“What is the meaning of this, you two?”
Chen Lin stopped, looking at the two of them warily.
Although he didn't think they would rob him, he didn't understand why they stopped him.
“Fellow Daoist, there’s no need to panic. My Senior Brother and I have no ill intentions, but rather, we have something to ask of you.”
Lu Li cupped his hands, forcing a smile.
Chen Lin’s eyes flickered slightly, as if he somewhat understood their intention, yet he also felt it was unlikely.
At this moment, the other party spoke again: “First, let me introduce myself. I am Lu Li, a disciple of the Lu family, and this is my cousin, Lan Yu Qing. As you saw earlier in Duobao Pavilion, I urgently need to refine a Soul Capturing Talisman. Seeing that Fellow Daoist seemed to have purchased Talisman Materials, you must be a Talisman Master, which is why I presumptuously stopped you.”
Chen Lin’s eyes flashed.
He had indeed guessed correctly.
But how urgent must their situation be to be flailing around like headless flies?
“I’m sorry, I’m just a low-level Talisman Master who just started, and currently, I can only refine Strength Talismans. I’m afraid I can’t help much.”
Chen Lin waved his hands repeatedly.
He refused very decisively.
Although he really wanted to try, and with his ability to succeed ten out of ten times, he could certainly refine it, he didn’t dare to agree.
The matter of his innate ability absolutely could not be leaked. If others thought he possessed this ability because of some treasure, he would be instantly pulverized.
Even if others believed it was an innate ability, there was a high probability of him being imprisoned and used as a Talisman refining slave.
The Immortal Cultivation World here does not speak of benevolence or morality; it only speaks of the law of the jungle.
Lu Li was not bothered by Chen Lin’s refusal.
He sneered, “This Young Master plans to hold a Talisman refining convention tonight at Lianyun Inn. I sincerely invite Your Excellency to participate. If Your Excellency has any familiar Talisman Masters, you can also recommend them. I, Lu, have plenty of Spirit Stones. Whoever can refine the Talisman I need will be rewarded with fifty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, and the recommender will receive a reward of five Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!”
Shock appeared in Chen Lin’s eyes.
This reward was truly too generous!
“Well, alright then.”
He nodded in agreement.
The huge Spirit Stone reward instantly broke through Chen Lin’s defenses.
Seeing this, Lu Li’s expression also improved considerably.
Then, the pair of Senior Brother and cousin both sneered, their figures flickering as they flew low to the ground and sped away.
Chen Lin looked enviously at their retreating figures, wondering when he would learn the art of flight so he wouldn't have to crawl awkwardly through the snow.
He didn't withdraw his gaze until their figures had completely disappeared, then he clicked his tongue.
He continued to trudge towards his residence.
Besides him, there were many others crawling.
From a distance, they looked like stiff zombies, emitting bursts of sinister, crazy sneers.
Where was the demeanor of a Cultivator? It was simply an eyesore.
Chen Lin quickened his pace.
He returned to his courtyard, heavy-hearted, and happened to see his neighbor, the sallow-faced, fiery female Cultivator, walking out.
“Hmph, old bachelor!”
He had intended to greet her, but unexpectedly, she glared at him irritably, stifling his words.
Chen Lin couldn't be bothered to argue with such a woman and ignored her, entering his own room.
He had just taken off his cotton coat and hat when there was a knock on the door.
“Fellow Daoist Chen, it’s me, Zhao Zhengyuan.”
Chen Lin’s eyes flashed. He clutched a Bixie Talisman in his hand and opened the door.
“Fellow Daoist Chen, something terrible has happened!”
As soon as the door was slightly ajar, Zhao Zhengyuan urgently squeezed in, his face filled with panic.
“What’s wrong?”
Sensing the other party’s emotions, Chen Lin also became a little nervous.
“They’re dead, all dead!”
Zhao Zhengyuan’s face was pale, and his lips trembled incessantly.
“What’s all dead?”
Chen Lin was a bit confused, but then his expression suddenly changed as if he remembered something.
“Could it be that those people who were possessed are all dead?!”
Zhao Zhengyuan nodded repeatedly.
“That’s right. Didn’t I say last time that many others were also possessed like us? This morning, I saw you go out, so I also went out for a walk and inquired around, only to learn that all those people are dead, and their deaths are the same as Sun Shi and the others!”
Chen Lin’s face immediately darkened.
Sun Shi, whom the other party referred to, was the Cultivator who was possessed along with the original owner and his companions last time. He died not long after returning.
There were also several others, none of whom survived.
It was said that they all died horribly, like they were air-dried, their entire bodies turning into mummies.
“Are they really all dead? Is there not one alive?”
Chen Lin’s voice was a bit dry.
If that were truly the case, then his and Zhao Zhengyuan’s existence would be too conspicuous and would certainly attract others’ attention.
Zhao Zhengyuan’s expression was also not good. He swallowed and said, “All of those from last time are dead, but new possessed Cultivators have appeared. It has already attracted attention, and many people are discussing this matter.”
“Someone else is possessed again?”
Chen Lin was greatly startled.
The more people who were possessed, the more conspicuous the two of them who survived would be, which was not a good thing.
“That’s right, and there are quite a few of them. Now there are two rumors: one is that a powerful evil entity has appeared outside the city and has targeted Kaiyuan City, and the other theory is that this situation is a plague.”
Zhao Zhengyuan emerged from his nervous state and pulled up a chair to sit down.
“Plague?”
Chen Lin frowned, “That’s impossible, right? Can Cultivators also contract plague?”
Zhao Zhengyuan sneered, “Of course they can, but it’s definitely not an ordinary plague. But don’t be afraid, I, Zhao, also have some research on plagues!”
Chen Lin automatically ignored the other party’s nonsensical talk and frowned in silence.
If it were truly a plague, that would be good. As long as they maintained isolation and avoided contact with others, they could prevent it. But if they were targeted by a powerful evil entity, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Moreover, if a powerful and strange entity appeared outside, the danger of him escaping this place would sharply increase.
“Which one do you think it is?”
Chen Lin asked casually.
“Sigh, who knows what it is? We’ll find out in a while. Anyway, no matter what it is, we can’t do anything about it. With such heavy snow, we can’t even find the road if we leave the city. We can only wait in the city.”
Zhao Zhengyuan sighed, shook his head, and got up to leave the room.
After the other party left, Chen Lin fell into thought, but no matter how much he thought about it, it was just as the other party said—there was nothing to be done.
Escaping the city now was definitely not an option.
With more than half a meter of snow, if he couldn't fly, he couldn't travel long distances at all, and the Yao Beasts outside the city were probably starving mad. Going out would be like sending them snacks.
Not to mention the possibility of powerful and strange entities.
“This world is too crazy; I can’t proceed step by step anymore!”
Chen Lin gritted his teeth and made a decision.
Originally, he planned to proceed steadily, slowly developing with his ability to succeed ten out of ten times, but this sudden change forced him to alter his plans.
He didn't continue refining Talismans. Instead, he cooked a pot of Spirit Rice porridge, and after drinking it, he began to meditate and Cultivate.
In the evening, he prepared himself, then walked out of his room with a bag on his back.