Chapter 46: Crushing!
As Wu Yan had just walked out, he turned around and happened to witness the moment Ji Yuan completed the talisman.
This Young Master Wu subconsciously stopped in his tracks... He actually had this level of skill?
Such a crude Skylight Talisman, yet he managed to complete it on the first try. Could it be that he had already studied this talisman extensively beforehand?
Wu Yan’s first reaction upon seeing Ji Yuan draw the Skylight Talisman successfully in one go was to assume that Ji Yuan had practiced this talisman many times before.
And not just as a beginner, but at least at a proficient level.
However, Wu Wenbin did not think so. He had just watched Ji Yuan enter the beginner's state… and it was copied on the spot. This indicated that Ji Yuan definitely had never drawn this Skylight Talisman before.
He had only memorized the runes of the Skylight Talisman.
So, even if this wasn't Ji Yuan's very first attempt, it couldn't have been much different.
Holding the same thought was also Hong Xiuwen, the Water Dragon Sect examiner in charge of the talisman section.
To hold the position of examiner in this selection, Hong Xiuwen naturally belonged to the Talisman Hall of the Water Dragon Sect’s Treasure Hall.
And he was one of the outstanding figures there.
In the art of talisman crafting, he was already recognized as a First-Grade Superior Talisman Master.
Since Wu Wenbin could tell that Ji Yuan had just transitioned from unfamiliarity to beginner level, Hong Xiuwen could naturally see it as well… a first-time success.
It was just unclear whether it was sheer luck or true talent.
Previously bored out of his mind, Hong Xiuwen now showed a bit of interest.
If even these experienced figures were this surprised, let alone the surrounding cultivators watching.
They had originally thought that just witnessing Mei Chen join the sect was already a rare event.
Who would have expected that among this batch of candidates, there would be another expert?
"Another success... Could it be that he might also join the Water Dragon Sect?"
"Impossible, impossible. Didn’t you see that Young Master Wu also succeeded once just now, but… in the end… In short, talisman crafting isn’t as easy as you think."
"Exactly, exactly. Besides, it seems like this is his first time drawing the Skylight Talisman. How could it be so easy?"
"......"
Equally surprised was Ji Yuan himself.
He hadn’t expected his luck to be so good this time.
Back at home, whenever he tried drawing a new talisman in the 【Talisman Room】, he usually had to fail a dozen or even twenty times before reaching the beginner’s level.
Even in the 【Comprehension Room】, he had to attempt nearly ten times before succeeding.
So, managing to succeed on the first try here today was purely dumb luck... Ji Yuan himself had to admit this.
He glanced at the Skylight Talisman in his hand, set it aside, and then looked up to see that everyone outside was staring at him.
Curiosity, surprise, envy, jealousy… all sorts of expressions were present, and among them, Wu Yan still wore that mocking look.
Ji Yuan paid no attention to them. He simply picked up another talisman paper.
With the experience from the previous attempt, and having now mastered the Skylight Talisman, he automatically received the 【Talisman Room】’s auxiliary effect, which increased his success rate by 20%.
So this time, it was even more natural.
As Ji Yuan infused his spiritual power, the second Skylight Talisman succeeded once again.
The success came so smoothly that even Ji Yuan found it hard to believe.
The onlookers outside were equally dumbfounded, and even Wu Wenbin found it somewhat unbelievable.
The first success could be dismissed as dumb luck, but succeeding twice in a row… Could a blind cat really run into two dead mice at the same time?
One could stubbornly claim so and might even fool others.
But he couldn’t fool himself.
Wu Wenbin had no choice but to admit that Ji Yuan’s talent in talisman crafting was probably extremely high.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible to achieve this.
"Father…"
Wu Yan’s gaze flickered, his face flushed yet pale at the same time.
He had thought Ji Yuan was nothing special, but now it seemed… perhaps the one who was "nothing special" was himself.
Wu Wenbin glanced at him coldly, but wore a warm smile on his face. "It seems the Feng Shui of our Zengtou Market is indeed quite favorable. We are about to produce another cultivator for the Water Dragon Sect."
He wore an expression of genuine happiness for Ji Yuan.
"Indeed, not bad. This time we even have a Heavenly Spiritual Root."
Hong Xiuwen, the on-duty Water Dragon Sect examiner, also smiled and joined the conversation. However, his eyes never left Ji Yuan… with such high talent in talisman crafting, he had to bring him into the Treasure Hall.
Though his spiritual root was somewhat lacking, perhaps he could speak to his master in advance to see if his master would accept Ji Yuan as a disciple?
Hong Xiuwen was already thinking about Ji Yuan's future in the Water Dragon Sect.
Ji Yuan, however, found himself in a bit of a dilemma.
Having succeeded with the first two, with eight sheets left, even if he drew them with his eyes closed, he might still succeed with at least one.
If he succeeded again, he would have to join the Water Dragon Sect.
That wouldn’t do.
At his current stage, breaking through his cultivation outside might actually be faster than inside.
Ji Yuan looked at the remaining talisman papers in his hand. He initially wanted to declare his withdrawal, but that seemed a bit too suspicious.
