12: information

Qingyu Alley, a small courtyard, a Talisman crafting room.

Faint golden light flickered in the room. Lu Ming's expression was solemn at this moment, his hands rapidly forming Spell seals.

He was currently attempting to draw a first-tier Medium Grade attack Talisman, the 'Geng Metal Sword Talisman'.

And this 'Geng Metal Sword Talisman' in front of him had clearly reached its most crucial step.

As long as the spirit manifestation was successful, the first-tier Medium Grade Talismans would be complete, and Lu Ming could even call himself a first-tier Medium Grade Talisman Master to outsiders.

Lu Ming's expression was grave, as an endless stream of magical power and spiritual sense poured into his fingertips.

Finally, he gently pointed a finger, touching the Spirit Talisman floating before him.

Spirit Manifestation!

His expression was focused, without the slightest relaxation.

Refining a first-tier Medium Grade Spirit Talisman consumed far more magical power and spiritual sense than before.

Feeling the rapid dissipation of his magical power and spiritual sense, Lu Ming's face remained calm, as if he felt no pressure at all.

And with the rapid consumption of magical power and spiritual sense, the runes drawn on the Spirit Talisman lit up one after another.

However, just at the critical moment of the spirit manifestation, the runes began to flicker violently.

"Oh no, it's going to explode!"

According to his past experience in crafting Talismans, this was a sign of failure.

He quickly took out an iron umbrella Magical Artifact from his Storage Pouch and covered himself with it.

But after a long while, the expected explosion did not come.

Lu Ming poked his head out from behind the umbrella, carefully glancing around.

He saw that the Talismans had already completed their spirit manifestation. A golden sword phantom leapt onto the paper, and a sharp Geng Metal aura assailed him, then vanished without a trace.

"It's done?"

Lu Ming did not put away the iron umbrella. He slowly approached, then used his spiritual sense to examine the Talismans.

Don't ask him why he was so cautious.

Before his Transmigration, he had been blown up by a dud firecracker during Chinese New Year...

After a period of investigation, he confirmed that the Talismans' spiritual patterns were internally contained, the spirit manifestation had been successful, and it was now quite stable and would not explode.

Lu Ming put away the iron umbrella and grabbed the floating Talismans.

A happy smile appeared on his face. Although this first-tier Medium Grade 'Geng Metal Sword Talisman' was of poor quality, basically a Low Grade Talisman.

But where there's one, there'll be a second. A few more practices and it would be fine.

Then he took out a small notebook and began to write and draw in it.

It was already filled with drawing experiences, spirit manifestation insights, and refining reflections for several first-tier Low Grade Talismans.

This time, he was recording his insights and reflections on refining the 'Geng Metal Sword Talisman', and reflecting on his mistakes and detailed errors during the refining process.

Lu Ming knew that his Comprehension Ability was not good, and his Aptitude was very poor. Without the golden book, he would not have gotten this far.

So he could only use this clumsy method to record everything. After continuous reflection, summarization, and correction, there would always be a reward.

This was also his first success after refining the 'Geng Metal Sword Talisman' for the eleventh time, so he naturally had to record it for future reference.

However, he didn't necessarily have to use a small notebook to record it. It was just that his spiritual sense was not yet capable of carving Jade Slips, so he could only honestly write it down.

After recording, he put the small notebook and the Talismans into his Storage Pouch.

Lu Ming planned to treat his stomach with some Spirit Rice.

After more than a month of continuous rigorous Cultivation in seclusion, he had been relying solely on grain-abstinence pills, and his mouth was almost tasteless.

But just then, he felt something in his in my arms quiver.

Lu Ming took out a palm-sized Talisman paper from his embrace. At this moment, the Talismans were faintly flickering with spiritual light.

He injected a wisp of spiritual power, and a rough voice sounded from within.

"Little Lu, I have news about the Cultivation Technique you're looking for. It's not convenient to talk in the Talisman paper. Make some time to come to the market, and we'll talk face to face."

This voice was unmistakably Zhang Li's.

Lu Ming was somewhat surprised upon hearing this. After replying with a 'Thank you, Uncle Zhang,' he said no more.

A communication Talisman only had a few uses, and the less said, the lower the consumption.

Lu Ming no longer planned to cook. Since there was news, it was better to go as soon as possible.

He had previously asked Zhang Li to keep an eye out for powerful Spells or secret techniques that could increase his Cultivation speed.

The reason he gave was simple: his Aptitude was poor, so he could only take shortcuts.

Zhang Li wouldn't find it strange after hearing this. Everyone wants a good life without effort, but there's no such good thing in this world.

A certain Cultivator named Lu: Actually, there really is...

In fact, Lu Ming was also preparing excuses in advance for his future rapid Cultivation advancement or improvement in Talismans crafting skills.

Otherwise, if an ordinary person suddenly made rapid progress in both Cultivation and skills, it would be too conspicuous.

However, if possible, he still needed to get an Aura Concealing Talisman as soon as possible.

In the market, being too strong would attract attention and envy, while being too weak would make one easily bullied.

