SWDnovel Chapter 4: Dispatch of Strategies
Chapter 4: Dispatch of Strategies
This "rouge-making method" can be recycled and extracted by the small cauldron, so it must have some special features. It is not comparable to the ordinary rouge used by ordinary women.
Its raw materials not only contain a few rare herbs and flowers, but also have anti-aging and beautifying effects that ordinary rouge does not possess.
Even compared to some of the pills sold in the Dan Pavilion of the Immortal Market, its effects are only slightly inferior.
Without hesitation, he immediately returned to the house and found some straw paper.
She wrote down the various materials needed to make rouge from memory, then handed two spirit shells to Wei Bo and instructed, "Brother Wei, please go to the market and buy these materials. With the remaining talisman money, please buy some food as well."
Wei Bo took the note, a strange look on his face. It read: "Three qian of ochre, one qian of purple silkworm powder, two qian of mountain rouge, half a jin of beeswax..."
His eyes lit up when he saw the two spirit shells handed to him, and he laughed, "Hehe, Brother Bai, let's get on with it right away."
Having said that, he didn't ask any more questions and turned to walk towards the market.
Watching Wei Bo's departing figure, Chen Bai sighed and said, "I hope you won't disappoint me... Brother Wei."
He was testing Wei Bo.
In the past six months since Chen Bai transmigrated, he has witnessed the wickedness of people's hearts. No matter how much human affection there is, it is fragile in the face of greater interests. It is always better to be more cautious and prudent in everything.
The ingredients for making rouge come from all over the country, and it's not easy to find them even in the market. Entrusting them to Wei Bo, who is familiar with the area, is the most time-saving way.
Moreover, he naturally wouldn't just write down all the ingredients for this secret rouge-making method openly; instead, he left some room for maneuver by mixing in several different rouge-making methods.
It also includes many materials needed for drawing beginner-level spirit talismans, such as blood cinnabar, rootless water, and jade powder...
Many spiritual materials have conflicting zodiac signs and are extremely toxic.
If it gets leaked and someone tries to copy it, they'll definitely be badly burned.
Of course, it would be best if these common occurrences didn't happen, proving that Wei Bo was reliable, and Chen Bai wouldn't hesitate to help him later.
After sending Wei Bo out.
Chen Bai pondered for a while, pacing back and forth, still feeling uneasy.
"If we can really draw a talisman, it will provide another avenue and make our finances much more manageable."
He couldn't help but sigh.
Relying solely on the unorthodox skill of "mixing rouge," earning three spirit stones within three days is hardly a sure thing.
The old Taoist priest's legacy of talismanic arts also included the drawing methods for several low-level talismans, which were likely the old talisman master's specialty talismans.
This saved Chen Bai a lot of money, as he didn't have to buy spirit talismans for reference.
In the art of talismans, the quality of the drawn talismans is divided into "spiritual," "law," and "divine" categories, depending on one's skill level. In addition, there are also so-called "miscellaneous talismans for various uses" that do not fall into any category.
The ninth, eighth, and seventh grade talismans are collectively called spiritual talismans, which correspond to the cultivation realms of embryonic breathing, innate, and foundation building, respectively.
Once a talisman master reaches the sixth rank, they become completely different from before.
Because of the involvement of the primordial spirit's magical power, the secret texts in the talisman are woven into a complete system, capable of temporarily sealing a powerful Taoist technique within it, which can then be thrown out together when needed for battle—this is the origin of the name "magic talisman".
It can be said that most cultivators of the same level are unwilling to face a well-prepared talisman master, because they are least afraid of one-on-one battles.
Moreover, highly accomplished and accomplished individuals can draw talismans without being bound by materials or forms, possessing the abilities of "virtual writing" and "eye manipulation."
"Virtual writing" refers to writing talismans in the air by pointing to water, fire, or other objects; "eye movement," also known as "eye writing," refers to writing talismans by focusing one's gaze on the air and letting it flow in the shape of the talisman.
"Cleansing Clothes Talisman, Dust-Sweeping Talisman, Gentle Breeze Talisman, Stove Fire Talisman... these are all miscellaneous talismans that are not of high rank."
