Cheng Fushou stood before Gu Xiu, completely oblivious to any oddity. He was rubbing his hands together, his face full of eager anticipation.

“Fellow Daoist, how many talismans did you bring this time?”

“Did you bring the materials?” Gu Xiu countered.

“I did! I brought them!” Cheng Fushou nodded repeatedly, immediately producing a storage pouch from his robes. “The amount is the same as last time—fifty thousand portions. After you told me to bring materials, I kept it in mind and have been carrying them with me.”

“Fifty thousand is a bit low,” Gu Xiu stated.

“Ah?” Cheng Fushou was stunned.

“Bring more next time. Otherwise, having to find you every few days is too troublesome.”

Wh… what???

Cheng Fushou was dumbfounded.

Fifty thousand portions of talisman materials! Fifty thousand! Did he think it was five? He had only given eight hundred talismans yesterday! Even at a rate of eight hundred per day, this amount should last at least half a month, right?

Gu Xiu ignored Cheng Fushou’s shock and handed over a storage pouch. “These are the talismans we produced this time.”

Cheng Fushou’s eyes lit up, and he took it without hesitation. But after just one glance inside, his eyes widened dramatically.

“Th… there… how many are in here?”

“Fifty thousand sheets.”

“Fifty thousand sheets!!!” Cheng Fushou drew a sharp breath.

“What? Is it too many?” Gu Xiu asked.

“Of course not!” Cheng Fushou shook his head frantically, his voice brimming with pleasant surprise. “Fellow Daoist, you truly are a great benefactor to our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion!”

Right now, what the pavilion lacked most was talismans. Just this morning, they were agonizing over the shortage. And now, this person had produced fifty thousand sheets.

It was nothing short of timely rain!

“Fellow Daoist, may I inquire… how many talismans can you produce daily?” Cheng Fushou asked curiously. Realizing his question might sound intrusive, he quickly added, “Our pavilion is currently being targeted by rivals and is in urgent need of stock. Knowing your capacity would help us plan accordingly.”

Targeted by rivals and in urgent need?

Gu Xiu pondered for a moment. “Fifty thousand sheets per day.”

“Fifty thousand sheets per day?!!!” Cheng Fushou was shocked. Although Gu Xiu had produced fifty thousand this time, no one knew if they had been accumulated over a long period.

Could these really have been produced in just one day?

“Is it not enough?” Gu Xiu asked. “At most eighty thousand. No more than that.”

His speed was indeed fast. With sufficient resources, producing a hundred thousand sheets daily wouldn’t be a problem. But it consumed time.

While earning spirit stones was crucial, his cultivation level mattered more. He needed to set aside time every day for his own improvement.

But these words utterly shocked Cheng Fushou.

Eighty thousand talismans daily!

Even a sacred land like Azure Mystic, with its vast number of disciples, would struggle to match that output. Such speed was simply unimaginable!

Just how massive was the force behind this person? Did they have more talisman masters than a sacred land? Could they be another sacred land entirely?

In that moment, Cheng Fushou’s mind raced. The pavilion had already discussed this mysterious force extensively. This was clearly a superpower that wished to remain hidden—a massive organization composed entirely of talisman masters!

Cheng Fushou would never have imagined that the “massive force” in his mind was actually just one lone cultivator.

He alone could rival a sacred land.

“I am deeply grateful to you, Fellow Daoist. I shall take my leave now. Next time I will bring an ample amount of materials,” Cheng Fushou said, rising to bid farewell.

Today’s meeting had reshaped his understanding. Perhaps it was time for the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion to prepare for a counterattack!

Due to the Lingbao Pavilion’s schemes and Azure Mystic’s ruthlessness, they had faced a major crisis. But now…

If planned properly, this crisis could become an immense opportunity!

Before Cheng Fushou left, Gu Xiu handed him another list.

“What is this…?”

“Tomorrow, besides the talisman materials, I will also need some other materials. Your pavilion should have them.”

“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist. Leave it to me!”

After exchanging a few more words, Cheng Fushou departed.

This time, however, Gu Xiu did not leave immediately. He remained seated, sipping wine, and glanced toward the city gate.

Over there, he saw Ye Hongling in her red robes and black armor. Before her stood a man in dark robes and ink-black armor, leading a warhorse.

The man’s cultivation level was indiscernible; at first glance, he seemed like an ordinary mortal general. But in Gu Xiu’s eyes, this person carried an immense battle aura—restrained yet potent. The long spear on the horse’s back shimmered with streams of light.

As if sensing the gaze, the man looked up toward the tavern.

Unfortunately, he saw nothing.

“Second Senior Brother? What is it?” Ye Hongling asked.

“I feel… as if an old acquaintance has returned,” the man said softly.

“An old acquaintance?” Ye Hongling found it strange. “Although Cloud Firmament City is known for lone cultivators, it’s ultimately just a small corner of the world. Someone you would call an old acquaintance wouldn’t come to such a minor place… would they?”

“Whether it is or isn’t doesn’t matter,” the Second Senior Brother shook his head. His gaze drifted toward the distance, in the direction of the Azure Mystic Sacred Land.

“He and I… are destined for one final battle!”

Meanwhile, at the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

When Cheng Fushou returned and recounted his meeting, everyone was shocked.

“Eighty thousand talismans daily? What sacred land could possibly be that formidable?”

“Is this even real? Could this organization have gathered nearly ten thousand talisman masters?”

“It’s not just about numbers! The most terrifying part is that all fifty thousand of these are Perfect Dao Talismans! Even with a hundred thousand masters, no one could guarantee such quality!”

Everyone was frightened by this mysterious force. They hadn’t expected it to be powerful to such an extent.

However, amidst the shock, overwhelming joy surged.

“So many talismans! And all Perfect Dao Talismans! If handled properly, our pavilion might soar to new heights!”

“The Lingbao Pavilion probably never dreamed we could connect with such a force!”

“We should release them immediately! We’ll definitely be able to suppress Lingbao!”

Everyone discussed animatedly, feeling vindicated. They had been stifled for days, enduring mockery from their rivals. But now, these talismans gave them the courage to counterattack.

Su Rumei swiftly began making arrangements. Now that their supply was secured, her goal wasn’t merely recovering lost ground.

She wanted an overwhelming, crushing victory.

“Let us give those forces who abandoned us, and the Lingbao Pavilion who targeted us, a little shock!”

After finalizing the plan, everyone dispersed.

Su Rumei picked up the list Gu Xiu had given Cheng Fushou. Looking over the materials, she couldn’t help frowning slightly.

“These materials…”

Shadow appeared beside her, leaning forward to look. She seemed surprised. “They all seem to be soul-refining substances?”

“This group…”

“Aren’t they planning to refine some evil artifact that melts souls?”