Chapter 215
Chapter 215
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 215
Chapter Title: A Surge in Cultivation and the Two Women's Futures
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Ruan Tieniu's message was a letter, not a voice message, and its contents were concise and clear.
He wanted Chen Jianghe's help in creating second-grade medium-rank talismans.
He also hinted at needing help with second-grade high-rank talismans, but his wording was veiled, expressing a desire to discuss it in person.
"Creating second-grade medium-rank talismans and second-grade high-rank talismans... it seems Ruan Tieniu has obtained some rare talisman materials."
The materials for second-grade low-rank talismans were easy to come by.
Thus, there were plenty of second-grade low-rank talismans on the market, and most Foundation Establishment cultivators could purchase them.
Materials for second-grade medium-rank talismans were somewhat rarer, and it was difficult for ordinary rogue Foundation Establishment cultivators to buy them.
One needed a certain network of connections.
As for second-grade high-rank talismans, they generally couldn't be bought with spirit stones. The requester would have to provide the materials.
A Talisman Grandmaster would create them, but for a certain fee.
If one had a complete hide from a peak second-grade demonic beast, the fur from over the heart could typically be used to create three second-grade high-rank talismans.
However, the Talisman Grandmaster would keep one.
This was the rule.
Even so, those rogue Foundation Establishment cultivators would still seek help in creating second-grade high-rank talismans, but they suffered from a lack of connections and channels.
Chen Jianghe had undoubtedly given Ruan Tieniu hope of obtaining second-grade high-rank talismans.
"I'm still in the early stage of Foundation Establishment. I need another month or so to condense the forty-ninth drop of spiritual power and break through to the mid-stage."
"If I want to create second-grade high-rank talismans, I'm afraid it will have to wait until half a year from now."
Chen Jianghe thought to himself.
Ruan Tieniu's desire for second-grade medium and high-rank talismans was surely in preparation for entering the secret realm.
Therefore, there was no rush.
However, Ruan Tieniu often ventured into the Northern Arctic Snow Forest, and now that he was in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, he would probably dare to delve deep into the Boundless Sea as well.
So, it was best to get the talisman-crafting materials in hand first.
In the future, even if Ruan Tieniu met with misfortune, he could inherit his legacy and ensure that Ruan Tieniu's hard work and planning were not in vain.
"Meeting on New Year's Eve it is, then!"
Ruan Tieniu's letter proposed meeting in the Market City on New Year's Eve. Calculating the time, there were still over four months until then.
That was enough time for Chen Jianghe to create two more second-grade medium-rank talismans and for his cultivation to break through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.
The next moment.
Chen Jianghe extended his spiritual sense, and everything within a two-hundred-zhang radius appeared clearly in his sea of consciousness.
Over the past two years, although he hadn't used the Black-Armored Turtles for cultivation, his progress with Soul-Consolidating Clay and Spirit-Nourishing Grass had been swift.
His spiritual sense had already reached two hundred twenty-eight zhang and nine chi.
Logically, such spiritual sense intensity should have been at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, but his soul was different from ordinary people.
He hadn't reached the critical point for a breakthrough.
As his soul essence grew stronger, his absorption speed of Soul-Consolidating Clay and Spirit-Nourishing Grass had also increased significantly.
The fifty portions of Soul-Consolidating Clay and Spirit-Nourishing Grass he had previously purchased, which should have lasted for three years of cultivation, were now down to only three portions.
He estimated they would be completely used up in about a month.
Before, he had thought his spiritual cultivation would break through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment faster than his spiritual power cultivation.
Now, his spiritual sense was indeed very powerful, but there wasn't the slightest sign of a breakthrough.
Chen Jianghe guessed that perhaps his spiritual sense needed to reach two hundred thirty-nine zhang, or even two hundred forty-nine zhang, before it would hit the critical point for breaking through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.
He didn't dwell on it too much.
At the latest, his spirit would also break through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment within a year.
It wouldn't affect his plans to prepare for the secret realm.
Within the range of his spiritual sense.
Xiao Hei and Maoqiu were both cultivating, their progress nearly neck and neck. Xiao Hei had been delayed by two years of cultivation time.
