Chapter 9: A Change in Mentality
After conversing for a moment,
Zheng Jinbao said he still had things to do and turned to leave.
Once he was far away,
he dropped the smile from his face.
“How unlucky, why did that kid become a Talisman Master?!”
Zheng Jinbao couldn’t help but feel annoyed.
In the past,
he had relied on his status to wantonly bully many Cultivators who had signed spirit contracts with the Zheng Family.
Almost all of those Cultivators had bleak futures, with little hope of turning things around.
Even if they suffered unfair treatment, they could only silently endure it!
Because of this,
he had lived a very stable life for many years, without any mishaps.
Who would have thought that Li Chang’an would suddenly appear as such an unexpected variable!
“That kid is cunning and likely still holds a grudge!”
Zheng Jinbao’s expression was gloomy, and he felt a faint unease in his heart.
The current Li Chang’an
was no longer someone he could easily manipulate.
He was afraid that Li Chang’an would seek revenge on him one day!
“No, I can’t just sit here and wait for death!”
Zheng Jinbao gritted his teeth, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.
He was able to secure his position as a steward not just by being a member of the Zheng Family, but also through various other means!
With that thought,
he paused, then walked in another direction.
…
For the next month,
Li Chang’an barely left his home, dedicating himself entirely to Mid-Grade Talismans.
The difficulty of Mid-Grade Talismans far exceeded that of Low Grade Talismans.
Even after a full month of study,
he still didn’t have the slightest bit of confidence.
“First-tier Mid-Grade Talismans are not only incredibly complex to draw, but also have very strict requirements for magical power and Mental Energy.”
Li Chang’an mused to himself.
Under normal circumstances,
only Cultivators at the Qi Cultivation (Mid stage) could support drawing a first-tier Mid-Grade Talisman with their magical power and Mental Energy.
Li Chang’an’s advantage lay in his Mental Energy, which was stronger than that of other Cultivators at the same level.
As for magical power…
With the help of Medicinal Pills, his cultivation speed was faster than before, but he was still some distance away from Qi Refining Fourth Level.
…
A few days later,
Xu Fugui and Sun Yulan came to visit.
“Big Brother Li, when did you become a Talisman Master? Why didn’t you tell us?”
“It’s not a big deal, not worth mentioning.”
Li Chang’an chuckled.
The news of him becoming a Talisman Master and killing the rogue Cultivator had not spread; only a very few people knew.
These two originally didn’t know either.
Today, they had something to discuss with Chu Da Niu and found that Chu Da Niu was injured.
After some questioning,
they learned the truth.
Upon hearing that Li Chang’an had become a Talisman Master, both of their reactions were the same as Chu Da Niu’s at the time, filled with shock.
“Dage, I told you, why aren’t you leaving home every day? So you’re studying Talisman art.”
Xu Fugui’s face was full of envy.
Sun Yulan’s gaze was distant, her mood incredibly complex.
At their last gathering,
she had advised Li Chang’an to go out more, perhaps to encounter an Opportunity.
She hadn’t expected that Li Chang’an already had an Opportunity.
This Dage, who had led her to seek the Dao, had not faded into obscurity; he was still as bright and dazzling as ever.
Unconsciously, Li Chang’an’s image in her heart once again became tall and prominent.
The three talked for a long time.
Until evening,
Xu Fugui and Sun Yulan each departed.
“They’re finally gone.”
Li Chang’an planned to continue studying Talisman art.
However,
not long after,
Sun Yulan returned.
This time, she had even put on light makeup, with eyebrows like slender willows, a face like peach blossoms, and a faint fragrance about her.
“Dage Chang’an, can I talk to you alone, little sister?”
Her eyes were like water, her gaze lingering on Li Chang’an’s face.
Li Chang’an frowned slightly.
“Yulan, what else is it?”
“Dage Chang’an…”
Sun Yulan lightly bit her red lips, her cheeks flushed.
“You’ve been alone for so many years. Have you ever considered getting married and starting a Family?”
“Getting married?”
Li Chang’an immediately shook his head.
He straightened his face, his expression serious.
