Cultivation: I can solidify equipment attributes

After reaching the sixth level of Qi Refining, he continued to take the Shumai Pill, but in much smaller quantities than before.

Over the past few days, there have been many more discarded talismans piled up on the corner of the table.

The success rate of the three basic talismans is steadily increasing, and the Fireball talisman has reached the beginner level.

Fireball Charm: Beginner (32/200)

A few days later, another group of guards returned to the market to rest.

As soon as Li Yuan entered the market, he went back to his residence to put down his things, and then picked up his cloth bag and walked towards the North Alley.

The cloth bag contained herbs that he had picked over the past few days.

As Li Yuan approached Old Sun's stall, he heard voices even before he got close.

"Master Sun, can this Qi-Breaking Pill really help one break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining?"

"Whether you succeed or not depends on yourself. Pills are just an aid; whether you can overcome that obstacle is another matter entirely."

Old Sun squatted behind the stall, holding a small porcelain bottle in his hand, and spoke with much more confidence than before.

Two rogue cultivators, both at the third level of Qi Refining, stood in front of the stall. They stared at the porcelain bottle in Old Sun's hand, their eyes burning with desire, yet their faces showed a hint of hesitation.

"You just said the malevolent energy was strong, just how strong exactly?"

"It's much heavier than the Fiend Essence Pill. If you haven't tried the Fiend Essence Pill before, you can buy one and try it to see how potent its fiendish energy is."

Old Sun sealed the porcelain bottle tightly. "However, my Breakthrough Pill is much cheaper than a normal Breakthrough Pill, and the success rate is also higher."

The two rogue cultivators at the third level of Qi Refining exchanged glances, and finally gritted their teeth, took out spirit stones, and bought a bottle.

Old Sun handed over the pills, then looked up and saw Li Yuan.

"Fellow Daoist Li, you've arrived."

The two rogue cultivators hurriedly left with the pills. Li Yuan walked to the stall, squatted down, and placed the cloth bag next to the stall cloth.

"We haven't collected much these past few days."

Old Sun opened the cloth bag and glanced inside. He quickly gathered the jade grass and red root vine inside behind him and then handed two meridian-soothing pills to Li Yuan.

After discovering that the Shumai Pill was more effective, Li Yuan asked Lao Sun for it.

"That's enough."

Li Yuan glanced at him, his gaze sweeping over the few newly added small porcelain bottles on the stall.

"Selling well?"

"Not bad." Old Sun's lips twitched into a slight smile. "These pills are officially on sale now."

At this point, Old Sun raised his hand and patted the medicine box next to him.

"I've changed the name too; it's now called the Demon-Slaying Pill."

"The 'breakthrough' in 'breaking through realms,' and the 'killing' in 'killing energy.'

Li Yuan nodded.

The name is quite straightforward.

"Has the news already spread throughout the market?" Li Yuan asked.

"It's been around for a while now." Old Sun leaned back and lowered his voice, but he couldn't quite suppress his smugness. "At first, no one dared to touch it, they were all afraid of the evil energy. Later, a rogue cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining gritted his teeth and tried a bottle, and managed to break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining by enduring the evil energy."

"As soon as the news spread, many people came to ask about it."

Old Sun paused for a moment, then added a sentence.

"However, only a minority dare to buy."

Li Yuan hummed in agreement and didn't say anything more.

The fact that the Demon-Slaying Pill is selling well is a good thing for Old Sun. At least in the future, his stall won't be stuck with just a few bottles of unpopular pills brewing away like before.

After exchanging a few more casual words, Li Yuan stood up, turned around, and left North Alley.

Li Yuan had already memorized the address Zhao Heng gave him; it happened to be in the market area.

Of course, if they weren't in the market, Zhao Heng wouldn't have much of a chance to make this talisman master owe him a favor.

The residence in the southeast corner was much quieter than the one in the north alley. The courtyard wall was not high, and a few old lamps hung at the entrance.

Li Yuan stopped in front of a small courtyard and raised his hand to knock on the door.

After a few breaths, the courtyard gate opened from the inside.

The man who opened the door was in his early thirties. He was not tall, had a slightly yellowish complexion, and was wearing a clean blue cloth robe.

The fingers are slender, with faint red marks on the fingertips left by years of cinnabar staining.

Mid-stage Qi Refining.

"Who are you looking for?" the man asked.

"Li Yuan was introduced by Zhao Heng."

Upon hearing Zhao Heng's name, the man's gaze lingered on Li Yuan's face for a moment before he stepped back.

"Come in and speak."

The courtyard wasn't large. Inside the main room was a long table with talisman paper, spirit ink, cinnabar, and several talisman brushes on it. In the corner were several bundles of cut talisman paper, and next to them were a few ruined talismans.

This talisman master's surname is Yu. He is affiliated with the Wang family's talisman hall, but he doesn't usually work there, which means he has a lot of freedom.

After explaining the situation, Li Yuan took out the roll of high-grade first-tier horned lizard belly skin from his sleeve and placed it on the table.

Master Yu's gaze fell on the animal hide, but after only a glance, he reached out and pushed the item back.

"No need for formalities."

"I remember Zhao Heng's favor. It's the same if you come empty-handed."

