The next day.
In the reception hall of the Zhou family.
"Lin, young friend, could you draw a talisman here on the spot, just to verify your skill?"
At the main seat sat Zhou Antai, dressed in a high-quality cultivation robe, his kind and approachable smile putting everyone at ease—without a trace of arrogance.
Lin Chang'an knew this man well. Despite his gentle old appearance, Lin had personally witnessed Zhou's imposing presence during the wild frontier battles twenty years ago.
"Elder Zhou, I'll do my best, though I'm no expert."
Lin Chang'an understood that Zhou wanted to test his true ability, and this suited him perfectly.
Only by demonstrating his talent in talisman crafting could he secure better terms.
Of course, he mustn't overdo it—too much skill shown would be suspicious. Just enough to reveal some aptitude would suffice.
Without hesitation, Lin Chang'an approached the table set up for him but didn't start immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes to gather his focus.
Zhou Antai didn't mind this at all. In fact, he raised his hand to gesture for two younger Zhou family cultivators nearby to watch carefully.
After about half an incense stick's time passed, no one grew impatient.
Then, Lin Chang'an slowly opened his eyes, looking perfectly composed and energized. He dipped his brush in a special cinnabar paste used for crafting golden talismans.
Swish, swish!
With breath held and full concentration, Lin's gaze sharpened as his brush glided across the talisman paper—every stroke flowing smoothly and confidently, as if the pen danced.
Watching this, Zhou Antai secretly nodded in approval.
After a while, eight golden talismans shimmered with spiritual light. Two of them radiated especially strong and vibrant energy.
"Excellent. Lin, young friend, your skill is indeed extraordinary."
Zhou Antai couldn't help but praise him. Lin took two towels from the younger cultivators and wiped the sweat off his brow, humbly cupping his hands in response:
"It's all thanks to these high-grade brushes and cinnabar. Without them, there's no way I could produce two top-quality first-grade inferior golden talismans."
Lin's humility wasn't false. The brushes and cinnabar provided by the Zhou family were indeed better than his usual supplies.
"I'm not one for empty talk," Zhou Antai said earnestly. "Our Zhou family can offer you the technique to craft first-grade middle-quality golden talismans. And if your skill advances, we also have the first-grade superior talisman master inheritance."
"But Lin, you must guarantee an annual quota of first-grade middle-quality talismans delivered to us, and help train one or two apprentices for the Zhou family…"
Lin Chang'an thought to himself: no wonder the Zhou family was a major Foundation Establishment clan in this region. These terms were quite reasonable.
The Zhou family would provide crafting materials and even cultivation resources every month.
He only had to supply a fixed number of talismans annually and help nurture a couple of apprentices who lacked talent and would focus solely on talisman crafting.
In simpler terms, Zhou family was effectively hiring him as a long-term craftsman with salary paid in advance.
"Elder Zhou, fifteen years is a bit long, isn't it? I'm already over forty…"
"At minimum, ten years," Zhou Antai replied firmly. "Remember, we're providing you a cultivation venue rich in spiritual energy, and all the crafting materials come from us."
"Elder Zhou, could the annual quota be lowered by twenty percent? I'm willing to put extra effort into training two apprentices…"
Lin made a symbolic counteroffer, though inwardly he was delighted.
After all, with Zhou family's materials, he could maintain peak crafting condition all year. So aside from the required quota, everything else he made was his own profit.
And behind him now stood the Zhou family—a powerful backing indeed.
After a brief negotiation, both Lin and Elder Zhou smiled in mutual satisfaction.
"We look forward to your talents, Talisman Master Lin."
"You flatter me. I will do my utmost to teach and guide."
Apart from delivering fewer talismans in the first six months, the rest of the terms were agreed upon. He would also wholeheartedly train apprentices for the Zhou family.
Within the Zhou clan, there were many with poor spiritual roots who could barely cultivate beyond the Qi Condensation initial stage.
Besides family duties, many learned a skill to continue serving the clan.
After all, these poor spiritual root cultivators were even weaker than Lin's own inferior spiritual root.
…
"Inferior cultivation robes… I didn't expect to have one so soon."
After Erniu personally escorted him out, Lin Chang'an admired his new cultivation robe, gently patting it with satisfaction.
