Starting as a Talisman Master

With a change of heart, Lu Chi inwardly mocked himself: he was not one of those geniuses after all, with only average talent. Obtaining the ancient formula was already a great opportunity, so why bother with the debate between the ancient and the modern?

"Sect Master Qin, I am intrigued by the Foundation Establishment Pill formula. If we are truly to discuss cooperation, I would like to ask: If I join the Qixia Sect, how many talismans must I draw each month? And what are the rules?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in Qin Su Niang's eyes, and the smile on her lips deepened.

She knew that Lu Chi had already decided to join them.

"Since Master Lu has this intention, I will naturally tell you frankly."

"If Master Lu is willing to join the sect, he only needs to draw thirteen first-grade talismans each month. Among them, three are mid-grade talismans and ten are low-grade talismans."

"The types of talismans need to be diverse, and commonly used talismans such as those for gathering spirit, golden light, ice arrow, concealing breath, divine speed, and rejuvenation are all indispensable."

"Two or three times a month, I will take the time to guide the disciples of the sect's talisman hall, improving their talisman-making methods and talisman intent condensation. There is no need to teach them every day; just a little guidance is enough."

"As for the materials for the talismans, the sect will take care of everything. The talisman paper, spirit ink, and spirit sand will all be provided by the Qixia Sect in the best quality. Master Lu will not have to pay a penny out of his own pocket."

"If Master Lu occasionally draws a high-grade talisman, or exceeds the prescribed number, the sect will reward him handsomely. Spirit stones, pills, or even ancient books treasured within the sect can all be negotiated."

Qin Su Niang paused, looked directly at Lu Chi, and added:

"Of course, if Master Lu's cultivation level improves in the future, the monthly amount can be adjusted accordingly. What the sect values ​​is Master Lu's potential and sincerity, not the current output."

Thirteen cards a month... three medium-grade and ten low-grade, that's easy... Lu Chi quickly calculated in his mind, this requirement was much easier than he had expected.

With his current level, he is more than capable of fulfilling this requirement, and he can even leave most of his time to consolidate his realm and study new talismans. The fact that he has all the materials is an unexpected bonus.

What he didn't know was that for ordinary talisman masters, the success or failure of drawing talismans depended entirely on a narrow path.

If one loses focus even slightly, becomes impure in their aura, or experiences a slight stagnation in their spiritual power, the entire talisman will be rendered useless. At best, it will become a worthless piece of paper; at worst, it will backfire on the soul, causing minor injuries for several days.

Lu Chi used the [Burning Thought] technique, forcibly concentrating his mind like a needle, focusing his intent on the brush, and even the runes he had no confidence in before, he was able to force out their form.

At worst, it will be a low-grade first-tier talisman, with absolutely no risk of complete collapse. This level of reliability is far beyond what ordinary talisman masters can achieve.

"I appreciate Manager Qin's kindness, but this matter concerns my future, so I need to go back and think it over carefully. I will give you an answer soon and won't keep you waiting."

Lu Chi was quite tempted, but he spoke of it out of caution.

Does the Qixia Sect have an elder at the eighth level of Qi Refining? Is there truly an ancient and modern version of the Foundation Establishment Pill formula? These crucial questions are currently answered solely by Qin Suniang's account.

Qin Su Niang did not show any disappointment. Instead, she smiled gently, stood up, and said:

"It's alright. It's only right for Master Lu to act cautiously. Once you've made up your mind, you can come to Cangyue Pavilion to find me anytime. The gates of Qixia Sect are always open to Master Lu."

She raised her hand and waved, and a jade slip flew to Lu Chi's front:

"Take this draft contract back and examine it carefully. If there are any improprieties, you may suggest modifications. The talisman hall will open in three days, and I will be waiting for you on East Street."

"At that time, the talisman hall will be named 'Moon Hidden Pavilion,' which means hidden talismans under the moon, waiting for the destined one."

Lu Chi accepted the jade slip, cupped his hands in farewell, and said, "Thank you for your leniency, Manager Qin. I will take my leave now."

As they stepped out of Cangyue Pavilion, a night breeze caressed their faces. Accompanying Lu Chi was Cao Zhen.

Lu Chi slowed his pace slightly, turning his head to look at the burly spirit farmer beside him, his tone casual yet probing:

"Brother Cao, Manager Qin invited me here today to discuss matters. Could it be that you, Brother Cao, acted as my liaison? Brother Cao, are you now... already a member of the Qixia Sect?"

Cao Zhen did not stop walking, his voice as deep as ever, but with a touch more composure:

"Master Lu has a good eye. That's right. I accepted Manager Qin's invitation a few days ago to join the Qixia Sect and help manage some spirit fields and market affairs."

"Brother Cao is fortunate to have received the guidance of the Qixia Sect, his future is promising, and I, Lu, would like to congratulate him."

"I wouldn't call it cultivation. Sect Master Qin is in a difficult situation right now, with many people inside and outside the sect coveting him. I'm just lending a hand."

"In the end, she is just a woman, living alone in her empty room, and she has to support the entire Qixia Sect. It is truly pitiful. We will help her if we can."

Pity me? Should I lend a hand?

You scoundrel Cao, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, you look honest and speak so eloquently, but deep down you're probably eyeing Qin Su Niang's soft side and the Qixia Sect's resources.

Foundation Establishment Elixir Formula, Sect Resources, Beautiful Widows... which one isn't highly sought after?

They really went to great lengths to help.

The two walked for a while longer before parting ways at a fork in the road. Cao Zhen turned and left, his figure quickly disappearing into the night.

