"We will still rely on Master Zhang for the Evil Warding Talismans."

"Whatever your demands, just state them. The Meng Family and the Talisman Cultivators' Association will definitely go all out to satisfy them."

Meng Changlin did not stay long. He left behind the materials for making Evil-warding Spirit Ink and quickly departed.

Jia Ren emerged from a concealed spot, his gaze falling on the Rhinoceros Horn powder.

All of the Rhinoceros Horn, when made into Evil-warding Spirit Ink, could yield about two hundred portions—enough to raise the Proficiency Level of the Evil Warding Charm Art to the Great Grandmaster's limit.

"I'll take the Talisman-Making Materials first and come back in two days."

Jia Ren took the materials and couldn't wait to return to his own residence.

Upon entering the Talisman Crafting Room, the first thing he crafted was a Master-level Evil Warding Talisman.

Two hours later, Jia Ren was inhaling Ning Shen Xiang (Spirit Concentration Incense), circulating the Thousand Threads of Myriad Souls Technique to restore his spent spirit.

After Soul Refinement, the increase brought by his soul power was visibly apparent.

Previously, creating over sixty Evil Warding Talismans a day was his limit. With the aid of the Ning Shen Xiang, this limit could be raised to one hundred and thirty.

The Thousand Threads of Myriad Souls Technique, although not yet perfected to one full layer, had also significantly augmented his soul. In a normal state, he could create one hundred Evil Warding Talismans, but with the Ning Shen Xiang, he could reach two hundred.

One hundred and fifty Master-level Evil Warding Talismans were produced, each one of good appearance and stable quality.

Next were the Evil Warding Talismans made with Grandmaster-level Evil-warding Spirit Ink and Blank Talisman Paper, each one reaching the pinnacle of perfection.

The effect of one Grandmaster-level Evil Warding Talisman far surpassed eight ordinary Evil Warding Talismans.

The enhancement brought by quality far outweighed that of merely piling up quantity.

One Grandmaster-level Evil Warding Talisman could outperform over a dozen ordinary ones against Bizarre Demons. This was still just a Grandmaster-level Evil Warding Talisman.

"Break the limit!"

Ten Breakthrough Points disappeared without a trace, and the Evil Warding Charm Art on the Proficiency Panel became fuzzy.

The next moment, a vast amount of memories of making Evil Warding Talismans flooded into his mind, bringing forth new insights.

His understanding of Evil Warding Talismans far exceeded that of their creator.

Jia Ren didn't rush to make talismans. He rested fully before starting again.

The Talisman Brush, soaked with the scant Evil-warding Spirit Ink, danced across the paper like dragons and snakes. The Spirit Ink followed the brush, penetrating deeply into the Talisman Paper.

A purple spiritual glow flashed, and a brand new Evil Warding Talisman, slightly different in appearance from the regular ones, emerged.

An Extraordinary Saint Level Evil Warding Talisman!

Its effect was at least ten times that of an ordinary Evil Warding Talisman.

"The Evil Warding Talisman still has potential to tap into."

"Blank Talisman Paper can't bring out its greatest effect."

"The most suitable carrier for it is not Blank Talisman Paper, but the hide of the Rhinoceros Beast. That is the ideal material for Evil Warding Talisman Paper."

The hide of the Rhinoceros Beast, in comparison to its horn, was not as rare and was not difficult to collect.

After creating Blank Talisman Paper, Jia Ren took an Elixir and began cultivating to enhance his strength.

Jia Ren relied on the name of Talisman Master Zhang, using Master-level Evil Warding Talismans to acquire the items he needed.

The Meng Family's attitude was quite good; all talisman-related requests would be satisfied.

A whole sheet of Rhinoceros Beast hide, of impeccable quality, had been cut by Jia Ren into equal-sized beast hides and turned into brand new Talisman Papers.

The new beast hide talismans would create even better Evil Warding Talismans.

Three days passed in a flash. Jia Ren delivered a total of three hundred Master-level Evil Warding Talismans, earning him 30,000 Market contribution points.

Earning 30,000 Market contribution points in just three days?

That definitely qualified as a shocking feat.

If it were before, there would definitely be those with ill intentions, as well as the risk of debt evasion.

