After taking the class, Yang had gone to his cave to cultivate for the whole day, only coming out for dinner and then going back into his cave to cultivate more. The lecture had energized him and given him a new goal to work toward. But cultivation still came first.

  The next day, he went to the outer sect hall to ask about the supply hall where he could buy the materials Elder Fu Ming had mentioned.

  Senior Brother Bo Yu looked up from his usual position behind the counter as Yang approached. His expression was friendly, welcoming as always.

  "Junior Brother Yang. How was your talisman class?" he asked with genuine interest.

  Yang smiled. "It was interesting, Senior Brother. Very informative. That's actually why I'm here today."

  "Oh?"

  "Elder Fu Ming asked us to buy materials from the supply hall," Yang explained. "I'm here to ask where I can find it."

  Bo Yu nodded in understanding. "There is only one main supply hall in the inner sect. It's quite large and carries everything from rare spirit herbs to formation flags. But outer sect students can buy their supplies here at the outer sect hall as well. We keep common materials in stock specifically for outer sect disciples."

  "Oh!" Yang brightened at that. Much more convenient than traveling all the way to the inner sect. "Then I would like talisman papers, brush, and cinnabar ink, please."

  "Very well." Bo Yu pulled out a ledger. "How much are you willing to spend? That will help me understand what quality range to show you."

  Yang considered. His monthly allowance was five spirit stones, and he'd just received this month's allocation a few days ago. He hadn't spent any of it yet. "Senior Fu Ming advised us not to get the cheapest materials saying they would only waste time and hinder our learning." Yang paused. "Senior Brother, do you have any advice on what would be the best materials for a beginner? I'm willing to spend up to five spirit stones."

  Senior Brother Bo Yu went quiet for a moment. Then he shook his head slightly. "Yang, I have no knowledge of talisman creation. All my time is spent either cultivating or working here to earn points. I wouldn't want to give you poor guidance on something I don't understand myself."

  He looked around the hall, then gestured to another senior who was manning the counter on the far side. "But I can get someone who will have knowledge."

  He called over, "Junior Sister Wei Wei, come here. I am in need of your expertise."

  Yang had seen her before. A young woman perhaps a year or two older than him in appearance. They'd always nodded at each other in greeting when they came across each other in the outer sect hall or outside, but they'd never had a reason to interact directly.

  She came over, her steps light and graceful. "Senior Brother, how may I be of help?" She nodded politely at Yang.

  Senior Brother Bo Yu made introductions. "Junior Sister, this is our Junior Brother Chen Yang. You may call him Junior Brother Yang. He is here to buy talisman supplies for Elder Fu Ming's class. I hope you can guide him better than I could, given your expertise in the subject."

  She turned to Yang with a friendly smile. "Hello, Junior Brother."

  Yang bowed respectfully. "Hello, Senior Sister. Thank you for taking the time to help me."

  "You can call me Senior Sister Wei Wei," she said warmly. Then her expression became more business-like. "Do you have any requirements for your materials? Any preferences?"

  Yang shook his head. "I'm completely new to talisman creation. This will be my first time attempting it. Senior Fu Ming said not to get the cheapest ones as they affect the quality of work and make learning more difficult. Beyond that, I don't really know what to look for."

  Senior Sister Wei Wei thought for a second, her brow furrowing slightly. "What's your budget?"

  "Five spirit stones," Yang replied.

  Her expression brightened. "We can do it well under the budget then. I'll get you good quality materials that will serve you well as you learn."

  She went through one of the doors behind the counter. It was Yang's first time getting a peek in there. He caught a glimpse of lots of shelves stocked with various supplies before she closed the door. Looks like they kept inventory to sell there. Made sense. Easier than making trips to a central warehouse every time someone needed something.

  Senior Brother Bo Yu leaned in slightly while they waited. "She is one of the best talisman makers in the outer sect," he said quietly. "Makes a small fortune selling them for points and spirit stones. She will guide you well. Do not worry."

  Yang bowed his head slightly. "I trust Senior Brother's judgment."

  A few minutes later, Senior Sister Wei Wei returned to the counter. She carried a tray laden with various items. Several brushes of different sizes and colors. A couple of bottles of ink that gleamed with a faint red sheen. And a large pile of talisman papers tied together with string.

  She set the tray on the counter and began organizing the items.

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  First, she brought forward the pile of papers. "Junior Brother, this is the basic talisman paper. You would not need anything more advanced for a long time. Most talismans you will be making can be inscribed on this paper." She smiled slightly. "Even I, after years of making talismans, still use this paper for almost all my talismans. It's reliable, consistent, and affordable."

  Yang nodded, examining the paper. It looked like thick, high-quality paper. Yellow in color and slightly textured.

  Then she showed him three bottles of ink. Each one crystal clear, allowing the deep red liquid inside to be visible. "These are all cinnabar ink, and they're a grade above the cheapest ones available. Some are better than others, of course."

  Yang looked at the three bottles. They looked nearly identical to his untrained eye. "Which would you recommend, Senior Sister?"

  Wei Wei picked up the middle bottle. "At first, you will make many mistakes. That's natural when learning. It's better to get this one." She set it forward. "It's not the absolute best we have, but the one better than it isn't so much better as to make up for almost twice the price difference. This one offers the best balance of quality and value for a beginner."

