"Protective True Qi... No wonder cultivators like Zhou Hao and Zheng Yi, both at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, never paid my Sword Qi any mind.

Is this the difference in power levels?"

As he carefully felt the layer of Protective True Qi—which seemed faint but was in fact incredibly tough—Qi Yun clicked his tongue.

After undergoing a communion with Heaven and Earth, one’s transformed and elevated True Qi could be released from the body to form such a protective aura.

The True Qi of those below the Qi Refining Third Layer, however, is weak by nature. Even if they use Magic to draw upon the Power of Heaven and Earth for reinforcement, it’s difficult to overcome the disparity in True Qi quality.

It’s like how a bamboo spear, no matter how sharp, can’t pierce pig iron in a single strike.

Although the difference in True Qi quality between the Qi Refining Third Layer and Fourth Layer isn’t quite as drastic, breaking through the Protective True Qi still consumes a massive amount of True Qi. As one’s energy wanes, the disparity in power becomes clear.

’However...’ With a mere thought, Qi Yun retracted the protective aura. ’While this Protective True Qi can be activated at will, without needing to cast a spell, its effect is far too simple and crude.

It’s a far cry from a real Protective Technique.

At best... it’s only good for bullying those with a lower Realm than me. Better than nothing, I suppose.’"

Retracting his True Qi, Qi Yun closed his eyes and focused, carefully experiencing the power flowing through his meridians—now more condensed and profound than ever before—while planning his future path of cultivation. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

’Even though I’ve broken through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, I can’t slack off on my True Qi Heart Method practice. In fact, I must be even more diligent!

It’s the foundational method; my entire path is built upon it.

Otherwise, even with a thousand wondrous Techniques at my disposal, they would be like water without a source, or duckweed without roots.’

’Next is Magic. I have to re-learn the [Skull Curse]. It’s worth my time and effort just for the 4.0 [Death Replacement] effect alone.

The only problem is, after the [Death Replacement] effect triggered, the Magic was completely erased from my mind. I can’t remember a thing about it except for its name.

I’ll have to learn it all over again from scratch.

But this time, without Zheng Yi’s guidance, it’ll probably take a bit more effort.

’Then there’s the [Clear Wind Technique]. That’s pretty much my foundational skill.

With this technique, I always have options.

Whether to fight or flee, I have room to maneuver.

But judging from the battle at [Piaohai Mountain], the [Illusory Concealment] effect of the [Clear Wind Technique] is already quite weak against cultivators with high Cultivation Realms. They have too many ways to identify and lock onto me.’

’So, for the foreseeable future, my main goals are to cultivate my True Qi, raise my Realm, and gather Spiritual Objects to update the [Clear Wind Technique].’

As the plan in his mind gradually took shape, Qi Yun tipped his head back and drained the last of the tea before him.

He rose and began to set his plans in motion.

「Two days later.」

In the center of the small courtyard, Qi Yun once again picked up his familiar Talisman Brush. He took a deep breath, the slightly acrid scent of Spiritual Ink filling the air.

"Looks like I’m back to my old trade."

Of the four great elements of cultivation—Wealth, Methods, Companions, and Land—Wealth comes first!

For the currently flat-broke Qi Yun to implement the series of plans he had in mind, he would need sufficient Holy Essence for support.

Brush met Talisman Paper, his mind singularly focused.

And so he painted for two more all-consuming months, losing all track of day and night.

...

[Magic update complete. This is a minor version update. The Magic’s effects have been adjusted as follows.]

[Talisman Skill: Increased Talisman Painting accuracy.]

After two months of painting Talismans and using Refinement on the ones of poor quality, Qi Yun successfully upgraded his [Talisman Skill] to version 3.0.

But this particular upgrade had the shortest description of all his Magic updates.

"Increased accuracy? That’s... it?"

As the brief notification surfaced in his consciousness, Qi Yun set down his Talisman Brush and rubbed his sore, stiff wrist.

Looking at the plain, almost crude update description on the panel, he couldn’t help but scratch at his eyebrows, his face showing a hint of bewilderment and... unease.

Grabbing the Talisman Brush from the table and dipping it in Spiritual Ink, Qi Yun smoothed out a sheet of Talisman Paper, ready to test the effects of this Magic update.

But the very instant the brush tip touched the Talisman Paper, the look in Qi Yun’s eyes changed.

The next instant!

Countless flashes of Spiritual Light surged through his mind like a spring. The once-abstruse talisman patterns and nodes of True Qi circulation, which had required painstaking study, suddenly became unbelievably clear, simple, and direct.

His brush moved without the slightest hesitation or impediment.

The brush danced like a dragon, as fluid as drifting clouds and flowing water!

Every line landed with perfect precision, every turn of the brush flowed with an innate, natural rhythm.

The entire process was so incredibly smooth it felt as if he wasn’t the one painting the Talisman, but rather that the Talisman itself was using his hand to manifest in the world!

HUMMM—

The moment the Talisman was complete, it erupted in a brilliant glow!

The Dao Rhyme between Heaven and Earth seemed to descend in joyous celebration. It no longer clung reluctantly as before, but actively integrated itself into the paper, causing the Talisman’s Spiritual Light to become pure and its aura perfectly harmonious.

"This is better than any I’ve ever painted before.

Every stroke is impeccable.

A work of art. It’s simply a work of art."

Observing the freshly completed Talisman in his hand, Qi Yun shook his head and laughed, finding it hard to believe it was his own work.

’That feeling just now... it was like a sudden enlightenment, an instant breakthrough.’

’As expected, a Magic update is never useless.’

With version 3.0 of his [Talisman Skill], Qi Yun’s Talisman production rate skyrocketed. His success rate for finished Talismans was now extremely high. Out of ten attempts, only two or three at most would be of slightly lower quality, and even those were better than his previous bests.

It was also around this time that the Talisman market of the [Infinite Treasure Market] was suddenly rocked by a mysterious Talisman Master. A huge volume of [Exorcism Talismans] and [Evil-Breaking Talismans], priced below the going rate, flooded the stalls.

Although they were priced higher than the [Youth Edition Talismans] that had been popular for a time, their sheer volume was immense, forcibly snatching as much as five percent of the market share for Low-Grade Talismans.

The impact of this mysterious torrent of Talismans sent considerable shockwaves through the Outer Mansion’s circles of Talisman Masters. They all began to speculate on the identity of this "disruptor" who had appeared out of nowhere.

Some of the Talisman Masters whose profits were harmed were secretly grinding their teeth, launching investigations and vowing to ferret out this "lout" who was breaking industry rules and stealing their business.

Meanwhile, the culprit who had already been "blacklisted" by many, Qi Yun, was calmly and meticulously putting away all his Talisman Painting tools.

’I can’t paint any more for now. The number of Talismans I’ve sold is too great, and it’s definitely affecting the other Talisman Masters’ profits.

To steal someone’s livelihood is akin to murdering their parents.

What I’ve earned now is enough to cover my upcoming cultivation expenses.

I should lay low for a while.’

Taking a sip of the Spirit Tea on his desk, which was of a noticeably higher quality than before, Qi Yun nodded lightly.

"Once I sweep through the Outer Mansion and claim the title of Triple Champion Scholar,

...then I’ll show you all... what a true manufacturing monopoly looks like."

With his pockets full and his confidence soaring, Qi Yun went all out, purchasing a large quantity of Celestial and Earthly Spiritual Objects and the Elixirs he needed for his cultivation.

He was determined to win the title of Champion Scholar in the year-end assessment!

...