The tools required for carving are numerous, including flat chisels, round chisels, skew chisels, gouges, and also axes, saws, wood files, and so on.
Axes and saws are available for purchase, but Li Changqing found that the other tools simply don't exist in this world.
So, when he reached the blacksmith's shop, Li Changqing could only casually take a piece of paper, draw the designs, and ask the blacksmith to make them.
Even though the blacksmith didn't understand why Li Changqing wanted to make such strange items, when Li Changqing offered five taels of silver, the blacksmith agreed with a big smile, promising to deliver the items neatly to Li Changqing's house within three days.
Next, Li Changqing began to select wood.
In carving, the choice of wood is also very important.
Woods that are too hard are unsuitable for carving, and woods that are too soft are also unsuitable since they don't preserve well. In his previous life, Li Changqing's favorites were huanghuali or sandalwood, but in this world, he was at a loss.
Because this is a fantasy world, the types of wood here are different from those in his previous life.
After several days, Li Changqing visited many places in the town that sold wood, and finally chose a type of wood called Zhijing wood, which resembled small-leaf sandalwood, so Li Changqing thought it was suitable for his carvings.
The person selling the wood thought Li Changqing wanted to make furniture and asked if he needed help, but Li Changqing declined.
Kidding aside, even if I were making furniture, I'm a professional; I won't let you earn the labor fee.
A whole piece of Zhijing wood only cost Li Changqing two taels of silver.
After having it transported back, he threw it into the courtyard.
By noon, after lunch, the blacksmith had the tools Li Changqing ordered delivered in the afternoon.
After checking the tools, he couldn't help but praise the blacksmith's skills; his creations were quite accurate.
They were quite handy to use.
Over the past few days, Li Changqing had thought it over and decided not to start with large pieces that require too much time and whose market viability was uncertain. He planned to carve some simple items first as a trial.
After sketching some rough drafts on paper, Li Changqing started working.
Cutting the wood, drawing lines, and all the subsequent steps.
Initially, when he suddenly arrived in this world, Li Changqing felt somewhat panicked, but as he began his familiar work, a sense of peace washed over him.
He found himself enveloped in a mysterious feeling.
Even Li Changqing himself didn't notice the blue mark that flashed faintly on his forehead.
In less than an hour, a lifelike wood carving materialized in Li Changqing's hands.
It was a vividly colored tiger!
The size of a human head, its exquisite craftsmanship made the tiger seem alive.
Its fierce eyes appeared to be targeting its prey.
The character "王" on its forehead exuded an aura of dominance.
The tiger crouched, perched on a rock, ready to pounce and tear apart its prey at any moment, incredibly realistic!
Li Changqing nodded in satisfaction.
He didn't know why, but he seemed to have lost track of time while focusing on this carving; it had been a long time since he experienced such concentration.
He felt refreshed, with not a trace of fatigue, even more energized than before.
"It seems my skills have improved," Li Changqing mused as he admired his work, murmuring to himself.
"How should I price it?" Rubbing his chin, Li Changqing pondered for a while before deciding to price it at five qian of silver.
Uncertain if it could sell.
It's not easy for my son, I can't always rely on him for support, he should focus on his cultivation on Dao Mountain, and even if I can't help, I shouldn't be a burden.
Evergreen Painting Workshop had been closed for several days.
Early the next morning, Li Changqing tidied up the shop, opened its doors for ventilation, and saw the paintings hanging on the walls. He didn't take them down, as it's still a painting workshop after all.
He couldn't just have a single carving there, it would look too sparse.
Even if those old paintings weren't very good, if someone wanted to buy them, he'd sell them for any amount.
Better to make some money than none at all.
He placed his carved tiger on a stand in the shop.
Then Li Changqing idly waited for customers to come by.
But from morning till night, not a soul, not even a ghostly shadow, appeared.
This was partly due to the remote location, and partly because Li Changqing's mediocre skills were well-known.
With such lackluster skills, buying a painting from him would be a loss.
So, naturally, no one visited.
Three consecutive days without a single customer.
This made Li Changqing anxious, he had to think of a way to attract customers.
It was past noon.
After lunch, Li Changqing thought to take a nap, but unexpectedly, a figure appeared at the door of the Evergreen Painting Workshop.
The visitor peeked curiously inside.
He was a young boy, around thirteen or fourteen years old, with somewhat dark eyes and clothes that suggested wealth or status.
"Welcome, feel free to come in," Li Changqing cheerfully invited.
Even if just a boy, he was still a customer, after all.
"You don't recognize me?" the young boy suddenly asked.
"Does it matter if I recognize you? You're in my shop, so you're my guest. Why does meeting require having known each other before?" Li Changqing replied calmly.
"Why does meeting require having known each other before?" the boy paused, finding the words intriguing.
He was from the Yan family of Changting Town, one of the prominent families in town, well-known for its vast influence.
And he was Yan Yushi, son of the Yan family's Clan Leader, Yan Botao.
Who in Changting Town wouldn't recognize him?
Yet Li Changqing didn't.
Though Yan Yushi was Yan Botao's son, with a prestigious status and a powerful family backing him, Yan Yushi faced significant challenges in cultivation.
The family had purchased many paintings for Yan Yushi over the years.
Nevertheless, Yan Yushi's visualization never took shape, let alone gaining insights necessary for his own cultivation path.
Three years had passed.
The elders of the family began suggesting that Yan Botao choose another successor for the Yan family.
Initially, Yan Botao could refuse, but as time dragged on with no progress from Yan Yushi, even Yan Botao struggled under the pressure from the Elder Council.
Today, after hearing some sarcastic remarks behind his back within the family, he couldn't bear to stay; youthful impulses compelled him.
He simply went out to clear his mind.
Preoccupied, he unwittingly wandered to the deepest part of Cyan Cloud Square, arriving at the door of the Evergreen Painting Workshop.
So Yan Yushi decided to come in and take a look, having heard of a painter named Li Changqing in Changting Town, but had always believed his works were average. Today was the perfect opportunity for a firsthand look.