Starting as a Talisman Master

Lu Chi shook his head with a slight smile, glancing to both sides from time to time.

Whether it's a cultivator from the Tribulation Cultivator or someone from the Profound Yin Valley, none of them are worth taking lightly.

However, his decision to come out this time was not made on a whim.

With a high-grade talisman on hand, one can protect oneself without any problem unless one encounters a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The horses' hooves clattered on the bluestone path.

After traveling for a while, Lu Chi suddenly stopped, tightened the reins, and his horse also came to a stop.

The terrain gradually slopes down ahead, and in the distance, there is an old lake.

The water was calm and still, and the reeds along the lake were withered and yellow, rustling in the wind.

Zhou Jinyan reined in his horse, followed his gaze, and frowned, asking, "What's wrong? Is there anything strange in that lake?"

"It's nothing." Lu Chi shook his head, his face showing nothing, but his fingertips moved slightly inside his sleeve, pressing down on the storage bag through the fabric.

The Listening Tide Token inside the bag seemed to be pulled by something, trembling very slightly, yet very clearly.

The Tide Listening Gathering was held in this old lake area.

Tonight we can take a look back... He remained calm, suppressing the slight unease, and simply flicked the reins to continue forward.

Zhou Jinyan, oblivious to anything amiss, suddenly leaned closer and chuckled in a low voice, "After I came out of seclusion, I went to sell spirit plants. I heard a lot of talk in the market about how you're now a top-grade talisman master. Have you made any progress with Madam Qin from the Qixia Sect?"

Lu Chi didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, and said indifferently, "It's just a routine meeting, nothing more."

Zhou Jinyan clicked her tongue twice, her eyes shining: "Her looks, her figure, and her efficient actions. Isn't that the kind of person you like—someone with strong opinions? If this really happens, life will be so much more interesting."

Lu Chi shook his head.

Having ideas and being cunning are two different things.

He knew perfectly well that Qin Su Niang seemed warm and friendly, but was actually not easy to get close to.

Furthermore, she has many entanglements, and he doesn't want to get involved in those messy things.

The other party may not have any ulterior motives towards him either; it's simply a matter of mutual benefit.

Seeing this, Zhou Jinyan sighed, her face full of regret: "What a pity, what a pity. I was hoping that one day you would really climb up a high branch, so that I could also benefit from it."

The journey was smooth sailing from then on, and the two walked at a brisk pace. Before long, the city came into view.

The city was not particularly grand, but it was well-organized. Above the city gate hung a plaque with three large characters written in a neat and powerful style: Shenfan City.

Although the Shen family is a family of cultivators, not everyone in the family has spiritual roots.

The name of this city is written all over its face; most of the people living there are ordinary members of the Shen family.

"The Shen family's mountain gate is said to be located on a second-tier spiritual vein, in this area." Zhou Jinyan looked up at the city gate, his brows furrowing slightly. "Why can I only see ordinary towns and not the mountain gate?"

Lu Chi's gaze swept across the terrain outside the city. He saw that the spiritual energy here was shallow, the mountains were gentle, and there was no trace of a proper spiritual vein.

He shook his head and suggested entering the city to inquire.

As soon as the two arrived outside the city gate, before they could even ask any questions, a gentle breeze suddenly swept down from above.

Immediately afterwards, a middle-aged cultivator arrived on the wind. His clothes were not fancy, but they were clean and neat. His cultivation level was only the first level of Qi Refining.

He bowed respectfully and asked, "Esteemed elders, have you come for the Shen family's welcoming ceremony for our son-in-law?"

Zhou Jinyan raised an eyebrow, while Lu Chi simply nodded.

The middle-aged man was clearly a member of a collateral branch of the Shen family who had been sent to receive them. He hurriedly said, "Please follow me, seniors. The clan has already given instructions, and we dare not be negligent."

He led the way, and the two of them led their horses into the city.

The streets and alleys of the city were bustling with people, red ribbons stretched from one eave to another, strings of lanterns hung down, and the sound of drums and music could be heard several streets away.

As they traveled along, ordinary people crowded on both sides to watch the spectacle, each with a joyful expression, as if they had encountered a major festival.

