Chapter 050: A Greater Conspiracy? Level Two Pollutant Ban! Severing the Tentacles!

"Whether they are believers of the God of Resentment or just left behind a fleeting trace of eerie terror... I still have to investigate."

Xu Ran firmly trusted his own intuition and perception.

He immediately contacted Uncle Ye: "Uncle Ye, have the convoy pause for a moment. I've discovered something unusual."

Uncle Ye raised an eyebrow: "Oh? What is it?"

Xu Ran's expression turned solemn: "Remember a month ago when I went out for training and encountered that gang of four and the bizarre talismanic scripts?"

Ye Ping: "Of course I remember. I was deeply impressed by those strange idols and talismanic scripts. Those guys sacrificed children to obtain the Talisman of Divine Mobility and the Talisman of Reversal and Healing. Even after you killed them, they could still recover their injuries... truly unusual."

Xu Ran narrowed his eyes: "Just now, I experienced a dangerous intuition originating from the exact same source as those bizarre talismans."

Ye Ping was puzzled: "The same dangerous intuition as the bizarre talismans? Are there believers of the strange idol around here? How come I didn't sense anything?"

Xu Ran asked curiously: "You can't sense it?"

Ye Ping confessed: "To be honest, I can't... Logically speaking, my spiritual root attribute should make my perception much sharper than yours. Yet, I am completely unaware of anything?"

"However, since you have this intuition, let's get out of the vehicle and take a look. It won't waste much time anyway."

The intuition of "Special Commander" Xu Ran could not be ignored.

After all, this was the super genius who had single-handedly eliminated the Nightmare Resentment Mother.

Ye Ping notified the guards, and the convoy came to a halt.

Xu Ran quickly stepped out of the vehicle.

His mother still didn't understand the situation: "What's wrong, Xiao Ran?"

"Just encountered a minor issue. No need to worry, Uncle Ye and I will go check it out."

Mother: "Be careful!"

"Got it, Mom."

Xu Ran jumped down from the vehicle, his figure flashing as he blocked the path of five cultivators, carefully scrutinizing them.

Unlike Xu Ran's celestial grace, the five cultivators looked completely ordinary and unremarkable. Lost in a crowd, they possessed zero memorable features; no one would remember them even if they brushed past them on the street.

Seeing a child block their path, the five cultivators, each with 1,000 points of vital energy and blood, showed expressions of astonishment.

"What's wrong, handsome little guy?"

Uncle Ye landed beside Xu Ran: "Are these five people suspected of using bizarre talismans? That's not right, there is no aura of bizarre talismans on them."

A bright light flashed in Xu Ran's eyes: "Do you guys have any bizarre talismans on you?"

The five of them covered their pockets: "Bizarre talismans? What are those? We only have precious talismans! We spent a lot of money to buy these precious talismans from the black market! You're not planning to rob us, are you?"

Precious talismans?

Such a familiar designation.

There was indeed a connection! The bizarre quartet from back then had also referred to the strange talismans as precious talismans.

However.

Judging by the state of these five individuals, they looked nothing like scum who sacrificed children. Did they genuinely purchase the talismans with money?

Xu Ran, who had originally intended to suppress them with brute force, paused to think before turning to Uncle Ye: "Uncle Ye, have them take out their precious talismans so we can inspect them."

Uncle Ye nodded and took out the identity badge he had obtained from the Investigation Corps: "I am the chief director of the Investigation Corps. We are now going to inspect your talismans! We've already advised the public not to casually use talismans of unknown origin, yet you refuse to listen. Do you really not want to listen?"

Sensing the formidable aura emanating from Uncle Ye, the five individuals felt their legs turn to jelly with guilt, and they instantly cowed.

"Officer, officer, we were just too eager to progress!"

"This shouldn't be illegal, right? We haven't done anything bad!"

