64: Chapter 64 Rules of the Pill Recipe Pavilion

After obtaining the Spirit Stone, he turned and went to the place where spirit talismans were sold.

An Alchemist needs a piece of blank talisman paper to attach all the knowledge of a Pill Formula onto it.

So-called spirit talismans are created when a Talisman Maker channels the power of the Heavenly Dao and writes incantations onto talisman paper.

This process consumes an immense amount of True Qi, but once the spirit talisman is completed, its power far exceeds one's own strength.

The Alchemist's technique for passing on knowledge is one such type.

Among the arts of the immortal Sects, talisman making is also a major category.

Creating blank talisman paper requires special paper and ink, and the brush used to write the incantation runes is also a special brush.

Only a portion of the Chiyan Sect possesses these immortal arts; some specialize in making talisman paper, some only know how to refine ink, and others only know how to make brushes.

After the talisman paper is made, there are specialized talisman painters who turn them into various usable spirit talismans.

The person selling the talisman paper was a Senior Sister. Upon hearing that he wanted to buy blank talisman paper to write down an Alchemist's Pill Formula, her eyes widened.

"What do you want this stuff for?"

"I want to create a Pill Formula."

The Senior Sister shook her head. "Pill Formula talisman paper is rarely used, so I don't have any in stock. If you want it, you'll have to pre-order."

"How many Spirit Stones for a pre-order? When can I get the goods?"

"Eh, it depends on my mood."

Xia Shaoxin was stunned. "Why does it depend on your mood?"

"This stuff doesn't make money, so it depends on my mood."

"Are you a Talisman Maker?"

"Yes."

"Aren't there any other Talisman Makers?"

The Senior Sister said with a cold face, "The others are the same. No one wants to waste time on cheap things."

"How much for a blank Pill Formula talisman?"

The Senior Sister hesitantly held up one finger.

"No way? One Spirit Stone each?"

The Senior Sister was stunned; in reality, one Spirit Stone could buy ten pieces of blank talisman paper.

"Hmph, look at these spirit talismans behind me—aren't they all worth ten or eight Spirit Stones? If I sell a blank one too expensively, it harms the Heavenly Dao, but if I sell it too cheaply… I wouldn't even want to give it to you!"

Xia Shaoxin thought about it; the Danfang Pavilion was missing a qi gathering pill formula, and he had to replace it for someone.

So, he took out one Spirit Stone.

"I'll buy one for now."

Hiss, the Senior Sister secretly gasped and took the Spirit Stone.

"Wait a moment, it will be ready soon."

She walked inside, took a piece of yellow paper that had already been cut to the standard size from a cabinet, and sat down at a desk.

There was a box on the desk. She opened it and took out a brush and ink.

The brush handle was made of bamboo, and the green skin shimmered with a faint light, looking like green jade.

The ink block also shimmered with a faint light. She rubbed it gently on the dry inkstone, and surprisingly, without needing to add water, it instantly turned into black liquid.

The Senior Sister gripped the green-handled talisman brush and dipped it into the talisman ink; the brush began to tremble violently.

She gripped the brush with effort and drew onto the talisman paper.

The tip of the brush trembled slightly, yet it steadily drew a long, thin line of ink. Although she was writing, it was as slow as carving.

Finishing quickly, the Senior Sister put down the talisman brush, gripped her right wrist with her left hand, and extended her right index finger, holding it an inch away from the talisman paper. Her lips moved slightly, muttering something unknown.

A white light shot out from the tip of her index finger and vanished into the paper.

The Senior Sister let out a sigh of relief, and her tense body relaxed.

"Alright, it's done."

Xia Shaoxin looked up and saw that the Senior Sister actually had sweat on the tip of her nose and her forehead.

He couldn't help but be extremely shocked. Is writing a talisman really that difficult?

Every trade is like a mountain; no profession is easy.

The Senior Sister handed him the blank spirit talisman.

"Farewell." Xia Shaoxin turned and walked out.

Just as he reached the door, he heard the Senior Sister's shout from behind: "Wait!"

Xia Shaoxin turned back in surprise. "Does Senior Sister have other matters? I already paid you one Spirit Stone."

