First-Order Talisman Master

Three months later.

Lan Chang'an sat cross-legged and let out a long breath.

After testing it himself, he found that taking pills did indeed increase his mana a little faster.

But the increase was limited by the Ancient Wood Evergreen Art's absorption of the Aura of Time.

Once it exceeded a certain "threshold," no amount of additional Qi Nourishing Pills would have any effect.

The years turned in cycles—one day and one night, one year and one cycle.

This would not change because of pills.

At least, ordinary pills could not change it.

"Still, pills have greatly reduced the time I need to spend meditating and cultivating."

Lan Chang'an reached this conclusion.

Now, one or two hours of meditation each day were enough for him.

That left him with plenty of free time.

Lan Chang'an considered whether he should pursue some side occupations in fields that consumed time.

For example, studying talisman craft, learning alchemy, cultivating the body as a secondary path, and so on.

Or perhaps cultivating a few hobbies.

"I should first escape this situation of living under another's roof."

He stepped out of the house.

Lan Chang'an found a letter at the gatehouse of the courtyard.

It was signed by Lin Yi.

Lan Chang'an opened the envelope.

In the letter, Lin Yi said that after they had parted last time, he and Zhang Tieshan had gone to that haunted house to exterminate ghosts. Though there had been some danger, they had safely captured and killed the vicious ghost.

The materials left behind by the ghost, along with the spiritual items in its hiding place, were worth more than a hundred Spirit Stones.

Zhang Tieshan had been generous and given Lin Yi forty percent of the Spoils of War.

At the end of the letter, he lamented that Lan Chang'an had not participated. Otherwise, he would not only have gained a share of the harvest, but also made the acquaintance of a sect disciple with considerable potential.

After reading the letter, Lan Chang'an smiled.

This letter from Lin Yi likely carried no small hint of showing off, as well as resentment that Lan Chang'an had refused to go along with him last time.

Lan Chang'an neither regretted it nor envied him.

Taking out paper and brush, he wrote Lin Yi a reply, congratulating him on his opportunity and chatting about everyday matters.

"May the immortal path remain evergreen."

He left those blessings at the end of the letter, brimming with positive energy.

Several days later, the middle of the month arrived.

It was once again Jade Moon Mountain Villa's monthly internal trade fair.

Lan Chang'an came to September Pavilion for the second time.

This time, he sold the Basic Talismans he had crafted.

Calling it a sale would be less accurate than calling it a display.

Being able to craft Basic Talismans meant that one had already become a Talisman Dao Apprentice.

Though three Basic Talismans sold for only one Spirit Stone.

Lan Chang'an's status as a talisman-crafting apprentice had already become known to the attentive Mu Family cultivators.

"That Eldest Miss of the Mu Family isn't here this time."

Lan Chang'an's purpose in displaying his skills was to send a message to the Mu Family's core figures.

That way, when he became a First-Order Talisman Master later, it would be only natural.

The tools and materials he used to draw talismans had all been bought from Mu Xiuyun. She was a key witness.

Of course, it did not matter if Mu Xiuyun was absent.

As long as he became a First-Order Talisman Master, it would be enough that there was a trail to follow.

"Young Master Lan, the Eldest Miss wishes to see you."

After Lan Chang'an bought some talisman-crafting materials and had just left September Pavilion, a maid hurried after him from behind.

That was a quick response!

Lan Chang'an kept his expression unchanged and followed the maid into the rear courtyard of September Pavilion.

A young girl in a long jade-green dress, gentle and refined as jade, was tending to flowers.

From the side, he could see Mu Xiuyun's distant-mountain brows and the contours of a classic Eastern beauty.

"You can draw Basic Talismans? What level of confidence do you have?"

Her voice was like a clear spring in the mountains as Mu Xiuyun's bright, beautiful eyes settled upon Lan Chang'an.

"Basic Talismans. I have a sixty percent success rate."

Lan Chang'an did not overdo his modesty.

Basic Talismans were easy for anyone with decent talent for drawing talismans to get started with.

"Sixty percent?"

Mu Xiuyun did not ask further. She took out a set of talisman-drawing materials and placed them on the table.

She gestured for Lan Chang'an to demonstrate.

Lan Chang'an did not stand on ceremony. He picked up the Talisman Brush, mixed the cinnabar, and properly drew three Basic Talismans in succession.

Two succeeded, and one failed.

With Lan Chang'an's attainments as a Third-Order Talisman Master in his Previous Life, deceiving a First-Order Talisman Master was naturally as easy as turning over his hand.

Mu Xiuyun nodded. "Your talent is quite good."

"By the way, I nearly succeeded in crafting a First-Order Low-Grade Talisman last time."

Lan Chang'an added, seemingly with some regret.

"A First-Order Talisman? You nearly succeeded?"

Mu Xiuyun could not help but be moved. Starlight seemed to flow through her eyes.

"Yes, I was only a little short."

"Draw one and let me see."

"All right."

Lan Chang'an picked up the Talisman Brush again.

Mu Xiuyun moved with lotus steps and watched at his side. Her dark hair drifted, and a subtle fragrance filled her sleeves.

Sizzle!

When Lan Chang'an had drawn this First-Order Talisman to about seventy or eighty percent completion, the spiritual impulse suddenly broke off, and a wisp of green smoke rose from the Talisman Paper.

"Your mana control is not precise enough, and you lack the strength to carry through."

Mu Xiuyun gave her assessment.

"Thank you for your guidance, Eldest Miss." Lan Chang'an looked deeply flattered.

"I'll give you this copy of the Nine Essentials of Talisman Dao. Go back and study it carefully. If there is anything you do not understand, you may come ask me."

Mu Xiuyun took a book from her Storage Bag.

Lan Chang'an accepted her kindness and thanked her once more.

