Chen Xiao apologized and then explained to Tong Nuonuo that he hadn't returned recently because Xi Yunqing had been teaching him body techniques. Upon hearing this, Tong Nuonuo immediately stopped complaining. He understood that the chance for Chen Xiao to learn from Xi Yunqing, a master of body techniques, was a tremendous opportunity. Compared to staying with him, a bedridden patient, learning the techniques was far more important. He kindly said, "Then focus on studying the body techniques with Immortal Master Xi, no need to worry about me." He then leaned forward to look behind Chen Xiao, "Why isn't Immortal Master Xi with you?"
Chen Xiao gave him a puzzled look, not understanding why Tong Nuonuo assumed that wherever he was, Xi Yunqing would always be there. He replied, "Because the internal turmoil outside hasn't been resolved, I still need to stay at the City Lord's Mansion for a while. So, my older brother went to ask Chief Steward Han for a practice field. He also mentioned that there were some other matters he needed to attend to."
Tong Nuonuo nodded, "That makes sense. They'll need to prepare a proper practice ground. After all, teaching body techniques from an Immortal Sect shouldn't be done in a place where others can easily peek."
It was one thing for Xi Yunqing to teach Chen Xiao, but if others started to secretly observe and learn, it could lead to unpleasant situations. No matter how respected they were at the City Lord's Mansion, they were still guests. If someone from the manor learned secretly, it would be hard to address. So, it was better to eliminate that possibility from the beginning.
Chen Xiao couldn't help but feel a little moved when he saw how quickly Tong Nuonuo understood Xi Yunqing's intentions. No matter how hard he tried to adapt to this world and the immortal cultivation realm, such quick judgments based on a cultivator's perspective weren't something that could be cultivated overnight. At the beginning, he had naively thought that it would be enough to find an open space near Xi Yunqing's residence, just like in the Mount Building Residence.
In fact, on the way back, he had even mentioned to Xi Yunqing that he thought the area near the flower corridor would be a nice place to read in the morning. Xi Yunqing had only said, "Since you like that place, continue reading there. A quiet spot is fine. I'll talk to Steward Han and have him clear a practice field." He had gently discouraged the idea.
People in this world took cultivation techniques seriously. It was unheard of for a young man of low status to secretly observe others while they were learning, only to later achieve greatness and be hailed as a tale of success. Such things were only found in novels, and if they happened for real, the one who had been secretly observed would surely pursue severe punishment.
There was also another change. Unconsciously, Xi Yunqing had started addressing him as Junior Brother" instead of just "Chen Xiao."
Before, when Chen Xiao had shamelessly tried to get closer to Xi Yunqing by calling him "Big Brother," he had only requested that Xi Yunqing call him by his name. His efforts to get closer were one-sided, and how Xi Yunqing chose to address him reflected his position in Xi Yunqing's heart. Chen Xiao didn't dare to dictate how Xi Yunqing should address him, leaving that decision to him. After spending time together in the Mount Building Residence, their relationship had become much closer, and Xi Yunqing changing how he addressed him made Chen Xiao feel quite happy inside.
Tong Nuonuo, looking troubled, said, "I can't keep troubling Master Du. Staying in one place all day is driving me crazy." Tong Nuonuo had only suffered superficial injuries, and they didn't affect his cultivation. However, after meditating for half a day, he still had the other half of the day free. Unlike Chen Xiao, who could immerse himself in books to pass the time, Tong Nuonuo could only rely on games or chess to kill time. It was enough to make anyone feel sorry for him.
Chen Xiao thought for a moment and suggested, "Why don't you try researching some mechanisms?" Tong Nuonuo sighed, "I would like to, but the materials for the mechanism boxes are hard to replenish. And with the outside chaos, I heard that the commercial district has been heavily damaged."
Chen Xiao said, "How about we go ask Chief Steward Han and see if we can buy some materials from the City Lord's Mansion stock?" Tong Nuonuo immediately agreed. He was getting so bored that his bones felt itchy.
So, the two of them went to see Steward Han. After hearing their request, Steward Han readily opened the materials warehouse of the City Lord's Mansion and allowed Tong Nuonuo to pick whatever he needed. Tong Nuonuo was very grateful; after all, the City Lord's Mansion in Hanshan City was the leader of a small Heavenly Realm force, so the materials were sure to be abundant.
Tong Nuonuo happily found many rare materials that he had wanted for a long time but hadn't been able to get. He even spent a little extra to choose some special ones. Before long, the compensation he had received from selling the Spirit Beads and Spirit Coins was all gone, flowing out like water.
Since they had the rare opportunity to access such a complete supply of materials, Chen Xiao also took the chance to select some materials for making paper talismans. Because his energy reserves weren't enough, he had only learned one formula so far. He didn't choose any painting materials but instead picked some fur from fierce beasts, which was flexible and elastic, perfect for making pen tips. He also selected some premium paper, which the City Lord's Mansion used internally.
