After a brief conversation, Zheng Jinbao said he had other business and turned to leave.
Once he was a good distance away, he wiped the smile from his face.
'Damn my luck! How did that brat become a Talisman Master?!'
Zheng Jinbao couldn't help but feel irritated.
In the past, he had relied on his status to wantonly bully many of the Cultivators who had signed a Spirit Contract with the Zheng Family.
Almost all of those Cultivators had bleak prospects, with little hope of turning their fortunes around.
Even when they suffered unjust treatment, they could only endure it in silence!
Because of this, he had lived a stable life all these years without any mishaps.
Who could have expected an anomaly like Li Chang'an to suddenly appear!
'That brat is cunning and scheming. He most likely still holds a grudge!'
Zheng Jinbao's expression turned grim, a faint unease stirring in his heart.
The Li Chang'an of today was no longer someone he could easily manipulate.
He was afraid that Li Chang'an would one day come seeking revenge!
'No, I can't just sit here and wait for my doom!'
Zheng Jinbao clenched his jaw, a vicious glint flashing in his eyes.
He hadn't secured his position as Steward just by relying on his status as one of the Zheng Clan Members; he had all sorts of methods at his disposal!
At this thought, he paused, then headed off in a different direction.
...
「For the next month.」
Li Chang'an barely left his home, wholeheartedly dedicating himself to Middle Grade Talismans.
The difficulty of Middle Grade Talismans far exceeded that of Low Grade Talismans.
Even after studying for a whole month, he still didn't have the slightest bit of confidence.
'Tier One Middle Grade Talismans not only have incredibly complex painting techniques, but the demands on one's Magical Power and Spiritual Power are also extremely strict.'
Li Chang'an thought to himself.
Under normal circumstances, only the Magical Power and Spiritual Power of a Middle Stage Qi Refining Cultivator would be enough to support the painting of a Tier One Middle Grade Talisman.
Li Chang'an's advantage lay in his Spiritual Power, which was stronger than that of other Cultivators at the same stage.
As for his Magical Power... he now had Elixir Pills to aid his training, so his cultivation speed was faster than before, but he was still some distance away from the Qi Refining Fourth Layer.
...
「A few days later.」
Xu Fugui and Sun Yulan came to visit.
"Brother Li, when did you become a Talisman Master? Why didn't you tell us!"
"It's not a big deal, not worth mentioning."
Li Chang'an chuckled lightly.
The news of him becoming a Talisman Master and killing the Tribulation Cultivator hadn't spread; only a very small number of people knew.
The two of them hadn't known either.
Today, they had gone to see Chu Daniu about something and discovered he was injured.
After some questioning, they learned the truth.
Upon learning that Li Chang'an had become a Talisman Master, their reaction was the same as Chu Daniu's—utter shock.
"Brother, no wonder you never leave the house! So you've been studying Talisman Art."
Xu Fugui's face was full of envy.
Sun Yulan's gaze was wistful, her feelings incredibly complex.
At their last gathering, she had advised Li Chang'an to go out more, suggesting he might stumble upon some opportunity.
She never expected that Li Chang'an had already found his opportunity.
The elder brother who had led her on the path to Cultivation Immortality hadn't faded into mediocrity; he was still as bright and dazzling as ever.
Unconsciously, the image of Li Chang'an grew tall in her heart once more.
The three of them talked for a long time.
It wasn't until evening that Xu Fugui and Sun Yulan finally took their leave.
'They finally left.'
Li Chang'an planned to continue his study of Talisman Art.
However, not long after, Sun Yulan turned around and came back.
This time, she was actually wearing light makeup. Her eyebrows were like slender willows, her face like a peach blossom, and she carried a faint, fresh fragrance.
"Brother Chang'an, may I speak with you in private?"
Her eyes were like pools of water, her gaze fixed on Li Chang'an's face.
Li Chang'an's brow furrowed slightly.
"Yulan, is there something else?"
"Brother Chang'an..."
Sun Yulan gently bit her red lip, her cheeks flushing.
"You've been alone for so many years. Have you ever considered taking a wife and starting a family?"
"Take a wife?"
Li Chang'an immediately shook his head.
