Chapter 2: Initial Success

After tidying up the alchemy furnace, Li Ji’an made his way to the Great Elder’s courtyard once again.

Over the past six years, his fascination with talismans had grown, and he had dedicated himself to them with greater focus. The appeal lay in the all-encompassing, mysterious, and formidable power they contained. Talismans did not store one’s own mana; they were independent of the user’s internal energy. As long as one’s mana and soul were strong enough to channel the forces of heaven and earth, they could capture that power within the talisman material.

Lightning talismans channeled the might of thunder and lightning.
Freezing talismans harnessed the power of biting cold.
There were even talismans that tapped into the fundamental laws of the universe, such as those for supernatural speed, spatial displacement, or the deliverance of spirits.

"Listen, kid, I told you already—focus on your cultivation first. Reach the late stage of Qi Refining and build up a more robust reserve of mana before trying again." Yan Kongyi, however, no longer possessed the teaching enthusiasm he had shown six years ago.

While Li Ji’an had been proficient with the basics, his progress had slowed significantly once he advanced to intermediate-level talismans. It followed the age-old rule: talismans are easy to learn but difficult to master. Yan Kongyi now felt that the boy’s talent was roughly on par with his own—a realization that brought him both a sense of comfort and a hint of disappointment. Gone was the desperate, unprincipled urge he had felt six years ago to keep the boy in the family at any cost.

"Great Elder, please teach me the Golden Sword Talisman again," Li Ji’an requested, thirsty for knowledge.

Yan Kongyi considered this for a moment, then simply pulled the incomplete first-tier talisman heritage manual from his storage bag, tossed his own talisman brush—which he had used for decades—along with a stack of talisman paper to the boy, and said, "Go on, go on, study it yourself. If there’s anything you don’t understand… well, I’ve taught you everything I know. If you’re still stuck, just practice more and ponder it yourself."

"Understood! Thank you, Great Elder!" Li Ji’an was overjoyed.

That night, Li Ji’an bathed, changed his clothes, and offered prayers to the Talisman Saints. He selected the only piece of high-grade intermediate talisman paper from the lot and ground the beast-blood cinnabar.

A moment later, with his mind settled and his consciousness clear, Li Ji’an gripped the brush. In an instant, the world seemed to fall into a profound silence, save for the various threads of natural energy dancing through the air.

*Swish!*

He channeled his energy into the monster-hair brush, his strokes moving like a dragon or a serpent. Just as the mana in his dantian was about to run dry, he finished the final stroke and withdrew his spirit.

*Clang!* A sharp, metallic ringing sound suddenly echoed through the room. A flash of golden light surged across the paper.

"It’s done!"

Including the five years of theoretical study before his talent was measured, he had spent eleven years of this life meticulously researching the way of talismans. Finally, he had crafted a high-grade intermediate Golden Sword Talisman. Truly, the craft was easy to learn but difficult to master.

This single high-grade Golden Sword Talisman was something Yan Kongyi had sought for most of his life but never attained. It wasn't just about the grade; it was about the category. The Golden Sword Talisman contained the power of offense, and it was a standout among such talismans. A high-grade intermediate version held power comparable to a full-force strike from a sixth-layer Qi Refining cultivator of the metal element, making it one of the most difficult to craft within its grade.

As for the other talismans Yan Kongyi knew, Li Ji’an had already mastered them to perfection, consistently producing them at a quality one tier higher than the Great Elder’s.

"This strike is stronger than my own full-force mana attack. It’s worthy of being a trump card!" Li Ji’an carefully tucked away his first ace.

Unfortunately, there had only been one sheet of high-grade intermediate paper in the stack Yan Kongyi gave him. Furthermore, activating a talisman required the soul as a guide and mana for activation, which incurred a cost and burden; he couldn't simply throw hundreds of them at once. Otherwise, he would have prepared hundreds for self-defense.

As for body refining, after reaching the perfection of the late first tier last year, he had expressed to Yan Hongsheng his desire to stop. Yan Hongsheng, seeing that the boy hadn't broken through to the late first tier after six years, had lost interest. Besides, the wilderness had been restless over the past two years, and as the Yan family’s designated "troublemaker" for external affairs, Yan Hongsheng was often out stirring up chaos and truly had no time to force Li Ji’an to continue his physical training.

