Chapter 32 : First-rank High-grade Talisman Master

Chapter 32: First-rank High-grade Talisman Master

Returning home, Lin Chang’an rarely reeked of alcohol.

“Who would’ve thought that the First-rank High-grade Talisman, which was previously elusive, is now within reach.”

Looking at the inheritance jade slip of the First-rank Golden Light Talisman in his hand, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but smile.

Sure enough, high risks came with high rewards.

The earlier investment in Yun Yao could have amounted to nothing had it failed.

But the returns after success were well worth it.

“Truly, the same person can have vastly different fates. Not only did she become a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she even took a Golden Core elder as her master. This fortune is simply unparalleled.”

Lin Chang’an sighed and recalled how she was just a little girl back then, undergoing the assessment with the other three of them.

Yet in just twenty-five years, their statuses had become worlds apart.

“A Foundation Establishment cultivator with a two-hundred-year lifespan—how enviable.”

Lin Chang’an spoke somewhat bitterly. He was already forty-five. Though cultivating Evergreen Art helped prolong his life, it was nothing compared to a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

“Before turning sixty, I must attempt Foundation Establishment. Even if I fail, I will have no regrets.”

As he thought of this, a resolute look surfaced on Lin Chang’an’s face.

After cultivating bitterly for so many years, now that he had a talent in hand, what others deemed elusive—Foundation Establishment—no longer felt impossible to him.

“A First-rank High-grade Talisman Master... Opportunities for Foundation Establishment may be rare, but if ten such masters were to support me, perhaps the chance wouldn’t be so slim.”

Thinking that he could remain in peak condition constantly, Lin Chang’an revealed a smile.

A First-rank Low-grade Talisman was valued between two spirit crystals and one spirit stone, a mid-grade talisman between three to seven spirit stones, and a high-grade one between thirty to fifty spirit stones.

“An average First-rank High-grade Talisman Master, in good condition, could earn about a hundred spirit stones per month after deducting costs, but I can make ten times that.”

And that was without giving up his cultivation time. Otherwise, he could earn even more.

“High-grade talismans require extremely high standards for talisman paper and cinnabar. Although I’ve made purchases before, others still viewed that as normal behavior—after all, no Talisman Master would be content with the status quo. But if I start buying in bulk, it’ll raise suspicions.”

At that moment, Lin Chang’an frowned. Moreover, it wasn’t easy to keep the First-rank High-grade Talismans under wraps.

“Also, the inheritance of First-rank High-grade Talismans won’t stay hidden. Once Yun Yao thanked me face-to-face at the banquet, it was no longer a secret.”

Lin Chang’an pondered silently. That said, Yun Yao was helping him in her own way.

“Being appointed as one of the Foundation Establishment cultivators guarding the marketplace—truly enviable to have a Golden Core elder as a backer.”

For Yun Yao to be assigned to the rear lines immediately after forming her foundation clearly meant she was favored by her Golden Core master. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been given such a good post.

“So I’m a First-rank High-grade Talisman Master now. Looks like it won’t be long before the news spreads.”

Lin Chang’an shook his head with a smile, taking out the few precious talismans he had left, along with the remaining speck of cinnabar.

“The complete inheritance of the First-rank Golden Light Talisman is more refined, and it demands even more precise control.”

Taking a deep breath, Lin Chang’an wore a solemn expression as he dipped his talisman brush into the precious cinnabar and began drawing slowly on this special talisman paper, unlike the ordinary kind.

A faint golden light swirled, and Lin Chang’an’s face displayed a satisfied smile.

“First-rank High-grade Talisman Master!”

The next day.

“Big Brother Lin.”

The first visitor was unexpectedly Li Erniu. At that moment, Erniu looked a little awkward, clearly sent by the Zhou Family.

Seeing this, Lin Chang’an also secretly thought that the Zhou Family was truly cunning.

“Big Brother Lin, last night’s gathering at Juxian Tower with the Little County Princess—everyone in the family knows about it. This morning, Grandpa Zhou Antai told me to come find you.”

Li Erniu was an honest man and didn’t want this to harm their relationship, so the first thing he did upon arriving was to explain everything clearly.

“Erniu, there’s no need for such formality between us.”

Lin Chang’an chuckled and waved his hand. He naturally understood Erniu’s difficult position.

Seeing that Lin Chang’an wasn’t angry, Li Erniu finally let out a breath of relief. He then took out what the family had given him from his storage pouch.

“Big Brother Lin, Grandpa Zhou Antai told me to hand this over to you.”

When Lin Chang’an saw what Erniu had taken out, he was first stunned, then inwardly praised them—no wonder the Zhou Family had stood strong for a hundred years.

They were truly straightforward in their dealings.

It was the external hiring contract he had signed with the Zhou Family five years ago. Their intent was now clear.

A First-rank High-grade Talisman Master might be worth recruiting.

But a Talisman Master who was also close to a Foundation Establishment cultivator backed by a Golden Core powerhouse?

That was an entirely different status.

“The Zhou Family is really willing to go all in.”

Lin Chang’an let out a soft laugh while holding the contract, and Erniu beside him scratched his head awkwardly and muttered:

“Big Brother Lin, actually Grandpa Antai gave me quite a few benefits too.”

Lin Chang’an burst into laughter. Well then, Erniu really was an honest fellow.

But thinking about it, this also counted as currying favor with a Foundation Establishment cultivator with a strong background. Naturally, the Zhou Family was willing to spend a little.

“Erniu, hand this talisman over to Elder Zhou for me and convey my thanks.”

Since the Zhou Family was being forthright, Lin Chang’an wouldn’t act high and mighty. With a hearty laugh, he directly took out a talisman as a gift in return.

When Li Erniu saw the talisman, his eyes widened at once.

“Big Brother Lin, you really advanced to a First-rank High-grade Talisman Master!”

No wonder Erniu was shocked—just five years ago, Lin Chang’an had still been in a disheartened state.

Then he broke through to become a First-rank Mid-grade Talisman Master.

And now, he had become a First-rank High-grade Talisman Master. The difference in status was stark, and at this moment Erniu felt like he had become the one lagging behind.

Even the Minor Marquis Shen Lie had married the little junior sister and was now managing the Little County Princess Yun Yao’s merchant guild.

“Just lucky. After twenty-five years of research, I’ve finally found a foothold in the path of talismans.”

Lin Chang’an spoke humbly and sentimentally. With his background, others would only believe he had made steady progress over time.

In the world of cultivation, there were too many who studied for decades without results, only to suddenly gain insight one day.

“A First-rank High-grade Talisman Master... how many spirit stones must you earn in a year?”

Li Erniu spoke with envy. If he had that kind of skill, he wouldn’t be worrying about his troublesome kid at home.

In cultivation, aside from spiritual root aptitude, the most crucial factor was resources.

Both of them had been delayed because of the lack of resources.

“Big Brother Lin, don’t worry. I’ll report back to the family—it’ll be considered a completed task.”

Lin Chang’an didn’t make things difficult for Erniu, and aside from reporting the Zhou Family’s message at the start, Erniu didn’t press any further.

Seeing Erniu patting his chest confidently, Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded.

Since the Zhou Family had shown goodwill, he naturally wouldn’t act arrogantly. After all, the more friends one had, the more paths there were to walk.