Ultimately, it was the Foundation Establishment family that Qian Lai was associated with that offered the highest return.
As for the tasks required, they were quite similar, with no significant differences.
Thus, Qi Chuan made his decision.
Outer Talisman Peak, beside it stood a Spirit Peak with ordinary Spiritual Qi and beautiful scenery, where a dining pavilion was perched on the cliffâs edge.
The Outer Talisman Peak was quite strict, prohibiting unnecessary buildings within its perimeter.
However, surrounding the Outer Talisman Peak, there were several Spirit Peaks with relatively low Spiritual Qi concentration that hadnât been developed into Cave Mansions, instead serving as places for entertainment.
They were intended as venues for the Talisman Makers in the Outer Talisman Hall to socialize and unwind.
This dining pavilion was one such establishment.
By the window on the second floor, Qi Chuan, Qian Lai, and a young man dressed in the robes of a Ten Thousand Flowers Immortal Sect disciple, sat at a table laden with delicious food and wine.
"Fellow Daoist Qi, have you decided?" Qian Lai asked with a smile to Qi Chuan.
Qi Chuan nodded and replied, "Iâve decided on the Diwu Family, but could I opt not to take Spirit Stones and choose other resources as compensation instead?"
The Diwu Family was a Core Formation clan within a nation called Xia Country under the control of the Myriad Flowers Immortal Sect.
The young man dressed in Ten Thousand Flowers Immortal Sect disciple robes sitting on the left side of the table was from the Diwu Family, but had joined the Myriad Flowers Immortal Sect, becoming a disciple.
After Qi Chuan decided to become the Talisman Maker tributor for the Diwu Family, he personally came to sign a contract with Qi Chuan.
The initial offer was a basic ten thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones.
Yet after several negotiations, Qi Chuan ultimately secured a deal for fifteen thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones.
If they were to be exchanged for other resources, they must be of equivalent value.
"Then, Fellow Daoist Qiâs position as a tributor, letâs proceed to sign the contract." The youth from the Diwu Family, Diwu Feng, smilingly addressed Qi Chuan.
For him, attracting a highly skilled Tier Two Upper Grade Talisman Maker to the family was a merit of its own, so his mood was quite good upon the final decision.
"As for exchanging Spirit Stones for other cultivation resources, thereâs no hurry. In a few days, I will provide a list for Fellow Daoist Qi to consider for exchange. Of course, this wonât be the final list, and if Fellow Daoist Qi has other ideas come year-end, we can discuss further then."
"The current contract duration is set for three years. During these three years, deviation from the contract terms will incur a penalty fee. After three years, if Fellow Daoist Qi is interested, the contract can be renewed."
Saying this, Diwu Feng took out a Jade Contract, bearing the signatures from the Diwu Familyâs side, awaiting Qi Chuanâs signature.
To be honest, Diwu Feng found it a bit strange.
Why was this Tier Two Upper Grade Talisman Maker named Qi Chuan signing for only three years?
He thought, for a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator with a lifespan often reaching two hundred fifty or sixty years, three years seemed exceedingly short.
If not for Qi Chuanâs resolute demand, his family would not have provided such a short contract.
What he didnât know was that, in three years, Qi Chuanâs cultivation level and Talisman Making skill would not remain at the current level and price...
Qi Chuan carefully perused the Jade Contract, nodded, and said, "The contract is fine."
Then, using the Power of Divine Soul as ink, he signed his name on the contract.
"Here is this monthâs twelve thousand five hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones, for Fellow Daoist Qi first, and over the next three years, the same amount of Lower Grade Spirit Stones will be provided every month."
"If Fellow Daoist Qi wishes to exchange these Spirit Stones for other resources at any time, he may return the stones and exchange for resources needed from the family."
Diwu Feng took out a brocade bag and handed it to Qi Chuan.
"Very well." Qi Chuan accepted the bag, casually scanning it with his Divine Sense before placing it into the Qiankun Bag at his waist.
Regarding the exchange for other resources, there was no hurry at presentâhe needed to investigate further...
