Gou Zai Qingluo Cave Heaven Cultivation

"clang."

The bell rang softly, signaling the end of get out of class.

The students, like birds just released from their cages, quickly gathered up their writing implements, eager to get to work.

The children, who were only a little older, not only got hungry very quickly, but also had an unusually strong appetite. They were all looking around at the door, ready to rush to the dining hall.

Zhou Baoqing quickly stuffed the "Qingjin Talisman Manual" into his book box and was about to rush to the dining hall to grab food when he heard a gentle voice coming from the stage.

"Zhou Baoqing, please stay here for a moment."

The one speaking was none other than Master Gan.

Upon hearing this, several students who were about to rush out paused, their faces showing curiosity.

Master Gan was mild-mannered and always tolerant of his students.

Unlike Zhou Xuezheng, he didn't have the habit of keeping students behind to reprimand them or punish them by making them copy school rules.

What is the purpose of leaving this former demon king alone today?

However, thinking that if they arrived late at the dining hall, there would be no good food or soup left, they didn't care about watching the excitement and all disappeared in a flash.

The Qingjin Hall fell silent.

"Master, you wanted to see me?" Zhou Baoqing walked to the front of the hall and said respectfully.

Master Gan did not speak, but pointed his finger in mid-air.

A wisp of pale blue spiritual energy, visible to the naked eye, flowed along the fingertip, instantly outlining a basic rune in the void.

"Try drawing it," the old master said, pointing to the blank talisman paper and talisman brush on the table.

Zhou Baoqing nodded, calmed himself for a moment, and then picked up the talisman brush.

His gaze was focused, and his brushstrokes were steady and smooth. The tip of the brush moved across the talisman paper without any hesitation, and a tranquil and profound charm was subtly revealed in the transitions between strokes.

Master Gan observed his brushstrokes and his eyes revealed admiration: "I heard from Zhou Yanqing that you have changed a lot recently. Not only have you been working hard to catch up on your studies, but the spirituality of this talisman is also far beyond that of ordinary people. It's never too late to turn back from the wrong path."

"I have indeed been studying the 'Qingjin Talisman Manual' recently and have a deep understanding of the profound mysteries of talismanic arts," Zhou Baoqing said modestly.

Master Gan stroked his beard and turned to another matter: "Do you know about the magic talisman?"

Zhou Baoqing had never heard of this term before.

But his mind raced, and he guessed, "Could it be a talisman beneath a spiritual talisman? Perhaps even mortals without spiritual energy can use it?"

The conditions for using talismans are not demanding for cultivators; they only require a wisp of magic power or spiritual energy to activate.

But for mortals without spiritual roots, this is like an insurmountable chasm.

"You're quite quick-witted."

Master Gan smiled and said, "In the Southern Marshland, mortals and immortals live together. Where there are people, there are needs. Those descendants of immortals without spiritual roots also need items for self-defense, disease prevention, and the ability to attract fire and gather water. This talisman was created to meet this need. It uses a special method to lock a wisp of spiritual energy within the talisman. Mortals, or even students who have not yet cultivated their Qi, can activate it. It is extremely popular."

He looked at Zhou Baoqing and said, "I have a workshop that specializes in making talismans. If you are willing, you can come to my workshop in the future and make talismans with my fellow disciples."

At this point, Master Gan also seemed somewhat helpless.

In the art of talismans, one must pay attention to the fluidity of the brushstrokes; even the slightest error in the beginning or turning of the brush will render the talisman useless.

Many students get dizzy just looking at these complicated runes, not to mention that they require extremely high talent.

Take Su Wan for example. She is indeed very capable in all aspects and is a diligent and hardworking promising student.

However, in the art of talismans, he can only be described as mediocre.

Although Zhou Baoqing's brushstrokes are still somewhat immature, they are very inspired. His brushstrokes and turns are just right, making him a good candidate for drawing talismans.

Listening to Master Gan's words, Zhou Baoqing began to understand.

Goodness, isn't this just like the "research group" in university in my previous life?

The mentors are responsible for studying more profound cultivation techniques, while for peripheral projects like "treasure talismans" that target the mundane and lower-end markets, they recruit a few cheap students as laborers!

He originally intended to politely decline.

After all, he had the treasure of Qingluo Cave Heaven. He only needed to develop steadily, farm and raise fish to get rich. Why should he work for others for free and waste his cultivation time?

"Of course, I won't let you work for nothing. You'll receive a low-grade spirit stone every month."

Master Gan smiled and said, "If you can independently complete the drawing of a precious talisman, you will receive a reward of ten low-grade spirit stones. If your precious talisman shines brightly at the Southern Territory Hundred Pavilions Talisman Gathering and is rated as high-grade, the reward will be one mid-grade spirit stone, plus some rare spiritual materials for refining talismans. I will also give you an extra reward."

Zhou Baoqing wanted to refuse, but swallowed his words.

"Moreover, refining precious talismans will also be of great benefit to you. It is a good thing to hone your foundation in the art of talismans, and you have a high chance of becoming a true talisman master in the future."

Master Gan continued, "Once you become a talisman master and have been rated as 'superior,' I can recommend you to become the Immortal Clan's personal talisman master, enjoying lifelong clan offerings."

A mid-grade spirit stone will be awarded as a reward!

The Celestial Clan's Personal Talisman Master!

Zhou Baoqing's heart skipped a beat, much to his dismay.