After saying this, Master Yu raised his chin towards the table.

"Draw a talisman for me to see first, the higher the level, the better."

Without wasting words, Li Yuan walked to the table, picked up an ordinary fine-tipped brush, dipped it in spirit ink, and spread out a talisman on the table.

He drew the fireball symbol that he was most familiar with.

The initial strokes were fairly steady, and the first few fire patterns went smoothly. However, when it came to the middle section with the gathering fire patterns, the spiritual energy under the brush became a bit unstable. Although the finishing strokes were controlled and the paper didn't explode, the spiritual patterns on the talisman surface were noticeably not condensed enough.

Fortunately, I was lucky and it worked, but the quality was just average.

Master Yu picked up the fireball talisman, glanced at it, and casually put it back on the table before drawing his conclusion.

"I haven't been a beginner for long."

His tone was flat, without any formalities.

"You have some basics and your hands aren't too clumsy, but your foundation is shallow. The reason you can draw talismans now is probably not because someone taught you stroke by stroke, but because you learned by yourself."

Li Yuan nodded.

"almost."

Yu Fushi hummed in agreement, dragged over a wooden stool to sit down, and looked up at Li Yuan.

"That makes things easier."

"I'll give you three methods. Since you've done Zhao Heng a favor, I won't charge you any spirit stones."

"You choose."

Li Yuan didn't interrupt and waited for him to continue.

Master Yu extended one finger.

"Firstly, I'll give you the methods for making three low-grade first-tier talismans. Take them back and learn them yourself."

"I don't care how you learn, or how well you learn. If you learn it, that's your skill; if you don't, don't come back and yell at me."

After saying that, Master Yu extended a second finger.

"The second option is for me to guide you for a period of time, starting with teaching you basic talisman-making techniques and controlling spiritual energy with a brush, to help you build a solid foundation."

"This method is the most reliable and has the lowest chance of going astray."

"But you won't learn much in a short time; at most, you'll be able to draw a few basic talismans."

Next is the third finger.

"The third method is for me to personally teach you two types of low-grade first-tier talismans, starting directly with something practical."

"It's faster than the second option and avoids unnecessary detours, but there are only two types; there are no more."

The room was quiet for a few moments.

The lamp on the table flickered slightly, casting a yellowish glow on the edges of the pile of talismans at the corner of the table.

Li Yuan thought for a moment and then said, "I choose the first option."

Master Yu's brow twitched slightly.

"You've made up your mind so quickly?"

"I've thought it through." Li Yuan nodded. "I don't have much time on weekdays, so it would be a bit troublesome to come here to study often."

For me, all I need to do is learn how to make talismans, craft them, and then equip them; that's my main goal.

As for making talismans, it's more of an extra source of income. I happen to have some free time during my daily cultivation, so I figured I might as well learn it.

Moreover, the second and third methods both require the talisman master's time, and it's unclear whether Zhao Heng's connections are reliable, so it's better to get the items first.

Master Yu glanced at Li Yuan, said nothing, but simply pulled out three blank sheets of paper from the table, picked up a pen, and began to write quickly on them.

"Alright."

"Since you know what you're doing, I won't waste my breath on you."

"I don't know many types of talismans myself; most of them belong to the Talisman Hall. I can't teach you those."

A moment later, three sheets of paper were pushed in front of Li Yuan.

"Golden Armor Talisman".

Master Yu pointed to the first one.

"Once activated, it can condense a layer of golden armor-like spiritual light in front of or on the body, which is more defensive. It is considered a relatively stable protective talisman among the low-grade first-tier talismans. The drawing method is not too difficult, but it requires a high level of spiritual energy concentration."

"Returning Talisman."

He then pointed to the second one.

"A recovery talisman. Once activated, it can replenish a portion of spiritual energy in a short period of time, which is quite useful for Qi Refining cultivators. The drawing method is slightly finer than the Golden Armor Talisman, with the focus on the talisman's core."

Finally, his finger landed on the third piece of paper.

"Pulse Opening Talisman"

"It's for assisting cultivation, a low-grade first-level item. Its function is to soothe the meridians and help open them up a bit when you're practicing cultivation."

"Of these three, this one is a little more difficult, but it is very useful."

After Master Yu finished speaking, he pushed the three sheets of paper forward a little more.

"I've written down the specific stroke order, the direction of the spirit patterns, and a few points where mistakes are easily made. Go back and practice according to these instructions."

Li Yuan reached out and picked up the three pieces of paper, quickly scanning them.

The handwriting is neat and the logic is very clear.

Master Yu leaned back, his expression turning indifferent again.

"Alright, take your things."

"If you finish drawing it in the future, you can bring it to me to see. If you ruin too many drawings, think about where you went wrong first, instead of just saying you don't know how."

"it is good."

Li Yuan carefully folded the three sheets of paper, put them in his sleeve, and went out the door.

The alley was quiet, and the lights were dim.

The three sheets of paper in my sleeve were pressed against my wrist, their edges slightly stiff.

Golden Armor Talisman, Returning Origin Talisman, Meridian Expanding Talisman.

I've already obtained the crafting methods for three first-tier low-grade talismans.