Chapter 65: The Casualties Among the Wandering Cultivators
Shen Yan sat cross-legged before a jade cauldron that seemed to hover between illusion and reality, its form faint and indistinct. He continuously channeled spiritual energy into the cauldron’s depths.
Only after a long while did he open his eyes, weary but with a trace of excitement upon his face.
“The mysterious jade cauldron that crossed into this world with me truly is extraordinary. As long as I pour in enough spiritual energy, whether it’s a damaged magical artifact, a broken pill, or a torn talisman, all can be perfectly restored.”
Shen Yan was a transmigrator who had been in this world for three years now.
During these three years, he had come to understand the world in broad strokes. This was a realm of immortals, and his current location was known as the Little Lan Mountain Market.
Little Lan Mountain was the outermost spur of the greater Taiwu Mountain Range, and the market was jointly established by three cultivator clans who resided there.
Shen Yan’s predecessor was an early-stage Qi Refining cultivator in the Little Lan Mountain Market, scraping by on the legacy of his deceased master—a humble shop that barely supported his cultivation.
In the world of cultivation, realms were clearly delineated: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and Spirit Transformation.
As for realms beyond these, Shen Yan had no knowledge, nor did he care to pursue the matter. For someone like him, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator was an unattainable figure of power; it was pointless to dream of anything higher.
After crossing over, relying on the unique powers of the mysterious jade cauldron, he constantly earned spirit jades, and with the support of resources, he advanced to the middle stage of Qi Refining within a single year.
The mysterious jade cauldron was the treasure that had traversed worlds with him. Normally, it remained hidden within his sea of consciousness, but he could summon it whenever needed.
After three years of experimentation, Shen Yan had only uncovered two abilities of the jade cauldron.
The first, which he called Restoration.
By placing damaged magical artifacts, spirit pills, or talismans into the cauldron and infusing spiritual energy, he could repair them.
The second ability, which he named Refinement.
Much like Restoration, as long as he supplied sufficient spiritual energy, the cauldron could elevate the quality of the items within. However, the energy required for Refinement far exceeded that needed for Restoration.
Letting out a long breath, Shen Yan retrieved five repaired talismans from the jade cauldron, stored them away carefully, and returned the cauldron to his sea of consciousness.
Just as he finished, he frowned slightly and rose to leave the inner chamber.
At that moment, a burly man with a thick beard strode into the shop.
“Master Shen, has my Falling Star Sword been repaired yet?”
Shen Yan emerged from the back room, a faint smile on his face as he greeted the man. “Fellow Daoist Jiang, I am glad to say that your Falling Star Sword has been fully restored.”
The bearded man before him was named Jiang Chaoyun.
Several days prior, Jiang had come seeking repairs for his damaged mid-grade magical sword, the Falling Star Sword. Now, the sword was as good as new.
Shen Yan took a deep blue sword-shaped artifact from the shelf and handed it to Jiang Chaoyun.
“Excellent!” Jiang’s face lit up in delight as he took the Falling Star Sword and examined it closely.
“As expected of Master Shen! Not only have you mended every flaw, but the spiritual radiance and power have even improved compared to before. Remarkable work.”
Having confirmed that his magical weapon was indeed fully restored, Jiang’s respect was evident. He then produced a small pile of spirit jades from his storage pouch and offered them to Shen Yan.
“My thanks, Master Shen. Here is the agreed payment. Please accept it.”
In this world, spirit jade was actually fragments of spirit stones, the common currency among cultivators. For those in the Qi Refining stage, obtaining whole spirit stones was a rare opportunity. While spirit jade was not as effective as spirit stones for cultivation, it sufficed for most needs, making it the primary currency among Qi Refining cultivators.
Shen Yan accepted the spirit jade, storing it in his belt pouch, and smiled amiably.
“Fellow Daoist, as a martial cultivator who often hunts in Little Lan Mountain, you must face many dangers. I happen to have several newly crafted Diamond Talismans available—would you be interested?”
With that, he produced the freshly restored Diamond Talismans and offered them to Jiang Chaoyun.
Diamond Talismans were the mainstay defensive talismans for Qi Refining cultivators, prized for their strong protective effect.
Jiang’s eyes widened in surprise. “I had no idea Master Shen was also proficient in talisman crafting—my apologies for underestimating you.”
His astonishment was understandable. In the myriad arts of cultivation, to master even one was a rare feat. For example, Jiang himself had entered the path through martial cultivation. When he first began his journey, he considered learning a trade for survival, but after several attempts, realized he lacked the talent and had to settle for hunting as his livelihood.
Yet here was this lean, youthful artifact forger, who was also skilled in talisman crafting—how could he not be shocked?
Shen Yan did not bother to correct Jiang’s misconception.
In the Little Lan Mountain Market, most believed him to be proficient in artifact forging, alchemy, and talisman crafting—a persona Shen Yan had carefully constructed for himself.
After all, magical artifacts, pills, and talismans were all essential consumables for cultivators. Shen Yan collected damaged resources around the market, restored them with the mysterious jade cauldron, and profited from the margin.
The abilities he outwardly displayed were limited to crafting low-grade artifacts, pills, and talismans.
Such modest skills would not arouse greed or suspicion.
Thus, he was able to cultivate quietly and peacefully in the market.
“My low-grade Diamond Talismans, once activated, can withstand a strike from a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator—superior to ordinary Diamond Talismans. Would you be interested, Fellow Daoist?”
Jiang’s interest was immediately piqued. “Low-grade, yet able to withstand attacks from late-stage Qi Refining cultivators?”
Ordinary low-grade Diamond Talismans could at best fend off attacks from mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators. The fact that Shen Yan’s could resist late-stage attacks made them highly desirable.
“Indeed. My talismans have an excellent reputation in Little Lan Mountain. You have nothing to worry about.”
Jiang nodded. He had chosen Shen Yan’s shop for his sword’s repair after making discrete inquiries; every cultivator familiar with Shen Yan’s abilities attested to his skill.
After a moment’s thought, he asked, “Master Shen, how much are you charging for these Diamond Talismans?”
Shen Yan smiled, holding up two fingers. “Twenty spirit jades each. I have five on hand. If you take them all, I’ll discount five spirit jades for you.”
Jiang considered, then nodded. “That’s quite reasonable. I’ll take them all.”
Ordinary Diamond Talismans sold for fifteen to eighteen spirit jades each in the market. Given the superior effectiveness of Shen Yan’s, an extra spirit jade was more than fair.
Jiang quickly produced another pile of spirit jade, which Shen Yan accepted with a satisfied smile before handing over the five Diamond Talismans.
“Master Shen, if you come across anything good in the future, save some for me. Price is not an issue.”
Shen Yan nodded with a friendly smile. “Of course. Any magical artifacts, pills, or talismans I craft in the future—I’ll be sure to reserve a share for you.”
“My thanks.”
Jiang Chaoyun clasped his fists in salute and left the shop.