Master and Disciple

After transmigrating, Chen Lin had already been cautious enough in his actions, to the point where he didn't even need to reflect on himself three times a day.

However, the methods of cultivators were too formidable, and his mindset had not yet fully adjusted, which was why he repeatedly suffered setbacks.

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

"Making talismans? What talismans are you talking about?"

She feigned ignorance about the Soul Capturing Talisman, raising an eyebrow and asking with a confused expression, "The esteemed Third Young Master Lu is actually asking my disciple to refine talismans? This truly surprises me. Could it be that there are talismans your Lu Family's Grand Talisman Master Lu Yuanshan cannot make?"

"Speaking of which, if even Grand Talisman Master Lu Yuanshan can't make a talisman, how could my disciple possibly make one? Third Young Master Lu isn't joking, are you!"

Lu Li frowned.

This was indeed difficult for him to explain.

He couldn't possibly say that refining a Soul Capturing Talisman required splitting one's own soul, and that he couldn't possibly invite his uncle, Lu Yuanshan, to do it.

After some thought, he bypassed Ye Jingyun and spoke directly to Chen Lin, "Fellow Daoist Chen, I've come to ask for your help in refining another talisman, just like the last one. You don't need to deny it. If you can refine it for me, just name your price. Although I, Lu Li, am a bit arrogant, I always keep my word. I haven't shortchanged you on the Spirit Stone reward I promised last time!"

When coercion failed, he resorted to enticement.

Chen Lin had to admit that the other party had indeed given him fifty Mid-grade Spirit Stones last time, without holding anything back. He was quite conscientious.

Of course, the other party had also killed that old Talisman Master with a single sword strike, a typical case of "those who obey me prosper, those who defy me perish."

To be honest, he was somewhat tempted.

Refining a Soul Capturing Talisman was nothing to him, especially now that he had a backer and didn't have to worry about being killed.

If the benefits offered were sufficient, refining it once wasn't impossible.

Unfortunately, he couldn't make the decision himself.

Compared to gaining benefits, Ye Jingyun's and Yu Yuehai's opinions of him were more important.

"Everything depends on Master's decision!"

Chen Lin bowed to Ye Jingyun, acting like an obedient disciple.

Since the other party had established their relationship as master and disciple, he naturally had to cooperate.

Ye Jingyun glanced at Chen Lin and said expressionlessly, "As far as I know, the method for refining the Soul Capturing Talisman used by Wang Yuanheng of Duobao Pavilion causes great damage to the soul. If Young Master Lu insists on you refining it, I, as your master, cannot stand by and watch my disciple suffer. It all depends on what irresistible benefits Young Master Lu can offer."

Lu Li's frown deepened.

He had initially thought Chen Lin was a rootless duckweed, someone he could easily manipulate once found. He hadn't expected him to have a connection with this woman.

Everyone in Kaiyuan City knew this woman was not to be trifled with. He didn't want to cause trouble for his family at this time, so he could only bleed heavily.

Moreover, judging by her tone, she didn't seem to want Spirit Stones.

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

One was a jade box, and the other was a dark green Flying Sword.

"Here are two items. One is a Soul Nurturing Pill, which nourishes the soul and can compensate for the soul damage incurred during talisman refinement. The other is this Flying Sword, which I used previously. It's a Mid-grade Magic Tool, and an outstanding one at that. With these two items as payment, do you, Pavilion Master Ye, find it satisfactory?"

Ye Jingyun did not speak. Instead, she looked at Chen Lin. "This is your matter, make your own decision. However, you can rest assured that if you are unwilling, no one can force you."

Hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Lu Li's eyes.

But he didn't lash out. He quietly looked at Chen Lin.

Chen Lin put on a submissive demeanor, while his gaze towards the dark green Flying Sword held a trace of longing, mixed with struggle.

After a long while, he gritted his teeth and said, "Then I will try. However, if I fail to refine it, please do not blame me!"

