Wanfa Daojun, starting from the Little Cloud and Rain Technique

Chapter 549 Let's take a certification exam
After parting ways with Xuanmu Zhenren, Ji An found a broker and began to familiarize himself with the situation in the Immortal City.

As expected of a 'big city', the brokers are organized, with the leaders being Foundation Establishment cultivators, each managing a dozen or so Qi Refining disciples.

The broker he chose was a middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator with an honest-looking face. He was missing half of his left hand, and there were obvious signs of animal bites on the wound.

He may have been a carefree person who used to live a life of hunting demons, but now he understands the hardships of living on the edge and has changed careers.

The monk was somewhat taciturn, but he knew the descriptions of each shop like the back of his hand, and could name the shop's best products and which shop was the most cost-effective to buy raw materials from.

After wandering around for a while, Ji An said:

"Let's find a unique eatery or restaurant to eat something, and then take me to see the place where we rented the cave dwelling this afternoon."

"Senior, what grade of cave dwelling do you wish to rent?"

Zhang Jun asked cautiously. He could sense the other party's power, but he couldn't know the specific level of the other party's cultivation, so he couldn't make a targeted recommendation.

"For items of rank three or above, if the price is right, mid-grade or high-grade rank three items are the best."

Renting a cave dwelling is still very necessary; otherwise, the stone turtle wouldn't be able to absorb much spiritual energy. After staying on the flying boat for half a year, the total spiritual energy it absorbed was less than a hundred points.

The higher the grade of the spiritual vein node, the more spiritual energy the stone turtle can absorb.

When he cultivates in the small world, the stone tortoise will leave his body and come to the outside world. At this time, the stone tortoise can absorb two portions of spiritual energy.

One came from the small world, and the other from the spiritual vein node.

"Understood, Master!"

Zhang Jun's attitude became increasingly respectful. A cultivator capable of renting a third-tier superior-grade cave dwelling must be a Golden Core True Person, because it would be a waste of rich spiritual energy for a cultivator in the Chaoyuan stage to cultivate in a third-tier superior-grade environment.

The two arrived at a small spiritual food shop. After tasting the food, Ji An was quite disappointed. The ingredients were not good enough, and no matter how good the cooking techniques were, they could not bring out the quality. His appetite had been spoiled by the high-level spiritual food from Crimson Flame Peak.

Zhang Jun noticed his expression and tentatively asked, "Real person, is it not to your liking?"

Ji An gently shook her head. "I shouldn't have had any hope for this little shop. Next time, take me to the best restaurant."

Small shops have a very low chance of getting high-end ingredients, and even special cooking techniques cannot make up for the gap.

After the two finished their meal, Ji An asked, seemingly casually:
"Do we usually see cultivators breaking through to the Golden Core stage?"

“It can be seen every three to five years. Watching the Golden Core Tribulation is an interesting activity for cultivators in the Immortal City.”

Since returning to the Immortal City to make a living, I have specifically counted that in the past fifty years, a total of thirteen cultivators have attempted to break through to the Golden Core stage.

Seven of them successfully broke through to the next level, while the others perished.

Zhang Jun's eyes revealed complex emotions. Seeing a cultivator far stronger than himself die, he felt a strange sense of pleasure, as well as a deep sense of fear.

Ji An nodded slightly. A cultivator who chooses to rent a cave in the Immortal City to break through to the Golden Core stage must not be from a sect or a large family.

These people don't have much to begin with, and many of them probably lost their confidence to forge ahead before breaking through.

However, most cultivators fail to break through because they fall during the chaotic tribulation, which means it doesn't affect the stone turtle's ability to absorb Dao essence from the tribulation.

As long as the chaotic tribulation has already begun, whether a cultivator can break through has no impact on the stone tortoise.

After understanding the actual situation here, Ji An decided that the rental period for the cave dwelling could be extended, so that the price could be reduced.

After chatting for a while, the two flew towards the mountaintop.

Upon arriving at the pavilion where the cave dwelling rentals were managed, Zhang Jun whispered:
“Master, this spiritual vein belongs exclusively to the Cloud Sea Merchant Alliance. If you have exceptional skills, you can get a discount when renting the cave dwelling.”

This is a unique feature of Cloud Sea Immortal City; you can't enjoy such benefits elsewhere.

Ji An raised his eyebrows slightly. This was exactly the policy of "attracting outstanding talents to settle down"!
The senior management of the Yunhai Business Alliance is quite farsighted; he really likes this policy that can save spirit stones.

The two of them stepped into the attic, a large hall with three floors, but the central hall was open-plan.

The ceiling above is decorated with a yin-yang symbol, and soft sunlight shines through the glazed tiles.

Several golden threads hung from the dome, with triangular star banners hanging from them.

The walls were inlaid with a ring of egg-sized luminous pearls, one of which emitted a bright white light that was particularly eye-catching.

