Mortal Cultivation: Starting from Hiding in the Cultivation Techniques Pavilion

Those disciples who had some knowledge of talismans all exclaimed "Oh!" upon seeing the two talismans.

The reason is simple: the two talismans look slightly different.

"this……"

Why does this one seem better?

"It's because the lines are smooth and natural. Look at the lines here; the entire flow is perfectly natural."

"Indeed, if Senior Brother Zhang Yao's talisman were taken out of context, there would be something to see."

"What's the use of looking pretty? Talismans are meant to be used, not just looked at."

"You're wrong about that. Runes are channels for the flow of spiritual energy. The smoother the flow, the more smoothly the spiritual energy circulates, and the greater the power. A beautiful appearance often means that the internal workings are reasonable."

The disciple who spoke clearly had some understanding of talismanic arts, and his words drew frequent nods of agreement from the people around him.

After looking at the two talismans, the old man laughed and put them away, saying, "Let's go, let's test their power in the backyard."

Without waiting for their response, he turned and went downstairs.

Su Xiaoyuan and Zhang Yao quickly followed.

The three of them went down to the second floor and through the lobby.

Along the way, the disciples who set up stalls all stood up and bowed to the old man, showing him great respect.

"Master."

"Greetings, Hall Master."

"Master is in high spirits today."

Hall Master?

Su Xiaoyuan's eyes widened in disbelief. Was this old man actually the head of Shanggong Hall?

Seeing his expression, Zhang Yao smiled slightly and explained in a low voice, "You don't know Senior Fang's identity, do you? He is the person in charge of this Shanggong Hall. His name is Fang Baichuan, and he has the cultivation of the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment. In recent years, Senior Fang has realized that he is not ready to step into the Golden Core stage, so he has been hesitating. In recent years, he has been stationed in Shanggong Hall, and he likes to mentor the younger generation, especially those young people who are talented in miscellaneous studies."

Su Xiaoyuan suddenly realized.

No wonder the old man could tell the quality of the runes at a glance, and no wonder he spoke with the composure of someone in a superior position.

It turns out that this seemingly ordinary old gentleman at the counter is actually the head of Shanggongtang.

He bowed to Zhang Yao and said, "Thank you for your clarification, Senior Brother Zhang. I am Su Xiaoyuan, an outer disciple. I used to work as a proofreader in the Cultivation Techniques Pavilion. May I ask how you should address me, Senior Brother?"

Zhang Yao waved his hand: "Junior Brother Su, you're too kind. My name is Zhang Yao. Although I'm an inner disciple, I haven't formally become a disciple of any master yet, so I'm considered a free agent. Junior Brother's talisman-making skills are so exquisite, it's only a matter of time before you enter the inner sect. Then we'll be fellow disciples, so there's no need to be so formal."

As they talked, the two followed Fang Baichuan through a moon gate and into a courtyard behind Shanggong Hall.

This courtyard occupies a very large area, square in shape, with blue bricks paving the ground and high walls surrounding it. There are even simple protective formations set up on the top of the walls to prevent spiritual energy from leaking out and harming people.

The entire courtyard looked more like a training ground for a secular martial arts school than the territory of a cultivation sect.

At the far end of the courtyard stood several rows of wooden targets, their surfaces covered with marks of varying ages, clearly indicating that this place was frequently used to test the power of various magical artifacts, talismans, and spells.

At this moment, a few disciples were present. Upon seeing Fang Baichuan enter, they all stopped what they were doing and bowed.

Fang Baichuan gestured to one of his disciples to clear out a target area.

He then took out Zhang Yao's Frost Talisman and said, "Try yours first."

Fang Baichuan infused a bit of spiritual energy into the talisman paper, and the spiritual light on the surface of the talisman paper suddenly lit up. With a flick of his wrist, the talisman paper transformed into a stream of light.

"Bang!"

A layer of ice crystals instantly condensed on the surface of the ironwood target. The ice crystals formed regular hexagonal patterns and spread outwards, covering an area of ​​about one zhang in radius.

Just as Zhang Yao said, it was exactly one zhang in circumference, without the slightest error.

Fang Baichuan didn't offer much comment. He picked up the ice talisman that Wei Hang had just drawn, infused it with spiritual energy, and flicked it out!

