Starting as a Talisman Master

Although the shopkeeper couldn't immediately connect the person before him with the "Talisman Master Lu," who was currently making waves in the market, his instincts, honed through years of experience there, made him immediately drop his slight arrogance. His tone unconsciously became more polite, and he bowed slightly, saying:

"Esteemed guest, you look somewhat familiar. May I ask if you've come to our Hundred Refinements Pavilion to choose a suitable weapon or to find some inner armor for self-defense?"

Lu Chi glanced around the lobby briefly, without lingering on the ordinary items.

Now that his cultivation has reached the fifth level of Qi Refining, this newly customized magic weapon, the talisman brush, not only needs to withstand high-intensity spiritual pressure micro-management, but also needs to be used for long-term planning for drawing second-tier talismans in the future.

Lu Chi withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "I want to find your esteemed pavilion's weapon refiner to forge a top-grade magic weapon to my specifications."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in the waiter's eyes.

Custom-made high-grade magic artifacts are a huge deal, often costing hundreds of low-grade spirit stones, something ordinary rogue cultivators can't afford. He secretly thought to himself that he was fortunate not to have been disrespectful to the person just now because they seemed kind.

The waiter's demeanor became even more respectful, and he gestured with his hand, saying:

"So it's a distinguished guest. Such an important matter as customizing a top-grade magic weapon is beyond my ability to make. Please follow me to the private room on the second floor and have a seat. I will go to the back hall to invite the weapon refiner from our establishment to discuss this with you in detail."

Lu Chi nodded and followed the waiter upstairs to the second floor, where he sat down in a quiet private room that was isolated from the sounds of blacksmithing downstairs.

After serving a steaming cup of spiritual tea, the waiter quietly slipped out.

Lu Chi picked up his teacup and lightly skimmed off the foam, his expression leisurely.

After breaking through to the fifth level of Qi Refining, not only did his magical power become more abundant, but his divine sense also became more acute. In just a moment, he sensed two people walking one after the other towards the private room from the depths of the corridor.

Along with the sound of footsteps, the two people's hushed conversation also reached his ears clearly.

"Seventh Uncle, please make an exception and expedite the opening of my furnace to refine a high-grade magic artifact-level alchemy furnace. The Rejuvenating Pill Pavilion is eager to use this furnace to win over that new guest alchemist..."

A young voice, tinged with a hint of ingratiation and helplessness, rang out; it sounded extremely familiar.

Immediately afterwards, a powerful, gruff voice interrupted it without hesitation:

"Stop making trouble! The spiritual materials consumed by that high-grade alchemy furnace are extremely precious. Just the main materials for smelting alone cost hundreds of spirit stones."

"The clan's various branches have always kept clear accounts of their businesses. With such high costs, how could we possibly lend the Rejuvenation Pill Pavilion for nothing? Even with a close nephew, we must keep clear accounts. No spirit stones, no discussion!"

"Look at you, this is just our Han family's own business..."

"The Han family's business is also managed by the clan's accountant! Alright, there's a customer waiting in the private room ahead who wants to order a top-grade magical artifact, so stop dawdling here!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the curtain of the private room was lifted by a large, strong hand.

The two walked in one after the other.

Leading the way was a burly, middle-aged man with a full beard and an imposing physique, exuding an astonishing heat wave from the earth and a powerful spiritual pressure from the seventh level of Qi Refining.

This must be the hot-tempered weapon refiner the waiter was talking about.

The young man following behind the burly man, who was wearing a bitter smile and sighing helplessly, looked up and bumped into the man in blue robes sitting at the table drinking tea. He froze on the spot.

"Brother Lu...?"

Lu Chi put down his teacup, stood up, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.

"Brother Han, it's been a long time."

Although he didn't show it on his face, he was somewhat surprised inside.

Han Jingxing is currently managing the Han family's Rejuvenation Pill Pavilion, which should be a time when he is busy with many affairs and unable to spare the time. Unexpectedly, he ran into the Hundred Refinement Pavilion.