A sweet-looking female cultivator in the Chaoyuan stage, dressed in a green silk dress, came forward and asked, "Senior, are you looking to rent a cave dwelling?"

The attic is equipped with a sensing array. If a cultivator at the Golden Core level enters, it will trigger an alarm, and one of the luminous pearls will emit a different kind of light.

She only goes up to greet cultivators at the Golden Core level; otherwise, she simply sits and oversees the situation.

Ji An nodded slightly, "I would like to rent a third-tier cave dwelling. Please tell me the prices for low-grade, mid-grade, and high-grade cave dwellings respectively."

A sincere smile bloomed on the female cultivator's face. "Senior, for rental periods of less than ten years, a low-grade cave dwelling costs 300 high-grade spirit stones per year, a mid-grade cave dwelling costs 450 high-grade spirit stones per year, and a high-grade cave dwelling costs 600 spirit stones per year, with a deposit of 100 spirit stones required."

If the lease term exceeds ten years, the rent will decrease by ten high-grade spirit stones each year thereafter.

"If the lease term exceeds fifty years, the rent will be reduced by ten high-grade spirit stones from the original price."

The female cultivator paused, then said:
"If the senior is an alchemist, weapon refiner, or array master, the rent can be reduced accordingly."

Senior, would you like a discount?

That's a very skillful question. Even someone without the skills can confidently refuse.

Ji An's smile softened further. "Of course, reductions are needed. Let's discuss the specific reduction criteria."

"What certifications do you hold, senior?"

What certification?

Ji An was dumbfounded. He turned to look at the broker, clearly questioning him, "Why didn't you mention the certification thing?"

The female cultivator was aware of this situation, and she asked:
"May I ask if you come from another continent?"

Many cultivators from other continents are unaware of this rule in the Central Continent, and she sees such situations once or twice a year.

“Yes,” Ji An vaguely understood the problem.

Zhang Jun scratched his head awkwardly a few times, not expecting his employer to be a cultivator from another continent.

"That's right. In order to regulate the trading behavior among cultivators and protect everyone's rights, the major Nascent Soul forces in Central Continent have taken the lead in conducting assessments and certifications for cultivators who learn various cultivation techniques."

This way, when cultivators engage in private transactions, they can verify the qualifications of the cultivator accepting the commission. The advantage is that cultivators will receive better treatment when they arrive in unfamiliar areas, without having to spend time building up their reputation.

Ji An scratched his head, a wave of déjà vu washing over him from his past life when he was trying to get certified. He had even considered taking the Level 2 Construction Engineer exam back then.

Overall, this certification sounds quite reliable; the Western Continent region is too small to warrant such a process.

Is the certification process complicated? How much rent can I get after certification?

"The certification process is not complicated; the seniors need to face several on-site review sessions to be assessed."

Taking alchemists as an example, if a senior is certified as a second-tier five-star alchemist, they can get a discount of three high-grade spirit stones per year; if they are certified as a third-tier one-star alchemist, they can get a discount of five high-grade spirit stones per year.

After reaching the third tier, each star level increase will reduce the cost by two high-grade spirit stones.

Moreover, the rent reductions for various certifications can be stacked, with a maximum reduction of 30%.

The female cultivator explained in great detail, covering all the possible scenarios; she was very well-trained. Ji An sighed softly, "Alright, I'll go get two certifications done and come back tomorrow."

He'll be staying in Zhongzhou for a long time, so getting a certificate will be easier. Besides, why not save spirit stones?

After saying this, he nodded to the female cultivator, turned and left, with Zhang Jun hurriedly following.

"Senior, walk slowly."

Stepping out of the attic, Zhang Jun explained with trepidation:
"Senior, I did not know you came from another continent."

Ji An waved his hand gently, "Ignorance is no excuse. You give us directions, and we'll go get certified."

He took his broker and rode on a cloud, landing a moment later in front of a silver building.

The entrance to the building was bustling with people coming and going, looking quite lively.

A cultivator, his face glowing, walked out of the gate and said to his companion beside him:
"Haha, I've been certified as a second-tier, three-star alchemist today! Let's go to Yingxian Tower tonight for a get-together, and drink until we drop!"

"Congratulations, my brother! We must serve you some fine wine."

"One jar of mid-grade second-tier spirit wine per person, and plenty of low-grade spirit wine!"

Seeing the rather comical scene, Ji An smiled and entered, finding a steward and asking:

"I want to get certified as an alchemist and talisman maker. How do I do that?"

"Senior, which level of certification are you pursuing? The fees vary depending on the certification level."

"I come from another continent. Can I directly proceed with the three-tier certification?"

"That's possible, but the certification fees for each of the preceding levels need to be paid."

Ji An curled his lip, "This guy is so damn greedy!"

"No problem, please arrange it for me as soon as possible."

