Qiangzi looked at the copper coin sword for several seconds before saying, "That was a gift from my master when I joined the sect."
Yu Daohan couldn't help but sigh, feeling that Daoist Lingze truly doted on Qiangzi. To craft a copper coin sword made entirely of forty coins of the same type wasn't something that could be achieved with money alone.
Qiangzi continued drawing talismans, and Yu Daohan watched with curiosity. All the talismans he used were drawn by Qiangzi.
Seeing Yu Daohan's interest, Qiangzi asked, "Does Master Yu have an interest in talismans?"
Yu Daohan nodded. Talismans stored energy in yellow paper, and with enough talismans, one could even challenge opponents of a higher level. This was why, when strengths were comparable, Taoist priests usually had a higher chance of winning.
Legend had it that the Heavenly Masters of the Celestial Master Mansion could wield ten thousand talismans at once.
"How about this, I'll teach Master Yu how to draw two practical talismans," Qiangzi said, putting down his cinnabar brush.
Yu Daohan waved his hand. "I heard that the techniques of the Celestial Master Mansion cannot be taught to outsiders."
"The secret techniques of the Celestial Master Mansion indeed cannot be passed to outsiders, but the methods for making talismans are known to many outsiders," Qiangzi explained.
Yu Daohan nodded. The techniques of the Celestial Master Mansion were divided into three categories. Basic techniques, led by talismans, could be learned upon joining the sect. Then there were secret techniques, which primarily used one's own vital energy as a carrier. It generally took about ten years of dedication at the Celestial Master Mansion to learn this category. The techniques above that were called Divine Skills. It was rumored that the Five Thunder Palm was one of the Divine Skills of the Celestial Master Mansion.
As the last disciple, Qiangzi should know most of the secret techniques. As for Divine Skills, it was hard to say.
In the past, the Celestial Master Mansion would send disciples down the mountain to catch ghosts and subdue demons. Some disciples would teach basic techniques to ordinary people during their expeditions. After all, at that time, the Celestial Master Mansion's mission was to eliminate demons and monsters. As long as the secret techniques and Divine Skills were not leaked, the Celestial Master Mansion tacitly approved of such actions.
Now, many minor sects' techniques originated from the Celestial Master Mansion.
Qiangzi pondered for a moment. "I'll teach Master Yu how to draw the Explosion Talisman and the Immobilization Talisman."
Yu Daohan nodded. This was exactly what he needed. Both the Flame Devouring Art and the Five Elements Art were techniques that used his own vital energy as a carrier. Although powerful, they were somewhat taxing in prolonged combat. If he were trapped by an opponent, he would become passive.
Just as Qiangzi picked up his cinnabar brush to teach Yu Daohan how to draw talismans, both of them looked towards the door.
The sensing talisman pasted on the door emitted a faint glow.
The so-called sensing talisman could detect cultivators within a certain range, and it was one of the most common methods used to distinguish between ordinary people and cultivators.
Yu Daohan looked at Qiangzi beside him. Qiangzi nodded.
Yu Daohan lowered his voice. "You go back inside first."
Qiangzi nodded, tidied up the items on the table, and walked towards Su Qing's room. After Qiangzi went in, Yu Daohan picked up the Kang Long Mace and stared at the door.
A thin wire was extended, followed by a sound.
*Click*
The door was opened. Yu Daohan chuckled. "I heard that the Zhen Bao Sect has a very formidable lock-picking technique. Seeing it today, it truly lives up to its reputation."
The Zhen Bao Sect was renowned throughout the land for its martial arts and weapons. Their attainments in techniques were not very profound, but they were quite adept at unorthodox methods.
"Young Master Yu, you jest. These are merely some petty tricks of no consequence."
A middle-aged man, around forty years old, walked in, a crescent saber hanging from his waist. Behind him followed two young men, about twenty-five years old, also with crescent sabers at their waists.
The middle-aged man cupped his hands. "Guo Cunhai of the Zhen Bao Sect pays his respects to Young Master Yu."
Yu Daohan frowned. Why had Guo Cunhai, ranked thirty-ninth on the Heavenly List, come here?
"Young Master Yu should know why we are here." Guo Cunhai glanced subconsciously at the room. "We hope Young Master Yu can grant us a favor."
Yu Daohan shook his head. "If you are here to capture Zhang Xiaoqiang, then unfortunately, he has already fled."
As soon as Yu Daohan finished speaking, a young man beside Guo Cunhai snorted. "We have been watching here all along. That fellow never ran."
He then pointed to the room. "He must be hiding inside."
The two young men had discovered Zhang Xiaoqiang's whereabouts in Lijiang Ancient Town two days prior. Because they couldn't defeat Zhang Xiaoqiang, they didn't dare to act rashly and instead notified Guo Cunhai. They had been lurking around Zhang Xiaoqiang's house ever since.
Yu Daohan's expression turned serious. "I said he's gone, and he's gone."
Guo Cunhai's brow furrowed. The young man beside him immediately cursed, "Don't push your luck. My saber shows no mercy."
Yu Daohan laughed instead of getting angry. Among the younger generation, he truly hadn't met a worthy opponent. The only ones who could match him evenly were Wang Ming and Wang Fubao. Did these two think that by calling Guo Cunhai, they had a sure win?
Guo Cunhai glared at the young man beside him.
The young man wanted to speak but was silenced by Guo Cunhai's glare. The words that were about to come out were swallowed back.
"The person has indeed fled. Does Elder Guo not believe me?" Yu Daohan asked with a smile.
Guo Cunhai looked somewhat troubled. Even a fool knew that Zhang Xiaoqiang was certainly hiding in the room. The sudden appearance of Yu Daohan had thrown him into a state of uncertainty. He had personally witnessed Yu Daohan's strength in Nanyang Village.