Immortality: Starting with Plundering the Talents of Monsters

After calming his mind, Xu Mo picked up the bird feather brush in his hand and dipped it in first-grade mid-level metallic cinnabar.

Start drawing symbols.

The tip of the talisman brush landed on the talisman paper, and the Geng metal spiritual power outlined the lines. The wrist moved nimbly and steadily from side to side.

The moment the drawing was completed, the stripes shone with a crimson-gold light, but it only lasted for five breaths before dissipating.

The next moment.

Flames rose, the fire spread, and the talisman spontaneously combusted into ashes.

"As expected, without the bonus from the wolf-hair brush, the success rate of creating a talisman has decreased."

Xu Mo had anticipated the failure of this attempt to create a mid-grade first-tier golden light talisman.

The female cultivator from the Luo family lent him a bird feather pen, which only increased the success rate of making wind-attribute talismans.

Using this talisman brush to draw other first-tier mid-grade talismans with different attributes will still result in successful talismans, but the success rate will always be relatively low.

However, Xu Mo was not in a hurry. Instead, he stopped the random thoughts that were popping into his mind and gathered his thoughts.

While I'm still in good condition, I'll continue drawing talismans until I successfully create a first-tier mid-grade golden light talisman.

However, Luo Changfeng, who was unfamiliar with the art of talismans, saw Xu Mo perform a series of movements that were smooth and skillful, yet he failed to create a talisman.

He spoke coldly, interrupting Xu Mo's good mood.

"Master Xu, are you perhaps just all show and no substance, trying to fool us and get away with it?"

Luo Changfeng, who had been observing and investigating from the sidelines, frowned slightly, showing some dissatisfaction.

"If that's the case, you can leave now."

As soon as Luo Changfeng spoke, he exuded the majesty of a superior, and a terrifying spiritual pressure from a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator gradually pressed down upon him.

The incense sticks in the incense burner continued to emit white smoke, and Xu Mo could have used the fragrance to elevate his mental state to its best.

He was abruptly interrupted, but having no other choice, he had to be humble and composed, and could only patiently reply:

"Steward Luo has misunderstood. The art of talisman making is all about the success rate."

Even a top-tier first-level talisman master cannot guarantee a 100% success rate when drawing a mid-tier first-level talisman.

Upon hearing this, Luo Changfeng looked at the female cultivator beside him.

"Indeed, as Master Xu said."

The female cultivator's fair face revealed no emotion; she simply nodded slightly in affirmation of Xu Mo's statement.

"It was I who misunderstood Master Xu."

Having received the female cultivator's affirmative answer, Luo Changfeng quietly dissipated his spiritual pressure, raised an eyebrow, and asked again:

"I wonder... what is the success rate of Master Xu's creation of a mid-grade first-tier Golden Light Talisman?"

The incense for calming the mind went out, and Xu Mo was completely out of sorts, so he had no choice but to explain.

"If you use a wolf-hair brush, the success rate of creating a successful talisman is about 40%."

  

As if knowing that Luo Changfeng was about to ask her another question, the female cultivator's voice was slightly cold, and she spoke sparingly:

"The skill level is not bad."

Luo Changfeng nodded and gestured for Xu Mo to continue.

Xu Mo lit another incense stick to calm his mind and went through the preparations again.

Even after reaching his peak mental state, he continued to wield the bird feather talisman brush, skillfully drawing talismans.

A moment later, the patterns carved on the talisman took shape, and a reddish-gold color emerged from them.

This time, the crimson-gold light lasted for a full ten breaths before dissipating.

"A mid-grade, first-tier golden light talisman has been successfully created."

As the pattern took shape, the female cultivator walked to Xu Mo's side, leaned down, and looked down at the talisman-making table below.

In an instant, the towering peaks trembled slightly, and the exquisite yet understated cool-toned dress stretched taut.

A few strands of jet-black hair fell down, and a faint fragrance, like that of osmanthus or orchid, wafted over.

She remained there until she silently counted to ten breaths before retreating.

"Deacon Luo, the talisman is complete. Have I passed the test?"

Xu Mo stood up, returned the bird feather talisman brush to the female cultivator, and handed the first-grade mid-level golden light talisman he had made on the spot to Luo Changfeng.

Luo Changfeng didn't deliberately make things difficult for Xu Mo. He patted Xu Mo's shoulder lightly, his serious attitude replaced by a gentle smile.

"Excellent, excellent! My Luo family of Beast Tamers has gained another guest master who is proficient in the art of talismans."

Suddenly, Luo Changfeng changed the subject and asked:

"By the way, Master Xu, are you currently married or have a Daoist partner?"

"They still came."

As soon as Luo Changfeng uttered those words, Xu Mo knew that he wanted to bind Luo Changfeng to his marriage.

In major cultivation families, it is common practice to betroth several women from the clan to external retainers.

Cultivation families use this method to firmly bind promising young retainers to the clan.

Of course, guest elders are not like those "breeding pigs" who marry into cultivation families; they can refuse marriage arrangements within the clan.

Xu Mo was obsessed with immortality but had no such plans at the moment. In answering Luo Changfeng's question, he directly refused:

"I have devoted myself to the Tao, and after ten years of cultivation, I have never had a Taoist partner, nor have I ever been married."

If the deacon wishes to arrange a marriage for me immediately, or find me a spiritual partner, then there is no need.

Hearing Xu Mo's straightforward refusal, Luo Changfeng couldn't force him and could only awkwardly say:

"Alright, no rush... If you're interested in the future, feel free to come to me, and I'll definitely find you a good match."

"Hey, Lingyue, you could try getting to know Master Xu better... You're both young people and talisman masters, you're bound to get along well."

Having been rebuffed by Xu Mo, Luo Changfeng glanced sideways and probed the aloof female cultivator.

Luo Lingyue remained silent, her gaze fixed on Xu Mo's face as she scrutinized him closely.

Before him stood a young man of refined bearing and exceptional beauty, his handsome face sculpted as if by a frost-covered blade.

His eyes were cold and aloof, like distant mountains shrouded in mist, carrying a faint sense of detachment, yet his demeanor was as deep and serene as a spring mountain in the light rain.

Its allure is undeniable, both close and distant.

Even Luo Lingyue was taken aback when she saw it.

Her lips were slightly pursed, her cheeks flushed, and she turned her head slightly to one side, shifting her gaze away.

"Deacon, please do not arbitrarily pair up lovers."

Luo Lingyue neither accepted nor rejected Luo Changfeng's suggestion, but lowered her head and gave a reproachful sound.

"Lingyue has a cold personality, and that's how she treats people. Please don't be offended, Master Xu."

Luo Changfeng didn't notice the subtle change in Luo Lingyue's expression, assuming that neither of them was interested in each other, and laughed it off to smooth things over.

"Then... he will introduce you to the situation of my Luo family, as well as the monthly salary and tasks of the Talisman Maker Guest Elder."

I'll also show you around the tribe's territory while I'm at it.

Luo Changfeng pointed at the gambling den manager and said seriously.

"Alright... Congratulations on becoming a guest elder of the Luo family, Master Xu. I look forward to your guidance in the future."

The casino manager immediately came forward, ready to take Xu Mo for a walk around.

Xu Mo had no objection to this, politely replying "I dare not," and turned to follow the gambling den manager.

Just then, a voice, cold yet tinged with a hint of shyness, rang out.

"I'll do it."

Two blushes rose on Luo Lingyue's fair cheeks, and even her ears were tinged with a shy blush.

She hurriedly added another sentence to provide a reasonable explanation.

"I am a talisman master, and I am quite familiar with matters related to talisman making in our clan."