Chapter 35: Master and Disciple

Since his transmigration, Chen Lin had acted with sufficient caution, to the point of being overly self-reflective.

However, the methods of cultivators were simply too formidable, and his mindset had not yet fully transitioned, which led to repeated setbacks.

In the face of Lu Li's aggressiveness, Ye Jingyun remained composed.

"Talisman making? Making what talisman?"

She feigned ignorance regarding the Soul-Restraining Talisman, raising an eyebrow with a look of confusion. "To think the esteemed Third Young Master Lu would seek out my disciple to refine talismans—this truly surprises me. Is there perhaps a talisman that even your family's Great Talisman Master, Lu Yuanshan, cannot produce?"

"Then again, if even Great Talisman Master Lu Yuanshan cannot refine it, how could my disciple possibly succeed? You must be joking, Third Young Master Lu!"

Lu Li frowned.

This was indeed difficult to explain.

He couldn't exactly say that refining the Soul-Restraining Talisman required splitting one's own soul, and that he couldn't exactly invite his uncle, Lu Yuanshan, to do it.

After a moment of thought, he bypassed Ye Jingyun and spoke directly to Chen Lin. "Fellow Daoist Chen, I came to find you to request your help in refining a talisman identical to the last one. There is no need to deny it. As long as you can refine it for me, feel free to state your requirements. Although I, Lu Li, may be somewhat arrogant, I am a man of my word. I did not withhold a single stone of the spirit stone reward I promised last time!"

Failing at coercion, he turned to bribery.

Chen Lin had to admit that the other party had indeed provided all fifty mid-grade spirit stones last time; he was quite conscientious.

Of course, the man had also killed that old talisman master with a single sword strike—a classic case of "those who follow me prosper, those who oppose me perish."

To be honest, Chen Lin was tempted.

Refining the Soul-Restraining Talisman was nothing to him, and now that he had a backer, he didn't have to worry about being killed.

If the benefits were sufficient, he wouldn't mind doing it once.

Unfortunately, he could not make the decision himself.

Compared to personal gain, the opinions of Ye Jingyun and Yu Yuehai were far more important.

"It is entirely up to my Master to decide!"

Chen Lin bowed to Ye Jingyun, acting the part of a dutiful disciple.

Since the other party had defined their relationship as master and disciple, he naturally had to cooperate.

Ye Jingyun glanced at Chen Lin and spoke expressionlessly, "As far as I know, Wang Yuanheng of the Treasure Pavilion's method for refining Soul-Restraining Talismans causes immense damage to the divine soul. If Young Master Lu insists on having you refine it, I, as your master, cannot simply watch my disciple suffer a loss. It all depends on what kind of irresistible benefit Young Master Lu can offer."

Lu Li's frown deepened.

He had originally thought Chen Lin was a rootless wanderer who could be easily manipulated once found, but he hadn't expected him to be connected to this woman.

Everyone in Kaiyuan City knew this woman was not to be trifled with. Since he didn't want to cause trouble for his clan at this time, he would have to pay a heavy price.

Furthermore, judging by her tone, it seemed she wasn't interested in spirit stones.

After a moment of thought, he reached out and took two items from his storage bag.

A jade box and a dark green flying sword.

"Here are two items. One is a Soul-Nurturing Pill, which has the effect of nourishing the divine soul and can compensate for the damage caused by this refinement. The other is this flying sword, which I used previously. It is a mid-grade magical tool, and a superior one at that. Do you find these two items satisfactory as compensation, Pavilion Master Ye?"

Ye Jingyun did not speak, but instead looked at Chen Lin. "You may decide your own affairs, but rest assured, if you are unwilling, no one can force you."

Hearing this, a cold glint flashed through Lu Li's eyes.

However, he did not lash out, but instead watched Chen Lin quietly.

Chen Lin put on an air of timidity, while his gaze toward the dark green flying sword carried a hint of greed and internal struggle.