Lu Chi stood there, watching the burly figure disappear into the distance, the smile in his eyes gradually fading.

Cao Cao... He was speaking in support of Qin Su Niang in every word and sentence, yet his demeanor was neither humble nor arrogant. He seemed honest, but in reality, he had ulterior motives.

With the Qixia Sect facing imminent storm, it is no accident that a non-family member named Lingnong has managed to gain a foothold and even earn Qin Su Niang's trust.

He took a deep breath, put away the jade slip, and turned to walk back home.

The room remained quiet, with the lamp wick flickering weakly.

Lu Chi sat down on the edge of the bed, took a deep breath, raised his hand and beckoned. The gray-blue storage bag at his waist trembled slightly, and with a flash of light, several items landed on the table.

First came several jars of wine brewed from spirit rice, a gift from Zhou Jinyan. When he opened one jar, the aroma was wonderful. Now there was still a little less than half a jar left, which he casually placed on the bedside table.

Next was the Rejuvenating Grass that Xu Yanqiu had given him.

The jade box was sealed tightly, the grass leaves were green and moist, and there was a hidden spiritual energy. It was slightly cool to the touch, and the medicinal fragrance was light but lingering.

Lu Chi gently stroked the lid of the box with his fingertips, and Xu Yanqiu's always tense face involuntarily appeared in his mind, stubborn, bitter, and with a hint of unwillingness in his youthful spirit.

With a mid-grade spiritual root, he should have had a bright future, but instead he chose to plunge into the Shen family as a handyman, adding fuel to the fire and tending the furnace all night...

In the art of alchemy, the Shen family would never pass on their true skills to outsiders. No matter how hard they tried, they would only be doing the work for someone else.

If he can extricate himself in time, with his spiritual talent, he can find a proper lineage or join a small sect like Qixia Sect, at least there will be a glimmer of hope.

Lu Chi shook his head, closed the jade box, and carefully put it into the innermost part of his storage bag.

There were also a few small gifts: spiritual vegetables, spiritual fruits, and two bottles of low-grade spiritual wine... all given by the spiritual farmers and cultivators at the banquet. They were not valuable, but they were practical.

He took them all out at once and piled them on a wooden shelf in the corner of the room so as not to take up the pitiful space in the storage bag.

After clearing away the clutter, he took out the jade box given to him by Qin Suniang from the innermost layer of the storage bag.

The box is warm and smooth like jade, and slightly cool to the touch. There are fine moonlight patterns on the lid. With a gentle lift, a crystal clear pill lies quietly on the red brocade cushion.

The pill was pure white, with a faint glow, and its fragrance was light yet gentle, as if it could penetrate straight to the heart and soul.

Beauty Elixir.

Lu Chi stared at the pill, his gaze sharpening slightly.

On the bright side, this gift was Qin Su Niang's way of expressing her hopes for him: that he would stay young forever, never grow old, and achieve immortality.

After all, the most taboo thing for cultivators is a decline in mental state and a withered appearance. If they can maintain their youth, they can at least have a more stable Dao heart.

As a female cultivator who also heads a sect, Qin Suniang naturally values ​​the word "appearance" highly. This elixir might truly be a gesture of sincerity.

Think of the worst...

The insidious concoctions circulating in the market often claim to be beauty enhancements, but secretly contain aphrodisiacs, mind-controlling poisons, or use beauty to engage in sexual exploitation.

Qin Su Niang gave him this pill at a crucial moment when she was trying to recruit him into the sect. If she had done something underhanded... he, a mere Qi Refining Level 3 talisman master, would have been unable to defend himself against it.

Moreover, for a widowed woman to give a young man a beauty-enhancing pill seems suspiciously ambiguous and probing.

Could it be that she's trying to use both her beauty and the pills to make him easier to control? Or perhaps... to get closer to him so she can control him later?

Lu Chi chuckled self-deprecatingly, closed the jade box, and put it back into the deepest part of his storage bag, sealing it with a simple spirit-sealing talisman.

The next morning, as soon as the sunlight pierced through the window paper, Lu Chi got up, took out paper and pen, and wrote a short letter.

The content was simply asking Zhou Jinyan to help investigate the authenticity of the Qixia Sect's eighth-level Qi Refining elder.

The other party has been in the market for many years, has extensive connections and is well-informed, so it is most appropriate to entrust this matter to him.

After finishing these tasks, Lu Chi took out the bottle of Qi-Nourishing Pills, consumed and refined one, and once his mind was clear, he got up, spread out the talisman paper, took out the talisman brush and spirit ink, and prepared to draw a talisman.

Today he is going to draw a "house-protecting charm" for settling down.

This talisman is of low-grade first rank. Its meaning is stable and can suppress the fortune of a house, drive away evil spirits, and prevent thieves from spying.

Although it is not used in magical battles, it is extremely useful for the dwellings of independent cultivators.

The brush tip touches the paper, first dotting the head of the talisman, then guiding the body, the spiritual ink slowly spreading along the brushstrokes.

Lu Chi was calm and composed, his breathing deep and even, and his brush moved like dragons and snakes, completing the work in one go.

As the final stroke ended, the talisman paper trembled slightly, light patterns appeared, and the talisman's meaning became stable.

Become!

The moment the talisman was completed, a familiar line of words suddenly appeared in Lu Chi's mind:

[Proficiency Improvement of House-Protecting Talisman: Beginner (10/100)]

[Charm Master Class Experience +1]

[Job Upgrade: Rune Master Lv.2 (0/50)]

[Gained new talent: Combining strokes]

After a month of tireless writing, the [Spellcaster] class has finally taken another step forward, reaching Lv.2 and unlocking a new talent!