On top of that, he cultivated by consuming Water Spirit Pills.
Maoqiu, on the other hand, used second-grade water-attribute spirit cores to cultivate. His speed was naturally much faster, as he didn't need to spend time expelling pill toxins.
Furthermore, the spiritual energy within a second-grade water-attribute spirit core was purer.
"In three years at most, Xiao Hei and Maoqiu will break through to the second grade's mid-stage one after another. By then, my ability to protect myself will be even stronger."
"At the second grade's mid-stage, Maoqiu's combat power will increase dramatically, and my offensive options will also multiply."
In Chen Jianghe's mind, Maoqiu had always been his combat spirit beast.
As for Xiao Hei?
He was naturally meant to stay by his side for protection.
With a flicker of his body, Chen Jianghe arrived at the Black-Armored Turtles' habitat, looking at the sandy area that Xiao Hei had sectioned off and irrigated.
Over one hundred and seventy Black-Armored Turtles lived here.
Among them, more than thirty had already become first-grade early-stage spirit beasts.
The normally tyrannical and aggressive Black-Armored Turtles were now coexisting peacefully, with no signs of fighting.
In fact, beasts qualified to become spirit beasts were all aggressive in nature. It wasn't that they were inherently tyrannical, but that their intelligence was higher than that of ordinary beasts.
With higher intelligence came more conflict.
They would fight and snatch from their own kind, and they became even more aggressive, especially after discovering that devouring their peers could actually speed up their advancement to spirit beasts.
It had been the same when Chen Jianghe was raising Green Scale Fish at Mirror Moon Lake.
Fortunately, he had Xiao Hei's help; otherwise, with his breeding skills, he would have managed to kill off all the Green Scale Fish.
"How did Xiao Hei manage to dispel their violent aura?"
Chen Jianghe was very curious.
If Xiao Hei were here, it would be one thing for the Black-Armored Turtles to behave and coexist peacefully, but Xiao Hei wasn't here.
For these Black-Armored Turtles to be sunbathing so leisurely and contentedly was somewhat absurd.
Suddenly, at that moment.
Chen Jianghe's formation jade pendant vibrated. A sweep of his spiritual sense revealed a voice message from Jiang Ruxu.
He returned to the Spirit Spring Abode and used the sound-recording bamboo to play Jiang Ruxu's voice.
"Big Brother Chen, could you come to Clear Sound Pavilion?"
Chen Jianghe had nothing to do at the moment and was planning to visit Clear Sound Pavilion anyway, so he left a voice message for Jiang Ruxu, asking her to open a corner of the formation.
Arriving at Clear Sound Pavilion.
Chen Jianghe saw Zhuang Xinyan beside Jiang Ruxu, a look of concern in his eyes.
"Xinyan, the way of puppets is but a side path among the hundred arts. Your own cultivation is what's most important. You must not neglect your cultivation for the sake of comprehending the way of puppets."
Hearing Chen Jianghe's concerned words, Zhuang Xinyan felt a secret joy in her heart and nodded obediently. "I understand."
"How is the cultivation of you two coming along?"
Chen Jianghe didn't ask why Jiang Ruxu had summoned him; instead, he showed concern for their cultivation progress.
He was quite fond of the two women and was very pleased with them.
"I've already condensed twenty-one drops of spiritual power," Jiang Ruxu said with a grin.
"I've condensed twenty-two drops," Zhuang Xinyan added.
The two women had achieved Foundation Establishment twelve years ago and had been in Thousand Mountains Market City for eleven years.
It seemed their cultivation was progressing quickly, even faster than that of Mirror Moon Lake's Qilin Child, Yun Bufan.
But one shouldn't forget that Alchemist Zhuang had left a considerable foundation for the two of them.
In addition, this was Thousand Mountains Market City, where one could buy more opportunities with spirit stones than at Mirror Moon Lake.
Jiang Ruxu was a second-grade alchemist, and two years ago, she had even become an Alchemy Grandmaster.
The resources an Alchemy Grandmaster could trade for in Thousand Mountains Market City were plentiful, no less than what Chen Jianghe, a Talisman Master, could acquire.