After a long silence, he finally gritted his teeth and said, "Then I will give it a try. But if I fail to refine it, do not blame me!"

Upon hearing Chen Lin's agreement, Lu Li's expression finally improved.

He said, "Since it was successfully made once, how could it fail a second time? Besides, I have brought sufficient materials; if it doesn't work, we can try a few more times. With this Soul-Nurturing Pill, there is no need to worry about soul damage."

With the deal struck, the tense atmosphere instantly dissipated.

Lu Li was extremely impatient and demanded that Chen Lin begin the refinement immediately.

Chen Lin did not refuse.

The three of them entered Chen Lin's room.

The room was incredibly simple; aside from daily necessities, the only eye-catching items were a bronze bell and an iron cauldron in the corner.

Lu Li first glanced at the bronze bell, then his gaze fell upon the iron cauldron. "No wonder Pavilion Master Ye took Fellow Daoist Chen as a disciple. It turns out you are not only skilled in talisman making but also in alchemy."

Neither Chen Lin nor Ye Jingyun spoke.

Lu Li did not mind.

Just as he was about to continue speaking, an eerie aura rose. He immediately squinted and sneered, "A mid-stage Qi Refinement cultivator in his forties, and he still dares to dream of becoming an alchemist? Using a broken iron pot to refine pills—it's absolutely hilarious!"

After speaking, he seemed oblivious to his own abnormality as he took out a bulging pouch and placed it on the table.

"All the talisman materials are here, enough for more than ten attempts. Fellow Daoist Chen, begin!"

Chen Lin nodded, opened the pouch to inspect it, and then said hesitantly, "I request that Master and Fellow Daoist Lu wait outside. Refining this talisman requires the use of a Soul-Splitting Secret Technique. I am not yet fully proficient in its use, and I wish to avoid any distractions that might affect the quality of the talisman."

This request was reasonable.

Whenever a cultivator is refining talismans or pills, the last thing they want is to be disturbed. Without a word, Lu Li walked out.

Ye Jingyun gave Chen Lin a deep look and said, "The soul-nourishing effect of the Soul-Nurturing Pill is limited; it cannot fully compensate for the damage caused by soul-splitting. Act within your limits."

A trace of gratitude appeared on Chen Lin's face. "Thank you for the reminder, Master. I will be careful."

Ye Jingyun said nothing more and walked out of the room.

Although the two had stepped out, they did not go far, nor did they close the door.

Chen Lin also did not close the door; if Lu Li wanted to monitor him, he would let him.

He simply did not want to use the soul-splitting technique, fearing discovery; this distance was sufficient.

The manifestation of his talent—forcing an item to be successfully crafted—was also quite subtle; one could not sense it unless they were right in front of him.

After setting out the talisman paper and ink, and recalling the production process twice in his mind, Chen Lin began to write.

However, after drawing only two runes, the talisman paper erupted in a burst of black light and turned to ash.

Outside, the corner of Lu Li's mouth twitched involuntarily.

Ye Jingyun remained expressionless; the Soul-Restraining Talisman was not something she needed, so whether it succeeded or failed did not matter.

The second attempt began.

This time was much better than the first; the runes were drawn halfway before failing.

Then came the third, fourth, and fifth attempts.

With each successive failure, Lu Li finally lost his patience. Taking advantage of a break in Chen Lin's rest, he said, "Fellow Daoist Chen, after so many trials, you should be using the soul-splitting secret technique by now. I only have these materials."

Although the distance prevented him from sensing whether Chen Lin was using the technique, he could deduce it from the speed of production.

It was impossible to refine them this quickly using the secret technique.

Furthermore, Chen Lin had not yet used the Soul-Nurturing Pill; if he were splitting his soul so continuously, he would have become an idiot long ago.

His materials did not grow on trees, and such waste truly pained him.

Chen Lin stood up to stretch, laid out more talisman paper, and then nodded to Lu Li.

Then, he sat on a stool, took out the Soul-Nurturing Pill, and swallowed it in one gulp!