Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

His question caused the other two customers who were selecting talismans to stop what they were doing and quietly cast their curious glances at him.

Recently, the Heavenly Court's Thunder Palace has been patrolling the Western Continent of Niuhe. The story of the Radiant Heavenly Peaceful Law True Lord slaying demons with his sword and vanquishing evil spirits with his thunder has already spread.

For many anxious cultivators, talismans that could resist or even avoid heavenly lightning suddenly became highly sought-after items.

The old man in the green robe didn't stop writing, nor did he even lift his eyelids, only saying calmly:

"If you are looking for talismans that can ward off ordinary Yin lightning or Yang lightning refined by cultivators, or materials for refining such talismans."

On the third shelf on the left, the third and fourth tiers from top to bottom are for guests to view.

His brushstrokes were fluid and rounded, outlining a complex ending. The spiritual light on the talisman suddenly intensified, then slowly receded.

The old man slowly put down his pen, raised his eyelids—his eyes were slightly cloudy but unusually calm—and looked at the guest who had asked the question, continuing:

"If what you seek is to avoid the punishment of the Thunder God's orthodox and magnificent heavenly thunder, our shop does not currently have such a genuine talisman for sale."

Even if it did exist, it would most likely be of little use, merely a waste of the customer's money and a disgrace to the shop's reputation.

Upon hearing this, the guest's expression changed, appearing somewhat embarrassed and disappointed.

He didn't say anything more in the end, and turned around to continue looking through the shelves the old man had pointed to.

Upon hearing this, the other two guests also averted their gazes, shook their heads inwardly, and a hint of worry crossed their faces.

Lei Fu Zhenjun is currently in Xiniu Hezhou, but who knows when he will arrive in his own continent?

The wrath of Heaven is unpredictable, and the thunder is unpredictable. The truth hangs above our heads; how can ordinary talismans conceal it?

Although the manager of Qingfu Pavilion spoke bluntly and without reservation, it was the truth.

The room returned to silence for a moment.

Only the faint sounds of the old man tidying up his talisman-drawing tools and the guests flipping through the talisman materials remained.

Chen Jiao stood at the entrance, taking in the conversation and everyone's expressions. His face remained unchanged, but a slight thought stirred within him.

It seems that this imperial tour is quite a big deal, even the cultivators and ghosts in this Netherworld are already on edge.

His gaze swept over the old man in the green robe who was still concentrating on drawing talismans. This man was outspoken and pointed out the falsity of the talisman for avoiding heavenly lightning, which showed him considerable insight and integrity.

The ghost soldier whispered to Chen Jiao:

"My lord, this is the owner of Qingfu Pavilion, Senior Gu Fuzi."

At this moment, Gu Fuzi had changed the talisman paper, moistened his brush and dipped it in ink again, preparing to draw the next one.

He didn't look at Chen Jiao and the others who had just entered; instead, he focused intently on his pen and asked:

"A few customers have come to our shop; what are they looking for?"

Chen Jiao's gaze swept over the shop's antique furnishings and the dazzling array of talismans on the shelves, finally settling on the ancient talisman's flowing, calligraphic strokes, and he replied:

"I'm looking for some suitable tools for making talismans. I wonder if the Master has any good ones to recommend?"

The ancient talisman brush in Gu Fuzi's hand was steady, and the spiritual light flowing from his brush was like a stream that never stopped.

He slightly raised his head, glanced at Chen Jiao, and asked calmly:

There are indeed quite a few small shops that make talismans and magical artifacts.

Several pieces were also kept, including some of the finest, most prized, and even antique items.

His brush moved with fluid grace, gradually forming an intricate cloud and thunder pattern, while his words flowed unhurriedly:

"However, whether a talisman is suitable for use ultimately depends on the person using it."

Are you new to the art of talismans and wish to acquire some suitable basic tools?

Or have you already gained some understanding and insight into this path, and what you seek is a superior item that can enhance the power of talismans and elevate spiritual sensitivity?

