Starting as a Talisman Master

Zhou Jinyan took it and saw that it was a Zhang Bing Arrow Talisman. The paper was flat, the lines were sharp and cold, and the lines at the bottom of the talisman were clearly defined, faintly revealing traces of the flow of spiritual energy.

His gaze sharpened, and the more he looked, the more astonished he became, and he couldn't help but gasp.

"This quality... is even better than those in the talisman shops!" He paused, then asked suspiciously, "Where did you get this talisman? Could it be that you have a prior relationship with a talisman master who gave it to you at a discounted price?"

Lu Chi smiled, neither confirming nor denying, and continued, "Brother Zhou has a good eye. There is indeed a senior who has occasionally helped me, but it is inconvenient to reveal his name."

He didn't directly state that the Ice Arrow talisman was his creation, as it wasn't yet a completed talisman, and making such a definitive statement would be inappropriate.

When the talisman is successfully completed, there will be a proper explanation. If it fails, it's best to let it go and avoid becoming a laughingstock.

Zhou Jinyan was skeptical, then looked down at the talisman again and said, "Such a person is truly enviable."

Lu Chi remained expressionless, but his tone suddenly changed, and he said calmly:

"If Brother Zhou is not in a hurry, come here again in two days, and I may be able to get another Spirit Gathering Talisman. Its quality should be about the same, but the price will be lower than that of the talisman shop."

Zhou Jinyan hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Then I'll come back in two days."

Cultivators do not use mortal standards for timekeeping; two days is but a blink of an eye. Knowing that Lu Chi is a steady and reliable person, he did not find it difficult to wait.

But the lingering unease in my heart is something I can't completely let go of.

If Lu Chi really knew a certain talisman master, how come he couldn't even get past Manager Luo? What was the meaning behind cutting off his talisman fees and kicking him out of the shop?

The mystery was difficult to solve at the moment. He wanted to ask a few more questions, but in the end, he held back.

Seeing him turn and leave, Lu Chi watched him go for a moment before composed himself.

Back inside, he carried the Ice Arrow Talisman close to his body, tidied up some miscellaneous items, and then hurriedly went out.

He hadn't forgotten the important matter; having accepted the task, he needed to prepare the talismans as soon as possible. Although there were some left at home, he should add some more for backup.

Lu Chi strolled along, turned two streets and alleys, and entered the market area.

The place was already bustling with people, a mix of smoke and spiritual energy, with occasional low cries from spirit birds and beasts, but the noise did not disturb people. One could feel that there was a sense of order and tranquility in the midst of the liveliness, like that of a place for cultivation.

The passersby were all different, some were monks in robes, some were Taoist priests with canes, and some were young monks dressed as scholars with talismans hidden in their sleeves, hurrying along.

Occasionally, flying shuttles and magical artifacts could be seen flying through the air, mostly by Qi cultivation masters who preferred not to walk, arriving by riding on these objects with extraordinary momentum.

Qingque Mountain is located in the western border of Dongyue County, which belongs to the territory of Jingzhao Kingdom.

Jingzhao Kingdom is located in the eastern part of the southern end of Huanyun Continent. It is surrounded by mountains. Although the spiritual veins are not abundant, the terrain is accessible, and cultivators come and go constantly. It has been a place where independent cultivators have gathered since ancient times.

Huanyun Continent is one of the Nine Continents. It is a vast and remote place with numerous sects and mortal dynasties. Cultivators and mortals live together, and there are often interactions and conflicts.

Although Qingque Mountain Market is small, it is jointly managed by the three major cultivation families of Luo, Shen and Han. Anyone who comes here to trade, regardless of their background, can establish themselves and make a living as long as they do not violate the market rules.

The city is full of talismans, pills, and magical artifacts, mostly low-grade items intended for those practicing Qi cultivation. Occasionally, a rare treasure will appear, but it is often secretly snatched up, causing constant trouble.

As Lu Chi walked through the crowd, all he saw were unusual people. After looking at them for a while, he was slightly moved.

In this Huanyun Continent, there are countless cultivators, numerous sects, and dynasties. Some with exceptional talent can reach the Golden Core stage in just one hundred years.

Some people are trapped in the practice of Qi cultivation their whole lives, only able to make a living by running around the market.

I am but a tiny speck of dust among all living beings. Even if I have the opportunity to embark on the path of cultivation, the road ahead will still be fraught with peril and death.

It's always best to be cautious in everything and act discreetly, as this will ensure lasting peace and stability.

Lu Chi did not head straight for those shops. The prices there were often inflated, and although they sold standard goods, they had already been passed around several times, making it not worthwhile to buy from them.

After all, he had honed his skills at the Luo family's talisman shop for many years. Although he was not yet a listed talisman master, he had developed some discernment in talisman cultivation and was not easily deceived.

So he turned a few corners and headed towards the side alley on the west side of the market, where there were many independent cultivators setting up stalls, selling all sorts of things, but there were often bargains to be found.

Not long after turning into that side alley, a fragrance wafted over, sweet and refreshing, neither quite rice nor quite a fragrance, making one feel relaxed and warm in the lower abdomen.

Lu Chi's nostrils twitched slightly, and a thought struck him: "It's spirit rice."

This spiritual rice comes from spiritual farmers and is slowly cooked by food cultivators using magical fire. It not only fills the stomach but also nourishes the Qi and relieves spiritual blockages. If consumed for many years, it is of great benefit to Qi cultivators.

He had heard of its exorbitant price, but had never actually tasted it.