"Early-stage Foundation Establishment divine sense, sixth-layer Qi Refining mana, peak first-tier body refining, a peak first-tier spirit beast, plus these Speed Talismans, Turtle Shell Talismans, Cold Wind Talismans, and Golden Sword Talismans..." Li Ji’an reviewed his situation and felt his sense of security increase significantly.

Combined with his high-grade intermediate alchemy skills and his high-grade intermediate talisman techniques, he was quite satisfied with his achievements at the age of twenty-five.

"Croak." Half a month later, a telepathic call came through the soul contract.

Li Ji’an raised an eyebrow. "He’s back."

He immediately ended his meditation, checked his storage bag once more, and headed toward the gathering area. Because of his agreement with Yan Zongsheng, the clan did not interfere with his movements, and since his small courtyard was on the outskirts, it was convenient to come and go.

The Yan family had developed well in recent years. A few years ago, Yan Qingwan had somehow obtained a second-tier alchemist’s heritage and was now so obsessed with it that she had almost no time to manage him.

Once outside the clan grounds, he took a flying sword from his storage bag, which hovered in mid-air. Li Ji’an leaped onto it and transformed into a streak of fire as he sped away. This was the same low-grade magical artifact he had bought in his previous life for eighteen spirit stones. Back then, when he was at the fourth layer of Qi Refining, he could command the sword but lacked the mana for long-distance flight. Now, with his abundant mana, it was effortless.

An hour later, Li Ji’an descended onto the central plaza of the gathering area. The people around him cast glances of envy or respect.

"Excuse me, elder, may I ask if you know where Chen Zhaohu lives?" It was his first time looking for Chen Zhaohu in this life, so he had to keep up appearances.

The old man bowed hurriedly. "Senior, you are too kind! I wouldn't dare take such praise. Chen Zhaohu’s home is in the two-story stone house ahead. Let me lead you there, Senior."

"Many thanks."

Before long, standing before Chen Zhaohu’s door again, Li Ji’an couldn't help but frown slightly. His divine sense swept through, clearly seeing the frail figure inside—it was indeed Chen Zhaohu.

Twenty years had passed since he last saw him. Back then, Chen Zhaohu had gone to the marketplace specifically to inform him after discovering the tracks of a Soul-Parasite Ant. At that time, Chen Zhaohu was seventy-eight, his vitality declining, his temples gray. Now, not yet a hundred years old, his hair was mostly white, and his once robust frame was hunched. Sensing his life force, Li Ji’an doubted he would live another ten years. A late-stage first-tier body cultivator theoretically had a lifespan of one hundred and twenty years, but Chen Zhaohu made his living by hunting; he had endured countless brutal fights and injuries, all of which had worn down his vitality and cut his life short.

"May I ask if this is Uncle Chen’s home?" Li Ji’an called out clearly.

Soon, Chen Qingling walked out. Compared to Chen Zhaohu, Chen Qingling was at the sixth layer of Qi Refining and still appeared to be in his prime.

"Brother Li?" Chen Qingling was stunned at the sight of Li Ji’an and spoke tentatively. It was no wonder he mistook him; the twenty-five-year-old Li Ji’an had some differences from his past life, but to someone who hadn't seen him in a long time, the resemblance was striking.

"May I ask if this is Chen Zhaohu, Uncle Chen’s home?" Li Ji’an asked again.

Chen Qingling’s eyes widened. "Who are you? My brother is resting inside. What is your business?"

Li Ji’an bowed. "So you are Uncle Chen Qingling. My father told me that as soon as I had the independence to do so, I should visit you on his behalf."

"Are you... Li Chang'an, Brother Li's son?" Chen Qingling was dumbfounded, repeatedly sensing Li Ji’an’s mana aura. Only when he confirmed his identity did he lead Li Ji’an inside, feeling utterly incredulous. He never imagined that Li Ji’an, who had such mediocre spiritual roots in his previous life, would have such an outstanding descendant. At twenty-something, he already possessed the same cultivation level as he did at over sixty—his future was limitless.

Chen Zhaohu’s clouded eyes seemed ready to pop out of his head.

After an exchange of greetings, Li Ji’an naturally steered the conversation toward Chen Qingling’s master, the Loose Practitioner Red Stone. However, Chen Qingling’s next words made Li Ji’an’s heart sink.

"My master goes into seclusion for one year every three years. If you want to see him, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until next year."