Chen Jiao remained calm and nodded slightly, saying:

"Lao Ge took the initiative to ask. I have indeed dabbled in the path of talismanic arts, but I dare not claim to have gained any real understanding."

What I'm seeking this time isn't any of those special items that enhance the power of talismans or ensure their effectiveness.

He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over the various talisman brushes and inkstones in the shop.

"It's simply a matter of finding a few handy tools that allow inspiration to flow freely and make the writing process smoother and more natural."

"A vessel for smooth flow?" Gu Fuzi continued writing, seemingly without any reaction.

Not far away, the guest who had just asked about the lightning-avoiding talisman but had not been able to get it and was looking through an ancient lightning-patterned talisman on the shelf heard these few words of conversation and couldn't help but let out a sneer.

"Ha...that's easy for you to say."

They probably haven't even figured out the key points of the talisman's head and core, or the flow of qi and blood; they only know some impractical, theoretical talk.

The art of talisman making prioritizes power and spiritual response. Without even seeking these, how can one expect to achieve mastery? Such talk is merely empty rhetoric for beginners.

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a clear sense of sarcasm and disdain, obviously treating Chen Jiao's words as the unrealistic pronouncements of a novice who lacked practical experience.

Upon hearing this, Master Shouyue frowned slightly, glanced at the guest, and then looked at Chen Jiao.

Song Yan's face remained gentle, but his eyes turned slightly cold.

Song An glared at the guest's back, indignant.

With the final rune drawn by the ancient talisman master, a spiritual light emanated from within, and the entire talisman was quietly completed.

He put down the talisman brush, without looking up, and simply said:

"Please leave, sir. Do not set foot in Qingfu Pavilion again for the next hundred years."

The moment these words were spoken, the shop fell silent.

Apart from Chen Jiao, who remained unmoved, the others in the shop were all taken aback, their eyes unconsciously scanning the shop.

The guest who had just made the sarcastic remark secretly sneered to himself.

They were certain that the Pavilion Master couldn't stand empty talk and was genuinely angry, so he wanted to kick them out.

Though he didn't show it on his face, a hint of pleasure and contempt flashed in his eyes; he was just waiting to see the show.

As soon as Gu Fuzi finished speaking, he picked up the talisman with fresh ink and faint spiritual light, and without chanting a spell or making any hand gestures, he simply shook it gently.

The talisman turned into a speck of drifting bluish-gray between the fingers of the ancient talisman master.

Almost at the same moment.

"what!"

A short, startled cry rang out from outside the store.

Upon hearing the sound, everyone in the store instinctively looked over.

The guest who had spoken sarcastically earlier was now sitting on the stone path outside Qingfu Pavilion, looking quite disheveled.

He looked stunned, as if he hadn't yet figured out how he had gone from in front of the store shelves to the street in an instant.

After sitting there blankly for a while, he suddenly realized what was happening, and his face immediately turned bright red, then ashen.

He hurriedly got up, patted his clothes, and mumbled a few curses incoherently.

His gaze swept over the ghostly soldiers standing at the door, who were coldly glancing at him. He shrank back and ultimately didn't dare to act rashly. He turned around dejectedly and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

The shop fell silent again, and the two remaining customers looked at each other with suspicion in their eyes.

Gu Fuzi slowly raised his eyes, his gaze passing over the somewhat empty shop and landing on Chen Jiao, whereupon he nodded slightly.

"A vessel for smooth flow... Hmm, that word suits my taste quite well."

The art of talisman making requires the coordination of mind and hand, and the flow of inspiration. The most important thing is the word "smoothness." Only when the mind is clear and the energy flows smoothly can it be fundamental.

Leaving a few people who are not comfortable with things here is indeed an eyesore.

As he spoke, he left the wooden table, brushed off non-existent dust from his green robe, and strode over to Chen Jiao.

"Since you are looking for something that is suitable and easy to use, why don't you come with me to the inner room for a look?"

Most of what's outside is just ordinary stuff.