Chapter 921: Void Talisman Crafting
Chapter 921: Void Talisman Crafting
The following period of time passed quite leisurely for Fang Xi.
Occasionally, he would even encounter teachers from the Azure Sky Academy in Taixu Hall, coming to catch truants; or meet cultivators from Sword Grinding Mountain in the Beast Fighting Pit; or run into deacons from the Fengyuan Chamber of Commerce in the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. . .
Naturally, no one paid him any mind.
After all, cultivators from major powers received preferential treatment everywhere they went, and those seeking to make their acquaintance were countless. Rashly approaching them without a major benefit to offer would only leave a bad impression and be of no use.
Fortunately, Fang Xi was in no hurry. If one year didn't work, then ten. If ten years didn't work, then a hundred!
Given enough time, he would eventually become familiar.
Moreover, he wouldn't be easily perceived as a petty person eager to curry favor. This type of relationship-building most dreaded revealing one's true intentions, being seen as merely utilitarian, which made genuine connection impossible.
...
Yongyun's Small Shop.
Yong Yun Mian skillfully cut and packaged stacks of talisman paper.
Over these ten-odd years, time seemed to have left no trace on this woman; she remained as sweet and delectable as a ripe peach.
After all, this woman was a Return to Void cultivator, with an incredibly long lifespan.
At this moment, she leaned forward slightly, allowing Fang Xi, who had unexpectedly entered, a pleasant feast for his eyes.
"Pah!"
Yong Yun Mian spat lightly, unconcerned.
She was already over a thousand years old; such matters had long ceased to bother her.
Her current focus was still the shop's profits, which she could use to buy beauty-preserving pills, and even support her family.
"Shopkeeper Yong, greetings. I'd like thirty stacks of 'Myriad Star Talisman Paper'. No need for the talisman ink for now."
Fang Xi said with a smile.
"Talisman Master Fang, please wait. . ."
Shopkeeper Yong greeted him, a thought stirring in her heart.
She had seen this Talisman Master Fang's talismans before; although his spiritual power was somewhat ordinary, his fundamentals were incredibly solid.
Recently, she had also heard that he renewed his cave abode lease, indicating he planned to stay long-term in Blazing Sun Immortal City.
In that case, it wouldn't hurt to do him a favor.
"This mistress is just about to deliver talisman paper to Elder Ge's cave abode. I wonder if Talisman Master Fang would be interested in accompanying me?"
Yong Yun Mian said, her eyes swirling with charm.
"Oh? Talisman Master Ge? Of course, I'd be honored to be introduced by Shopkeeper Yong."
Fang Xi's eyes lit up.
Among talisman masters, there was also a hierarchy of disdain. True Immortal-level talisman masters were naturally lofty, like divine dragons, disdaining to associate with common fish and snakes.
Below True Immortal talisman masters were Mahayana talisman masters.
Among Mahayana talisman masters, those capable of creating 'Item-Storing Talismans' were the most sought after.
Talisman Master Ge was precisely such a Mahayana talisman master.
What stirred Fang Xi's heart even more was that this Talisman Master Ge seemed to be the hidden owner behind 'Old Ge's Shop' that he had seen in Black Marsh Market!
'This. . . is an ill-fated connection. '
He bought four sets of gifts and followed behind Shopkeeper Yong, gazing at her waist, which swayed like a water snake. He chatted casually, the key being to probe for Talisman Master Ge's preferences.
"Elder Ge usually enjoys guiding the younger generation. . . but recently he's facing his eighth Mahayana Celestial Thunder Tribulation, so he's inevitably a bit anxious. . ."
Shopkeeper Yong giggled charmingly, "As for gifts, if you could acquire a 'Primordial Spirit Pill', Elder Ge would surely be overjoyed and treat you like his own junior. . ."
"A Primordial Spirit Pill?"
Fang Xi rubbed his nose, "Shopkeeper Yong, you flatter me too much. . . With my resources, even smelling one would be a luxury."