However, if he kept drawing and deliberately failed the remaining eight... though it seemed somewhat fake,
At least it would look like he had tried. If he simply declared his withdrawal, that would be too blatant.
Ji Yuan first disabled the 【Talisman Room】’s effect, then picked up the talisman brush once more…
The third attempt failed.
The fourth attempt failed.
……
Watching the tenth talisman paper ignite itself in his hand, Ji Yuan put on an extremely regretful expression and walked out of the booth looking dejected, returning to stand before Hong Xiuwen to submit his wooden token.
The latter looked surprised, but not overly so.
In Yunyu Marshlands, there were many who qualified to join the Water Dragon Sect but chose to delay their entry.
Wu Wenbin was one such example.
Though Hong Xiuwen didn’t know why Ji Yuan was lingering in Zengtou Market, he could tell that Ji Yuan was holding back.
"Fellow Daoist, what a pity," Hong Xiuwen said with a chuckle.
Ji Yuan sighed as well, "Such a pity."
"Alright, you’re still young. You can always try again in three years."
While speaking, Hong Xiuwen reached to his waist and took out a communication talisman, tossing it to Ji Yuan.
"Next time, I might not be stationed at Zengtou Market. No matter where I am, I will send you a message. You are welcome to come find me then."
As for Ji Yuan deliberately holding back and not joining the Water Dragon Sect for now, Hong Xiuwen didn’t really mind.
Many people in Yunyu Marshlands were like this. Some wanted to join later after advancing their cultivation, while others simply didn’t want to walk the path of a hundred arts within a cultivation sect.
After all, once one joined the Water Dragon Sect through talisman crafting, they would have to devote themselves entirely to making talismans.
It would be far less free than joining through sheer strength.
"This…"
Ji Yuan was somewhat surprised.
He hadn’t expected that just participating in the selection would earn him such recognition.
But regardless, being valued was a good thing.
He carefully put away this precious communication talisman and cupped his fists, saying, "Thank you, senior!"
"Don’t call me senior. I’m Hong Xiuwen. Just call me Senior Brother Hong."
"Greetings, Senior Brother Hong."
Ji Yuan followed along obediently.
Hong Xiuwen smiled and nodded slightly, then turned to look at Wu Wenbin, smiling meaningfully. "Daoist Wu, since my junior will be staying in Zengtou Market, I’ll have to trouble you to look after him more."
"Of course, of course."
Wu Wenbin’s smile grew even broader.
"Alright, who else is taking the test? Hurry up, what are you all waiting for!"
Facing the others, Hong Xiuwen no longer wore such a pleasant expression.
Wu Wenbin also turned to Ji Yuan with a warm smile. "Daoist Ji, you must visit more often. You’re always welcome at the Wu family."
"Next time for sure!"
Ji Yuan smiled and cupped his fists again.
He nodded to the nearby cultivators before turning to leave, blending into the crowd.
After leaving the talisman area, he wandered around the neighboring pill refining section.
Since there was no visibility into the examination there, and he didn’t see Wen Lin’s family, he returned to where he had started.
Just as he returned, he suddenly heard the sound of a bronze gong coming from the direction of Yunyu Marshlands.
The sound was distant and far-reaching, as if it spread across the entire Yunyu Marshlands.
Ji Yuan turned his head to look and saw several streaks of light shooting across the sky, eventually landing on the open ground of Zengtou Market.
Earlier, five people had departed for the selection, but now only three had returned.
Han Feiyu, whose face was slightly pale, wore a deep blue long robe.
Alongside him was Dong Qian, who exuded a mature and graceful aura from head to toe… she didn’t seem injured at all.
And then there was Qin Long, who was bleeding from his seven orifices and barely able to stand.
The other two had not returned.
"Han Feiyu, Dong Qian, successfully joined the Water Dragon Sect."
As the young cultivator announced this, cheers immediately erupted from the surrounding crowd.
Han Feiyu and Dong Qian quickly cupped their fists to the crowd in thanks.
Ji Yuan found it rare to see late-stage Qi Refinings thanking early-stage Qi Refining.
But this would be the only time.
The next time they met, those two would already be high and mighty disciples of an immortal sect.
As for the severely injured Qin Long, he forced himself onto his flying boat and left the area.
Ji Yuan waited for a while longer, and as each assessment ended, the Water Dragon Sect disciples gradually departed.
With the excitement over, the crowd also began to disperse.
Ji Yuan waited the entire day but didn’t see Lu Wan, assuming she had gone to another market.
Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure in the crowd.
Everyone else had already scattered, but she had just arrived from outside. Moreover, she seemed to be seriously injured, with bruised lips and a limp as she walked.
Ji Yuan saw her, and she saw Ji Yuan.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan naturally thought of going over to ask, but Lu Wan shook her head in the crowd.
She looked rather miserable, yet there was a trace of determination in her expression.
Ji Yuan immediately understood what had happened.
But so what?
Ji Yuan maintained his usual expression and pace.
When he reached Lu Wan’s side, he paused slightly, handed something to her, and then walked away.
The two never exchanged a single word.
Only after Ji Yuan had left did Lu Wan look at the item in her hand.
It was a piece of blood essence, weighing half a tael.