Chapter 193: Talisman

Because loose cultivators rarely use talismans, Mo Hua had never personally seen one, so the topic slipped his mind.

Now, talking about refining tools and mentioning talismans again, Mo Hua suddenly remembered and asked a few questions.

Master Chen stroked his beard, furrowed his brows, and thought for a moment. "I am neither an array master nor a talisman master, so I certainly can't speak definitively, but since you asked, I'll tell you what I know."

After speaking, Master Chen added, "But this is definitely all outsider talk. Just listen, get a general idea, don't necessarily take it as true."

"Mm, mm." Mo Hua nodded repeatedly.

"As far as I know, making talismans is both a branch of array methods and a branch of refining tools."

"A hybrid of array methods and refining tools?" Mo Hua was startled.

Master Chen glared at him, a bit amused and exasperated. "Don't say it so unpleasantly. The various categories of cultivation are originally mutually independent yet mutually related."

Mo Hua thought for a moment and said, "Just like how alchemists' alchemy furnaces need to be refined by refining tool masters, and the furnaces refined by refining tool masters need array masters to draw array methods, and array masters drawing array methods use spiritual ink that sometimes also needs alchemists to prepare spiritual liquid?"

"Well said." Master Chen nodded in approval, then continued speaking about talismans. "The cultivation world has developed for so many years, and the categories of cultivation have also evolved and changed accordingly. Talismans are naturally like this..."

"The earliest talismans were actually similar to array methods, or rather, they were simple array methods. Drawn on paper, activated with spiritual power, they had some effects of array methods."

"But such talismans had many problems. Paper isn't easy to preserve, spiritual power isn't easy to seal, and the power also fluctuates depending on the cultivator's spiritual power level. If using spiritual stones to activate them, it's also very inconvenient."

"Most importantly, it wasn't very prestigious. Talisman makers were often said to be low-end array masters, inherently a head shorter than others. Who could stand that?"

"Later, after so many years of development, talismans have also undergone improvements by many great cultivators and transformed completely. Now, talismans have already developed into a cultivation category distinctly different from array methods and refining tools."

"What all changed?" Mo Hua was very curious.

Master Chen said, "Many things changed. At least in form, there are great differences. Now, they use jade talismans to replace paper talismans. What is sealed is no longer purely spiritual power and array methods, but specialized spells. This makes them both easy to preserve and easy to use."

"Specialized spells?"

"Yes, talismans are like one-time spells, simple and convenient. Once your realm is sufficient, you can use them, and they're not restricted by spiritual root attributes."

"Then aren't they very powerful?" Mo Hua was a little moved.

"Powerful they are, naturally, but expensive is truly expensive," Master Chen smacked his lips and said.

"The cost is very high, then?"

Master Chen nodded. "Making talismans requires using jade stones to make jade talismans. Jade stones themselves aren't cheap, and the higher the grade of the talisman, the more expensive the materials. At the same time, the refining of jade talismans follows some refining tools methods. Inside, there are some simple array structures, and talisman makers also need to learn special techniques to seal spells inside the jade talismans."

Mo Hua listened and kept shaking his head. "Both expensive and troublesome."

"Isn't it," Master Chen agreed.

"No wonder I've never seen one. Turns out it's because they're expensive, and everyone can't afford to use them."

Even if by chance one obtained one or two talismans, it would be more practical to use them oneself rather than resell them for a few spiritual stones.

Mo Hua asked again, "Are there other differences?"

"There definitely are, but what I know is just this." Master Chen said, "These are also superficial things. I learned them before when I refined spiritual tools for a talisman master and chatted with him. As for the more profound ways, I do not know."

Master Chen seemed slightly apologetic. "After all, I am not a talisman master. Regarding making talismans, I am completely ignorant."

Mo Hua said, "It doesn't matter, I am also completely ignorant!"

Master Chen smiled. "Then when you know in the future, come and tell me about it."

"It's a deal!" Mo Hua smilingly agreed.

After speaking, Mo Hua realized he had chatted with Master Chen for quite a while and the hour was a bit late. He got up to bid farewell. "Master Chen, I will go back first. The matter of the refining tools workshop is settled."

"Rest assured," Master Chen did not keep him. Instead, he said to Da Zhu, "Da Zhu, send him off."

"Hey!" Da Zhu happily responded.

Da Zhu then sent Mo Hua home. Along the way, the two chatted. Da Zhu told Mo Hua about some recent interesting matters, and Mo Hua listened with great interest.

In this vast world, nothing is too strange. With billions of cultivators, all sorts of messy things naturally happen.

Mo Hua listened to a belly full of stories and broadened his knowledge of cultivation a bit.

Upon arriving home, Mo Hua invited Da Zhu in to eat something. Da Zhu smiled shyly, not being overly polite, and frankly accepted Mo Hua's good intention.

The matter of the refining tools workshop was temporarily resolved. Next, it depended on Master Chen.

Master Chen had been refining spiritual tools in Tongxian City for many years, knew many cultivators, and had many familiar refining tool masters. He should be able to convince quite a few refining tool masters to join the new refining tools workshop.

Mo Hua immediately thought of another problem.

If the refining tools workshop was successfully built, after that there would still be the alchemy workshop. There were even fewer alchemists in Tongxian City, and they should be even harder to invite.

All matters should still be prepared early, otherwise when the time came, if preparations were not thorough, one would inevitably be stretched thin.

Mo Hua thought for a bit, then took some wine and meat and went to Xing Lin Tang, where he saw Elder Feng.

"Feng Grandpa, I've come to see you!" Mo Hua said with a smile.

Elder Feng looked at Mo Hua with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "Is there something you need?"

Mo Hua felt puzzled. "Is it that obvious?"

Elder Feng smiled. "I've watched you grow up since childhood."

"Oh."

Since Elder Feng asked, Mo Hua didn't beat around the bush and directly told him about the refining tools workshop and the alchemy workshop.

Elder Feng listened, and his expression gradually became serious. "Elder Yu really thinks this way and is doing this?"

Mo Hua nodded.

Elder Feng pondered for a moment, then said, "Alright, I agree with this matter."

Elder Feng had a healer's benevolent heart. Matters that could truly benefit the bottom-level loose cultivators of Tongxian City, he should agree to.

Mo Hua had originally thought this way, but when Elder Feng truly agreed, Mo Hua was still very happy.

"Thank you, Feng Grandpa!"

"Although I've agreed, there is one thing you need to be mentally prepared for," Elder Feng said again.

"Mentally prepared?" Mo Hua was a bit puzzled.

Elder Feng paused for a moment, then continued, "In this world, some matters, although the original intention is good, in the end will inevitably become a mess, in disarray, due to entanglements of interests and the unpredictability of human hearts."

Mo Hua was stunned for a moment, thought about it carefully, and felt it was very reasonable.

"Feng Grandpa, I understand," Mo Hua said seriously.

He thought for a bit, then said again, "However, since it's beneficial to everyone, the things that should be done still need to be done. Even if there are changes later, that's after the fact. You can't do nothing just because you're cautious."

Elder Feng looked at Mo Hua, slightly surprised, then immediately filled with gratification. He nodded and smiled, "Correct. Even if it ultimately ends up in a mess, in disarray, the things that should be done still need to be firmly pursued and done."

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