Chapter 84: I Just Want to Quietly Make Talismans
Chapter 84: I Just Want to Quietly Make Talismans
"You should all be aware of the situation by now. This beast disaster is more sudden than usual, and the demons are of a higher caliber." Du Han gathered everyone in Gu Xiaoqin's shop and cut straight to the point. "Based on yesterday's events, most of the demons were low-level first-tier. However, there were also some mid-level first-tier demons, and there's a possibility of encountering high-level first-tier demons."
"I went to Yangling last night when the beast disaster struck, but I was still too late," Du Han continued, revealing that he had already gone to assess the situation at the beast disaster site. "This time, the scale of the demon invasion was massive. The Yangling Li family, closest to the mountain range, held their ground for a while, but many still perished. Fortunately, by daybreak this morning, the demons had retreated."
Upon hearing this, Chu Ning and the others realized that Du Han had gone to the beast disaster site at Yangling the previous night.
"Lin Changqing, the Lin steward, arrived early this morning and is now heading into the mountains with two junior disciples," Du Han continued. "They plan to investigate the specific cause of the demons' riot tonight. As a precaution, he instructed me to take you all to the Li family this afternoon. We'll help the surrounding families repel the demon attacks this evening and try to minimize their losses."
At this, Chu Ning hesitated. When the sect arranged for him to come out, they only mentioned cultivating spirit plants and selling talismans and spell scrolls; they didn't say anything about getting involved in such dangerous matters. A high-level first-tier demon was equivalent to a late Qi Refining cultivator, far beyond what he could handle at the moment.
Chu Ning turned his head and saw that the others wore eager expressions, eager to test their might against the demons. For cultivators at the mid to late stages of Qi Refining, opportunities to showcase their skills within the sect were rare.
Moreover, in their eyes, even a high-level first-tier demon would be easily dealt with.
As Chu Ning weighed his options, Du Han spoke again, interrupting his thoughts. "The market is ending soon anyway. Go and close up your shops, then let's get going."
Chu Ning sighed inwardly and hesitated before speaking up. "Senior Brother Du, will we be safe here in the market?"
"Rest assured, this place is safe," Du Han nodded. "The market is still quite a distance from the mountain range, and the surrounding areas are inhabited by cultivator families. Even if there are demons, the major families will hold them back. You don't need to worry about your shops."
Relieved, Chu Ning quickly added, "Senior Brother Du, that's not what I meant. I'm only at the fourth layer of Qi Refining. With my low cultivation, I won't be of much help. Is it possible for me to stay behind?"
Du Han paused slightly, his usually cold face revealing little emotion. After a moment's thought, he replied, "Alright, you can stay behind since you're only at the fourth layer. Besides, you're from the Spirit Plant House, and aside from knowing some farming spells, you're not of much use in a fight. You'd probably just end up being a burden."
As soon as Du Han finished speaking, the others from the Qingxi Sect gave Chu Ning strange looks. Clearly, in their eyes, Chu Ning's low cultivation and timid nature didn't fit the image of a typical outer sect disciple.
However, Chu Ning ignored their gazes. With his Yin Wood Spirit Body and the talent for creating talismans, he was content to develop his strength quietly. Why take such unnecessary risks?
If the beast disaster only involved mid-level first-tier demons, Chu Ning wouldn't have minded going to gain some experience. But with high-level first-tier demons in the mix, he would have to reveal more of his true strength to deal with them, exposing his hidden capabilities. Even then, there would still be a certain level of danger involved.
Let those with higher cultivation handle it; he would quietly make his talismans here and sell them to others, which was also a way to contribute. There was no need for him to get involved in the chaos.
As Chu Ning thought this, Du Han spoke again. "Bring out some of your talismans and spell scrolls to equip everyone for protection. These low-level demons may not be much of a threat, but if they swarm us, it could get difficult to handle. We'll pay you for them; just deduct the amount from your monthly allowance when I report it to Steward Lin."
Chu Ning's face fell at this request. "Senior Brother Du, it's not that I don't want to give any, but all my talismans and spell scrolls were sold today at the market. They were snapped up."
"Then hurry up and draw some now," Du Han urged.
"I don't have any," Chu Ning shook his head. "Even if I did, low-grade, junior-level talismans wouldn't be of much help in this situation. Let's not waste any more time. We should leave now."
Without giving Chu Ning another chance to speak, Du Han turned and left.
Although Du Han seemed to accept Chu Ning's explanation, both Luo Yipeng and Shen Zhengquan eyed him with suspicion, clearly doubtful of his willingness to contribute. Chu Ning could only shake his head in response, knowing they thought he was being stingy with his talismans.
In truth, he had sold out of all his talismans, with not a single low-grade, junior-level talisman left. To be frank, he was also reluctant to get involved in such a risky situation. If he had an abundance of talismans, he could always rely on their sheer number to deal with any unforeseen challenges.
