Starting as a Talisman Master

"Xuandu Gate..."

As Lu Chi silently recited the three words in his heart, fragments of what he had seen and heard in the old market gradually surfaced in his mind, like sand rising from the water.

When he first entered the path of immortality and was struggling to survive in the lower levels of the world, he had heard older, independent cultivators mention the three major cultivation sects of Jingzhao Kingdom more than once.

Whenever he speaks of it, his expression is solemn and his words are filled with reverence.

The three sects are Xuandu Gate, Qinglian Temple, and Taiqing Palace.

These three sects are all Nascent Soul lineages with thousands of years of history, producing numerous powerful figures and possessing profound teachings, making them incomparable to ordinary sects.

Among the three sects, Xuandu Sect is the most powerful. It is said that deep within its mountain gate, there are always two or more Nascent Soul elders who are in charge, not concerned with external affairs, but only with maintaining the sect's fortune.

Lu Chi seized the opportunity to inquire, "I only knew of the Xuandu Sect's reputation before, but I didn't know what rules such a behemoth had for recruiting disciples?"

That's understandable, given his ignorance.

In his early years, he had no foundation or background. He spent his days running around for a few fragments of spirit stones, barely able to make ends meet and inherit his cultivation techniques. How could he have the leisure to inquire about such a grand selection of immortal sects?

Moreover, this election only comes around once every ten years. For those low-level cultivators who don't even have a livelihood for tomorrow, asking about it would only increase their resentment, like a frog in a well trying to see the moon.

Han Jingxing sighed softly, raised two fingers, and said solemnly, "The requirements for this sect are neither too high nor too low. First, one must have at least a mid-grade spiritual root; second, one's bone age must not exceed sixteen years, and one's background must be pure and clean."

"However, even if one is fortunate enough to meet these two conditions, one still needs to pass through numerous trials set by the Xuandu Sect before reaching the mountain gate. One's temperament, comprehension, and perseverance are all indispensable. Only those who can withstand the test of time and remain true to themselves are qualified to knock on the door of the Nascent Soul Grand Sect."

He spoke with great emotion, his expression complex, and his tone conveyed a deep sense of pain, as if he had personally experienced it.

That is indeed the case.

Back then, Han Jingxing's bone age and spiritual root were just enough to meet the requirements. Full of ambition, he went to knock on the gate of immortality, but in the end, he fell in the unpredictable entrance trial and returned defeated.

However, things are unpredictable; what is lost on one front may be gained on another.

It was on his way back from that experience after failing to be selected that he met Su Jin, who was also traveling in the wilderness.

The two went through thick and thin together, developed feelings for each other, and eventually became Daoist partners.

Looking back now, although that trial shattered his dream of joining a major Nascent Soul sect, it also led to this marriage.

Lu Chi noticed the subtle expressions on the couple's faces and immediately understood, but he didn't delve into the matter further.

He shook his head inwardly, knowing full well that he did not meet the standards of this immortal sect at all, and praised lightly: "As expected of the Nascent Soul lineage, this selection is truly extremely rigorous."

He immediately cast aside that indifferent thought and focused back on the tangible business of making spirit stones in front of him:

"Since it's a long journey to Xuandu Gate, Brother Han must need quite a few talismans. What are your specific plans?"

Han Jingxing didn't rush to give a specific number, his eyes filled with hope: "Brother Lu, I wonder if your current skill in talismanic arts... is enough for you to draw a top-grade talisman?"

Escorting the clan's members to the Xuandu Gate was a task that the Han family's Foundation Establishment stage ancestor needed to oversee the overall situation of the family, so he certainly couldn't personally accompany them.

Without a Foundation Establishment cultivator to back you up, top-grade talismans are undoubtedly the best trump card on the road.

After all, there are very few demonic beasts in the wilderness comparable to those at the Foundation Establishment stage, and a dignified Foundation Establishment stage cultivator would never stoop to the level of robbing and plundering other cultivators.

Therefore, if they encounter any danger on the way to the sect, the worst that could happen is a problem at the Qi Refining stage.

A top-grade talisman is enough to turn the tide in a battle between Qi Refining stage cultivators.

However, Lu Chi has no intention of admitting it.

Based on his current status as a senior high-grade talisman master, he is already well enough to earn a substantial reward in this transaction. There is really no need for him to reveal all his secrets just for the sake of publicity.

"Brother Han, you flatter me too much. Talisman masters who can draw top-grade talismans are extremely rare in this Qingque Mountain market. Even the Luo family, which is based on the talisman way, has only one or two top-grade talisman masters at most."