Especially after Jiang Ruxu became capable of refining the Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, her status at the Alchemist Exchange Meet rose even higher.
If not for having to take care of Zhuang Xinyan, Jiang Ruxu would have cultivated even faster. She would likely have condensed over forty drops of spiritual power by now.
From the fact that Zhuang Xinyan's cultivation was higher than Jiang Ruxu's, one could see Jiang Ruxu's character.
After Alchemist Zhuang passed away.
She hadn't developed any ulterior motives and still treated Zhuang Xinyan like her own older sister.
Whenever there were cultivation resources, she would prioritize Zhuang Xinyan.
Repaying kindness with kindness.
When making friends, Chen Jianghe valued character the most. He was very fond of Jiang Ruxu's personality and moral character.
He valued her just as he did Yun Xiaoniu.
"Mm." Chen Jianghe nodded in satisfaction at the two women's cultivation levels.
Just then, Jiang Ruxu revealed the reason for summoning Chen Jianghe, though she sounded a bit bashful.
This made Chen Jianghe even more curious about the reason.
What could make the playful and lively Jiang Ruxu so shy and embarrassed?
"Ruxu, Xinyan, you don't need to hold back in front of me. Just say whatever is on your mind."
Chen Jianghe adopted the air of an elder.
But in Jiang Ruxu's and Zhuang Xinyan's hearts, they felt they had grown even closer to Chen Jianghe.
"Big Brother Chen, Junior Sister wants to ask for a second-grade medium-rank escape talisman," Zhuang Xinyan said from the side.
Fifteen years had passed since Alchemist Zhuang's death, and Zhuang Xinyan had gradually matured. Her temperament had become more complete, her speech was graceful, and her bearing was proper.
"A second-grade medium-rank escape talisman?"
Chen Jianghe's face showed worry, his brows furrowed. He looked at the two women sternly and said, "What are you two planning to do? It's fraught with danger outside the borders of Thousand Mountains Market City. You must not leave without permission."
Hearing Chen Jianghe's stern words, both Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan felt a surge of joy in their hearts.
"Big Brother Chen, it's me. I made a trade with someone at the Alchemist Exchange Meet. One Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill and one second-grade medium-rank escape talisman in exchange for a low-grade Origin Spirit Pill," Jiang Ruxu explained.
"An Origin Spirit Pill?"
Chen Jianghe was delighted.
He knew the value of an Origin Spirit Pill.
A low-grade Origin Spirit Pill was worth twenty thousand spirit stones at auction.
However, Origin Spirit Pills were rarely auctioned, even less frequently than Foundation Establishment Pills.
They were almost always exchanged privately.
The Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill was a breakthrough spirit pill that also didn't appear often at auctions and was hard to buy.
One was worth around fifteen thousand spirit stones.
A second-grade medium-rank escape talisman was also difficult to buy with spirit stones, but its value wouldn't reach five thousand spirit stones.
A typical five-element second-grade medium-rank escape talisman was worth about thirty-five hundred spirit stones.
A special-attribute second-grade medium-rank escape talisman was slightly more valuable, but it still wouldn't reach five thousand spirit stones.
It seemed the other party valued Jiang Ruxu's potential in the Dao of alchemy.
They wanted to befriend Jiang Ruxu, which was why they proposed trading for a second-grade medium-rank talisman.
"Big Brother Chen~, we can still think of another way."
Seeing Chen Jianghe lost in thought, Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan both spoke in low voices.
Although they often went to the market city, they hadn't befriended any Talisman Masters, so Chen Jianghe was their only connection.
They didn't know if Chen Jianghe's talisman skills were advanced enough to create second-grade medium-rank talismans.
"What are you talking about? When it comes to talismans, you don't need to worry about finding a way."
As Chen Jianghe spoke, he took out five second-grade medium-rank talismans.
Two Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talismans, two Azure Wood Immortal Shield Talismans, and one Rushing Thunder Talisman.
"These two Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talismans and two Azure Wood Immortal Shield Talismans, one set for each of you."
"This second-grade lightning-attribute Rushing Thunder Escape Talisman, Ruxu, you take it for the trade."
