Translator: AnubisTL
Chu Lingyi wasn't exaggerating. She truly was a rare talent in talismanship, a fact that greatly surprised Li Qing.
Despite having only reached the foundation establishment realm a little over a year ago, she could already draw multiple types of second-tier talismans with a high success rate.
As an elder of the Talisman Hall, she received a monthly allocation of materials from the sect, including precious Talisman Paper and talisman ink.
However, the sect didn't simply give these materials away for free. Each month, elders were required to submit a certain number of finished talismans.
For example, if she received materials for ten second-tier talismans, she would have to submit one or two finished second-tier talismans to the sect.
The reason Chu Lingyi was considered a prodigy in talismanship was her exceptional success rate. Out of ten sets of materials, she often only needed seven or eight to produce two second-tier talismans. The remaining materials she could keep for herself.
"You're essentially embezzling sect property. Telling me this probably isn't wise," Li Qing couldn't help but remark after hearing Chu Lingyi's explanation.
While he would have done the same in her position—only a fool would pass up such an opportunity—he would never openly admit it to others.
"What are you afraid of? The sect has always turned a blind eye to this. This is called rewarding outstanding talent, understand?"
Chu Lingyi didn't even glance at Li Qing. Instead, she focused intently on preparing the talisman ink.
The talisman ink used to draw second-tier talismans was naturally not ordinary ink. It contained many ingredients, such as Demon beast blood, cinnabar, charcoal made from a certain spirit wood, and even something resembling bone powder that Li Qing couldn't identify.
As she prepared to draw the talisman, Li Qing remained silent, not wanting to disturb her. He stood quietly, watching Chu Lingyi pick up a golden bristle talisman brush. With practiced ease, she dipped it into the prepared ink and began to paint on the talisman paper with fluid, flowing strokes.
Whether it was Pill Refinement, setting up formations, drawing talismans, or refining artifacts, all required complete concentration and a tranquil environment. Any distraction could exponentially increase the failure rate.
When it came to drawing talismans, Chu Lingyi shed her usual lively and quick-witted demeanor, instantly becoming calm and serene. Her gem-like eyes were intensely focused, never blinking as they fixed on the talisman paper before her.
Perhaps due to good luck, Chu Lingyi successfully drew the Thunderclap Talisman Li Qing had requested on her first attempt.
As the final stroke was completed on the talisman paper, the spiritual energy between heaven and earth rapidly surged, converging into the Second-Tier Thunderclap Talisman. Li Qing even faintly felt a tingling sensation in the surrounding air.
"Hehe, the Thunderclap Talisman is finished! Senior brother, what do you think? That'll be two hundred spirit stones!"
Chu Lingyi handed the still-drying Thunderclap Talisman to Li Qing with a beaming smile, her expression radiating pride as if awaiting his praise.
Li Qing nodded solemnly and accepted the formidable Second-Tier talisman.
"Impressive! Junior sister Chu's talent for drawing talismans is truly rare. Your future achievements in the art of talismans will undoubtedly be remarkable!" Li Qing didn't hesitate to praise her, offering genuine compliments.
Chu Lingyi, her face beaming with pride, began counting on her fingers. "Hehe, senior brother, you can praise all you want, but the spirit stones are non-negotiable! I've already given you a special price!"
Li Qing wasn't particularly short on spirit stones. During his years as a rogue cultivator, he had scraped and clawed his way through life, accumulating a substantial amount of wealth.
Chu Lingyi had indeed offered him a rather favorable price. A Thunderclap Talisman like this would never sell for just two hundred low-grade spirit stones on the open market!
Li Qing swiftly retrieved two hundred low-grade spirit stones from his storage pouch and handed them over.
At the sight of the spirit stones, Chu Lingyi's eyes lit up. She quickly pocketed them all, then said excitedly to Li Qing, "Senior brother Li, if you need anything else, just let junior sister know."
Seeing her eager expression, Li Qing couldn't help but twitch his lips slightly. He cleared his throat and said, "Cough, cough... I also need a Thunder Flash Talisman, two Fire Dragon Talismans, an Aura Concealment Talisman, and two Primal Wall Talismans!"
He planned to prepare four offensive talismans, two defensive talismans, and one functional Aura Concealment Talisman. With these preparations, he would feel much more confident about exploring Tianliang Mountain.
Upon hearing such a massive order, Chu Lingyi seemed stunned by the sudden surge of happiness, her eyes sparkling like stars!
"Senior brother Li, please wait here for a moment. I'll have the talismans ready as quickly as possible!"
Chu Lingyi began to write furiously.
Even a genius like her couldn't achieve a perfect success rate in talisman creation; failure was inevitable.
Over the next few hours, she failed three times in a row, wasting three sets of talisman materials before finally completing her second Thunderclap Talisman.
Li Qing couldn't help but chuckle at the pained expression on Chu Lingyi's small face.