As Chen Bai flipped through the spiritual talismans at the back of "An Initial Explanation of the Mysterious Talismans," he couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed.
These "all-purpose talismans" cover all aspects of life.
Making talismans isn't difficult, and they're essentially unnecessary and don't fetch a high price. The cheaper ones are so cheap you can buy several for the price of one talisman.
Currently, in the Xiaojianshan market, any talismans related to combat or assisting in cultivation are extremely rare and expensive, a world apart from these miscellaneous talismans.
Finally, after flipping to the very end, a secret talisman appeared.
Chen Bai's breath hitched.
The symbols on it are intricate and resemble celestial script, making it obviously several times more difficult to understand.
It's a ninth-grade spirit talisman that has entered the next level!
【Qi Gathering Talisman】
This is a rather practical "auxiliary" talisman.
A brand new talisman in perfect condition is worth two spirit shells. Of course, if there is any damage, the value of the old talisman will be halved.
It can collect various exotic energies produced in the Ten Directions Mountains, such as common ones like peach blossom miasma, minor spiritual energy, and malevolent spirits, which can be used to make magical artifacts, heal wounds, and cultivate...
However, only a portion of those who purchased these Qi-gathering talismans, leading to a supply shortage, were independent cultivators.
In the nearby region, the two major immortal sects of Yu Kingdom and Shaotang Kingdom—Lingjian Sect and Sanfeng Dao Temple—are the main buyers of this talisman.
This is because the two immortal sects have mastered the "art of refining sand to extract gold".
It is possible to decompose and refine spirit stones and various kinds of strange energy from the spirit sand that has been mined. At this time, the "cheap" energy-gathering talisman is used to collect the strange energy, without having to go through the trouble of refining a special magic tool.
"This Qi-gathering talisman seems feasible."
Chen Bai's gaze hardened, and he decided that after practicing with a few miscellaneous talismans, he would set his sights on this ninth-grade spirit talisman.
Based on the old Taoist's experience, if one is lucky enough to successfully draw and sell a few talismans within three days, it would be enough to barely cover the rent.
The next day, early in the morning.
"Ha ha ha ha......"
A satisfied laugh came from inside the wooden house.
"This method really works! We've finally managed to prepare it!"
The already cramped room was now filled with all sorts of bottles and jars, making it difficult to even step inside. A young man sat cross-legged on the floor, his black clothes stained with all sorts of dirt, looking tired, but his face was filled with undisguised joy.
Chen Bai shook the jade bottle in his hand. Inside was a milky white ointment with a faint pink tinge. It was clear and flawless, truly a top-quality product.
He leaned closer and sniffed; a faint, pleasant fragrance wafted out.
This is the "Wanjiang Makeup" rouge that he made overnight according to the "Rouge Mixing Method".
Chen Bai nodded in satisfaction, then carefully wrapped the stuffed item in fine silk.
This is an important item that he will need later, and it cannot be damaged in the slightest.
He wrapped the cloth bag tightly, stuffed it into his arms, and then stretched.
"I wonder if that immortal master will take a liking to this item..."
During this brief rest, Chen Bai pondered the purpose of his trip again—to deliver gifts.
That's right, his intention in making this rouge wasn't to sell it. If he made it all by himself, it would take so long. How long would it take to sell it and make any money?
As for the recipient of the gift, specifically, it was that deity.
Chen Bai met her by chance at the market a month or so ago. She had a stall on the street that specialized in buying materials from demonic beasts, spiritual plants and herbs, and also sold some inferior talisman paper, spiritual ink and other supplies. It seemed that she had just learned the art of talisman making not long ago.
Because the purchase price was fair, after Chen Bai obtained the small cauldron, he collected all the various materials he had gathered and sold them to her after accumulating them over a period of time.
Over time, they gradually became familiar with each other.
My visit to her was truly motivated by a desire to learn about cultivation and to seek a powerful backer. In this immortal marketplace, without strength, a mortal trying to rise through intelligence will likely only meet a quicker end!
Therefore, he needs a "spirit master" to back him up.
As for whether this immortal being is a female cultivator? Who cares?
Chen Bai shook his head; he didn't care anyway.