Upon hearing Chen Lin's agreement, Lu Li's expression finally improved slightly.

He said, "Since you've succeeded once, how could you possibly fail a second time? Moreover, I've brought enough materials. If necessary, you can try a few more times. With this Soul Nurturing Pill, you don't need to worry about soul damage."

With the transaction settled, the tense atmosphere immediately dissipated.

Lu Li was very eager and asked Chen Lin to proceed with the refinement on the spot.

Chen Lin did not refuse.

The three entered Chen Lin's room.

The room was extremely simple. Besides daily necessities, the bronze bell and the iron pot Alchemy Furnace in the corner were quite eye-catching.

Lu Li first glanced at the bronze bell, then his gaze fell on the iron pot Alchemy Furnace. "No wonder Pavilion Master Ye took Fellow Daoist Chen as a disciple. So, Fellow Daoist not only knows how to make talismans but also refine pills."

Chen Lin and Ye Jingyun remained silent.

Lu Li didn't mind.

Just as he was about to speak again, an eerie aura arose. He immediately sneered, "A Qi Refining Mid-stage cultivator in his forties still foolishly dreams of becoming an alchemist? And using a broken iron pot to refine pills, how laughable!"

After speaking, as if completely unaware of his own anomaly, he took out a bulging sack and placed it on the table.

"The materials for making talismans are all here, enough for more than ten attempts. Fellow Daoist Chen, please begin!"

Chen Lin nodded, looked at the contents of the sack, and then hesitated before speaking, "Please, Master and Fellow Daoist Lu, wait outside. Refining this talisman requires the use of the Soul Splitting Secret Technique. I am not yet very proficient in using the secret technique, so I fear distraction might affect the talisman's effectiveness."

This request was reasonable.

When cultivators refine talismans or pills, they most fear being disturbed. Lu Li left without a word.

Ye Jingyun gave Chen Lin a deep look and said, "The Soul Nurturing Pill's effect on nourishing the soul is limited and cannot completely compensate for the damage caused by soul splitting. You should act within your capabilities."

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

Ye Jingyun didn't say anything further and walked out of the room.

Although the two had left, they didn't go far and didn't close the door.

Chen Lin also didn't close the door. Since Lu Li wanted to monitor him, he would let him.

He just didn't want to use the soul-splitting technique for fear of being discovered. This distance was enough.

The scene of his innate ability forcefully succeeding in crafting items was also very subtle. Without being close, one couldn't sense it at all.

After putting away the Talisman Paper and Talisman Ink, and recalling the crafting process twice in his mind, Chen Lin began to draw.

However, as soon as he drew two Talisman Runes, the Talisman Paper emitted a burst of black light and turned into ashes.

Lu Li, outside, twitched the corner of his mouth involuntarily.

Ye Jingyun, on the other hand, was expressionless. A Soul Capturing Talisman wasn't something she needed, so whether it succeeded or failed didn't matter.

The second crafting attempt began.

This time it was much better than the first. The Talisman Runes were drawn halfway before it failed.

Then came the third, fourth, and fifth attempts.

With each successive failure, Lu Li, outside, finally couldn't stand it. During a break Chen Lin took, he said, "Fellow Daoist Lu, you've tried so many times. You should use the soul-splitting secret technique by now. I only have these materials."

Although he couldn't sense from afar whether Chen Lin was using the soul-splitting secret technique, he could infer it from the crafting speed.

Using a secret technique wouldn't allow for such a slow crafting speed.

Moreover, Chen Lin hadn't even used the Soul Nurturing Pill yet. If he split his soul continuously like this, he would have become an idiot long ago.

His materials weren't free either. Wasting them like this truly pained him.

Chen Lin stood up and stretched his body. He took out some more Talisman Paper and arranged it. Then, he nodded at Lu Li.

Next, he sat on the stool, took out the Soul Nurturing Pill, and swallowed it in one gulp!