"By the way, Eldest Miss. If I become a First-Order Talisman Master, can I cultivate freely within the Mu Family and study Talisman Dao without needing to marry and have children?"

Before leaving, Lan Chang'an simply laid it all out.

He felt that the Mu Family's Eldest Miss was a good person—elegant and beautiful, gentle and considerate—and seemed to genuinely wish to cultivate him in Talisman Dao.

Mu Xiuyun revealed a trace of surprise. After pondering for a moment, she said, "Once you become a First-Order Talisman Master, I will speak to my father on your behalf."

"Thank you for your trouble, Eldest Miss." Lan Chang'an cupped his hands and departed.

Watching his retreating back.

Mu Xiuyun thought for a moment, her Vermilion Lips pressing together slightly.

"Even without me, the Mu Family will have a capable steward in the path of talisman masters in the future."

After returning, Lan Chang'an had no intention of seeking Mu Xiuyun's guidance.

Although doing so would make his later advancement to First-Order Talisman Master more reasonable, and would also bring him closer to the Eldest Miss.

"If it isn't necessary, it's best to have less contact with a beauty like Mu Xiuyun."

Lan Chang'an understood the principle that a femme fatale could bring disaster.

An outsider in the early stage of Qi Refining who grew close to the Eldest Miss would only invite trouble for himself.

Half a year later.

Lan Chang'an, who was cultivating with his eyes closed, suddenly looked toward the neighboring courtyard. He sensed unstable mana fluctuations.

"This kid! He got married and had children, yet his cultivation hasn't fallen behind by much."

Lan Chang'an muttered to himself.

In the neighboring residence, Li Ergou was the first to advance to the Qi Refining Third Layer.

Li Ergou was simple-minded and honest. With the Mu Family's rewards and cultivation resources, his progress had gone relatively smoothly.

The Earth Rock Scripture Li Ergou cultivated was not particularly powerful either, but as long as he cultivated steadily and had sufficient resources, he could improve rather quickly.

Several days later.

After consolidating his realm, Li Ergou happily came over to visit.

Lan Chang'an had placed a "Seclusion Sign" in advance, leaving Li Ergou to return disappointed, with nowhere to show off.

"Come to think of it, I've been in the Mu Family for nearly four years."

Inside the room, Lan Chang'an's State of Mind was as calm as water, and the small amount of restlessness within him drifted away with the wind.

He was not stirred in the slightest because Li Ergou had surpassed him.

"As expected of a cultivation art that tempers one's character and nurtures one's nature."

State of Mind was very important in the middle and later stages of immortal cultivation.

The Evergreen Art provided benefits in this regard. That was truly rare, and it might perhaps be helpful during the Inner Demon Tribulation of the Nascent Soul Realm in the future.

One year later.

Accompanied by a thread of the aura of the turning years, the Evergreen Mana within Lan Chang'an's body blossomed with lush emerald vitality.

"Five years. Qi Refining Third Layer!"

A faint ripple rose in Lan Chang'an's heart, only to swiftly settle into still water once more.

Five years to rise from the Qi Refining First Layer to the Qi Refining Third Layer was normal enough for an ordinary Low-Grade Spiritual Root.

But compared with the triumphant advance of his Previous Life, it was far inferior.

There was another important factor.

That was his age!

Lan Chang'an was now twenty-three years old, two years older than Li Ergou and three years older than Zhao Siyao.

Zhao Siyao had likely already entered the Qi Refining Fifth Layer by now.

"Qi Refining Third Layer at twenty-three. By ordinary standards, my future potential is limited."

"But I cultivate the Ancient Wood Evergreen Art. During the early stage of Qi Refining, it extends my lifespan by twenty years, granting me a hundred and forty years of life. By the late stage of Qi Refining, my lifespan will reach a full hundred and eighty years."

Perhaps because his cultivation art absorbed the Aura of Time, Lan Chang'an could sense his own lifespan.

Compared to a hundred and eighty years.

At twenty-three, he was still a youthful young man, with a long road ahead.

Pop!

Lan Chang'an raised a finger and formed a Water Mirror. The youth reflected in it had fair skin, handsome and gentle features, and eyes as black as ink.

Dressed in white, he possessed the air of a peerless young noble.

Even the calluses from his former martial training had vanished from his hands.

"Is this the Evergreen Art's youth-preserving effect, or is it because my lifespan has increased?"

Lan Chang'an was almost no different from five years ago. His skin had instead become even more delicate.

He silently circulated the Evergreen Art. A deadwood-like aura filled his entire body, making his innate jade-like quality no longer so conspicuous.

After consolidating his realm and leaving seclusion.

The first thing Lan Chang'an did was sell First-Order Talismans!

Qi Refining Third Layer, First-Order Talisman Master!

At first, the Mu Family members were doubtful.

Not long afterward, under Mu Xiuyun's personal examination, Lan Chang'an successfully crafted a First-Order Fireball Talisman.

Lan Chang'an's identity as a First-Order Talisman Master was officially confirmed.

"That kid... became a First-Order Talisman Master?"

On Moon Heart Island, in a Quiet Chamber, Mu Maode sat cross-legged and stared at the slip of paper in his hand, somewhat caught off guard.

The five-year agreement with Lan Chang'an was about to expire.

Mu Maode had been preparing to exert pressure and make Lan Chang'an marry and have children within the Mu Family.

Who would have thought that Lan Chang'an had now become a Talisman Master, disrupting his plans.

Though Talisman Dao could not compare to alchemy or artifact refinement, it still ranked near the top among the hundred arts of immortal cultivation.

A First-Order Talisman Master in his twenties was rare talent, enough for the Mu Family to extend an olive branch.

Mu Maode felt a headache coming on. How should he arrange Lan Chang'an?