The last few days have been going well. Yang had gotten into a rhythm. Waking up every morning before dawn. Cultivating for a couple of hours before breakfast, and drawing in qi to fill his dantian. Then leaving for Senior Brother Xu Wei's cave residence where he watered the herbs under the senior brother's supervision.

  In the last couple of days, he'd gotten good enough at it that the actual watering was done within fifteen minutes. It actually took him longer to travel there and back than the task itself took.

  The Qi Dew Watering technique had become second nature. He could form the hand seals without thinking now. The qi flowed smoothly from his palms. The moisture condensed evenly and fell like gentle dew across the herb beds.

  Senior Brother Xu Wei had left yesterday. Before leaving, in his last supervised watering session, the senior brother had given Yang access to the gardens by attuning his identity token to the formation. Now Yang could come and leave the gardens without senior brother there. The formation would recognize his token and let him pass.

  Today Yang had watered the plants without senior brother present, and it went well. The herbs looked healthy. The soil properly moistened. No damage to any of the delicate spirit plants. He felt satisfied and happy with his work.

  Once this task was done, maybe he would also create his own garden. But before he could keep planning, he forcefully stopped himself.

  He'd realized that he had a bad habit of planning too far into the future. Case in point was his alchemy ambitions that were currently on the back burner due to Senior Brother Bo Yu's reality check.

  He'd realized that he'd just seen the luster of the alchemy arts and decided he wanted to learn it. It was especially stupid for him because he had yet to see, let alone touch, an actual pill or cauldron. He didn't know anything about the subject, yet he was enamored with it. Building castles in the air without any foundation beneath them.

  He'd decided that since cultivation demanded resources and he would need to find a way to generate wealth if he wanted to achieve success in cultivation and access to more resources. He couldn't just rely on the sect's monthly allowance of five spirit stones forever. That was barely enough for basic needs.

  He could see that most disciples were working to earn points so they could buy resources for their cultivation. Techniques. Pills. Spirit tools. The list of things that required points was endless.

  He'd done some research in the library and realized that Senior Brother Bo Yu's advice was sound. When it comes to professions, talisman creation had the lowest barrier to entry.

  Of the most common cultivation professions, tool refining required expensive materials and access to specialized forges and fires. Alchemy required rare ingredients and pill furnaces that cost hundreds of spirit stones. Both were expensive to get into. Formations creation required far more theoretical knowledge before one could even attempt the most basic of arrays. Years of study before practical application.

  Talismans, on the other hand, were far easier to get into. You were only required to use your qi and needed to buy talisman paper, a brush, and cinnabar ink. The initial investment was measured in silver taels rather than spirit stones. Affordable even for someone with Yang's limited resources.

  He'd already gone through a couple of books on talismans in the library. Had been practicing different talisman scripts using normal paper and brush and ink so he could at least remember the inscription patterns and stroke order. While he'd gotten the hang of the visual patterns, he just needed to attend a beginner class to understand the qi aspects of it. How to actually channel qi through the brush. How to activate the inscriptions.

  He knew he might be thinking and taking it too easy, but he had no choice but to embark on this path. This was the only profession he was able to get into with his financial means.

  What Senior Cheng Mo had given him was generous in the mortal world. But from what he'd seen, one could go through those spirit stones within a day when practicing a craft. A single failed pill refinement could waste materials worth ten spirit stones. A botched tool could consume fifty. The cultivation world operated on a scale of wealth that made mortal riches seem like pocket change.

  He was excited for today because he was taking the first beginner lecture for talisman creation.

  It was held on the outer sect peak like all other beginner lectures. According to Senior brother Bo Yu this was intentional because only the outer sect disciples were unable to fly. Holding the beginner classes on the outer sect peak made life easier for those who had to walk everywhere.

  From what he'd heard, the beginner lessons didn't lack inner sect disciples either. According to his seniors, one often felt the desire to dabble when the need arose. An inner sect disciple might want to learn basic talisman creation even if they specialized in something else. Having versatile skills was never a bad thing in cultivation world.

  Yang made his way to the location for the lecture. The classroom was arranged as an open Chinese-style courtyard built into the mountainside, with three sides enclosed by wooden halls and the fourth opening toward the gardens.

  Wide, open windows and sliding lattice panels allowed constant airflow and natural light, leaving the space open rather than sealed. The roofed sections provided shade from the sun, while the center of the courtyard remained open to the sky. On cloudy days or during light rain, the lectures could continue without issue.

