“I’ll continue with a few of them as well.” The Scarlet Lotus Hermit was quite straightforward.
“Good, good! Elder Han, have you also decided?” The Taoist looked pleased, then asked Han Li again.
Upon hearing this, Han Li hesitated.
Logically, for a newcomer like him, staying with this small group would be the best choice, yet he inexplicably felt something was off, as if doing so would surely lead to regret.
“I’ll wait until after the trade fair ends to decide; there’s no rush,” Han Li said with a smile, deciding to stall for now.
“Eh!” Han Li’s remark clearly surprised the others, leaving Qing Wen and the others somewhat startled.
“Elder Han, what’s there to hesitate about? As loose cultivators, we can only avoid being bullied by sticking together; besides, I’m very interested in your ability to see through my petty tricks, and I’d love to spar more in the future!” Wu Jiuzhi expressed some dissatisfaction.
Han Li heard the youth’s words, did not get angry, merely smiled and stayed silent.
“Heh, Elder Han never said he definitely wouldn’t travel with us; he just said he’d think about it, which is perfectly natural!” Qing Wen Taoist hurried to mediate.
“Indeed, what Taoist Qing Wen said resonates with me; I do have some unspoken difficulties, so I must be cautious,” Han Li seemed genuinely grateful to Taoist Qing Wen, showing an expression of being understood.
“Well then, that makes me meddlesome!” The youth felt he had become neither inside nor out, and was greatly displeased.
Qing Wen Taoist smiled helplessly, adopting the expression of an elder tolerating a mischievous younger brother, and silently apologized to Han Li.
Han Li naturally wouldn’t take this to heart.
However, since the matter was settled, everyone rose, said their farewells, and left. Han Li also found an empty room on the second floor and settled down.
On the second day, aside from the monk and Han Li, everyone else left the attic, forming pairs to go out and set up stalls.
At that moment, the monk continued chanting Zen in the downstairs hall, while Han Li sat indoors, lightly stroking a stack of talisman paper, lost in thought.
“These so‑called elementary lower‑grade talisman papers have a faint spiritual glow flickering on them; they are indeed unlike ordinary secular talismans. It seems not the material itself is special, but rather some spell must empower them,” Han Li thought.
Han Li took out the talisman paper, intending to practice the “Soul‑Stabilizing Technique” he had learned earlier. But he suddenly realized that drawing a soul‑stabilizing talisman cannot rely on talisman paper alone; one also needs a brush and cinnabar, etc. These items are apparently sold at cultivators’ stalls. Could it be that mundane substitutes won’t do, and they must be specially made for cultivators?
With that thought, Han Li could not stay seated. He decided to go find the monk—after all, his status as a cultivation novice could not be hidden, so it was better to ask openly.
“You’re right, benefactor. To successfully draw a talisman, besides using specially refined talisman paper, one must also use cinnabar made from the blood of a spirit‑infused demon beast; as for the brush, it depends on the circumstances!” Monk Kushan replied calmly after hearing Han Li’s question.
“Master Kushan, what do you mean by ‘depends on the circumstances’?” Han Li sat cross‑legged opposite the monk, asking earnestly, without any embarrassment.
“The brush we cultivators use for drawing talismans can be made from the spirit‑hair of demon beasts, or from certain heavenly‑earth treasures turned into charcoal pencils; these increase the success rate and power of the talisman. If conditions are lacking, even an ordinary secular brush will work, though the success rate is pitifully low.” The monk shook his head slightly, apparently disapproving of Han Li’s last‑ditch method.
“Thank you for the guidance, Master! I’ll go see if I can exchange for a talisman‑making brush!” Han Li rose, clasped his fist toward the monk.
“Go slowly, benefactor!” The monk closed his eyes again and continued his Zen practice.
It seems I must go out today; otherwise it won’t work! I remember that brush and cinnabar aren’t cheap—probably six or seven low‑grade spirit stones. Do I really have to sell the newly acquired “Flight Talisman”?
Han Li walked and thought, then left the attic heading for the trade market.
It was morning, so cultivators appeared in small groups on the road, not exactly deserted, but their directions seemed all toward the market, indicating most were setting up stalls like the Taoist and his companions.
“Look, what a huge bird!” a male cultivator suddenly exclaimed.
Immediately, a massive dark shadow swooped over the heads of Han Li and the other cultivators on that road.