Journey to the West: The Mountain Shaker

Chapter 24 Dissociation Symbol 2

In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Cai Fei had thoroughly explored Chen Xuanbiao's dantian.

The dual spiritual roots of metal and earth are like coiled dragons, and the dantian is clear and spotless, indicating that it has been nourished by spiritual jade for many years. The dual spiritual roots are as robust as ancient trees that have been growing for hundreds of years.

He outwardly appeared to be at the seventh level of Qi Refining, but in reality, he was already at the ninth level. If it weren't for that seal pressing down on his spiritual platform, he would probably have already reached the perfect level of Qi Refining.

A Qi Refining Level 20 cultivator in his early twenties might not seem like much outside, but in Aolai, where spiritual energy is scarce, he is indeed a once-in-a-century genius. No wonder the Chen clan went to such lengths to seal and protect him.

The matter of Chen Xuanbiao's unsealing was of great importance, so two generals were assigned to protect him closely. When they learned that the unsealing talisman was actually made by Cai Fei, the Chen family was even more on high alert.

The clan leader, Chen Jinglong, was leading his clansmen to besiege the Fearless Beast when he heard the news and rushed over. Ironically, he didn't communicate with Cai Fei at all, but kept asking Kong Fande repeatedly, insisting that Kong Fande personally guarantee his safety. He only left reluctantly when Kong Fande became impatient and lost his temper.

The three most experienced talisman masters of the Chen family were all present. They ignored Cai Fei and focused on the old Taoist priest, repeatedly considering various plans before finally choosing the safest method.

Annoyed to the point of rage, the old Taoist priest flicked his sleeve and sneered, "If you have the ability, then do it yourselves; otherwise, shut up!"

The three talisman masters looked at each other in bewilderment, and could only silently examine the materials, personally tasting the spiritual sand and grinding the jade marrow, just like newly initiated apprentices in the marketplace.

Cai Fei had already seen how to make the disintegration talisman, and at this moment he simply sat cross-legged and meditated on how to make the talisman.

Occasionally, he would stand up to check the materials, ignoring the gazes of the three talisman masters and swordsmen. He casually scooped up a bit of Puppet Shadow Water, tasted it, and instructed, "Add a little wood elemental energy while stirring to thicken it."

He came out again a moment later, casually scooped up a spoonful, stirred the gold dust on the side to make a few structures, and scolded without any politeness: "I told you to add a little, how much the hell did you add? Redo it, at least halve it!"

This happened three times, four times, five times...

When he was finally satisfied, Cai Fei patted the old Taoist on the shoulder: "Old man, these guys came for me, so I have to pay them."

"Of course!" the old Taoist priest replied cooperatively, stroking his beard and smiling. "The Chen family will have to pay anyway!"

He secretly transmitted his voice to Cai Fei: "There aren't many materials, only 10 chances. If all ten sets of materials are destroyed, you and I will become a laughing stock in Sushan."

Cai Feixin understood.

The Kong family ignored the fearless beast and fought for this small business of unsealing the beast, all for the sake of "Chen Xuanbiao".

Once Chen Xuanbiao is unsealed and emerges with the Fearless Beast, he will surely become famous throughout Aolai. Perhaps the title "Son of Aolai" that I came up with is truly tailor-made for him.

Kong disguised him, sealed him, and unsealed him. He also protected the Fearless Beast with his blood pact, thus making money and doing a favor at the same time.

Thinking of this, Cai Fei felt even more dejected.

Regardless of the outcome of this matter, the Chen family will never remember any of his kindness; they might as well try to gain some real benefits.

Six or seven hours later, the materials were basically ready. After producing more than a dozen miniature rune arrays, Cai Fei had a general idea of ​​what to expect. He finally bargained with the old Taoist priest, saying, "In addition to the salary, how about I take a thousand for each one I save?"

The materials for the disintegration talisman are expensive, with each set costing over 5000 spirit stones. Once the talisman is polished, it can be sold for a slightly lower price, but it will still be around 5000. If Cai Fei can save a few sets of materials, plus his salary, he can earn five or six thousand spirit stones this time, which is equivalent to a year's worth of talisman-testing!

"Very confident, huh?" The old Taoist narrowed his eyes. "No salary, but I'll give you 2000 for every share you save!"

"3000!" Cai Fei countered.

"2500 is the most you can ask for. Just for this jade slip containing the disintegration talisman, you already owe me a huge sum!" The old Taoist pointed at Cai Fei's nose, warning him not to go too far.

Alright, although Li Zhu definitely knows how to make this disintegration talisman, it's just theoretical in the dream world. If we really want to hone our talisman-making skills, we still have to rely on this old Taoist.

Cai Fei nodded, and the two made a deal.

"Can we begin?"

Seeing Cai Fei nod, the old Taoist took out a black spirit jade and handed it to Cai Fei, saying with heartache, "Consider this payment for your wages during this period."

