Beginning the Talisman Dao, Tempering Himself in the Mortal World

He was a boy whom no one could look away from.

He was about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a tall and straight figure like a bamboo stalk. He wore a seemingly simple Green Gwa Robe that was actually adorned with subtle moonlight Hidden Pattern. His raven-black hair was tied up only with a simple Jade Hairpin, with the rest flowing smoothly over his shoulders, which made his face appear even more Qingjue and otherworldly.

The young man lightly flicked his fingertips, and a wisp of Incense and Fire Qi coiled around him like a snake. His eyes flickered slightly. "Someone actually established an incense offering for me in this realm... Is this the work of the Wen Dao Palace?"

This person was none other than Qin Wangchuan.

Although he had suppressed most of his immortal aura and pressure, his Immortal Bone still made his temperament unmatched.

In his left hand he held an old Cloth Banner with the words "Iron Mouth Cuts Straightforward, Spirit Talisman Blesses Peace" written in vigorous and powerful characters, while his right hand casually held a few Yellow Talisman with undried cinnabar between his fingers.

--At this moment, this Divine Son, who should have been revered by thousands in the Ten Directions Immortal Court, was walking slowly down a dusty path like a novice sorcerer.

The roadside was lined with waist-high weeds, and occasionally a few sparrows would flutter up and land on the bare branches of trees in the distance.

Qin Wangchuan wasn't in a hurry to get going; he simply looked around casually.

From time to time, Law Artifact Sword Light would pierce through the clouds, carrying cultivators past with a whoosh.

In the distance, groups of two or three people were walking in the same direction—there were old farmers carrying loads on shoulder poles, women carrying bamboo baskets, and several children laughing and playing.

They were simply dressed, their shoes covered in mud, clearly villagers from the neighborhood.

"It looks like there's a town ahead..."

Qin Wangchuan's lips curled into a faint smile as he followed.

As for why he dressed like this, it wasn't to play dumb to fool others, but rather to gain experience here.

After he became Divine Son, the Old Ancestor called him over and gave him a lecture:

"What kind of crap is that Heavenly Sword technique you've been practicing? It's utterly unbearable to watch!"

"A true Heavenly Sword must endure a million tribulations, slaying everything in the world." Qin Taiyi's withered finger poked his brow. "You haven't even experienced Hundred Tribulations, yet you dare call yourself a 'Ten Myriad Tribulations'?"

"Go and undergo your tribulation!"

"But remember to use an alias, otherwise it won't be fun."

Thinking of this, Qin Wangchuan's handsome brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, a hint of frustration in his expression.

"A million tribulations... can they truly forge the True Intention of the Heavenly Sword?"

He lightly touched the three characters "Qing Wangchuan" on the wooden plaque at his waist with his fingertips, then suddenly shook his head and chuckled.

"Very well, since the Old Ancestor has spoken..."

He casually pulled a Yellow Talisman from his sleeve, and as the cinnabar on his fingertips danced, he began studying the Talisman Dao even while on his journey.

--We must go to the Wen Dao Palace.

--But there's no rush. On the way, one might as well become a Wandering Talisman Cultivator to undergo tribulations.

Talisman Cultivator -- Qing Wangchuan.

"Does this mean we're truly from a poor family now?" Qin Wangchuan wondered, then shook his head.

A mountain breeze rustled the Gwa Banner, and the boy's shadow flickered in the sunlight, as if marking his new identity.

Since arriving in this world Qin Wangchuan has been walking the Immortal Path.

Only with this step can one truly be considered to have entered the Mortal World.

The dusty road gradually widened, and the winding outline of the city wall could be seen in the distance.

Qin Wangchuan casually folded the discarded Talisman Paper into a paper crane and let it drift in the wind toward the stream beside the road.

Looking up, I saw three or five woodcutters carrying loads of firewood merge from the side road into the main road and head towards the distant city wall.

The wooden waist tag clinked softly as the person walked, making a dull thud.

The bluestone city walls are mottled, yet a long queue forms at the city gate.

Qin Wangchuan stood at the end of the line, examining the three faded characters "Qingmu Town" on the city gate with great interest.

