Chapter 57: Second-Grade Talisman!

To craft a Second-Grade Talisman, Talisman Paper is relatively easier to obtain, such as Second-rank Beast hide and Second-rank Spirit Wood; after special refining, they can both be used as Talisman Paper.

But preparing Second-Grade Spirit Ink is comparatively much harder.

Half a month after the massive upheaval in Nanshan Fang.

Xiao Zhangqing finally gathered all the materials for making Second-Grade Talismans, enough for roughly ten pieces.

As for lacking a Second-Grade Talisman Brush, he can only temporarily substitute with a Silver Moon Wolf Hair Brush and a Double-wing Tiger Hair Brush; a slight drop in success rate is unavoidable.

A Second-Grade Talisman Brush requires at least two thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones to purchase.

With Xiao Zhangqing's current salary, saving a bit, he could afford it after a few months of saving.

But the crux is that a Second-Grade Talisman Brush in Nanshan Fang is something you can encounter but not obtain.

If Shopkeeper Hong were still in Nanshan Fang, there might be a way to buy a Second-Grade Talisman Brush; originally, Lu Qiu Symbol Master's Second-Grade Talisman Brush was likely purchased with Shopkeeper Hong's assistance.

Even now, despite the earth‑shattering changes in Nanshan Fang's Foundation Establishment family structure, no faction or shop has produced a Second-Grade Talisman Brush.

…

Inside the drawing room.

Xiao Zhangqing, alone, leans over the desk, fully concentrating on a specially made Talisman Paper, sketching stroke by stroke.

It seems each stroke consumes massive energy and mana, drawing in special heavenly and earthly spirit energy that gradually permeates the Talisman Paper.

The Talisman Paper and the dark‑red Spirit Ink are fine, but the Talisman Brush in Xiao Zhangqing's hand visibly struggles to endure the continual mana infusion while drawing, trembling slightly.

Fortunately, Xiao Zhangqing's talisman technique is sufficient, and he already has experience, so this progress is very smooth.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Buzz! As Xiao Zhangqing's final stroke lands, the whole Second-Grade Talisman links end to end, the earlier strokes seem to come alive at this moment, strands of spirit light dart across the Talisman Paper, faintly accompanied by crackling electricity and thunder.

A pressure so terrifying that even Xiao Zhangqing, now at seven layers of Lian Qi, feels, flashes by, then hides within the Talisman; Xiao Zhangqing finally exhales, wiping sweat from his forehead.

"Finally succeeded!"

Xiao Zhangqing's eyes brim with joy.

After two consecutive days of failure, on the third day he finally succeeded in drawing a Second-Grade Talisman, the Purple Thunder Talisman.

Xiao Zhangqing currently possesses few Second-Grade Talismans.

Because the Double-wing Tiger Hair Brush gifted by Lu Qiu Symbol Master contains twenty‑seven First-Grade Talisman inheritances, but only a few of those can advance to Second-Grade.

The Purple Thunder Talisman is one of them.

Its primary destructive power rivals a Foundation Establishment Initial Stage cultivator's full‑force strike; if used properly, it can severely wound, even kill, a Foundation Establishment Initial Stage cultivator.

Of course.

This requires the user to have extremely high control over mana and spirit consciousness.

The greater the Talisman's power, the harder it is to wield.

Now Xiao Zhangqing is at the Late Stage of Lian Qi, and because of his talisman drawing, his spirit consciousness is a few points stronger than a typical seven‑layer Lian Qi cultivator, so handling the Purple Thunder Talisman is no problem.

If a mid‑stage Lian Qi cultivator were to use it, say the Lin family sisters, not even killing a Foundation Establishment Initial Stage cultivator—just not blowing themselves up would be considered decent.

"If I devote full effort to drawing talismans every day, I can draw two, maybe three Second-Grade Talismans a day."

"But I have to go to Lingfu Pavilion for work each day, and still need time to cultivate; drawing one per day is the optimal state. If I force a second, the success rate will drop."