On a small stall, a pot of spirit rice was still warm, and the aroma of rice wafted around. Several cultivators dressed in monastic robes were sitting around a small table, chatting and laughing in hushed tones, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

Lu Chi paused slightly, his gaze lingering there for a moment. A hint of craving arose in his heart, but remembering that he hadn't taken the Bigu Pill in a long time, he ultimately turned and left.

I'm already short of spirit stones, and I haven't even bought any talismans yet. Where would I find the money to taste the rich and powerful?

Walking further in, after only the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, we finally stopped in front of an inconspicuous stall.

The stall owner was a silent old cultivator who did not make any noise, but several stacks of talisman paper and several talisman pens were laid out on the stall.

While others found it unremarkable, Lu Chi discovered a stack of talisman paper with a slightly bluish hue and fine, even texture. A faint spiritual energy seeped from the back of the paper, making it perfect for use in first-tier talismans.

The old cultivator glanced at him and said in a low, hoarse voice, "Fellow Daoist has sharp eyes. This is a talisman paper left behind by the Qingfu Sect."

Lu Chi paused slightly: The Azure Talisman Sect... a sect from about a thousand years ago, long since vanished without a trace, with no history to trace. But the talisman paper is indeed quite good.

He nodded without asking any further questions. He then looked at the several talisman pens, weighed them briefly, and finally picked up a pen made of black bamboo.

The brush tip is made from the hair of young animals, allowing for free and easy control, which is perfect for a talisman master. Now that I've embarked on the path of a talisman master, my attire naturally can't be shabby. When I have more money in the future, I'll definitely need to prepare a talisman robe.

Old Xiu didn't offer a price; he simply extended three fingers and tapped lightly in front of the table.

Lu Chi already understood, so he took out thirty taels of spirit sand and handed it over personally.

This purchase nearly emptied his savings.

He carefully packed away all the purchased items, tucking them into a cloth pouch in his sleeve. As his fingertips brushed against the edges of the talisman paper, he couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

"What needs to be spent will eventually be spent, and these spirit stones will come back sooner or later."

"If things go well in the future, we can eat spirit rice regularly and live in a cave!"

With his mind made up, he walked briskly along the alleyway, and a moment later, he had returned to his own courtyard.

Pushing open the door, the room remained as quiet as ever. The window paper fluttered slightly, letting in a few rays of the setting sun, which shone directly onto the empty talisman shelf on the table.

He unloaded the bag, rolled up his sleeves, and stepped forward to lay it out one by one.

Talisman paper, talisman brush, paperweight, spirit ink, and all sorts of utensils were neatly arranged.

After sitting quietly at his desk for a while, Lu Chi regulated his breathing and circulated his internal energy, completing several small cycles of circulation. Only after his spirit and energy had fully recovered did he slowly open his eyes.

He took a deep breath, picked up the talisman brush, flicked it with his fingertips, and slightly channeled his spiritual power, causing the wisp of intense light between his brows to quietly float.

Inspiration strikes in an instant, the pen touches the paper, and the spirit is fully expressed.

This time, the process went surprisingly smoothly.

As soon as Lu Chi picked up his pen, his thoughts flowed in a straight line, the line following the talisman's foot, his intention following the pen. In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a complete spirit-gathering talisman had already taken shape.

The patterns were connected, and the spiritual energy was concentrated. At the moment the talisman was completed, a wisp of light overflowed from the center of the talisman and lingered for a long time.

He focused his mind slightly and realized that although he was somewhat tired, he was far from being in a state of mental and physical collapse, almost to the point of fainting, when he drew the Ice Arrow Talisman before.

Not only did he not fall into a deep sleep, but he was still refreshed and energetic, only feeling slightly exhausted.

Lu Chi was slightly surprised and pondered to himself, "Why is the energy consumption so much less this time, even though both methods involve using [Burning Thought]?"

He sat quietly for a moment, recalling the moment he put pen to paper. His mind was focused, his brushstrokes were smooth, and there was almost no feeling of hesitation. He was much more skilled than when he first drew the Ice Arrow Symbol.

"perhaps……"

He frowned slightly, vaguely speculating, "I have already drawn a first-order talisman before, and my divine sense has a feeling of moving the talisman. Now that I am using my talent again, it will not be completely nonexistent."

The art of talismans emphasizes mastery of the brush and the meaning of the strokes. Without the feel of countless repetitions, even the best spiritual sense cannot master complex patterns.

While his innate talent could help him create talismans in mid-air, it was not without foundation. Ultimately, it needed to be combined with mental techniques and experience before he could gradually master it.

He lowered his eyes to look at the spirit-gathering talisman on the table, its spiritual light still shining. He felt a sense of relief and a hint of joy welled up in his heart.

"That's fine too. If I had to go to sleep every time I drew a talisman, it would be too conspicuous. If I encountered any interpersonal entanglements, it would become a flaw."

"However... the talismans I can draw now are only of low quality. If I were to draw mid-grade first-tier talismans, or even higher quality talismans, I'm afraid the consumption would still be quite high."

He raised his hand and gently stroked the talisman, feeling the residual talismanic intent flowing on it. After a moment of silence, he carefully put it away.

The room remained quiet as ever. Dusk was approaching outside the window, and light slanted down through the paper window, casting a soft shadow on the brushes and ink on the table.

……

The two-day deadline has passed.

Lu Chi had finished getting ready early and was waiting at home.

Not long after, there was a knock at the courtyard gate, and Zhou Jinyan pushed the door open and entered. He was still wearing his usual clothes, but his expression was more scrutinizing than usual.

As soon as he entered, he said, "Lu Chi, I've been thinking about that Spirit Gathering Talisman these past two days..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lu Chi took out a bamboo box from beside his desk, casually opened the lid, and handed over a spirit-gathering talisman with a faint spiritual light.