They had never felt like they’ve been this tired before. Their body felt like it’s been hollowed out. This is more tiring than when they were still studying back then. They all resentfully looked at Cheng Sheng. Just how did he create this weird talisman? They thought and looked at their copy of the Cleansing Talisman. The obscure lines are actually creating a group of symbols which they had never seen before. No wonder that recreating Cheng Sheng’s Cleansing Talisman is an impossible task. However, they can slowly understand how it is made now that Cheng Sheng were teaching them how to draw the symbols.

Since they were all prominent cultivators, they learned it after a day. The time is also pressing on them so one day is the fastest they could recreate Cheng Sheng’s Cleansing Talisman. As to the final step – the talisman’s essence…

“It’s not as if we create talismans for others, yeah?” Cheng Sheng said, which earned him a silence from them. It looks like he’s the only one creating a talisman for himself. He grimaced and looked away. He scratched his cheek, thinking how to talk his way out of them. He started speaking. “Just think of yourself in the disciples’ feet.” He told them. “Think as if you’re the one who has been affected of the demonic qi.” He turned to them. “The most important part of making a talisman isn’t the power. Power comes second while the thoughts infused comes first. We make talismans for a purpose, not to show-off its power.” He explained. “Be careful not to develop heart demons when you make this talisman.” He said and took out the Cleansing Talisman. “People’s thoughts are second to the people’s hearts in terms of being dangerous.” He said. “Your heart affects your thoughts, but your thoughts can also affect your heart. The reason why the heart took the first place – ” he looked at them. ” – our heart is more vital than our brain. Our brain can stop, but our heart can’t.” he finished. Then, he bowed. “Thank you, elders, for cooperating with me. This disciple is grateful for your help.” He told them, then immediately left. He’s finally done teaching them on how to make the Cleansing Talisman. He can’t wait to part with these people. They’re making him feel stifled. Even though he has a way to avoid being crushed by their auras, but still… his face was covered in dark lines and he ran away, leaving smoke in his trail.

Fei Yin, Li Tian, Feng Mo and Chen Han also thanked the dumbfounded elders before following Cheng Sheng who’s already far away. “Age really can’t tell one’s experiences in life.” an elder said as they watched the youngsters left.

“Fan-shidi and Xie-shidi really were lucky to have ‘Chen Sheng’ as their disciple.”

“A pity that ‘Chen Sheng’ didn’t join our sect. But, the luckiest ones are his family, aren’t they?”

They all turned to the Chen family who has already left after they bade goodbye to Cheng Sheng and them. They are going to tend to their own disciples who were affected by the demonic qi. “This disciple will have many great feats in the future.” They said, referring to Cheng Sheng. Then, they all went ahead to cure their disciples.

The new Cleansing Talisman bore positive results. Even though it didn’t completely cure the demonic qi, but it still has a great contribution. For now, the affected people had their sanity back. Some, in the end, died. However, many were saved.

“Cheng-shidi. What’s wrong?” Li Tian asked when he saw Cheng Sheng was silently sitting on the side, watching the calm lake around them as their boat moved, softly bumping against the lotus flowers around.

“This isn’t enough.” Cheng Sheng said as his jade hands touched the clear water beneath them.

“What do you mean?” Feng Mo said. “The new Cleansing Talisman already bore amazing results. What isn’t enough?” he asked, puzzled. Li Tian nodded beside him.

“You wanted to cure the demonic qi.” The silent Fei Yin said as he peeled the lotus seeds and gave them to Cheng Sheng.

Li Tian and Feng Mo were shocked when they saw Cheng Sheng nodded. Cheng Sheng took the peeled lotus seeds and ate them. “Cheng-shidi, you’ve changed!” Feng Mo said after he recovered from shocked. He exclaimed in joy as he patted Cheng Sheng’s shoulder.

“Cheng-shidi. I’m very happy to hear this.” Li Tian said and sighed in satisfaction as he stared at Cheng Sheng.

“Yeah.” Cheng Sheng said as he chewed the lotus seeds. “I don’t want for the demonic corpses to bother the peace that I earned for 10 years.” He said.

