Becoming Zhao Qingyao's Nominal Disciple

After Zhao Qingyao finished drawing a talisman, he looked up and saw that it was Zhao Jingming. He put down his talisman brush, smiled, and stood up to greet him.

"Jingming, what brings you here today?"

Zhao Jingming stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Uncle."

Zhao Qingyao is a member of the Qing generation of the Zhao clan. According to seniority, he is Zhao Jingming's uncle.

Zhao Qingyao chuckled and said, "You usually only come to me when you have something to ask. What kind of talisman do you want to buy today?"

"I'd like to buy two Spirit Arrow Talismans and two Divine Shield Talismans, but the main reason I'm here today is to ask you for a favor, Uncle," Zhao Jingming said.

Zhao Qingyao asked, "What kind of busyness? Tell me?"

Zhao Qingyao pointed to Chen Changqing beside him: "This is my brother-in-law, Chen Changqing. He wants to learn the art of talisman drawing."

"Your talisman-drawing skills are unparalleled in Dayang County, so I thought I'd bring him to see you to see if you could accept him as a disciple and teach him some talisman-drawing techniques."

Zhao Qingyao glanced at Chen Changqing a few times, noticing that Chen Changqing was tall, handsome, and had an extraordinary appearance, and nodded: "It's a good thing for a young person to have ambition."

However, the art of drawing talismans is not easy; one must possess a calm and tranquil mind to achieve success.

Chen Changqing bowed respectfully: "This junior understands and will certainly study diligently and practice hard to live up to the senior's expectations."

Seeing Chen Changqing's respectful attitude and sincere words, Zhao Qingyao's impression of him improved even further.

He stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Since Jingming brought you here personally, I can't refuse him."

Alright then, I'll accept you as a disciple and teach you some basic talisman techniques.

However, the art of drawing talismans requires a calm mind and perseverance.

If you give up halfway, don't blame me for being ruthless and expelling you from the sect.

Upon hearing this, Chen Changqing was overjoyed and quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you, Master! I will certainly study diligently and practice hard, and I will never let you down."

Zhao Qingyao nodded, patted his storage bag, took out two booklets, and handed them to Chen Changqing: "This is 'Basic Talismans,' which records the basic principles and drawing methods of talismans. Take it and study it first."

After understanding the basics of talismans, you can try drawing basic talismans.

You should try drawing the simplest fireball symbol first.

This book, "Details on Getting Started with Fireball Talismans," is a summary of my experiences from a few years ago, which I'm including here for you as well.

Remember, these two booklets were not published without my permission.

It must not be lent out, and even more so, it must not be read by others. If it is read by others, don't blame me for expelling you from the sect.

Once you have memorized it, burn it; never keep it.

Chen Changqing solemnly accepted the two booklets and carefully put them away.

He knew the value of these two booklets.

For an ordinary person to learn talismanic arts, they would have to serve their master like a slave for thirteen years before they would have the opportunity to learn it.

However, obtaining such detailed talisman-drawing notes would require a great deal of effort.

With Zhao Jingming's help, he obtained the basics of talisman techniques and the method of refining fireball talismans—something ordinary people only dream of—as soon as he became an apprentice.

This is the advantage of having a background.

Chen Changqing respectfully replied, "Disciple understands and will certainly follow Master's teachings. Without Master's permission, I will never reveal the method of talisman making."

Zhao Qingyao nodded in satisfaction and added, "I'll give you a year. If you can successfully draw the fireball talisman within a year..."

I will then formally accept you as my disciple and teach you more advanced talisman techniques.

If you can't do that, it means your talent for talismans is average, and you can only become my nominal disciple.

Chen Changqing's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly replied, "This disciple will do his best and live up to Master's expectations."

Seeing that the matter was settled, Zhao Jingming smiled and cupped his hands to Zhao Qingyao, saying, "Thank you for your help, Uncle."

"If Changqing can achieve success in his studies, it will be a great blessing for our Zhao Immortal Clan."

Zhao Qingyao waved his hand and smiled, "Jingming, you're too kind. However, while talent is important in the art of talisman drawing, diligence is even more crucial."

Whether Changqing can achieve anything depends on his own efforts.

Zhao Jingming nodded in agreement.

Zhao Qingyao looked at Chen Changqing: "Go to the first floor later and buy some talisman brushes, talisman skins, and talisman ink. Go home and practice diligently. Within a year..."

When did you learn the Fireball Talisman? When will you come to me?

"As long as you can draw a fireball talisman in front of me, I will accept you as my formal disciple."

Chen Changqing congratulated him, saying, "This disciple will remember."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Zhao Qingyao, Zhao Jingming took his leave with Chen Changqing.

Go down to the first floor.

Zhao Jingming led Chen Changqing to the supplies area on the first floor of the Spirit Talisman Pavilion, where all kinds of talisman materials were displayed.

The variety of talisman pens, talisman skins, and talisman ink is dazzling, but the quality varies greatly.

Looking at the materials, Chen Changqing asked the shop assistant, "Hello, could you please tell me how much each of these talisman brushes, fireball talisman skins, and fireball talisman ink costs?"

The shopkeeper sized up Chen Changqing and introduced, "This ordinary talisman pen is made from Purple Bamboo and the howl of a demon wolf. It costs two thousand eight hundred copper coins."

This one is better; the mana output will be smoother. It costs 3,500 copper coins.

Seeing Chen Changqing's clothes, the waiter didn't introduce anything better, and instead introduced the talisman skin and talisman ink: "The fireball talisman skin is made from the skin of a demon wolf, processed through more than fifty procedures, and costs ten copper coins per piece."

The Fireball Talisman Ink is made from the blood of the Crimson Flame Demon Wolf, mixed with over fifty kinds of spiritual herbs and medicines. This small bottle costs two thousand copper coins.

That's really expensive.

Chen Changqing touched his money bag, which contained only a little over a hundred copper coins.

Chen Changqing looked at Zhao Jingming: "Brother-in-law, I have some urgent business to attend to. Let's go back first. I'll come back this afternoon to buy talisman skins, talisman brushes, and talisman ink."

He didn't want to ask Zhao Jingming for money, fearing it would put his sister in a difficult position, so he decided to borrow some more from his friends instead.

Zhao Jingming seemed to notice Chen Changqing's embarrassment and patted him on the shoulder, saying, "Since you've already started learning talismans..."

These basic materials are essential. I'll pay for them in advance, and you can pay me back when you have income later.

Upon hearing this, Chen Changqing was deeply grateful and quickly said, "Thank you, brother-in-law. I will remember this kindness and repay it many times over in the future."

Zhao Jingming waved his hand: "No need to double it, just give me my principal back later."

After saying that, Zhao Jingming selected a high-quality talisman brush, five hundred talisman skins, and two bottles of talisman ink for Chen Changqing.

The pen handle is made of second-grade spirit bamboo, while the nib is carefully crafted from spirit beast hair. It is lightweight and suitable for beginners.

A single talisman pen costs a full six thousand copper coins.

Add the talisman skin and talisman ink.

A total of 15,000 copper coins.

Chen Changqing took the materials and carefully put them away.

After leaving the Spirit Talisman Pavilion, Zhao Jingming said to Chen Changqing, "Changqing, if you have nothing else to do, go back to Qing Shi Town and practice your talisman skills. I still have some things to take care of."

Chen Changqing respectfully accepted.

Zhao Jingming reiterated, "Remember, the key to drawing talismans is perseverance; you must never give up halfway."

Chen Changqing nodded respectfully: "Brother-in-law, rest assured, I will practice diligently and live up to your expectations."

Zhao Jingming waved his hand: "Alright, go back now."