Fire Cloud Sect

A quarter of an hour later, more than twenty Qi Refining cultivators had gathered on the third floor. Most were disciples from cultivation clans, though there were a few rogue cultivators among them.

This was hardly strange; without the support of significant financial resources, one could not learn talisman making. Most rogue cultivators made a living by hunting demonic beasts, so it was not unusual for an individual to possess a specialized skill.

"Fellow Daoist Mu, has everyone arrived?" Ye Yufeng asked, urging him to begin.

Mu Yunxiao smiled slightly and said, "Please wait a moment, Fairy Ye. There is one more fellow daoist coming, and his level of talisman making is no lower than my own."

Hearing this, the cultivators present were all quite curious.

Not long after, a fair-skinned young man in a green robe walked up. His clothing bore the emblem of a red fire cloud, and he possessed the cultivation of the ninth level of Qi Refining.

A flash of surprise crossed Han Changming's eyes; this was the mark of the Fire Cloud Sect.

The Fire Cloud Sect had been passed down for a thousand years, yet they had no Golden Core cultivators; their highest cultivation level was merely Foundation Establishment.

It was said that the Fire Cloud Sect was backed by a major power. Although they lacked Golden Core cultivators, the overall strength of the Fire Cloud Sect was stronger than any cultivation clan in the Red Algae Sea. How could one sleep soundly beside another's bed? If not for the backing of a major power, the four great forces of the Red Algae Sea would never have tolerated the existence of the Fire Cloud Sect.

Competition naturally existed between cultivation sects. If a Golden Core cultivator were to appear in the Fire Cloud Sect, the situation in the Red Algae Sea would undergo a massive shift.

"Fellow Daoist Mu, my apologies for being late." The green-robed youth cupped his hands toward Mu Yunxiao, his tone carrying a hint of apology.

Mu Yunxiao laughed heartily and said, "Fellow Daoist Yang, you are too modest. Let me introduce you all: this is Fellow Daoist Yang Yi of the Fire Cloud Sect. Fellow Daoist Yang is a first-tier high-grade talisman master and one of the Four Heroes of Fire Cloud."

Any cultivator with a title was a key protégé of their respective faction. Clearly, Yang Yi was a key protégé of the Fire Cloud Sect.

"Yang Yi greets you all, fellow daoists." Yang Yi cupped his hands toward the cultivators and spoke politely, giving off a refreshing and approachable air.

The cultivators did not dare to be negligent, returning the salute one after another and stating their backgrounds.

"Alright, now that everyone is here, let us begin exchanging our insights on talisman making! As the initiator, I shall go first. I have recently been crafting the Chain Fireball Talisman, but the success rate is not very high. While crafting..."

Han Changming had only just begun to touch upon the crafting of first-tier mid-grade talismans and had not yet attempted first-tier high-grade ones. He was attending this talisman master exchange primarily to broaden his horizons.

"I have also been crafting the Chain Fireball Talisman recently, and my success rate is not very high either. The problems I encounter are much like yours, Fellow Daoist Mu," Ye Yufeng chimed in.

The Chain Fireball Talisman was a first-tier high-grade talisman with considerable power, and its crafting difficulty was relatively high among talismans of its grade.

Yang Yi smiled faintly, pondered for a moment, and said, "I have crafted the Chain Fireball Talisman before. The most difficult part is the finishing stage. When finishing, one must be fast, steady, and accurate, completing it in one go. Furthermore, the talisman tools also affect the success rate. As everyone knows, there are three talisman tools: the talisman brush, talisman paper, and cinnabar. As for the brush, one can buy a good one by spending more spirit stones. However, for the paper and cinnabar, it is best to craft these materials yourself. There are many formulas for them, though they are mostly similar. It is better to frequently use the same formula for your paper and cinnabar. The talisman paper I use is all produced by our own Fire Cloud Sect."

"Hearing your words, Fellow Daoist Yang, is like a sudden enlightenment. Could we trouble you to craft a few Chain Fireball Talismans yourself so we may observe?" Mu Yunxiao asked sincerely.

Words were not proof; no matter how well one spoke, it was not as good as witnessing the crafting of the Chain Fireball Talisman on the spot.

"Indeed! Fellow Daoist Yang, please craft a few. I would like to observe how you handle the finishing stage," Ye Yufeng added, her beautiful eyes filled with anticipation.

Yang Yi smiled slightly and said, "Since both of you have asked, I shall make a fool of myself."

He took out his talisman tools and began to craft the talisman in front of everyone.

Everyone held their breath, not daring to even breathe loudly for fear of disturbing his work.

Mu Yunxiao and Ye Yufeng watched from the side with solemn expressions.

Han Changjiong also walked to Yang Yi's side to watch him work.

Under the gaze of dozens of eyes, Yang Yi began to craft the Chain Fireball Talisman.

Soon, the first fire-attribute rune appeared on the paper, followed by the second, the third...

A quarter of an hour later, Yang Yi set down his brush. A talisman shimmering with red light lay on the wooden table, emitting a faint fluctuation of fire spirit energy.

Han Changming nodded inwardly. Yang Yi's level of talisman making was indeed very high; the process could be described as smooth and flowing, without the slightest hesitation.

Yang Yi crafted five in total, succeeding three times—a very high success rate.

"So that is how it is. Fellow Daoist Yang, thank you for your guidance." Mu Yunxiao suddenly slapped his forehead, a look of sudden realization appearing on his face as he expressed his thanks.

"Fellow Daoist Yang is truly a brilliant talent of the Fire Cloud Sect. I am impressed."

Han Changjiong rolled his eyes, pointed at the talisman paper and cinnabar, and asked, "Fellow Daoist Yang, did you craft this cinnabar yourself? It seems better than what is available on the market."

"Yes, I crafted the cinnabar myself. I added water from a second-tier spirit well, which can increase the success rate of talisman making," Yang Yi admitted with a nod, a hint of pride appearing in his eyes.

Water from a second-tier spirit well was usually used to irrigate spirit herbs. As one of the Four Heroes of Fire Cloud, it was no problem for him to obtain some.

A look of envy appeared on Han Changming's face. The Han Clan had two second-tier spirit wells, but the water was used for irrigating spirit herbs and alchemy; it would never be used for talisman making. If the water from a spirit well were consumed too much, the well would have to be sealed for a period of time. Everyone understood the principle that overusing it would cause the well to go dry—draining the pond to catch the fish.

Next, everyone took turns describing the problems they encountered while crafting talismans, and others provided answers. Everyone benefited greatly.

Yang Yi's level of talisman making was high, and he had no airs about him, treating others with sincerity. Although it was their first meeting, many cultivators held a favorable impression of him, including Han Changming.

Han Changjiong was currently crafting first-tier high-grade talismans. Yang Yi and Mu Yunxiao both provided answers to the questions he raised, and Yang Yi's insights gave Han Changjiong great inspiration.

"The exchange of insights ends here. Let us move on to the next segment! By the old rules, we shall see who can craft more talismans within the time it takes for one incense stick to burn. Participants must put up items as a wager—spirit stones, artifact-refining materials, or alchemy materials will all do," Mu Yunxiao said with a smile.

"With Fellow Daoist Yang here, I shall not make a fool of myself," Ye Yufeng said with a smile.

Yang Yi's high level of talisman making was clear to all present. If he were to participate in the competition, no one could truly defeat him.

"Fairy Ye is too kind. I will not participate in the competition; I am just here to watch. You all go ahead! I wish to observe how you fellow daoists craft talismans. As the saying goes, among any three people, there is surely a teacher for me," Yang Yi said modestly.

His words greatly increased the favorable impression the other cultivators had of him.