Since the last time Old He borrowed some talismans, more than half a month had passed without any news.
Lin Chang'an felt a twinge of concern for Old He, hoping everything was going smoothly—after all, he had once benefited from Old He's kindness.
Yet on this day, with a table full of high-quality Golden Light Talismans before him, Lin Chang'an grew somewhat silent.
[Skills: Golden Light Talisman (Mastery 8/1000), Swift Talisman (Proficiency 358/500)]
"How come the success rate feels a bit off?" Lin Chang'an looked at the freshly drawn Golden Light Talisman in his hand with a strange expression.
"The talisman's quality is fine, and the success rate seems normal, but I feel like I've overlooked something…"
Experienced talisman makers, once in their optimal state, can usually produce three or four fine talismans out of ten. That's normal.
But getting into that optimal state was the real challenge—it required calmness, concentration, and a series of preparatory steps. Maintaining that state two or three times a month was already good.
Moreover, that state would gradually diminish as mental energy was consumed.
"Could it be...?"
Seeming to realize something, Lin Chang'an took a deep breath, his hand trembling slightly as he raised his brush, but without any calm or focus, he just dove straight in.
Swish, swish!
When a pale golden fine talisman finally appeared, his heart pounded violently. He kept experimenting.
Most talismans were ordinary, with only a few fine ones.
But this time, he completely ignored the usual need for calmness and concentration, working straight until his spiritual energy was nearly depleted, then stopped.
Huff... huff...
His breathing heavy, Lin Chang'an seemed to confirm something. Trembling, he looked at his status panel with shock and joy.
"This is... status locking!"
Unable to hide his excitement, Lin Chang'an smiled broadly. At last, he understood everything.
"Even the best talisman makers can only reach their peak craft temporarily when calm and focused. Once mental energy runs low, they have to stop and rest to recover.
But I don't need that at all. Once I break through to this state, I can maintain it indefinitely."
His face flushed with excitement; he wanted to cover his head with a blanket and laugh out loud.
Status locking meant that as long as his mana didn't run out, he didn't need the cumbersome process of calming and concentrating to maintain the highest success rate.
One word: Just do it.
"Damn it! How many spirit stones have I wasted before?"
Lin Chang'an regretted himself deeply. Previously, worried about wasting materials, he would stop after two talismans to rest, never realizing this ability.
Only today did he notice something was wrong.
"The future looks bright!"
Grinning ear to ear, Lin Chang'an finally discovered his strongest talent to establish himself in the cultivation world.
One proof, eternal proof!
A typical newly advanced talisman maker can only maintain their best state to produce four or five fine Golden Light Talismans a month. He, however, could do ten times that if he really pushed it.
After all, aside from the wasted time calming and focusing, drawing talismans still consumes mental energy and mana.
"A tenfold difference... that means I could earn forty to fifty spirit stones a month!"
Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an's excitement grew. He had never dared to imagine earning so many spirit stones before.
"No! This is too obvious. Someone will notice!"
Suddenly realizing this, Lin Chang'an felt as if cold water was poured on him, sobering up immediately.
"Four or five fine talismans a month is normal. Even six would be considered just a bit talented. But dozens a month? That's a clear sign of a special opportunity!"
He would be openly revealing his advantage.
With this in mind, Lin Chang'an took a deep breath. The cultivation world was ever-changing, and now that he possessed the strongest talent, he had to be more cautious to go further.
"Can't miss the chance to earn spirit stones, but I must be careful."
Taking a deep breath, Lin Chang'an put down his spirit brush and sat cross-legged on the bed, preparing to cultivate.
But soon he couldn't help but pull the blanket over his head, and the bed began shaking violently with muffled laughter.
After another month, when his talisman materials were nearly used up, Lin Chang'an went to the familiar True Treasure Pavilion to see Shopkeeper Miao.
"Click click, Lin Dao-you, your skills are truly remarkable," Shopkeeper Miao said with a beaming smile upon seeing six fine Golden Light Talismans, while exchanging talisman paper and cinnabar for him.
"Lin Dao-you, cultivation arts are like this: before you break through, no matter how hard you try, you see no results. But once you do, it's like opening a whole new world."
"By the way, we just got a shipment of Golden Marrow Pills. Want one? It might help you break through your cultivation soon."
