Starting as a Talisman Master

This battle without gunfire ultimately ended with Mu Changfeng's defeat.

The old thief had a sinister expression and didn't utter a single word from beginning to end. He only let out a cold snort before turning and leaving. Wei Hong looked timid and hesitated for a moment before finally lowering his head and slinking away behind him.

As soon as the two left Moon Hidden Pavilion, they disappeared into the bustling crowds of the market, leaving no trace.

Lu Chi gazed out the window, lost in thought.

Wei Hong was not of the Luo family bloodline, but was a top-grade talisman master hired by them at great expense.

Although the "Golden Fiery Blade Talisman" was not a self-created method that broke new ground, it still showed that this person had been immersed in the art of high-grade talismans for a long time and had a profound level of expertise.

Even a talisman master like him has been poached by Mu Changfeng. It seems that the once-lucrative Luo family talisman shop is indeed not what it used to be.

Qin Suniang tidied her slightly disheveled hair, and with graceful steps, walked to the testing platform, her smile as beautiful as a flower.

"Fellow Daoists, I have truly been negligent today. Just now, the elders of our sect and the two masters were exchanging ideas on the Dao of Talismans, and in their excitement, they disturbed your enjoyment. Su Niang apologizes to you all in advance."

Her eyes flickered, and she pressed on while the iron was hot, saying, "However, you all have come at the perfect time today, and are fortunate enough to witness the appearance of such a wonderful new talisman."

"These three self-created talismans by Chief Lu of the Moon Concealment Pavilion are not only unique in their patterns, but also possess a variety of wonderful uses. Everyone witnessed their power just now. These rare treasures, which are hard to find on the market, will all be consigned to the pavilion for sale today."

"If any of you have a discerning eye, please come forward and examine them. Today, Su Niang will give a 10% discount to anyone who takes a liking to these new talismans, as a way to calm your nerves."

The rogue cultivators in the hall were already eyeing those rare talismans, and now that they heard about the discount, they were overjoyed and kept saying "Madam Qin, you're too kind," before swarming towards the counter like bees returning to their nest.

After settling things outside, Qin Su Niang turned around and looked at Liu Qing. Her red lips parted slightly, and her tone was gentle yet carried a hint of the formality of someone in charge:

"The Grand Elder made a last-minute decision today, dragging Brother Liu along, which must have delayed your cultivation considerably. Now that the situation has calmed down, it seems you've made a wasted trip. I wonder... if Brother Liu has any urgent business at the moment?"

"No... nothing much," Liu Qing replied dryly, bowing listlessly.

What kind of mess has he encountered today? A seemingly unassuming colleague, a bizarre psychic farmer with a severe mental illness...

He gritted his teeth inwardly, feeling utterly exhausted, and simply turned and walked out.

Having made up his mind, he decided to go to Xiangyun Tower tonight and have a good drink with Master Qingxu to wash away his bad luck.

Qin Su Niang nodded slightly, watching Liu Qing's somewhat melancholy figure disappear outside the door.

She turned around again, her pair of clear, bright eyes fixed on Lu Chi.

"Thanks to Master Lu for turning the tide today, I am very grateful." Qin Su Niang clasped her hands and bowed gracefully. "There are too many people and too many eyes outside, Master Lu, please come into the inner hall for tea and a chat."

After saying that, she straightened up, glanced at Cao Zhen not far away, and nodded slightly.

Cao Zhen stood with his hands tucked into his sleeves, like a silent iron tower. His expression was solemn, and his eyes held an eerie sense of sanctity, as if he were "guarding a perfect couple."

"What's wrong with Cao Cao today..." Lu Chi muttered to himself, flicked the hem of his green robe, and followed the graceful figure at a leisurely pace, lifting the beaded curtain and stepping into the quiet inner hall.

The inner hall was quiet and secluded, with fine calming incense burning in the Boshan incense burner, its wisps completely isolating the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

After the guests and hosts were seated, Qin Suniang skillfully prepared the tea herself.

The scalding hot spring water was poured into the white porcelain cup, and the rising steam made her beautiful face appear and disappear even more clearly.

She gently pushed the teacup in front of Lu Chi's desk, leaning forward slightly as she did so.

