Starting as a Talisman Master

Lu Chi wasn't actually very interested in that cultivation technique.

Although the "Mysterious Origin Foundation Transformation Technique" can condense a mortal foundation, it only has a 20% chance of success. It is more of a dangerous path than a safe one.

He knew his own abilities weren't great to begin with, and it would be too reckless for him to take this gamble-based approach.

However, he did not reveal it immediately.

Since Han Jingxing brought it up on his own initiative and explained the distinction between the foundations of the Way in such detail, it was clearly not just a casual remark.

Why are they being so enthusiastic? It's just neighborly affection, it seems a bit much.

Just then, Han Jingxing took out a jade slip from his sleeve, placed it gently on the table, took a sip of tea, and spoke slowly.

"I can make a deal with Brother Lu for this cultivation technique; one hundred spirit stones will suffice."

One hundred spirit stones can be exchanged for a method that leads directly to Foundation Establishment, which is already a very low price. If the news gets out, the rogue cultivators in the market will probably fight tooth and nail to get it.

Lu Chi remained expressionless and asked calmly, "Since Brother Han has spoken, it must be more than just spirit stones."

Han Jingxing smiled, his expression playful.

"That's right. There's one more condition."

"What are the conditions?"

Han Jingxing suddenly paused, then shook his head and said, "I haven't decided yet."

Lu Chi was taken aback: "Haven't decided yet?"

"Yes," Han Jingxing said frankly. "Even I find it strange. But just now, as we were talking about this, a thought suddenly came to mind: it wouldn't hurt to exchange this cultivation technique with you."

He put down his teacup, and his tone became more serious.

"Brother Lu, please forgive my bluntness. I clearly saw the way Master Liu looked at you just now. It wasn't contempt, it was fear. You must know him, right?"

"I know Master Qingxu's insight. Since he associates with Master Liu and is willing to bring him to me, Master Liu must be no ordinary talisman master."

"But when he looks at you, he clearly hides his sharpness."

Han Jingxing's gaze fell on Lu Chi.

"To be honest, I come from the Han family and I don't lack acquaintances with talisman masters. But seeing you today, I feel that forming a good relationship is a worthwhile thing to do."

"This cultivation technique is of little use to me. If you want it, it will cost one hundred spirit stones, plus a favor."

"The conditions aren't harsh. It's just that in the future, when you're able to do something for me, without going against your own bottom line."

"As for what that matter is, I'll tell you after I've thought it through."

Lu Chi remained silent for a moment, unsure how to respond.

It sounds like the other party is placing a bet.

These conditions are neither too severe nor too mild.

Han Jingxing, however, remained as lazy as ever, as if he had just mentioned it casually.

After pondering for a long time, Lu Chi finally nodded: "Alright, I accept this agreement."

He may not know how to cultivate the "Mysterious Origin Foundation Transformation Technique," but having another path is always better than having no path to take in the future.

Although the foundation was flat, it was still the foundation for building a foundation. As for the hundred spirit stones, he could still afford them.

As for obligations based on personal relationships, it is acceptable as long as it is clearly stated that it is within his capabilities and does not violate his own bottom line.

Upon hearing this, a hint of a smile flashed across Han Jingxing's eyes.

With a flick of his sleeve, an invisible shield of energy quietly descended, separating the two of them, preventing their voices from leaking out and their spiritual insights from escaping.

Lu Chi took out a hundred spirit stones and placed them on the table.

Han Jingxing pushed the jade slip in front of him and tapped it lightly with his fingertip.

"The complete 'Mysterious Origin Foundation Transformation Technique' is here. Whether it is true or false, you can discern it for yourself when you return."

Lu Chi had no suspicions and put away the jade slip. The spirit stone had already been put into Han Jingxing's sleeve.

The mist dissipated, and the aroma of tea and the sounds of voices returned to my ears, as if everything just now was nothing more than idle chatter.

A thought struck him.