Even if Jiang Ruxu hadn't summoned him, he had planned to come to Clear Sound Pavilion to give the two women some second-grade medium-rank talismans.
As for why he hadn't given them second-grade low-rank talismans before.
It was because he knew the two women already had second-grade low-rank talismans that Alchemist Zhuang had arranged for them.
After all, if Alchemist Zhuang had even planned for him to have a second-grade low-rank metal-attribute offensive talisman, how could he not have done the same for his own disciple and granddaughter?
"Ah?! Big Brother Chen has become a Talisman Master?"
Jiang Ruxu's pretty eyes widened as she looked at Chen Jianghe, filled with pleasant surprise.
Zhuang Xinyan's beautiful eyes also shimmered as she stared at Chen Jianghe, a sweet smile unconsciously gracing her face.
"Take the Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talismans and Azure Wood Immortal Shield Talismans for protection. After you've cultivated to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, I'll be taking these four second-grade medium-rank talismans back."
Chen Jianghe said with a chuckle.
He didn't really intend to take them back; he meant to warn the two women not to put themselves in danger.
Once they reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, Chen Jianghe would find a way to get them second-grade high-rank talismans.
He had made a promise to Alchemist Zhuang.
He would not go back on his word and would do his best to take care of them.
Besides, a lively and well-behaved Alchemy Grandmaster and a puppet master with excellent talent were people he naturally wanted to keep well-protected by his side.
When refining the Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills, Jiang Ruxu had clearly given him an extra one. The value of these five second-grade medium-rank talismans couldn't even match that one pill.
Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan wouldn't keep such a strict account with him.
And Chen Jianghe naturally wouldn't distance himself from them either.
After enjoying some spirit tea at Clear Sound Pavilion for a while longer, he returned to the Spirit Spring Abode.
Of the ten second-grade talismans he had, only four Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talismans and one Rushing Thunder Talisman remained.
However, it didn't matter.
He wasn't leaving Thousand Mountains Market City for now, and with eight years until the secret realm opened, he had enough time to create many more second-grade medium-rank talismans.
And even second-grade high-rank talismans.
Just as he returned to the Spirit Spring Abode, he saw the courier box shimmering faintly, indicating a letter had arrived.
A sweep of his spiritual sense.
He took out the two letters from the courier box.
"Cen Linchuan?"
Chen Jianghe was puzzled. Why would this direct descendant of the Cen Clan send him a letter?
For the past two years, Chen Jianghe hadn't sold talismans to the Talisman Master Alliance, nor had he sold any to Ruan Tieniu.
So, he had nothing to worry about.
He opened Cen Linchuan's letter.
He immediately understood Cen Linchuan's intention. He still wanted Chen Jianghe to step in and help him secure an opportunity for Luo Xiyue to refine an artifact for him.
Luo Xiyue was now a famous figure in Thousand Mountains Market City.
The Ice Beauty Artifact Refining Grandmaster.
Her origins were mysterious, she was as beautiful as a celestial maiden, her personality was cold and proud, and her artifact refining skills were exquisite. She had already crafted two spirit-imbued magical artifacts in Thousand Mountains Market City.
However, both of these spirit-imbued magical artifacts she had crafted were made for female cultivators.
Because of this, Luo Xiyue was pursued by many male Foundation Establishment cultivators, including the descendants of top-tier immortal clans.
They all wanted to ask the Ice Beauty to refine a spirit-imbued magical artifact for them.
Even a top-grade magical artifact would do.
"Two medium-grade Origin Spirit Pills? This direct descendant of a Core Formation Immortal Clan truly looks down on rogue cultivators from the bottom of his heart!"
Cen Linchuan had raised the stakes.
He had increased the offer from one medium-grade Origin Spirit Pill to two, but it was still a far cry from the sincerity Ruan Tieniu had shown.
One must know, they were all requesting spirit-imbued defensive magical artifacts.
These were far more precious than spirit-imbued offensive magical artifacts.
On the surface, Cen Linchuan was gentle and refined, but he would inadvertently reveal his disdain for rogue cultivators.