He decided to spend the next few days holed up in his shop, crafting talismans, and even avoided going to the Spirit Plant House.
After all, he had already planted the Purple Crystal Bamboo and Golden Origin Fruit, and if he didn't tend to them, the worst that would happen was that their growth would slow down a little.
During these turbulent times, who knew what dangers awaited him if he ventured out alone?
Chu Ning could clearly sense that, by midday, the number of wandering cultivators in the market had increased significantly.
Apparently, news of the beast disaster had spread, drawing many cultivators to the area.
Unlike the nearby cultivator families who dreaded the beast disaster and worried about the losses it could bring, wandering cultivators often welcomed it as an opportunity to hunt down beasts and earn a handsome profit.
Thus, the arrival of a beast disaster often signaled a chaotic time for the region.
In addition to worrying about the beasts, the cultivator families also had to be on guard against wandering cultivators who might take advantage of the situation to loot and plunder.
After closing up his shop, Chu Ning began cultivating the Refine Spirit Technique to restore his spiritual sense.
He didn't even take the time to tally his earnings for the day and instead dove straight into crafting talismans.
Beast disasters often lasted for several days, and during this time, the nearby major cultivator families and incoming wandering cultivators would have a high demand for talismans.
As long as he crafted enough talismans, he was bound to make a small fortune.
The Snaring Beast Talisman was the talisman Chu Ning needed to draw, and the demand for it was the highest that day.
He also needed to prepare some Yin Thunder Talismans, Diamond Talismans, and Clear Wind Talismans.
These three types of talismans were particularly useful against beasts—one for offense and one for defense.
Moreover, as some beast attacks could be poisonous, the Clear Wind Talismans would also come in handy.
Over the past few days, as he repeatedly drew these talismans, his proficiency and success rate had improved, and he now had a success rate of over 50%.
In the morning, he could only successfully craft fifty talismans at a time before needing to stop.
Now, he could craft up to fifty-five.
After restoring his spiritual sense, Chu Ning continued crafting talismans, producing another sixty Yin Thunder Talismans before taking another break.
After repeating this process three times, just as Chu Ning was about to call it a day and continue tomorrow morning, he heard a loud banging sound.
"Bang, bang, bang!"
Someone was knocking on the door of his shop.
Immediately after, a deep voice called out, "Shopkeeper, are you there? I want to buy some talismans."
"Who's buying talismans at this late hour?"
Chu Ning was taken aback, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.
It was well past the closing time of the market, and the sky had already darkened completely.
Chu Ning hesitated for a moment, neither getting up nor responding.
Instead, he used the Yin Wood Spirit Body's ability to conceal his aura, carefully extending his spiritual sense to perceive the person outside.
Standing outside his shop was a cultivator clad in black coarse cloth. Chu Ning sensed that this person had reached the late stage of Qi Refining, and the cultivator's aura gave him a chill.
Chu Ning's heart skipped a beat.
He became even more cautious, keeping a close eye on the man's movements.
When the black-clad cultivator received no response, he took out something and was about to knock it against the door.
"Don't bother shouting. Like the other shops, this one is probably empty too."
Just then, three more people appeared, and one of them spoke up. "The people from the Qingxi Sect have probably all gone to the cultivator families affected by the beast disaster."
The newcomers were dressed differently and seemed to be wandering cultivators, but there was something odd about them that made Chu Ning suspect they belonged to some sect.
Chu Ning couldn't quite gauge their strength, so he didn't dare to probe further with his spiritual sense.
Instead, he retracted his spiritual sense and focused on enhancing his other senses, listening intently for any sounds outside.
However, the group didn't say much more.
"Let's go."
That was the only sentence Chu Ning heard before the four figures quickly walked away.
Even after they left, Chu Ning remained vigilant.
He listened carefully for a long time and then extended his spiritual sense again to make sure that no one was lurking nearby. Only then did he finally relax.
"Who were those people? Were they just here to shop, or were they targeting the Qingxi Sect?"
Various thoughts flashed through Chu Ning's mind.
He considered sending a warning to the others from the sect but quickly dismissed the idea.
He didn't even know where the Yangling Li family was located, so how could he send a message?
As for going out to report the situation, Chu Ning didn't even consider it, especially not after encountering that suspicious group. He wouldn't put himself in such a dangerous position.
This night might not be peaceful, so Chu Ning decided to continue cultivating the Refine Spirit Technique.
In the current situation, it wouldn't make much difference if he cultivated the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art or the Nine-Layered Tempering Body Technique, as he wouldn't be able to improve his cultivation level in a short time.
Instead, it was more beneficial to adjust his spiritual sense to its optimal state and craft more talismans, both for self-protection and for sale.
(End of Chapter)
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