19: New leader

Walking through the trading area, he pondered a question: Should he consider Alchemy?

Alchemy was too lucrative; it brought in Spirit Stones much faster than Talismans.

Moreover, failed Medicinal Pills could be consumed by himself, while perfectly good Medicinal Pills could be sold.

Talismans, on the other hand, were more for the common folk; compared to the esteemed Alchemists, Talisman Cultivators had to rely on quantity to earn enough Spirit Stones.

This situation would only improve for High-Grade Talisman Cultivators.

Normal Talisman Cultivators, after accounting for the cost of refining Talismans, didn't actually earn many Spirit Stones.

This was why many Loose Cultivators studied the Dao of Talismans, but very few could make a fortune from it.

If Lu Ming hadn't had the golden book to practice repeatedly, his situation would have been no different from others.

Now that his success rate for crafting Talismans was eight out of ten, he could be said to have finally reaped the rewards of his hard work.

However, a difficult problem lay before Lu Ming.

That was the blockade of Legacy; Alchemy, Artifact Refining, Talismans, Formations, and the hundred other cultivation arts were firmly controlled by a few individuals or forces.

If Lu Ming hadn't benefited from his convenient old dad, he wouldn't know how long he would have to search for a Talisman Legacy.

"This matter cannot be rushed, but I must also pay close attention to this aspect."

Even if he were given an Alchemy Legacy now, he wouldn't be able to practice Alchemy.

There was a saying that had always circulated in the Immortal Realm.

Talismans make money, Artifact Refining breaks families, Alchemy harms wealth, and advising someone to learn formations brings down divine retribution.

From this, it could be seen that besides Talismans, which had a relatively low entry barrier, other skills, besides requiring talent, also needed strong capital to support them.

Currently, Lu Ming was still a nobody who worried about Spirit Stones; he should aim for a comfortable life first before looking to the future.

While Lu Ming was thinking, he had already moved some distance from the Medicinal Pill shop.

Finding an empty alley, he changed his attire, then took out a bamboo hat and put on a veil.

Although the bamboo hat and veil were ordinary items and had no effect on blocking spiritual sense, ordinary Cultivators wouldn't casually probe others, as this would provoke hostility from the other Cultivator.

Moreover, with his golden book, he could determine who harbored ill will towards him.

After getting dressed, Lu Ming also applied an Aura Concealing Talisman to himself, then went to several small stalls to purchase a batch of discarded Medicinal Pills.

There were some from the Early Stage to the Middle Stage of Qi Refining, and fortunately, he didn't attract anyone's attention during this process.

......

Back at the small courtyard.

Lu Ming stewed Yao Beast meat and steamed a pot of Spirit Rice, enjoying a delicious meal before leisurely heading to the Cultivation chamber.

This seclusion wouldn't be too long; although the goal was Qi Refining Stage Fifth Level, he still had to craft Talismans and would need to take time out to get Spirit Stones from Zhou Yang.

Lu Ming planned to buy a Sound Transmission Talisman for him later to make communication easier, but only after Zhou Yang passed his probationary period assessment.

Finally, he glanced at the golden book; no one was on the list, so he selected [Chang Wei] and began to consume the discarded Medicinal Pills, circulating his Cultivation Technique to Cultivate.

......

Fifty days passed in a flash.

Talisman Cultivator Alliance.

"By resolution of the Elders, due to Chang Wei's drop in Cultivation, he is no longer fit to serve as the Alliance Head of the Talisman Cultivator Alliance. Effective immediately, his position as Alliance Head is revoked, and Li Yu will succeed him as Alliance Head."

Inside the main hall, many high-ranking members of the Talisman Cultivator Alliance were gathered.

After the Talisman Cultivator Alliance Elder finished reading, a handsome, tall, middle-aged Cultivator wearing a white robe with cloud embroidery and a jade crown slowly rose.

He walked to the high platform, sat in the Alliance Head's seat, and looked down at the crowd, speaking in a gentle tone.

"Thank you all for your support. I, Li Yu, will do my best to resolve the issues left by the previous Alliance Head and promise to lead the Talisman Cultivator Alliance to a new height.

