Master and disciple

Since transmigrating, Chen Lin had been cautious enough in everything he did, stopping just short of examining himself three times a day.

Unfortunately, cultivators' methods were far too formidable, and his mindset had yet to change completely. That was why he kept suffering setbacks.

Despite Lu Li's aggressive demands, Ye Jingyun remained perfectly composed.

"Talismancrafting? What talisman?"

Feigning ignorance of the Soul-Detaining Talisman, she raised her brows in apparent puzzlement. "The illustrious Third Young Master Lu actually came to ask my disciple to craft a talisman? How very surprising. Could there be a talisman that even Lu Yuanshan, the great Talisman Master of your Lu Lineage, cannot make?"

"Then again, if even the great Talisman Master Lu Yuanshan cannot make it, how could my disciple possibly manage? Surely you must be joking, Third Young Master Lu!"

Lu Li frowned.

That really was difficult to explain.

He could hardly say that crafting a Soul-Detaining Talisman required splitting one's own soul, and that he could not persuade his uncle Lu Yuanshan to do it.

After a moment's thought, he addressed Chen Lin directly, bypassing Ye Jingyun. "Fellow Daoist Chen, I came to ask you to help me craft another talisman like the one last time. There is no need to deny it. As long as you can make it for me, name whatever you want. I, Lu Li, may be somewhat arrogant, but I always keep my word. Last time, I paid every single spirit stone I promised!"

When intimidation failed, he switched to inducements.

Chen Lin had to admit that the man had indeed paid all fifty medium-grade spirit stones last time, without shortchanging him a single one. That was quite fair of him.

Of course, he had also killed that old Talisman Master with a single stroke of his sword-a classic case of "those who obey me prosper, those who defy me perish."

Truth be told, Chen Lin was tempted.

Crafting a Soul-Detaining Talisman was no great difficulty for him, and now that he had someone backing him, he did not have to worry about being killed.

If the reward was generous enough, making one was not out of the question.

Unfortunately, he could not decide for himself.

Compared with gaining a reward, what Ye Jingyun and Yu Yuehai thought of him mattered much more.

"I leave everything to my master!"

Chen Lin bowed to Ye Jingyun, looking every inch the obedient disciple.

Since she had defined their relationship as master and disciple, he naturally had to play along.

Ye Jingyun glanced at Chen Lin and said expressionlessly, "As far as I know, Wang Yuanheng of the Multitreasure Pavilion's method for crafting Soul-Detaining Talismans causes considerable damage to the divine soul. If Young Master Lu insists on having you make one, then as your master, I cannot stand by and watch my disciple suffer a loss. It depends on whether Young Master Lu can offer a reward impossible to refuse."

Lu Li's frown deepened.

He had thought Chen Lin was nothing but a piece of rootless duckweed, someone he could manipulate at will once he found him. He had never expected him to have a connection with this woman.

Everyone in Kaiyuan City knew this woman was not to be trifled with. He did not want to cause trouble for his lineage at a time like this, so he could only resign himself to bleeding heavily.

And judging by her tone, spirit stones did not seem to be what she wanted.

After some thought, he reached into his Storage Bag and took out two items.

One was a Jade Box, and the other a dark green Flying Sword.

"Here are two items. One is a Soul-Nourishing Pill, which nourishes the divine soul and can compensate for the damage caused by crafting this talisman. This Flying Sword is one I used previously. It is a Mid-Grade Magical Tool, and an outstanding one at that. Would these two items be satisfactory payment, Pavilion Master Ye?"

Ye Jingyun did not answer. Instead, she looked at Chen Lin. "This is your affair, so decide for yourself. But rest assured, if you are unwilling, no one can force you."

At those words, a cold gleam flashed through Lu Li's eyes.

He did not lash out, however, merely watching Chen Lin in silence.

Chen Lin put on a timid, hesitant air, while allowing a trace of covetousness and inner struggle to show in his gaze as he looked at the dark green Flying Sword.

Only after a long while did he grit his teeth and say, "Then I will give it a try. But if I cannot make it, you must not blame me!"