His face was stern, his expression serious.
"The Cultivation Immortality Realm is ever-changing. The Qi Refining Stage is like weeds by the roadside, and only Foundation Establishment Cultivators can truly stand firm. I am as insignificant as an ant right now, how could I dare to take a wife and have children?"
Hearing this, Sun Yulan's expression dimmed.
She also understood.
Now that Li Chang'an had become a Talisman Master and could earn cultivation resources, there was indeed a sliver of a chance for him to reach Foundation Establishment.
Perhaps that was why his heart was so set on pursuing the Dao.
Sun Yulan couldn't help but feel a little regretful.
If she had asked him about this back then, before he became a Talisman Master, would the outcome have been different?
At this thought, she felt an emptiness in her heart.
"Yulan, it's getting late. You should go back and get some rest."
Having lived two lives, how could Li Chang'an not see through her intentions?
He was well aware. In the past, although this woman had some affection for him, she had never intended to become his Daoist partner, simply because he was too plain and ordinary to meet her expectations. If he hadn't become a Talisman Master, this conversation would never have happened.
Afterward, Sun Yulan probed with a few more questions, but Li Chang'an's attitude remained indifferent.
She had no choice but to leave, dejected.
...
Time flew by.
Before he knew it, another month had passed.
Li Chang'an gradually began to feel a little confident about painting Tier One Middle Grade Talismans.
On this day, Chu Daniu came looking for Li Chang'an.
After two months of recuperation, his injuries had mostly healed.
The reason he came to see Li Chang'an was to tell him something.
"Brother Li, I previously joined a circle of artisans. The Cultivators inside all have at least one Cultivation Immortality Technique, and several of them are Talisman Masters."
Chu Daniu explained slowly.
As one's status changes, the people one comes into contact with also change.
Back then, after the news spread that he had obtained a Spirit Wine inheritance, someone invited him to join this small circle.
A few people inside also knew the skill of brewing Spirit Wine, and talking with them had been very rewarding for Chu Daniu.
Therefore, he planned to invite Li Chang'an to join this circle as well.
"Brother Li, interacting with other Talisman Masters might help you break through sooner and learn to paint High-quality Talismans. What do you think?"
Chu Daniu asked.
He didn't know that Li Chang'an could already paint High-quality Talismans, which was why he said this.
'A circle of artisans...'
Li Chang'an mulled it over for a moment.
Meeting other Talisman Masters wasn't a bad thing.
Communication between fellow practitioners often leads to mutual encouragement and shared progress.
So, he agreed.
...
Before long, Chu Daniu took him to attend a gathering of artisans.
It was called a gathering, but it was also a small trade fair of sorts.
While everyone socialized, they also exchanged needed cultivation resources.
The scene was lively, with Cultivators chatting and laughing with each other in a harmonious atmosphere.
"Brother Li, this is Daoist Liu."
The first person Chu Daniu introduced to Li Chang'an was a woman.
Liu Yue, a Third Layer Qi Refining Cultivator.
She was also a Tier One Low Grade Talisman Master.
"Daoist Liu, this is my brother, Li Chang'an. He's also a Talisman Master."
Chu Daniu then introduced Li Chang'an to her.
Liu Yue's eyes flickered, and she sized up Li Chang'an with surprise.
"Oh? Could it be that you only recently became a Talisman Master? Why haven't I heard of you before?"
"That is indeed the case."
Li Chang'an cupped his hands and replied.
Chu Daniu held Liu Yue in high regard.
"Brother Li, Daoist Liu is very talented in the way of Talismans. She's only been practicing Talisman Painting for less than three years, and she can already create High-quality Talismans!"
"I can only barely manage it, and the success rate is extremely low."
Liu Yue chuckled. Her words were modest, but they held a faint hint of pride.
Indeed, compared to many old-timer Talisman Masters, she was considered quite talented.
Many Talisman Masters with Low Grade skills spend more than ten years before they can paint a High-quality Talisman.
"I see. Daoist Liu is truly talented."
Li Chang'an said with a smile.
He thought for a moment.
'From the time I started Talisman Painting to when I could create High-quality Talismans... it seems it's only been a little over three months?'