"Ah, no, this is our first transaction, so I'll gift you another blank Pill Formula talisman."

The Senior Sister remembered what she had said earlier—that selling it too expensively would harm the Heavenly Dao—and felt a faint sense of unease.

She immediately took out a new piece of yellow paper and drew another blank talisman for him.

"Junior Brother, the True Qi consumed in making a blank talisman is about thirty percent of what it takes to make a complete spirit talisman, so it's really not worth it."

Xia Shaoxin put away the blank talisman paper, cupped his hands in a salute, and took his leave.

Returning to the Danfang Pavilion, there was no business. He went inside to where there was another counter, sat on a meditation cushion, and attached the qi gathering pill formula onto the spirit talisman.

Then, he waited nervously.

Sure enough, various indescribable painful sensations assaulted him simultaneously.

His whole body felt as if it were being burned in many places, and it seemed as if he had fallen into a deep pool, unable to breathe.

His vision went black, and with a thud, his head hit the floor, and he passed out.

This was a true fainting spell.

If he had been asleep, he might have had a dream.

He didn't know how much time had passed before his consciousness returned. He opened his eyes and saw a foot on the floor. He jumped up in shock, only to find it was a middle-aged Senior Brother dressed in the attire of a Deacon.

"You're awake?" the Deacon asked gently. "What was the reason for you fainting earlier?"

Xia Shaoxin was still clutching the qi gathering pill formula in his hand; he lifted it and shook it.

"I learned the qi gathering pill formula, went to buy a piece of talisman paper, and was passing on the knowledge."

The Deacon nodded and smiled. "Very good, you understand the rules well. Do you know me?"

Xia Shaoxin quickly said, "Please forgive this Junior's poor eyesight; I do not recognize you, Senior."

"I am a Deacon of Baotong Tower. My surname is Tao."

"Ah, a pleasure, a pleasure! Senior Tao, Deacon Tao." Xia Shaoxin hurriedly bowed.

"Someone notified me yesterday that someone would come today to be the new manager of the Danfang Pavilion. I didn't expect it to be you—you are so young."

"Yes, I only became an Inner Sect Disciple a month ago."

"Heh heh." Deacon Tao laughed meaningfully.

His gaze was gentle, and there was not a hint of disrespect to be seen.

Xia Shaoxin knew what that laugh meant, but Deacon Tao did not show any contempt, which was heartwarming.

"Baotong Tower has set up many Formations, and the Danfang Pavilion is also under my surveillance. You were gone for too long earlier, which is why I came over to check."

Xia Shaoxin was extremely shocked. He had only been gone for a little while, sold some Poisonous Insects, and bought two pieces of blank talisman paper—was that not allowed?

He immediately understood why that Senior Sister had stepped down from this position earlier and left so happily, like a joyful butterfly.

"The records of Pill Formula transactions are kept in the cabinet; they are also the records of the Alchemist Legacy. Hand over the Spirit Stone for this qi gathering pill to me."

Xia Shaoxin hurriedly took out the Spirit Stone and presented it.

"Senior, is this Spirit Stone for the Senior Brother who left the Pill Formula?"

"Of course."

"This Senior Brother lives right next door to me, not far away. I can help you give it to him."

"Oh?" Deacon Tao did not hesitate. "You surely wouldn't lie to me."

He kept one Spirit Stone and returned the rest to Xia Shaoxin; this one should be the portion belonging to the Sect.

"That works, too; I was too lazy to notify him anyway."

Deacon Tao asked for the ledger, opened it, and saw that the name of Senior Brother Liang Ruoran had actually disappeared, replaced by the name of Xia Shaoxin.

As it turned out, this was not an ordinary ledger, but the record of mentorship between Alchemists of the Danfang Pavilion from years past!

It was just that, by now, it had become a ledger for transactions.

"The position at the Danfang Pavilion is not busy at all; it is even too relaxed, a bit boring," Deacon Tao said. "In the future, when you come here for duty, whether you rest or Cultivate, that is up to you, just do not miss your time."

"Yes, this Junior will not miss the time."

After Deacon Tao finished his instructions, he stood up and left.