Fire Cloud Sect

A quarter of an hour later, more than twenty Qi Refining cultivators had gathered on the third floor. Most were scions of cultivation clans, along with a few rogue cultivators.

That was hardly surprising. Without sufficient financial support, one couldn't learn talisman-making. Most rogue cultivators made their living hunting demonic beasts, though it wasn't unusual for the odd one to have a particular skill.

"Fellow Daoist Mu, is everyone here?" Ye Yufeng urged.

Mu Yunxiao smiled faintly. "Please wait a moment, Fairy Ye. There's one more fellow Daoist coming. His talisman-making skills are no worse than mine."

The cultivators present grew curious at his words.

Before long, a fair-faced young man in a blue-green robe came upstairs. A crimson cloud of fire was emblazoned on his clothes, and he had reached the ninth level of Qi Refining.

A flicker of surprise crossed Han Changming's eyes. That was the Fire Cloud Sect's insignia.

The Fire Cloud Sect had been passed down for a thousand years, but it had no Golden Core cultivators. Its highest cultivation level was only Foundation Establishment.

It was said that a powerful faction stood behind the Fire Cloud Sect. Though it had no Golden Core cultivators, the sect's overall strength surpassed that of any cultivation clan in the Red Algae Sea. How could anyone tolerate another's snores beside their bed? Without that powerful backing, how would the four great factions of the Red Algae Sea have allowed the Fire Cloud Sect to exist?

Cultivation sects were rivals by nature. If the Fire Cloud Sect gained a Golden Core cultivator, the balance of power in the Red Algae Sea would undergo a dramatic change.

"Fellow Daoist Mu, my apologies for arriving late." The young man in blue-green robes clasped his fist toward Mu Yunxiao, his voice carrying a hint of apology.

Mu Yunxiao laughed. "You're joking, Fellow Daoist Yang. Allow me to introduce him. This is Yang Yi of the Fire Cloud Sect. Fellow Daoist Yang is a first-tier high-grade talisman maker, and one of the Four Heroes of Fire Cloud."

Cultivators with titles were all key figures nurtured by their respective factions. Clearly, Yang Yi was a prime candidate for cultivation by the Fire Cloud Sect.

"Yang Yi greets you, fellow Daoists." Yang Yi clasped his fist toward the group and spoke courteously, giving them a warm, amiable feeling.

The cultivators didn't dare slight him. They returned his greeting and introduced themselves in turn.

"Now that everyone's here, let's begin exchanging insights on talisman-making. As the one who organized this, I'll go first. I've been making Chain Fireball Talismans lately, but my success rate hasn't been very high. When I'm making them..."

Han Changming had only just begun learning to make mid-grade first-tier talismans and hadn't yet tried making high-grade first-tier ones. He had mainly come to the Talisman Maker Exchange Meeting to broaden his horizons.

"I've been making Chain Fireball Talismans lately too, but my success rate isn't very high either. I've run into much the same problems as Fellow Daoist Mu," Ye Yufeng chimed in.

The Chain Fireball Talisman was a high-grade first-tier talisman with considerable power, and it was among the more difficult high-grade first-tier talismans to make.

Yang Yi smiled faintly and pondered for a moment before saying, "I've made Chain Fireball Talismans before. The hardest part is the finishing stage. You have to be quick, steady, and precise, completing it in one smooth motion. The tools you use also affect your success rate. As everyone knows, there are three talisman-making tools: a Talisman Brush, talisman paper, and Cinnabar. If you spend enough spirit stones, you can buy a good Talisman Brush. But it's best to make your own talisman paper and Cinnabar. There are many recipes for both materials, but most are much the same. It's better to stick with the same recipe, and use the talisman paper and Cinnabar made from it regularly. All the talisman paper I use is made by our Fire Cloud Sect."

"Your words have enlightened me, Fellow Daoist Yang. Would you be willing to make a few Chain Fireball Talismans for us to observe?" Mu Yunxiao asked earnestly.

Talk was cheap. No matter how well Yang Yi explained it, nothing could compare to watching him make a Chain Fireball Talisman on the spot.

"Indeed, Fellow Daoist Yang! Please make a few Chain Fireball Talismans for us. I'd love to watch how you handle the finishing stage," Ye Yufeng added, her beautiful eyes full of anticipation.

Yang Yi smiled. "Since you've both asked, I'll have to show you what I can do."

He took out his talisman-making tools and personally made a talisman before the assembled cultivators.

Everyone held their breath, not daring even to breathe too loudly for fear of disturbing Yang Yi.

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

Han Changjiong also went over to Yang Yi to watch him make the talisman.

Under the gaze of dozens of eyes, Yang Yi began making a Chain Fireball Talisman.

Soon, the first fire-attributed rune appeared on the talisman paper, followed by a second, then a third...

A little less than half a quarter of an hour later, Yang Yi set down his Talisman Brush. A talisman gleaming with flowing red light lay on the wooden table, radiating faint fire-elemental spiritual energy.

Han Changming nodded to himself. Yang Yi's talisman-making skills were indeed impressive. His movements had flowed like running water, without the slightest hesitation or wasted motion.

Yang Yi made five attempts in a row and succeeded three times—a very high success rate.

"So that's how it works. Fellow Daoist Yang, thank you for your guidance." Mu Yunxiao suddenly slapped his forehead, his face lighting up with understanding as he voiced his thanks.

"Fellow Daoist Yang truly lives up to his reputation as a star pupil of the Fire Cloud Sect. I'm impressed," Ye Yufeng said.

Han Changjiong rolled his eyes and pointed at the talisman paper and Cinnabar. "Fellow Daoist Yang, did you make the Cinnabar yourself? It seems better than what's sold on the market."

"I did. I made it myself and added water from a Second-tier Spirit Well, which can increase the success rate of talisman-making." Yang Yi nodded, a trace of smugness 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, he had no trouble getting some.

Han Changming looked envious. The Han Clan had two Second-tier Spirit Wells, but their water was used to irrigate spirit herbs and for alchemy, never for making talismans. If too much water was drawn from a Spirit Well, the well had to be sealed for a while. Overuse could ruin it. Everyone understood that draining the pond to catch the fish was no way to go.

After that, everyone took turns raising problems they'd encountered while making talismans, and the others offered advice. Everyone benefited greatly.

Yang Yi was highly skilled at talisman-making, and he was sincere and approachable, without a trace of arrogance. Though they'd only just met him, many of the cultivators felt warmly toward him, including Han Changming.

Han Changjiong was making high-grade first-tier talismans. Yang Yi and Mu Yunxiao answered several questions he raised, and Yang Yi's answers in particular gave him a great deal of inspiration.

"That concludes our exchange of talisman-making insights. Let's move on to the next event. Same as before: you'll have the time it takes an incense stick to burn to make as many talismans as you can. Participants must put something up as a wager—spirit stones, weapon-refining materials, or alchemy materials will all do." Mu Yunxiao smiled as he spoke.

"With Fellow Daoist Yang here, I'll sit this one out," Ye Yufeng said with a smile.

Yang Yi's skill at talisman-making was plain for all to see. If he entered the contest, no one present could hope to beat him.

"Fairy Ye, you flatter me. I won't be taking part in the talisman-making contest. I only came to have a look. Go ahead without me. I'd like to watch you all make talismans. As the saying goes, among three people walking together, one of them is sure to be my teacher." Yang Yi spoke modestly.

His words greatly endeared him to the other cultivators.