The moon-white collar of the jacket outlined a deep and mysterious look, and a sweet, delicate fragrance quietly wafted over.

"I promised before that if Master Lu were to help me out of this predicament today, I would repay him handsomely. Is there anything you are lacking in your cultivation or in the art of talisman making? Just ask, and I will certainly not refuse within my authority."

This all-encompassing attitude of his must be plotting something against me... Lu Chi sat upright like a pine tree, seemingly oblivious to the faint fragrance, but a sudden sense of alarm arose in his heart.

With his mind somewhat settled, he suppressed the urge to demand the medicine, his tone gentle and calm:

"Sect Master, there's no need for further words. I'm here today to deliver the quota of talismans and to take care of that little trouble outside. If you truly wish to remember this favor, please be lenient with the spirit stones when we're counting them later. That would be the most sincere token of my gratitude."

After he finished speaking, he reached out and touched the storage bag at his waist.

A flash of inspiration appeared, and suddenly a small stack of talismans appeared on the table.

On top of it was a first-grade high-quality golden talisman with restrained spiritual light and intricate patterns. Below it were a dozen or so mid-grade talismans full of spiritual energy, such as fireballs and wind blades, a complete set of types.

The quantity and quality were exactly the same as the quota he had delivered each time he came to the pavilion before, which was a steady and meticulous approach.

Qin Su Niang's gaze swept over the stack of talismans on the table, then fell on Lu Chi's calm and composed face. A strange light flashed in her eyes, and while she was surprised, she secretly felt a bit of admiration.

She fiddled with the top-grade golden talisman on the table with her slender fingers, her gaze seemingly searching for something within the runes. After a long while, she raised her eyes and glanced at Lu Chi with a half-smile.

"Master Lu had previously said that drawing high-grade talismans is extremely mentally taxing, and he can only complete one or two talismans a month. But just now on the talisman testing platform, Master Lu created three new talismans in a row, full of energy and spirit, without showing any signs of exhaustion."

She put down the talisman, her tone low and amused, "Such profound knowledge is something even Master Wei would be far behind. It seems that Master Lu has held back more than one trick up his sleeve when it comes to me."

Lu Chi picked up his teacup, brushed away the foam on the surface, his expression as indifferent as ever:

"Sect Master, you flatter me. Just now, I was merely in a moment of inspiration under the circumstances of danger, and happened to sense the direction of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, which allowed me to create the talisman by sheer luck. Such a mysterious and profound opportunity is something that can only be encountered by chance and cannot be sought after."

Seeing his impeccable excuses, Qin Su Niang sighed inwardly and abandoned her charming demeanor, revealing a hint of desolation between her brows.

She could easily see that the other party harbored resentment because of past events and was unwilling to reveal the truth.

"Master Lu is unwilling to treat me with sincerity, probably because he still resents my previous scheming. To be honest, ever since my late husband passed away, leaving me, a woman, to support the Qixia Sect, I have been living in constant fear. That Mu Changfeng is called an elder, but in reality, he has long coveted the position of sect leader."

"He and I made a solemn vow before the ancestral altar that if the sect's spiritual stone income decreases instead of increases after I take over Moon Concealment Pavilion, I must step down and hand over the position to a more capable person."

She let out a soft sigh, her voice lowering slightly: "Now, with the help of Master Lu and Brother Liu, the Moon Shadow Pavilion is thriving. Seeing that the oath is about to be signed, he resorted to any means necessary to try to obstruct it through Wei Hong."

"The sect's grand ceremony will be held in a year, at which time he will surely make his move. Su Niang dares to ask Master Lu to lend me another hand during the ceremony."

Lu Chi listened to these "heartfelt words" with a calm and unwavering heart.

He had already seen through this power struggle within the sect.

Qin Su Niang lowered her stance simply to completely bind him to her cause.

But the path to immortality is long and arduous, with both advantages and disadvantages to consider.

Lu Chi put down his teacup, his face showing difficulty, and sighed, "I understand the Sect Master's predicament. However, I have devoted my life to the Dao of Talismans and am least skilled in warfare. If war truly breaks out on the day of the grand ceremony, I fear my meager cultivation will be insufficient to overcome my limitations..."