Mythical Cultivation

Today was the day Wu Ming and his group gathered. Wu Ming arrived early at Zhao Xiaohai's residence. A moment later, the others arrived and began to complain. "We're running low on Qi-boosting pills. We've already used them up in just twenty days. Without them, cultivation will be too slow. At this rate, advancing to the next level will take at least two or three years. I'm ready to go on a quest to earn some spirit stones. Do you have any recommended quests?" Hou Tiancheng asked.

"Our strength is still low now, so we can only choose some simpler tasks from the D-level tasks. I saw a task of being a gardener in the medicine garden with a reward of 300 spirit stones, which seemed pretty good, but it was a bit cumbersome. There was also a collection task of finding the Green Blood Grass, which rewarded spirit stones and Qi-boosting pills. These two tasks are relatively simple and not very dangerous. I just don't know if they are still available." Zhao Xiaohai thought for a while and said.

"Then I have to go take a look, otherwise the cultivation will be too slow. Are you all planning to cultivate at such a leisurely pace?"

"I'm already on a mission, hunting a first-level monster. Anyone who wants to join me can team up with me, and we'll split the rewards." Huang Hao asked coldly. It looked like this mission wasn't going to be easy, otherwise, with Huang Hao's arrogant personality, he wouldn't ask for help, the others thought.

"I am studying formations in the Formation Hall. I am quite interested in this." Liang Yuanliang said.

When Wu Ming heard Liang Yuanliang talking about the Formation Hall, he opened his mouth and asked, "Formation Hall? You can learn formations there. What are the requirements? Is there a place to learn talisman making?" He was thinking about learning talisman making himself, and wanted to see if there was any place where he could learn. He should have thought of it earlier. Qingyun Sect must have various places to learn. He was usually too isolated from the news, and he didn't know enough about the sect, which led to many things he had to figure out on his own.

"After learning the basics of formations, you can choose to join the Formation Hall. You have to participate when there are tasks. If you don't join, you need to help the sect make a certain number of formation flags. In fact, after joining the Formation Hall, you can learn more advanced knowledge, and you can also enjoy internal prices and full benefits. The sect has branch halls for things like refining equipment, refining pills, planting, formations, and making talismans. If you want to learn, you can go there. The basic knowledge is free, and the deacons will personally guide you." Liang Yuanliang said.

Hearing this, Wu Ming immediately prepared to go to the Fu Hall after the gathering. Finally, Mei Lingshuang decided to go on the mission with Huang Hao. It seemed that everyone needed to earn spirit stones to support their cultivation.

Then, they discussed some recent major events within the sect. For example, the dining hall had received the carcass of a third-tier flamingo two days prior, leading several true disciples to visit the dining hall that very day. The dining hall, the Qingyun Sect's dining hall, was typically reserved for outer disciples and some inner disciples, with only the stewards going there. There was also news that Qingyun Sect's true disciple, Wind Chaser Tang Fei, had been severely injured by disciples of the Netherworld Sect, leading to suspicions that the two sects were preparing for a major war. There was also news that, following the Qingyun Sect's outer disciple competition, five outer disciples had become inner disciples.

Wu Ming's blood boiled upon hearing this, and he wished he could join in. However, considering his own cultivation level, he decided to focus on his cultivation at this stage. Sooner or later, his name would be mentioned by others. After agreeing to meet again at this time next month, they all left one after another.

Wu Ming also headed for the Talisman Hall. Upon entering, he was greeted by a long row of display cases, displaying various talismans categorized into various categories: first-tier, second-tier, and even some third-tier talismans. A low-level first-tier talisman cost five spirit stones, a high-tier one ten spirit stones, a low-level second-tier talisman fifty spirit stones, a high-tier one one hundred spirit stones, and a low-level third-tier talisman one thousand spirit stones. Many disciples were also buying these. Wu Ming was stunned. A third-tier talisman cost one thousand spirit stones, yet a mid-grade magical instrument only cost around five hundred spirit stones.

A red-robed deacon behind the counter saw Wu Ming and asked, "Are you looking to buy talismans? The talismans here are of high quality and inexpensive, much better than those sold in the market outside. Only disciples of this sect can enjoy these prices."

Wu Ming also noticed that the talismans here were indeed cheaper than the ones he had inquired about at Baiyun Tower last time. As expected of a large sect with deep pockets. "Sir, I want to learn talisman making. How do I get there?" Wu Ming stated his purpose.