“The Cultivation world is ever-changing. The Qi Refinement Stage is like roadside weeds; only Foundation Establishment Cultivators can stand firm. I am as insignificant as an ant right now, how dare I marry and have children?”
Upon hearing this, Sun Yulan’s expression dimmed.
She also understood.
Now that Li Chang’an had become a Talisman Master and could earn Cultivation resources, there was indeed a slight possibility for him to achieve Foundation Establishment.
Perhaps it was precisely because of this that his pursuit of the Dao was so firm.
Sun Yulan couldn’t help but feel a little regretful.
If she had asked him about this before Li Chang’an became a Talisman Master,
would the outcome have been different?
As soon as she thought of this,
she felt an emptiness in her heart.
“Yulan, it’s getting late. You should go back and rest early.”
Having lived two lives, how could Li Chang’an not see through her thoughts?
He knew very well in his heart.
In the past, although this woman had some feelings for him, she had no intention of becoming his Dao Companion.
Simply because he was too ordinary and common, unable to meet her inner expectations.
If he hadn’t become a Talisman Master,
this conversation would never have happened.
Afterward,
Sun Yulan tentatively asked a few more questions, but Li Chang’an’s attitude remained indifferent.
She had no choice but to leave, feeling disappointed.
…
Time flew by quickly.
Unconsciously,
another month passed.
Li Chang’an gradually gained some confidence in drawing first-tier Mid-Grade Talismans.
On this day,
Chu Da Niu found Li Chang’an.
After two months of recuperation, his injuries had mostly recovered.
The reason he came to see Li Chang’an was to inform him of something.
“Big Brother Li, I previously joined a circle of artisans. The Cultivators in it all possess at least one Cultivation skill, and several of them are Talisman Masters.”
Chu Da Niu slowly recounted.
As one’s status changes, the people one interacts with also change.
Initially,
after the news of him acquiring the spirit wine Legacy spread,
someone invited him to join this small circle.
There were several people in it who also knew the art of brewing spirit wine, and conversing with them had been very rewarding for Chu Da Niu.
Therefore, he intended to invite Li Chang’an to join this circle as well.
“Big Brother Li, communicating with other Talisman Masters might help you Breakthrough faster and draw high-quality Talismans sooner. What do you think?”
Chu Da Niu asked.
He didn’t know that Li Chang’an could already draw high-quality Talismans, which is why he said that.
“A circle of artisans…”
Li Chang’an pondered for a moment.
Getting to know other Talisman Masters was not a bad thing.
Exchanges between peers often promote mutual progress and common advancement.
So he agreed.
…
Not long after,
Chu Da Niu took him to an artisan gathering.
It was called a gathering,
but it was actually also a small trade fair.
While everyone communicated, they would also exchange the Cultivation resources they needed.
The scene was lively, with Cultivators chatting and laughing amongst themselves, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
“Big Brother Li, this is Fellow Daoist Liu.”
The first person Chu Da Niu introduced to Li Chang’an was a woman.
Liu Yue, a Qi Refining Third Level Cultivator.
She was also a first-tier Low Grade Talisman Master.
“Fellow Daoist Liu, this is my Dage, Li Chang’an. He is also a Talisman Master.”
Chu Da Niu then introduced Li Chang’an to her.
Liu Yue’s eyes flickered, and she looked at Li Chang’an with surprise.
“Oh? Could it be that he only recently became a Talisman Master? Why haven’t I heard of it before?”
“Indeed.”
Li Chang’an cupped his hands and replied.
Chu Da Niu held Liu Yue in high regard.
“Big Brother Li, Fellow Daoist Liu has great talent in the Dao of Talismans. She’s only been drawing Talismans for less than three years, and she can already draw high-quality Talismans!”
“I can only barely draw them, and the success rate is extremely low.”
Liu Yue chuckled, her words very modest, but with a hint of pride.
Indeed.
Compared to many old Talisman Masters, she was indeed considered talented.
Many Talisman Masters with Low Grade skills spent more than ten years before they could draw high-quality Talismans.
“I see, Fellow Daoist Liu’s talent is truly remarkable.”
Li Chang’an smiled.
He thought for a moment.
From the time he started drawing Talismans to drawing high-quality Talismans, it seemed to have only been a little over three months?