Moreover, crafting a second-tier talisman consumed a significant amount of spiritual energy. Despite her casual demeanor, after five consecutive attempts, her mana reserves were nearly depleted.
Li Qing wasn't in a hurry. He found a quiet spot outside the talisman hall and sat down to enjoy the scenery.
Three days passed. Chu Lingyi worked tirelessly, drawing talismans day and night, replenishing her mana through meditation whenever her reserves were exhausted.
Finally, she emerged from her room, looking slightly haggard and utterly exhausted. She approached Li Qing, who was meditating with his eyes closed, and said, "Senior brother, here are the Thunderclap Talismans, Fire Dragon Talismans, and Aura Concealment Talismans you requested. I've finished drawing them."
"I've also prepared the remaining Primal Wall Talismans I drew earlier. I'll give them to you as well."
Li Qing opened his eyes, accepted the six sheets of exquisite Talisman Paper, and said with satisfaction, "Thank you, junior sister Chu. You've worked hard."
With that, Li Qing generously paid the spirit stones for the six Talisman Papers.
Seeing the small mountain of spirit stones, the weariness on Chu Lingyi's face vanished, replaced by a sudden burst of energy. She transformed into a textbook example of a little money-grubber.
"Senior brother Li is so generous!" Chu Lingyi beamed as she stuffed the spirit stones into her storage pouch, her smile blooming like a flower.
"Oh, senior brother Li, wait! I also have a self-created Beast Transformation Talisman. It's still in its early stages, but it's barely usable. I'll give it to you as well!"
"Don't misunderstand! It's not because I have feelings for you. I'm giving it to you because you bought so many talismans!"
Li Qing had grown accustomed to her wild imagination and simply ignored her words. Instead, he curiously accepted the animal hide talisman she offered.
Self-Created Talisman!
Li Qing savored these four words internally, his calm expression concealing the tumultuous waves surging within him.
My junior sister is truly remarkable. To have already begun creating her own talismans in the foundation establishment realm...
And she's already achieved some success? This is almost unbelievable.
"May I ask, junior sister, what does this Beast Transformation Talisman do?" Li Qing inquired curiously.
Chu Lingyi stuck out her tongue and replied, "As the name suggests, it allows you to transform into the form of a demon beast!"
"To transform, you simply need to obtain a drop of blood from the demon beast you wish to become, drip it onto the talisman, and then slap the talisman onto yourself."
"This talisman will completely transform you into the demon beast, including your aura and physical form. You'll be virtually indistinguishable from the real thing!"
"Of course, there are drawbacks. First, the transformation process consumes mental power continuously, placing a significant burden on your divine soul."
"Second, remember that you're only transforming into a demon beast, not truly becoming one. You won't gain any of the demon beast's true power or divine abilities."
Li Qing gazed at Chu Lingyi's two slender fingers, deep in thought. After a moment, he asked, "The effects of this talisman sound truly remarkable. But have you personally tested it, junior sister? Are there any other drawbacks?"
"Of course I've had other disciples try it! The effects are exactly as I described, senior brother. You can rest assured!"
Chu Lingyi's face flushed inexplicably. She shook her braided pigtail, determined to keep her past transformations into adorable little Demon beasts like snow moon rabbits and skylarks a secret.
Li Qing didn't dwell on it. After putting away the talisman, he took his leave from the talisman hall.
Back in his cave abode, Li Qing summoned Fan Tong.
"Awoo! Awoo!"
After its successful breakthrough, Fan Tong was clearly brimming with energy. The stone walls of the cave were scarred with deep claw marks, clearly the work of Fan Tong's sharp claws.
Li Qing's expression stiffened slightly, but he said nothing.
"Let me set up a Restriction to prevent any unwanted visitors while I'm away."
With those words, he activated a Restriction at the entrance of his cave abode. Anyone who tried to visit would trigger the Restriction, signaling that he was in the midst of a crucial closed-door cultivation and unavailable to receive guests.
With everything prepared, Li Qing could rest easy during his absence in the World of Eternal Night.
"Well, it might be overkill, but it's better than nothing."
In truth, during his two-year-long seclusion, he had only received a few Spirit Bird Transmissions from Fatty Wu and Ji Bai. No one had visited him.
But as a newly established foundation establishment elder, it was understandable that his initial seclusion period would be longer.
Moreover, Li Qing had previously demonstrated his dedication to cultivation, so his extended seclusion wouldn't raise any suspicions among the other sect members.
With all preparations complete, Li Qing exhaled deeply.
"Seven second-tier talismans, the Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain spear, and Fan Tong by my side... Even if Tianliang Mountain is a dragon's den or tiger's lair, I should be able to brave it."
As his words faded, Li Qing left most of his spirit stones and all his Spirit Herbs in his cave abode. He took only a small portion of spirit stones, a few magic artifacts, and some items that wouldn't lose their spirituality. Then, clutching Fan Tong, he directly teleported to the World of Eternal Night.
(End of the Chapter)
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