However, this was already quite good.
Compared to the direct descendants of other top-tier immortal clans, who would show open contempt in their eyes when looking at rogue cultivators.
"If it were a top-grade second-grade absorbable natural treasure of heaven and earth, I might be willing to give it a try."
Cen Linchuan was different from Ruan Tieniu.
Chen Jianghe had some rapport with Ruan Tieniu, and Ruan Tieniu had helped him a great deal.
He also wanted to help Ruan Tieniu out.
The next moment.
Chen Jianghe turned Cen Linchuan's letter to ash, then looked at the second letter. It was from the Xu brothers.
"They're going to the Boundless Sea?!"
Chen Jianghe read the contents of the letter, a look of surprise on his face.
Although the Boundless Sea had many spiritual items, it had even more demonic beasts, making it far more dangerous than the Northern Arctic Snow Forest.
Normally, only cultivators at the mid or late stages of Foundation Establishment would choose to venture into the Boundless Sea to hunt for treasures and steal spiritual items.
Although Ruan Tieniu had entered the Boundless Sea during his early Foundation Establishment stage, he had the Blood River Escape Art and many demonic cultivator trump cards.
If the Xu brothers had no trump cards, rashly heading to the Boundless Sea would be extremely perilous.
The two brothers had written this time to ask for Chen Jianghe's help, to see if they could purchase two second-grade talismans.
They didn't know that Chen Jianghe was already a Talisman Master, capable of creating second-grade medium-rank talismans.
"A trade with spirit stones is out of the question, but if it's a barter, that could work."
He had plenty of spirit stones on hand, enough for his recent needs.
For now, bartering was more cost-effective for him.
Besides, the intrinsic value of second-grade medium-rank talismans lay in bartering them for more treasures that a Talisman Master needed.
Chen Jianghe wrote a reply to the Xu brothers.
He explained his talisman skills, stating that he could sell them second-grade medium-rank talismans, but they would have to be exchanged for treasures.
As for Cen Linchuan?
He didn't reply, pretending he hadn't seen the letter.
Time flew, and a month passed.
Chen Jianghe sat cross-legged under the Dragon Pattern Red Pine, absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, circulating the Myriad Waters True Scripture to refine it, turning it from spiritual root energy into spiritual power.
*Pop~*
Within his dantian, the first drop of Foundation Establishment spiritual power split off a new drop, like a water droplet falling onto a lake's surface, creating ripples within his dantian.
As this drop of spiritual power condensed, the aura within his dantian surged, seeming to reach a certain critical point.
Chen Jianghe opened his eyes at that very moment.
"Fifteen years. I've finally reached the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage."
At this moment, as long as Chen Jianghe wished, he could use the medicinal power of the Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill to break through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment at any time.
By then, this low-level rogue cultivator from a Fishery Farmer background would have completely surpassed the once high and mighty, unattainable Qilin Child, Yun Bufan.
A long lifespan was also a talent.
It was true his spiritual roots were poor, but his lifespan was long. As long as he lived, anything was possible.
He had a lifespan of seven hundred and eighteen years and was about to break through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.
Converted to the two-hundred-and-twenty-year lifespan of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it was equivalent to him successfully establishing his foundation in his early twenties and breaking through to the mid-stage before he was thirty.
Once Xiao Hei became a third-grade spirit beast.
His lifespan talent would be even greater. As long as he lived, so what if someone had dual-attribute earth spiritual roots?
Even against a heavenly spiritual root, he would have a chance to surpass them.
But, the prerequisite for all of this was to stay alive.
To be on the safe side, Chen Jianghe decided to first stabilize his cultivation and then take the Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill to break through in a month.
The closer one got to a breakthrough, the less one should rush. One must face it with a calm and peaceful mind.
He finished cultivating the Myriad Waters True Scripture.
Chen Jianghe continued to charge the Azure Wood Immortal Shield Talisman. During this month, he had taken a piece of spirit plant bark from the Dragon Pattern Red Pine.
He created an Azure Wood Immortal Shield Talisman.
Five hours passed. Chen Jianghe put away the Azure Wood Immortal Shield Talisman and prepared to cultivate the Soul Sea Foundation Consolidating Scripture.
