Burial Furnace

Zhou Lie took the talisman and examined it carefully.

The runes have smooth lines and are full of spiritual energy. Although the quality is not top-notch, it is definitely acceptable.

"Not bad." Zhou Lie nodded and looked Zhang Yuan over again.

Although the old man had a full head of white hair and a face full of wrinkles, his complexion was ruddy, his eyes were bright, and he seemed to have a strong vitality. He could live for at least several more decades.

Qi Refining Level 3.

This level of cultivation is considered to be at the very bottom in the cultivation world.

However, if one earns spirit stones through business and drawing talismans, and then breaks through a few more realms, one can barely become a low-level talisman master.

Thinking this through, Zhou Lie coldly said, "I don't lack low-level talisman masters. What I lack are mid-level talisman masters. I'll give you a test. I'll teach you how to draw an invisibility talisman now. If you can draw it successfully on the spot, I'll allow you to continue running the crematorium. Otherwise, you'll have Liu Ruxue come and talk to me."

Zhang Yuan's face fell: "Senior, the invisibility talisman is a mid-level talisman, so complicated, I'm afraid—"

"Then what use is a piece of trash like you to me?" Zhou Lie interrupted him viciously.

"Then I'll give it a try."

Zhang Yuan gritted his teeth.

"..."

Zhou Lie took out a blank talisman paper, laid it on the table, and then picked up a talisman pen to begin drawing an invisibility talisman.

At the same time, he explained in detail the structure of each rune of the invisibility talisman, the direction of each stroke, and the precautions for each point.

Zhang Yuan pretended to listen attentively, nodding occasionally.

Zhou Lie drew three invisibility talismans in one go, each one of superior quality and full of spiritual power.

"Did you see it clearly?" Zhou Lie put down the talisman brush and looked at Zhang Yuan.

"I've seen it clearly." Zhang Yuan nodded. "Senior, I have a few questions I'd like to ask you."

"Ask away."

"..."

Zhang Yuan pretended to ask a few questions about rune structure and the flow of true essence, questions that beginners often encounter.

Zhou Lie answered them one by one.

Zhang Yuan closed his eyes and pondered for a while, then traced the talisman in the air with his fingers. He then took a deep breath, picked up the talisman brush, and began to draw.

His movements were somewhat awkward, his wrist trembled slightly, and the tip of the pen slid slowly across the talisman paper, leaving behind lines that were not quite smooth.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his brows were furrowed, as if he were exerting all his strength.

Zhou Lie watched coldly, a hint of mockery in his eyes.

He simply didn't believe that the old man could draw an invisibility talisman.

The invisibility talisman is a mid-level talisman, requiring extremely high levels of mental strength and control over true essence.

An old man at the third level of Qi Refining can already do a good job of drawing a Breath Concealing Talisman, let alone an Invisibility Talisman?

That's utterly delusional.

His real purpose was to force Zhang Yuan to go find Liu Ruxue.

Once Liu Ruxue arrives, he can talk to her and see if he can get some orders for high-level talismans from the Holy Maiden Sect.

That's the real big business.

Zhang Yuan continued drawing with great effort, and lines of runes appeared on the talisman paper. Although the speed was slow and it looked like he was struggling, he made no mistakes at any step.

Rune structure, correct.

The flow of true essence is correct.

The ink concentration is correct.

As the last stroke was made, a faint light suddenly flashed across the talisman paper.

Invisibility charm successfully created!

Zhou Lie's eyes widened, his eyeballs almost popping out.

How is this possible?!

How could an old man at the third level of Qi Refining actually draw a mid-level talisman?

He picked up the talisman and examined it carefully.

Yes, it is indeed an invisibility charm.

The quality isn't top-notch, but it's definitely acceptable.

"Senior...Junior...I have not failed in my mission..."

Zhang Yuan plopped down on the ground, panting heavily, his face pale and covered in sweat, as if he had just gone through a life-or-death battle.

Actually, he wasn't that tired.

