Steady Mortal Path: Starting from Obtaining the Golden Core Inheritance

Living outside the market area means you can't access first-tier spiritual veins, so your cultivation progress is extremely slow.

Lin Changsheng decided to temporarily abandon cultivation and first accumulate cultivation resources before moving into the market.

However, if you want to earn resources by making talismans, you need to find a legitimate source for your talisman-making skills.

My identity is clean, and with a little attention, it can be easily investigated.

To acquire the art of talisman making out of thin air is tantamount to revealing one's inherited secrets to the public.

This is inconsistent with Lin Changsheng's philosophy of steady development.

After two days of exploration, he finally gained a general understanding of the market for talisman making in Huanglingfang.

The talismans circulating in the market are mainly of the first-tier, mid-to-low-grade quality.

The entire market is frequented by hundreds of cultivators, most of whom are independent cultivators with limited wealth.

There is little need for talismans, which are one-time consumables.

After all, the spell that can be released from a low-grade first-level spell talisman is equivalent to the full-force attack of a Qi Condensation Level 3 cultivator.

However, it costs two or three spirit stones, and most people will only selectively buy a small amount as a means of survival.

That evening, Lin Changsheng asked Xiao'e to cook several dishes from his hometown and specially invited Xu Qinghuan to a banquet.

Xu Qinghuan was the first to cultivate magical power, and now not only has her cultivation been stabilized, but her magical power aura is also much stronger than Lin Changsheng's.

"Little Sister's cooking skills are getting better and better. Brother Lin can enjoy such delicious food every day. It's truly enviable."

Xu Qinghuan ate a few bites of food and then downed a large gulp of spirit wine. His eyes were somewhat glazed over, and his gaze kept drifting to Xiao'e's swaying waist as she walked.

"Xiao'e's cooking skills are indeed excellent, but this is the first time I've ever enjoyed such a sumptuous meal."

Lin Changsheng echoed the praise.

After a few rounds of drinks, a burning sensation spread through my body.

This is a spirit fruit wine made from spirit plant berries, which can slightly promote the cultivation of cultivators in the early stage of Qi Condensation.

A small pot of spirit fruit wine cost Lin Changsheng ten grains of spirit sand.

"I wonder if there's been any progress on the matter I asked Brother Xu to inquire about earlier?"

Lin Changsheng picked up a peanut, rubbed off the red skin, and put the peanut into his mouth.

"Is Brother Lin talking about wanting to learn a trade?"

"This is actually quite difficult to handle."

Xu Qinghuan withdrew her gaze, her tone somewhat troubled.

"Although for us independent cultivators, it is best to have a skill among the various arts of cultivation, so that we have the capital to pursue the Great Dao."

"But Brother Lin, the six arts of cultivation you mentioned—alchemy, weapon crafting, talisman making, formation, beast taming, and magic—are all popular skills sought after by many cultivators, and require a lot of resources and experience. They are not suitable for rogue cultivators like us."

Xu Qinghuan glanced at Lin Changsheng again, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping herself.

I wanted to advise the latter, "You're getting old, so take advantage of your vigorous physical functions to improve your cultivation as soon as possible, instead of wasting your energy on other things."

But she was too embarrassed to say it out loud.

After hearing Xu Qinghuan's words, Lin Changsheng remained silent, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Brother Xu is right. It seems I was being a bit too ambitious."

"The skills that can generate profits, such as alchemy, weapon crafting, formation, beast taming, and talisman making, mostly require talent and long-term investment. Only weapon crafting and talisman making have relatively lower costs."

Lin Changsheng's analysis seemed to have a hidden meaning.

Upon hearing this, Xu Qinghuan's eyes showed a hint of surprise.

"I didn't expect Brother Lin to have such a detailed understanding of the various arts of cultivation. It seems that my previous worries were unnecessary."

"If Brother Lin wants to get involved in talisman making, this is quite a coincidence."

Lin Changsheng knew that after Xu Qinghuan entered Huanglingfang Market, she happened to become an apprentice in a shop with a good reputation.

Coincidentally, this shop has been cooperating with a 'Master Wu' in the market for many years.

There are two resident first-tier high-grade talisman masters in the entire Huangling Market.

One of them was the female retainer 'Xin Fu Master' from the You family of Luochuan.

The other one is 'Master Wu,' who came from a rogue cultivator background.

More than 90% of the talismans in Huanglingfang Market were made by these two people.

"What a coincidence! I never expected that Brother Xu would be able to strike up a conversation with such an important figure as 'Master Wu'."

Upon learning the whole story, Lin Changsheng's face showed a hint of surprise.

"Brother Lin is joking. I have only exchanged goods with Master Wu a few times."

"Master Wu is a rogue cultivator who is currently in his prime and has no plans to take on any apprentices. He does frequently change his apprentices, though. If Brother Lin is willing, I can help introduce you to someone."

"But let me make it clear beforehand, this Master Wu is extremely demanding of his apprentices. The daily tasks of making talisman paper and spirit ink for him are numerous and complicated, and the pay is far lower than elsewhere..."

Xu Qinghuan felt elated after being flattered by Lin Changsheng and intoxicated by the spirit wine.

However, he was informed in advance about the deeds of 'Master Wu', and Lin Changsheng was required to consider it at his own discretion.

"I thought it was something serious. Brother Xu, please rest assured about the payment."

……

Xu Qinghuan did not keep Lin Changsheng waiting for long.

The next day, news of 'Master Wu' arrived.

In Huanglingfang, this Master Wu was not well-regarded.

He was stingy and miserly, never instructing his apprentices in the art of talisman making, and simply treated them as cheap labor.

He was called 'Wu the Skinflint' by lower-level cultivators.

A few days ago, Wu Fushi's apprentices, seeing that they were not learning anything, discussed it and left together.

Wu Fushi is currently in a situation where there is no one available.

Upon learning that someone was willing to come to his door as an apprentice and did not care about the pay, Master Wu readily agreed.

Soon, led by Xu Qinghuan, the two saw the true form of Master Wu in a secluded courtyard in the Huanglingfang residential area.

"Hello, Master Wu, the person has been brought over."

"Junior Lin Changsheng greets Master Wu Fu."

The two men bowed to Master Wu.

In the courtyard, a thin, middle-aged man dressed in an old, gray-blue long gown scrutinized Lin Changsheng with sharp eyes.

"He's a bit old, but he seems like a capable person. Let's keep him for now."

"You know how I treat you here. It's not high, but as long as you work wholeheartedly for me, I won't treat you badly in the future."

Master Wu stroked his mustache with some dissatisfaction and said with a smirk.

"Thank you very much, Master Wu!"

"As a novice in cultivation, I lack knowledge. I am already extremely grateful to Master Wu for providing me with an opportunity to learn talisman making. Compared to the reward, I value personal growth more. If I can generate some profit for Master Wu, it would be an honor for me."

Lin Changsheng spoke with a firm tone and a sincere attitude.

Upon hearing this, Wu Fushi, who was initially somewhat dissatisfied, was taken aback, and then looked at Lin Changsheng with great interest.

Xu Qinghuan stared blankly at Lin Changsheng, as if trying to get to know this 'Brother Lin' all over again.