Seeing that there was no business, the red-robed steward pointed out the way for Wu Ming. Wu Ming did not interrupt others from talking about business and went to learn according to the direction.

Another white-haired deacon was seen on the upper platform, making a water arrow talisman while explaining it. Dozens of people were learning below. "The most important thing about making a talisman is concentration. Using your spiritual awareness to constantly control the amount of your true energy output, and ensuring a good stroke, can increase the success rate of the talisman. Generally speaking, if you achieve a 30% success rate for making talismans of the same level, you are considered a talisman maker of that level."

Wu Ming listened to the deacon's explanation and realized he hadn't made any major mistakes. It was simply his impatience that had prevented him from focusing his spiritual awareness, leading to his repeated failures. Others could typically create their first talisman within two or three days. A few hours later, Wu Ming left the talisman hall contentedly. Before leaving, he bought four stacks of talisman paper, spending forty spirit stones.

After returning to his residence, Wu Ming first meditated for a while. After he calmed down, he started his journey of making talismans again. After failing three times, Wu Ming finally succeeded in making his first talisman, a first-level low-level talisman, the Fireball Talisman. After going out, Wu Ming tried the power of the Fireball Talisman. Compared with the fireball he condensed, the power was actually similar, but the talisman was faster and more convenient, and did not require the use of true energy, thus saving true energy.

After returning to his room, Wu Ming persevered, crafting two more talismans before his true essence was exhausted before going to sleep. For the next ten days, Wu Ming practiced and crafted talismans every day, claiming his bonus at the beginning of the month. Finally, after using up eight stacks of talisman paper, he had thirty-five talismans. Nearly thirty of them were fireball talismans, and several were expedited talismans. His success rate for crafting low-level, first-level talismans barely reached 10%.

Wu Ming then went to the market and sold over thirty talismans, earning 140 spirit stones, which he traded for wood-attributed spirit stones. After inquiring about prices at various shops, he discovered the purchase price was the same as within the sect: four spirit stones. He could skip the market and process his talismans directly at the talisman hall. He then purchased several sheets of talisman paper and began crafting them.

After returning home, Wu Ming placed more than a hundred wood-attributed spirit stones close to the lotus seed mark and let it absorb them completely. A small part of the lotus seed became clearer. Seeing that there were still more than seven hundred spirit stones needed, Wu Ming knew that he had to keep working hard.

Soon it was time for another sermon, and Wu Ming put aside his talisman-making and cultivation. This time, the lecture focused on how to utilize one's true energy more efficiently, which taught Wu Ming even more.

After the lecture, Wu Ming and the others recounted their recent gains. Wu Ming had only just begun talisman making, while Liang Yuanliang hadn't yet mastered the art of formations. Sure enough, talisman making was relatively easy to get started with. Hou Tiancheng successfully completed his mission to collect Green Blood Grass, but occasionally encountered low-level monsters. So, he called Zhao Xiaohai along, and the two teamed up to collect, earning some rewards. Huang Hao and Mei Lingshuang, however, hadn't yet completed their mission to hunt first-level monsters.

After some inquiries, they learned that the mission required collecting the spines of hundreds of demon beasts to craft the top-tier magical weapon, the Bailing Demon-Slaying Sword. Rewards ranged from spirit stones, elixirs, formation flags, and magical instruments. The more completed, the better the quality, and the greater the rewards. This was Huang Hao's motivation for taking on this mission. Any demon beast from first to second tier would work, but second tiers were rare and impossible without sufficient strength. So, Huang Hao naturally sought first tiers. However, since he wasn't the only one taking on the mission, several types were duplicated. The minimum required to complete the mission was ten demon beasts, so it hadn't been completed yet. This time, Huang Hao planned to bring them along for the quest.

After listening to Huang Hao's story, Liang Yuanliang, who hadn't yet mastered the art of formations and had no time for anything else, and Hou Tiancheng, who was struggling to break through to the fifth level of Qi training, decided to join the discussion. Wu Ming and Zhao Xiaohai joined the discussion. Aside from Wu Ming, the other three were at the fifth level of Qi training. However, Wu Ming's talisman-making skills made him a decent fighter. They finally decided to gather tomorrow for the mission.