Chapter 32: Turmoil

"I originally thought the most important effect of the Enlightenment Meditation Mat was the Spirit-root attribute +1, but I didn't expect the 'Insight boost' to be just as good! It's definitely a powerhouse!"

Xiao Zhangqing sighed in amazement.

Today I really found a treasure.

No wonder it's the beloved item of a Golden Core cultivator, used from the early Qi refining stage to the sitting-to-immortality stage; even though the material is ordinary, the system's equipment effects are astonishing.

One can imagine that in his future cultivation career, this equipment will always accompany him.

Unlike the Symbol Master's Handbook, the Longevity Technique Jade Tablet, or even the divination turtle shell, it is foreseeable that they will be phased out in the future.

"Now I finally consider myself truly out of the lowly scattered cultivator ranks, barely a promising 'genius'."

Xiao Zhangqing let out a long breath, sighing in his heart.

With such a 'Divine Artifact' equipment, he no longer has to struggle and grind slowly.

Whether in cultivation power or Talisman Path mastery, he will enter a phase of rapid growth.

Establishing his own foothold in Nanshan Fang is not far away…

…

…

One year later.

Lingfu Pavilion. Inside Xiao Zhangqing's private studio.

On the desk lay his day's work.

Ten Protection Talismans, ten Demon-breaking Talismans, ten Cleanse Talismans.

Each one is of excellent quality, truly a masterpiece.

If all these talismans were sold on the market, their price would not be lower than seven Low-grade Spirit Stones each.

Subtracting material costs, the pure profit would still be four Low-grade Spirit Stones.

Of course, Xiao Zhangqing would not receive the full profit.

But even with Lingfu Pavilion's cut, if he maintains this daily output and quality, his monthly earnings could exceed fifty Low-grade Spirit Stones.

Soon, a knock sounded at the door.

Xiao Zhangqing said, "Enter."

He expected a servant from Lingfu Pavilion to come in, but instead, the shopkeeper Hong Jiantao arrived.

"I've met the shopkeeper."

Xiao Zhangqing quickly clasped his hands in greeting.

"No need for formalities."

Hong Jiantao walked to the desk, glanced at the talismans Xiao Zhangqing had drawn today, and said with a smile, "After nearly two years of inactivity, drawing Cleanse Talismans for two years, you finally started drawing other talismans. So, has your unique cultivation method ended?"

"I suppose it's over,"

Xiao Zhangqing naturally would not reveal the truth to Hong Jiantao.

Half a month ago, he had already raised his Cleanse Talisman proficiency to the Great Completion level.

After that, he finally equipped the Twin-winged Tiger Hair Brush he had long coveted.

Now he is an entry-level Symbol Master who has achieved minor success with twenty‑seven kinds of First‑Grade Talisman; in terms of talisman skill, within Lingfu Pavilion only the shopkeeper Hong and a handful of three or four others can surpass him.

The vast majority of First‑rank exclusive masters, such as Jiang Jiyue who has only been promoted for a few years, already have inferior talisman skills compared to him.

One could say.

If Xiao Zhangqing now reveals his true strength, even if he leaves Lingfu Pavilion, several major foundation‑building families in Nanshan Fang would scramble to recruit him, offering highly favorable terms.

However, Xiao Zhangqing does not intend to expose his power yet; he plans to bide his time in Lingfu Pavilion for another two years.

From when he first started learning to draw talismans until now, it's only a little over two years.

If he progressed from knowing nothing about talismans to becoming an entry‑level master this quickly, the speed is extraordinary.

Lu Qiu, hailed as Nanshan Fang's foremost Symbol Path genius for years, also took three years to reach this step.

If Xiao Zhangqing doesn't want to appear too abnormal and raise suspicions, he should remain hidden for another two years; at the very least, his breakthrough time must not be shorter than Lu Qiu's.

"Not bad. Your current mastery of the Cleanse Talisman even surpasses me. The simplest, most ordinary talisman you managed to render with a sense of innovation; its quality is truly a masterpiece among masterpieces."

Hong Jiantao held the Cleanse Talisman, examined it for a moment, looked surprised, and stroked his beard in praise.

Of course his words were both praise for Xiao Zhangqing and self‑deprecation. Even though he hasn't spent two years painstakingly practicing Cleanse Talismans like Xiao Zhangqing, his higher realm and profound talisman skill make him universally adept.

It's not just the Cleanse Talisman; for other basic talismans he creates them effortlessly, each bearing his unique style.

But his ability doesn't mean others can do the same.

In fact, almost every First‑rank Symbol Master cannot achieve this.

It requires not only researching a talisman to the utmost pinnacle, but also possessing an outstanding Symbol Path talent.

