State Lock! One Proof Eternal Proof!

Ever since Old Man He borrowed the talismans last time, more than half a month had passed without any news.

Lin Chang'an had also sighed over Old Man He, hoping everything would go smoothly. After all, he had once received the other man's kindness.

Yet that day, as he looked at the Fine Golden Light Talisman on the table, Lin Chang'an fell silent.

[Skill: Golden Light Talisman (Mastery 8/1000), Godly Travel Talisman (Proficient 358/500)]

"Why does this talisman success rate feel a little abnormal?"

Lin Chang'an stared oddly at the Golden Light Talisman he had just drawn.

"There's nothing wrong with the talisman's quality, and nothing wrong with the success rate either, but it seems I've overlooked something..."

An experienced Talisman Master, after adjusting his condition properly, could produce three or four fine talismans out of ten. That was perfectly normal.

But that adjusted condition was precisely the biggest issue. It required Jingxin, concentration, and a whole series of preparations. Being able to maintain it two or three times a month was already considered quite good.

"Could it be!"

As if he had thought of something, Lin Chang'an drew in a deep breath. His hand trembled slightly as he raised the brush. His heart was full of unease, and without gathering his focus in the slightest, he simply got to work.

Swish, swish!

When a pale golden Fine Golden Light Talisman was successfully completed, Lin Chang'an's heart began pounding wildly. He immediately continued experimenting.

Most were ordinary Golden Light Talismans, while only a very small number were fine ones.

But this time, he cast aside all the Jingxin and concentration normally required for talisman drawing. He did not stop until his spiritual power was nearly exhausted.

"Huff... huff!"

His breathing was rapid. As though he had confirmed something, he looked at the panel with trembling hands, both shocked and delighted.

"This is State Lock!"

Unable to suppress the excitement in his heart, Lin Chang'an broke into a smile. At that moment, he finally understood everything.

"No matter how formidable a Talisman Master is, they can only reach their peak for a brief moment when they are calm and focused. Once their mind is depleted, they need to set down the brush and rest to recover their condition.

"But I don't need that at all. As long as I break through and reach this state, I can maintain it indefinitely."

Lin Chang'an's face flushed with excitement. He truly wanted to pull a blanket over himself and laugh aloud a few times.

State Lock meant that as long as his mana was not exhausted, he did not need all that tedious calming and focusing to attain the best possible talisman success rate.

One word: just do it.

"Damn it, how many Spirit Stones did I waste before this?"

Lin Chang'an was filled with regret. He had previously worried about wasting materials, so he would rest after drawing two talismans, which had kept him from discovering it.

It was only today that he had noticed something was off.

"The future is bright!"

Beaming with delight, Lin Chang'an had finally discovered the greatest talent he could rely on to establish himself in the Cultivation World.

One Proof Eternal Proof!

An ordinary Talisman Master who had just broken through could only make four or five Fine Golden Light Talismans a month even in their best state. But Lin Chang'an had no such restriction. If he went all out, he could match ten of them.

After all, setting aside the time wasted on tedious concentration and Jingxin, drawing talismans also consumed mental energy and mana.

"A tenfold difference... Doesn't that mean I can earn forty or fifty Spirit Stones a month?"

At that thought, Lin Chang'an could not help revealing an excited expression. He had never dared imagine possessing so many Spirit Stones before.

"No! That would make it too easy for others to notice something amiss!"

The instant he thought of this, Lin Chang'an felt as though a basin of cold water had been poured over him. He immediately calmed down.

"Three or four Fine Golden Light Talismans a month are within the normal range. Even five or six would merely make people think I have some talent after piercing through that window paper. But dozens in a month would clearly be suspicious!"

Wouldn't that be practically announcing to everyone that he had encountered a fortuitous opportunity?

After thinking it over, Lin Chang'an drew a deep breath. The Cultivation World was ever-changing and turbulent. He already possessed the greatest talent; at a time like this, only caution would let him walk farther.

"I can't miss the opportunity to earn Spirit Stones, but I still need to be careful."

After taking a deep breath, Lin Chang'an set down his Spirit Pen, then sat cross-legged on the bed to cultivate.

Yet before long, he could no longer restrain himself. He yanked up the blanket, covered his head with it, and the blanket on the bed began shaking violently, accompanied by muffled laughter.

Another month passed. After using up nearly all his talisman-drawing materials, Lin Chang'an went to the familiar True Treasure Pavilion to see Shopkeeper Miao.

"Tsk, tsk, Fellow Daoist Lin, your craftsmanship truly leaves nothing to be said."

Upon seeing six Fine Golden Light Talismans, Shopkeeper Miao's old face nearly blossomed into a flower. As he exchanged talisman paper and Cinnabar for Lin Chang'an, he teased him.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, the hundred arts of cultivation are just like this. Before you pierce through it, no matter how hard you try, you cannot see the slightest result. But once you do, the clouds part and another world opens before you."

"Oh, right. The shop recently received a batch of Golden Marrow Pills. How about taking one? Perhaps you'll break through in cultivation very soon."

Seeing Shopkeeper Miao looking as though he had caught a fat sheep, Lin Chang'an was tempted, but he ultimately shook his head.

"I should save enough for the corvée tax first."