Master-level Evil Warding Talismans were too precious, and the Meng Family did not wish to sever their supply for short-term benefits.

Now was not yet the time to "discard the bow once the birds are gone."

"You want to exchange for the Artifact Refining Technique?"

"Don't bite off more than you can chew."

"Your talent in the Path of Charms is astonishing, don't get distracted."

"Since ancient times, there have been many cultivators who aimed too high, attempting to master multiple cultivation arts, only to end up mediocre due to their divided efforts."

"Formations, Elixirs, Artifacts, Talismans... each is a crystallization of cultivation wisdom, and cultivators should spend a lifetime studying them."

Talisman Master Zhang had always been responsive to Jia Ren's requests, handing over the Token with more than 30,000 Market contribution points on it for him to spend freely.

Only when he heard that Jia Ren wanted to learn the Artifact Refining Technique did he lose his composure and start advising earnestly.

"Master Zhang, you can rest assured. My talent in Artifact Refining is not inferior to that in Talisman Crafting."

Talisman Master Zhang looked at Jia Ren with an odd expression. Could it be that he had encountered an unprecedented, world-shaking genius?

"Since you are determined, I won't stop you. I will exchange for the Artifact Refining Technique on your behalf."

Talisman Master Zhang took the Token and left. In a short while, he returned, inevitably with a few hangers-on tagging along behind him.

They were not there to kill and steal treasures.

Talisman Master Zhang held a unique status, even higher than the few Artifact Refiners who crafted Flying Boat Magical Artifacts.

These were Cultivators sent by the Meng Family specifically to protect Talisman Master Zhang's safety.

"Why would Master Zhang be interested in the Artifact Refining Technique?"

"If you had just informed us, naturally someone would have done it for you."

Meng Changlin's intelligence network was swift; he came to visit right after the exchange was made.

"Talisman Crafting is your expertise. Make sure not to get sidetracked."

The implied message was clear: as a Talisman Maker, he shouldn't bite off more than he could chew; there was no need to distract himself with Artifact Refining.

"There are only a few survivors left in the Zhang Household, and I still dream of making the Zhang Household rise again. It's rare to come across an Artifact Refining inheritance; I can't let it slip by."

Meng Changlin breathed a sigh of relief, leaving behind a batch of Rhinoceros Horn Powder before departing.

"Here's what you asked for!"

Talisman Master Zhang handed a Jade Slip to Jia Ren, which contained the very Artifact Refining Technique he had been yearning for.

Jia Ren pressed his forehead against the Jade Slip. Recorded inside was the long-anticipated Fire Refinement Technique: Hundred Solutions of Divine Arms.

It was a First Order legacy from the Shenbing Sect, primarily for crafting Magic Artifacts ranging from Low-Quality Magical Artifacts to Top-grade Magical Instruments, covering a complete range.

In terms of inheritance, it was more comprehensive compared to the True Water Refinement Technique.

From Jia Ren's current perspective, while the quality of Hundred Solutions of Divine Arms was inferior to that of the True Water Refinement Technique, it was nonetheless a fine Artifact Refining legacy.

His gaze swiftly scanned over the section on Magic Artifacts, focusing on Flying Artifacts.

Hundred Solutions of Divine Arms was an Artifact Refining legacy specializing in combat Magic Artifacts. The varieties of Flying Artifacts were few, including the Low-Quality Magical Artifact Thousand Paper Cranes, the Medium-grade Magic Tool Flowing Fire Flying Box, and the High-Grade Magical Artifact Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boat.

Jia Ren skimmed over the Thousand Paper Cranes and the Flowing Fire Flying Box, looking first and foremost at the Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boat.

The first two Flying Artifacts were not bad, but, unfortunately, their quality was somewhat low, failing to meet the requirements for flying altitude.

If one wished to soar across the Great Wilderness, they had to take on the challenge of crafting the most difficult High-Grade Flying Artifact.

There were two types of Cloud-Surpassing Flying Boats: one was a large boat that could accommodate up to one hundred cultivators, and the other was a small boat for fewer than four passengers.

The difference between the two lay in the crafting materials and the core.

Jia Ren was not a self-sacrificing savior; he chose the smaller Flying Boat with lower difficulty and fewer requirements.

It required fewer materials to produce, and it was easier to meet the requirements.