It's not that he lacks self-control, it's just that he's offering too much. The pie in the sky that Master Gan is drawing is huge and round!

On the other hand, becoming a talisman master was one of his original plans.

The process of making talismans also requires calming the mind and concentrating the spirit, so how can it not be considered cultivation?

Zhou Baoqing weighed the pros and cons, and quickly convinced himself in just one second. He said righteously, "How could I dare to refuse your kindness, Master! Studying the Dao of Talismans is my duty, and it is my honor to be able to share your burdens!"

"very good."

Master Gan nodded in satisfaction: "From now on, for weapon crafting classes and other elective courses, you can come directly to me to make talismans. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me or your senior brothers and sisters."

This directly diverted the weapon crafting class!

The Zhou family's foundation lies in refining elixirs using water-based methods; alchemy is the true path.

Formations and talisman making have similar principles, and learning formations is also very beneficial for drawing talismans.

As for the weapon crafting course, although it is nominally one of the main courses, it is very weak in the Zhou Clan.

In the eyes of an expert like Master Gan, who specializes in talismans, weapon crafting is probably just a side job that he could quit without any psychological burden.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master!"

Zhou Baoqing handed the teaching aid "Qingjin Talisman Manual" to Master Gan and said sincerely, "I was naughty in the past, but now I know that cultivation is not easy. Master, you have not held a grudge and have taught me everything you know. I will remember it and will definitely work hard."

Master Gan took the book, looked into the boy's clear eyes, and smiled slightly.

Having taught at the ethnic school for decades, he has had students who thank him.

Among them were those who eloquently expressed their gratitude, or who wept bitterly and claimed they wanted to repay the kindness.

But for some reason, after hearing Zhou Baoqing's words today, he felt particularly relaxed and happy.

Perhaps it was seeing a once mischievous and troublesome little tyrant who had turned his back on the wrong path and started to strive for improvement, or perhaps it was the pure and simple nature of the child's words.

…………

Dining hall.

Zhou Baoqing was delayed at Qingjin Hall for a while, and by the time he arrived at the dining hall, there were hardly any people left.

The spacious hall was empty, with only a few cleaning staff tidying up the tables and chairs, and the food troughs were naturally filled with only leftovers.

Just as he was hesitating about whether to just eat a few mouthfuls of the free tofu soup.

"Brother Bao! Over here!"

Zhou Changping's voice came from not far away.

The chubby boy sat at a table in the corner, winking and waving at him.

Zhou Baoqing walked over and saw a sealed food box on the table.

Zhou Changping chuckled and lifted the lid.

A rich aroma of meat mixed with the fresh scent of bamboo shoots wafts over, making one's mouth water.

It's that dish of stir-fried spirit pheasant meat with jade bamboo shoots, which costs 150 spirit crystals!

It is accompanied by a large bowl of crystal-clear, steaming rice and a bowl of fragrant mushroom soup.

"I knew you'd be late, so I saved this especially for you!"

Zhou Changping shoved the chopsticks into his hand and said ingratiatingly, "Brother Bao, didn't you say you'd give me intensive tutoring for the quiz next month to help me escape the 'bottom of the class' evaluation? From now on, I'll cover all your lunches at school. Just please pay extra attention!"

The previous mention of "make-up exams" was somewhat of a joke.

After all, things like cultivating one's mind are a personal matter; they can't be understood quickly just by being taught.

But talismans are a different kind of "cultural subject." Today, Zhou Changping tasted the benefits and developed great confidence and enthusiasm for tutoring!

Little did he know that Zhou Baoqing had once been a poor student, just like him.

Therefore, only by having a clear understanding of what struggling students don't understand or know can one provide guidance at will, resulting in immediate and effective outcomes.

After all, even a true academic genius like Su Wan would be dumbfounded and unable to understand why Zhou Changping couldn't even grasp such a simple concept.

Looking at the spiritual food before him, Zhou Baoqing chuckled to himself.

That kid really knows how to get things done.

The tutoring fee they had agreed upon was just a little bit of green-scaled fish fry and spirit fish food, not any expensive spirit dishes.

Zhou Changping may seem simple-minded, but his family is wealthy and runs a fish market. He has unconsciously picked up the ways of the world and how to navigate social situations.

Zhou Baoqing naturally accepted the offer without hesitation.

He picked up a piece of pheasant meat and put it in his mouth. The meat was firm and chewy, and it had absorbed the sweetness of the bamboo shoots.

As you chew, the rich, savory flavor slides down your throat into your stomach, and when paired with a crisp, tender bamboo shoot, it's so delicious you almost bite your tongue.

The freshly stir-fried, hot spiritual food felt completely different from eating cold spiritual cakes. At this moment, I was starving, and the satisfaction of eating meat in big bites was simply unparalleled.

Zhou Baoqing ate heartily while thinking to himself.

This mushroom soup is delicious and soothing, perfect for warming the stomachs of grandparents.

The pheasant meat was stewed until tender and flavorful. My older cousin and younger cousin are at the age when they are growing, so they will definitely love it and can't stop eating it.

And then there's my mother, who always avoids eating well and saves the good stuff for herself. It's time she got to taste this kind of delicacy.

Holding his rice bowl and feeling the comforting warmth in his stomach, Zhou Baoqing secretly set a small goal for himself.

Make money so you can sit with your family every day and enjoy a delicious spiritual meal in peace!