After acquiring the Water Control talent, Shen Xuan's strength advanced by leaps and bounds.
"It's time to purchase a magical artifact."
Such is the pity.
After cultivating for over forty years, Shen Xuan doesn't even have a single magical artifact.
In the battles between cultivators, it's not just about cultivation realms.
Body condition, spiritual power, magical artifacts, spells, talismans, elixirs, etc., are all influencing factors.
The outcome is often decided in an instant.
If there is a great realm difference, the disparity in divine sense, spiritual power, and the flesh body is vast, akin to heaven and earth, making it difficult to defeat across realms with external aids.
Therefore, even if one has perfected Qi Cultivation, with myriad techniques, facing a Foundation Establishment cultivator, in most cases, the result is utter defeat; to escape with one's life would be considered extraordinary talent.
For Qi Cultivation cultivators, relying solely on talismans and spells in magical combat is unreliable.
The true trump card is the magical artifact that has been nurtured for many years.
Although its activation speed is not as quick as talismans and spells, its offensive and defensive capabilities far exceed them.
In over a year, Shen Xuan has amassed 180 Spirit Stones through talisman making.
In the future, with the mastered level of Water Control Talisman skills, the speed of earning Spirit Stones will only increase.
Inside the Ding Family's shop.
"Master Shen is looking to buy a magical artifact?" The shopkeeper Ding greeted warmly.
Ever since learning that Shen Xuan has advanced to a middle-grade talisman master, his attitude towards Shen Xuan has become increasingly warm.
How could he not be enthusiastic, this is a middle-grade talisman master!
Every time he sells talismans or purchases talisman materials in the store, it results in a profit.
The larger the transaction, the more Spirit Stones earned!
"Shopkeeper Ding, I want to buy a high-quality defensive magical artifact."
That's right, a defensive magical artifact!
Shen Xuan is very clear about prioritizing the purchase of a defensive magical artifact.
One's life is irreplaceable, safety comes first!
With his cultivation realm at Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, he can only wield one middle-grade magical artifact.
He has the Mysterious Jade Talisman as a support, as long as he is alive, the path ahead is promising.
"Master Shen, please follow me."
Shopkeeper Ding led him to the inner estate's VIP room.
Then, he brought out several brocade boxes.
"Master Shen, please take a look, these are all middle-grade defensive magical artifacts."
Shen Xuan was also not polite; he took them out from the brocade boxes one by one to inspect.
Once a defensive magical artifact is taken out, it automatically attracts spiritual energy, emitting waves of spiritual power.
"These are all treasures from the shop's collection, each one a rare gem."
Shopkeeper Ding's face was full of confidence, and then he began to introduce them to Shen Xuan one by one.
"This artifact is called the Flying Dragon Umbrella, crafted with..."
"This one is the Water Cloud Shield..."
"This is the Nine-Seal Banner..."
Time passed gradually.
After much indecision and selection.
Shen Xuan finally chose the Water Cloud Shield.
This was refined from the shell of a hundred-year-old water cloud turtle, and its surface is full of the marks of time, capable of withstanding attacks from Qi Cultivation Late Stage cultivators.
Defensive magical artifacts are pricier than attack artifacts.
This Water Cloud Shield costs a whopping 120 Spirit Stones!
This is even after Shopkeeper Ding gave Shen Xuan a discount as an old customer.
Draining a large portion of Shen Xuan's savings at once!
Seeing Shen Xuan's pained expression, Shopkeeper Ding inexplicably felt a sense of satisfaction.
"Rest assured, Master Shen, this Water Cloud Shield is worth the price! If you regret it, I can refund in full within two months!"
"No need. It's just a middle-grade defensive magical artifact!"
Shen Xuan stubbornly insisted.
"By the way, do you have a good Water Technique?"
"Does Master Shen require a cultivation technique or a spell?"
"Of course, a spell."
Shen Xuan's main cultivation technique, the Divine Hidden Sea Technique, is a genuine sect technique from the Cyan Cloud Sect, of excellent quality, so it cannot be changed lightly.
The two Water Attribute Techniques he currently knows, Water Shield Technique and Water Blade Technique, are common and there's no need for in-depth study.
Shopkeeper Ding contemplated and said, "The shop does have a signature Water Technique from the Bishui Sect. However, the price is a bit steep."
