Chapter 745 - 585: Another Qingxu Daoist Master

Walking out of the Certification Association, Ji An looked for Zhang Jun and said:

"Take me to a place, the Changmao Treasure Talisman Shop in the Talisman District. Does it ring a bell?"

Master Qingfeng specifically mentioned it, indicating there might be something worth finding inside.

In my previous life, there was an interesting phenomenon at the hospital; doctors would prescribe a medication unavailable at the hospital pharmacy, but conveniently available at a nearby drugstore.

Privately, he suspected that Master Qingfeng’s actions were a version of this strange phenomenon in the Otherworld.

Zhang Jun nodded, smiled and said:

"This talisman shop is very famous. Although small in size, it only sells top-grade level talismans, following a premium line, attracting wealthy cultivators."

Ji An nodded slightly, and red clouds arose underfoot to lift the two.

"I will ride the clouds; you point the way."

Zhang Jun extended his arm and said:

"Senior, proceed in the direction my arm is pointing."

Ji An accelerated, and shortly arrived at the place; the black sign with the shining golden characters ’Changmao’ stood out.

The sign looked spotless, likely it was often wiped or recently repainted.

They entered the shop; indeed, it was small but elegantly decorated. Ji An instructed:

"I wish to purchase some Tier Three materials to draw a Geng Metal Divine Thunder Talisman; I heard from Master Qingfeng that materials are available here."

He had no qualms using Master Qingfeng’s name as leverage; Qingfeng’s mention of this shop surely had a reason.

The steward approached and said:

"Senior, please wait in the VIP room; I will ask the shopkeeper to speak with you."

Business involving Tier Three materials was beyond his authority; only the shopkeeper could decide.

In the VIP room, a maid served two cups of spirit tea and a plate of pastries; Ji An sampled a few bites and began to meditate, while Zhang Jun quietly munched on the pastries, taking care not to make a sound.

Moments later, a kindly, thin cultivator entered the room; his hair was graying, he wore a heaven-reaching crown and a reddish Daoist robe.

"I am Qingxu Daoist Master, and I heard you wish to purchase Tier Three materials for talisman making. What talisman are you looking to create?"

His tone was soothing, paired with his ethereal appearance, giving him an aura of trustworthiness.

"To draw a Geng Metal Divine Thunder Talisman, does your shop carry the materials?"

Ji An’s face showed a hint of strangeness; the man’s appearance was reminiscent of Master Qingfeng.

Moreover, Western Continent once had a Qingxu Daoist Master who perished during the demon calamity.

The Golden Core Daoist Masters of the Western Continent united to avenge ’him’, reportedly slaying a late-stage Golden Core demon cultivator.

"Of course, our shop not only sells finished talismans but also deals in high-tier talisman-making materials.

However, our materials are pricey, so be prepared."

Ji An chuckled, "How expensive are we talking? Let’s hear it."

"The price of talisman-making materials is half the value of a top-grade finished talisman made from said materials."

Qingxu Daoist Master revealed the crux, watching Ji An’s expression change; essentially, without a fifty percent success rate in talisman-making, the purchase would be a loss.

If a talisman maker lacks confidence in their skills, they would naturally refrain from buying.

Ji An merely nodded calmly, "I would like to hear the actual quote."

His main goal was to practice talisman making and cover up his true intentions, hence portraying a wealthy demeanor.

Besides, based on his past experience, he’s never incurred a loss in talisman making.

Qingxu Taoist smiled and replied:

"Currently, only Tier Three talisman paper and cinnabar are available; each set costs ten top-grade spirit stones."

This price is exceedingly high, yet top-grade thunder talismans can be used as life-saving aids; even Golden Core Daoist Masters are willing to purchase a few to keep.

"How many materials do you have available? I’ll take them all."

Qingxu Daoist Master shook his head, "I can only sell up to five sets to you, and if you wish to buy more, you must prove your talisman-making skills.

If your craftsmanship is impressive, we are willing to establish a long-term partnership with you."

In the context of scarce materials, the shop faces no issues selling talisman-making materials.

He is willing to sell five sets to test whether the other party qualifies for collaboration.

If the other’s craftsmanship is truly superior, he would not let spirit stones slip away.

Among Golden Core cultivators, those with potent talisman-making abilities are a rarity; to grow, the shop must attract more profoundly skilled cultivators.

Ji An took out fifty top-grade spirit stones and placed them on the table, "Then give me five sets of materials."

"Alright," Qingxu Daoist Master pocketed the spirit stones and directly retrieved talisman paper and cinnabar from the Grotto Void Stone.

"One more thing, using talisman paper and cinnabar as materials makes it challenging to craft a top-grade level talisman."

Ji An nodded, "Understood."

...

Stepping out of Changmao Treasure Talisman Shop, Ji An rode the clouds to the Golden Puppet Pavilion and sought Profound Wood Daoist Master.

"Fellow Daoist, I have something to inquire; when does the Merchant Flying Ship to the Western Continent depart?"

Profound Wood Daoist Master replied:

"If there are no special circumstances, it sails once every thirty years; the next departure is ten years away.

"Fellow Daoist, you’re not thinking of returning to the Western Continent, are you?"

The news of the True Demon Tribulation erupting had already spread across the Central Continent, and some cultivators wanted to leave and seek refuge elsewhere. He scoffed at the idea.

