Chapter 5: Soul-Restraining Talisman

After leaving the Zhang Family Trading Company branch, the only other shop of any significant size in this shantytown market was the Duobao Pavilion.

The interior of the Duobao Pavilion was much more luxurious than the Zhang Family branch and enjoyed greater popularity; even in this weather, there were still a few customers browsing for items.

However, they were not very interested in low-level talismans like the Great Strength Talisman, and their acquisition prices were lower than those offered by Zhang Mazi, so Chen Lin had never sold talismans here.

The shopkeeper was an elderly man with a square face who was currently attending to a man and a woman dressed in gorgeous attire. Upon seeing Chen Lin enter, he merely glanced at him and said nothing.

Chen Lin did not mind.

The man recognized him and knew he had no potential for high-value consumption, as he had been here many times before.

There were also two sweet-looking female attendants busy serving other customers, so Chen Lin strolled over to the counter containing talisman-making materials and stopped to take a look.

Suddenly, his ears twitched.

The conversation between the man and the woman caught his attention.

"Cousin, going outside the city at this time is likely dangerous, and it will also delay family matters. I feel it would be better not to invite unnecessary trouble."

The speaker was the woman; her voice was pleasant, her figure graceful, and judging by her profile, she was quite beautiful.

The man had a handsome face and an air of confidence. He squinted and sneered, "What is there to fear? Your cousin here is a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator. If there is any danger, I will protect you!"

Chen Lin’s eyes flickered.

A late-stage Qi Refining cultivator—that must be a member of a prominent family. There were not many rogue cultivators with such cultivation levels.

However, he felt the man was being a bit arrogant. The Zhang family’s Foundation Establishment patriarch had only just gone missing; could a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator really be stronger than a Foundation Establishment one?

The woman seemed to want to say more, but the man immediately interrupted her.

"It’s fine. We aren't going far. If you're afraid, you can go back first, and I’ll come find you when I return."

The cousin pouted but said nothing more.

Chen Lin secretly wondered which family these two belonged to and if it were possible to purchase pills to improve his cultivation from them. As he pondered, the cousin spoke again.

But this time, it wasn't to his cousin, but to the old shopkeeper.

"Shopkeeper, I’ve come from the Duobao Pavilion in the inner city. The people at that branch told me that someone here can craft Soul-Detaining Talismans. Please, have them come out."

Chen Lin watched silently.

He had never even heard of a Soul-Detaining Talisman and had no interest in it; he was only thinking about how to approach them to buy pills.

The old shopkeeper was stunned for a moment, then gave a wry smile. "You must be the third young master of the Lu family, Lu Li, right? Was it an old woman missing an eye who gave you this information?"

"That’s right. How did you know?"

Lu Li nodded.

The shopkeeper squinted and sneered, saying proudly, "She didn't lie to you. There is indeed someone here who can craft Soul-Detaining Talismans, and that person is me!"

Chen Lin was extremely surprised to hear the shopkeeper’s words.

He truly hadn't known that this old shopkeeper was also a talisman master.

However, the side effect of that squinting sneer was truly powerful; during the episode, he acted as if he were above everyone else and spilled all his secrets. Under normal circumstances, this shopkeeper was a very shrewd man.

Lu Li, however, looked delighted and said eagerly, "So the shopkeeper is that talisman master! That is wonderful. I have already prepared sufficient materials for the Soul-Detaining Talisman. As long as you can craft the talisman for me, there will be a generous reward!"

His voice was loud enough that the other customers in the shop turned to look.

Under Lu Li’s expectant gaze, the old shopkeeper shook his head.

"I am very sorry, but this old man no longer has the ability to craft such talismans. You had best seek someone else."

The squinting state faded, and the shopkeeper became humble again, seemingly unaware of anything wrong with his previous arrogant remarks.

Lu Li’s expression turned gloomy.

"What is the meaning of this? Are you playing with me, or do you think I’m not qualified?"

A sharp aura instantly radiated from his body.

It looked as if he might strike at the slightest disagreement.

Seeing this, the old shopkeeper immediately explained, "Fellow Daoist Lu, please calm your anger. It is not that I am unwilling to craft it, but that I lack the ability."

"Why?"

Lu Li’s tone was full of suspicion.

The old shopkeeper looked at him. "Since you know about the Soul-Detaining Talisman, you should know that it is extremely difficult to craft. There is almost no chance of success using normal methods. To increase the success rate, one must use the talisman master’s own soul as a guide, correct?"

Seeing Lu Li remain silent, the old shopkeeper continued, "Over the years, because of crafting this talisman, my soul has weakened to the extreme. I can no longer bear the consumption required to craft another one. Even if you were to take my life, it would be useless."

At this point, the old shopkeeper gave a miserable laugh. "That one-eyed old woman has some grievances with me. She sent you here just to spite me."

The old shopkeeper’s words made Lu Li frown deeply.

Since the man had put it this way, he couldn't force him.

Even though he was a disciple of the Lu family, the Duobao Pavilion was not a rootless duckweed; he couldn't be too reckless here.

However, the Soul-Detaining Talisman was of great significance to his trip. If he couldn't get it, a great opportunity would be wasted.

"Shopkeeper, this Soul-Detaining Talisman is of great use to me. Do you know anyone else who can craft it?"

He asked, unwilling to give up.

The old shopkeeper shook his head. "The Soul-Detaining Talisman is difficult to craft, and it can only be preserved for one day after completion. Very few talisman masters study it. I fear there is no one else in this city who can craft it."

At this point, his tone shifted, and he squinted and sneered, "However, the method for crafting this talisman has been improved by my decades of experience. It is actually quite easy to craft. I can sell the crafting method to you, and you can find a talisman master to craft it yourself."

Lu Li was taken aback.

He frowned and asked suspiciously, "Is this talisman really that easy to craft? I need it urgently by tomorrow."

The old shopkeeper chuckled. "It is very simple; any talisman master can easily pick it up. It’s just that success requires a bit of luck, and the talisman master must use their own soul as a guide."

Lu Li frowned again, hesitated for a moment, and then agreed to the old shopkeeper’s suggestion.

The old shopkeeper then took out a jade slip, slightly wider than a finger, and handed it to Lu Li.

Chen Lin recognized this item; it was a jade slip, a high-end tool used in the cultivation world to record information.

The old shopkeeper claimed he was selling it at a discount and sold the item to the third young master of the Lu family for one thousand spirit stones.

Chen Lin sighed at the wealth of the family disciples and stopped paying attention, instead focusing on buying materials for the Great Strength Talisman.

Eighty spirit stones were not enough to buy ten sets of alchemy materials; he would have to keep saving.

After making his purchase, he turned and left.

The snow outside had lightened a bit.

But the wind was still bone-chilling, blowing so hard that it was difficult to keep one's eyes open.

Even so, there were a few people on the street; some were clearing the snow in front of their doors, while others were struggling to move through the snow.

Without exception, they would occasionally squint and sneer.

Chen Lin pulled his cotton hat tighter and, following the footprints he had made earlier, walked toward his residence with difficulty while vigilantly observing his surroundings.

Suddenly.

Two figures flew past him and landed in front of him.

Chen Lin’s expression changed; he thought someone actually dared to rob him in public.

When he saw the faces of the newcomers, his shock turned into confusion.

It was actually that third young master of the Lu family and his cousin!