Chapter 21 : Mid-grade First-rank Talisman

Chapter 21: Mid-grade First-rank Talisman!

Treasure Pavilion, an enterprise of the Lihuo Palace.

No matter how chaotic it was last night, no one dared to take the risk to rob the Treasure Pavilion.

There’s a saying that goes, “Fishing in muddy waters is fine as long as you don’t get caught,” but if you dare touch the Treasure Pavilion, the Lihuo Palace won’t bother with any evidence.

“High-level inheritances like talismans and alchemy are all monopolized by these major sects and families, yet this time they’re actually opening them to the public!”

After hearing this news, Lin Chang’an disguised himself once more and headed toward the Treasure Pavilion.

For drifting cultivators like them, this was good news.

But at the same time, it carried a dangerous signal.

Why would the Lihuo Palace suddenly be so generous for no reason? Don’t talk about marketplace unrest—perhaps it’s a big deal for them.

But for a major sect with three Foundation Establishment Elders, even they had no right to disturb the peace.

However, when he arrived at the Treasure Pavilion, Lin Chang’an, who had carefully disguised himself, twitched at the corner of his eye.

He had worried about being recognized, but with so many people around, who had time to pay him any attention?

“The pioneering expedition is imminent. Our Lihuo Palace is opening up mid-grade first-rank talismans, pill formulas, artifact crafting methods... some rare mid-grade and high-grade first-rank pills and talismans are also available to the public.

You’ve all come at a good time. Fixed prices, no deception.”

Good heavens, Lin Chang’an had already seen the crowd outside.

Normally, one would never see so many well-off cultivators. Some had come for precious pills, while others came for life-saving talismans.

Amid the crowd, Lin Chang’an was shocked to see that even high-grade breakthrough pills were available. These were a blessing for many cultivators stuck at the sixth level of Qi Refining.

“Mid-grade first-rank Flying Sword Talisman, Fireball Talisman, Earth Spike Talisman... One hundred spirit stones for each offensive type, one hundred and twenty for each defensive type...”

“The inheritance of the mid-grade first-rank Flying Sword Talisman, this is one hundred spirit stones!”

Seeing the clearly marked prices, Lin Chang’an had no time to think about anything else. With such a great opportunity, of course he had to seize it.

“Sign a spirit contract, plus fifteen more spirit stones.”

Hearing that he had to pay for a spirit contract too, Lin Chang’an winced, but since he was already paying the big sum, he couldn’t be stingy with the small change.

Still, he cursed inwardly at the masked old cultivator who had previously conned him out of three spirit stones.

At the same time, he felt a bit of schadenfreude—this old thing’s business was probably going to collapse. But what clogged his heart was that there would be no more fellow cultivators getting duped.

“All right, here’s the jade slip for the mid-grade first-rank Flying Sword Talisman.”

This time, Lin Chang’an had practically emptied his savings. There were only a few spirit stones left in his storage pouch.

The spirit contract, similar to an oath made to resist inner demons, essentially required one to swear upon their Dao heart not to pass it on—even to one’s descendants or disciples.

If you wanted your descendants to learn it, you had to spend spirit stones again to purchase it from the Treasure Pavilion.

This was a kind of alternative inheritance protection in the cultivation world.

Once violated, one would suffer backlash from spiritual power.

Of course, the binding force of a first-rank contract only applied to the Qi Refining stage. Once one broke through to Foundation Establishment, the constraint could be shaken off.

But once one truly reached the Foundation Establishment stage, the inheritance of a mid-grade first-rank talisman would already be something easily attainable.

That was the difference in the circles cultivators lived in.

“Not even allowed to keep the jade slip, how stingy.”

In the crowd, the disguised Lin Chang’an left with a dejected look, as if he didn’t have the spirit stones to buy what he wanted.

Cultivators at the middle stage of Qi Refining, after undergoing marrow cleansing and enlightenment, gained the ability to remember everything at a glance. The content of the mid-grade first-rank Flying Sword Talisman’s inheritance wasn’t much, but he had finally obtained it.

Though it had taken quite a few twists and turns.

After leaving the Treasure Pavilion, taking several winding routes and changing disguises several times, he finally revealed his real disguise and rushed home, unable to suppress the upward curl of his lips.

“Mid-grade first-rank Flying Sword Talisman, a talisman of metal attribute and offensive nature. Once refined, it would manifest a golden sword blade, incomparably sharp.”

...

However, upon returning home, the latest news from the Zhou Family also made Lin Chang’an freeze.

“Big Brother Lin, this is good news! All hired talisman and pill masters can receive an additional mid-grade skill inheritance. Although a spirit contract is required, I heard from people in the clan...

As long as you perform well, or marry into the clan, when your offspring want to inherit the skills, the clan can easily give permission.”

