https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-69-Spirit-Talismans-and-the-Silver-Crystal-Shield/12549153/
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Chapter 70: The Metal Sword Talisman
Chapter 70: The Metal Sword Talisman
"Junior disciple, the one in charge of the Yanji Alley division is Lin Changqing, the steward of the External Affairs Hall. This steward has a rather cold personality and isn't easy to get along with. However, junior disciple Ling Zhi, if you have the time, you should bring some spirit plant talismans with you."
Zhuang Yunde hinted subtly and didn't elaborate further.
However, Chu Ning quickly understood his implication.
It seemed that this steward had a personality quite different from the two stewards he was acquainted with, He Changyou and Liao Yunming. Instead, he seemed to share some similarities with Senior Brother Zhuang.
Chu Ning thanked Zhuang Yunde once again before leaving his courtyard and heading towards Mu Ling's residence.
Mu Ling was in her courtyard today, and as soon as Chu Ning entered, he bowed to her politely. "Thank you, Senior Sister Mu, for informing me in advance..."
"Don't be so polite." Mu Ling waved her hand, then tilted her head back slightly, her eyes fixed on Chu Ning. "I heard that your talent in talisman making is quite good. Liao Shishu actually took you in as his disciple in the Spirit Talisman Pavilion and even taught you how to make talismans."
"That's all thanks to Steward Liao's kindness," Chu Ning quickly replied humbly, not mentioning that he had also obtained the Spirit Talisman Codex.
But Mu Ling shook her head like a rattle drum. "I don't believe it. Liao Shishu has high standards, so your talent in talisman making must be truly exceptional."
Before Chu Ning could respond, she continued, "Go ahead and draw a Metal Sword Talisman for me. That will prove it."
"A Metal Sword Talisman?" Chu Ning shook his head. "I don't know how to make that one."
"You don't know how to make a Metal Sword Talisman?" Mu Ling furrowed her brows slightly. "That's clearly one of the mandatory talismans for all disciples of the Spirit Talisman Pavilion. How could you not know it? The Spirit Talisman Pavilion often assigns tasks for this particular talisman."
As she spoke, Mu Ling took out a piece of light golden paper made from an unknown material and handed it to Chu Ning. The paper was filled with intricate instructions on how to create the Metal Sword Talisman.
Chu Ning carefully studied the instructions. After reading through them, he became even more certain that he had never learned this talisman before.
"Senior Sister Mu, I truly haven't learned this talisman," Chu Ning said, but Mu Ling shook her head again.
"I don't believe you. You're just being deliberately difficult. Unless you show me by drawing one, I'll tell my grandmother that you sold me talisman paper."
Chu Ning's expression changed as soon as he heard this. Without another word, he walked over to Mu Ling's talisman-making table, picked up a talisman brush, and began to draw.
It had to be said that the process of creating the Metal Sword Talisman was indeed complex, more so than any other talisman Chu Ning had learned before. His first attempt failed halfway through.
"Is this talisman really one of the mandatory talisman-making techniques of the Spirit Talisman Pavilion? It feels incredibly difficult," Chu Ning thought to himself.
However, he didn't dwell on it further. Having recently become engrossed in talisman making, he was immediately intrigued by this challenging talisman.
Chu Ning calmed his mind and once again channeled his spiritual energy into the talisman brush, beginning his attempt at crafting the talisman.
His second and third attempts also ended in failure.
This series of setbacks finally spurred Chu Ning to focus with utmost seriousness.
He carefully sensed the path of the brushstrokes with his spiritual sense, ensuring that his spiritual energy flowed without the slightest mistake.
Although his speed was slightly slower, with the enhancement of multiple states, he eventually completed the final stroke of the talisman's pattern.
As Chu Ning lifted the brush, a golden light flashed above the talisman paper, reflecting the pattern he had just drawn.
The next moment, the golden light vanished as it sank into the paper.
"Success at last!"
Chu Ning nodded in satisfaction and was about to start working on the next piece of talisman paper. However, as he casually glanced up, he saw Mu Ling staring at him with her mouth slightly agape, a look of astonishment on her face.
"You... You actually only needed three attempts before successfully creating the Metal Sword Talisman on your fourth try?"
Chu Ning now understood that a talisman of this difficulty could not possibly be a basic requirement for disciples of the pavilion.
Mu Ling continued to tilt her head slightly, her gaze at Chu Ning filled with conflicting emotions.
"I lied to you earlier," she began. "This Metal Sword Talisman isn't one of our Spirit Talisman Pavilion's inherited talismans. It was given to me by Grandmother.
Furthermore, this talisman is a low-grade intermediate-level talisman with immense offensive power.
It's said to be comparable to some of the lower-quality high-grade elementary talismans.
It's even known as the top offensive talisman among low-grade intermediate talismans."
"A low-grade intermediate talisman?"
Chu Ning was taken aback, even more so by Mu Ling's description of its power.
"I spent two months trying to make it and still failed. But you..."
Mu Ling's voice held a mixture of envy and disappointment.
"...only needed four attempts to succeed! Your talent for crafting talismans is truly exceptional."
As she spoke, Mu Ling gave a self-deprecating laugh. "No, it seems my talent for crafting talismans is truly lacking. No wonder they didn't want me to waste any more talisman paper."
Seeing Mu Ling's dejected state, Chu Ning was at a loss for words.
Just as he was about to offer some words of comfort, Mu Ling's mood suddenly shifted again, and she became energized.
"No, I must keep practicing. I refuse to believe that I can't master this darn talisman.
If I can't excel in cultivation, then I'll excel in crafting talismans!"
Speaking rapidly, Mu Ling quickly moved to stand beside Chu Ning.
Before he could react, she straightened her posture, tilted her head back, and asked, "Do you have something else to do?"
"Oh, oh, it's nothing important," Chu Ning quickly stepped aside.
He then explained the purpose of his visit and took out 1,500 sheets of talisman paper, placing them on the table.
"Senior Sister Mu, the sect has assigned me to a mission outside, so I won't be able to buy talisman paper for you for a while."
Mu Ling paused for a moment after hearing this, then quickly replied, "It's alright. Grandmother has returned to the sect, so I probably won't be confined anymore. I can go to the market to buy some myself."
"This Metal Sword Talisman is very powerful. It will surely be popular in the market.
Now that you've learned how to make it, consider it a gift from me."
Chu Ning hesitated and asked, "But what about Elder Mu..."
"It's just a low-grade intermediate talisman. She's at the Golden Core stage, so she won't care about something like this," Mu Ling said nonchalantly.
Without further ado, she began to pick up the blank talisman papers.
Seeing this, Chu Ning thanked her once again and took his leave.
As he walked out of the courtyard, he could still hear Mu Ling's muttering from inside.
"Is this talisman that difficult? If others can make it, why can't I..."
Chu Ning couldn't help but smile to himself. "This senior sister is truly passionate."
He shook his head, thinking about how he had tried to comfort her earlier.
Then, his gaze fell upon the Metal Sword Talisman in his hand.
'The top offensive talisman among low-grade intermediate talismans,' he thought. 'Sounds pretty powerful.'
Although Mu Ling suggested selling them in the market, Chu Ning decided against it.
However, he figured that crafting some for his personal use shouldn't be a problem.
Imagining himself unleashing a barrage of metal sword qi, Chu Ning's eyes curved into a smile.
(End of Chapter)
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