Creating a paradise in an ant nest

Chapter 97 The Way of Talismans

"this----"

When this topic came up, Ma Guanming looked embarrassed.

This question is similar to "Why don't they eat meat porridge?" If he has a promising future in the Talisman Peak, why would he participate in the selection of the Spirit Plant Peak?

"Senior Brother Liu, drawing talismans may seem much simpler than alchemy, but it also requires talent."

Because drawing talismans is relatively simple and anyone can try it, many people want to earn spirit stones through the art of talismans.

With more people, there will be competition among them.

There are only so many people who use talismans, but there are so many people who draw them, so prices are driven down, especially for low-level talismans, where the profit margin is pitifully low.

Liu He understood what Ma Guanming was saying; it was "involution."

"Only those with talent in the art of talisman drawing can stand out from the crowd and earn spirit stones through talisman drawing."

Only by earning spirit stones can one buy materials for drawing talismans and draw higher-level spirit talismans, creating a virtuous cycle.

Just like my current senior brother in the inner sect, Senior Brother Pei, his talent in the way of talismans is not ordinary. He has a special spiritual talent called the skillful finger spirit, which allows him to control his fingers with extreme precision.

He awakened this innate spiritual body when he broke through to the Qi Refining stage, and was selected as a formal disciple at Talisman Peak, just like the difference between disciples of Spirit Plant Peak and disciples of the Outer Mountain Forest Farm.

As a formal disciple of Fu Lu Peak, he receives much better treatment. In addition to a monthly stipend of spirit stones, the sect also provides him with free materials for drawing talismans to practice.

He is currently at the eighth level of Qi Refining. In order to earn more spirit stones, he applied to become a freelance talisman master, the kind who is responsible for his own profits and losses.

He only draws one or two spirit talismans a day, and each talisman can earn him at least ten spirit stones—the profit is frighteningly high.

When Ma Guanming mentioned his senior brother, he couldn't hide the envy and admiration on his face.

Others can earn ten spirit stones for a single talisman, while he can only earn four spirit stones after a month of hard work. This difference is not just ten or dozens of times, but hundreds of times!

"If you don't have the talent, like me, drawing spirit talismans doesn't make money; in fact, it results in losses. I can only work under Senior Brother Pei making talisman paper to earn a little bit of hard-earned money."

When he spoke of himself, Ma Guanming looked dejected.

Making talisman paper and mixing talisman ink are tedious but technically simple processes, so most of the miscellaneous disciples at Talisman Peak do these kinds of jobs.

Upon hearing Ma Guanming mention Senior Brother Pei's income, Liu He was filled with envy, which further solidified his decision to pursue the path of talismans.

Alchemy requires a talent with fire attributes, which is a high barrier to entry.

Anyone can practice drawing talismans.

How can I determine if I have a talent for talisman drawing?

Liu He inquired.

"Well—I can't really say. Apart from Senior Brother Pei, who has a talent for spiritual beings, the rest of us will have to try."

Over the years, I've relied on the leftover ink from drawing talismans given to me by Senior Brother Pei, as well as the scraps I cut when making talisman paper. Sometimes I would even secretly keep a few sheets. Anyway, talisman paper isn't worth much. I've tried many times, but the success rate of drawing talismans is pitifully low.

I spent a lot of spirit stones on this, but in the end, I lost money when I made and sold the spirit talismans. It would have been better to save the spirit stones to buy spirit pills to improve my cultivation. Sigh~

Ma Guanming sighed.

"Didn't I mention before that I needed your help? I'd like to learn talisman drawing; could you please introduce me to that Senior Brother Pei?"

"what?"

Ma Guanming asked in bewilderment, "You're not an Earth Elemental Spirit Body, yet you have a bright future at Spirit Plant Peak. Why?"

He didn't understand why Liu He, who had a bright future at Lingzhi Peak, would suddenly want to learn talisman drawing.