As soon as he returned home, he saw Erniu’s envious gaze. After all, when it came to the Cultivation Arts of All Kinds, he was like someone with nine out of ten acupoints open—but completely clueless, lacking any talent.

“I’m not like Big Brother Lin, who is a Talisman Master. The clan only rewarded me with one spell, but Big Brother Lin, have you noticed?”

Li Erniu lowered his voice, his expression serious as he whispered, “First the Lihuo Palace, then the major cultivation clans. I heard the Li Family has started doing this too. Isn’t something off?”

It all seemed to be about increasing cultivators’ power, and at the same time, various families were drawing in cultivators.

Lin Chang’an glanced at Erniu, then gave a wry smile and shook his head:

“Erniu, if the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. Even if we know what’s happening, we can’t change anything with our cultivation.”

But this time, hearing Lin Chang’an’s consolation, Li Erniu’s expression grew somewhat silent, and then his mood visibly fell.

“Big Brother Lin, do you know, last night I thought I was going to die. In that moment of despair, I thought of my family. My child is still young—I don’t want to lose them…”

This feeling of helplessness, of having no control over one’s fate—seeing Li Erniu so downcast, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but sigh heavily.

Wasn’t he the same? It was just that in the midst of chaos, he felt fortunate to be alone, without any burdens.

But at the same time, in normal times, he was still alone, while Erniu had warmth and joy from family, and naturally had to bear corresponding responsibilities.

“Erniu, all we can do is cultivate diligently. Thinking too much is useless.”

With Lin Chang’an’s consolation, Li Erniu composed himself, limped away on his injured leg, and finally left.

“Marriage alliances... It seems these major families have already received some news.”

Lin Chang’an shook his head and smiled. Without strength, one simply couldn’t access the higher circles.

Right now, improving strength was the foundation.

...

【Name: Lin Chang’an】

【Lifespan: 40/99】

【Stage: Qi Refining Fourth Level (15/100)】

【Technique: Evergreen Art (Proficient: 932/1000)】

【Skills: Golden Light Talisman (Proficient: 36/1000), Swift Talisman (Proficient: 3/1000), Flying Sword Talisman (Proficiency: 128/500)】

Inside the secret room, just after drawing a Low-grade Flying Sword Talisman, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

“As expected, my talisman-drawing skill has already reached mid-grade first-rank. This newly learned Flying Sword Talisman will soon become familiar.”

The concerns he had earlier didn’t come true.

“Skill is one’s own. Just like any normal Talisman Master, once I’ve reached Low-grade First-rank Talisman level, I can quickly reach the proficiency stage. With a bit of practice, I’ll soon break through to Mid-grade.”

Looking at his attribute panel, Lin Chang’an revealed a smile.

Flying Sword Talisman—from 【Beginner 0/100】 to current proficiency—had taken only a single night. He was confident that he could reach Proficient within a month.

That meant mid-grade first-rank talisman skill.

After all, mastering one art leads to mastering many. His personal capability had already reached that level, and being a Mid-grade First-rank Talisman Master was a solid reality.

It was just a different kind of talisman. He could adapt quickly.

“Now that I’ve obtained the inheritance for Mid-grade First-rank Golden Light Talisman and Flying Sword Talisman, as for the Zhou Family’s so-called offer to learn one more—along with marriage alliances—that’s no free lunch.”

Just like that night, during the marketplace chaos, Erniu had no choice but to risk his life for the Zhou Family.

Lin Chang’an’s heart was clear. He was merely a Hired Talisman Master—in essence, taking a loan from the Zhou Family to learn a technique and signing a ten-year debt agreement in return.

They wanted him to risk his life?

He didn’t lack that bit of resources.

In fact, due to this wave of openness, the whole market was about to experience a massive upheaval. Secretly selling talismans to exchange for resources might even become easier.

With the sects and major families now opening up, he could already imagine that the lower cultivation world under Lihuo Palace’s rule was about to experience an explosive growth in strength.

Aside from poor spiritual roots, the greatest obstacle for drifting cultivators was a lack of resources.

...

As snowflakes danced down from the sky, two grand and majestic flying vessels pierced through the clouds, appearing above the Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace.

They radiated a tangible glow of spiritual power, floating mid-air.

One vessel bore the gilded flame emblem of the Lihuo Palace, while the other featured violet-patterned markings.

Aboard the Lihuo Palace’s flying vessel, three Foundation Establishment cultivators led nearly a hundred Lihuo Palace disciples as they disembarked—Yun Yao was among them.

This scene caused the eyes of countless drifting cultivators in the marketplace to flicker with emotion, while Lin Chang’an, gazing upward, saw the once dazzling Little County Princess Yun Yao from Juxian Tower.

Yet at this moment, she was like a star among many—no longer so radiant and stunning.