This is the Thunder Spirit Jade worth thousands. Cai Fei chuckled and accepted it without hesitation. He estimated that the trial fee for the talismans a while ago, plus the profits from making and selling the talismans, amounted to around six or seven hundred. This would earn him an extra three or four hundred.

So the old Taoist priest cleared the area, locked the door to the secret room, activated the isolation array, and there was no more sound inside.

In the bright light, Cai Fei changed his clothes and washed his hands, then arranged the talismans according to the nine palaces.

As he closed his eyes and regulated his breathing, the past came vividly to mind: traversing eighteen years, from a novice talisman learner to a rising star in the art of talismans, all thanks to his composure in the face of even the collapse of Mount Tai.

After an incense stick had burned, Cai Fei got up, picked up a brush and drew talismans, and began his battle.

The ink smudged as soon as Cai Fei started writing the first talisman, so he casually picked up another piece of paper and continued. He stumbled along the way, breaking the talisman in four places with each stroke. By the time he finished, the table was a complete mess.

Both Cai Fei and the old Taoist remained calm and composed, having to try out the new talismans.

The old Taoist priest came over to help tidy up. Cai Fei took the Thunder Spirit Jade to absorb spiritual energy, sat down to rest, and only after an incense stick's time did he spread out a new sheet of yellow paper and start writing again.

The four arts of cultivation are array formation, talisman, alchemy, and artifact making. Among these, talismans, which are constructed with thousands of structures on a small piece of paper, are the most demanding in terms of mental strength. Talisman masters are also the most prone to aging. With each completed talisman, white hair grows prematurely. The saying "a talisman master's pen can weigh a thousand pounds" is by no means a joke.

Drawing talismans requires confidence and speed. If everything is prepared, even the most complex first-order talisman, such as the Disintegration Talisman, can be drawn in just six or seven minutes.

Cai Fei stood upright like a pine tree, wielding his pen with the speed of the wind. Soon, hundreds of vermilion lines of varying lengths, thicknesses, and materials appeared on the palm-sized yellow paper.

These red threads are intertwined and layered, forming three structures. Each structure is clearly segmented, yet they are interconnected. Under the guidance of divine consciousness, spiritual energy meanders like silk, flowing continuously.

Seeing that the talisman was completed in one go, he was overjoyed. However, he lost control of the last stroke and released too much force. With a soft "pop", the whole thing collapsed.

Before I knew it, an hour had passed...

This was the sixth time he had failed. An ordinary talisman master would have been drenched in sweat by now, but the young man's aura remained as calm and unwavering as a deep pool.

Such talent is rare!

With only four portions of materials left, the old Taoist priest had already snapped off several of the rat's whiskers. He was actually a little nervous at this point. Standing in the corner, looking at Cai Fei's calm and composed face, he couldn't help but sigh.

Eight years have passed. Cai Fei has been at this talisman-making site for eight years, and he has watched his talisman-making skills improve step by step.

A multi-attribute dantian, super strong spiritual power, first-class comprehension, and first-class mentality have made Cai Fei a little genius in talisman making. As of now, within Sushanfang, Cai Fei is already the second best talisman maker after Kong Fande.

Perhaps this is the reward for enduring hardship.

There are only two cultivators in the entire Wujialing Mountain. Cai Fei took on the responsibility of guarding the mountain from a very young age, making talismans and setting up arrays, patrolling the mountain and capturing beasts. In order to make money, he came here at a young age to become a talisman tester. After Chu Shanyun left, he even took the Savage Beast to travel around to solicit business. His figure could be seen throughout the entire Sushan area. His hard work far exceeded that of ordinary people.

Children from poor families learn to be independent early.

The old Taoist attributed Cai Fei's composure to the hardships he had endured since birth, unaware that the young man before him was a time traveler who had experienced countless major events in his previous life. Although he was currently suffering from memory loss and an unstable personality, once he calmed down, his mindset was much more composed than that of an average young person.

On his seventh attempt at writing, Cai Fei's brushstrokes gradually entered a profound realm.

The mind is outside of material things, while the spirit is within the symbol.

Hundreds of vermilion patterns overlapped and intertwined, gradually forming a three-tiered talisman array.

So focused was Cai Fei that he didn't even realize the moment the talisman brush left the talisman paper, and almost added something superfluous as he was about to write.

"Rise!" The old Taoist priest swept his whisk lightly, barely managing to pull Cai Fei away from the talisman table, thus averting a tragedy.

"It's done!"

On the talisman, where spiritual light flowed, three layers of array patterns bloomed like flowers. Cai Fei stroked his slightly trembling right wrist, a slight smile playing on his lips.

We've struck it rich!

Three documents remain, net income of seven thousand five!

The Chen family had treated him extremely badly, and unexpectedly, they handed him this sum of money at a crucial moment—although they were very unwilling, it was precisely because of their unwillingness that Cai Fei was even happier…

With a little more money, we can cover the basic tuition fees for Aolai Academy!