  Gardens surrounded the learning area, laid out with smooth stones, trimmed shrubs, small ponds, and water features. The sound of trickling water created a peaceful atmosphere.

  As Yang went inside, he saw that the classroom area had low wooden tables arranged in orderly rows. Each table was sized for two students and paired with flat cushions placed directly on the stone floor. No chairs. Just cushions for sitting in the traditional style.

  At the front of the courtyard stood a plain wall with painting scrolls. The overall design was simple and balanced, prioritizing focus, airflow, and calm over decoration.

  Yang entered the courtyard classroom and took an empty seat near the middle rows, settling onto the cushion beside one of the low wooden tables.

  A moment later, an inner sect senior sister approached and sat down at the other side of the table. She was perhaps in her early twenties. Her robes had the inner sect embroidery. Her cultivation was invisible to Yang, far beyond his ability to sense.

  They exchanged brief nods in acknowledgment. Nothing more. Then both turned their attention forward.

  The courtyard gradually filled with disciples. Perhaps thirty in total. A mix of outer and inner sect. Some looked young, likely new like Yang. Others appeared more experienced but were apparently interested in the basics.

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  The class quieted as footsteps approached from one of the side halls. An elder stepped into the courtyard without ceremony, his presence calm but immediately noticeable.

  He introduced himself as Elder Fu Ming from Fuzhen Peak.

  He did not look imposing at first glance. He looked about thirty in mortal age, though Yang knew that meant nothing for cultivators. He could be two hundred years old for all Yang knew. The elder wore simple sect robes, with his hair tied back neatly, streaked with gray at the temples. His expression was composed, almost indifferent.

  Yet the moment he stood at the front of the class, the ambient qi in the courtyard seemed to settle. Like ripples on water going still. His mere presence commanded attention without any need for words or gestures.

  Yang had heard that Elder Fu Ming taught talisman creation to disciples of all levels.

  Elder Fu Ming stood at the front of the courtyard, his gaze sweeping calmly across the seated disciples. His eyes seemed to assess each one briefly before he began.

  "Talisman creation is not magic, and it is not art," he began. His voice was clear and measured. Not loud, but it carried easily across the courtyard. "It is controlled inscription supported by qi. If you cannot control your qi, you cannot make talismans. If your mind is unstable, you will fail."

  He lifted a plain yellow talisman paper between two fingers. Held it up for all to see. The paper was rectangular. Perhaps six inches long and four inches wide. It looked ordinary. Just plain yellow paper.

  "At the beginner level, you will require only four things."

  Elder Fu Ming set the paper down gently.

  "First: materials. Proper talisman paper, cinnabar ink, and a talisman brush. Do not substitute them." His tone was firm. "Paper that cannot hold qi will collapse under the strain. Ink with uneven spiritual content will distort inscriptions. Brushes with damaged tips will break qi flow and ruin your work."

  He paused, letting that sink in.

  "Second: qi control. Not quantity. Control." He emphasized the word. "A single uneven pulse of qi will ruin an inscription. If your qi shakes, your lines will shake. If your qi surges, your inscription will burn. If your qi weakens, your inscription will fade. That is why most of you will fail your first attempts."

  A few disciples shifted uncomfortably on their cushions. Yang remained still, absorbing every word.

  "Third: mental clarity. You do not draw talismans while distracted, emotional, or tired. Talisman creation reflects the state of your mind directly onto the inscription." Elder Fu Ming's expression was serious. "Impure thoughts produce impure results. Anger will create aggressive, unstable talismans. Fear will create weak, hesitant ones. Only a calm, focused mind can create proper talismans."

  Yang thought of his meditation practice. The discipline required to maintain focus while cultivating. It seemed that skill would transfer directly to talisman creation.

  "Fourth: sequence."

  Elder Fu Ming placed the paper flat on the table before him.

  "Every talisman has an order. Stroke order. Inscription order. Activation order. If you change it, the talisman will not function. Or worse, it will backlash." His gaze swept the courtyard again. "Backfire can range from minor qi disruption to serious injury. Always follow the proper sequence."

  He picked up the talisman brush and dipped the brush lightly into a small dish of spirit ink. The ink was red. Cinnabar-based. It gleamed faintly with spiritual energy.

  "Observe."