It seems that Shen Yanqiu's wedding gifts are laid out here, and he won't even allow anyone to step into the Shen family's mountain gate. Seeing this, Lu Chi couldn't help but recall how Luo Wenshan turned on him that day, showing no mercy and offering no attempt to persuade him to stay.

Those who are powerful often act this way. Because of their family background, they believe they should be looked up to by others; to them, others are merely things that can be used or discarded, kept if they please them, and discarded if they don't.

Zhou Jinyan immediately saw through their intentions, her face darkening. She spat out in a low voice, "Such a grand entrance, inviting us to sit in this mortal city. Does the Shen family think our dusty feet tarnish their refined image?"

The middle-aged cultivator smiled obsequiously, "Please rest assured, seniors. Our clan attaches great importance to this welcoming ceremony for the groom and made the necessary arrangements well in advance, daring not to be negligent in the slightest. Now that you have arrived, we will naturally treat you with the utmost courtesy."

Zhou Jinyan simply snorted coldly.

Before long, the middle-aged man led them to the center of the city.

A high platform and canopy had already been erected here, with new felt carpets laid on the ground, and incense and fruit offerings arranged neatly on the altar.

People came and went, carrying trays, holding wine, and chanting greetings, keeping them so busy they barely had time to breathe.

It was indeed lively and festive, but all the joy was concentrated in the mortal city.

The middle-aged man led the two to a tent entrance, first bowing to the steward beside him and saying with a smile, "These two are distinguished guests who have come to witness the ceremony."

The steward, holding the booklet and a wolf-hair brush, glanced at the two men for a moment before asking in a low voice, "What are your names, seniors? What is your cultivation level?"

Zhou Jinyan gave his name, and Lu Chi casually added a comment. The steward nodded, quickly wrote it down in the register, added his cultivation level next to the name, and then waved for them to pass.

"The seats are on the east side; take your seats according to your names."

The middle-aged man then led the two around the outer edge of the tent, through an alleyway draped with red silk, to the side of the guest seating area.

The tables were neatly arranged, and the wine and meat were prepared in advance. There were not only ordinary people at the table, but also several tables of cultivators, dressed in different clothes and with varying auras.

The two exchanged a few casual words with the people at the table and quickly gleaned some insights.

It turns out that today's welcoming ceremony for the groom was not just for Shen Yanqiu alone.

This time, the Shen family took in several rogue cultivators as sons-in-law, so they decided to hold the ceremony in Shenfan City, which would be both lively and convenient.

These monks were relatives and friends invited by the other grooms to witness the ceremony.

Zhou Jinyan's eyes immediately turned strange, and he muttered in a low voice, "What was he thinking? He's marrying into the family, but he's putting himself in the same pot with a bunch of other people."

A cultivator at the next table chuckled and said, "Fellow Daoist, you are mistaken. Once you enter the Shen family, you will be able to touch the threshold of Foundation Establishment and even receive some of the incense offerings of the alchemy lineage. What are these worldly formalities compared to that?"

He sighed, a hint of regret on his face: "I had considered marrying into the Shen family, but the Shen family is not one to accept just anyone as a son-in-law."

Zhou Jinyan raised an eyebrow: "There are still requirements?"

The monk nodded and held up two fingers.

"The Shen family is extremely strict in selecting people. They must either reach the third level of Qi Refining before the age of eighteen, or be at least at the fifth level of Qi Refining, and be no older than fifty."

"Then let's look at their innate talent. If it's a mid-grade spiritual root, even the Shen family would take a second look."

He put down his wine cup and said with a wry smile, "Although I have reached the fourth level of Qi Refining, I am too old, and the Shen family does not approve of me."

In the end, it all boils down to treating people as a business transaction.

Lu Chi chuckled inwardly, then turned his head to look and saw that Zhou Jinyan had suddenly fallen silent.

The other person was holding a wine cup, gently rubbing the rim with their fingertips, their eyes darting around, seemingly calculating something.

The playful grin had mostly disappeared, replaced by a more serious expression.

This guy's own conditions are just right at the threshold, and he's probably feeling a little uneasy, but he's still being stubborn.

Lu Chi saw through it at a glance and understood a bit, but didn't say anything more.

……

……

Before long, the drums and music in the city center started again, and the cheers rose one after another.

"The auspicious hour has arrived, drums and music resound, the grand ceremony to welcome the groom begins today."

