Most of the artisans in the Marketplace only had Tier One Low Grade Skills.
How rare were Middle Grade Skills?
This was especially true for the four arts of Pills, Talismans, Artifacts, and Arrays.
In Qinghe Marketplace.
Talisman Masters with Middle Grade Talisman Art either planned to pass their skills down to their descendants or already had apprentices.
'Elder Luo was an exception, but Brother Li missed his chance.'
The more Chu Daniu thought about it, the worse he felt.
After all, Li Chang'an had saved his life, but he had nothing with which to repay him.
After he got back, he made some careful inquiries for a long time.
He was surprised to discover that Luo Kun had a fondness for wine.
'There's still hope!'
Chu Daniu's eyes lit up.
He immediately took several jars of fine wine and ran to the outside of Luo Kun's courtyard, knocking on the gate.
"This junior, Chu Daniu, requests to see Elder Luo."
The courtyard gate opened.
Luo Kun's figure appeared behind it. He glanced casually at Chu Daniu.
"Ah, it's Ah Niu. I remember you. You're a Brewer, aren't you?"
"Yes. This junior lacks confidence in his own brew. I heard you have a great deal of expertise in wine tasting, Elder, so I've come to trouble you for your opinion."
As he spoke, a wide smile was plastered on Chu Daniu's face.
He presented the few jars of fine wine he had specially selected.
"Oh?"
Luo Kun raised an eyebrow.
He casually unsealed a jar, and a rich, fragrant aroma of wine immediately wafted out.
It made his nose twitch involuntarily.
"Not bad!"
Luo Kun nodded slightly, giving Chu Daniu a second look.
"Alright, spit it out. What do you want from me?"
"Elder, it's like this..."
Chu Daniu was overjoyed and immediately explained his purpose.
After listening, Luo Kun said flatly, "That Li Chang'an is too rigid and inflexible. He'll have a hard time achieving anything great in the Talisman Art."
Hearing this assessment, Chu Daniu's heart tightened.
"However, for the sake of these few jars of wine, I can give him a few more pointers next time."
"Thank you, Elder!"
Chu Daniu hurriedly expressed his thanks.
He secretly decided that he must come by often with wine in the future.
...
Meanwhile, after Li Chang'an returned, he put the day's events out of his mind.
'I should avoid useless little gatherings like this in the future.'
He took out the Jade Scroll and continued to study the Talisman Art.
「A few days later.」
Li Chang'an had a sudden insight, and his confidence in drawing a Tier One Middle Grade Talisman increased.
He had a feeling he was just one final step away!
'Perhaps I can give it a try now.'
He calmed his mind and focused his spirit.
He didn't try immediately, instead beginning to regulate his breathing.
He adjusted his condition to its peak.
「Half a day later.」
Li Chang'an sat before his desk, Talisman Brush in hand, with a sheet of Talisman Paper spread out before him.
Beside him were several common types of Elixir Pills, such as Qi Recovery Pills, Primordial Qi Pills, and Qi Condensing Pills.
'If my Magical Power runs low, I'll swallow an Elixir Pill to recover immediately.'
Li Chang'an had already placed a few Elixir Pills under his tongue in advance.
He was fully prepared for this attempt!
'I'll try the Wind Escape Talisman first. It's an advanced version of the Wind Speed Talisman, so it's less difficult to draw.'
Li Chang'an focused his full attention and began to draw.
The brush tip, stained with Spiritual Ink, moved slowly across the Talisman Paper, leaving behind a series of complex patterns.
At first, his movements were quite smooth.
But before long, Li Chang'an's face began to turn pale, and he felt a hint of weakness.
Without hesitation, he immediately swallowed an Elixir Pill.
Only then did he feel a bit better.
However, in that instant of swallowing the Elixir Pill, the brush tip made an extremely minute, erroneous movement.
HISS...
A wisp of green smoke rose as the gathered Spiritual Power dissipated.
The Talisman Paper was instantly ruined.
A failure!
"Sigh, I was still a little off."
Li Chang'an sighed lightly.
But he wasn't discouraged. After all, both success and failure were within his expectations.
He sat cross-legged and recovered the Magical Power and mental energy he had just consumed.
「A day later.」
Li Chang'an tried again.
