At the talisman testing platform, the talismans competing against Liu Chun's showed a clear energy discrepancy. In the previous rounds, Liu Chun's talismans had won with a significant margin. However, starting from the sixth talisman, there was a steep decline in the energy levels of Liu Chun's talismans. To an ordinary person, this decline might seem like a natural result of exhaustion or insufficient skill, but to Lin Xiao and Jiang Youfu, who were well aware of Liu Chun's capabilities, something was clearly amiss.
But could anyone truly tamper with the talismans in the Talisman Master Conference? Over the past few days in Banxiang City, they had heard numerous accounts of the fairness and integrity of the Talisman Master Conference. The purpose of the conference was to bolster the talisman-crafting prowess and to identify talented talisman masters who could enhance the unique skills of the Southern and Northern Spirit Realms. Cheating or tampering was strictly forbidden and despised.
Could it be that something was wrong with the testing platform itself?
Soon, the testing reached the ninth talisman. As Lin Xiao and Jiang Youfu grew more suspicious, a square-faced, stern-looking middle-aged man in the spectator stands, wearing deep brown robes indicative of a particular sect, gazed intently at the talisman masters below. Suddenly, he furrowed his brows and raised his eyes toward the frontmost testing platforms.
He gestured to someone behind him, and a Golden Core stage cultivator, dressed similarly to him but with slight differences in detail, stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "What are your orders, Master Lian Yue?"
The man, referred to as Master Lian Yue, nodded towards the direction of the testing platforms and said, "There has been tampering with the talismans at Platform 79. Go investigate immediately."
The Golden Core cultivator, startled by the revelation, glanced quickly at the testing platform, then responded with utmost respect, "Yes, sir!" He immediately turned and flew toward the platform on his sword, sending a message to the other Talisman Master Conference officials as he went.
Although there were many spectators in the air, none dared to fly around recklessly due to the presence of so many powerful figures below. Seeing someone suddenly take off at such high speed drew everyone's attention. They were curious to see who was bold enough to act so brazenly.
In the eyes of the audience, the Golden Core cultivator was acting recklessly, but in his mind, he was cursing whoever had the audacity to tamper with the talismans at such a prestigious event. When he arrived at Platform 79, the official responsible for testing Liu Chun's talismans was visibly startled upon seeing the cultivator's robes. The official shivered involuntarily.
The Golden Core cultivator didn't need to ask questions. He immediately snatched the talisman pouch from the official's hands and inspected the remaining talisman inside. Upon noticing some strange black powder on the talisman, his expression darkened.
He touched the black powder and his face immediately fell.
He quickly glanced at the talisman energy readings on both sides of the platform and then turned to the approaching Talisman Master Conference officials. "Seal off this platform and preserve everything exactly as it is. As for these two," he continued, casting a glance at the two officials who had been handling the talismans, "detain them immediately and ensure they have no contact with anyone."
The arriving officials, recognizing his attire, didn't ask questions. They quickly followed his instructions, sealing Platform 79 and detaining the two testers. The operation was so swift that the spectators barely had time to react before the platform was sealed with ten layers of protective talismans.
Lin Xiao and Jiang Youfu were surprised—had the Talisman Master Conference discovered tampering with Liu Chun's talismans?
As the officials departed, the audience began to buzz with speculation. Lin Xiao and Jiang Youfu perked up, eager to hear any new information.
"What just happened? Why did they suddenly come over and arrest their own people, and then seal off the testing platform?" one person asked.
"I'm also here for the first time. Can anyone with more experience explain this?" another chimed in.
Perhaps flattered by the request for expertise, several voices answered at once:
"You must be new to this. The Talisman Master Conference is extremely strict. They don't tolerate any foul play. Clearly—"
"Clearly someone tampered with the talismans, and they got caught. The conference officials will definitely investigate thoroughly. We just don't know if it was the talisman master who cheated or if someone tampered with their talismans."
"Did you see the man in the brown robes earlier? That was a uniform from the Talisman Sect! We don't need to worry—if they're handling it, we'll definitely get to the bottom of this..."
As soon as they realized the person involved was from the Talisman Sect, the audience, regardless of their personal thoughts, all showed signs of respect. After all, the Talisman Sect was the most renowned sect across the Southern and Northern Spirit Realms, though not the entire cultivation world. For most cultivators in these realms, who often struggled to reach the Nascent Soul stage, the Talisman Sect represented the pinnacle of power and prestige.
Northern Spirit Realm cultivators, more familiar with the Talisman Sect due to its location, began to boast about their knowledge.
"You Southerners might not know this, but the Talisman Sect is incredible. Our sect once entered a secret realm with them—"
"Ha! That's nothing. I have a brother in the Talisman Sect, and he's given me several high-level talismans!"
After sifting through a barrage of praise and irrelevant stories, Lin Xiao and Jiang Youfu managed to glean some useful information. As long as Liu Chun's talismans were not the issue, and given the conference's emphasis on fairness, his competition should not be affected. Even if the results from this round were nullified, Liu Chun's previously approved talismans would still be counted, and he would still have a chance.
The incident didn't disrupt the overall flow of the Talisman Master Conference. Aside from the sealed Platform 79 and the absence of the two officials, everything continued smoothly.