Gathering

Of course, Zhou Er wouldn't be bound by the Fireball Talisman; his main focus remained on cultivation and researching spells.

After taking a Spirit Gathering Pill, Zhou Er began circulating the Qi Gathering Technique to cultivate.

[Spirit Gathering (White): Automatically accumulates spiritual energy, increasing cultivation speed by 20%.]

[Solidification Condition: Consume 100 Fine-grade Spirit Gathering Pills. (37/100)]

Over the past half-year, Zhou Er had consumed thirty-seven Spirit Gathering Pills bit by bit.

Only sixty-three more were needed to completely solidify the Spirit Gathering attribute.

For the next few days, Zhou Er cultivated as usual, with nothing major happening.

Five days later, Zhou Er arrived at the Fu Family Mountain Villa as scheduled.

This Fu Family mountain villa was outside the sect, and it was a bit far.

Zhou Er, not yet having reached Late-stage Qi Refining, couldn't fly on his sword and could only use the Godly Travel Technique to get there.

Upon arriving at the villa, Zhou Er wiped the sweat from his brow and handed his invitation to a Fu Family servant.

"Immortal Master Zhou, please follow me."

After examining the invitation, the Fu Family servant led Zhou Er to the gathering location.

The place for the gathering was already well-prepared, and everyone's seats were arranged.

Zhou Er had expected to be seated at the back, but to his surprise, he was assigned a relatively forward position.

He had also arrived quite early; only half the people were seated.

Beside Zhou Er was a Foundation Establishment Uncle-Master.

In the Cultivation World, respect for seniority was paramount; being a major realm higher automatically elevated one's generation.

Zhou Er knew this person was an Uncle-Master by his attire; wearing a Black Dao Robe was a symbol of Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Xiayun Sect.

"Uncle-Master!"

Zhou Er stepped forward to greet him.

"Zhou Er, sit down! I specifically suggested to Fu Donglai that you sit beside me so we can chat."

This Foundation Establishment Uncle-Master, who looked like a youth, said with a smile.

"Uncle-Master actually knows me?"

Zhou Er sat down cross-legged and looked at the Uncle-Master.

"My name is Xia Songting."

The young Foundation Establishment cultivator introduced himself.

Hearing Xia Songting's name, Zhou Er finally realized who this person was.

He was the Foundation Establishment Elder who truly managed the Outer Sect's Wutong District, the backer behind Zhu Shunyang.

Zhu Shunyang had been working for him all along.

It was just that Xia Songting was in seclusion year-round and did not easily meet people.

The reason he recognized him was likely because Zhu Shunyang had informed him.

"Uncle-Master Xia!"

Zhou Er said quickly.

"We are both from Wutong District, no need for formalities."

Xia Songting waved his hand and said.

After a few pleasantries, Xia Songting asked:

"Junior Nephew Zhou, do you have any questions about talisman crafting? You can ask me anything."

Zhou Er had Rune Mastery, so he had no questions about First-grade Talismans. However, he was a bit confused about the Immobilization Technique.

"Uncle-Master Xia, I have few doubts about talisman crafting. I've recently been practicing a Spell, the Immobilization Technique, and still have many questions. I wonder if Uncle-Master knows this Spell."

Zhou Er looked at Xia Songting and asked.

Xia Songting was a Second-tier Talisman Master. He knew most First-grade Talismans and had researched the Immobilization Technique in his youth, so he had a lot of experience with it.

Xia Songting didn't speak. His mouth and hands moved a few times.

The next moment, Zhou Er couldn't move at all, not even his eyeballs could turn.

After simply immobilizing Zhou Er for five breaths, Xia Songting immediately performed the incantation to release the Immobilization Technique.

"Junior Nephew, what do you think of my Immobilization Technique?"

After releasing the Immobilization Technique, Xia Songting asked with a smile.

"Uncle-Master's magic power is superb. Junior Nephew is amazed."

Zhou Er cupped his hands in admiration.

"It's just bullying you kids."

Xia Songting waved his hand and said humbly.

Afterward, he began to answer Zhou Er's questions, and Zhou Er listened attentively.

Zhou Er had been studying the Immobilization Technique in his free time these days, and now that Xia Songting taught him, it was like a sudden enlightenment, and he grasped the last bit of understanding.

Xia Songting saw that Zhou Er had benefited greatly and was eager to try casting the Immobilization Technique, so he said:

"Nephew, do you want to try it on me?"

"I wouldn't dare presume."

Hearing Xia Songting's words, Zhou Er said nervously.

In the Cultivation World, there are strict hierarchies, and casting a Spell on a senior is considered great disrespect.

"It's a small matter, I won't mind. Besides, I also want to test if you were listening attentively just now and see if I was truly of some help to you."

Xia Songting waved his hand and said with a smile.

Seeing Xia Songting's persistence, Zhou Er could only say:

If you find this book good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.

"Nephew has offended you, I hope Uncle will forgive me."

However, it was Zhou Er's first time casting a Spell on a Foundation Establishment senior, and he felt a little excited.