"It's just that recently, all the cultivators around us have been using this cultivation talisman! If you stick the talisman to your chest, you eat more meat every day, your digestive capacity improves, and your vital energy and blood grow tremendously. Several of our friends increased their vital energy and blood by 200 points in just ten days! They're projected to grow by 8,000 points in a year!"

"We were envious of their progress, so we also bought a talisman on the black market. We really haven't done anything bad!"

The five of them explained with trembling voices, pulling out a golden talisman from their respective pockets.

Xu Ran took the talismans and examined them closely.

The golden talismans in the hands of the five men were not as dazzlingly brilliant as the previous bizarre talismans.

They were drawn on ordinary talisman paper, but the patterns on the paper made Xu Ran feel uncomfortable. It carried a hint of the bizarre talisman's aura, though it was extremely subtle.

After studying them for a moment, he handed the talismans over to Ye Ping: "Uncle Ye, take a close look. Can you sense anything bizarre about these talismans?"

Ye Ping inspected them for a while before finally shaking his head: "The bizarre talismans from a month ago gave me the creeps instantly. But with these few talismans, I can't sense any bizarreness or contamination at all. Are these two even the same kind?"

Xu Ran said in a strict tone: "I can guarantee they are definitely of the same origin, except these talismans are much milder and carry far less contamination."

Ye Ping: "You mean it's related to the strange idol?"

Xu Ran nodded: "Yes. I believe there must be a God of Resentment behind the strange idol. You only destroyed its altar, but its true form hasn't revealed even a shred of its tail yet, has it?"

Ye Ping: "That's possible. But for a God of Resentment not to set up flesh altars or absorb blood sacrifices, yet concoct something with almost no negative side effects..."

Mid-sentence, Ye Ping's voice cut off abruptly.

With a grave expression, he gazed into Xu Ran's piercing, bright eyes.

"Is it plotting an even more terrifying sacrifice?!"

Ye Ping was suddenly alarmed.

Xu Ran nodded: "First of all, I can guarantee that the source of both types of talismans is identical—both are the handiwork of the Talismanic God of Resentment."

"Since it's the work of the Talismanic God of Resentment, do you think it would do good deeds to benefit humanity?"

Ye Ping said solemnly: "Definitely not."

"Our official cultivators issued a strict ban five days ago against using similar talismans. Anyone caught using them will be held accountable. But private transactions still exist on the black market."

"According to what the Investigation Corps understands, the harmfulness of this thing is truly very low."

"Basically, no negative effects have been detected. Instead, it can provide an increase of over 10 points of vital energy and blood every day."

"An increase of three to four thousand points a year—such a growth rate holds a fatal attraction for those Monument-realm cultivators in society."

"Even if we strictly prohibit it, people will still use it secretly."

Xu Ran narrowed his eyes: "..."

He was well aware of this. There were plenty of daring people willing to take risks; so what if there were hazards? Compared to the annual gain of 4,000 vital energy points, elusive hazards were not worth mentioning.

Do people stop staying up late playing on their phones just because staying up late shortens their lives?

Birds die for food, and humans die for wealth—it was simply human nature.

Xu Ran shook his head helplessly.

The most helpless part was that he was apparently the only one capable of sensing the danger hidden within the talismans.

He couldn't help but ask again: "Uncle Ye, can you really not sense the bizarreness contained within these talismans?"

Ye Ping shook his head: "I truly can't detect it. To be honest, you are the only one who sensed that something was wrong."

"Of course, I definitely trust your judgment. As the inspector general, I'll issue a ban the moment I get back. Regardless of anything else, this thing should be banned first until further notice. We can only allow its use after research institutes study it and test it for one or two years without issues."

Xu Ran nodded: "Right, we should be more cautious."

With that, he looked toward the five ordinary cultivators and activated his Terror Whispers ability.

"Do not touch this kind of talisman ever again..."

The terrifying whispers left the five of them in a daze, terror welling up in their eyes.

Trembling all over, they looked at the talismans in their hands as if they were poisonous snakes, and hurriedly threw them onto the ground.

