Cautiously Cultivating Immortality in a Strange World

Chapter 5: Soul-Restraining Talisman

Apart from the Zhang's store, there was only one relatively large store, Treasure Pavilion, in this small market within the slum district.

The interior decoration of Treasure Pavilion was much more luxurious than that of Zhang's store, and it was more popular, with several customers browsing through the goods even on a day like this.

However, they weren't very interested in low-grade talismans like the Strength-Boosting Talisman, and the prices they offered were lower than those at Zhang Mazi's place. Therefore, Chen Lin had never sold any talismans here.

The shopkeeper was an old man with a square face, who was currently attending to an elegantly dressed couple. When he saw Chen Lin enter, he only gave him a glance and didn't say a word.

Chen Lin didn't mind.

The shopkeeper recognized him and knew he didn't have much purchasing power, as he had visited several times before.

There were also two sweet-looking female attendants, who were busy serving other customers. Chen Lin slowly made his way to the counter where talisman-making materials were sold and began to browse.

Suddenly, his ears perked up.

The conversation between the couple caught his attention.

"Brother, going out of the city at this time might be dangerous, and it will also delay our family's business. I think it's better not to take unnecessary risks."

The woman who spoke had a very pleasant voice, a beautiful figure, and a lovely profile.

The man was handsome, exuding an air of confidence, and he sneered coldly, "What's there to be afraid of? I'm a Qi Refining late-stage cultivator, and I'll protect you if there's any danger!"

Chen Lin's eyes flickered slightly.

It turned out that the man was a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, which meant he was definitely from a cultivator family . There weren't many people with such cultivation in the secular world.

However, Chen Lin felt that the man's tone was a bit too arrogant. The head of the Zhang family's Foundation Establishment Stage had just gone missing, and a Qi Refining late-stage cultivator couldn't possibly be stronger than that.

The woman seemed to want to say something, but was immediately interrupted by the man.

"It doesn't matter, we're not going far. If you're afraid, you can go back first, and I'll come find you later."

The woman pouted, but didn't say anything else.

Chen Lin was secretly thinking about which family these two were from and whether he could buy cultivation-enhancing pills from them. As he was thinking, the man spoke up again.

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

"Shopkeeper, I came from the Treasure Pavilion in the inner city. The people at your branch told me that there's someone here who can refine Soul-Restraining Talismans. Can you tell me who it is?"

Chen Lin silently observed.

He had never even heard of Soul-Restraining Talismans and wasn't interested, but he was thinking about how to get close to them and buy pills.

The old shopkeeper was taken aback, then forced a laugh and said, "Sir, you must be Lu Li, the third young master of the Lu family. The one who told you this information was an old woman with one eye, wasn't it?"

"Yes?"

Lu Li nodded.

The old shopkeeper sneered coldly and said, "She didn't lie to you. There is indeed someone here who can refine Soul-Restraining Talismans, and that person is me!"

When Chen Lin heard the old shopkeeper's words, he was extremely surprised.

He really didn't know that the old shopkeeper was a talisman master.

Lu Li also revealed a joyful expression and said, "So, shopkeeper, you're the talisman master. That's great! I've already prepared all the materials for the Soul-Restraining Talisman. As long as you help me refine it, I'll definitely be grateful!"

His loud voice attracted the attention of several other customers in the store.

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

"I'm extremely sorry, but I no longer have the ability to refine such talismans. You'd better find someone else."

The old shopkeeper's refusal made Lu Li's face turn gloomy.

"What do you mean? Are you playing with me, or do you think I'm not qualified?"

A fierce aura suddenly emanated from his body.

It seemed like he was ready to fight at any moment.

The old shopkeeper saw the situation and immediately explained, "Friend Lu, please calm down. It's not that I'm unwilling to refine it, but I no longer have the ability to do so."

"Why?"

Lu Li's tone was filled with skepticism.

The old shopkeeper looked at him and said, "Since you know about the Soul-Restraining Talisman, you should also know that refining it is extremely difficult. Normally, there's almost no chance of success. To increase the success rate, a talisman master's divine soul is required as a catalyst."

Seeing that Lu Li didn't respond, the old shopkeeper continued, "Over the years, my divine soul has weakened to the extreme due to refining this talisman. I'm no longer capable of withstanding the consumption of refining another one, even if it means sacrificing my life."

The old shopkeeper's words made Lu Li frown.

The old shopkeeper had said it so bluntly that Lu Li couldn't press the issue further.

Even though he was a disciple of the Lu family, Treasure Pavilion wasn't a place where he could act recklessly.

However, the Soul-Restraining Talisman was crucial for his current trip. If he couldn't get it, it would be a waste of a great opportunity.

"Shopkeeper, this Soul-Restraining Talisman is very important to me. Do you know if there's anyone else who can refine it?"

He asked reluctantly.

The old shopkeeper shook his head, "Refining the Soul-Restraining Talisman is difficult, and it can only be stored for a day after successful refinement. Very few talisman masters are willing to research it, so I'm afraid there's no one else in the city who can refine it."

As he said this, his tone changed, and he sneered coldly, "However, I've improved the refining method of this talisman through my decades of experience. It's very easy to refine, and I can sell you the method. You can find a talisman master to refine it yourself."

Lu Li was taken aback.

He frowned and asked with some doubt, "Is refining this talisman really that easy? I need it urgently tomorrow."

The old shopkeeper chuckled, "It's very simple. Any talisman master can easily learn it, but to refine it successfully, you'll need some luck, and the talisman master will need to use their divine soul as a catalyst."

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

Next, the old shopkeeper took out a jade slip, which was about the width of a finger, and handed it to Lu Li.

Chen Lin recognized this item, it was called a jade slip, which was a tool used to record information in the cultivation world. It was a high-grade item.

The old shopkeeper claimed to be selling it at a half-price, half-gift deal, selling it to Lu Li for 1,000 spirit stones.

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

This time, he was buying materials to refine the Strength-Boosting Talisman.

Eighty spirit stones weren't enough for ten sets of refining materials, so he needed to continue saving.

After buying the materials, he turned to leave.

The snow outside had decreased a bit.

But the cold wind was still biting, making it hard to open his eyes.

Despite this, people began to appear on the streets, some clearing snow from their doorsteps, others struggling to move forward in the snow.

Without exception, they would occasionally sneer coldly.

Chen Lin tightened his cotton hat and followed the footprints he had made earlier, cautiously observing his surroundings while struggling to make his way back home.

Suddenly, two figures flew past him and landed in front of him.

Chen Lin's face changed, thinking that someone was daring to rob him in broad daylight.

But when he saw the faces of the people, his shock turned to confusion.

It was actually the Third Young Master Lu Li and his cousin!