With his current skill in talismans, drawing an invisibility talisman would consume some mental energy and true essence, but it wouldn't be to this extent.

He was faking it.

He wanted Zhou Lie to feel that he had barely managed to complete the drawing by exerting all his strength.

This way, he can showcase his abilities without making the other party think he's too extraordinary.

Zhou Lie sat back down in his chair.

His gaze darted back and forth between Zhang Yuan and the invisibility talisman, his mind racing with calculations.

This old man is a talisman genius.

Although he is only at the third level of Qi Refining now, with his talent for drawing talismans, he will definitely become an excellent intermediate talisman master in the future, and may even break through to the advanced level.

It would be a pity to kill someone like that.

Moreover, having him supply talismans specifically for the Spirit Talisman Pavilion is far more cost-effective than having him close down.

Thinking of this, Zhou Lie said, "Starting today, you will provide me with one invisibility talisman every day. Thirty talismans per month, and I will buy them for fifty low-grade spirit stones each."

He paused, then continued, "Once you advance to the fourth level of Qi Refining, you'll be supplied with one hundred talismans each month. When you advance to the fifth level of Qi Refining, we'll discuss it further, and perhaps then you'll be allowed to draw an additional intermediate-level talisman."

Zhang Yuan cursed inwardly.

He earns fifty low-grade spirit stones for each invisibility talisman. Thirty talismans a month would earn him 1,500 low-grade spirit stones, equivalent to 15 mid-grade spirit stones.

Once he breaks through to the fourth level of Qi Refining, he will need to supply one hundred sheets a month, which means he will need to earn fifty mid-grade spirit stones from him.

That bastard is ruthless!

When I become powerful in the future, I will make him pay back the principal with interest.

If you don't pay, you'll pay with your life!

But on the surface, he smiled and nodded repeatedly: "Okay, okay, I'll follow your arrangements, senior."

He rested for a while before shakily getting up and bidding farewell to Zhou Lie.

The crisis has been temporarily averted.

Back in the shop, he sat behind the counter and began to think about his next plan.

First, a formation must be set up to block divine sense.

The divine sense of a Golden Core cultivator is terrifying. Every move you make is under their surveillance, and this feeling is extremely uncomfortable.

Secondly, the shop needs to be repaired.

The current shops are too rudimentary; they don't even have a proper defensive formation.

If they encounter a powerful enemy, they won't even have a place to hide.

Both of these things require spirit stones.

Zhang Yuan touched the Shadowless Ring; there were still quite a few spirit stones left inside, but not too many.

He must be careful with his money and spend it wisely.

"I'll find a formation master to take a look tomorrow," Zhang Yuan decided in his heart.

Zhang Yuan did not go out that day.

He sat inside the counter, spread out a rough sheet of paper, picked up a pen, and began to sketch.

Having lived two lives, he had seen many magnificent buildings.

The modern funeral homes I saw on TV in my past life were spacious, bright, solemn, and dignified.

Having lived for eighty years in this life, I have seen the mansions of wealthy families, with their blue bricks and gray tiles, flying eaves and brackets, possessing a unique ancient charm.

He combined the two and sketched a draft on the paper.

In the very center is a spacious cremation hall with a high ceiling and windows on all four sides, ensuring good ventilation.

A large furnace was built in the center of the hall, with an opening three times larger than the current one, capable of burning three to five corpses at a time, greatly improving efficiency.

The front hall is a reception room furnished with tables, chairs, and a coffee table for guests to wait and rest.

The back hall served as a storage room and a woodshed.

To the right is a lounge with a kitchen, which can be used for sleeping and meditation.

On the left is a small courtyard with a two-story building inside.

Downstairs are the living room and kitchen, upstairs are the bedroom and study, and there is also a spacious terrace where you can drink tea and enjoy the moon.

This courtyard will be his residence from now on.

As for the open space in front of the shop, it can be paved with bluestone slabs, planted with a few osmanthus trees, and furnished with a few stone benches.

When guests arrive, they can sit and wait under the tree, which is quite a sight to behold.