By attending this tea gathering, half of the matter concerning the cultivation method has been accomplished.

A glance swept across the courtyard, where several cultivators had already taken out jade bottles, talismans, jade slips, and spiritual materials, and were negotiating prices in hushed tones.

Some people displayed elixirs, some spread out animal hides, and some exchanged spirit stones for spirit plants.

Han Jingxing smiled gently.

"Brother Lu is lucky. That senior who might have a second-tier spirit plant seed has also come today."

He stood up, gesturing for Lu Chi to follow.

"Come on, I'll take you to see him."

……

……

Han Jingxing led Lu Chi through two long tables and towards a corner of the courtyard.

The location there was a bit secluded, not too far from the main seat, yet it was surrounded by quite a few people.

Several cultivators stood watching and asked the price in hushed tones, but none of them lingered for long, as if they could afford to ask but not to buy.

An old animal skin was spread out on the long table, and several items were placed on it.

On the left are two half-open wooden boxes, inside which lie several spiritual plant seeds, each a different color, faintly exuding the spiritual energy of plants.

On the right were several jade boxes, which were clearly filled with slices of mature medicinal herbs or a small amount of spiritual materials.

Further out, there was another talisman, an ice arrow talisman. The talisman paper was cold white, and the chill was contained within. Next to it stood a wooden sign with the price written on it.

One hundred and thirty spirit stones.

Lu Chi's heart skipped a beat as soon as he glanced at the scene.

Isn't this talisman drawn by him?

The brushstrokes, the finishing strokes, and the techniques of concealing the brush tip were all exactly the same as those he had sent to Yueyin Pavilion.

If he remembered correctly, this kind of high-grade ice arrow talisman would only cost thirty or forty spirit stones at the Moon Concealment Pavilion.

Now, at this stall, I found over a hundred coins.

Lu Chi looked at the person sitting behind the desk. The person was middle-aged, with a cold and hard face and no emotion in his eyes.

His robes were not luxurious, but they were extremely clean, and even the worn areas on the cuffs were neatly trimmed. He didn't seem like someone who cared about appearances, but rather someone who was used to traveling in the wild and only cared about practical benefits.

Judging from his heavy aura, his cultivation had reached the seventh level of Qi Refining. Han Jingxing said that this person's name was Zhao Hongyue, who loved to travel and often traveled between the prefectures of Jing and Zhao.

Han Jingxing first cupped his hands in greeting, his attitude much more formal than when he addressed Master Qingxu: "Senior Zhao."

Zhao Hongyue glanced at him, which was considered an agreement, his tone flat.

"Young man from the Han family, what are you doing here?"

Han Jingxing didn't mind the title and said with a smile, "I brought a friend to see the seeds in your possession, senior. I heard that you recently returned from another prefecture and have some rare items with you."

Zhao Hongyue grunted in response, and without further ado, pushed the wooden box forward half an inch.

"Things that are hard to find in Dongyue County may be available elsewhere. I recently went to Linqingyuan County and picked up a few seeds. Whether they succeed or not depends on fate, and whether they are worth it depends on your judgment."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chi's heart stirred, and he took half a step forward, his gaze falling on the box for a closer look.

The box contained mostly first-tier spirit plant seeds, with an ordinary aura.

Only three stones, each with a different shape, sat quietly in the corner, their essence seemingly concentrated. Their outer shells gleamed faintly, and their interiors seemed to hold hidden potential.

Upon closer inspection, the spiritual energy was far superior to that of other objects; they were actually three second-tier spiritual plant seeds.

Of the three, one was a deep purple in color, with fine veins on its surface, as if purple energy had condensed within it. It was not particularly eye-catching, but it made his eyelids twitch slightly.

According to the records in "The Essentials of Herbs and Trees", it seems to be... Purple Marrow Ganoderma!

This item is a second-tier spiritual plant and one of the main ingredients in the ancient Foundation Building Pill formula.