Xiao Zhangqing feels the fatigue in his body and mind, and thinks to himself.

The daily limit on drawing talismans is also a major reason to curb Symbol Masters' income. Legend says some sects or families secretly have 'talisman‑drawing machines' that strip all free time; as soon as mana and spirit consciousness recover, they must draw talismans, which is terribly grim.

But this situation is limited to captured enemy Symbol Masters; for those cultivated oneself with strong talent, the method is not so cruel.

…

With successful experience and the lessons from the first two failures, Xiao Zhangqing is well prepared; the next day goes smoothly and he again successfully creates a Purple Thunder Talisman.

In the following days, before the materials run out, he also crafts a Second-Grade Vajra Talisman and a Second-Grade Vanish Talisman.

The success rate is about fifty percent.

Because he uses a First-Grade Talisman Brush, that's already very good.

With four Second-Grade Talismans at his side, Xiao Zhangqing's sense of security greatly increases; few in Nanshan Fang can threaten him now.

"Next, besides continuing to acquire materials for making Second-Grade Talismans, I also need to look for new equipment."

Xiao Zhangqing ponders in his mind.

After breaking through to the Late Stage of Lian Qi, his equipment slots increased to nine; he newly equipped a Silver Moon Wolf Hair Brush, leaving two empty slots.

For these two slots, Xiao Zhangqing plans to seek equipment that enhances spirit roots and Talisman Path talent as much as possible.

Skill lies in precision, not quantity.

With an inventory, Xiao Zhangqing could theoretically learn any of the hundred arts of cultivation quickly, but given his current limited equipment slots, he must go further on his existing foundation to reap greater benefits.

Cultivation is the foundation of everything; this is indisputable, and early Foundation Establishment ranks first.

Furthermore, the talisman technique has advanced to Second-Grade Low-grade, which does not mean one can stop; on the contrary, one must find ways to keep breaking through, advancing to Second-Grade Mid-grade and High‑grade! As for other alchemy, forging, puppetry, formations, etc., though all excellent, they need not be considered for now.

"During the major Foundation Establishment family blood wars, after the big shops reshuffle, rare treasures that are seldom seen are displayed; there should be hope to find some items with good equipment effects."

Now he is the most renowned genius cultivator of Lingfu Pavilion, a prominent figure in Nanshan Fang, so he no longer has to miserably scour market stalls as before, like looking for a needle in the sea.

He can go straight to the major shops, casually 'observe' the goods; most shop owners won't object.

Although Xiao Zhangqing isn't particularly fond of shopkeeper Zhou Changkong, he did say something quite true: as long as your talent is high enough and your strength sufficient, you'll find that everyone in the Cultivation World is friendly and easy to talk to.

Many rules in Nanshan Fang are set only for the lower‑tier Scattered Cultivators.

After spending a dozen days, Xiao Zhangqing roughly examined the items displayed by the major shops in Nanshan Fang.

Sure enough, the probability that items from the major shops have equipment effects is many times higher than at the market.

On average, one out of every twenty items is equipable.

Unfortunately, equipment that speeds cultivation, raises Foundation Establishment chances, or enhances Talisman Path talent is scarce, and

All are rather useless, and Xiao Zhangqing did not choose to acquire them.

Actually, during this period, as the Mu and Cao families, under the mediation of various forces, fully reconciled, Nanshan Fang regained stability.

The relocation delayed by the war was swiftly implemented.

Yi-level Cave Dwelling and Bing-level, Ding-level Cave Dwellings are completely different; they have become the true core resources of Nanshan Fang.

They are roughly similar to the courtyard houses and large villas in the city center of my previous life, with very limited numbers.

Usually they are occupied by elite Late Stage of Lian Qi cultivators from the major families with backgrounds; there are rarely any vacancies.

After this turmoil, not only Yi-level Cave Dwelling, but even Jia-level Cave Dwelling has vacancies.

(End of Chapter)