Starting as a Talisman Master

Faced with the blunt questioning, Lu Chi did not get angry; instead, he nodded to himself inwardly.

Although Han Tiefeng has a fiery temper, he is a true craftsman who knows his stuff and values ​​his reputation; he wasn't deliberately making things difficult for Han.

"What Senior Han said is absolutely right. However, it is not that I am being overly ambitious."

"It's just that the talisman-making techniques I've learned require the utmost refinement of magical power. Ordinary low-grade and mid-grade talisman brushes are too coarse in their structure and simply cannot bear such subtle spiritual changes; they are truly unusable."

Han Tiefeng raised an eyebrow slightly, and the displeasure in his eyes faded a little.

He gave Lu Chi a deep look, let out a heavy snort, and slapped the storage bag at his waist.

With a muffled thud, he slammed a half-finished, dark blue talisman brush onto the table.

"Such arrogance! Since you claim to understand the ultimate micro-management, then come and see this."

Han Tiefeng pointed to the section of dark blue penholder and said in a gruff voice:

"This is a top-grade water-element talisman brush that I forged last month, using the finest cold iron essence. However, when it came to the final step of clearing the internal spiritual channels, the spiritual energy always failed at the last minute."

"If you can truly reach the level of subtlety you describe in the art of talismans, then you should take a look and see where exactly this thing went wrong."

Han Jingxing secretly broke out in a cold sweat. His seventh uncle had presented a truly difficult weapon-forging challenge to test him.

This pen took Uncle Qi a lot of effort to make. Ordinary talisman masters can't even understand the array patterns inside magic artifacts, so how could they possibly figure out the secrets?

Lu Chi remained calm, lowering his eyes and letting his gaze drift lightly to the dark blue penholder.

If the old blacksmith were to test his hammering skills or the array patterns of his furnace, he would naturally be completely clueless—knowing only nine out of ten things.

But the other party insisted on showing him some kind of "spiritual connection" error, which was like a pillow being delivered to someone who was sleepy, running right into the muzzle of his [Spiritual Eye] talent.

Concentrate your mind in your eyes, observe the subtle and discern the hidden.

In an instant, the pen holder that had been lifeless in front of him seemed to shed its shell and become translucent in Lu Chi's vision.

He could clearly see that the streams of spiritual energy that should have flowed smoothly were now swirling around like headless flies at a certain point where they converged inside the pen, condensing into a barely perceptible turbulent flow.

[The Incomplete Water-Element Talisman Brush]

[Status: Spiritual impulses clashing, spiritual intent stagnating]

[Identifiable flaw: Three inches below the middle section, the guiding energy veins turn too sharply; the forger's own fire and metal energy remains, causing extremely subtle swirling energy when water-based spiritual power flows through this area, which will eventually dissipate if it gathers for a long time.]

Lu Chi slowly raised his hand, his fingertips lightly touching the section of the penholder three inches below the middle, his tone firm and composed:

"Senior Han's craftsmanship is superb, and the material of this pen is impeccably smelted. However, Senior Han himself should mainly cultivate the techniques of fire and metal, right? Therefore, when forging this water element meridian, he subconsciously brought a bit of fierce and sharp intent to it."

"Look here, the transition is too abrupt. Water has no fixed shape and should be continuous and gentle. If it is forced into such a sharp corner, it will stir up a very weak 'spiritual energy vortex' here."

Seeing Han Tiefeng's pupils suddenly contract, Lu Chi continued in the tone of a talisman master, "For ordinary swords and magical weapons, this slight turn might be harmless, and could even add a bit of explosive power."

"But during talisman making, even a mere half-batch pause or tremor of spiritual energy is enough to cause the condensed spiritual ink at the tip of the brush to instantly dissipate, destroying a talisman that is almost complete. Senior, am I right?"

The private room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Han Jingxing stared at Lu Chi in disbelief, then looked at his seventh uncle.

Han Tiefeng stared intently at the penholder that Lu Chi was pointing to. His heavy breathing gradually became rapid, and his flushed face trembled slightly with extreme shock and realization.

"Snapped!"

He slapped his thigh hard, making a deafeningly loud crack that made the teacups on the table jump. "Brilliant! So that's the crux of the problem!"

Han Tiefeng grabbed the broken penholder and muttered to himself as if it were some rare treasure:

"I've been holed up in seclusion for a whole month, trying to figure out what's wrong with my inspiration, but I just can't find the root cause. It turns out it's because I don't understand the subtle manipulation of water elements when making talismans, and I've been forcibly applying the method for forging flying swords to the talisman brush!"