Li Tian and Feng Mo immediately froze when they heard him. Their boat stopped moving. “Cheng-shidi… I thought you’re… what about good karma?” Li Tian asked, don’t know what to say to Cheng Sheng. Feng Mo has already been stunned speechless.

“Can I eat that?” Cheng Sheng said. “What’s now is now. Later is later.” He told Li Tian. “We’re living in the present so why bother with the future?” he asked.

“But, future is the product of the present.” Li Tian said.

“Then, I’ll just wait for the future to become the present.” Cheng Sheng said.

Li Tian helplessly sighed and didn’t speak more. He’s intelligent but he felt like he can’t argue with Cheng Sheng for too long. Cheng Sheng is unorthodox. But, this is what makes him special.

“How do you plan to cure the demonic qi?” Fei Yin asked. There’s a mountain of peeled lotus seeds on his table but Li Tian and Feng Mo doesn’t dare ask for some from him since they knew all those were only for Cheng Sheng.

As expected, the other lotus seeds were taken inside of Cheng Sheng’s qiankun pouch which use is only for storing food. “If I know, I would have already done it.” Cheng Sheng sighed as he took the drink Fei Yin gave him. Li Tian and Feng Mo could only watch with envy as Fei Yin doted on Cheng Sheng. They were already used to this, though. Fei Yin had been doing this for more than ten years. Cheng Sheng is their da shixiong’s white moonlight. How unlucky for Fei Yin that his white moonlight is acting stupid and always takes him for granted. They pity Fei Yin, but they can’t intervene in his matters. They can only helplessly watch on the sidelines.

“Then, what will you do now?” Feng Mo asked Cheng Sheng.

Cheng Sheng slumped on the railing of the boat. He looked at his reflection on the water. “I’m not sure, either.” He said and sighed as he lied down the bench on the boat. He stared at the ceiling. “Say, what is the demonic qi?” he asked.

“Didn’t you say it’s similar to the negative qi, just that the demonic qi feeds on the people’s life?” Feng Mo asked, confused.

Cheng Sheng turned to him. “The negative qi feeds from the people’s feelings, which is related to their life. Shouldn’t it be also called demonic qi?” he asked back.

A moment of silence fell on the boat. Feng Mo’s eyes widened. “You’re right.” He said as he stared at Cheng Sheng.

Li Tian’s brows knit and he waved his fan. “Then, what you meant, there’re only two types of qi in this world. The positive qi and the demonic qi?” he asked. “If that’s so, shouldn’t we rename the positive qi? For example, ‘life qi’?” he said.

“Let’s not jump into conclusions.” Fei Yin said. They turned to him. “The negative qi may be similar to the demonic qi because they both has a negative effect in the people. However, there’s a big difference.” He turned to Cheng Sheng. “The negative qi may harm the people’s life but, the demonic qi takes away their life.” he said.

Cheng Sheng’s brows raised, almost reaching the ceiling. He sat up and looked at Fei Yin, wide-eyed. “Da shixiong. You’re the greatest!” he said and clapped his hands.

Feng Mo looked at Cheng Sheng, full of disappointment, while Li Tian helplessly shook his head. “You’re the one steering the topic.” Feng Mo reminded Cheng Sheng.

Which Cheng Sheng ignored. He turned to Fei Yin. “Da shixiong.” He called as he put his drink on the table. “Do you know of a way on how to cure the demonic qi?” he asked.

Fei Yin, naturally, shook his head. “My knowledge is limited. Cheng-shidi should ask this to shifu or founder.” He answered. “However, since shifu and founder isn’t here, you can ask sect leader Wu and the elders of the Youxiwang Sect, including your family.” He told him. The Chen family, and the Wu family, are families of cultivators. They have lived a long life. They must have a way to completely cure the demonic qi. With their power, they can handle the people affected by the demonic qi. However, things are getting out of hand and more and more people are getting affected. Thus, they asked for Cheng Sheng’s help – his Cleansing Talisman. They may have purification devices, but there’s no harm in getting more help.

“If I can create a talisman, that’ll be Purification Talisman.” Cheng Sheng said. “But… the problem is I don’t know how to make it.” he sighed.