"Please wait a moment, senior. I'll go and inquire about the content of your certification assessment. The fees vary depending on the assessment."

The butler jogged upstairs and then jogged back down a moment later.

"Senior, the person in charge said that you will first be certified as a third-tier talisman maker. It will cost thirty high-grade spirit stones because the third-tier materials provided by the association will be needed."

"It's really not cheap," Ji An muttered, taking out thirty high-grade spirit stones.

"Senior, you've misunderstood. If your verification is successful, these spirit stones will be refunded to you."

"very good."

Zhang Jun said, "Senior, I'll be waiting for you downstairs."

He wasn't qualified to participate in the assessment and certification process.

Inside the room sat three Golden Core cultivators. The one in the lead had white hair and a youthful face, and wore a moon-white Taoist robe.

"Fellow Daoist, the assessment for a third-tier talisman maker is very simple. You pass if you successfully draw two third-tier talismans from five sets of materials. Which talisman do you choose to draw?"

"I only know how to draw one type, called the Mind-Stabilizing Talisman."

For Ji An, there was no choice.

The leading cultivator raised his white eyebrows and said with considerable surprise:
"The talisman for calming the mind was passed down from Buddhist practitioners, and it is quite difficult for us Taoist practitioners to draw it."

If you can draw a low-grade third-tier talisman, I can rate you as a third-tier, two-star talisman maker.

A thin-faced cultivator beside him frowned slightly and said:

"Fellow Daoist Qingfeng, isn't this against the rules?"

The white-haired, white-browed cultivator gently shook his head. "I have my own decision."

The slender cultivator looked at the third cultivator. Although Qingfeng Zhenren was the chief examiner, if the two of them objected, the chief examiner's decision could be overturned.

Master Qingfeng's relationship with both of them was just so-so, and it's believed that the other party didn't like Master Qingfeng's arbitrary decisions either.

“I support Fellow Daoist Qingfeng,” said Dao Xuan Zhenren. He and Qingfeng Zhenren were not on good terms, but they would not oppose each other on important matters.

The news of the weakening of the Demon Cave seal was only known to Nascent Soul cultivators and core Golden Core disciples of various forces. The Mind-Stabilizing Talisman can build a soul defense and is very effective in dealing with certain demons. It is a resource that major forces have begun to stockpile.

Master Qingfeng waved to the steward, "Go to the warehouse and fetch five sets of materials for the Mind-Stabilizing Talisman."

“Yes, ma’am,” the deacon said, leaving and soon returning with a tray.

He placed the talisman paper, cinnabar, talisman brush, inkstone, and prepared medicine on the table, then left the room and closed the door.

Ji An looked at the prepared items with a complicated expression.

These materials are similar to the talisman-making techniques he obtained in the far north. What he treasured is now as common as cabbage here.

At that moment, he lost his composure.

He shook his head gently, quickly dispelling his negative emotions, and reminded himself that this was the reason he had traveled thousands of miles to Zhongzhou.

Ji An poured the cinnabar into the inkstone, added the medicinal water, and began grinding. A faint sandalwood fragrance filled the room.

During the grinding process, his mind quickly calmed down.

After preparing the talisman ink, he picked up the talisman brush and infused it with spiritual power. He felt the spiritual power flow very smoothly to the tip of the brush and nodded in satisfaction.

This talisman brush is actually a second-tier high-grade spiritual weapon, better than the one he usually uses.

Ji An extended his divine sense to sense the texture of the talisman paper, then dipped it in talisman ink and began to write.

With swift strokes, the first talisman was completed, and its spiritual energy quickly dissipated, leaving the pristine white paper slightly blackened.

Ji An ignored all of this and quickly drew the second one without stopping.

A moment later, he handed three high-grade third-tier talismans and one mid-grade third-tier talisman to the examiner.

Master Qingfeng exclaimed in admiration, "I never imagined that fellow Daoist's skills were so exquisite! I am truly impressed!"

He is one of the cultivators with the best talisman-making skills in the Cloud Sea Immortal City Certification Association. He can also draw mind-stabilizing talismans, but his success rate is only about 70%, of which only 30% are of superior quality.

He used his telekinesis to hand the talisman to the other examiners, and after they had all confirmed that there was nothing wrong with the talisman, he said:

"Fellow Daoist, your divine skill grants you the title of a third-tier, four-star talisman master! Certification as a five-star talisman master requires drawing three top-grade talismans."

Dao Xuan Zhenren echoed, "I agree."

Because of the unique nature of the Mind-Stabilizing Talisman, the difficulty of drawing a high-grade Mind-Stabilizing Talisman is the same as the difficulty of drawing other types of top-grade talismans.

The slender monk nodded. "I agree as well."

Whether a craftsman is skilled or not is immediately apparent; there's no room for faking it.

(End of this chapter)