Chapter 87

A sealed cabin.

A group of naive new disciples from the cultivation world.

Three not particularly friendly senior brothers.

Zheng Fa strongly doubted their intentions.

Not just him—the expressions of all the new disciples toward these three senior brothers were tinged with skepticism.

They weren’t fools; the three had not acted this way before.

The fat senior brother didn’t seem offended by their expressions—he merely waved his hand, and a stack of books floated before Zheng Fa and the others.

“Words alone mean nothing. Since you’ve entered our Jiushan Sect, most of you have studied talisman arts—I trust you have some discernment.” He spoke with considerable confidence: “Once you read the books, you’ll know I’m not lying.”

Seeing his certainty, Zheng Fa grew slightly interested in this *Treatise on Talismans by Master Zhang*.

He picked up the book that had landed before his knees and began flipping through it.

As he read, he was genuinely surprised—and began to understand why the senior brother appeared so unshakable: the book’s quality far exceeded his expectations.

This *Treatise on Talismans by Master Zhang* was clearly written for beginners in talisman arts.

The book was broadly divided into two sections: the Yuanfu Section and the Talisman-Making Section.

The Yuanfu Section had little to recommend it—the content within was of little benefit to Zheng Fa, yet it was precise, and he found no flaws in it.

The Talisman-Making Section, however, was far more novel and valuable to him.

It covered everything in meticulous detail: how to select quality talisman brushes and paper, posture and demeanor before drawing, mental preparation, and even how to review and improve after each attempt.

It was simple yet highly practical—a rarity.

In Zheng Fa’s view, the simpler something was, the deeper the foundational mastery required to produce it.

The author of this book had considerable mastery in talisman arts.

After skimming through it, Zheng Fa felt a flicker of guilt—had he misjudged these three senior brothers? Had they truly treated us like family?

Couldn’t you sell this book properly?

Though this book was undoubtedly basic knowledge in the immortal sects, it was undeniably genuine.

Think of the *Spirit Crane Body* that had wasted Xu the Instructor for twenty years—and compare it to the book before you: *Treatise on Talismans by Master Zhang*.

Its price of ten taels of gold was truly not high.

It even seemed cheap.

He looked up and realized something was off—the new disciples, after receiving their books, were all turning to stare at him.

Zheng Fa was baffled. Why are they looking at me?

The fat senior brother was even more confused—I told you to inspect the goods, so read the books! We’re not selling him!

He caught on to the situation: these new disciples were clearly waiting for this man’s opinion.

They seemed to trust this unknown junior brother more than any of the senior brothers’ words.

“Junior brother,” the fat senior brother directly asked Zheng Fa, his smile carrying an unmistakable edge of threat: “What do you think of this book?”

Zheng Fa put down the book, thought for a moment, and despite his poor impression of the three senior brothers, replied objectively: “I don’t know the prices in immortal sects, but in my view, this book is worth its price.”

“I’ll take one!”

Zhou Gan was the first to speak—and the other new disciples quickly followed suit, soon most of them were opening their purses generously.

The fat senior brother was utterly perplexed.

You haven’t even read the books yet!

You bought them just because of his word?

Watching his entire stock sell out in moments, the fat senior brother stared at Zheng Fa with a conflicted expression—hesitating whether to show conscience and give this junior brother a share of the profits.

…

Zheng Fa also bought one. He took the book and walked back, planning to study the Talisman-Making Section in depth.

The fat senior brother watched Zheng Fa’s retreating back, frowned, and grabbed Zhou Gan’s arm.

“Junior Brother Zhou, just now I noticed all of you looking at that junior brother—why?”

“You don’t know?” Zhou Gan blinked in surprise.

“Know what?”

“During the Immortal Talent Gathering, Brother Zheng ascended Jiushan Mountain and was hailed as the greatest talisman talent in ten thousand years. We all saw it—his talisman talent is beyond doubt. If he says a book is good, then it’s good.”

Zhou Gan explained.

“...” The fat senior brother finally understood. His cheek twitched in frustration: “How could we small fry hear news from the Immortal Talent Gathering so fast? The greatest talisman talent in ten thousand years? No wonder you all listen to him.”

His expression showed little interest in this so-called talent.

He chuckled at Zhou Gan: “I heard Senior Brother Sun say you had astonishing talent—I thought you were the top new disciple of this Immortal Talent Gathering... Everyone says the new disciples this year are exceptional. Indeed, talent abounds—no wonder some senior brothers and juniors inside the sect aren’t happy.”

As he spoke, though slightly annoyed, there was more of a detached, amused air about him.

This made Zhou Gan couldn't help but ask further:

"Me? Of course I don't particularly want the Nine Mountains Sect to gain more new disciples," the fat senior brother said frankly. "More people means less for me to take. If it weren't for selling books, I wouldn't bother with you lot at all. But I'm not really worried either."

“Me? Of course I don’t like having you new disciples around,” the fat senior brother replied frankly. “More people means less for me. If it weren’t for selling books, I wouldn’t bother with you at all. But I’m not worried either.”

No matter how talented this group of new disciples was, he had his own confidence.

He pointed at the book in Zhou Gan’s hand, speaking with quiet pride: “You don’t seriously think the words ‘Master Zhang’ on this book are fake, do you?”

“...” Zhou Gan looked at the book in his hand, suddenly understanding.

“We are under Sister Zhang’s wing! No matter how talented you are, you can’t step on us.” The fat senior brother straightened his chest: “These juniors—including the one you mentioned, Brother Zheng—will never surpass Sister Zhang for ages to come!”

Zhou Gan frowned, puzzled: “But why would Brother Zheng want to surpass his own senior sister?”

"He’s a talisman prodigy personally trained by True Person Zhang."

“He’s a talisman prodigy personally trained by Master Zhang.”

The fat senior brother stared at him, his arrogance freezing on his face, his lips trembling slightly.

Zheng Fa was hunched in his room studying the "Treatise on Talismans by True Person Zhang" when someone knocked on the door again.

Zheng Fa was deep in study of the *Treatise on Talismans by Master Zhang* when someone knocked on his door again.

He assumed it was Zhou Gan, but when he opened the door, he found the three previously unfriendly senior brothers standing before him.

Yet now they were smiling broadly, their faces twisted into three blooming chrysanthemums—so obsequious Zheng Fa almost didn’t recognize them.

“Junior Brother!” The fat senior brother gripped Zheng Fa’s forearm warmly: “The flood washed over the Dragon King’s temple! We’re truly family!”

“...Senior brothers, what’s going on?”

Zheng Fa was stunned—how could they change so fast?

“We heard you were personally taken in by Sister Zhang. What a coincidence—we’re also under Sister Zhang’s wing!”

Zheng Fa looked at them with deep suspicion.

He thought Sister Zhang’s standards should be higher.

The fat senior brother’s tone lowered: “...under her wing...”

So this is where your arrogance comes from?

Zheng Fa set down his book and quietly regarded the three senior brothers before him.

“How about we turn the ship around and say a proper goodbye to your little sister?” the fat senior brother pleaded, his face as if he’d just heard her distant weeping across a thousand miles—and finally felt a pang of pity.

It seemed as if his little sister’s crying, carried thousands of miles, finally stirred the faint pity in his heart.