Perhaps because he now had one attempt under his belt, this time was easier than the last, and his Talisman Brush moved more smoothly.
Before he knew it, the entire Talisman was finished.
"Success!"
A look of joy appeared on Li Chang'an's face.
He picked up the Talisman and examined it closely.
This was the first time he had ever drawn a Middle Grade Talisman.
'Where there's a first, there'll be a second and a third...'
A faint smile touched Li Chang'an's lips. He had just barely crossed the threshold to becoming a Tier One Middle Grade Talisman Master.
In the following days, he continuously drew Middle Grade Talismans.
His failure rate was high.
He would fail about five times for every one success.
The success rate was pitifully low; he couldn't even break even.
He was effectively operating at a constant loss, using his previously accumulated Spirit Stones to cover the deficit.
But Li Chang'an was quite satisfied.
This was because, as time went on, his drawing became more and more fluid.
His success rate was slowly increasing.
'It's a good thing I got so many Spirit Stones from that Tribulation Cultivator.'
Li Chang'an was secretly glad. Having enough Spirit Stones was the source of his confidence!
「Late one night.」
Li Chang'an was sitting cross-legged in meditation, restoring his Magical Power.
When Midnight arrived, the Divination appeared as usual.
[Divination has been refreshed]
[Today's Divination: Ominous]
[You have been targeted by a Tribulation Cultivator. The other party is attempting to lure you out of the Marketplace.]
"A Tribulation Cultivator!"
Li Chang'an's heart jumped in shock.
For the past several days, the Divination had consistently been "Neutral."
He had thought today would be the same.
But he never expected that it would be an Ominous reading!
'How did I get targeted by a Tribulation Cultivator?'
Li Chang'an found it incredible.
He had always kept a low profile.
He barely ever left his home, like a turtle in its shell. How could he possibly have attracted the attention of a Tribulation Cultivator?
Could it be because of the artisan gathering?
'The Divination says the Tribulation Cultivator plans to lure me out of the Marketplace. That means they don't dare to make a move inside the Marketplace, so their strength probably isn't too great.'
The content of the Divination put Li Chang'an slightly at ease.
As long as he stayed inside the Marketplace, he would be safe.
And even if some other incident were to occur, the Divination would give him a warning.
...
「The next day at noon.」
Li Chang'an was eating lunch.
Suddenly, a man's voice sounded from outside the door.
"Is Daoist Li home? My name is Wu Yun; we met at the gathering."
Hearing this voice, Li Chang'an frowned slightly and put down his bowl and chopsticks.
Wu Yun. Third Layer Qi Refining Cultivation. He was one of the Low Grade Talisman Masters from the previous gathering.
At the time, Li Chang'an had only exchanged a few casual words with him and was not what you would call familiar with him.
"What can I do for you, Daoist Wu?"
Li Chang'an remained vigilant as he opened the door.
Wu Yun was standing right outside.
Next to him stood another person.
The two bore a striking resemblance to each other, as if they were biological brothers.
"To be honest, there's a matter I need Daoist Li's help with."
Wu Yun wore a smile, his tone sincere.
He pointed to the person beside him.
"This is my brother, Wu Feng. He is a Feng Shui Master and spends his years traveling, surveying land and searching for tombs."
Hearing this, Li Chang'an's gaze shifted as he sized up the man.
The man's attire was similar to that of a Feng Shui Master from the Mortal Realm. His aura was unremarkable, with nothing special about it.
"A pleasure to meet you, Daoist Li!"
Wu Feng smiled and cupped his hands, his tone gentle.
Wu Yun continued his introduction.
"Not long ago, my brother discovered a large tomb, very likely belonging to a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator. However, the tomb is protected by a special Array, and it will take the combined effort of three people to open it."
As he said this, a hint of excitement entered Wu Yun's voice.
He was here to invite Li Chang'an to help open the great tomb.
"Why me?"
Li Chang'an asked in a low voice.
"Daoist Wu, you've known Liu Yue and the others longer. Why not ask them?"
"Those people can't be trusted!"
Wu Yun said bluntly.
He stated that he trusted Li Chang'an more.
"They all think you're socially inept, Daoist Li, but I think you're an honest and sincere person. Someone like you is worth befriending!"