And effective immediately, everyone's salary will increase by ten percent!"

"Congratulations, Alliance Head! We are willing to serve you!"

......

Looking at the flattering words and respectful gazes of the crowd below, Li Yu's eyes held a smile, and he felt extremely pleased.

After nearly three months of internal struggle, he had finally overthrown the other Deputy Alliance Head, seized power from him, and ascended to the position of Alliance Head.

With great power now in his hands, and thinking of the Spirit Stones that would continuously flow into his pockets, he couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.

"This is also thanks to Chang Wei encountering a problem in his Cultivation at this critical moment..."

Thinking of this, Li Yu's gaze turned to a scrawny Cultivator standing in one spot.

Those present were already paying attention to Li Yu's movements, and everyone followed his gaze, turning their heads.

Then, they all revealed mocking and sneering looks.

Chang Wei, at this moment, kept his head down and remained silent, silently enduring.

"Alliance Head Chang... Oh no, Elder Chang Wei, you have no objections, right!"

Li Yu's lips curled into a playful smile as he looked at Chang Wei.

A few days ago, Chang Wei, who had been absent for a long time, suddenly appeared, which had startled Li Yu, thinking Chang Wei had come to settle scores with him.

However, he hadn't expected Chang Wei's Cultivation to plummet repeatedly, from the original Qi Refining Stage Ninth Level to Qi Refining Stage Seventh Level.

Moreover, his essence, Qi, and spirit were severely depleted; let alone recovering, it would probably be difficult for him to even maintain Late-Stage Qi Refinement.

So, he immediately launched an attack, decisively dealing with his opponent and seizing all the power of Chang Wei's remaining faction.

And today, he called him here, not only to announce his succession as Alliance Head for a righteous cause but also with the intention of deliberately humiliating Chang Wei.

Stepping over the former Alliance Head to ascend would only solidify his position.

"Con... Congratulations, Alliance Head, I... have no objections!"

At this moment, Chang Wei was roaring internally, feeling extremely aggrieved and unwilling, yet helpless.

That strange symptom, which began three months ago, had tormented him like maggots attached to his bones, causing his Cultivation and strength to fall repeatedly.

Now, his internal Qi and blood were decaying, and his magical power was turbid, as if he were experiencing the Five Decays of Heaven and Man.

No matter how many Spirit Pills or miraculous medicines he took, he couldn't stop this bizarre phenomenon.

He had consulted many Alchemy physicians, but they were all at a loss, and they unanimously concluded that he had practiced a Demonic Technique and suffered a backlash.

The accumulated Medicinal Pill toxins in his body were also due to consuming inferior Medicinal Pills; although he had explained, no one believed him.

Otherwise, where did the Medicinal Pill toxins come from? Were they trying to fool a fool?

And all of Chang Wei's Spiritual Plants and Medicinal Pills had been completely consumed in these few months.

He had intended to come out to gather some resources before returning to seclusion to heal, but he hadn't expected the Talisman Cultivator Alliance to have already changed hands.

Previously, he relied on his highest Cultivation, profound Talisman Dao skills, and deep-seated prestige to suppress the two Deputy Alliance Heads.

However, after disappearing for nearly three months, facing Li Yu, who was at Qi Refining Stage Ninth Level, he was utterly powerless to resist, and now he could only be subservient.

'This year, I am forty-eight, at the Talisman Cultivator Alliance, I stand like a minion...'

Chang Wei secretly swore in his heart that once everything got better, he would personally reclaim everything!

Li Yu didn't care what Chang Wei was thinking.

However, seeing Chang Wei so submissive, Li Yu nodded with satisfaction and didn't target him further; too much was as bad as too little, lest it be spread that he was narrow-minded.

Then, he looked at the Talisman Cultivator Alliance crowd and said with a smile in his voice.

"Tonight at Chunxiang Brothel, everyone is expected to be there."

Upon hearing this, the Cultivators below their eyes lit up; they knew that tonight would be the time for the redistribution of power.