The fabric was smooth and comfortable, not just ornamental or dustproof—it offered solid protection.
If this robe were in the mortal world, it would be a golden-thread soft armor, impervious to blades, fire, and water.
"No wonder mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivators utterly dominate early-stage ones."
Lin felt deeply moved. The gap between early and mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivation wasn't just about mana or spells, but also about equipment.
Many early-stage cultivators lacked even low-grade magical implements and relied on mundane weapons.
Yet, those mortal weapons couldn't even penetrate the defense of an inferior-grade cultivation robe.
"They even provide a cultivation venue. If I had broken through in talisman crafting earlier, I wouldn't be breaking through Qi Condensation's fourth layer at this age."
Though wistful, Lin's face glowed with renewed energy as he headed home.
He had to pack up—he was moving.
There was still a tax on labor, but under Zhou family protection, he only had to pay half.
Truly, as the ancestors said, it's good to have a big tree to shelter you.
…
Knock, knock!
Just as he returned home to start packing, someone knocked at the door.
"Old He Tou?"
Old He Tou, who had been missing for over two months, appeared again. His face looked more haggard but now glowed with vitality.
When Lin Chang'an opened the door, Old He Tou grinned broadly.
But Lin quickly noticed that Old He Tou's left hand was missing four fingers—apparently bitten off by some demonic beast.
"Lin, kid, I really owe you this time. Without your golden talisman, I might not have made it back."
Old He Tou didn't hide his injured hand. Instead, he grinned, showing his missing and yellowed teeth.
"You kid, come on, pay your respects to Uncle Lin."
Behind Old He Tou stepped out a handsome youth in fine silk robes—He Yan.
Usually humble and smiling, this time his expression was a bit indifferent.
Lin also noticed He Yan wore a cultivation robe.
"Uncle Lin."
Before Lin could say more, Old He Tou was grinning ear to ear.
"This kid's lucky—not only noticed by the powerful Wang family, but also passed the entrance exam for the Lihuo Palace."
No wonder. Seeing He Yan's expression now, it was the arrogance of youth.
"Well, congratulations, Old He Tou."
Lin smiled and congratulated him, and Old He Tou proudly showed off, excitedly talking.
"Grandpa."
Clearly, He Yan's mindset had changed since being affiliated with the Wang family and becoming an outer disciple of Lihuo Palace. He was impatient now and no longer cared to talk to ordinary folk.
He was destined to become an inner disciple of Lihuo Palace someday—this place was no longer a trap holding him back.
Old He Tou looked a little embarrassed. When he noticed Lin's cultivation robe, his expression changed to surprise.
"Lin, kid, that's Zhou family's robe!?"
The Zhou family robe naturally bore the mark of Zhou family cultivators.
Sharp-eyed Old He Tou noticed immediately. Lin Chang'an smiled and nodded.
"Yes. The inheritance for first-grade middle-quality talismans is rare—only a few families have it."
By now it was clear: Lin had joined the Zhou family.
"I see. Congratulations! By the way, here are the spirit stones from the last golden talisman."
Old He Tou smiled broadly, congratulating him as he pulled out two spirit stones and an old swift-travel talisman. It was clear his left hand was still a bit awkward handling things.
"I wouldn't say I'm much. It's Little Yan who got into Lihuo Palace—his future looks bright."
Listening to Lin praise his grandson, Old He Tou was all smiles. His years of perseverance were paying off.
After their congratulations, Old He Tou hurried off to show off to the neighbors.
"That Old He Tou, still so stingy."
Lin chuckled and shook his head. As he prepared to store away the spirit stones, he glanced again at the swift-travel talisman and narrowed his eyes.
"What's this!?"
The talisman had a few fine hairs stuck on it, and one corner was stained with blood.
"These are the downy hairs of a black wind wolf cub."
Lin muttered quietly. Old He Tou was truly bold to have secretly discovered a wolf den.
No wonder, despite his injuries, he still looked so vigorous. That cub alone could support Old He Tou in his old age.
Lin admired this but also felt thoughtful.
His own luck wasn't bad either.
As for the middle-grade spiritual root youth He Yan?
If this were his former self, maybe he would envy such a start.
But now, with a promising future ahead, Lin wouldn't let such things affect his mood.
The road ahead was long. The forty years behind him were just the storms on his path.