Chapter 81: Mentor

Upon entering the first level of Qi cultivation, a student may elect one major course.

Among pill refining, artifact forging, formation, talisman crafting, and beast taming, Zhang Xingyu wants to study pill refining the most, with artifact forging second, because his spiritual root is fire, which matches those two courses best.

Unfortunately, owing the academy money, he is forced by Xu Yun Lao Dao to study talisman crafting to repay the loan.

Back in the dormitory area, he finds Zhu Dafu, and Zhang Xingyu pours out his grievances to him.

"Zhu Xiaopang, once you learn pill refining you'll be awesome. Everyone knows on Xuantiandalu, a pill refiner is the most promising cultivation profession. When you become successful, don't forget your older brother," Zhang Xingyu said with a wry, pitiful look.

Among them, Zhu Dafu and Bai Xiaosheng have elected pill refining, while Hu Siping studies artifact forging.

Only Zhang Xingyu attained the first tier of technique later, and was forced again by Xu Yun Lao Dao to study talisman crafting.

"Brother Xingyu, don't worry. Whatever fine pills I refine in the future, I won't forget you. Besides, you needn't be discouraged; talisman crafting is also good—high‑level spiritual talismans aren't cheaper than top‑grade spiritual pills," Zhu Dafu urged.

Zhang Xingyu nodded. In fact, he also knew that given his current situation, electing talisman crafting was the most suitable choice.

Gathering his shattered heart, Zhang Xingyu began to contemplate talisman crafting.

For talisman crafting, one must first know the method of making talisman scripts, and also have a talisman brush, talisman paper, cinnabar, and the like.

Thinking of this, Zhang Xingyu asked Zhu Dafu, "Zhu Xiaopang, has Brother Jin and your sister returned from their honeymoon?"

"They're back. They came back the day before yesterday," Zhu Dafu said. Though he didn't know what 'honeymoon' meant, he could roughly guess.

"Good that they're back," Zhang Xingyu nodded, preparing to go find Jin Muyun for some items.

Jin Muyun lived not far from here; the two walked less than a quarter hour and arrived.

Seeing Zhang Xingyu, Jin Muyun was very pleased. He patted Zhang Xingyu's shoulder and said warmly, "Xingyu, good lad. You've only been at the academy a few days and already made a huge name. Now walking around campus, anyone who hears the three words 'Zhang Xingyu' knows who you are."

"No, no," Zhang Xingyu said, embarrassed by the praise.

"Truly impressive. Among the titles 'useless', 'toad', 'resurrected ghost', 'pervert man', 'vampire', which one isn't flashy?" Jin Muyun said with a smile.

Zhang Xingyu's face darkened: "Brother Jin, are you praising me or mocking me?"

Jin Muyun looked at Zhang Xingyu, admiration on his face, and said, "Of course I'm praising you. Registering for school by confronting a teacher, boldly confessing to Tang Yunxi, becoming a resurrected ghost on Dengxian Feng, snatching a star in the mission hall, selling a spot in the little forest—none of those are things I wanted to do but dared not."

Just as his words finished, his ear was grabbed.

"Fine, Jin Muyun, I just went with you to meet the in‑laws, and you already dare to make a move on other women?"

At some point, Zhu Yun'er appeared behind him.

Zhu Dafu covered his mouth and laughed wildly: "Brother‑in‑law, you've shown your true colors."

Zhang Xingyu was stunned; Zhu Yun'er, who had been so gentle before, after meeting the in‑laws, turned into a tigress?

After dealing with Jin Muyun, Zhu Yun'er warmly brewed tea for Zhang Xingyu, then glared at Jin Muyun, said goodbye, and left.

Jin Muyun's face turned bright red as he asked Zhang Xingyu's purpose.

"Brother Jin, I wish to elect the talisman crafting major; could you give me some guidance?" Zhang Xingyu said.

