Chapter 580 - 469: Discovery
Ji An continuously increased the infusion of magical power; initially, the talisman brush could withstand it, but later, the red patterns on the brush turned light gold, and no more magical power could be infused.
It was as if there was a valve controlling the maximum flow of magical power.
Guu Tai noticed the color change of the patterns on the brush handle, stroked his beard and smiled:
"Using a regular talisman brush for long periods of infusing excessive spiritual power will severely affect its lifespan, causing uneven magical power output and impacting the success rate of talisman making.
The design I made limits the maximum input of spiritual power, so you can boldly maintain the infusion of magical power without worry.
This method not only extends the lifespan of the talisman brush, but there are additional benefits that you surely understand."
He kept it mysterious, wearing a "you know what I mean" expression.
Ji An raised his eyebrow slightly and smiled:
"Such a considerate design, you truly are a master."
Crafted items that can best enhance the user experience distinguish an artisan from a master.
The amount of magical power input requires the division of divine sense for control, but this unobtrusive setup allows for confidently infusing spiritual power, saving a bit of divine sense.
For those cultivators who make talismans for a living, the saved divine sense could result in creating two or three more talismans each day.
Over time, it amounts to a considerable income, allowing high-tier talisman masters to easily earn two or three top-grade spirit stones annually.
Based on this benefit alone, no talisman maker would refuse it.
Ji An sighed to himself: ’Unfortunately, talisman making is just my side business, so saving divine sense isn’t very significant.’
Guu Tai laughed heartily, feeling quite pleased.
Ji An took out the materials and dipped them in talisman ink.
He first drew a few Bursting Talismans to accumulate feel, then drew two Fire Dragon Talismans consecutively, succeeding with all.
By infusing more spiritual power, these talismans were more powerful than before, and he estimated their power increased by about ten percent.
With the same materials and costs, with such improvement, he thought he should negotiate with Shopkeeper Wey next time he sells talismans for a price increase!
If the negotiation succeeded, the cost of refining the talisman brush would be completely offset.
Guu Tai picked up the first drawn Fire Dragon Talisman, feeling the vibrant rune with gentle strokes as if caressing the hand of a concubine.
"I’ll keep this talisman; the shop’s price is four middle-grade spirit stones, I’ll give it to you later."
Ji An gently shook his head and said:
"I can’t get that much selling to the shop; give me three hundred and fifty spirit stones, and I’ll make a profit."
"Is this appropriate?"
"Why not? A while ago, when you held a banquet at the Drunken Immortal Inn, it was quite costly, and I was very satisfied; I actually planned to gift you a few talismans."
"Haha, let’s not count it as a gift; let’s count it at that price."
Guu Tai didn’t like to take advantage of others, nor did he like others taking advantage of him; maintaining proper distance was good.
Ji An fetched water from the tank, poured it into the pen washer, cleansed the talisman brush, and then infused fire element magical power to evaporate the moisture. He picked up the talisman brush with the yellow tip to start drawing Earth Element Talismans.
This time, he directly drew the Earth Escape Talisman; the first attempt failed, the second succeeded.
Guu Tai held his chest, saying:
"Ah, finally saw you make a mistake once; your craftsmanship is better than all the talisman makers I’ve seen!"
He sighed inwardly, as his counterpart had drawn seven talismans with a success rate of over eighty percent, which is the performance of a top-tier talisman master.
Such a craftsman can easily accumulate spirit stones.
"You flatter me."
Ji An handed the Earth Escape Talisman to him, "This one is also three hundred and fifty spirit stones."
"Thank you, my friend," Guu Tai took out seven middle-grade spirit stones, smiled, and said:
"I’ve already gathered half of the materials for the Celestial Soaring Armor, and some friends promised to help source them; in two months at the earliest or half a year at the latest, we can start refining."
The comprehensive performance of the Earth Element Spirit Armor is the strongest, its only counter being wood element magic or spiritual treasures, but wood element skills are not known for their power, and few cultivate these skills.
Even if a cultivator refines a wood element spiritual artifact, it’s used as an auxiliary treasure.
"Haha, you do have extensive connections."
Ji An offered a small compliment; with enough time managing, high-tier artisans always have abundant connections.
"Hehe, if you manage a talisman shop, within ten years you’ll establish yourself in the Immortal City.
But for now, you’re focused on cultivation; once you break through to the Golden Core, as long as you wish, you’ll have a group of followers."
Guu Tai sighed internally at Ji An’s youth; he no longer held hopes for achieving higher cultivation.
Now at one hundred and twenty, his cultivation is stuck at the Chao Origin Second Turn Realm, and the Golden Core Stage is impossible.
They exchanged a few compliments before Ji An collected his talisman brush, "My friend, I have matters to attend to, I take my leave."
Guu Tai saw him out of the shop, inquiring about his grotto mansion’s location, then said:
"Once the materials are collected, I’ll send a clerk to invite you, so we can discuss the refining plan."
"Alright, I’ll look forward to the news."
...
In the blink of an eye, two months passed; snow fell heavily in the Far North, scattered helplessly in fierce winds.
Despite the biting cold, the waters of the Nu Lan River flowed torrentially.
The night was pitch-black.
In the temporary grotto mansion at the foot of the Snow Dragon Ridge, several daoist masters sat upright with solemn faces.
Cold Qilin True Man said in a stern voice:
"This month we’ve conducted a thorough sweep; the outskirts of Snow Dragon Ridge are fully searched with no sign of demon cultivators.
The inner region is complex, making the search much harder, and low-tier cultivators can’t significantly help; the main search force consists of cultivators at late-stage Foundation Establishment and above."