I'm just an ornamental fish in the water.

Taoism has many methods of cultivation, each of which can be said to be the general outline of a certain path.

Internal alchemy, external alchemy, preserving the spirit, visualization, sexual practices, talismans...

Since so many cultivation methods have been developed, it means that each method must have its own unique emphasis.

Ultimately, the Taoist school, or rather, all practitioners under heaven, are cultivating nothing more than the two words "nature and life".

The Taoist school, in particular, places great emphasis on cultivating both body and mind.

The most obvious focus of the Taoist talismanic arts is the study and refinement of "life cultivation" such as physical body, magical power, and supernatural abilities.

Of course, this does not mean that the way of talismans does not involve the cultivation of inner "spiritual power".

However, for Jiang Li, he did not need the method of talismans to cultivate "sexual energy", because his most fundamental cultivation method was already naturally present from the moment he took form and condensed the seed of Dharma Qi.

This is also one of the few advantages that non-human cultivators have in this era of great human prosperity.

That is, they do not need to comprehend the cultivation methods little by little like humans. The Demon Court, which once controlled the Three Realms, had a unique advantage.

Now, only this little bit of legacy remains.

Outcasts, or to put it another way that Jiang Li dislikes, demons.

Before transforming into human form, demons rely entirely on instinct to absorb the vital energy of heaven and earth. At the moment of transformation, their bodies, which are formed with reference to the current dominant human race, will have innate meridian energy transport routes and patterns.

This is an extension of a living being's perception of heaven and earth, a reward bestowed by the impartial Way of Heaven.

Therefore, what Jiang Li lacks is precisely the "life force" that represents outward manifestation.

The talisman book that Ge Xuan gave him perfectly filled in this gap.

After respectfully seeing Ge Xuan off, Jiang Li, holding the illustrated book, eagerly opened it.

It should be noted that although Ge Xuan practiced internal alchemy, he was also extremely proficient in the study of talismans and incantations.

It can be said that this is one of the signature techniques of this renowned Taoist master.

However, upon opening it, Jiang Li's hand trembled involuntarily.

There's no other reason than that this is quite different from what Ge Xuan said.

If you only look at the functions of the twenty or so talismans listed in this booklet, it is indeed true. They seem to be just some minor spells such as passing through walls, hiding qi, creating illusions, escaping, and concealing one's form.

At most, they have a few talismans for warding off evil spirits, but they don't even have names.

Judging by its function alone, it is indeed no different from what Ge Xuan described, but the problem is...

"The opening outline of the talismans doesn't seem to be a simple scripture..."

Jiang Li looked at the talisman outline, which consisted of only a few hundred words. After just a few glances, she felt a soreness in her Niwan Palace and was somewhat dizzy.

He knew that this was because his understanding was insufficient, and that forcing himself to comprehend it would only backfire.

Fortunately, this did not affect Jiang Li's cultivation of those talismans.

"Cultivating with talismans is also a considerable expense."

Jiang Li rubbed her temples, feeling both happy and troubled.

The various cultivation methods within Taoism each have their own strengths and weaknesses, and none dare to claim that one method surpasses the others.

However, if we're talking about which method requires the most material things at the beginning of cultivation, then external alchemy and talismans would definitely be the most outstanding.

The former involves refining mercury and burning lead, supplemented with metals and stones; none of these are cheap items.

The latter requires paper, pen, ink, and jar, none of which can be omitted. In particular, the waste in making talismans is exceptionally high for beginners.

Fortunately, Jiang Li is not short of money right now.

As one of the earthly deities, and being adjacent to a large city like Luoyang, the Luoshui Divine Palace would certainly have many sacrifices during the four seasons and eight festivals, and would never lack gold and silver offerings.

When it comes to purchasing and traveling, people always give generous amounts of money.

First, gather all the items on the list, and then go find the things you need.

Having made up her mind, Jiang Li began to stroll around Luoyang City.

Although Luoyang was a large city, Jiang Li was quick on his feet. In addition, he was handsome and had a sweet tongue, so he soon found out the location of the largest general store in Luoyang.

Although today is the day the emperor ascends the throne, King Wei had already decreed before ascending the altar of the land and grain that the livelihood of the people should not be hindered.

Therefore, Jiang Li's initial purchasing went relatively smoothly.

Meat, vegetables, cloth, and grain were not lacking in Luoyang. After agreeing on a time with the shop owners to deliver them to the Luo River, Jiang Li hesitated.

He was clutching a slip of paper in his hand, which contained a list of things that his sister, Chi, had asked him to buy.

But how should I put these things...?

Jiang Li stood in front of an exquisitely decorated shop, her lips twitching.

This is a clothing store, which is nothing special in itself, but this store specializes in women's clothing, and what it mainly sells is "heart-shaped clothing".

This is what is commonly known as a bellyband...

That's right, what Sister Chi asked Jiang Li to buy were a bellyband and undergarments...

But Jiang Li really didn't have the courage to go in. Although the separation between men and women wasn't as strict in this era, it was still too strange for a grown man to be shopping in a small clothing store.

But not buying it is not an option. Although Sister Chi does not hold a specific position in the Luoshui Divine Palace, her status as one of Lady Luoshui's personal maids is enough to explain a lot.

Moreover, judging from the quantities on the list, it's likely that it's the needs of the entire maid corps.

Not buying? Would that offend all of Lady Luoshui's personal maids in one fell swoop? Would they even want to stay in the Luoshui Divine Palace?

"You handsome young man, how come you have such a scoundrel's habit of spying on my shop?"

Just then, a woman in her thirties walked out of the clothing store, uttering accusatory words, but her smile was rather mocking.

Jiang Li felt as if she had been granted a pardon and bowed, saying, "Please don't be offended, sister. I was asked to buy some items, but..."

Before the woman could finish listening, she covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "Young master, there's no need to be so serious. If I couldn't understand your intentions, wouldn't all these years of running this shop have been for nothing?"

"Is the young master perhaps sent out by his sisters to buy some undergarments?"

Jiang Li breathed a sigh of relief, took two steps forward, handed over the slip of paper and a bag of large sums of money, and said, "Sister has a discerning eye. Please pack according to the list. I won't go in."

"Don't worry, my lord. My shop is frequented by many ladies from noble families. The patterns and fabrics are the best on this street."

Seeing a customer arrive, the woman smiled even more kindly, took the note and money bag, and said, "What I said earlier was just because I found your hesitation rather amusing, and I wanted to tease you a little. Please don't take it to heart."

"Just looking at your clothes, you are definitely not some commoner."

It's often said that merchants have a habit of respecting clothes but not people. This might be wrong in other industries, but it's pretty much true in the clothing industry.

After the woman finished speaking, she bowed to Jiang Li as an apology, and then went into the shop to call the shop assistants.

Before long, the woman came out with a tightly wrapped black bundle and handed it to Jiang Li along with a money pouch and a note.

"Rest assured, my lord, I have checked every embroidery pattern and cut against the order, and all the fabrics are of the finest quality. If there is any mistake, feel free to come and ruin my reputation."

The woman spoke with confidence in her own shop.

"Thank you, ma'am."

Jiang Li took the bundle, bowed and thanked him, and finally breathed a sigh of relief. She asked, "I have one more question for you. Sister, do you know whose family makes the best cinnabar-yellow paper on this street?"

Upon hearing this, the woman thought for a moment and pointed eastward along the street.

"If we're talking about the best sacrificial items, none other than those from the Huan Dan Fang are of the highest quality."