Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

”Let’s put this aside for now,” Ji An took out the beast hides and Talisman Ink from his Storage Bag and said:

”I want to sell some low-tier materials.”

These are beast hides from Water Element Demon Beasts, and materials from mid-stage Foundation Establishment beasts.

Although selling raw materials isn’t very profitable, these are unexpected gains. He doesn’t want to draw low-tier Talismans, so he can only sell them cheaply.

Wey Xianglin’s eyes suddenly widened but then quickly regained their composure. There were a lot of materials, and the other party was not a Demon Hunting Cultivator, making the origins of the materials look suspicious.

He began sorting them without showing any emotion, as long as there was profit, the origin was not their shop’s concern.

Even if there was a problem, the family could handle it.

A moment later, Wey Xianglin spoke:

”Senior, there are five pieces of late-stage Foundation Establishment Water Element Demon Beast hides here, worth five thousand two hundred Spirit Stones... All materials combined, a total of nine thousand six hundred Spirit Stones.”

Ji An calculated his gains in his heart and took out seventy Middle-grade Spirit Stones, saying:

”Agreed, exchange for three Top-grade Spirit Stones.”

Wey Xianglin beamed, ”Just right, we’re settled.”

...

Divine Fire Street is a street in Red Rock Immortal City full of Artifact Refining Shops, ranging from small shops crafting Magical Artifacts to large shops crafting top-grade Spiritual Artifacts; it’s said there are even Artifact Refiners who can refine Magical Treasures.

Ji An stood by the street, shaking his head as he looked at the shop signs. The signs couldn’t hide the ravages of time; the golden lettering of ”Divine Brush Spirit Armor Pavilion” was dusty and peeling, clearly showing its age.

He stepped into the shop and said to the clerk who approached him:

”I want to customize a few Spiritual Talisman Brushes. Shopkeeper Wey of Xuelan Street recommended that I see Master Guu Tai, please notify him for me.”

As he spoke, he handed over a Jade Pendant.

The clerk received the Jade Pendant with both hands, smiling:

”So it was recommended by Shopkeeper Wey, please wait for a moment, I will report to the master.”

After the clerk left, Ji An looked around the shop. It was a small hall with two clerks attending, and a few Spiritual Artifacts displayed on the counter, but no customers were present.

A small door led to the backyard, which should be the actual location of the Artifact Refining Shop.

It’s said that they only accept custom orders here, rarely crafting standard Magical Artifacts.

The clerk quickly returned, saying: ”Senior, please follow me.”

The two of them passed through the small door into an Earth Fire Chamber, where the heat was rolling; it seemed that the Fire Vein had just been sealed.

An old man with a sallow complexion and emaciated figure was studying Ji An. He held a cyan Jade Pendant in his hand, and his white goatee was stubbornly curled.

It was unclear whether it was naturally so, or if it was caused by the Earth Fire’s scorching.

He slightly cupped his hands and said:

”I am Guu Tai, how should I address you, fellow Daoist? What type of Talisman Brushes are you planning to refine? Do you have any special requirements?”

Ji An grinned, now believing the other was indeed an excellent Artifact Refiner.

No small talk, just three consecutive questions upon meeting, quite dedicated.

”I’m Ji An, planning to refine five Talisman Brushes: two for drawing Earth Element and Fire Element Talismans each, and one without a Five Elements attribute, to the level of a Spiritual Artifact.”

The Talismans he draws mainly use Earth and Fire Elements, with the attributeless brush as a backup.

The Talisman Brushes don’t need to be too good, as he’ll need to replace them when he ascends to the Golden Core Stage.

Currently, Ji An is very confident in reaching the Golden Core, with the speed of comprehending the Five Elements Mutual Generation giving him ample confidence.

”No problem, my specialty is refining Talisman Brushes. Do you have any materials?”

”Only some fur from Fire Element Demon Beasts, take a look and see if it’s usable.”

Ji An took out a cloth bag, handing it over. The beast hides he traded with Demon Hunting Cultivators were already processed, with all flesh, hair removed, and dried.

The fur he had came from Yuan Hong’s Void Stone.

Guu Tai returned the Jade Pendant, poured the fur onto the table, and, after casually fiddling with it, shook his head:

”It’s not usable; the fur is either too short or too hard.”

He placed the fur back in the bag and handed it over, speaking confidently:

”Fire Talisman Brushes are best made with the tail fur of the Red-tailed Fox, Earth Talisman Brushes with the whiskers of the Mountain-piercing Beast, and attributeless Talisman Brushes require the white fur around the neck of the Shadowless Mink.”

