Chapter 4: Showcasing Brilliance While Concealing Clumsiness (Seeking Continuation!)

Tsk tsk!

I originally thought she was truly self‑reliant, a diligent and frugal virtuous female cultivator.

But it turned out otherwise…

Watching another couple walk away, Xiao Zhangqing shook his head and closed the door.

Actually, his impression of Lin Ziyu wasn't bad at all.

She's a bit stingy and overly frugal, but she doesn't steal or rob; she earns Spirit Stones on her own, so even if one doesn't understand her method, there's no point in slandering her.

She came today to collect a debt from him and then tried to take advantage, and Xiao Zhangqing said he fully understood, thinking it was human nature.

Now it seems he was completely mistaken.

What place did that aristocratic male cultivator just say he'd invite her to for a meal?

Lai Feng Lou? That damn place is one of the most expensive restaurants in Nanshan Fang; I heard the minimum per‑person spend for a meal isn't less than three Low‑grade Spirit Stones—equivalent to three months' rent for Xiao Zhangqing!

Ordinary low‑rank Scattered Cultivators wouldn't even dare to imagine that!

No wonder in three years I never saw that woman Lin Ziyu buy a single Spirit Rice; she usually eats ordinary food.

She must often have gullible benefactors treating her to meals? Accustomed to big fish and meat, she now eats ordinary fare to cleanse her palate, reminiscing about hardships, right?

…

Before Lin Ziyu left, she ultimately didn't use a Cleanse Talisman as interest to offset the debt.

It could also be taken to mean she looks down on the Cleanse Talisman, so when Xiao Zhangqing earns Spirit Stones to repay her, he'll have to pay more interest.

But those two Cleanse Talismans do make things easier for Xiao Zhangqing; he can use them as door‑knocking bricks.

Lingfu Pavilion.

Located in the busiest golden district of Nanshan Fang, it's a lavishly decorated, fairly spacious three‑story building.

In the first‑floor lobby, manager Hong Jiantao examined the two Cleanse Talismans carefully.

"Did you draw these?"

Hong Jiantao looked at the slightly bowed Xiao Zhangqing, his face uneasy; his tone held neither doubt nor affirmation, yet an invisible pressure made lying impossible.

"Yes. I just drew them yesterday," Xiao Zhangqing nodded seriously.

"Come with me to the second floor."

Hong Jiantao neither agreed nor refused.

After taking Xiao Zhangqing to the second floor, he led him straight into his private room, his 'studio'.

As the manager of Lingfu Pavilion, besides being well‑versed in all Talisman Scripts, he himself is a highly skilled Symbol Master.

Indeed, among the ten‑plus dedicated Symbol Masters at Lingfu Pavilion, his skill ranks among the top! "Now, draw it for me."

Hong Jiantao said to Xiao Zhangqing.

"Alright."

Xiao Zhangqing realized this was a test of himself, deciding whether today was the moment to become a permanent member of Lingfu Pavilion! He pushed aside his distracting thoughts, ready to showcase his talisman skills.

Inside the studio, all the Zhibi tools and materials were fully stocked.

Moreover, each item was a premium, expensive piece.

Take this Zhibi, for example: its tip is made from the hair of a Second‑rank Beast, and its shaft material is extraordinary—neither quite jade nor quite gold.

Its price is estimated at no less than one hundred Low‑grade Spirit Stones—more expensive than ordinary artifacts.

【Silver Moon Wolf Hair Brush】

【Blue item, quality fairly good, made from the hair and bones of the Second‑rank Beast Silver Moon Wolf, seasoned by an experienced Symbol Master for over twenty years; though it lacks spiritual awareness, it's been heavily infused with the Talisman Path and has drawn many Second‑rank Treasure Talismans!】

【Equipment Requirement: Any one fully‑crafted Talisman Script】

【Equipment Effect: Symbol Master minor rank +1】

Just as Xiao Zhangqing was gathering his spirit to perform well, the moment he picked up the Zhibi, he couldn't stay calm.

He's been transmigrated into this cultivation world for almost three days.