"By the way, is Fellow Daoist Qi certain that, including the Celestial Thunder Talisman, you can also craft various unique Tier Two Upper Grade Talismans?" Seemingly remembering something, Diwu Feng asked again.
Truth be told, it was his first time encountering such an incredible Tier Two Upper Grade Talisman Maker; it was hard to fathom.
However, it was also why Qi Chuan eventually managed to negotiate the annual offer from ten thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones to fifteen thousand.
"Yes." Qi Chuan nodded, "However, for some more unique talismans, the Diwu Family will need to provide the talisman formula."
The "Common Second-Order Talisman Drawing Methods and Techniques" given by his master, though comprehensive, did not include every formula.
Given Qi Chuanâs current Talisman Mastery, he could smoothly and perfectly craft any Tier Two Upper Grade and below talismans after just a brief exposure.
But... formulas were still lacking.
If the Diwu Family wished to have special and rare talismans crafted, they must provide the formulas.
Though it didnât significantly aid his Talisman Making skills, the formula itself was an additional gain.
"Formulas are no problem; Iâll bring them over in a few days." Diwu Feng said with evident relief and smiled.
Having strength often brings respect.
In his mind, a Talisman Maker with such mastery as Qi Chuanâs was well worth the effort to secure, regardless of the inconvenience.
After finalizing the matter of the tributor position, Diwu Feng was the first to take his leave, leaving Qi Chuan with Qian Lai.
"Fellow Daoist Qian, are you perhaps also serving as a tributor for the Diwu Family?" Qi Chuan inquired.
"Yes," Qian Lai chuckled with some embarrassment, "itâs a good opportunity; I came across it after joining the Outer Talisman Hall, through other Talisman Makers. However, the agreed payment was only an ordinary nine thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones."
Nine thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones was still quite substantial.
Yet, compared to Qi Chuanâs fifteen thousand, it was less.
However, Qian Lai did not feel any jealousy.
Qi Chuanâs capability was undeniable, and so fifteen thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones was deserved.
"Well, are you aware of any relatively unique resources within the Diwu Family?" Qi Chuan asked.
"Um, Iâm not sure... I only just joined through others," Qian Lai replied, "Do you mean specific types of unique resources, Fellow Daoist Qi?"
"Hmm... some useful for Foundation Establishment Perfection Level, perhaps," Qi Chuan said slowly.
"This... Iâm even less familiar with. You might need to discuss it further with the Diwu Family," Qian Lai said, gazing in some surprise at Qi Chuan.
Resources for the Foundation Establishment Perfection Level were not ordinary.
He hadnât expected Qi Chuanâs target to be of such a level.
Moreover, there was another type of highly remarkable item falling under Foundation Establishment Perfection Level resources, but it was extraordinarily special.
And it was not clear what exactly Qi Chuanâs target was.
Qian Lai surmised that Qi Chuanâs cultivation was likely still in the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, but knowing the exact Liquid Magical Power Foundation was another matter.
But... perhaps there was still considerable distance to Foundation Establishment Perfection?
Wasnât discussing resources for the Foundation Establishment Perfection Level a bit premature?
Since Qian Lai had little knowledge of it, Qi Chuan didnât discuss the matter further with him.
After having a few more drinks, they each took their leave and returned to their own places.
A few days after returning to his Cave Mansion, the Diwu Family indeed sent over a resource list along with a special Tier Two Upper Grade Talisman Formula.
The resource list provided by the Diwu Family contained numerous precious and rare resources that were hard to find in the outside world, showcasing their thoughtfulness.
However, for Qi Chuan, they still didnât have much appeal.
The resources he truly needed were not among them.
Going forward, it seemed he would need to further investigate within and outside of the Myriad Flowers Immortal Sect, taking the initiative to offer his own resource list to see if the Diwu Family could provide anything.
As for the special Tier Two Upper Grade Talisman Formula, it was rather fortunate that it wasnât included in the "Common Second-Order Talisman Drawing Methods and Techniques," so Qi Chuan gained a new formula, which was quite decent.