Ye Ping was astonished: "..."

"You even have this kind of ability? You hide your depths well, kid!"

Xu Ran remained calm. He picked up the five talismans and activated his Superior Comprehension, observing them carefully.

Seeing Xu Ran's expression shift as he concentrated on his research,

Ye Ping quickly intervened: "Hey, hey, hey! Don't let yourself get contaminated like last time!"

Xu Ran waved his hand: "It's fine, Uncle Ye. Compared to the bizarre talismans from last time, the contamination of this talisman is practically one in a thousand."

"However, while the contamination has decreased, I sense that an even greater conspiracy is hidden behind the scenes..."

"Ninety-nine flesh altars might just be the appetizer. Relying on those ninety-nine altars, it has accumulated power..."

"Has it finally launched its true layout at this moment?"

A slight chill ran down Xu Ran's spine: "Talismans that can increase vital energy and blood without showing discernible hazards will lure a massive number of cultivators into taking the bait."

"The more people who use bizarre talismans, the more dangerous and uncontrollable the situation becomes... What if there are tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of talisman users? How terrifying would that be?"

When it came to the God of Resentment, Xu Ran would not hesitate to assume the worst malicious intent.

Ye Ping couldn't help but lean back tactically: "Your conjecture is bold yet reveals a rational logic. Rest assured, I will issue a ban."

The national selection tournament for the God-Slaying Squad was only two and a half years away, so they had to be strict.

Xu Ran nodded: "Good."

This could also be considered sending a generous gift to the Talismanic God of Resentment.

Enjoy this generous gift to the fullest!

Wanting to secretly hold a godhood ascension ceremony within Jing Province?

Heh.

Even though a mysterious entity like the Talismanic God of Resentment hid its head and tail, making its true body difficult to catch,

Xu Ran wouldn't let the matter rest...

"After a while, I'll come out to patrol again and carry out more bizarre talisman clearance operations. I must cause some trouble for the Talismanic God of Resentment, otherwise my whole body feels itchy!"

Remembering how his spirit was contaminated by the Talismanic God of Resentment last time, a surge of deep resentment welled up in Xu Ran.

Although he had pulled through thanks to his [Pure Spirit Body],

Such a grievance had to be repaid a hundredfold!

Back in the vehicle,

Xu Ran's eyes shone brightly.

Mother: "What's the matter? Is there any danger?"

Xu Ran shook his head: "No danger, just dealt with a few bizarre talismans. Mom, remember to remind your friends not to use talismans of unknown origin when they encounter them. If you see anyone using strange talismans, report it by phone immediately."

Mother asked curiously: "What do the talismans look like?"

Xu Ran instructed earnestly: "The talismans aren't in my hands right now. Once we reach the kindergarten, Uncle Ye will take a photo and show it to everyone... In short, make sure your close friends are extra careful."

Mother: "Alright."

While they were talking, the convoy returned to the Demigod Kindergarten. Ye Ping immediately took a photo of the talismans and sent it to everyone as a reference: "This kind of bizarre talisman is extremely dangerous. If you encounter it, you must stay away and report it."

The mothers spoke in unison: "Understood, we will remind our friends."

After eating dinner in the cafeteria,

The moon hung above the willows.

Back home in his courtyard, Xu Ran practiced Godly Weapon Throw + Shadow Assassin...

...

The next day,

Jing Province and its surrounding areas quickly issued a ban.

[The Investigation Corps has recently discovered a batch of bizarre talismans related to the God of Resentment. They pose a serious threat to the life and safety of cultivators. A Level-2 pollutant ban has now been enacted against them. The Investigation Corps and the Elimination Corps will strictly investigate anyone using bizarre talismans. Those found using them secretly will face severe punishment. Anyone currently using them is urged to surrender themselves early. Those who voluntarily surrender within three days will not face punishment.]

The ban was not only posted all over the streets but also broadcasted grandly on the news. Everyone now knew what the bizarre talismans looked like and what hazards they posed.