  That made sense. No point buying premium materials when he'd be wasting most of them on failed attempts anyway. Yang agreed immediately. "I'll take the one you recommend."

  "Good choice."

  And then it was the talisman brushes' turn. There was a large collection on the tray. Dozens of them. Different sizes, different handle colors, different bristle lengths.

  "Now, brushes," Wei Wei said, gesturing to the array. "You can get them from the cheapest to very expensive. I've brought these that will be within your budget range."

  She picked up one to demonstrate the construction. "The sect mostly keeps simple ones to sell to disciples, keeping function over form as the priority. So all of these are plain in design. But every one is made from a different wood and beast hair combination."

  Yang leaned in, interested.

  "Talisman cultivators, as they develop their skills, find that a particular wood or beast hair helps their qi transfer easier and smoother," Wei Wei explained. "It's very individual. What works perfectly for me might feel awkward for you. But that understanding comes with time and lots of experience. For now, you just need something that feels comfortable in your hand."

  Yang looked at the collection. "May I touch them? To see how they feel in my hand?"

  "Of course." Wei Wei gestured invitingly. "Take your time. Pick them up. See how the weight and balance feels."

  Yang began examining the brushes one by one. He picked each up, testing the weight, the grip, how it felt in his hand. Thinking that his inner instincts might be useful here. He had an advantage in this department. If any particular brush was suited to him, the instincts should let him know.

  He worked his way through the collection methodically. This one felt fine. That one a bit too light. This one's handle was too thick. That one's bristles too stiff.

  Then he touched a brush that was dark red, almost burgundy in color. The moment his fingers wrapped around the handle, he felt it. Not a dramatic sensation. Just a gentle tug. A sense of rightness. Like this brush was meant for his hand.

  The wood handle was smooth and comfortable to the touch. The weight perfectly balanced and the bristles firm but flexible. And he knew that if it weren't for the inner instinct, he would have never noticed his affinity with this one. Even now, after knowing it was the most suitable one, he couldn't feel anything special about it on a conscious level.

  Yang held it up. "This one," he said with certainty.

  Senior Sister Wei Wei looked at the brush he'd chosen and smiled. "Good choice. That's a quality brush. It's made from mahogany wood, and the beast fur I believe is from a red fruit cat."

  "Red fruit cat?" Yang asked, unfamiliar with the name.

  "It's a rather common spirit beast found near the edges of forests," Wei Wei explained. "They live in trees and eat fruits almost exclusively. Also kept as pets by many people due to their docile nature and soft fur. Their fur makes excellent brush bristles because it holds qi well."

  Yang looked at the brush with new appreciation.

  "How much for everything?" he asked, handing over his five spirit stones.

  Wei Wei did a quick calculation. "Only four spirit stones total." She smiled.

  She handed back one of Yang's spirit stones. "You're getting quality materials at a good price."

  Yang was pleasantly surprised. He'd expected to spend his entire budget. Having one spirit stone left over was a bonus. "Thank you, Senior Sister. I really appreciate your help and guidance."

  Wei Wei began wrapping his purchases. The paper went into a protective cloth cover. The ink bottle was padded with soft fabric. The brush placed carefully in a simple wooden case to protect the bristles.

  She handed the wrapped bundle to Yang. "Practice diligently. Elder Fu Ming is an excellent teacher, but he's also exacting. He expects his students to put in the work."

  "I will," Yang promised. He bowed to both Wei Wei and Bo Yu. "Thank you both for your help."

  "Good luck with your studies, Junior Brother," Bo Yu said with an encouraging smile.

  Yang left the outer sect hall with his purchases carefully tucked under one arm. He was excited about using his new materials, but he would not take them out of the wrapping until Elder Fu Ming's second class two days later. The elder had been clear that the first three days were for practicing basic strokes with ordinary materials. No point risking his good talisman paper and expensive ink on preliminary practice.

  For now, he intended to become an expert at making lines and shapes on plain paper. Master the physical mechanics of brush control before adding the spiritual component of qi inscription.

  He made his way back to his cultivation cave, his mind already planning his practice schedule.

  Yang reached his cave and stepped inside and set his purchases carefully on the stone shelf.

  Then he pulled out a piece of plain paper, a regular writing brush and some ordinary ink.

  He sat on the cushion in front of the table and adjusted his posture, and began to practice.

  Drawing lines. Over and over. Trying to make each one identical. Perfectly straight and consistent thickness from start to finish.

  It was tedious work. Repetitive. Some might find it boring.

  But Yang found it meditative. The focus required and the gradual improvement. The satisfaction of seeing his control increase with each attempt.

  This was cultivation too. Not the spiritual kind. But cultivation of skill, discipline, and patience.

  And that was just as valuable.

  Hours passed. Yang's hand grew tired. His fingers cramped slightly. But the lines on his practice papers grew straighter. More consistent and controlled.

  By the time he stopped for dinner, he'd filled dozens of sheets with lines. Each page better than the last.

  Yang smiled to himself as he stood and stretched. Two days until the next lecture. Two days to practice until his brush control was impeccable.

  He would be ready.