The manager was absent the first two days, so Xiao Zhangqing, to be safe, didn't impatiently seek out other Lingfu Pavilion staff to claim he could draw the Six Basic Talismans; he waited until today when the manager returned to report his situation.

But during those three days, Xiao Zhangqing wasn't idle.

Besides cultivation and studying the inventory's functions, he also tried to see if any new items could be equipped.

The result was likely that everything he handled was rather ordinary; even working at Lingfu Pavilion, he could only do tedious, labor‑intensive tasks and never got to touch precious items.

Thus the inventory gave no feedback.

He didn't expect this Zhibi to trigger a response in the inventory! Symbol Master minor rank +1—what does that mean? Does it imply he can only draw six Basic Talismans now, making him a low‑tier Basic Talisman Master? If he equips the Silver Moon Wolf Hair Brush, will he instantly become a First‑rank Talisman Master? That's a bit over the top! Moreover, advancing from Basic Talisman Master to First‑rank is normal; jumping straight from First‑rank to Second‑rank would be terrifying!

"But even if the brush were mine, I still couldn't equip it."

Xiao Zhangqing looked at the equipment requirement: Any one fully‑crafted Talisman Script.

He currently has the Talisman Master's Handbook equipped, which is six minor Basic Talismans, not meeting the condition.

"Don't get worked up, take it slow. Calm your mind first, don't overthink."

Hong Jiantao watched Xiao Zhangqing holding the Zhibi, his expression agitated, seemingly unsure how to begin, and spoke soothingly.

Hearing that, Xiao Zhangqing quickly regained his composure, nodded in agreement.

He thought to himself what he was doing; now wasn't the time to act foolishly.

Regardless of whether the brush could be equipped, even if it could, could he stash it in the inventory right before the manager? The manager would have to dissect him for research!

Huh—

He took a deep breath, banished all distracting thoughts, and closed the inventory screen.

The effect of the six minor Basic Talismans from the Talisman Master's Handbook instantly infused his body.

In an instant, Xiao Zhangqing seemed to become a veteran who had practiced talisman drawing for over a decade; as the Spirit Ink‑dipped tip glided over the Talisman Paper, his internal mana gently flowed down like water.

Flowing like clouds and water, without any pause.

Because the tools and materials were better, Xiao Zhangqing was a bit more fluent than when he drew talismans at home three days ago.

The inner spiritual power is too weak; when infused into the Talisman Paper it's somewhat shallow, unable to achieve power penetrating the back of the paper...

Hmm, with only Qi Refining Second Layer cultivation, the spiritual power can't be strong.

But his talisman-drawing technique and demeanor are relaxed and natural, graceful and expressive, completely unlike a novice. I even thought this kid would be nervous and unable to display his true ability...

Although relaxed, every step is very accurate, hardly any mistakes. Of course, there's no innovation or highlights; everything is by the book...

But for a novice who has only practiced for over two months, being able to stay by the book is already quite rare.

If he could develop his own style in such a short time, that would truly be a stroke of luck.

However... this kid also has some talent.

Soon.

Xiao Zhangqing finished drawing a talisman, and as expected, it succeeded.

After all, achieving minor accomplishment means the success rate is at least over eighty percent.

Shopkeeper Hong looked at the newly drawn Cleanse Talisman, then asked: "I remember the booklet I gave you lists the Six Basic Talismans. Besides the Cleanse Talisman, have you learned any others?"

Xiao Zhangqing thought for a moment, then said cautiously: "I should also have some confidence in the Barrier-breaking Talisman and the Calm-heart Talisman..."

Hmm.

One must not be too low-key; one ought to appropriately show some talent, otherwise it's hard to attract attention and difficult to gain sufficient benefits.

But one must absolutely not appear too monstrous, otherwise it will cause trouble.

I'm not a true genius; many things won't withstand scrutiny and investigation, and would expose flaws! One must suitably conceal one's clumsiness.

Good. Draw another Barrier-breaking Talisman for me to see..." Hong Jiantao said.

Yes!

Xiao Zhangqing took a brief rest, then quickly picked up the brush again.

(End of chapter)