Both are indispensable.

Just as Xiao Zhangqing now not only raised his Cleanse Talisman proficiency to Great Completion, he also has two buffs: Insight boost and Symbol Path talent boost.

When he dons the Twin-winged Tiger Hair Brush and the Enlightenment Meditation Mat, he truly becomes a Symbol Path genius.

"Did it really make you become one?"

Hong Jiantao glanced again at the Protection and Demon-breaking Talismans on the desk.

These two talismans are visibly a notch below the Cleanse Talisman in quality, yet they are still rare masterpieces, and one can discern a hint of the artist's talent.

He could clearly perceive Xiao Zhangqing's talisman skill improvement from these talismans.

"It seems that in the Cultivation World, nothing is truly impossible."

Putting all the talismans down, Hong Jiantao sighed sincerely.

Having lived so many years, he has seen countless Symbol Masters, many geniuses, but this is the first time he has encountered someone who specializes in Cleanse Talismans and thereby dramatically boosts their talisman skill.

After a while, Hong Jiantao began the serious question: "Basic talismans are now no challenge for you. Besides daily reinforcement, you can now start attempting First‑rank talismans, right?"

Xiao Zhangqing nodded: "I have the same plan; I'm just preparing to go within the pavilion these days to apply for materials."

The various materials required for a First-Grade Talisman—Talisman Paper, cinnabar, Spirit Ink, and so on—all need to be upgraded; the set of Basic Symbol Talismans won't do.

For a regular Symbol Master, the benefit of joining Lingfu Pavilion becomes evident at this point.

No need to buy materials oneself, nor worry about consumption; Lingfu Pavilion provides them free of charge, and Symbol Masters can experiment to their heart's content.

"No need to apply. I'll just pass the word later." Hong Jiantao waved his hand, sparing Xiao Zhangqing the procedure. Then, with a hint of regret in his eyes, he said, "I probably won't live to see the day you advance to an entry‑level Symbol Master."

Xiao Zhangqing was startled by the words and anxiously asked, "Shopkeeper, what do you mean…?"

Hong Jiantao laughed heartily: "What are you thinking? I'm only in my seventies, still far from my final limit. I said I wouldn't see your promotion because, at the latest in two years, I'll be transferred away from Nanshan Fang."

Xiao Zhangqing breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that.

Just now, he had truly been worried that something might happen to Hong Jiantao.

He had been in the Cultivation World for two years, and in Nanshan Fang his friends were few; the only one who owed him a debt of gratitude and earned his heartfelt thanks was Shopkeeper Shopkeeper Hong.

Had it not been Shopkeeper Shopkeeper Hong, even if he had a golden finger from crossing over, he would have never discovered it and would have simply returned home to the mortal world.

His ability to become a regular at Lingfu Pavilion, to stand his ground, and to devote himself to drawing Cleanse Talismans over the past two years all depended on Shopkeeper Hong's overt and covert support.

Transfer away in two years? By then, he will probably be able to show some of his edge…

"There's another matter: Nanshan Fang hasn't been very peaceful lately; you must have heard about it, right?" Hong Jiantao asked.

Xiao Zhangqing nodded: "I know. Didn't Symbol Master Huang of the pavilion almost meet a tragic fate…?"

Symbol Master Huang is an Exclusive Lingfu Pavilion Symbol Master; although his cultivation is low, only at the Sixth Layer of Lian Qi, he is nevertheless a veteran Symbol Master.

The longer one remains an entry‑level Symbol Master, the more Spirit Stones one naturally earns.

Moreover, Symbol Master Huang never marries or has children, lives alone, and despite his modest cultivation does not need to take high‑grade Pills; his lifelong pleasure is to go to Yanliu Alley, hang at the pavilion to listen to music, and discuss the Dao of Yin and Yang with those Kun Cultivators.

He is the famed "Diamond Bachelor Five" of Nanshan Fang.

Not long ago, after a night of intense solitary cultivation at the pavilion, Symbol Master Huang, with his feet floating in the morning, prepared to go to Lingfu Pavilion for work.

On the way, he was robbed; his belongings were stripped clean, and had it not been for a patrol team arriving in time, he might have lost his life.

The incident with Symbol Master Huang was not accidental; several malicious cases have occurred in Nanshan Fang recently.

Beyond the market of the workshop, it is even more dangerous.

It's not just rogue cultivators causing trouble; rumors say that a practitioner of the evil path has been stirring up trouble in Da Yu of the Cultivation World! "Take this; keep it close. If you encounter danger you can't overcome, it will save your life."

Hong Jiantao reached into his storage bag and pulled out three Talisman Scripts…

(End of Chapter)