He abruptly stood up, solemnly cupped his hands in a respectful bow to Lu Chi, his voice still loud and clear, but now brimming with utmost politeness:

"I was blind to your greatness just now, and I apologize for offending you! With Master Lu's keen eye and profound understanding of the flow of spiritual energy, I will accept this job!"

"Senior Han, you flatter me. I've simply been paying a little more attention to the flow of spiritual energy when I draw talismans."

Lu Chi did not presume to help, but simply smiled and offered a helping hand, "In that case, I will trouble you to take care of this magical artifact pen, Senior."

"No problem!"

Han Tiefeng smeared his beard and sat down again with an air of heroic grandeur.

"Since Master Lu has such attainments, I will not beat around the bush. To bear your condensed water-based magical power, I will decide on the main material for the brush handle. Go to the inner treasury and retrieve a section of 'Centennial Cold Jade Bamboo'."

"This bamboo is naturally hydrophilic and extremely resilient. As for the internal spiritual energy channels, I will personally oversee the work, ensuring that the transitions are perfectly smooth and fluid. When your cultivation level increases, you will be able to use it without any hindrance!"

Lu Chi nodded in satisfaction, and then told the other party about the design and approach he had already come up with.

"Such an obscure method?" Han Tiefeng patted his chest and said confidently, "Although it will take a lot of effort, I'm 80% confident I can succeed!"

Lu Chi asked, "In that case, what is the price of these materials and the cost of your furnace, senior?"

Han Tiefeng waved his hand and said readily:

"With the century-old Jade Bamboo and various auxiliary materials, it will cost at least two hundred low-grade spirit stones. As for the labor fee for setting up the furnace, I'm grateful for your guidance on the array patterns today, so I'll waive it! Leave a deposit, and you can come and collect it in three days!"

Two hundred low-grade spirit stones...

A slight ripple of emotion stirred within Lu Chi; money was being spent like water.

"You're very kind, senior."

He maintained a calm demeanor, and with a flick of his wrist, decisively pulled out one hundred low-grade spirit stones from his storage bag and piled them on the table as a deposit.

However, his thoughts had already swept through his mind.

Since the panel can display professions such as [Talisman Master], [Spirit Farmer], and [Alchemist], if the opportunity arises in the future, the [Weapon Refiner] profession will likely also be added to the list.

At that time, not only will this huge expense be saved, but it will also be possible to glimpse the secrets of the magical artifact's restrictions.

After accepting the voucher from Bailian Pavilion, Lu Chi did not linger. He declined Han Jingxing's offer to host a banquet and took his leave.

"Seventh Uncle, you seem to be in high spirits today. What about the alchemy furnace at the Rejuvenating Pill Pavilion..." Han Jingxing's voice carried a hint of flattery.

"Don't even think about getting something for nothing!" Han Tiefeng said with a laugh, but his tone was much more relaxed than before.

"The clan's accounts must not be messed up. However... if you can find a way to gather the main ingredient, 'red copper essence,' I can take some time to refine that alchemy furnace for you, and I won't charge you for the labor."

"Thank you, Uncle Seven! I will definitely collect all the red copper essence!" Han Jingxing was overjoyed.

Han Tiefeng gazed in the direction Lu Chi had left, a thoughtful expression on his face. Suddenly, he asked, "This Lu talisman master's control over spiritual energy is so subtle; his spiritual root aptitude must be extraordinary, right? What kind of spiritual root does he possess?"

Han Jingxing paused slightly, a hint of hesitation on his face. He had never actually asked Lu Chi about his background. After a moment's thought, he answered somewhat uncertainly:

"I really didn't know. However, I overheard someone talking about it earlier, and it seems that Brother Lu... only has a low-grade spiritual root."

"A low-grade spiritual root?"

Upon hearing this, Han Tiefeng's smile gradually froze. After a long silence, he let out a deep sigh full of regret, thinking to himself, "What a pity."

For someone with a low-grade spiritual root, starting from the fourth level of Qi Refining, it would take at least ten years of arduous cultivation to reach the late stage of Qi Refining where they can freely wield high-grade magical artifacts.

Even if this talisman pen is successfully crafted, it will still be barely usable for Master Lu at present. It will likely take several years for it to truly reveal its brilliance.