Han Zhangzhong (Seeking Favorites and Investment)

"Great-granduncle's instruction is correct; this grandson will keep it in mind." Han Changming agreed honestly.

Han Deling smiled slightly and said, "Uncle Zhangkang, Changming was very brave this time. He protected the clan's assets and even killed an evil cultivator. Most importantly, his success rate in crafting first-level talismans is already approaching thirty percent, so I brought him back to learn the art of talisman-making from Uncle Zhangzhong."

"Already approaching thirty percent?" A look of approval appeared on Han Zhangkang's face, and he said happily, "This is a good thing. He should be transferred back. Our Han Clan has been established for nearly a thousand years, yet the art of talisman-making has always been our weakness. When Changming grabbed a talisman brush during his first-year 'grasping' ceremony, I knew he would develop into a talisman master. For protecting clan assets and slaying a Qi Refining evil cultivator, according to clan rules, you are rewarded with one hundred contribution points. Take out your identity token!"

If a clan wishes to inherit and develop, it must be clear in its rewards and punishments.

Han Changming's face lit up with joy. One hundred contribution points were quite significant; one must know that during his three years stationed at HLD, he only earned thirty contribution points, and a Foundation Establishment Pill required twenty thousand.

Contribution points can be exchanged for cultivation resources and can be passed from father to son, and son to grandson. It is precisely because of these points that the descendants of the Han Clan have a strong sense of belonging. Most of the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Han Clan rely on contribution points accumulated by their direct relatives to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills, taking them to advance to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

The ancestors plant the trees, and the descendants enjoy the shade. If nothing unexpected happens, Han Changming will also rely on the contribution points accumulated by Han Daohe to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Han Daohe is already advanced in years, yet he still travels everywhere, all to accumulate more contribution points to help Han Changming exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Han Changming took out his identity token, and Han Zhangkang transferred one hundred contribution points to him, recording the merit Han Changming had earned.

"Changming, go back and rest first. Go find Great-granduncle Zhangzhong tomorrow. If you can pass the talisman master assessment, you won't be sent out to guard the islands anymore."

Han Changming agreed repeatedly and turned to leave.

He summoned his Green Wind Gourd and flew toward his residence.

A quarter of an hour later, he landed outside a narrow valley.

On both sides of the valley were steep cliffs. Inside the valley sat a courtyard covering five mu of land. The layout of the courtyard was relatively simple: on the left was a three-story green bamboo building, next to which was a spirit well. The rest of the space consisted of spirit fields, where a large patch of green spirit grass was planted, each stalk having seven leaves.

The green spirit grass was Seven-Leaf Grass; five-year-old Seven-Leaf Grass is the raw material for crafting first-level low-grade talisman paper.

This was the residence of Han Daohe and his grandson. Truth be told, their ability to live here had a lot to do with Han Changming's eldest uncle, Han Deyu.

Han Deyu was thirty years old and had not yet married, single-mindedly pursuing the Dao of immortality. While escorting goods, he died at the hands of a demonic beast to protect the clan's assets, so the clan gave this residence to Han Daohe. Later, when Han Changming was detected to have spirit roots, he came to live here as well.

When the Han Clan first migrated to HLD, the reclaimed spirit fields were clan property and were cared for by designated personnel. However, the harvest was not particularly high, and the clansmen did not have much enthusiasm. Later, the clan leader issued a series of measures, designating most of the spirit fields as clan property while leasing a small portion to meritorious clansmen for cultivation, which greatly mobilized the enthusiasm of the clansmen and strengthened the cohesion of the clan.

Of course, it was not permanent; it was only for twenty years. Within those twenty years, if Han Daohe or Han Changming did not earn new merits, the clan would reclaim the residence and award it to other meritorious clansmen to incentivize them to contribute to the clan.

Han Daohe followed the clan's merchant caravans to travel around, and Han Changming was stationed on the islands, so the nearly five mu of Seven-Leaf Grass were looked after by Han Changming's cousin, Han Changxin.

Han Changming used his identity token to open the restriction and walked inside.

He strolled along the pebble-paved path through the spirit fields.