Lu Chi shook his head, his tone carrying a touch of self-deprecation: "At my age, it's already a stroke of luck that I can barely maintain the success rate of producing high-grade talismans. As for the top-grade ones, I'm still far from that level."

A hint of regret flashed in Han Jingxing's eyes, but he also felt it was reasonable, so he stopped dwelling on the matter and instead took out a jade slip from his sleeve and gave a detailed list of purchases.

The package includes a large quantity of high-grade offensive and defensive talismans such as Golden Blade, Ice Arrow, and Wooden Armor, and it is specified that delivery must be made within one month.

It is indeed a rare and great deal.

Lu Chi tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, considered the details in his mind, and then said slowly, "Based on the number and type of items listed, and taking into account the tight schedule of delivery within a month... Thank you, six hundred low-grade spirit stones."

"Brother Lu is truly a straightforward man!" Han Jingxing laughed heartily, without any hesitation or haggling, and immediately patted the storage bag at his waist.

Three hundred low-grade spirit stones, brimming with spiritual energy, were neatly stacked on the wooden table in the quiet room as a deposit.

"What a rich tycoon..." Lu Chi's gaze swept over the spirit stones shrouded in spiritual energy on the table, and he couldn't help but be tempted. With a flick of his sleeve, he put them all into his storage bag.

Then, thinking of the advancement opportunities for the [Azure Law] and [Spirit Farmer] professions, he said slowly, "Brother Han, I have a favor to ask regarding the remaining payment for this transaction. I wonder if it would be possible to settle it with something else instead of spirit stones?"

Han Jingxing was worried about the huge amount of spirit stones his family was spending on acquiring trump cards, so upon hearing this, he was naturally delighted and readily agreed, asking with a smile, "Oh? I wonder what Brother Lu has taken a fancy to?"

Lu Chi pondered for a moment, then slowly said:

"The superior-grade talisman brush that Senior Han Tiefeng forged for me yesterday is truly handy. Therefore, I was thinking of exchanging it for one or two mid-grade magic artifacts made by the Han family for self-defense and protection. If I could also obtain some pills that can aid in cultivation, that would be even better."

At this point, he paused slightly, then added casually, "Aside from magical artifacts and pills, if the Han family has any second-tier spiritual seeds in their treasury, even if they are withered and decaying, they can be used to offset some of the cost."

Another second-tier spirit seed?

Han Jingxing was slightly surprised. This was the second time Lu Chi had inquired about this item.

However, since the other party didn't explain its purpose, he didn't ask any further questions. Instead, he laughed heartily and readily agreed:

"Magic artifacts and pills are not difficult to obtain. As for these second-tier spiritual seeds... although they are rare, there might actually be some ancient seeds buried in the dusty corners of my Han family's treasure vault. I'll check the records when I get back and then send them to Brother Lu."

With everything settled and having achieved their goal, Han Jingxing and his wife took their leave without lingering.

After seeing the two off, Lu Chi sat cross-legged on the futon in the quiet room alone.

As the heavy snow blocked the door, he first ruthlessly refused to let the Shen family steward in, and then turned around and took over the Han family's business.

If you also consider the grudge he had with the Luo family before... he had unknowingly offended most of the three major local bullies in Dongyue County.

If it were an ordinary rogue cultivator, getting into this kind of trouble would probably have scared them like a frightened bird, packing their bags and fleeing overnight.

But Lu Chi was surprisingly calm and did not feel much fear.

Today, he learned by chance that the Xuandu Sect was opening its doors to select disciples. Although he knew he had no chance of being chosen, he suddenly realized something.

In this remote market town, those in the late Qi Refining stage can call themselves "Great Cultivators" and act arrogantly; those in the Foundation Establishment stage are even more revered as "Ancestors," sitting high above them and being worshipped by all cultivators.

However, if one looks across the vast land of China, the path to immortality is boundless. The so-called Qi cultivation and foundation building are merely the beginning of cultivation, just the first step into the gate.

Looking back at the various events in Dongyue County, those so-called "patriarchs" and "great cultivators" who are confined to a corner and fight endlessly for a few spirit stones and a little benefit are probably nothing more than frogs in a well, playing their own games in the mud, and are ultimately just a joke in the eyes of those with true great supernatural powers.

Once I obtain the Concentration Fruit and the Earth Vein Mystic Ginseng, and after finishing this matter, I will definitely go to see the vast world to see how much of its landscape and human affairs it holds.