"Let me see it!"
"Alright!"
Shopkeeper Ding solemnly took out a cultivation technique jade scroll.
The Condensed Water Blade Technique.
Shen Xuan scanned it with his divine sense, only seeing the introduction to the technique.
"Don't worry, it's a sect technique from the Bishui Sect. If it weren't for Master Shen, I wouldn't have taken it out!"
"How many Spirit Stones?"
"Fifty Spirit Stones."
Shen Xuan was suddenly shocked, almost throwing the cultivation technique jade scroll at Shopkeeper Ding's face.
"Why don't you just rob me!"
A Qi Cultivation Stage cultivation technique jade scroll being sold at fifty Spirit Stones, how is that different from robbery!
To know, the Divine Hidden Sea Technique Shen Xuan prides himself on from the Cyan Cloud Sect is priced at no more than thirty Spirit Stones in the market.
And this Condensed Water Blade Technique, being merely a spell, is sold at fifty Spirit Stones, ten times that of an ordinary sect technique!
"Master Shen, that's quite an accusation!"
Shopkeeper Ding appeared aggrieved.
"We've known each other for over forty years, when have I ever deceived you!"
"In business, integrity is key. I've been running this place for fifty years; don't you trust me?"
Shen Xuan sighed softly.
"Shopkeeper Ding, it's not that I don't trust you, it's just the price..."
"This price is absolutely worth it!"
Shopkeeper Ding confidently stated, "This is a high-tier technique from the Bishui Sect, costing forty Spirit Stones just to purchase. It's said when advanced enough, one transforms into a divine dragon, condensing water into blades, nothing is unbreakable!"
"You might as well boast! Forty Spirit Stones!"
"Forty-five Spirit Stones! Master Shen, please don't put me in a difficult position, the shop needs to account for its expenses!"
"Alright then!"
Shen Xuan grudgingly took out the Spirit Stones and bought this so-called store's priceless treasure from Shopkeeper Ding.
"If it doesn't live up to its claims, I will return it!"
"That cannot be returned! It contains sect restrictions, limited to one person for practice!"
Shopkeeper Ding called out.
Shen Xuan glared at Shopkeeper Ding and turned to leave the shop.
Having purchased only one defensive magical artifact and one Water Technique, a year's savings was reduced to just over ten Spirit Stones.
Truly extortionate!
...
In the practice room.
Shen Xuan sat cross-legged.
When he activated the Divine Hidden Sea Technique, the spiritual energy in the room infiltrated his body rhythmically with his breathing.
Inside the Dantian.
The spiritual power transformed into a vast sea of virtual shadow, continuously flowing into his enormous ocean of spiritual power.
The colors of blue, green, yellow, red, white circulated endlessly, ultimately merging into a deep blue, representing the endless Dao Rhyme of mystery.
The entirety of the room's spiritual energy was absorbed by Shen Xuan.
A strand of aqua-blue spiritual power exuded a profound sense of Dao rhyme.
Practicing the Divine Hidden Sea Technique, has resulted in such water attribute spiritual power? It's truly powerful!"
His Mysterious Jade Talisman sensed a faint, glowing splendor.
[Cultivation Technique: Divine Hidden Sea Technique Mastery (48/400)]
Feeling the boundless ocean in his Dantian, the spiritual power accumulates endlessly.
"At this rate, in three more years, I'll break through to Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer."
For others, reaching this speed may not be fast.
But for Shen Xuan, it is already quite precious.
At this moment, he sat in meditation, focusing on training the Divine Hidden Sea Technique.
With each breath, the spiritual power drew closer, swirling into a boundless sea within him.
This was the water attribute spiritual power refined through practicing the Divine Hidden Sea Technique; it was indeed formidable!
Shen Xuan closed his eyes, deeply feeling the power flow through his Dantian, ensuring his path to Dao was promising.
Meanwhile, the Mysterious Jade Talisman glowed faintly.
Main Cultivation Technique: Divine Hidden Sea Technique Mastery (48/400)
Realm: Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer: 28/100
Sensing this progress, Shen Xuan felt a rare satisfaction.
"Even at this rate, in three years, I will be able to break through to Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer," he mused inwardly.
This speed may not be fast for others.
But for him, Shen Xuan, it is immensely precious.
"""