But then he saw the courier box shimmering faintly.
He took out the letter from the courier box and glanced at the signature. It was a voice message from the Xu brothers.
The two brothers had already arrived at Golden Ao Mountain.
They had likely come to trade for second-grade medium-rank talismans.
Immediately, Chen Jianghe flew out of the mountain-protecting formation, invited the Xu brothers into the Immortal Welcoming Residence, and served them a pot of spirit tea worth the equivalent of twenty grains of spirit sand.
A few days ago, he had gone to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in the market city and bought a catty of Gypsophila tea, spending twenty spirit stones.
The tea's fragrance was light, and its spiritual energy was thin.
But it was cheap!
However, as he was paying with spirit stones, his spiritual sense caught sight of some spirit sand that had rolled into a corner of his storage pouch.
There were twenty grains in total.
These twenty grains of spirit sand had been in his storage pouch for about twenty years.
Their spiritual energy seemed to have dissipated somewhat. If he didn't spend them soon, they would turn into worthless pebbles.
So, Chen Jianghe bought an extra mace of Gypsophila.
In total, it was one catty and one mace of Gypsophila, costing twenty spirit stones and twenty grains of spirit sand.
The pot of spirit tea the Xu brothers were enjoying was the Gypsophila bought with those twenty grains of spirit sand. Its fragrance was quite rich.
It was quite nice.
"Talisman Master Chen, do you have any second-grade medium-rank escape talismans on hand?"
Xu Feng asked.
The brothers were heading to the Boundless Sea to hunt for treasures and steal spiritual items, so their first choice of spirit talisman was naturally an escape talisman.
Grab the spiritual item and run.
That was a spirit thief.
Getting a treasure and then fighting a demonic beast for it—that was a demon hunter.
"What spiritual items are you two fellow Daoists prepared to trade?" Chen Jianghe didn't answer directly, but asked a question in return.
If the spiritual items weren't what he needed, then there was no point in trading.
"Three spirit hides for creating second-grade medium-rank talismans, one second-grade fire-attribute spirit core, one second-grade water-attribute spirit core, and one second-grade ice-attribute spirit core."
"And one Purple Cloud Vermilion Fruit."
Xu Feng listed his spiritual items, then looked at Chen Jianghe and asked, "I wonder if Talisman Master Chen is satisfied?"
"It's acceptable."
Chen Jianghe nodded.
The three spirit hides for creating second-grade medium-rank talismans were something he greatly needed.
Although the Dragon Pattern Red Pine had advanced to the second grade's high rank, he couldn't keep cutting off its spirit plant bark if he wanted to continue nurturing it.
Chen Jianghe was even hoping that one day, the Dragon Pattern Red Pine could become a quasi-third-grade spirit plant!
So, spirit hides that could be used to create second-grade medium-rank talismans were very important to him.
The spirit cores were also fine; they were hard currency among Foundation Establishment cultivators.
The second-grade water-attribute spirit core, in particular, was exactly what he needed.
And that second-grade ice-attribute spirit core—he didn't need it now, but he would soon.
The Frigid Ice Tri-Horned Python egg already had cracks.
This wasn't external damage, but a sign that the young Frigid Ice Tri-Horned Python was about to hatch.
Chen Jianghe estimated that in about half a month, the young Frigid Ice Tri-Horned Python would hatch. By then, he would have an additional spirit beast with a fourth-grade low-rank bloodline.
As long as he nurtured it well, even without a third-grade demon core, it would have a thirty percent chance of becoming a third-grade spirit beast.
The Purple Cloud Vermilion Fruit was one of the three main ingredients for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill, and also the hardest to obtain.
He had already established his foundation, but he still needed Foundation Establishment Pills.
At the Barter Exchange Fair, the trading conditions for many treasures included Foundation Establishment Pills.
"I only have one second-grade medium-rank escape talisman on hand right now, and it's a special attribute one."
"If you're willing to trade these spiritual items, I can give you one second-grade medium-rank Rushing Thunder Talisman and two second-grade medium-rank Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talismans."