The master of ceremonies stepped onto the stage, dressed in a bright red brocade robe, holding a book of ceremonies, his voice rising and falling in a melodious tone, silencing everyone in the room.

The curtain on the side of the stage was gently lifted, and an old man slowly stepped out.

He wasn't wearing a wedding robe, but only a gray-blue long gown with dark patterns embroidered on the cuffs and a Shen family seal hanging at his waist.

His face was gentle, but his eyes were cold. His footsteps were silent, and his spiritual energy was constantly being drawn in and out, indicating that he was already in the late stage of Qi Refining.

The cultivators in the arena immediately fell silent, and many of them stood up and bowed.

The old man stood to the side of the platform, and his gaze swept across the crowd, making everyone afraid to look at him for long. The master of ceremonies hurriedly bowed to welcome him and announced loudly.

"A servant from the master's household has arrived; Elder Shen, the head of the ceremonies, has come."

The old man then spoke, his voice not loud: "I am Shen Yuanheng, in charge of all clan affairs, both internal and external, as well as etiquette. Tonight, we are welcoming our son-in-law, and we are grateful that you all have come to witness the ceremony."

He gave a slight bow in return.

"The ceremony is on the stage, and the wine is served at the table. Please drink to your heart's content and do not be shy."

After speaking, he raised his hand in a gesture.

"Distinguished guests, please be quiet and listen to the ceremony. With incense and candles lit, and heaven and earth as our witnesses, and social standing as our matchmaker, this marriage is now ordained."

The master of ceremonies immediately took over the ceremony, his voice rising again: "The ceremony for welcoming the groom begins with welcoming the groom into the venue."

As the drumbeats intensified, a red ribbon was unfurled from the side of the stage.

Several "grooms" dressed in wedding attire entered one after another. The one in the lead was tall and slender with delicate features; he was none other than Shen Yanqiu.

He didn't look around much when he entered; he just stared straight ahead. When he reached the front of the stage, he bowed to Shen Yuanheng according to etiquette, and then bowed to the altar of heaven and earth. His movements were perfectly precise.

Once they had stopped, several brides were slowly led out from the other side, all wearing red veils, with slender figures and extremely light steps.

The old woman accompanying them supported them, chanting auspicious words.

Lu Chi watched quietly.

It was quite a novel experience to witness an old acquaintance get married and hold a ceremony. On the path of spiritual practice, I am often accompanied by solitude and loneliness, and such joyous events in the human world are rare.

Zhou Jinyan watched intently from the side, her eyes slightly narrowed, her expression focused, as if she were memorizing each and every rule of the rules.

The master of ceremonies chanted the rites according to the established procedure.

We worship Heaven, Earth, and our ancestors.

After the nuptial ceremony, the exchange of cups was met with applause and cheers from the crowd.

The ceremony is complete.

The drums and gongs gradually subsided, but the noise from the audience had not yet dissipated. Shen Yuanheng raised his hand to quiet it down, and the audience fell silent again.

Two stewards behind him stepped forward carrying a wooden box. When the box was opened, several jade scrolls and a few small porcelain bottles were placed on the incense table.

Shen Yuanheng began, "Now that we have performed the ceremony of welcoming the son-in-law, we will bestow gifts according to clan rules. This is the Qi Refining Chapter of our Shen Clan's cultivation method, the 'Crimson Palace Condensing Yuan Technique.' Now that you have joined our Shen Clan, you should first establish your foundation with this technique, stabilizing your Qi and nourishing your meridians. When you have accumulated enough merit in the future, we will bestow upon you the Foundation Building Chapter."

After saying that, he pointed to the porcelain bottles: "These are Qi-strengthening pills. Each of you take one bottle and use it yourself."

The ordinary people in the audience were completely confused, but they felt that the person on stage was being given a great honor, and they all cheered.

An uncontrollable commotion arose among the monks, their gazes fixed on the jade scroll and porcelain bottle, burning with intense interest.

Lu Chi could see it clearly. He had bought the Qi-Nourishing Pill before, and it was very suitable for warming and nourishing the body, but he had recently run out of it.

At this moment, the Shen family immediately offered a bottle, which was quite heavy, clearly intending to attract more people to marry into the family.

Zhou Jinyan paused, her Adam's apple bobbing slightly.

Once the threshold and price are set up, people can't help but do the math.