Although cultivators typically used jade stones, beast teeth, bones, or horns to create small books to record their knowledge, for some less important contents, paper books were used. The cost difference between the two was vast. Despite the paper's lower durability, its cheap production cost and the ability to produce it in bulk made it a mainstream medium for writing among cultivators, occupying a considerable portion of the market. Additionally, due to the larger demand in mortal realms, after thousands of years of research, paper production technology and variety weren't much worse than in the past world. This resulted in a large variety of paper in the City Lord's Mansion, and Chen Xiao took the opportunity to pick many different kinds.
The two returned with their arms full. Chen Xiao had spent quite a bit, but it was still far less than Tong Nuonuo. He had not only spent all the Spirit Beads and Spirit Coins he had earned recently but also dipped into his previous savings, leaving him with nothing. His complete lack of funds now truly fit the description of being penniless. This kind of selfless spending was...
This completely made Chen Xiao understand why Tong Nuonuo, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, was once in such a dire situation.
With the materials ready, Tong Nuonuo closed the door to her room and immersed herself in her research. Meanwhile, Chen Xiao prepared his drawing materials and began experimenting, burying them among a pile of materials.
As paper was easy to come by, Chen Xiao decided to use the beast hair he had obtained to custom-make a brush. For now, he used the brush and paper provided by the Lord's Manor to sketch out talismans. The brushes the manor provided were decent, much better than the goat-hair brush Chen Xiao had used at the start.
With a fluid and carefree motion, he wrote a large character, stretching his wrist as he searched for the right feel. After a moment of calm reflection, Chen Xiao focused and began drawing an invocation talisman on the newly trimmed paper.
He had learned from his past experience, no longer drawing the talisman with a fierce intensity. Instead, he maintained a calm mindset. It felt awkward at first, but gradually, the process improved. Du Rong, the new test subject, remarked that the changes were noticeable. While the influx of spiritual energy had increased, it still remained gentle and nourishing.
Looking at the finished product, Chen Xiao felt satisfied. Even he could sense the subtle shift in the room's atmosphere when the talisman was completed. The paper talisman made with the new paper was certainly more effective than the one made with scrap paper before. However, due to the limitations of the drawing materials, it still couldn't compare to the talisman made with the refined essence of mine core.
Recalling this, Chen Xiao thought of Wu Qing. Up until now, they still had no idea what had happened to Wu Qing's body after his death. And the talisman that Wu Qing had carried on him, who knew where it had ended up.
Wu Qing's death was the first bit of tragic news Chen Xiao had received since coming to this world. The shock he felt was far greater than hearing of a stranger's death, forcing him to face the harsh reality of this world. It also snapped him out of the naïve mindset he had been harboring, thinking that with Feng Shui techniques, he could transcend and rise above the world of cultivators.
If possible, Chen Xiao still wanted to learn the fate of Wu Qing's body and pay his respects to this companion who had traveled with him for some time.
Lost in thought, Chen Xiao didn't even hear Xi Yunqing arrive. It wasn't until Xi Yunqing knocked on the door and called out, "Xiao Di," that Chen Xiao snapped out of his reverie and hurried to greet him.
As Xi Yunqing entered the room, he was greeted by the sight of Chen Xiao's study corner, which was filled with all kinds of paper, each type in stacks of hundreds, almost filling the entire space. Without Tong Nuonuo's help in bringing them back, Chen Xiao would have never been able to handle this much on his own.
Xi Yunqing raised an eyebrow. As his gaze settled, he noticed that the desk was cluttered with the paper, brushes, and drawing materials Chen Xiao hadn't yet tidied up, with the talisman he had drawn also resting on the desk.
This was the first time he had seen one of Chen Xiao's talismans. He reached out and picked it up, carefully inspecting it, before looking up at Chen Xiao and saying, "The quality is good, it's at a high standard."
Chen Xiao immediately smiled. "It's made with high-quality materials from the Lord's Manor's storage, so it's only natural that the quality is good."
Xi Yunqing didn't comment further but simply praised the quality. His emotional intelligence seemed to have improved, albeit slightly. No matter how good the quality of this talisman was, it was still a low-tier consumable.
Xi Yunqing didn't linger on the talisman. Instead, he said, "Making talismans can sharpen one's mental strength. But since you've been focusing on training your body lately, you should refrain from drawing them for now." From the mental energy attached to the talisman, Xi Yunqing could tell how much effort Chen Xiao had put into making it. While the process did train the spirit, it was exhausting. If mental energy was depleted, it would significantly affect body training.
Chen Xiao understood and nodded. This was also why he hadn't been making talismans lately. With all the intense training, there was no energy left for such delicate work.
After Xi Yunqing spoke, a brief silence fell over the room. Just as Chen Xiao was about to ask about the training grounds, he heard Xi Yunqing speak, his tone slightly awkward, "Since we've known each other, Xiao Di has helped me a great deal, but I've never properly thanked you. This is a gift to show my gratitude for your help with the matters in Changjia Village. Please don't refuse." With that, he handed Chen Xiao a small, flat box, about 3.5 inches in size.
The box, made of an unknown type of wood, was covered in a beautiful dark lacquer, adorned with intricate and mysterious symbols. The moment Chen Xiao saw it, he immediately thought of the mechanism box Tong Nuonuo always carried around with her.
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