Mediocrity was the best, especially a mediocre person who improved through secret techniques.

However, the scale of this needed to be carefully managed.

...

Since he was going out, Lu Ming planned to sell some Talismans and buy some supplies.

Moreover, he didn't know what price Zhang Li's Cultivation Technique would require. If he didn't have enough Spirit Stones, it would be a waste of time.

Lu Ming began to organize the Talismans he had drawn over the past month.

He could now skillfully draw first-tier Low Grade Talismans such as Mud Swamp Talisman, Aura Concealing Talisman, Windwalk Talisman, Thorn Talisman, and Fire Crow Talisman.

Seven or eight out of ten would succeed, and the quality was excellent, considered fine goods.

As for first-tier Medium Grade, currently only one 'Geng Metal Sword Talisman' had been successfully made, which could be ignored.

He didn't plan to sell all of them; some needed to be kept for personal use.

His current Cultivation was at the fourth layer of Qi Refining, so drawing first-tier Talismans was not conspicuous. Even if the Talismans were of excellent quality, it was nothing special.

This time, he would take out thirty Talismans to sell. Any more and he would easily be targeted.

After organizing these, he glanced at the golden book and, seeing that no 'newcomers' were on the list, Lu Ming then walked out of the courtyard gate.

...

Walking towards the market area, Lu Ming smelled the aroma of wine and dishes on the way, immediately making his mouth water. He swallowed, touching his empty stomach.

How about...

Go later?

As he thought this, his steps had already changed, and he walked towards the restaurant.

After being in seclusion for so long, he should treat his stomach.

"Guest, please come in ~"

The waiter respectfully greeted him.

Lu Ming went to the second floor, chose a window seat, and ordered a few signature dishes, plus a pot of spiritual wine.

He had wanted to order more, but feeling it would be too ostentatious, he held back.

"Hey, have you heard? The Talisman Cultivator Alliance has been having internal strife recently..."

"When did this happen? How do you know?"

When the dishes arrived, Lu Ming vaguely heard a few conversations, which immediately caught his attention.

Especially upon hearing the words 'Talisman Cultivator Alliance', it was as if a keyword had been triggered.

Following the sound, he saw two diners sitting not far from him, talking in low voices.

He did not use his spiritual sense to eavesdrop, as this was very impolite in the Cultivation world and would be seen as a provocation.

Lu Ming pricked up his ears, listening intently to their conversation.

"Hehe, my news is well-informed!"

The speaker's face showed a smug expression.

"Hurry up and tell me, I'll buy you a drink!"

His companion beside him quickly urged.

"Let me tell you, the Talisman Cultivator Alliance Leader Chang Wei is suspected of suffering from Qi Deviation during Cultivation and has been missing for over a month.

The other two Vice Alliance Leaders have already started vying for power, and now the Talisman Cultivator Alliance's internal affairs are in chaos.

If Chang Wei doesn't come out soon, I'm afraid the Talisman Cultivator Alliance Leader will be replaced."

The person said gloatingly.

"Really? Is it true? Isn't it normal for a Late-Stage Qi Refinement Cultivator like Alliance Leader Chang Wei to be in seclusion for a month?"

"Normal, my foot! His nephew Chang Yun has already turned into an idiot, and he hasn't even come out to see him once.

If it weren't for someone discovering Chang Yun's unusual condition, he, a dignified Middle Stage Qi Refining Cultivator, would probably have starved to death in his room."

"And that Huang Quan..."

Lu Ming was stunned as he listened to their conversation.

"Qi Deviation... seizing power... starved to death?"

He quickly checked the status of the three people in the golden book.

He saw that although the names of the three were still on the golden book at this time.

But the names of [Chang Yun] and [Huang Quan] were almost on the verge of disappearing.

What's going on?

I didn't even use much force.

How could they not hold up?

He had basically shifted his focus to Chang Wei later on, and he hadn't paid much attention to those two.

How did one become an idiot and almost starve to death, and the other happily earned the title of 'Talisman Dao Eunuch'?

"I really want to see their miserable state now... Forget it, I'll find some time to help my good brothers find liberation. How pitiful..."

Lu Ming feigned sympathy for a moment and then started thinking about other things.

Lu Ming, of course, knew why Chang Wei had been missing for a month.

He would activate the 'Blood Burning Secret Technique' just for fun. With enough proficiency, he would have already reached Perfection. If it weren't for his Late-Stage Qi Refinement Cultivation, Chang Wei would have been long gone.

However, judging by the color of the name in the golden book, he should be able to last a while longer.

But now the Talisman Cultivator Alliance's internal affairs were in chaos, and he wondered if it would affect his sale of Talismans.

"I hope not, otherwise I'll send you to accompany my good brothers!"

While Lu Ming was deep in thought, the dishes were brought up one by one.

The aroma of the food filled the air, and the scent of wine was intoxicating.

Lu Ming temporarily cast aside his complicated thoughts. Eating required focus; anything else could wait until he was full.

So he buried his head and began to feast heartily.