Then, Zhou Er began to construct the Immobilization Technique, chanting the incantation and forming the hand seals.

"Immobilize!"

After finishing the casting, Zhou Er whispered, but he could feel that this time it seemed to have been successful.

Xia Songting felt his little finger lose control and immediately circulated his spiritual energy to resist, breaking Zhou Er's Immobilization Technique in a few moves.

"Junior Nephew Zhou has very high comprehension."

Xia Songting said with a smile.

"It's because Uncle taught well."

Zhou Er said.

Afterward, the two chatted for a while about the Immobilization Technique and the matter of making it into a Talisman, as well as the difficulties involved.

More people gradually arrived, and many Talisman Masters who didn't often meet also exchanged pleasantries about their current situations.

Zhu Shunyang also arrived and sat on Zhou Er's other side.

"Shunyang."

"Senior Brother Zhu!"

Xia Songting and Zhou Er said one after another.

"Uncle-Master and Junior Brother Zhou, please chat freely. Don't mind me."

Zhu Shunyang did not disturb the two, and sat to the side.

The Talisman Masters at the table chatted for a while. The host of this gathering, Fu Donglai, arrived late and took the main seat.

Fu Donglai was the current head of the Fu family, with a cultivation of Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

"Everyone, it's been another year."

Fu Donglai looked at everyone and said.

"Another year older."

Xia Songting replied with a smile, and the other Foundation Establishment Talisman Masters followed suit.

As for the Qi Refining Talisman Masters, they dared not speak much, only occasionally chuckling to show their response.

"This year, we have a new member joining us. Let's welcome Junior Brother Zhou Er to become a member of our Xiayun Sect Talisman Masters."

Fu Donglai turned his gaze to Zhou Er, and everyone else immediately applauded.

Zhou Er quickly stood up and cupped his fists towards everyone, saying:

"It is my honor to meet all of you, Uncle-Masters and Senior Brothers."

After introducing Zhou Er, Fu Donglai let Zhou Er sit down, then ordered the servants to serve the dishes, and the banquet began.

Subsequently, the servants presented the Spirit Meals.

With delicious food, Zhou Er immediately felt that coming here this time was not a complete loss.

Of course, there was not only delicious food.

Fu Donglai had also prepared many performances. The first to appear were dancers.

These dancers were female cultivators at the Qi Refining Middle Stage, all with celestial beauty and graceful figures. When they danced, their sleeves fluttered like rosy clouds surrounding them, each with her own unique charm.

Although Zhou Er was greatly impressed, his Taotie Heart made him more concerned about what the next dish would be.

The Talisman Masters ate and drank, watched the beautiful female cultivators perform, and the gathering ended in joy.

The gathering itself was meant for Talisman Masters who hadn't seen each other for a long time to get together and strengthen their bonds, serving as an annual pastime.

After all, they were busy with cultivation and talisman making every year and didn't have time for these things.

Of course, Zhou Er gained a lot this time.

First, he completely mastered the Immobilization Technique, made some Talisman Master friends, and ate many Spirit Meals for free.

A triple win, he was ecstatic.

"Nephew Zhou, you don't have a flying artifact. I'll give you a ride."

After leaving the Fu Family Manor, Xia Songting said to Zhou Er.

"No need to trouble you, Uncle-Master. I can use the Godly Travel Technique to get back myself."

Zhou Er declined.

"My Cave Mansion is near the Wutong District, it's on the way."

Xia Songting didn't give Zhou Er a chance to refuse, he summoned his Green Leaf Flying Boat and extended his hand to him.

Seeing this, Zhou Er boarded Xia Songting's flying boat and quickly returned to his Courtyard, bidding him farewell.

What would have taken Zhou Er over an hour to travel took less than a quarter of an hour by Xia Songting's flying boat, making Zhou Er also want to buy a transportation artifact.

However, the price of artifacts, which easily cost hundreds of Spirit Stones, was a bit discouraging for Zhou Er at the moment.

After expenses, he had only saved fifty-eight Spirit Stones in the past few months, which was not enough.

Life was hard, and he could only save slowly.

It was the same for ordinary people; Spirit Stones were never enough.

Not only flying artifacts, but Zhou Er also didn't have any storage tools yet.

The reason was simple: the cheapest Storage Bag, with a storage space of half a cubic meter, cost one hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones.

In short, these storage tools were all very expensive.

Honestly, Zhou Er also wanted to see if a Storage Bag could be equipped in an Equipment Slot and what Attributes it would have.

However, he still needed to master the crafting of the Immobilization Talisman. Once he mastered it and solidified the Rune Mastery Attribute, he would go to the Wanbao Pavilion to look at Storage Bags.

The Wanbao Pavilion was a commercial building opened by a neutral force called the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce, commonly found in major sects.

It contained all sorts of things, like a general store, but the prices of items were generally not low, and they were very exquisite. It was a place where one could buy other things besides the Outer Sect Market.

For Outer Sect Disciples, the Wanbao Pavilion was the first choice for purchasing artifacts.