"Many thanks, Master Zhang."

"I wonder if the Meng Family has mentioned Flying Boats to you?"

Flying Boats?

Master Zhang was quick to react, understanding the implication behind Jia Ren's words. His expression darkened rapidly.

"No."

Jia Ren couldn't help but sigh. He had thought Master Zhang's demonstrated Master-level skills would make the Meng Family take notice, possibly conceding one or two Flying Boat slots.

Being unable to craft a qualified Flying Artifact was one thing, but never having received an invitation was another.

To the Meng Family and the Talisman Cultivators' Association, a Master of the Path of Charms was nothing more than a tool.

Used and then discarded.

"The news about the Flying Boats has been well hidden, never leaked out. Disclosing it will bring trouble to both you and me."

Jia Ren moved unpredictably. With the Turtle Breath Technique activated, even Foundation Establishment Cultivators couldn't find him.

The trouble would only fall upon Talisman Master Zhang.

Moving quietly past several guardians undetected, Jia Ren rushed to the Market.

"I need so many Artifact Refining materials..."

"I wonder if I can buy the Ore Stones and other materials I need at the stalls?"

The Outer City District was too large and had been abandoned by cultivators, who mainly operated in the Inner City.

In the Market, the few Array Masters continuously set up market formations, which were beginning to take shape.

"Now that the formation is complete, I can finally sleep soundly."

The new formation couldn't compare to the Market's original formation; it was merely an improvement on the foundation, probably not even reaching one-tenth of its former strength.

With the formations reconstructed, Loose Cultivators returned safely from hunting Magical Beasts, creating a picture of harmony and joy.

It seemed as if the threat of the Black Blood Bizarre had receded and order was gradually being restored.

This abnormality was unsettling.

The Black Blood Bizarre kept humans like livestock, not aiming for cultivators to live in long-lasting comfort; such a situation couldn't last.

Jia Ren quickly made his way to the Market, where he could see dozens of stalls.

Newly arrived Magical Beasts were very popular; materials for crafting Magic Artifacts were snatched up as soon as they were available.

The Artifact Refining materials he could purchase were very few, far from meeting the requirements to create a Flying Artifact.

They must have all been bought by the Artifact Refinement Department to produce Flying Boats.

How could he join the Artifact Refinement Department?

Joining actively would be problematic and draw unwanted attention.

Of course, the answer was... to fish, letting the willing take the bait.

Jia Ren set up a stall and erected a sign.

The sign read: "Custom Magic Artifacts!"

He didn't yet have the strength to custom-craft Magic Artifacts.

To get others to personally invite him to join the Artifact Refinement Department, first, he had to "inflate" his reputation.

Not long after setting up the stall, a cultivator who was buying Artifact Refining materials there hastened away with an urgent look.

Soon after, he returned with a dark-skinned, burly man.

"I didn't expect fellow Daoist to be an Artifact Refiner. Why didn't you report this earlier during the tally?"

Jia Ren's expression turned unpleasant, and he snorted coldly, "What business is it of yours? Step aside and don't disturb my business."

"I would like to commission a Magic Artifact. Fellow Daoist, please come with me."

He's taken the bait this quickly?

Jia Ren followed this man all the way to the Cave Mansion area and entered Number 18 Cave Mansion of Sector Jia.

"The Magic Artifact I want to commission next is crucial. I hope fellow Daoist will not be stingy in proving you are an Artifact Refiner."

Is it time to prove my strength—or, ahem, showcase my acting skills?

With practiced motions, he cast a spell. Nine dragon-head statues activated, and Earth Fire surged violently.

With a single gesture from Jia Ren, the fierce Earth Fire disconnected from its path, compressing into a dull cyan color.

The Earth Fire transformed into docile butterflies, dancing constantly between his fingers without harming them in the slightest, showcasing an exquisitely masterful control of fire.

"Artifact Refining is our heritage, not street juggling. I have no interest in performing for you."

"Your Magic Artifact commission? I refuse!"

Jia Ren turned and walked away, leaving behind a solitary and proud figure.

"Disaster! The newly established formations in the Inner City have been sabotaged!"

"At the site of the formation's breach, there remains the claw of a Magical Beast covered in black blood..."

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