However, recalling the argument about "urgently forging the alchemy furnace" that he had overheard in the corridor, Lu Chi understood perfectly well what the other man's intentions were, so it was not surprising.

At the same time, Lu Chi's gaze swept over the two of them without leaving a trace, and he couldn't help but feel a little fortunate.

Fortunately, before leaving home, out of his usual caution, he had used a secret technique to completely suppress his newly broken-through, slightly agitated Qi Refining Level 5 power, steadily holding it back to the appearance of Qi Refining Level 4.

With his solidified magical power imbued with the resilience of plants, these two would never be able to see through his true nature unless they were examined in person by a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Han Jingxing snapped out of his daze, glanced at the esteemed tea served in the private room, and couldn't help but smile wryly. "The waiter outside just reported that there's a big customer in the private room on the second floor who wants to order a top-grade magic artifact... Could it be you, Brother Lu?"

Lu Chi smiled and replied frankly, "My old talisman brushes are no longer usable, so I thought I'd come to the Hundred Refinements Pavilion to look for a way out. I never expected to run into Brother Han here by such a coincidence."

"This is truly a case of the flood washing away the Dragon King's temple!"

Han Jingxing slapped his thigh. His frustration at being rejected for the alchemy furnace was largely dispelled by this unexpected joy.

He quickly stepped aside and introduced the two parties.

"Seventh Uncle, this is Lu Chi, the guest elder of Moon Concealment Pavilion whom I have mentioned to you many times before. You must have heard a lot about his mastery of talismans these past few days."

After saying that, he turned to Lu Chi and introduced him: "Brother Lu, this is my seventh uncle from the Han family, Han Tiefeng, who is also one of the most skilled weapon refiners in our Hundred Refinements Pavilion. If you want to customize a high-grade magic weapon, you've definitely come to the right person by asking my seventh uncle."

"You're the Lu Fu Master that Jing Xing always talks about?"

Han Tiefeng sat down in the armchair opposite Lu Chi with an air of authority. His large, bell-like eyes sized Lu Chi up and down, and his brows furrowed tightly.

His voice was rough, carrying the fiery temper of years spent dealing with earth fire, and he spoke bluntly: "To have such attainments in the art of talismans at such a young age is truly remarkable. However… do you know what it means to commission a top-grade magic artifact-level talisman brush?"

A talisman brush of superior quality means... it is a superior magic artifact?

Lu Chi silently swallowed back the obvious answer in his heart.

It seems this old craftsman not only has a fiery temper, but also likes to be picky about the quality of the goods before selling them to buyers.

His face remained calm, and he went along with it, giving the other party ample face, and cupped his hands, saying, "I would like to ask Senior Han for guidance."

"The talisman brush is not like a sword; it emphasizes 'clear and penetrating insight, revealing every detail'."

Han Tiefeng tapped the table with his thick fingers. "A high-grade magic artifact, the talisman brush, is prepared for cultivators in the late Qi Refining stage. In order to stabilize the high-intensity spiritual pressure, special spiritual guiding meridians must be forged inside the brush handle."

"Your cultivation is only at the fourth level of Qi Refining. The little bit of mana in your Qi Sea will probably be exhausted after only a small portion is poured in, causing your spiritual energy to shut down. Forcing it will not only backfire on you, but also waste excellent materials."

Han Jingxing, listening from the side, felt somewhat embarrassed and repeatedly winked at his seventh uncle: "Seventh Uncle, since Brother Lu has spoken, he must have his reasons. You just need to..."

"You know nothing!" Han Tiefeng glared at his nephew, interrupting him. "Top-quality refining materials are extremely rare, appearing only once in a century. If we forge a piece of junk that our customers can't even use, it will ruin my reputation as Han Tiefeng!"

Having said that, he turned to look at Lu Chi, his gaze carrying the scrutiny and stubbornness of an experienced craftsman:

"Master Lu, it's not that I'm unwilling to take this job. If you only want a mid-grade magic weapon, I can make the furnace for you today. But if it's a high-grade one... you have to give me a reason to convince me."