"Let's find a way to earn spirit stones. My monthly salary at Spirit Plant Peak isn't much, and spirit stones are needed everywhere."

Liu He explained it this way.

"That's true. Who would complain about having too many spirit stones? Even though Senior Brother Pei is so rich, he occasionally says things like that treasures are too expensive."

I'm willing to introduce you, but—"

Ma Guanming looked troubled.

"It's just that Senior Brother Pei has a high status, and many people are looking for him. He's very busy, so I can't guarantee he'll be willing to see you."

Ma Guanming was quite embarrassed when he said this.

He was happy to help Liu He, since Liu He still cared about their past relationship and brought him to Lingzhi Peak. Unfortunately, he was just a lowly servant under Pei Shuguai, making talismans.

"I have a plan. Let's go to my forest area."

Liu He's method was quite vulgar: when asking someone for a favor, you naturally have to give them a gift.

The two arrived at Liu He's woodland in Lingmu Garden.

"Please wait a moment—"

Liu He asked Ma Guanming to wait outside the wooden house for a moment before entering the house himself.

A moment later he came out, carrying an exquisite wooden box.

"This is a gift for Senior Brother Pei. With this gift, he shouldn't refuse."

"What gift?"

Ma Guanming curiously opened it and took a look, finding six strange purple spiritual fruits neatly arranged inside.

"Purple Apple Spirit Fruit?!"

He had never eaten it, but he had seen it; one of these Purple Apple Spirit Fruits cost three spirit stones.

Six, that makes eighteen spirit stones!

In fact, Liu He's Purple Apple Fruit is of better quality and commands a higher price.

Seeing Liu He's generosity, Ma Guanming replied, "I will definitely speak up for you in front of Senior Brother Pei. With this gift, I'm 90% confident."

Fu Lu Peak.

After leaving Lingzhi Peak, Ma Guanming went straight to the residence of his inner sect senior brother, Pei Shuguai.

Pei Shuguai spends most of his time in his own residence, and a small portion of his time in the talisman-drawing room.

"Senior Brother Pei~"

Ma Guanming paid a visit to the door.

"Come in."

Pei Shuguai did not appear, and the courtyard gate opened automatically.

After Ma Guanming entered, the courtyard gate closed automatically again.

Pei Shuguai was leisurely sipping tea in the breezy pavilion in the courtyard.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Ma Guanming got down to business: "Senior Brother Pei, I have a friend who wants to learn how to draw talismans. He asked me to introduce him to someone, and I would like to ask you to meet him and give him some pointers."

"Your friend?"

Pei Shuguai raised an eyebrow. If he was Ma Guanming's friend, what kind of talented cultivator could he be?

Presumably, some desperate handyman disciple wanted to try his luck and attempt the art of talismans.

What do you think of talismans?

"I've been very busy lately, I don't have time."

Pei Shuguai waved his hand casually, not saying anything too harsh. After all, Ma Guanming was just a menial servant under his command.

"Senior Brother Pei, he is very sincere. This is a gift he asked me to present to you. I hope you won't find it offensive."

Ma Guanming quickly presented the wooden box he had brought with both hands.

"Put it on the table."

Pei Shu glanced at the tea table but didn't move.

Ma Guanming placed the wooden box behind the tea table, and Pei Shuguai opened it with a wisp of spiritual energy, revealing six purple apple spirit fruits inside.

"Oh?"

Given his status and income, he could certainly afford the Purple Apple Spirit Fruit, but it was very precious to the menial disciples.

"What's your friend's background?"

"Senior brother, my friend has a very good talent. He has an earth elemental spirit body and is currently an outer disciple of the Spirit Tree Garden on Spirit Plant Peak. By the way, he entered the sect in the same batch as me."

He's interested in the art of talismans and wants to make a living from it. He's heard of your great reputation, Senior Brother Pei, and admires you greatly, so he asked me for help.

'

Seeing that Pei Shuguai was interested in Liu He, Ma Guanming quickly spoke highly of him.