Future Plans

Han Changming nodded with a bitter smile, thinking to himself, If I had come to retrieve the treasure on my own, I would have surely followed in the footsteps of Uncle Twenty-one.

After slaying the enemies, it was time to divide the spoils.

There were over a thousand spirit stones, five first-tier magical artifacts, six second-tier magical artifacts, more than twenty first-tier talismans, as well as some materials for artifact refining and dozens of jade slips.

Two clansmen had died in battle, so their share of spirit stones was left to them. Since Han Changming had discovered the cave dwelling where the predecessor had passed away, he received two first-tier high-grade magical artifacts.

The Blue Glaze Bead, a first-tier high-grade defensive magical artifact.

The Azure Wind Boat, a first-tier high-grade flight magical artifact.

In addition to these, there were some low-tier monster materials.

Han Changming was very happy to obtain two first-tier high-grade magical artifacts, but the thought of the two deceased uncles made him feel a bit sorrowful.

The contents of the dozens of jade slips were quite varied. Among them was a Shape-Shifting Technique; after practicing it, one could alter their appearance. Han Changming made a copy for himself.

A quarter of an hour later, Han Deling and the other four walked out of the cave. Han Deling released her flight magical artifact, carrying everyone as they flew back the way they came.

More than a month later, they returned to Kuixing Market.

Han Changming had gained much from this treasure-hunting trip. He now thoroughly understood why his grandfather said the world of immortal cultivation was cruel and that one must band together for warmth.

Han Changming realized his own strength was severely lacking, and he needed to make a plan for the future.

The Taiyi Spirit-Transforming Gourd could produce Spirit Water, which could increase the success rate of talisman making. Besides that, it should have other uses, such as alchemy.

The Han Clan started out by refining artifacts, so there were many artifact refiners in the clan, but the number of alchemists was particularly small. As far as Han Changming knew, the clan only had three first-tier alchemists. The number of talisman makers was far greater than that of alchemists, yet the status of alchemists was far higher than that of talisman makers.

Talismans could be used for combat, while pills could be consumed to increase cultivation. If Han Changming knew alchemy, the clan would invest more resources into cultivating him.

Han Changming had only recently broken through to the sixth level of Qi Refining; he could not break through again in a short time, or it would surely arouse the suspicion of his elders. If Han Changming had such a cultivation speed, the clan would never have sent him out to run errands.

He planned to work hard at crafting talismans. His current ability to earn spirit stones was not strong, but once he became a first-tier high-grade talisman maker, the situation would improve.

Without an alchemist to guide him, he would surely fail many times if he tried to figure it out on his own.

Of the four great arts of immortal cultivation—talisman making, artifact refining, alchemy, and formations—talisman making was the simplest, while formations were the most difficult. The difficulty of alchemy was just below that of formations. Han Changming was well aware of this.

To learn alchemy at his own expense would require a massive amount of spirit stones.

From now on, he would begin to frantically craft talismans to accumulate spirit stones and prepare for the future.

After making his plan, Han Changming began to work hard.

The next day, after finishing breakfast, Han Changming left the Spirit Talisman Pavilion.

The treasure hunt was over, and Han Changjiong was not following him.

A quarter of an hour later, Han Changming walked into a teahouse, requested a private room, and ordered a pot of spirit tea and a plate of pastries.

After sitting for an hour, several groups of guests had already come and gone.

A series of crackling sounds erupted from Han Changming's bones. His facial features blurred, transforming into those of a tall, thin youth with an ordinary face.

This was indeed the Shape-Shifting Technique, a method for altering one's appearance.

He intended to sell the talismans in his possession in exchange for spirit stones to purchase Blank Talisman Paper.

The prices of talismans sold in shops were roughly the same, and there were certain discounts for bulk purchases. For instance, at the Spirit Talisman Pavilion, buying ten first-tier mid-grade talismans would earn you one free first-tier low-grade talisman.

