Starting as a Talisman Master

Shen Yuanheng sat on the side of the stage, twirling a string of sandalwood beads between his fingers, surrounded by the sounds of drums and music.

The grooms stood on the red carpet, each with a different expression of joy. He glanced at them one by one, his mind making its own judgment.

Some people have shallow aptitude and scattered energy; even after entering the sect, they can only be used for external tasks, and it is enough to give them some rudimentary methods.

There are two others with solid spiritual power and suitable age, so we can observe them for now and let them earn their own merits.

As for the one with a mid-grade spiritual root, his qi is smooth and he is about to break through his cultivation barrier. He is a useful talent, and if he is willing to listen to advice, he is worth giving a helping hand.

He turned his head and whispered to a Shen family steward beside him: "In this batch, we need to keep a close eye on the one with the mid-grade spiritual root. The alchemy room is short of hands and feet that we can use. We need to temper his temperament first, and then give him some sweet treats later, and we can keep him in check."

The steward readily agreed, then took the opportunity to ask, "The clan is currently short-handed; would the elders like to select a few more people to join the ranks?"

Shen Yuanheng remained silent for a moment, then raised his eyes: "I've been in seclusion refining pills lately and haven't gone out much. Have any outstanding talents emerged in the county?"

The steward thought for a moment and said in a low voice, "There really is one. He is a rogue cultivator from Qingque Mountain. He is at the fourth level of Qi Refining and is not very old, but he has become a high-grade talisman master. It is widely known in the market that he has obtained a fortuitous opportunity and his progress in the talisman path is strangely fast."

Shen Yuanheng paused, his gaze shifting slightly: "A top-grade talisman master, indeed accomplished. What's your name?"

The steward added, "His name is Lu Chi."

Shen Yuanheng gave a soft "hmm".

"Send someone to investigate the situation and find a pretext to pull them in. Anyone who can be used by the Shen family is a useful tool. Remember, we must not let the Han family or the Luo family get there first."

At this point, he took out a list from his sleeve. The paper was thin and stiff, and the ink was neatly written. It contained the names and cultivation levels of the cultivators who would be attending the banquet that night.

As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together, and most of those who are seated here are also part of the Shen family's plans.

Shen Yuanheng didn't flip through the pages quickly, but he did so carefully.

He flipped to the middle section, and his gaze suddenly stopped.

"Lu Chi, Qi Refining Level 4."

Why does that sound so familiar?

Shen Yuanheng raised his head, and the coldness in his eyes softened slightly, as if surprised, or as if it was only to be expected.

"So it was right there at the table." The steward next to him also looked surprised.

Shen Yuanheng closed the register and tapped the page lightly with his fingertips: "Go and call the person who greeted people at the city gate today."

The steward hurriedly responded and turned to call out. Before long, the middle-aged cultivator came over with quick steps and bowed respectfully as he approached.

"Elder of Ceremonies."

Shen Yuanheng didn't mince words: "Among the cultivators you received today, is there one named Lu Chi?"

The middle-aged cultivator's heart tightened, and he quickly replied, "Yes."

"What does it look like? What is its aura?"

The middle-aged cultivator thought for a moment and said in a low voice, "He is rather thin, with a cold and aloof expression, and doesn't talk much. His cultivation level is at the fourth level of Qi Refining, and his aura is extremely stable, unlike a superficial cultivator. He also has a companion at the fifth level of Qi Refining beside him, who is rather impulsive."

"The two men took their seats according to the register, at the guest seats on the east side, at the innermost table," he quickly added.

Upon hearing this, the steward's eyes lit up, and he quickly whispered, "Elder, should we send someone to invite him over?"

Shen Yuanheng raised his hand to stop him, his tone calm.

"Since they are top-grade talisman masters, not ordinary rogue cultivators, inviting them would make the Shen family appear disrespectful."

He straightened his cuffs and said calmly, "I'll go see him myself."

……

……

After the ceremony, the food and drinks were served in a continuous stream.

After a while, Shen Yanqiu finally emerged from the crowd.

He changed into his wedding attire, but dressed modestly; the red color made his face appear even paler.

A woman followed beside him, not wearing a wedding robe, but only a thin red headscarf, and her clothes were made of ordinary material. She walked beside him with small and steady steps.

When she looked up, her gaze first fell on her feet, then on the faces of the people at the table, carrying the usual restraint and caution of an ordinary person.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Shen Yanqiu walked closer, stepped aside to let the woman beside him walk to the front.

"This is my wife."

Upon hearing the address, the woman visibly tensed up and quickly imitated the gesture, bowing softly, "Greetings to the two immortal masters."

After the woman bowed, she was led to the inner courtyard to rest.

According to the Shen family's etiquette, the groom must walk around the banquet, toast each table, and express his gratitude before he can step aside to rest.

After completing the formalities, Shen Yanqiu took advantage of the time to change clothes and exchange drinks to lead Lu Chi and Zhou Jinyan to the corridor behind the banquet.