Once Chen Lin agreed, Lu Li's expression finally eased somewhat.

"Since you already succeeded once, how could you fail the second time?" he said. "Besides, I brought plenty of materials. If it does not work, you can try a few more times. With this Soul-Nourishing Pill, there is no need to worry about damage to your divine soul."

With the deal settled, the atmosphere of drawn swords and strung bows vanished at once.

Lu Li was in a great hurry and demanded that Chen Lin begin crafting immediately.

Chen Lin did not refuse.

The three of them entered Chen Lin's room.

The room was extremely bare. Apart from everyday necessities, only the Bronze Bell and the Iron Cauldron Pill Cauldron in the corner caught the eye.

Lu Li first glanced at the Bronze Bell, then let his gaze settle on the Iron Cauldron Pill Cauldron. "No wonder Pavilion Master Ye took Fellow Daoist Chen as her disciple. So you can not only craft talismans, but refine pills as well."

Neither Chen Lin nor Ye Jingyun spoke.

Lu Li did not mind.

Just as he was about to continue, a demonic aura rose from him. He immediately shot Chen Lin a sidelong look and sneered. "Over forty and only in the mid Qi Refinement realm, yet you still dream of becoming an Alchemist? And you refine pills with a battered iron pot? What a joke!"

After saying that, he seemed utterly unaware of his own abnormal behavior. He took out a bulging sack and placed it on the table.

"All the talisman materials are here, enough for more than ten attempts. Please begin, Fellow Daoist Chen!"

Chen Lin nodded, opened the sack, and inspected its contents. Then, after a brief hesitation, he said, "Master, Fellow Daoist Lu, please wait outside. Crafting this talisman requires the Soul-Splitting Secret Art, and I am not yet very proficient in using it. I would not want distractions to affect the result."

The request was entirely reasonable.

Whether crafting talismans or refining pills, cultivators feared interruptions above all else. Lu Li walked out without another word.

Ye Jingyun gave Chen Lin a long, searching look. "The Soul-Nourishing Pill's effects are limited. It cannot fully compensate for the damage caused by splitting your soul. Do not push beyond your limits."

A trace of gratitude appeared on Chen Lin's face. "Thank you for the reminder, Master. I will be careful."

Ye Jingyun said nothing more and left the room.

Although the two had gone outside, they did not go far, nor did they close the door.

Chen Lin did not close it either. Since Lu Li wanted to keep watch, he would let him.

He simply did not want to use the soul-splitting technique and risk having Lu Li discover that. This distance was enough.

The signs of his talent ability forcing an item's successful completion were also very subtle. Unless someone was close by, they would not sense anything at all.

After laying out the talisman paper and talisman ink and reviewing the crafting process twice in his mind, Chen Lin began moving his brush.

But he had only drawn two talisman patterns when the talisman paper gave off a burst of black light and turned to ash.

Outside, the corner of Lu Li's mouth twitched involuntarily.

Ye Jingyun remained expressionless. She was not the one who needed the Soul-Detaining Talisman, so its success or failure meant nothing to her.

The second attempt began.

This one went considerably better than the first. He completed a full half of the talisman patterns before it failed.

Then came the third attempt, the fourth, and the fifth.

As the failures piled up, Lu Li finally could not bear it any longer. Taking advantage of a pause while Chen Lin rested, he said, "Fellow Daoist Lu, after so many trials, surely it is time to use the Soul-Splitting Secret Technique? These are all the materials I have."

Although he was too far away to sense whether Chen Lin had used the Soul-Splitting Secret Technique, he could infer it from the speed of his work.

He could not possibly craft so quickly while using the secret art.

Besides, Chen Lin had not yet taken the Soul-Nourishing Pill. If he had been splitting his soul repeatedly like this, he would have become an idiot long ago.

His materials had not blown in on the wind, either. Watching them being squandered like this truly pained him.

Chen Lin stood and stretched, took out some more talisman paper and arranged it, then nodded to Lu Li.

Then he sat down on the stool, took out the Soul-Nourishing Pill, and swallowed it in one gulp!