I forge immortality with spiritual treasures.

Chapter 26 Talismans
Ying Chan responded and entered immediately.

A massive, imposing figure came into view.

Ying Chan was already taller than most people, but this person standing in front of him seemed to cover him completely.

So much so that Ying Chan could not see the furnishings in the rear chamber, but could only see a patch of firelight shining on his shoulder, making him look like a god.

"this."

Ying Chan took a half step back before he could see clearly that the person in front of him was a Taoist priest as tall as an iron tower. He had tiger-like eyes and a bushy beard, but he did not appear rough. After exchanging a glance with him, he said, "Ying Chan, Junior Brother Ying, right?"

"Indeed." Ying Chan bowed and asked, "Haven't you yet asked your senior brother for guidance?"

"Lei Xiuyuan."

The burly Taoist priest introduced himself and asked, "You look unfamiliar; is this your first time visiting the artifact workshop?"

Ying Chan nodded in agreement.

Lei Xiuyuan frowned and asked again, "Have you studied weapon crafting?"

"I have studied some basics," Ying Chan said. "I have read through books such as 'Ten Essentials of the Way of Weapons,' 'Detailed Explanation of Divine Runes,' and 'Prohibitions of the Way of Weapons' repeatedly."

"That means you haven't learned it."

Lei Xiuyuan sighed helplessly, "Isn't this just making things worse?"

"Never mind." Without waiting for Ying Chan's reply, he waved his hand and said, "I'll find someone to show you around first."

"Let me make this clear from the start: if you learn too slowly, don't blame me for returning the application to the Ministry of State Affairs."

Ying Chan was not annoyed. Instead, he cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother."

"Hmm." Lei Xiuyuan's expression softened slightly, and he continued, "Don't blame me for being too cold and hard. It's just that the art of weapon forging is too superficial to learn from books alone, and the workshop is short-handed. There's really no one who can teach you step by step."

"Yes." Ying Chan knew this principle, which was why he thought of coming to the equipment workshop. "I understand."

"Let's go."

Lei Xiuyuan stopped talking and led Ying Chan inside.

Soon, he summoned a tall, thin Taoist priest and introduced him to Ying Chan, saying, "This is Ding Zhi, Junior Brother Ding. You can follow him for now."

After saying that, he added, "Junior Brother Ding, this is Junior Brother Ying's first time at the weapon workshop, could you guide him... or let him refine gold and silver?"

Then he left in a hurry.

Ding Zhi watched Lei Xiuyuan leave, then shrugged at Ying Chan: "That's just how Senior Brother Lei is, Junior Brother, don't take it to heart."

"By the way, have you studied weapon crafting?"

Ying Chan had no choice but to repeat himself, but Ding Zhi seemed quite satisfied: "You know quite a lot."

Seeing his confusion, Ding Zhi smiled and said, "This is my first time at the equipment workshop, and I haven't learned anything yet."

"Of course, they were kicked out very quickly."

As he spoke, he beckoned Ying Chan inside. The two entered a fire chamber, and Ding Zhi asked again, "Since you have learned the basics, you should know about medicine gold and medicine silver?"

Ying Chan nodded, and Ying Jue understood.

Both "Ten Essentials of the Artifact Craft" and "Detailed Explanation of Divine Runes" mention how to refine medicinal gold and silver. These gold and silver are not yellow or white substances, but rather materials that cultivators refine using special methods and are used to inscribe divine runes.

"Knowing this makes things simple."

Ding Zhi clapped his hands: "I happen to have a batch of talisman swords to refine, junior brother, why don't you refine the medicinal gold and silver for me first?"

"I've already brought all the materials here. Do you know how to start the furnace? You can open and adjust it by going through the restrictions there. Be careful, though the furnace here isn't directly fueled by underground fire veins, it's still extremely hot..."

He was quite at ease and even began to instruct Ying Chan on how to use fire and how to refine medicinal gold and silver.

First, a mineral very similar to gold is thrown into the fire to remove impurities and melt it into liquid gold. Then, 'three yellows' are added to it and the fire is submerged...

Ying Chan naturally wouldn't resist. He had already memorized the steps for refining medicinal gold and silver, and with Ding Zhi guiding him, his practice was quite skillful, step by step. "Hmm."

Ding Zhi watched for a while and was even more surprised: "Isn't this quite fluent? Junior Brother, did you really only learn it from books?"

“Exactly.” Ying Chan replied while controlling his magical power, “Although I had considered this before, this is the first time I’m trying it.”

“Then you really do have some talent…” Ding Zhi shook his head: “At least you’re a bit better than me.”

Ying Chan simply smiled, then changed the subject, asking, "I've heard that in the artifact workshop, there's a chance to observe a master craftsman refining magical artifacts?"

"It's natural."

"Not only the academy teachers, but also senior brothers like Brother Lei and some of the assistant senior brothers in the workshop don't mind watching. If they have time, they can go up and ask for advice."

"Of course, that's on the condition that the job is done." Ding Zhi chuckled as he said this, "The work in the workshop is tough and tiring, junior brother, are you prepared?"

Ying Chan was well prepared for the hardships and exhaustion.

However, he was also curious and asked, "How heavy are the tasks in the workshop?"

Ding Zhi raised his chin towards the corner of the fire chamber, "See those sword blanks? I need to refine them all into talismanic artifacts within ten days."

"A talisman?"

“Not bad,” Ding Zhi said. “Each one must be engraved with mysterious jade inscriptions to make it tough, sharp, and as light as a feather…”

Ying Chan does know this.

Such a talisman sword does not require a ritualistic refinement or restriction; it is merely inscribed with a few divine runes to give it a slight mystical quality.

It is far from being a magic tool, which is why it is called a talisman tool.

Strictly speaking, his 'Qiankun Bow' is actually a talisman weapon, only its power is extraordinary.

Ying Chan was curious: what was the purpose of forging so many talisman swords?

He voiced his confusion, and Ding Zhi was not surprised, but earnestly explained, "Junior brother, you are unaware of this."

“Magic artifacts are precious, after all, not everyone can come into contact with them. For us Qi Refining cultivators, the demand for talisman artifacts is actually quite large.”

"Take this talisman sword as an example. If a disciple of the academy wants to go into the mountains to collect herbs, he will inevitably need a talisman sword to carry him."

"In addition, sometimes when the Taoist masters in the academy give lectures on swordsmanship, they also use a lot of talisman swords."

"Finally, there's the workshop itself."

"The craftsmen in the workshop, including us, often use talismans, either to try to refine restrictions, to study the combination of divine runes, or to test the refining and tempering methods in the book of artifacts... They are very useful."

"I see."

Ying Chan nodded thoughtfully: "I have learned a lot."

"It's alright, it's alright." Ding Zhi laughed heartily, "Since Senior Brother Lei asked you to come with me, feel free to ask me any questions you may have."

Ying Chan had no doubts for the time being, but a thought arose in his mind.

He controlled his magic power, took the refined medicinal gold out of the fire, and placed it into a bronze container, where it immediately shone with a dazzling golden light.

Upon seeing this, Ding Zhi praised again, "Junior Brother's medicinal gold is already extremely pure."

"Thank you for the compliment, Senior Brother."

Ying Chan smiled, but was somewhat embarrassed: "I have a favor to ask."

Ding Zhi said, "Junior brother, just tell me."

Ying Chan coughed lightly: "I wonder if Senior Brother could give me some guidance on crafting talisman swords?"

"If it can be done, it will also help my senior brother..."

(End of this chapter)