The corridor was quieter, with the sounds of drums and music coming through the curtains—lively but not jarring.

Lu Chi raised his hand, took out a small box from his sleeve, and handed it over.

"The gifts I brought with me."

Shen Yanqiu took the small box, opened it, and paused.

Inside the box was a talisman, its paper as golden as gold, its patterns deep and steady, its spiritual power restrained yet refusing to dissipate. It was indeed a superior-grade Golden Light Talisman.

Shen Yanqiu looked up at Lu Chi, her expression stiffening slightly, before closing the box lid after a moment.

Thank you.

Seeing that things had come to this point, Zhou Jinyan handed over the prepared gift. Although he was still sharp-tongued, his tone became much more serious: "Now that you have the path to Foundation Establishment, your future is no longer here. Remember this cup of wine from your brother Zhou, and don't pretend not to know it later."

Shen Yanqiu accepted the gift, a slight smirk playing on his lips, and replied nonchalantly, "Stop pretending to be magnanimous; you're just jealous."

Zhou Jinyan remained silent.

That was absolutely right.

However, he naturally refused to admit defeat, remaining defiant and scoffing, "What's so great about marrying into the family? I don't understand your marriage at all. The woman you welcomed into the house... how come she's just an ordinary woman? Could it be that Young Master Shen is so picky that he doesn't even look down on the daughters of the Shen family?"

These words may sound harsh, but they are not nonsense.

Shen Yanqiu has a mid-grade spiritual root, and he is considered a useful talent in the Shen family. Logically, he shouldn't be matched with only an ordinary woman.

There are two paths: immortal and mortal. Mortals have short lifespans and are prone to illness. With many entanglements, it is difficult to find peace and tranquility in cultivation.

Since the Shen family wanted to take in a son-in-law for their use, how could they not consider this?

Lu Chi couldn't help but glance at Shen Yanqiu.

Shen Yanqiu said in a calm voice: "Initially, the Shen family did introduce me to several women from the clan. They were all in the early stages of Qi Refining, but their speech and behavior were always aloof, as if they were choosing servants to be used, rather than looking for suitable partners."

"I cannot tolerate that contempt, nor do I wish to spend the rest of my life tied to such people."

Zhou Jinyan frowned: "So you replaced them with a mortal?"

Shen Yanqiu nodded: "How could the Shen family allow me to act arbitrarily? However, she has some connection with the family head's lineage, and the clan wants to give her a formal title. I also need to act as a figurehead. Since both sides can agree, I have agreed."

Zhou Jinyan frowned slightly, then suddenly whispered, "Since she has no spiritual root, she will be plagued by illness in the future, and her lifespan will only be a few decades. She will accompany you for a few decades before passing away. Can you... really bear it?"

Shen Yanqiu's gaze remained unmoved as he calmly replied, "Why can't I bear it? Now that she has entered the family, she is my wife, Shen Yanqiu's wife. She is not skilled in cultivation, so I will protect her. Her lifespan is short, so I will do my best to ensure her peaceful remaining years. I married into the family for the sake of my future, not to shirk my responsibilities. I can bear what I should bear."

Zhou Jinyan opened her mouth, but ultimately didn't make any more jokes.

Though he was a chatterbox, he wasn't senile. Since things had come to this point, further teasing would be inappropriate. He simply nodded and said softly, "Alright, since you've figured it out, I won't say any more."

Shen Yanqiu smiled calmly: "If I gain a foothold in the Shen family in the future, and you encounter any difficulties, don't hesitate to speak up. Just come to me."

As he said this, his gaze deliberately lingered on Lu Chi for a moment.

Lu Chi's progress has far exceeded everyone's expectations.

The reputation of a top-tier talisman master is widespread, even in the marketplace.

We traveled together as children, but now we've gone our separate ways. If there's no turmoil in my heart, then it's all a lie.

But he possessed a mid-grade spiritual root and had joined the Shen family. With alchemy at his fingertips and the path to Foundation Establishment ahead, he was ready.

The road ahead may not necessarily be lost.

Shen Yanqiu did not conceal the confidence in his eyes.

Lu Chi noticed that glance and found it somewhat amusing.

He never considered anyone an enemy; everyone's cultivation depends on their own destiny, and everyone goes their own way. If we were to truly compare merits, we would ultimately see who goes further.

Just as the atmosphere among the three was becoming slightly awkward, the room suddenly fell silent for a moment.

Someone stood up and said respectfully, "The Elder of Ceremonies has arrived."

Lu Chi looked up.

Shen Yuanheng slowly walked over from the other side of the table, his robes simple yet exuding an air of authority. His gaze swept over the cultivators at the various tables, finally settling on this seat.

He didn't look at the groom first, but instead nodded slightly to Lu Chi.

"Fellow Daoist, are you Master Lu, the Talisman Master?"