”Do you have them, fellow Daoist?”

”Of course I do, take a look at their quality, fellow Daoist.”

Guu Tai took out some collections, his eyes gleaming.

”If I can’t use the best materials to craft a Spiritual Artifact, I’d rather not take the order.

These animal furs are not only smooth but minimize the loss of Magical Power during transmission.”

Ji An initially suspected the other party had a business in selling materials, but noting the look in his eyes dispelled this doubt.

People have an aura, and the sincerity in his gaze was apparent.

Examining the retrieved fur, Ji An was even more convinced of the other’s professionalism.

Red fur flamed like fire, warm to the touch, reminiscent of sitting by a campfire in the wilderness, indeed much better than what he brought.

The yellow fur was glossy and warm, the white fur void of spirit yet enchanting; he didn’t understand the subtleties but instinctively knew it was good stuff.

”Does master have the other materials?”

The pen handles for the Talisman Brushes would be made from Spirit Wood, with Red Cloud Pine and Profound Leaf Sword Bamboo being excellent choices.

Ji An suddenly missed Red Flame Peak; if he were still in the sect, he could present Tier Two Upper Grade materials.

”I don’t have them in hand, but if I desire them, I can certainly obtain them.”

Guu Tai’s face showed pride, inheriting this shop from his father, their family having operated in the Immortal City for over three hundred years, with far-reaching connections.

Ji An smiled, ”How long will it take for master to refine the five Talisman Brushes, and what is the fee?”

”Wey Clan has close cooperation with me, introducing many clients, I can prioritize refining your order and only need half a month.

As for the fee, it’s a total of two Top-grade Spirit Stones. Are you making these Talisman Brushes for personal use?”

”Yes, though not very skilled, I can draw Tier Two Top-grade Talismans.”

Ji An revealed his craftsmanship status; dealing with people like him, cultivation alone might not earn true respect, but having mastery could.

Guu Tai raised an eyebrow, his tone becoming friendlier:

”To be able to draw Tier Two Top-grade Talismans, your Talisman Making skills must be exceptional.”

He paused, speaking earnestly:

”Why not craft a top-grade Talisman Brush from the start? Not to persuade you into spending more.

I just believe that to do one’s job well, one must first sharpen one’s tools; good tools make our work easier.”

”It’s always seemed wasteful; to be honest, I’ve been using a Tier One Top-grade Talisman Brush to draw Tier Two Top-grade Talismans.”

Showing off a bit wins respect from craftsmen who take pride in their skill.

Guu Tai was astonished, then steadfastly shook his head, exclaiming loudly:

”I don’t believe it.”

He’s always straightforward, with no disdain for hiding his thoughts.

’I knew you wouldn’t believe it.’

Ji An thought, his lips curling slightly. He rolled up his sleeves, ready to prove himself.

”I cannot tolerate others doubting my expertise! I just came from Wey’s Treasure Talisman Shop, and I happen to have materials to clear my name with an onsite Talisman drawing.”

Making friends with craftsmen is simple; just showcase your skills, and as long as they’re not competitors, it’s easy to become good friends—the world for these people is relatively simple.

Guu Tai scratched his head, similar to himself, unable to tolerate others doubting his ability.

He wanted to apologize, but he truly didn’t believe the other could use a Magical Artifact level Talisman Brush to draw a Tier Two Top-grade Talisman.

”Uh, if you can draw a Tier Two Top-grade Talisman with a Tier One Talisman Brush, I’ll host a feast at Drunken Immortal Inn to apologize.”

If he couldn’t draw it, he would despise the other; braggarts among craftsmen were the worst.

Ji An took out materials, handing over two slightly bare Talisman Brushes to the other.

He prepared several sets of Tier Two Pan Mountain Talismans and two Fire Dragon Talismans; he needed to warm up with a few low-tier Talismans first.

Guu Tai infused Magical Power into the Talisman Brush, eyebrows slightly furrowed, as it indeed was a Tier One Top-grade Talisman Brush, albeit made with inferior craftsmanship.

In his eyes, such Artifact Refiners degraded the industry’s esteemed image.

He set down the Talisman Brush, saying:

”The Talisman Brushes are fine.”

Ji An took a deep breath, focused, and then picked up the Talisman Brush to draw several Pan Mountain Talismans, succeeding four times and failing once, the feel was quite good.

Switching to another Talisman Brush, he began drawing Fire Dragon Talismans.