The talisman streaked through the air in a white light and struck the second wooden target.

The sound of the impact was duller than before.

The moment the ice crystals exploded, everyone's pupils contracted.

A nearly two-zhang-wide ice crystal exploded in the center of that ironwood target!

Not only that, but a large patch of white frost had condensed on the blue brick ground behind the target, gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

Both Fang Baichuan and Zhang Yao showed surprise in their eyes.

"This power is enough to rival a third-tier talisman," Fang Baichuan said, looking at Su Xiaoyuan.

Zhang Yao stared at the vast expanse of ice crystals in silence for a moment, then nodded: "This time, I am completely convinced."

Su Xiaoyuan quickly cupped her hands in greeting: "Senior Brother Zhang, you flatter me. I just thought I'd seen a similar structure to this talisman somewhere before, so I decided to give it a try. I didn't expect it to be so effective. In terms of experience and skill in talisman making, I am far inferior to you, Senior Brother."

Zhang Yao waved his hand, looked intently at Su Xiaoyuan, and said something that caught him off guard: "Junior Brother Su, you must join our Talisman Research Society."

"Yan Fu Club?"

Zhang Yao explained, "Our Talisman Research Society is an alliance formed spontaneously by a group of fellow disciples who are interested in talisman deduction. It's just that everyone's foundation in talismanic arts is still shallow, and we haven't reached the threshold for being accepted as disciples by the masters of the Talisman Academy. So we came together to check each other's talismanic principles and explore the Way of Talismans together."

He got more and more excited as he spoke: "With your talent for correcting runes and making talismans, Junior Brother Su, as long as your cultivation keeps up, becoming an apprentice of the masters in the Talisman Academy will be a natural thing. But before that, you must join our Talisman Research Society."

Su Xiaoyuan was immediately tempted upon hearing this.

What does he lack most right now?

It's resources, connections, and an environment that allows him to improve rapidly.

His position as a proofreader at the Gongfa Pavilion prevented him from receiving these things, and he couldn't even find someone to exchange cultivation insights with on a regular basis.

And the Research Society sounds good.

A group of disciples who are passionate about talismanic arts gather together to exchange ideas, which not only allows them to learn new things but also helps them build connections.

He nodded almost without hesitation: "Thank you for your consideration, Senior Brother Zhang. I am willing to join."

Zhang Yao was overjoyed and slapped Su Xiaoyuan on the shoulder: "Great! That's wonderful! You'll come with me in a bit, and I'll introduce you to your other fellow disciples!"

Fang Baichuan watched the two young men with a smile.

He waited until they finished talking before speaking: "Kid, I'll accept this improvement plan. The reward is two mid-grade spirit stones. Considering it's your first time doing a mission at Shanggong Hall, I won't take your commission."

"In addition, I'll also offer one mid-grade spirit stone for this ice talisman you drew on yellow talisman paper. It's very valuable for us talisman makers to study."

Su Xiaoyuan quickly thanked her.

Fang Baichuan took out three mid-grade spirit stones and a silver token from his sleeve and handed them over together: "This token is the silver token of my Shanggong Hall. From now on, when you come to Shanggong Hall to accept missions, the commission will be reduced by 30%."

Su Xiaoyuan respectfully accepted it with both hands.

Three mid-grade spirit stones, a silver token, joining the Talisman Research Society of the inner sect senior brothers, and gaining the attention of the Hall Master of Shanggong Hall.

The mission I took was just incredibly lucky!

Su Xiaoyuan took a deep breath and bowed solemnly to Fang Baichuan: "Thank you for your generous gift, Hall Master. I will remember it forever."

Fang Baichuan laughed and said, "No need to thank me, this is what you earned through your own abilities. Focus on your cultivation and talisman making. If you achieve even better results in the future, feel free to bring them to Shanggong Hall. I, this old man, will not treat capable people unfairly."

Su Xiaoyuan thanked them again and carefully put away the spirit stones and token.

"Let's go, junior brother. There should be quite a few people from the Talisman Research Society at this time."

Zhang Yao grabbed Su Xiaoyuan's arm: "Our Research Symbol Society hasn't had any fresh blood in ages!"