"The Blood Evil Sect has been rampant lately."

"Newcomers to the city must pay one High-grade Spirit Stone in exchange for Identity Token."

The old soldier guarding the city was dozing off, calling out lazily.

When he looked up and saw the young man in the divination robe, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine—his clothes weren't particularly luxurious, yet he somehow made people feel that even looking at him for a second would be an offense.

The veteran unconsciously straightened his back, even his voice becoming more respectful. "If this Young Master comes from a prestigious Aristocratic Clan... he can be exempted from payment after his identity is verified at the west gate."

"No need, I am merely a Rogue Cultivator."

A Spirit Stone gently landed in the old soldier's palm, and in return, he received a plaque.

With this token, one can stay in the city for a month.

As Qin Wangchuan passed through the city gate, the Copper Bell on the Cloth Banner jingled, startling several sparrows resting on the city wall.

Recalling the guard's behavior earlier, he secretly pondered, "Perhaps I should change my appearance?"

He then shook his head, dismissing the idea.

Qingmu Town is not large, and cultivators and mortals live together in a relatively peaceful atmosphere.

After entering the town, Qin Wangchuan found an empty spot under Old Scholar Tree at the Town East End, took out Small Stool from his satchel, stuck the Cloth Banner to the side, and that was it, he was open for business.

The banner hung down, revealing the four large characters "Spirit Talisman Blesses Peace" (Lingfu You An, meaning "May the Spirit Bless You"), with a line of smaller characters below:

"Clear Wind Talisman, Dust Removal Talisman, a Fire Talisman —all for just one Spirit Stone."

If it's a trial, then it should look like a trial.

We came across an inn on the way; a night's stay cost five High-grade Spirit Stones.

In other words...

If I don't earn five Spirit Stone today, I'll have to sleep on the streets.

After setting up the formation, he took out a piece of Indigo Coarse Cloth from his sleeve, spread it out, and neatly arranged the three talismans on it:

On the left are the luminous "Clear Wind Talisman" and "Dust Removal Talisman," while on the right lies a lone "Fire Talisman" with clumsy strokes, its patterns occasionally flashing with a faint red light, as if it were about to go out at any moment.

"Tsk..."

Qin Wangchuan stared at the Fire Talisman for a moment, then suddenly rolled up his sleeves, spread out the Talisman Paper, dipped it in cinnabar, and began practicing calligraphy right there on the street.

When the brush moves swiftly, like flowing clouds and water, a "Clear Wind Talisman" is completed in the blink of an eye; but when it comes to the crucial part of drawing Fire Talisman, the brush suddenly stops, and the cinnabar spreads into a red blot on the Yellow Paper —it's ruined.

His movements were very focused, but his writing was sometimes as smooth as a stream and sometimes as hesitant as a blockage, with a success rate of about 50/50.

Completed drawings were placed on the left, while unfinished drawings were not thrown away but stacked on the right for later study.

The eccentric stall owner and even more bizarre "goods" quickly attracted a crowd.

Most of them were curious mortals and minor cultivators.

"Young sir, how much are these talismans?" an older woman carrying a vegetable basket asked curiously.

Qin Wangchuan raised his head, revealing a clean yet slightly aloof smile, "They're all one Spirit Stone."

"The price is fair."

The aunt bought a Dust Removal Talisman and left happily, saying it would save her effort when she went back to clean the house.

Soon, another young cultivator bought the successful Fire Talisman.

Qin Wangchuan accepted the Spirit Stone and continued to work diligently on the Talisman Paper in his hand.

When he Draw Talismans, he exudes a peculiar aura, as if isolated from the noise of the outside world, with all his mind focused on the cinnabar dot at the tip of his brush.

When he succeeds, a faint look of understanding flashes in his eyes; if he fails, he frowns and ponders for a moment before trying again.

However, less than half an hour later, the young cultivator who had bought the Fire Talisman returned in a rage, clutching the talisman in his hand, his face flushed red.

"Hey! Talisman seller! What's wrong with this talisman?! It was supposed to be Fire Talisman, but when I tried to activate it outside the city, it just emitted a little black smoke and was completely useless! Give me my money back!"