Ordinary second-tier spiritual plant seeds are already rare, but if there is truly a Purple Marrow Ganoderma among them, then this box is of a different significance.

Seeing that Lu Chi's expression was unusual, Han Jingxing took the opportunity to ask, "Senior, how much are these seeds worth?"

Zhao Hongyue didn't even lift his eyelids.

"One hundred and twenty spirit stones."

Han Jingxing raised an eyebrow.

"Senior, this is just a seed, not a mature plant, so the price is not low."

Zhao Hongyue said calmly, "Whether it's too low or not, I know what I'm doing. If you think it's too expensive, then don't buy it."

Han Jingxing wanted to press the issue further, so he softened his tone.

"As you know, senior, seeds are all about luck. If they don't grow, all the spirit stones will be buried in the soil. So, for the sake of the Han family, how about a smaller quantity?"

Zhao Hongyue finally looked up at him, his expression still indifferent.

"The Han family's reputation was earned through the blood and sweat of our ancestors, not something you, a descendant, can use to intimidate others. A name can be passed down through generations, but virtue must be cultivated by each individual. If you rely solely on past glories, you will eventually exhaust your foundation. In my case, only people's hearts and abilities matter."

"If I say one hundred and twenty, then it means one hundred and twenty."

No bargaining.

These words were blunt and left no room for negotiation. The cultivators watching nearby subconsciously quieted down, afraid that Han Jingxing would be embarrassed.

Han Jingxing's lips twitched, clearly choked up, but he really couldn't lash out.

As a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, Zhao Hongyue was unburdened and had extensive connections. The three major families only maintained polite relations with him and would not easily offend him.

The Han family is currently paving the way in the market, so they are even less likely to fall out over such a trivial matter.

Zhao Hongyue remained silent, only pulling the wooden box back closer, his meaning already quite clear.

Either give me the spirit stones, or I'll leave.

Lu Chi stood to the side, but his gaze fell on the ice arrow talisman.

Seeing that Lu Chi stared at the wooden box and price tag for a long time without saying a word, Han Jingxing assumed that Lu Chi was short of spirit stones, so he turned to the side and quietly transmitted his voice.

"Brother Lu, if you're short on spirit stones, I can lend you some first, and you can pay me back later."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chi smiled gently and replied telepathically, "I appreciate Brother Han's kindness, but there's no need."

After he finished speaking, he shifted his gaze from the seeds to Zhao Hongyue, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Senior Zhao, may I exchange these seeds for something else?"

Zhao Hongyue had already pulled the wooden box back half an inch, but upon hearing this, he paused slightly and looked up at him.

"Bartering?"

"What will you give in exchange?"

Lu Chi remained calm: "I am a talisman master. If you don't mind, senior, I can use a talisman to pay the price."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hongyue raised an eyebrow, a hint of interest finally appearing in his eyes, though his tone remained cold and unapproachable.

"A talisman master?"

"What is your rank?"

His gaze swept over Lu Chi, his tone calm yet somewhat blunt.

"With my current cultivation level, mid-grade and low-grade talismans are of little use to me. Even selling them would be too much trouble."

Han Jingxing, who was standing to the side, was wondering how Lu Chi would respond when he heard this, and couldn't help but look at him.

Lu Chi merely smiled slightly and pointed to the Ice Arrow Talisman on Zhao Hongyue's desk.

"If this is the quality, I wonder if it meets your standards, senior?"

Zhao Hongyue followed his finger and looked at the high-grade ice arrow talisman. His expression tightened slightly.

Lu Chi's expression remained unchanged, and he simply said, "The ice arrow talisman on your desk, senior, was made by me."

After he finished speaking, everyone at the table fell silent for a moment.

Han Jingxing was taken aback at first, then his eyes widened as he looked at Fu and then at Lu Chi, as if he were getting to know his new neighbor for the first time.

Zhao Hongyue stared at Lu Chi for a moment, and a noticeable change in expression finally appeared on his cold and hard face.

"Are you a Lu Fu Master?"