Jin Muyun nodded and said, "Professional courses differ from basic ones; you must apprentice under a mentor. As I know, the academy's most famous talisman crafting mentors are two: Vice Dean Long Gang and Teacher Huo Lingwu. Both have reached the level of high‑level talisman master in the art of talisman crafting."

He paused, then continued: "Vice Dean Long is a powerhouse, with profound cultivation and esteemed status; if you apprentice under him, it will greatly benefit your future. However, you clash with his son Long Xiaotian, so he may not be suitable as a mentor. As for the other, Teacher Huo Lingwu, a stunning beauty from the Wanfa Immortal Sect, with a solid background. Even at a young age she has reached the Golden Core realm, excels in fire Dao techniques and making spiritual talismans, and is a hot figure in the academy. Choosing her as mentor would also be an excellent choice. Yet, Teacher Huo Lingwu is extremely selective; so far, no one has been able to apprentice under her."

After introducing Long Gang and Huo Lingwu, Jin Muyun added, "Besides these two, the academy has other teachers who teach talisman crafting, such as…"

Jin Muyun was about to continue, but Zhang Xingyu waved his hand: "Brother Jin, I've decided—I'll choose the beautiful Huo Lingwu as my mentor."

Choosing a beauty as mentor is something that incites envy and jealousy.

Half an hour later, at the Talisman Research Center, mentor's studio.

Huo Lingwu, with a beaded nose glistening with sweat and jade‑like fingers dancing lightly, was fully concentrated on crafting a spiritual talisman.

This talisman is a new high‑level spiritual talisman she spent half a year researching.

Golden fire lines danced on the talisman parchment, and the talisman was about to be completed.

Outside the door, Zhang Xingyu adjusted his collar, took out a small bronze mirror to glance at himself, then nodded with satisfaction.

A handsome appearance and well‑matched clothing increase success probability by ten percent.

With excitement, Zhang Xingyu knocked on Huo Lingwu's main door.

"Dong dong dong dong" the knocking shattered the room's silence.

Huo Lingwu was momentarily distracted; the final stroke of the rune formed a head, the talisman parchment ignited without wind, turning into a puff of ash.

"Who is it? Who dares disturb Auntie's talisman drawing?" a lion‑like roar echoed from inside.

Zhang Xingyu shivered at the sound.

"Oh no."

Zhang Xingyu muttered under his breath, about to bolt, when the door creaked open.

Huo Lingwu, burning with anger, swung her fists and rushed out.

"Were you the one knocking earlier?" Huo Lingwu's eyes flared with fire as she asked angrily.

"Beautiful teacher, the weather is fine today," Zhang Xingyu stammered.

"You big‑headed ghost. You knocked randomly, causing Auntie's new talisman development to fail," Huo Lingwu said, still angry.

"Um, um, beautiful teacher, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were developing a new talisman. Had I known, I would never have knocked," Zhang Xingyu quickly apologized.

"Apologies won't help. I was about to succeed, and you ruined it. What do you suggest we do?" Huo Lingwu glared at Zhang Xingyu.

Zhang Xingyu scratched his head: "Beautiful teacher, how about you draw it again? This time I'll stay outside the door and guarantee no one disturbs you."

"Hmph," Huo Lingwu snorted, and with a slap the door shut.

Time passed minute by minute; half an hour later, the tightly shut door opened again.

Huo Lingwu emerged, holding a glowing red spiritual talisman, her face beaming with smiles.

Seeing Zhang Xingyu at the doorway, she paused, then asked, "What do you want from me?"

Zhang Xingyu, seeing her expression, loudly exclaimed, "Congratulations, beautiful teacher, the talisman development succeeded. You are a once‑in‑a‑millennium genius, surely will reach the pinnacle of the first level of talisman scripts."

Huo Lingwu, hearing his flattery, giggled, "You little brat, you do have sweet words. Fine, I won't hold your earlier mistake against you. Speak, what do you need?"

Zhang Xingyu bowed to her and said, "Beautiful teacher, I take you as my mentor to learn talisman crafting."