The Central Continent has always been the hardest hit during demon calamities, but it is also the region with the strongest defense capabilities.

When demonic qi floods to its peak, most areas of the Cultivation Realm become part of the Demon Realm. Although the duration is short, lasting only a few years, there is no safe place during that period.

In past years, several super Nascent Soul Grand Sects in the Central Continent fell, all during that time frame.

The True Demons gathered large numbers of demon lords to launch strong attacks, and even the mountain gates of Nascent Soul Grand Sects built on Tier Four spiritual veins couldn’t hold out. Yet, more places that fell were medium and small-sized forces.

He had heard from the sect’s ancestor that this might have been a conscious effort by the True Demons to eliminate powerful legacies within the Cultivation Realm.

Not only the Human Race, but the Demon Beast Race also encountered such situations. During the last True Demon Tribulation, the Golden-Horned Wild Bull Race, which possessed several Nascent Soul level combat powers, was forever lost to history.

Ji An shook his head lightly, "I don’t plan to, just want to send a message to the sect through someone. Will you be following the flying ship this time, Fellow Daoist?"

The Profound Wood Daoist Master nodded slightly, "I need to follow it three times consecutively, and the next time will be the second one. Whatever you need me to do, just let me know."

The Golden Spirit Sect can now provide many resources, and for the Golden Puppet Pavilion, Tier Two Top-grade Cyan Dragon Wood is a relatively important resource.

Moreover, he speculated that the Golden Spirit Sect had high-grade Vajra Bodhi Wood, so maintaining a good relationship with them could yield more in the future.

"Thank you," Ji An earnestly bowed, "Just inform me with a Communication Golden Sword before departure, I will hand the items to you."

"It’s a small matter, no need to thank me."

...

Ten days later.

Ji An received a message from Master Jinrong and hurriedly rushed to Cloud Sea Immortal City, landing in front of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

He was led by a steward into the backyard, where he felt a surge of fire element spiritual energy, as if there was a volcano underneath brewing to erupt.

Upon entering the Artifact Refining Chamber, he saw a pill furnace floating amidst a mass of fiery golden flame.

Wan Jinrong was concentrating intently on controlling the flame as if that was his whole world.

He would occasionally cast Treasure Prohibitions into the pill furnace, and mysterious spirit lights would flow from his fingers, merging into the furnace, as if they were originally one.

The steward walked up, speaking in a deep voice:

"Elder, Master Qingxu has arrived."

Wan Jinrong didn’t speak, nodding gently, his eyes still focused on the flames ahead. The refining had reached a critical stage, and everything in the world seemed distant to him.

The steward returned to Ji An’s side and said apologetically:

"Please wait a moment, Daoist Master. The elder gets into this state when artifact refining, he means no disrespect to you."

The explanation was necessary to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.

Ji An nodded with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Jinrong is wholeheartedly refining a magical treasure for me, which makes me very happy."

The steward bowed his head slightly:

"Thank you, Daoist Master, for your understanding."

Soon after, the steward’s face turned crimson, sweat flowing down his forehead like water. The temperature here was too high for a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator to endure for long.

In that moment, he felt a burning pain on his exposed skin, and breathing felt like swallowing flames.

Ji An noticed his condition and gestured:

"I can stay here by myself. If there’s anything, I’ll discuss it with Fellow Daoist Jinrong, you may go."

If he continued to stay, he might lose half his life.

The steward looked grateful, "Th-thank you, Daoist Master, for your consideration. I’ll take my leave."

His voice was hoarse, speaking as if knives were scraping his throat.

He immediately turned and left, afraid to stay a second longer. As he stepped out and closed the door, isolating himself from the intense heat, he let out a long sigh of relief.

"Alive again!"

Inside the Artifact Refining Chamber, Ji An quietly observed the pill furnace, sensing its transformation.

He waited for a whole double hour.

Wan Jinrong once again cast a Treasure Prohibition into the pill furnace, which began to vibrate violently. At that moment, he withdrew from his state of extreme concentration and turned to look:

"Fellow Daoist Ji, like when refining the Cyan Lotus Treasure Banner, you need to perform a blood sacrifice. This way, you’ll have a much easier time controlling the pill furnace."

As long as it is not a lifebound magical treasure, a cultivator’s blood sacrifice does not affect others’ use, though others may not find it as smooth.

If a major sect were to refine a legacy magical treasure, there would be no blood sacrifice involved.

"Understood, when should I start?"

"In a moment, I will briefly remove the pill furnace from the pill fire, then you can inject your blood into the furnace interior, stopping at my command."

As Wan Jinrong finished speaking, he used the Object Control Technique to lift the pill furnace out of the flames.

At this moment, the pill furnace was entirely crimson, like flowing magma, seemingly alive.

The wings of the sculpted fire crane were etched with golden patterns, and the fire crystal in its mouth also shone with golden light, like a rising little sun.

Ji An used the Golden Light Technique to cut his finger, controlling the blood in his body to spurt out, resembling a high-pressure hose.

He had to do it this way because his skin would rapidly tighten and scab over.

The blood flowed into the pill furnace, its surface undulating with light waves likened to ripples.

At this moment, a clear chirp echoed from within the pill furnace, as if the soul of a fire crane had genuinely been captured inside.