The Seven-Leaf Grass was growing very well; it was clear that Han Changxin had put in a lot of effort. Han Changming was not surprised, as Han Changxin was a first-level mid-grade spirit planter, and looking after a few mu of Seven-Leaf Grass was an easy task for her.

After confirming that there were no issues with the Seven-Leaf Grass, Han Changming walked toward the bamboo building.

After eating a little, he took out a Spirit Gathering Stone and placed it beside him, letting it slowly absorb spirit energy.

Han Changming took out a white porcelain bottle, poured out a green pill, and swallowed it.

This was a first-level pill, the Qi Refining Pill, taken by cultivators below the sixth level of Qi Refining.

The pill melted upon contact with his tongue, transforming into a massive surge of spirit energy.

He hurriedly circulated his cultivation technique to refine this energy, guiding it toward his dantian and slowly converting it into mana.

Early the next morning, Han Changming arrived at the entrance of a somewhat secluded courtyard.

He took out a sound-transmission talisman, spoke a few words, and threw it into the courtyard.

Not long after, the courtyard gate slowly opened, and a spirited old man in white robes walked out.

"Grandson Han Changming pays his respects to Great-granduncle. How have you been lately, Great-granduncle?" Han Changming asked with a sincere smile and a look of concern.

The white-robed old man was named Han Zhangzhong, an eighth-level Qi Refining cultivator and a first-level high-grade talisman master; he was the clansman with the highest level of talisman-making skill in the Han Clan.

Han Zhangzhong had been hurt by love in his early years and never married. He was obsessed with the art of talisman-making and treated all the younger generation of the Han Clan as his own children.

Han Changming had followed Han Zhangzhong to learn the art of talisman-making in his childhood. When he participated in the assessment, his cultivation was too low and his talisman-making skills were not high enough, so he was not selected. If he had been selected, the expenses for learning talisman-making would have been covered by the clan. However, it was not too late; through his own study, his talisman-making level was already approaching thirty percent. As long as he practiced for a while longer, he would certainly be able to become a first-level low-grade talisman master.

A hint of kindness appeared on Han Zhangzhong's face as he said, "I am very well. I heard from the twenty-fifth brother that your success rate in crafting first-level talismans is approaching thirty percent?"

"That is correct. Thanks to Grandfather providing a large amount of talisman paper for this grandson to practice with, and the Cloud Talisman Scripture compiled by Great-granduncle, I am confident that I will become a first-level low-grade talisman master before long," Han Changming said confidently.

He was not boasting; as long as there was plenty of blank talisman paper for him to practice with, it was only a matter of time before he became a first-level low-grade talisman master.

"Not bad. It seems you didn't slack off while stationed on the island. Come in! I will guide you in the art of talisman-making. I hope it will help you become a first-level low-grade talisman master quickly. I am old, and the future of the clan depends on you younger generation." As Han Zhangzhong spoke, he walked into the courtyard.

Han Changming hurriedly followed. On the left side of the courtyard was a large patch of spirit fields planted with a large amount of Seven-Leaf Grass, and on the right were two mu of fish ponds. Some silver-colored spirit fish were swimming around in the ponds, their scales reflecting flashes of silver light under the sunlight.

These were Silver Scale Fish. The meat of this spirit fish is delicious, and the fish skin can be used to craft first-level blank talisman paper. However, the Silver Scale Fish have a huge appetite; Han Changming wanted to raise some, but he could not afford to.

Han Changming followed Han Zhangzhong to a stone pavilion, where Han Zhangzhong said, "Craft your talismans here. Let me see how much your talisman-making level has improved."

Han Changming agreed repeatedly, took out his talisman paper, talisman brush, and cinnabar, and began crafting on the spot.

By evening, the setting sun slowly descended.

Han Changming walked out of the courtyard with a broad smile on his face, and Han Zhangzhong followed him out, his face full of kindness.

"Go back and practice well; do not slack off."

"Yes, Great-granduncle. This grandson will take his leave; please stay, Great-granduncle."

Han Changming agreed, summoned his Green Wind Gourd, and flew toward his residence.