Han Changming strolled around with Han Changjiong. Whenever he saw something he didn't understand, he asked Han Changjiong, who patiently explained it all. Han Changming learned a great deal.
An hour later, Han Changming and Han Changjiong returned to the Spirit Talisman Pavilion.
Han Changjiong pushed open the door to a guest room on the second floor. The room was simply furnished, with a wooden bed, a wooden table, and several chairs. Countless red runes shimmered faintly across the floor and walls.
"Ninth Brother, this is your room. From now on, you'll make talismans here. Remember to activate the Soundproofing Array when you're making them, so outsiders won't disturb you. The walls and floor are inscribed with Fireproof Runes, so you can refine talismans without worrying." Han Changjiong gestured toward the room.
"Got it, Seventh Brother."
Han Changjiong gave him a few more instructions, then turned and left.
After seeing Han Changjiong off, Han Changming sat cross-legged on the bed.
Recalling everything he had seen and heard that day, Han Changming sighed. "Kuixing Market really is as prosperous as Grandfather said. I wonder how he's doing now."
Early the next morning, after breakfast, Han Dehai assigned tasks to Han Changjiong and Han Changming.
Each month, they had to use forty bundles of Blank Talisman Paper. Han Changjiong was to make one hundred middle-grade, first-rank talismans per month, Han Changming one hundred and fifty low-grade, first-rank talismans, and Han Dehai seventy high-grade, first-rank talismans.
The higher a talisman's grade, the more magical power it consumed and the harder it was to make.
"The Spirit Talisman Pavilion is a newly opened shop, so we have to run it well. You need to work hard at making talismans, but you can't let it interfere with your cultivation. I suggest you finish your tasks first, then go cultivate. That way, you'll make the best use of your time. If there's anything you don't understand, ask me," Han Dehai said earnestly.
"Yes, Thirteenth Uncle," Han Changjiong and Han Changming replied in unison.
After a few more words of advice, Han Dehai sent them back to their rooms to make talismans.
The more talismans Han Changming made, and the higher their grade, the more contribution points he would earn.
If he completed his task, he would receive one hundred contribution points and a stipend of twenty spirit stones each month. In the past, Han Changming wouldn't even have dared to dream of such a thing.
His life was getting better and better, and Han Changming had to work even harder to make sure it kept improving.
Han Dehai gave him forty bundles of Blank Talisman Paper and five boxes of Cinnabar. Usually, one box of Cinnabar was enough for ten bundles of Blank Talisman Paper. Cinnabar was expensive: one box of first-rank Cinnabar cost ten spirit stones. It was refined from several materials, with the blood essence of demonic beasts as its main ingredient.
With the Spirit Gathering Stone, Han Changming could use up five bundles of Blank Talisman Paper in a day if he didn't take a break. Of course, that was when he was making low-grade, first-rank talismans. Higher-grade talismans took longer to make.
Han Changming activated the Soundproofing Array in his room and sat quietly for a quarter of an hour, bringing himself into peak condition before he began making talismans.
He placed a sheet of Blank Talisman Paper on the wooden table, dipped the Talisman Brush in Cinnabar, and lowered it toward the paper.
Before long, a blue rune appeared on the paper, followed by a second, then a third...
The day passed in the blink of an eye.
Han Changming gazed at the stack of Water Shield Talismans on the table. A satisfied smile appeared on his pale face.
He had used five and a half bundles of Blank Talisman Paper that day and made twenty Water Shield Talismans. More than half a box of Cinnabar was gone.
At this rate, he could finish his task in less than ten days, leaving the remaining twenty days for cultivation.
Han Changming put away the talismans he had made, took out the Spirit Gathering Stone, and sat cross-legged on the bed, slowly recovering his magical power.
The night passed quickly.
The next morning, over breakfast, Han Dehai asked Han Changjiong and Han Changming how they were progressing.
Han Changjiong had made six Earth Wall Talismans. Han Changming lied and said he had made eleven Water Shield Talismans.
Without help from the Spirit Gathering Stone, he could only make eleven Water Shield Talismans a day. He spent too much time meditating to recover his magical power.
"Changming, you made eleven Water Shield Talismans? Take care of yourself. Don't push too hard," Han Dehai said with concern.
"I understand, Thirteenth Uncle."
Han Changjiong stuffed a steamed bun into his mouth and said somewhat indistinctly, "Thirteenth Uncle, I think we should reduce Ninth Brother's workload. One hundred and twenty would be enough. I can make the other thirty for him. My success rate with low-grade, first-rank talismans is forty percent, so I can make thirty in no time."
Han Dehai pondered for a moment, then looked at Han Changming. "Changming, just make one hundred and twenty low-grade, first-rank talismans each month. I'll make the remaining thirty. Don't push yourself too hard and let it affect your cultivation. The downside is that you'll earn fewer contribution points and spirit stones each month. Once your success rate improves, you can gradually increase the number of talismans you make."
The Spirit Talisman Pavilion had only just opened, and Han Dehai wanted to run it well. He thought Han Changming was pushing himself to finish his task, so he had decided to lighten Han Changming's workload.
"All right. Thank you, Thirteenth Uncle, and Seventh Brother," Han Changming replied, accepting their offer.
He knew Han Dehai and Han Changjiong cared about him. But the Spirit Gathering Stone was a secret, so he didn't tell them the truth.
Han Dehai and Han Changjiong's kindness made Han Changming feel the warmth of his Lineage. It really was different when they shared the same blood. A cultivation sect might not have treated him so well.
After breakfast, Han Changming and Han Changjiong returned to their rooms to make talismans.
Han Changming took out his Talisman Brush, Blank Talisman Paper, and Cinnabar, then began making talismans.
Before long, a red rune appeared on the paper, followed by a second, then a third...
Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
Han Changming sat cross-legged on the wooden bed, his eyes closed. His breathing had settled into a steady rhythm.
A layer of yellow radiance clung to his body. As he breathed in and out, it grew brighter and brighter.
After a while, the yellow radiance around Han Changming faded, and he opened his eyes.
He could feel that his aura had grown considerably stronger. Using the Heavenly Eye Technique to observe his dantian, he saw a yellow vortex.
Han Changming got out of bed, stretched, and opened the door.
Han Dehai and Han Changjiong were having breakfast. Han Changjiong held a large steamed bun in each hand and wolfed them down.
"Good morning, Thirteenth Uncle, Seventh Brother." Han Changming greeted them, then sat down to eat.
"Changming, here's your stipend for this month. Thirteenth Uncle didn't misjudge you. You're turning in more and more low-grade, first-rank talismans each month, and your success rate with middle-grade, first-rank talismans is nearly thirty percent." Han Dehai praised him as he took out a cloth pouch and handed it to Han Changming.
"It's all thanks to Thirteenth Uncle and Seventh Brother's patient guidance. Otherwise, I wouldn't have improved so quickly," Han Changming said modestly.
Han Changjiong grinned. "I like the sound of that, Ninth Brother. The Hundred Beasts Palace is holding a beast fight today. Want to go see the excitement? Staying cooped up in your room all day, either making talismans or cultivating, is no fun at all. Let's watch the beast fight, then get ourselves a good meal and treat our taste buds. I'm sick of porridge and steamed buns every day."
Before you continue