Seeing Shopkeeper Miao's eager sales pitch, Lin Chang'an was tempted but shook his head.
"Better save up for the labor tax first."
"True, quite a few wandering cultivators have come to the marketplace recently, just waiting for next spring when the higher-ups will organize an expedition."
Shopkeeper Miao was used to selling and casually chatted about recent marketplace news after seeing Lin Chang'an decline.
Lin Chang'an also noticed many unfamiliar faces around the marketplace.
Qingzhu Mountain's marketplace was under the jurisdiction of the Lihuo Palace, and the higher-ups planned to intensify expeditions, naturally attracting many wandering cultivators.
Twenty years ago, when Lin Chang'an first entered the marketplace, he too was attracted by the benefits of such expeditions.
"I heard this time the authorities are serious—five Foundation Establishment Pills are up for grabs."
Shopkeeper Miao's casual remark made Lin Chang'an shudder.
"So serious this time?"
He remembered the last big expedition, which only offered two Foundation Establishment Pills—and the carnage had been terrible.
"So be careful. These wandering cultivators have no rules. Most of the opportunities they get are more about fate than luck."
Shopkeeper Miao warned cautiously, shaking his head when mentioning the outsiders, hinting that the marketplace might become unstable.
"Lin Dao-you, one Golden Marrow Pill and a storage pouch."
Suddenly, Lin Chang'an slapped the spirit stones he had just received, still warm in his palm.
Shopkeeper Miao's face lit up upon seeing the five spirit stones.
A Golden Marrow Pill was two spirit stones each; the storage pouch three spirit stones.
"All right, Lin Dao-you, don't worry. I'll pick the best pill for you and throw in some talisman paper. With your solid cultivation and your Longchun Skill's reputation for sudden breakthroughs, you'll definitely break through this time."
"And here's the storage pouch."
With a broad smile, Shopkeeper Miao handed Lin Chang'an a fine storage pouch and a jade bottle as he left the shop.
Watching the busy marketplace and feeling the cool breeze, Lin Chang'an recalled Shopkeeper Miao's smiling face and seemed to understand something.
"Truly, the marketplace is for making money and spending money—none want to take it home."
Lin Chang'an laughed and cried inside, grateful for Shopkeeper Miao's reminder. Although it was just a sales tactic to make him spend spirit stones, he knew that breakthrough pills were always in high demand—especially with so many wandering cultivators around.
Walking the marketplace streets and seeing many unfamiliar faces, Lin Chang'an felt increasingly tense.
He vividly remembered that massive expedition twenty years ago.
Countless wandering cultivators flooded in, bringing both opportunity and chaos.
"Looks like the marketplace's peaceful atmosphere is about to be shattered."
Although outsiders came occasionally before, not this many, so they didn't disrupt the market's vibe.
Only veterans knew what this meant. Lin Chang'an felt urgency.
He had to raise his cultivation to mid-stage Qi Refinement soon to protect himself.
As he walked, Lin Chang'an suddenly found himself in front of a richly decorated pavilion.
Two large red lanterns hung by the door, casting a hazy pink glow with a suggestive atmosphere, especially with the lights on in broad daylight.
Two young female cultivators yawned as they came out the door, brightening when they saw a familiar face.
"Oh! Isn't this Lin Dao-you? After you left last time, the sisters were still drunk and couldn't stand the next day. This time we'll give you a discount. Come in, have some hot tea before you go."
"Yeah! I heard you can already make fine Golden Light Talismans. Life of hardship is no fun—come enjoy yourself with the sisters…"
The two women wore thin, red palace robes, possibly just waking up, their faces still showing a hint of drowsiness.
Their delicate features, graceful postures, and alluring aura radiated seduction, their eyes shining upon seeing Lin Chang'an.
Their gaze was almost identical to Shopkeeper Miao's.
"Ahem, sorry, not today. Maybe another time," Lin Chang'an said awkwardly.
These dull cultivation days sometimes left him disheartened; he had come here recently to drown his sorrows in drink—mixing work and relaxation was necessary.
But now was truly not a good time.
"Don't go, Lin Dao-you, tea's on us, no spirit stones required."
A voice behind him sounded like a temptation from a demon, but Lin Chang'an, determined in will, quickly left.
He was eager to try out the storage pouch at home—these temptresses wouldn't shake his resolve.