C15 Fourth-level Talisman Formation Master?

Chu Ning didn't venture elsewhere; instead, she took the Flying Shuttle straight back to the City Lord's Mansion. She found herself once more in front of the expansive floor-to-ceiling window, facing Chu Hwa.

Chu Hwa, noticing Chu Ning's swift return, deduced that her mission hadn't gone as planned. "You didn't encounter the Talisman Formation Master?" he inquired.

"No, he had left in a hurry, and by the time I arrived, it was too late," Chu Ning replied, shaking her head. "However, I've instructed the shopkeeper. Should the Talisman Formation Master reappear, she'll notify us immediately."

Chu Hwa responded with a smile and a dismissive shake of his head, "That's futile. Even if the Talisman Formation Master does return, there's no guarantee the shopkeeper will inform us."

Chu Ning's brow furrowed, and she asked sternly, "How could she not dare?"

"Consider this: what's riskier, crossing the City Lord's Mansion or a Talisman Formation Master?" Chu Hwa's gaze was calm as he continued, "Unless the shopkeeper is a fool, she certainly won't betray the Talisman Formation Master."

With Chu Hwa's explanation, Chu Ning came to a realization. He was right; those who cross the City Lord's Mansion could simply leave Black City, but offending a Talisman Formation Master could be lethal.

Grasping this, Chu Ning couldn't help but express her doubts, "So, are you saying we'll never get a chance to meet this Talisman Formation Master?"

"Not at all," Chu Hwa countered, shaking his head. "His willingness to act shows his interest in the Spirit Containing and Spirit Immersion Talisman Formations. It's likely that no one else in Qingzhou Mansion possesses the knowledge to inscribe these talisman formations except us. If he wishes to learn, he'll surely seek us out. We simply need to wait patiently for him to come to us."

Chu Ning's eyes brightened at the explanation, and she said, surprised, "Father, you've thought this through far more thoroughly than I have!"

"Father, I do have one question," Chu Ning continued, puzzled. "Why opt for posting notices as a way to test the waters, rather than directly approaching the Talisman Formation Masters we know?"

As the City Lord of Black City, Chu Hwa was highly esteemed within Qingzhou Mansion and acquainted with numerous Talisman Formation Masters. Surely they would oblige him if he asked. Why then resort to such indirect methods?

Chu Hwa simply smiled and explained, "The majority of Talisman Formation Masters in Qingzhou Mansion are at the Second-level. Only the Speaker's friend is a Third-level Master. The Spirit Containing and Spirit Immersion Talisman Formations, however, are Fourth-level, far beyond their capabilities to inscribe. Seeking their help would only draw unwanted attention without any real benefit. Why invite trouble?"

"Regarding the notices," Chu Hwa continued, "think about how many people pass through Black City daily. How many are Talisman Formation Masters, and of those, who would be intrigued by such enigmatic talisman formations? And even if they are interested, would they comprehend them? Honestly, not just Second-level Masters, but even the Speaker's friend might fail to recognize these two talisman formations. The master who provided the answer at Kelly's Store today may not be a Fourth-level Master, but he's undoubtedly a peak Third-level Master with extensive knowledge."

"Otherwise, why would I have you simply gather information instead of inviting the Talisman Formation Master over as a guest? It's not just me— even the powerful figure backing our Black City Alliance wouldn't dare to cross someone on the cusp of becoming a Fourth-level Talisman Formation Master!"

Upon hearing Chu Hwa's explanation, Chu Ning involuntarily took a sharp breath. The idea that the enigmatic Talisman Formation Master could be a Fourth-level practitioner was astonishing. Such masters were exceedingly rare across the entire Federation, commanding such respect that even federal leaders would address them as 'Grandmaster.'

If Qin Chuan overheard Chu Hwa's remarks, he'd surely burst into laughter. A Fourth-level Talisman Formation Master? He wasn't even a Level 1 Talisman Array Master. Chu Hwa could hardly imagine someone as peculiar as Qin Chuan— not officially a Talisman Formation Master, yet blessed with a serendipitous ability to identify any talisman formation at a glance. Truly bizarre.

"These Spirit Containing and Spirit Immersion Talisman Formations came from a ruin. It's likely that we're the only ones who possess the inscription techniques. I refuse to believe that this mysterious Talisman Formation Master wouldn't be intrigued!"

Chu Hwa was convinced that the Talisman Formation Master would soon come knocking. When that happened, he planned to trade the inscription techniques for two complete talisman formations. That seemed fair, didn't it?

It was nearly midnight, yet Qin Chuan hadn't gone to bed. Standing in Zhou Meng's office, he eagerly eyed the sealed cultivation room. In just ten more minutes, it would be Sunday, and he could access the opulent advanced cultivation room. All he needed was a two-hour nap in the high-tech rest pod, and he could devote the rest of his time to cultivation!

As the clock struck twelve, Qin Chuan wasted no time using the privileges Zhou Meng had granted him. He flung open the cultivation room door and strode inside. Every minute was precious, and he intended to use them wisely.

Tossing his backpack aside, Qin Chuan hurried to the rest pod. But as he was about to step inside, he froze. To his shock, someone was already there!

Staring at the girl lying in the pod, dressed only in a tiny tank top and shorts, Qin Chuan was dumbfounded.

Who am I? What am I doing? And who is she?

While Qin Chuan was still reeling, the girl in the pod seemed to detect his presence. Her eyes snapped open, and she fixed him with a gaze so intense, it was laced with lethal intent.

In that instant, Qin Chuan felt a chill deep in his bones, his body rigid with fear. It was as if death itself was watching him.

"My name is Qin Chuan," he managed to say, his voice strained with effort. "I'm Director Zhou's student—he sent me here to cultivate."

As the last word left his lips, the deadly focus on him withdrew like a receding wave. Suddenly lighter without that murderous gaze, Qin Chuan nearly collapsed.

Just then, the pod's door slid open, and the tall girl stepped out, looking down at Qin Chuan with an icy demeanor. "I'll verify your story with my father," she warned. "You'd better not be lying, or your death won't be a pretty one."