However, very few people voluntarily turned in their bizarre talismans.

After all, they had spent a fortune purchasing them, and the daily increase in vital energy and blood was simply too alluring!

The high rate of vital energy growth made them willing to take risks, hiding the fact that they were secretly using the bizarre talismans.

"Three days, and not a single cultivator has surrendered?"

"Heh."

Ye Ping sneered. Naturally, he had his own ways of dealing with dishonest cultivators.

On the third night after the ban was issued, the Investigation Corps and Elimination Corps in various cities of Jing Province, under Ye Ping's command, poured out in full force to annihilate the black markets surrounding the cities.

This strategic move directly destroyed the black markets and demolished numerous gray sales channels.

Not only were the sales channels for bizarre talismans ruined, but the distribution networks for medicines, crystal beast meat, weapons, and a series of other items were also cut in half.

Several protectors of the black market were stripped of their positions and sent straight to prison.

Initially,

Social cultivators didn't realize anything was amiss.

But after a few days, those cultivators who were using bizarre talismans to frantically boost their vital energy and blood realized something was wrong: they were consuming too much crystal beast meat and needed to buy it in massive quantities!

Yet, their only remaining channel was the official government.

Going to the official authorities—wasn't that walking right into a trap where everyone gets caught?

And yet, holding back was simply impossible for them.

Thus,

Within just a few days after the ban was issued, all cultivators who made excessive purchases of crystal beast meat were arrested without exception, and every single one of them had been using bizarre talismans.

"Inspector General! A total of 400 cultivators have been arrested, and 360 bizarre talismans have been confiscated. Combined with the previous 5, that makes precisely 365... This is estimated to be the complete total."

Director Yuan Yan of the Investigation Corps and Director He Sifang of the Elimination Corps arrived together to report the situation.

"It's just a pity that the mastermind behind the sales of the bizarre talismans wasn't caught. According to the intelligence provided by the black market sellers, a group of people in black clothing gave away a batch of bizarre talismans for free, telling them to sell these to help more people. After giving away the talismans, those people in black vanished completely without a trace."

Ye Ping: "Very well! Well done. Next, prevent the black market from rising from the ashes."

"Yes, Inspector General!"

Yuan Yan and He Sifang bowed respectfully and retreated.

Ye Ping's brow relaxed: "Although the people in black weren't caught, Jing Province has become much more peaceful. However, the Talismanic God of Resentment has been hiding behind the scenes and refusing to show up. There will probably be another talisman incident."

"Where on earth could that thing be hiding?"

"Inside some idol?"

Having seemingly thought of a clue, Ye Ping immediately lifted off, vanishing from his spot as he prepared to head to the temples of Jing City to investigate the truth of the matter.

...

On the other hand.

Inside the Demigod Kindergarten,

Xu Ran looked at Uncle Ye's recent exploits of sweeping through the black market and rounding up all the talisman cultivators in one fell swoop, a smile blooming across his features.

"Uncle Ye is still formidable. To defeat an enemy, cut off their food supply first; cutting off the food supply roots out all talisman cultivators. The Talismanic God of Resentment must be furious right now."

Xu Ran sneered. It refused to show its face, yet wanted to complete a ritual using proxies?

I'll chop off your "proxies" too!

365 talismans, 365 cultivators—if they had truly been allowed to develop, they definitely could have rapidly formed a formidable combat force. Fortunately, this test by the Talismanic God of Resentment had been nipped in the bud.

"My primary focus is to keep my head down, practice self-discipline, and improve my strength. Occasionally, I'll stir up some trouble to disrupt the Talismanic God of Resentment's tricks..."

"As long as it lacks sufficient blood sacrifices, it won't be able to accomplish much. When that happens, the anxious one will surely be it."

"Sooner or later, I will force you out, and then I'll use fist-to-flesh methods to... crush you... Heh."

With bright eyes, Xu Ran set a small target for himself...