"Haha, Talisman Master Fang, you truly are an amusing person."
The two walked along until they reached Xuanwu Lane.
In front of a cave abode, Yong Yun Mian, for once, adopted a solemn expression and sent out a message talisman.
Before long, the cave abode's restrictions opened, and a white-robed boy attendant emerged to greet them: "Old Ancestor invites the two of you inside."
This white-robed boy looked incredibly lively, his small face flushed, and quite adorable.
But Fang Xi could see that it was a puppet!
Yong Yun Mian gracefully entered with Fang Xi into the cave abode. There, beneath a tall, ancient pine tree, a lean-faced old man in a yellow-brown robe with three long strands of beard was meticulously crafting a talisman on a stone table.
The talisman was three inches long and one inch wide, its paper as translucent as jade.
As he wielded his brush, threads of void laws even emerged from its tip.
'Utilizing the power of void laws. . . '
'So, he's crafting an Item-Storing Talisman. '
'Each of these talismans yields a profit of about ten Immortal Jade, making it one of the most profitable talismans for masters below the True Immortal realm. '
Fang Xi's heart stirred, but he did not disturb him. Instead, he waited with Yong Yun Mian by the side.
'This Elder Ge, relying on his profound understanding of void laws, dares to show off in front of me. . . '
'Originally, such a talisman, if one only studied the finished product, it would be impossible to deduce its crafting method. But he believes his void attainments are astonishing, so even if he demonstrates it to two cultivators who aren't even Mahayana, they certainly won't grasp it. That's why he feigns generosity. . . '
After all, generally speaking, only Mahayana cultivators would come into contact with the power of laws.
He never expected Fang Xi, this Old Lurker, to be present.
His comprehension of void laws was the highest among all the laws he understood. For Elder Ge to show off like this was practically giving him a direct lesson.
According to Fang Xi's estimation, after a few more times, he would probably be able to figure out the method for crafting Item-Storing Talismans.
After all, while this type of talisman appeared advanced, it wasn't actually difficult. The most crucial factor was the talisman master's sufficiently high comprehension of laws to draw the void runes.
Before long, a flash of light appeared on the jade talisman, revealing an 'Item-Storing Talisman'.
"Ah, little Yong, since you're here, why be so polite?"
Elder Ge chuckled as he put away the Item-Storing Talisman, then cupped his hands to Fang Xi: "Young friend, forgive me, this old man is currently busy preparing Immortal Jade for the grand auction a dozen years from now. . ."
"Senior is too kind."
Fang Xi currently presented himself as an Integration stage cultivator. Naturally, he maintained a respectful and polite demeanor when facing a Mahayana cultivator, who was a full major realm above him.
The two chatted for a few moments. After Yong Yun Mian put down the talisman paper, Elder Ge indifferently dismissed them.
Fang Xi and Yong Yun Mian, naturally, were not so tactless, and immediately took their leave.
"Elder Ge is a leading figure in the talisman master circle. If you receive his permission, you can join it in the future. Having fellow practitioners to exchange talisman-making experience with will greatly accelerate your progress. . ."
Yong Yun Mian chuckled, "Even if they share their channels with you, your talismans could sell for a few more Great Sun Pure Yang Pills in the future. . ."
"Many thanks, Shopkeeper Yong. " Fang Xi clasped his hands in a solemn bow of gratitude.
"Then how will you thank me? " Yong Yun Mian giggled, her eyes swirling, her tone becoming much more intimate.
Fang Xi extended a hand and grasped a delicate, smooth jade hand. Her skin was incredibly smooth and plump with flesh; adding a touch would make it seem fat, removing a touch would make it seem thin. The sensation was exquisite. He immediately pinched it: "Yun Mian, just tell me directly. . ."
Yong Yun Mian's face suddenly turned cold, and she withdrew her hand: "Talisman Master Fang, you're thinking too much. This mistress is a respectable person. . ."
"Er. . ."
