Starting as a Talisman Master

The commotion in the front hall subsided, but the onlookers did not all disperse.

Some shook their heads and left, some whispered among themselves, and some stood still, their eyes lingering in front of the Moon Concealment Pavilion.

The ending was unexpected. The three troublemakers left in a sorry state, the object that disturbed the spirits was revealed, Liu Qing's talisman was finally completed and its spiritual effect was stable. This reversal actually made Yueyin Pavilion famous.

Those who tried to disrupt the event failed miserably; instead of harming Yueyin Pavilion, they actually lent them a helping hand.

At this moment, Lu Chi and the other two had retreated to the inner hall to rest for a while.

Not long after, heavy footsteps sounded from the back room, and Cao Zhen strode in, his clothes slightly disheveled, dust still clinging to his shoulders, but his breathing steady.

Lu Chi glanced at him and knew that he had just made his move.

Cao Zhen grinned and cupped his hands, saying, "Sect Master, those three used the Divine Speed ​​Talisman to escape as soon as they left the gate. They had something to hide, so I still managed to catch them. I've sealed their spiritual power and they're being held in a side courtyard awaiting interrogation."

Qin Suniang nodded: "Thank you for your trouble."

Lu Chi's heart stirred slightly. Of those three, one was at the fourth level of Qi Refining and the other two were at the third level of Qi Refining. How could Cao Ze have taken care of them all by himself?

Doesn't that mean Cao Cao can easily control him too? His lips twitched, and he cupped his hands, saying, "Brother Cao, you have excellent skills. All three of them had the Swift Travel Talisman, yet they were all captured in one fell swoop."

Cao Zhen scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly:

"Master Lu, you flatter me. I am merely a body cultivator. My physical body is slightly stronger and my blood and qi are more vigorous, making me more durable than other cultivators of the same level. If I were an ordinary Qi Refining Level 5 cultivator, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to catch up."

The path of physical cultivation is based on body refinement, tempering muscles, bones, flesh, and blood. With qi and blood like a dragon, one possesses boundless strength. In battles between those of the same level, one can often shatter magical artifacts with a single punch and shatter spiritual light with a single palm strike.

However, it consumes enormous resources and progresses slowly, so most people are unwilling to choose this path.

Lu Chi hadn't realized Cao Ze had such an identity before, no wonder he was recruited by Qin Su Niang, he nodded in sudden realization.

"I already have a guess about who's behind this. I'll find out from those three people and then explain it to Brother Liu Qing and Master Lu in detail. You don't need to overthink it; the matter of drawing talismans is the key."

Qin Su Niang smiled gently, her gaze lingering on Lu Chi's face for a moment, her expression gentle yet full of praise:

"I am very pleased with Master Lu's skills today. If your talisman types and quantities are not lacking after one month... the position of chief will be decided."

The implication was quite clear. Lu Chi cupped his hands in greeting: "The sect leader has high hopes for me, and I will certainly do my best."

Liu Qing stood to the side, his expression complex, and cupped his hands, saying, "Sister, Brother Lu, I'll take my leave now."

He turned and left, his steps slightly hurried.

Seeing this, Lu Chi also stood up and said, "Sect Master, I will also take my leave."

Qin Suniang nodded: "Go ahead, Master Lu should get some rest."

Lu Chi left Yueyin Pavilion and walked along the alleys of the market.

The scene that had just unfolded in the inner hall left him with a strange feeling: Where was Mu Changfeng?

As the Qixia Sect's most visible combat power, a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, he failed to appear during the recent turmoil.

If he had been there, he probably would have seen through the three people's trickery long ago, and he wouldn't have had to take action. Also, the initial spirit-gathering talisman was clearly tampered with by someone inside the pavilion.

The internal affairs of the Qixia Sect are far more complex than they appear on the surface, and can be described as a combination of internal and external troubles.

Lu Chi shook his head, suppressing the thought.

He was only at the third level of Qi Refining, a minor talisman master. In the Qixia Sect, where the mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators were numerous and the late-stage cultivators were in charge, only the first-level talisman master status was something to be proud of.

It's best not to get involved in internal affairs, and as for the Qixia Sect's mountain gate, I won't even consider going there.

Back in the courtyard, he closed the door and bolted it, the warning talisman was as secure as ever, and then took out the storage bag that Qin Su Niang had given him earlier, took out the jade slip, and probed it with spiritual power from his fingertips.

The ancient formula for the Foundation Building Pill is meticulously detailed: it contains three main ingredients and seven auxiliary ingredients, and its refining method is complex, resulting in a low success rate.

Lu Chi closed his eyes and memorized the words, not missing a single one, his heart inevitably stirred slightly.

Foundation Building Pills are something that ordinary cultivators would struggle to obtain in their entire lives; even ancient formulas are considered extremely rare opportunities.

However, his innate talent is of low quality, so his cultivation is slow. It will probably take him decades to reach the peak of Qi Refining. During that time, he can slowly pay attention to medicinal herbs and tools.

"Next, I just need to focus on drawing talismans and leveling up my character panel. I'll slowly accumulate spirit stones, then exchange them for spirit items to push my cultivation level up."

Lu Chi muttered to himself, determined to win the position of chief of the Moon Concealment Pavilion a month from now.

Securing this position would be a great thing. With a full supply of talisman materials and a share of sales revenue, spirit stones would flow in, which could then be used to purchase elixirs and spiritual items to aid in cultivation progress.

With this in mind, he did not rush to draw the talisman, but instead took out the last Qi-Nourishing Pill.

If I'm not mistaken, I can give it a try tonight and try to break through to the middle stage of Qi Refining.

He sat cross-legged, the pill melting instantly upon entering his mouth, a warm current seeping into his dantian like a gentle spring, initially mild and soothing, gradually becoming surging.

