this matter must not be taken lightly. A dike that collapses due to an ant hole – if we continue to let the Human Race indulge in the use of these Fishing Talismans, it will be an absolute disaster for both our aquatic populations!”

Qi Chi listened to Tun Sheng’s words with a grave face, but inside, he wasn’t concerned at all.

His first point was that the depths of the ocean were far beyond any river’s reach. Even if humans used their Fishing Talismans at sea, their impact would be very limited. They had no plans to manage the shallow sea areas surrounding the Wuhuan Fortress anyway, so it made no difference to them how much the Human Race made a fuss. Could such a small, first-level Talisman really affect their deep-sea fortresses?

His second point was the vitality of the Aquatic Tribe—Qi Chi had complete confidence in it. No matter the strength of the Fishing Talismans, in the end, they were just endowed with a stronger ability to catch fish. But ultimately, the talismans wouldn’t change the ecological environment of the river waters. As long as the environment remained constant, the number of the Aquatic Tribe it could support wouldn’t change either. With the Aquatic Tribe’s ability to reproduce, they would recover most of their population in seven to eight years, and it would be no problem to return to their peak in a decade or so.

A decade or so was nothing more than a meditation session for those Cultivators in Core Formation or Nascent Soul stages.

Qi Chi believed Tun Sheng if he talked about the Aquatic Tribe suffering losses.

But if Tun Sheng spoke of a disaster for the Aquatic Tribe, Qi Chi wouldn’t believe a word of it.

Wuhuan and Ming River could be considered neighbors, and there was interaction and understanding between them.

Wuhuan had a newly-built fortress with a so-called “Protective City Array.” With a history much older than Wuhuan’s, Ming River’s heritage was only stronger, not weaker. Even though they might not have Nascent Souls, Qi Chi did not believe that the Ming River Aquatic Tribe lacked a trump card.

The Ming River Aquatic Tribe not playing their trump card but instead coming to him, Qi Chi—it was clear they wanted the Sea Tribe to intervene, helping the Aquatic Tribe in their fight against the Human Race, and ultimately become the scapegoat.

If this had happened in the past, Qi Chi would have at least tried to offer some friendly advice. But now, with Wuhuan so busy because of Prince San, he really didn’t have the time to cater to the whims of “distant relatives.”

Qi Chi looked troubled as he clasped his hands towards Tun Sheng: “Tun, fellow cultivator, it’s not that I, Qi, do not wish to help you, I truly am powerless. This fortress seems substantial, but it’s actually rather hollow, and would crumble at the first touch. The Human Race has been powerful for a long time; in this matter, I believe, it’s better to endure for now. Let’s discuss this again once our tribes recover their strength.”

Tun Sheng spoke sternly, “Qi, fellow cultivator, it’s true the Human Race is strong, but if our Sea and Aquatic Tribes were to join forces in these dire times, we might not be without a fighting chance. Qi, fellow cultivator, the Human Race is greedy. Today we step back, tomorrow we step back again, and we have peace for one night. But the day after, when we look around, the Human Race will have arrived at our doorstep once more. I hope, fellow cultivator, you will consider this matter deeply and report to the Dragon King.”

Qi Chi reluctantly agreed, “Well, I’ll go back and discuss this with the advisors. Tun, fellow cultivator, my fortress is bustling with activity, so I won’t keep you for a meal.”

Seeing Qi Chi’s attitude, Tun Sheng sighed, clasped his hands, and then took his leave back to the Ming River Ancestral Temple.

Some things are not a matter of unwillingness, but of inability.

At the Ming River Ancestral Temple, Lanye had been waiting for Tun Sheng for a long time.

Upon seeing Tun Sheng’s return, he hurried forward and asked, “Clan brother, how did it go?”

Tun Sheng shook his head and said, “The Human Race is greedy, the Sea Tribe is timid, and we of the Aquatic Tribe have no one to rely on.”

Lanye, still young, suggested a reckless course of action, “Elder tribe member, why don’t we attack them outright? If we take a bite out of their flesh, the Human Race will know pain, and then we can sit down and negotiate properly.”

“That’s not advisable. At the moment, it is our Aquatic Tribe that is being harassed, and justice is on our side. If we really do enter into a fight, we would hand over the moral high ground to the Human Race. Then, not only would no one speak on our behalf, we would also be accused of harming others.”

“If we can’t stop it, and we can’t fight, then what do we do…”

Tun Sheng smiled slightly, “If the Sea Tribe won’t make a move, then we’ll force them to act. Lanye, gather Ruolin and the others from Hun River, while I activate the Protective City Array. You all need to move quickly and herd as many schools of fish into the array as possible. Once Ming River is devoid of fish, and the Human Race sets their sights on the Sea Tribe, let’s see if those mighty powers of the Sea Tribe can still sit idly by fishing.”

Lanye’s eyes gleamed with understanding, “When it comes to wiles, no, when it comes to acumen, there’s no one higher than my tribe brother!”

“Alright, I’ll call the Fishermen right away and drive the fish with all our might!”

In front of Jiang Cheng was a talisman he had just finished drawing.

This talisman, which bore a slight resemblance to the Muscle Relaxation Talisman, was actually an upgraded inverse version of the Muscle Relaxation Talisman – known simply as the Reverse Direction Relaxation Talisman!

However, Jiang Cheng now faced a new problem: Cao Wang was not around. So whom could he experiment with this Reverse Direction Relaxation Talisman on?

After pondering, Jiang Cheng could only think of one suitable person, Yue Linger.

As a second-tier Talisman Master with an understanding of talisman techniques, and most importantly, as Jiang Cheng’s closest talisman development partner at the moment, Jiang Cheng could think of no one more worthy of his trust than Yue Linger.

Having decided on the candidate, Jiang Cheng, who was not one to dither, immediately took out a communication talisman, located Yue Linger, and dialed her number.

“Hello?”

“I’m here.”

“Oh, Yue, do you have a moment? I’ve just thought of a new talisman and would like you to come over to research it together.”

“A new talisman!?”

On the other end of the communication talisman, Yue Linger’s surprised voice was unmistakable.

Wow, how long had it been since the Fishing Talisman?

Jiang Cheng thought of a new talisman already?

Yue Linger patted her well-nourished chest and calmed the excitement in her heart.

Her initial proactive concession to bank on Jiang Cheng had been the right move!

Although Jiang Cheng had not yet tested for his Talisman Master certification, in terms of invention and innovation of talismans, he undoubtedly possessed a rare talent!

High-tier Talisman Masters often invent talismans, and Yue Linger had heard of that.

But someone like Jiang Cheng, a rankless Talisman Master inventing talismans every day, was unheard of in Yue Linger’s experience!

If Jiang Cheng could elevate his Talisman Master rank and start developing those high-tier talismans…

The very thought filled Yue Linger with trepidation.

“I’m free, very free. Are you at Wuyue Residence? I’ll be right over!”