Han Changming did not intend to sell the talismans to his clan. Firstly, it would be easy to get caught; secondly, talisman shops rarely bought talismans, and their purchase prices were not high. Selling to loose cultivators was the best choice, though he had to sell them in batches, and the prices had to be cheaper than the shops to make them sellable.

A cup of tea later, Han Changming appeared at the Loose Cultivator Plaza. He found an empty spot, took out the coarse cloth he had prepared, and set up a small stall.

The stall mainly featured first-tier low and mid-grade talismans, along with some monster materials.

On the market, a Fireball Talisman cost one spirit stone each, or nine spirit stones for ten. Han Changming sold ten for eight spirit stones. An Earth Wall Talisman cost four spirit stones each on the market, or thirty-five for ten. Han Changming sold ten for thirty-three spirit stones. The more one bought, the greater the discount.

"I want all of these talismans. Can you make them a bit cheaper?" A silver bell-like female voice rang out.

Han Changming looked up and saw a girl in a purple dress, in her early twenties, standing in front of his stall. The girl in the purple dress had a cultivation level of the fifth level of Qi Refining.

"You want them all? Of course, three hundred spirit stones."

If the talismans on the stall were sold at market prices, they would cost at least three hundred and fifty spirit stones, making them exactly fifty spirit stones cheaper.

The girl in the purple dress squatted down and carefully inspected the talismans.

There were no markings on the talismans, as these were the ones Han Changming had kept for his own use; the talismans sold by the Spirit Talisman Pavilion would always have a mark.

"I don't have that many spirit stones. Can I trade items with you instead?" The eyes of the girl in the purple dress were filled with anticipation.

Han Changming frowned and said, "That depends on what the items are. I don't accept just anything."

The girl in the purple dress took out some Blank Talisman Paper and some low-tier spirit herbs, bargaining with Han Changming.

Having finally waited for a big customer, Han Changming did not haggle too much. He accepted two hundred and fifty spirit stones, ten packs of first-tier low-grade Blank Talisman Paper, and a few common spirit herbs that were five years old.

"Fellow Daoist, if I may be so bold as to ask, are you a talisman maker?" the girl in the purple dress asked curiously.

Han Changming had attended the Talisman Maker Exchange Meeting, where there were loose cultivators; first-tier talisman makers were not particularly rare.

"I am. Why do you ask?" Han Changming admitted it generously.

The girl in the purple dress smiled sweetly and said, "It's nothing. If the quality of your talismans is good, I will continue to buy from you in the future. It would be even better if you had first-tier high-grade talismans."

Han Changming nodded without saying anything more, and the girl in the purple dress stood up and left.

Two hours later, Han Changming packed up his stall and left.

A dozen sheets of mid-grade first-tier Blank Talisman Paper cost two spirit stones, while a dozen sheets of high-grade first-tier Blank Talisman Paper cost five spirit stones.

Han Changming intended to craft high-grade first-tier talismans, so he purchased forty dozen sheets of high-grade first-tier talisman paper and forty dozen sheets of mid-grade first-tier talisman paper.

After finishing his purchases, Han Changming strolled along the street.

Half an hour later, he entered a teahouse and sat there for over an hour.

When he walked out of the teahouse, he had already restored his true appearance.

The next day, while eating breakfast, Han Changming said to Han Dehai, "Thirteenth Uncle, I plan to learn how to craft high-grade first-tier talismans. Please teach me!"

Having someone to provide guidance could help him avoid unnecessary detours.

"I have to rush to finish a batch of high-grade first-tier talismans and don't have that much time. Changjiong, you teach Changming. Your talisman-making level is not much different from mine."

"Leave it to me, but let me finish eating first." Han Changjiong patted his chest and agreed.

Han Changming went to buy two bags of meat buns for Han Changjiong, and once he was full and satisfied, Han Changjiong began teaching Han Changming how to craft high-grade first-tier talismans.