Lu Chi focused his mind and practiced breathing exercises according to the nameless technique.

The breath alternates between long and short, and the spiritual energy travels along the meridians. First, there are fine threads pulling and a slight stinging sensation; then, as it circulates throughout the body, a warm current gradually melts in, and the dantian, like an old well being filled with water, slowly becomes full.

One cycle, two cycles... until the ninth cycle, the thin barrier in the dantian finally loosened quietly under the cleansing of spiritual energy.

He remained calm and steady, allowing his spiritual energy to accumulate layer by layer, like waves crashing against the shore, each wave stronger than the last.

Finally, a soft "boom" echoed only in the sea of ​​consciousness.

The barrier broke through, and spiritual energy surged into his limbs and bones like a burst dam. His meridians widened, his dantian became solid, and his aura rose significantly.

Lu Chi opened his eyes, the tightness in his chest dissipated, and as he circulated his spiritual energy, the previous sluggishness was gone.

In the early stages of Qi cultivation, spiritual energy is scarce and meridians are narrow; even a slightly rapid circulation can cause a feeling of weakness and instability.

After the mid-stage, spiritual energy becomes more solid, meridians become wider, and endurance greatly increases. During combat, one can last for several more breaths and absorb more spiritual energy during breathing exercises.

Although it's not a complete upheaval, it is a real hurdle.

He let out a long sigh, his lips twitching slightly.

The path of cultivation is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind. Immortality and longevity are a distant dream, yet with each step forward, you are one inch closer to that elusive other shore.

Today's small achievement is but a speck of dust, yet it serves as a reminder: the path to greatness is long and arduous; only by accumulating small steps can one reach a thousand miles.

Lu Chi got up and paced around the room for a couple of steps.

After circulating spiritual energy for one cycle, although the dantian felt solid and the meridians were wide, it was still faintly felt that the absorption of spiritual energy was slow when the old cultivation method was used, and although the magic power was condensed, it lacked a sharp and powerful feeling.

His heart sank slightly. The nameless cultivation technique he practiced was originally rudimentary. It could be sustained in the early stages of Qi cultivation, but after the middle stage, it became like an old boot rubbing against his foot, gradually becoming sluggish.

"It's time to consider changing to a different cultivation method. We need to plan for this as soon as possible. If we wait until the late stage of Qi Refining, our foundation will be solid, and changing cultivation methods may cause hidden dangers and be counterproductive."

Lu Chi pondered to himself.

In the market, there are many independent cultivators and shops selling cultivation techniques. Chapters on Qi cultivation are readily available, and you can get one for just a few dozen spirit stones.

But deep down, a glimmer of hope arose in his heart. Ordinary cultivation methods were merely a means to prolong life; what he wanted was a legacy that included the Foundation Establishment method.

The simplest path seems to be to serve the three great families and become an external talisman master. By serving as a mid-grade talisman master, one can at least exchange for a cultivation technique with a foundation-building chapter.

However... what the three great families gave them were mostly incomplete copies. They would only release the full version after squeezing them dry. At that time, they would be in a difficult position, unable to advance or retreat.

Lu Chi shook his head, suppressing the thought.

The former sect leader of Qixia Sect was a peak Qi Refining cultivator, and the sect's legacy might contain a Foundation Establishment method.

Qin Su Niang has treated him well, and has already given him the formula for the Foundation Establishment Pill. If he probes further, there might be a turning point.

He gradually made up his mind: he would find an excuse to test the waters another day.

Lu Chi stopped thinking about it, took out talisman paper and spiritual ink, and spread them out on the table.

After upgrading my [Talisman Master] profession, the experience gain has indeed slowed down considerably. Previously, drawing low-grade talismans would add one point to my experience, but now, trying again, I gain none at all.

Only when a mid-grade talisman is completed can it slowly rise by a wisp.

His heart sank slightly: From now on, he must not slack off in drawing talismans. Although low-grade talismans are easy to make, they are no longer of much use. Only by steadily working on mid-grade talismans can he make steady progress.

The following day, Lu Chi spent the entire night drawing talismans, and several mid-grade talismans were piled up on his desk, their spiritual power stable and their quality above average.

He put down his pen, rubbed his temples, and used the "Burning Thoughts" technique several times. Although his mind was tired, it became increasingly clear.

The panel quietly appeared:

[Spellcaster Lv.2 (5/50)]

Progress is still a bit slow; I'm afraid I won't be able to unlock any new talents in the near future.

Lu Chi rubbed his temples when a familiar footstep suddenly came from outside the door. His senses had become much sharper after his breakthrough in cultivation, and he immediately recognized the person who had come out.

Lu Chi's heart skipped a beat. He got up and opened the door, only to see Zhou Jinyan covered in sweat, his clothes stained with mud, but his face was beaming with joy.

"Brother Zhou?"

Zhou Jinyan grinned, looked him up and down, and her eyes suddenly lit up:

"Hey! You broke through? Fourth level of Qi Refining! Hahaha, perfect! This morning the spiritual energy in my field was messed up again, and the rice seedlings were wilting terribly. I was just worried about not having anyone to help."

"Don't worry, I won't let you work for nothing. I happen to have a few mid-stage Qi Refining spells that I can teach you."

Lu Chi was taken aback. The other party had made this request before, so he wasn't surprised.

After some thought, he realized that he was unaffiliated with any sect or school and had not learned many spells. If he were to fight, he would be at a disadvantage. Besides, the opponent was not a stranger, so he could go.

A thought suddenly struck him.

The profession panel is named "Professions," so it's not limited to just the talisman master path.

If I personally tend to the spirit fields, dredge the ley lines, and perform spirit farming spells, will I trigger a new profession?