  He waved his hand. A large talisman paper rose into the air, suspended vertically facing the students. Floating without any visible support. The paper was perhaps three feet tall. Large enough for everyone to see clearly.

  Elder Fu Ming raised the brush.

  He drew a single clean line across the paper. Perfectly straight. Perfectly steady. Unbroken from start to finish. The red ink gleamed against the yellow paper.

  "This line does nothing by itself," Elder Fu Ming said. "But it establishes the flow path. It creates the foundation upon which the rest of the inscription will rest. Beginners fail because they rush to complete symbols without establishing proper structure first."

  He paused, letting the class absorb his words. Yang stared at the line. It looked so simple. Just a straight line. But he could sense the smooth evenly distributed qi in it.

  "At your level, you will only learn basic talismans. Illumination talismans. Heat talismans. Simple defensive talismans." Elder Fu Ming set the brush down. "Offensive talismans will not be taught until your control improves. There is a greater risk of self-harm if offensive talismans fail or backfire."

  That made sense. Yang wouldn't want to be holding an explosive talisman when it malfunctioned.

  "Do not force qi into the paper," Elder Fu Ming continued. His tone became stern. "Let it follow the brush naturally. If you feel resistance, stop. Forcing qi is how talismans explode."

  A low murmur rippled through the courtyard. Several disciples exchanged nervous glances. The inner sect sister beside Yang remained expressionless.

  "You will practice for the first three days until our next class without any qi," Elder Fu Ming said. "No qi inscription. Just drawing. Your goal is to draw identical lines until your hand control and brush technique become stable. Only then will we add qi to the practice."

  Three days just drawing lines. It sounded tedious. But Yang understood the wisdom. Master the basics before attempting anything advanced. Build a proper foundation.

  Elder Fu Ming picked up the brush again. Drew another line on the floating paper. Then another. Each one identical to the first. Perfect straightness. Perfect thickness. Perfect consistency from start to finish.

  "After you can draw consistent lines, we will practice basic geometric shapes. Circles. Triangles. Squares. Each one must be drawn in a single continuous stroke without lifting the brush." He demonstrated a circle. One fluid motion. Perfect roundness. "This develops the muscle memory and control necessary for more complex inscriptions."

  He set the brush down again and looked up at the class.

  "Talisman creation rewards patience. Those seeking speed will waste materials and money. Those seeking power prematurely will injure themselves. Those who respect the process and build proper foundations will succeed."

  His gaze was steady. Unwavering.

  "That is all for today. This was merely an introduction to familiarize you with what talisman creation requires. Prepare your materials before the next lecture. You will need talisman paper, spirit ink, and a proper talisman brush. These can be purchased from the sect's supply hall with spirit stones or points." He paused. "Do not buy the cheapest materials thinking to save money. Poor materials will only waste your time and delay your learning. Buy adequate quality."

  Elder Fu Ming gestured to dismiss them. "Next class arrive with materials ready and minds clear. You are dismissed."

  The disciples began to rise from their cushions. Conversations started up immediately. Discussions about where to buy materials. How much they cost. Who had practiced talismans making before.

  Yang stood more slowly, thinking about what he'd learned. The emphasis on control, patience and on proper foundations. It aligned perfectly with everything else he'd learned about cultivation so far.

  White Cloud Sect really did value strong foundations above all else. No shortcuts. No rushing. Just careful, patient work building toward long-term success.

  The inner sect sister beside him nodded once more before departing. Yang returned the gesture.

  He made his way out of the courtyard classroom and into the gardens. The afternoon sun was warm. The sound of water trickling in the ponds was soothing.

  Tomorrow he would need to purchase materials. Talisman paper, ink, and a brush. He calculated quickly. His monthly allowance was five spirit stones. The materials would probably cost two or three stones for basic supplies. Not cheap, but manageable. He also has the spirit stones given by Senior Cheng Mo.

  And once he mastered the basics, he could start selling talismans to earn back his investment. Maybe even profit and start building up resources for more advanced cultivation.

  It was a path forward. A way to support himself while building his cultivation base. Exactly what he needed.

  Yang walked back toward his cave residence, already planning his next steps.

  The sun began to descend toward the horizon as Yang walked to his cave residence. The whole sect seemed bathed in golden light. Beautiful and peaceful.

  Yang smiled to himself. Life was good. He was exactly where he needed to be.