"True enough. Quite a few outside Rogue Cultivators have arrived at the Market recently. They're all waiting for spring next year, when people from above come to organize Land Reclamation."

Shopkeeper Miao had made his pitch out of habit. Seeing that Lin Chang'an had no such intention, he smiled and began talking about the Market's recent situation.

Lin Chang'an had likewise noticed that there were quite a few unfamiliar faces in the Market.

Green Bamboo Mountain Market was under the jurisdiction of the Li Fire Palace. Since those above were preparing to increase their Land Reclamation efforts, it would naturally attract a large number of outside Rogue Cultivators.

When Lin Chang'an had first entered the Market twenty years ago, he too had been lured in by the many benefits of Land Reclamation.

"I heard the higher-ups are making quite a big move this time. They've released a full five Foundation Establishment Pill slots."

Shopkeeper Miao's casual remark instantly sent a chill through Lin Chang'an.

"This time it's that big?"

It reminded him of the Land Reclamation effort when he had first entered the Market. The temptation then had been only two Foundation Establishment Pills, yet the result had been corpses strewn everywhere.

"So be careful lately. These outside Rogue Cultivators have the least respect for rules. Don't they know that most fortuitous opportunities are things one may have the life to find but not the life to enjoy?"

Shopkeeper Miao could not help offering a cautious warning. When he mentioned the outside Rogue Cultivators, he repeatedly shook his head, as though foreshadowing unrest in the Market.

"Fellow Daoist Miao, one Golden Marrow Pill, and one Storage Bag."

Suddenly, Lin Chang'an slapped down the Spirit Stones he had only just received and had not even had time to warm in his hands.

When Shopkeeper Miao saw the five Spirit Stones, his face immediately blossomed with joy.

A Golden Marrow Pill cost two Spirit Stones, while a Storage Bag cost three.

"Certainly, Fellow Daoist Lin. Rest assured, this time I'll pick out the best-quality medicinal pill for you, and I'll throw in a stack of talisman paper. With your solid cultivation, Fellow Daoist Lin, and with the Evergreen Art being renowned for building up strength before delivering a powerful burst, you'll definitely break through this time."

"And here is the Storage Bag."

Under Shopkeeper Miao's beaming smile, Lin Chang'an left the shop carrying an exquisite Storage Bag and a Jade Bottle.

As he watched people flowing through the Market and felt a cool breeze pass by, Lin Chang'an recalled Shopkeeper Miao's smiling face and seemed to realize something.

"The Market is where you earn your money, and the Market is where you spend it. Don't even think of taking a single coin home."

Lin Chang'an could not help laughing bitterly, though he was also grateful for Shopkeeper Miao's reminder. Though it had also been intended to persuade him to spend Spirit Stones—

he knew even better that medicinal pills capable of improving cultivation had always been hot commodities, especially now that so many outside Rogue Cultivators had arrived in the Market.

Walking through the Market streets and seeing the endless stream of people and so many unfamiliar faces, Lin Chang'an grew increasingly tense.

He still vividly remembered the major Land Reclamation effort from twenty years ago.

Countless Rogue Cultivators had poured in. That represented not only opportunities, but chaos as well.

"It seems the peaceful air in the Market is about to be shattered."

Outside Rogue Cultivators usually came and went, but never in such numbers. They did not disrupt the Market's atmosphere.

Only veterans with experience knew what this signified. Lin Chang'an also felt a growing sense of urgency.

He had to raise his cultivation quickly. Only by breaking through to Qi Refining Mid-Stage would he have the strength to protect himself.

As Lin Chang'an walked, he sighed inwardly. Before he knew it, he had passed before an elaborately carved pavilion.

Two large red lanterns hung at the entrance, their hazy pink light radiating an ambiguous air. What was more, lamps were still lit inside despite it being broad daylight.

Two young Female Cultivators emerged from the doorway, yawning. Upon seeing a familiar customer, their eyes immediately lit up.

"Oh my, isn't this Fellow Daoist Lin? After you left last time, the sisters could barely stand the next day. This time, we'll give you a discount. Come in and sit awhile, have a cup of hot tea before you go."

"Exactly. I heard Fellow Daoist Lin can already make Fine Golden Light Talismans. How can the days of bitter cultivation compare to enjoying yourself here? Come enjoy yourself with your little sisters..."

The two Female Cultivators wore red palace gowns as thin as cicada wings. Perhaps they had just woken up, for their beautiful faces still carried a trace of lazy weariness.

With lovely faces, graceful willow-like figures, and seductive temperaments, every inch of them exuded temptation. Especially when they saw Lin Chang'an, their eyes shone brightly.

That look was exactly the same as Shopkeeper Miao's.

"Ahem, today isn't a good time. I still need to repay Er Niu's Spirit Crystals. Another day, another day."

Lin Chang'an smiled awkwardly. Though he cultivated diligently through those dry and tedious days, he believed in balancing work and rest. When it was time to relax, he had to relax.

But recently, it really was not a convenient time.

"Don't go, Fellow Daoist Lin. We won't charge Spirit Crystals for a cup of tea."

A voice like an inner demon drifted from behind him, but Lin Chang'an was a man of firm will. He quickly left the place.

Right now, he was anxious to return home and try out the Storage Bag. Those beautiful skeletons had no hope of damaging his Dao heart.