Chapter 492: Chapter 492

"Hmph! Are you two here to buy runes from that man named Qian?"

The young man snorted angrily, carrying an expensive gift, and gossiped, "He’s crazy, if there were other ways, it would be better not to deal with him!"

After he finished speaking, he walked off without turning back.

Yun Shu seemed a bit at a loss, "Sir..."

Jiang Yuan waved and smiled, "Since we’re already here, we won’t get involved in their conflicts. It won’t affect our visit."

"Get lost! All of you get out! I don’t sell talismans here!" Hearing voices in the courtyard, the person inside seemed even more irritable.

Ling Di whined and laughed, "Sister Yun, this guy’s temper isn’t that good. Are you sure you want to learn talisman painting from him?"

Fearing that the ambitions of the puppet might be discouraged, Jiang Yuan said loudly, "Fellow Daoist Qian, we are not here to buy runes but to inquire about learning fees."

There was a brief silence inside, then the door creaked open. A demon cultivator, who appeared to be in his forties, with a goatee and a sullen, thin face, glanced at them and motioned, "Come in."

[Qian Duoduo: Surviving disciple of the Iron Painting Sect (destroyed), a Talisman Master who failed to revive the sect, and remains frustrated. A demon pill realm demon cultivator, whose true form is a leopard, agile in actions, quick-tempered, and steadfast in his ways. A Fourth Grade Talisman Master specializing in Teleportation Talismans, Truth-Telling Talismans, Thunder Strike Talismans, Invisibility Talismans, etc.]

At just a glance, the system evaluated the other party thoroughly.

Seeing the solemn look on his face and his hugely contrasting name, Jiang Yuan couldn’t help but smile, thinking the name seemed whimsically chosen.

And looking at his residence, it’s clear his hopeful vision at naming hasn’t materialized, at the very least he hasn’t gotten rich from selling runes, or he wouldn’t live here.

The interior wasn’t any better, so simple it was almost shabby; even the tea cup used for guests had a chip.

The dog could only shake its head.

"You want to learn talisman painting?" Qian Duoduo glanced coldly at the two, unable to see through them.

The young man stood tall with an extraordinary bearing, especially his clothes, which were evidently of Magical Treasure grade, expensive at a glance;

The beautiful woman lacked any spiritual energy, clearly using a Magical Treasure to conceal her aura, her attire was also high-grade, and she looked familiar, though he couldn’t remember where he had seen her.

As for the dog, he glanced at it and paid it no more attention.

Just an ordinary little mongrel devoid of spiritual energy, probably deemed adorable enough for such cultivators to take interest in it; in a city full of demon cultivators and beasts, it’s thanks to its owner’s protection it could wander freely, else its courage would have been scared out of it!

Hmm, a wealthy person...

Qian Duoduo momentarily thought of his numerous failures at reviving the sect. Now, he lacked both money and people, with insufficient funds to even buy talisman materials; his long-term partner had just been driven away, he indeed needed to earn some Spirit Stones quickly to get by.

"First of all, I do not take disciples." Qian Duoduo couldn’t go against his own fixation, saying coldly, "If I were to take disciples, I would raise them from a young age, ensuring they have good character and uphold the fame of my Iron Painting Sect.

As for fellow cultivators, just pay in Spirit Stones or Immortal Jade, and I guarantee to teach at least two types of runes."

Jiang Yuan thought it was just right not to take disciples, or else my beautiful, capable puppet would be swayed away by you?

"I wonder about the cost of rune transmission, my friend?" He wasted no time on tea, cutting straight to the point, "My sister wishes to learn from you, but she can only paint basic talismans."

Qian Duoduo’s eyes lit up, looking at Yun Shu seriously, stroked his goatee, and nodded, "Since she’s already initiated, it’s much better said.

Many fellow Taoists wish to enter the Talisman Dao, yet without talent can’t even enter the door, encountering such students is a headache for me, too.

Miss, what talismans can you paint, could you draw them for me to see?"

Yun Shu instinctively looked at her master, and only with his nod did she take the paper and pen to quickly "print" a few talismans she could paint.

She had "printed" so many times that she was skilled, from beginning to end flowing smoothly as clouds and water, leaving Qian Duoduo stupefied.

Whoa! Is she a talisman painting prodigy? ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ nοvelfire.net

Though she painted only basic talismans, the whole process was executed with such ease, even he found it hard to achieve.

Unless blessed with innate talent, this girl must have honed such exceptional hand speed through daily painting... Huh? Something’s not right, how come there’s no spiritual energy fluctuation when she paints?

Could it be that the Magical Treasure she’s wearing is so advanced it shields even this little fluctuation?

"Good! Very well painted!" After a brief shock and doubt, Qian Duoduo didn’t ponder further, more concerned about whether her character matched his preferences, hence he asked, "If I taught you to paint Invisibility Talismans, what would you do with the first successful one you create?"

Yun Shu didn’t hesitate, "Naturally, I’d give it to my master, as I have no need to be invisible."

"Assuming you use an Invisibility Talisman, what would you do?"

To Yun Shu, this question was somewhat baffling. She seriously pondered for a while and replied, "I don’t need to be invisible; I have to mind the shop. When not tending the shop, I’d still need to practice talisman painting. Why be invisible?"

With her explanation, Qian Duoduo remembered—the girl who buys medicinal materials stores on the street; he had even asked for the prices a couple of days ago.

"Let’s put it this way, if you learned talisman painting and an evil cultivator came to buy your runes at a high price, would you sell?" He rephrased his question more directly while quietly using a Truth-Telling Talisman under the table.

Yun Shu found it even stranger, "Sell it! Sell the runes to stall the evil cultivator, then call my master to capture him!"

She paused and added, "I’m not good at fighting; capturing an evil cultivator is something I should leave to the master. The master often says safety is most important. No matter the trouble, ensure your safety first, then find a way to solve the problem."

With the effect of the Truth-Telling Talisman, he believed her words to be genuine. Qian Duoduo was pleased, nodding and stroking his goatee as he laughed, "Your master is right.

However, if an evil cultivator really comes to buy runes, my advice is to resolutely not sell! You encountered that guy surnamed Liu earlier... Alas! It infuriates me!

I dealt with him for nearly ten years, little did I know he was colluding with evil cultivators! All those Teleportation Talismans and Invisibility Talismans he bought at low prices were sold at high prices to aid the evil cultivators in their crimes!

I’ve lived an upright life only to end up as an accomplice to evil cultivators! If I weren’t utterly unable to defeat him, I would never have let him leave my yard alive!"

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Yuan immediately perked up, eyes shining!

How could they be called evil cultivators? They are walking blood bags that I have yet to collect!

"Does Fellow Daoist Qian have the contact information of that demon cultivator surnamed Liu? I am a man who detests evil, hating evil cultivators with a passion in life! Since someone is colluding with evil cultivators, why not follow the vine to eradicate them?"

"Oh? Does this friend also have a deep hatred for evil cultivators?" Qian Duoduo was skeptical, "But as far as I know, the evil cultivators who trade with Liu Zifu are exceedingly vicious. I’m inclined but have no power to provoke..."

Hearing this made Jiang Yuan even more excited, "I dare! All evil cultivators should be eradicated to uphold the Dao! Why doesn’t the fellow Daoist entrust Liu Zifu’s contact to me?

I can use runes to bait him; if we can wipe out a batch of evil cultivators this way, you won’t have to be angry about your runes being used by scumbags!"