Talisman Master

Perhaps because there were too many factions, Flame City was far more chaotic than Qingyang Town. Along the way, the two of them witnessed several fights. Yet the passersby remained remarkably calm about such clashes; some even gathered nearby to watch and cheer, as though they had no fear of being caught in the crossfire.

Lin Dong naturally had no interest in such fights. Although Lin Changqiang enjoyed watching a spectacle, unlocking a secondary profession was clearly far more tempting.

Thus, the two merely glanced over before turning to leave. Lin Changqiang followed Lin Dong through several streets before the latter finally stopped outside a grand and imposing pavilion.

"Curio Building?" "Taobao!" the two muttered inwardly.

As they looked at the three ancient-looking characters, anticipation flashed through both their eyes. The Curio Building was so renowned that even those who had never left Qingyang Town had heard of it.

After a brief hesitation, Lin Dong walked inside, completely failing to notice Lin Changqiang grinning beside him.

The moment they stepped through the doors, an enormous hall unfolded before them. Countless counters filled the hall, each packed with a dazzling array of goods. Spiritual Medicine, weapons, martial arts manuals... everything one could want was available.

"Young sirs, would you like to buy some apples?" The two turned around to find a burly uncle with a vicious-looking face and two scars on his cheeks selling fruit.

"No, no, thank you." Lin Changqiang's mouth twitched as he hurriedly dragged Lin Dong toward another counter. "What is with this terrifying sense of déjà vu?"

"Changqiang, what's wrong?" Lin Dong looked utterly baffled. "Isn't he just selling apples? Wait, why is the Curio Building selling fruit?"

"Hehe, young sirs, is there anything you need?" As the two walked along and inspected the various counters, a blue-clad attendant approached with a broad smile and drew a black longsword from a display case.

"See how sharp this sword is? It was forged from Hundred-Refined Black Iron and can slice through hair with a single breath. It is exceptionally sharp. Furthermore, this weapon was inscribed with Runes by a Talisman Master. Once Yuan Power is infused into it, even the toughest armor can be pierced. With it in hand, young sir will be like a tiger with wings!"

The two looked at the black iron sword and saw a crooked Rune engraved upon it, flickering with a faint glow. It was clearly no good item.

Lin Changqiang immediately rolled his eyes. "Do you have any armor that even the sharpest sword you sell cannot pierce? Bring me a set."

Upon hearing that, the attendant was not embarrassed in the slightest. He put away the iron sword and tirelessly began introducing other items.

Lin Dong ignored him as well, his gaze slowly sweeping over the counters. A moment later, his eyes suddenly stopped on a palm-sized blue cloth bag resting within one display. Its surface shimmered with an unusual luster.

"This is a Low-Grade Cosmic Bag. It is made from Cosmic Wood and inscribed with Runes by a Two-Seal Symbol Master. Though it is small, it can hold objects as large as this entire counter." Seeing that Lin Dong seemed interested in the Cosmic Bag, the blue-clad attendant promptly began an enthusiastic introduction.

Hearing this, Lin Dong suddenly recalled how Lin Changqiang had pulled the Yang Gang Treasure Robe from inside his shirt. He could not help turning to look at him, only to find the latter nodding solemnly as if he had not noticed Lin Dong at all.

"Two-Seal Symbol Master? What is a Talisman Master?" Lin Changqiang deliberately looked confused at the attendant. Though he already knew, it was best to leave the beginner tutorial to the NPC.

Only then did the attendant's smile freeze for a moment. He felt that he might have encountered two poor wretches, but he still patiently explained, "Talisman Masters are a special profession. They can condense the Yuan Power of heaven and earth into peculiar Runes. These Runes possess different abilities. Take that black iron sword from earlier, for example. It was inscribed with a Rune, which raised both the weapon's toughness and sharpness by an entire level."

"The path of martial arts has spawned many branches, and Talisman Masters are one of them. However, this profession has exceptionally harsh requirements for both strength and Spiritual Power, so it is relatively rare."

"Talisman Masters are divided into five seals. One-Seal Talisman Masters are the lowest, while Five-Seal Talisman Masters are the highest. Generally speaking, even becoming a One-Seal Talisman Master requires reaching the Earthly Yuan Stage at minimum. As for a Two-Seal Symbol Master, they would be esteemed guests of any major faction in Flame City."

After hearing all this, even Lin Changqiang began to see the attendant in a new light. This service attitude was nearly on par with that of his employees in his previous life.

Lin Dong frowned. He wanted the item, but its price was rather steep. After pondering for a moment, he pulled a bottle from his robes. Inside were ten pills of different colors, which he had refined from Spiritual Medicine using the Stone Talisman.

"Find someone to appraise these pills. What are they worth?" Lin Dong placed the bottle on the counter and smiled confidently.

Upon hearing this, the blue-clad attendant examined the pills in the bottle, surprise appearing on his face. He then gently shook a bell behind him.

Not long afterward, a smiling Middle-Aged Man walked over and warmly approached Lin Dong. "Is this young brother looking to sell something?"

His gaze fell on the bottle atop the counter. He reached out, took one pill, and lightly sniffed it beneath his nose. "These pills were refined from Spiritual Medicine, correct? Their medicinal potency seems rather mild, making them quite suitable for those in the Body Tempering Stage. How about this? I'll give you five Yang Yuan Stones per pill. What do you think?"

"No. After buying this Cosmic Bag, wouldn't I only have two Yang Yuan Stones left?" Lin Dong rolled his eyes and reached for the bottle. "I'd better sell them somewhere else."

The Middle-Aged Man hurriedly covered the bottle. "Don't be hasty, young brother. How much do you want, then?"

"Uh, at least ten to one."

The Middle-Aged Man could only shake his head helplessly at Lin Dong's outrageous demand. "Seven to one. At most, seven to one. That is already a very fair price."

"Deal!" This time, Lin Dong did not hesitate. He agreed with a delighted expression. The Middle-Aged Man smiled wryly and instructed the attendant beside him to take out the Cosmic Bag, then placed twenty-two Yang Yuan Stones into it in front of Lin Dong.

Of course, Lin Changqiang knew that this guy was secretly thrilled. After all, Lin Dong had not bargained over the price of the Cosmic Bag at all.

Lin Dong eagerly accepted the Cosmic Bag and played with it for a while, looking extremely satisfied. Then, he turned his attention to its left side, where a peculiar Rune could vaguely be seen flickering in and out of view.

Lin Dong stared at that peculiar Rune, and his mind involuntarily focused upon it. His vision suddenly blurred, while the Rune hidden upon the Cosmic Bag became increasingly clear.

In that strange state, a special fluctuation suddenly emerged from Lin Dong's mind. It was his Spiritual Power.

Invisible Spiritual Power continuously seeped out from his head, eventually slowly tracing something before Lin Dong. Though the shape it formed was exceedingly rough and blurry, it was remarkably similar to the Rune on the Cosmic Bag!

**Ding! Congratulations to the host for making first contact with Spiritual Power cultivation. Reward: three Lottery Draw Opportunities.**