Watching Yong Yun Mian turn and walk away, without the slightest hesitation, Fang Xi shrugged, then laughed self-deprecatingly. Regardless of what the female shopkeeper's true intentions were, he went off to enjoy himself in Taixu Hall.
For him, his lifespan was now incredibly vast.
Especially after cultivating the Earth Immortal inheritance, as his Nascent Soul began transforming into a Primordial Spirit, and he integrated a small portion of the Progenitor Demonic Tree's primordial essence, his lifespan now exceeded two hundred thousand years!
He could outlive a mere Return to Void cultivator more than ten times without batting an eye.
Regardless of the other party's schemes, by simply drawing out the time, even the most intricate plot would gradually reveal its truth and become utterly ridiculous.
This was what the ancient wisdom meant by "in great matters, maintain calm."
Taixu Hall.
This hall covered a vast area, with countless illusory projections at its entrance, displaying various promotional scenes.
Just as Fang Xi was about to step inside, he saw a middle-aged teacher, his face stern, pulling two young boys out.
"Ma Jing, Li Dao?"
He saw the two half-grown boys and immediately chuckled: "Skipping class again. . . Looks like Shi Yu Shu is going to beat you again when you get back."
The two small figures instantly drooped like eggplants hit by frost.
"Daoist friend, are they acquaintances of yours? This matter really should be managed. . . " The middle-aged teacher's face was simple and upright, clearly indicating a pedantic personality. He had seen Fang Xi many times nearby and finally couldn't help but ramble: "Taixu Hall is actually a good place to practice spells and simulate various immortal arts. . . Although some minor details aren't realistic enough, it's sufficient for initial practice and familiarization. Yet, it's being used for all sorts of trivial games, truly misleading the younger generation."
"Indeed, Daoist friend, your words are wise. I am Fang Xi, a talisman master from Vermilion Bird Lane. . ."
Fang Xi clasped his hands in a respectful bow.
"I am Yi Zheng Xing, from the Azure Sky Academy. . ."
The middle-aged teacher returned the bow, then couldn't help but gently admonish: "Could Daoist friend be here to try drawing talismans?"
"Precisely! While this place struggles to simulate many high-grade talismans, it can simulate low-grade talismans eighty to ninety percent accurately. If one has any novel ideas, they can be freely experimented with. Accumulating experience over time can save a considerable amount of Immortal Jade. . ."
Fang Xi replied with a straight face.
Just then, a fat man in a golden robe walked by. Upon seeing Fang Xi, his eyes immediately lit up: "Daoist friend. . . the 'Sunken Mystic Realm' is three missing one! We're just waiting for you, hurry up!"
Fang Xi: ". . ."
Yi Zheng Xing suppressed his urge to speak again and again, but finally couldn't hold back, opening his mouth to advise: "While the Grand Void Illusion is good, long-term exposure to it is detrimental to a cultivator's balance of essence, qi, and spirit. We cultivators should focus on the Great Dao of Longevity, and not indulge in pleasure. . ."
Fang Xi's face was wreathed in smiles, indicating he accepted the advice, but inwardly he was extremely displeased.
Teachers from such academies, accustomed to scolding students, inevitably carried a degree of rudeness in their everyday interactions.
However, since he had something to ask of the other party and intended to lower himself to befriend him, he endured it.
In front of Yi Zheng Xing, it was inappropriate to enter Taixu Hall to play games, so he could only cup his hands and bid farewell.
A moment later.
Turning a corner, a palace filled with decadent music appeared before Fang Xi's eyes.
'Since I can't play games, why not try out the methods of female cultivators in the True Immortal World. . . '
Fang Xi walked into the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, where he saw numerous beauties, each a national treasure, like immortal maidens.
Just then, a slightly plump young man with a rat-like mustache and a sharp, shrewd expression walked towards him.
This person was none other than Huang Jing, a deacon of the Fengyuan Chamber of Commerce.
He smiled faintly, then walked past Fang Xi without hesitation: "Brother, excuse me!"
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