ragginovel Chapter 46 begins
Chapter 46 begins
As they were talking, a tall, thin middle-aged male cultivator also came over.
This man was a full head taller than Lü An, and his body was as thin as a bamboo pole. He wore a dark blue long robe with a black cloth belt tied around his waist. A palm-sized leather bag hung on the right side of the belt, and a row of neatly arranged carving knife handles was visible through the bag's opening.
He had a thin face with slightly high cheekbones, and his hands were particularly striking—long, slender fingers with distinct knuckles, and thick calluses on the fingertips and the base of the thumb, the kind of hands that someone who had been holding a knife for many years would have.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, it's a pleasure to meet you." His voice was low and hoarse, as if he hadn't had water in a long time. "My name is Sun Buqi, and I make a living by crafting talismans."
Wu Liang then introduced him, saying, "Fellow Daoist Sun is the most capable among us. Even the Immortal Clan is scrambling to buy the talismans he makes. He has received the true teachings of the art of talisman making; it is said that his master once served in the Spirit Sword Sect."
Sun Buqi shook his head slightly and said expressionlessly, "That's all in the past."
My master has been in seclusion for ten years and hasn't come out. Now I'm the only one left running the shop.
As he spoke, his gaze lingered on Chen Bai for a moment, and a hint of curiosity finally flashed in his otherwise somewhat dull eyes. "Fellow Daoist Chen, you also understand the Dao of Talismans?"
"I know a little, but I dare not claim to know everything," Chen Bai said, maintaining his usual humble tone.
Sun Buqi, however, seemed not to hear his humble words, and directly pulled out a blank talisman from the leather pouch at his waist and handed it to Chen Bai.
The talisman paper was pale yellow, with a fine and uniform texture. When held up to the light, a very faint layer of spiritual patterns could be seen on the paper surface.
"I made this talisman myself. Fellow Daoist Chen, please take a look and see what you think of its quality."
Chen Bai took the talisman and examined it carefully for a moment.
The paper base of this talisman is made of three-year-old spiritual bamboo fiber. The pulp is ground extremely finely, and the surface is smooth and flat, without any impurities or roughness.
What's even more remarkable is the dark pattern on the paper. That's the spiritual foundation injected during the talisman-making process, which makes the talisman paper more stable when it holds spiritual ink, reducing the probability of a ruined talisman.
"The paper is evenly distributed and the spiritual foundation is stable; it's good paper," Chen Bai sincerely praised. "I admire Fellow Daoist Sun's craftsmanship."
When Sun Buqi heard him say this, although his face still had that stern expression, his eyes softened noticeably.
He silently put the talisman away, nodded, and acknowledged Chen Bai's discerning eye.
Wu Liang, watching from the side, couldn't help but laugh. He patted Chen Bai on the shoulder and said, "Not many people can get past Fellow Daoist Sun. He has a very strange temper and hates those who pretend to know everything and act like big shots with their spirit stones."
Before he could finish speaking, a female cultivator next to him suddenly interrupted, "Wu Liang, stop making things up about Fellow Daoist Sun. That's called having principles, not having a weird temper."
The female cultivator who spoke appeared to be in her early thirties. She was wearing a light gray, narrow-sleeved outfit with tight cuffs, a leather belt about the width of a palm around her waist, and a pair of leather ankle boots.
This outfit stood out as exceptionally neat and capable among the many fairies with flowing skirts on the boat.
She wasn't particularly beautiful, but she had regular features, a slightly dark complexion, and a dashing, heroic air about her.
"This is Miao Wuniang, a practitioner of array formations."
Wu Liang said with a smile, "Don't underestimate her just because she's a woman. Few people here can match her skill in setting up formations."
Miao Wuniang rolled her eyes at Wu Liang: "What do you mean, 'Don't look down on me just because I'm a woman'? Wu Liang, you still talk a way that's so annoying."
She turned to Chen Bai, cupped her hands in a respectful gesture, her movements crisp and decisive, conveying a sense of straightforwardness. "Fellow Daoist Chen, don't listen to Wu Liang's foul mouth. I am Miao Wu Niang, and I have a basic understanding of formations. If you ever need my help, please feel free to ask."
Chen Bai quickly returned the greeting with a cupped hand.
Next, Wu Liang introduced Chen Bai to the remaining people.
There was a young rogue cultivator surnamed He, who looked to be in his early twenties. He had delicate features and always spoke with a shy smile. He specialized in the cultivation of spiritual plants.
It is said that he was a guest elder in a certain immortal clan's medicinal garden, and his skill in cultivating spiritual herbs was passed down from his grandfather.
There was also a rough-faced man surnamed Duan, with a sturdy build, dark skin, and a voice like thunder. He was a rogue demon hunter who rose to become a retainer of a certain immortal clan through relentless fighting.
"I am a rough man, unlike you fellow Daoists who have skills to rely on."
The man surnamed Duan grinned, revealing a set of teeth stained yellow by the inferior spiritual tea. "However, if Fellow Daoist Chen wants to find any monster materials in the future, feel free to come to me. I know these mountains very well."
Chen Bai bowed to each of them, making sure to memorize their names and characteristics.
Seeing that although he had only recently broken through to the embryonic breathing stage, he was humble and sincere, neither flattering nor arrogant, everyone was willing to talk to him.
The atmosphere was extremely harmonious. Everyone drank spirit wine, ate spirit fruits, and chatted casually about the market, the latest movements of demonic beasts, and which immortal clan had produced a disciple with exceptional talent.
"Fellow Daoist Chen."
Lu An, holding a wine glass, leaned closer, his face already slightly flushed with alcohol. "You've just achieved the Fetal Breathing Realm. What are your plans for the future?"
Chen Bai smiled and said, "I haven't thought that far ahead yet. First, I'll consolidate my cultivation, learn a few more Taoist techniques to protect myself, and then save up some spirit stones to exchange for some handy magic weapons. Let's take it one step at a time."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
As they were talking, a melodious chime suddenly came from the direction of the cabin.
The sound was crisp and melodious, neither too loud nor too soft, yet it clearly resonated throughout the entire deck.
Everyone stopped talking and looked in the direction of the sound.
The light gauze curtains on all four sides of the pavilion were slowly rolled up by the maids, revealing neatly arranged low tables and cushions inside.
Several maids carried incense burners into the pavilion, lit a few sticks of incense, and wisps of smoke rose, filling the air with a delicate and ethereal fragrance.
The tea party has officially begun.
People on the deck began to move toward the pavilion, with maids moving among the tables to guide them.
Chen Bai cupped his hands in greeting to Wu Liang and the others: "Fellow Daoists, the tea party has begun. I must first go and report to Fairy Yueyi. We will continue our conversation another day."
Wu Liang patted his shoulder with a smile: "Go on, go on, don't keep the fairy waiting."
Chen Bai responded and turned to walk towards the pavilion. He glanced around the table and soon spotted Fairy Yueyi.
She sat by the third low table on the left side of the pavilion, looking towards the door as if searching for someone.
Their eyes met, and Fairy Yueyi beckoned to him, signaling him to come over.
As Chen Bai approached, the maidservant beside Fairy Yueyi had already laid out a prayer mat for him.
He thanked her and took his seat next to Fairy Yueyi.
As soon as you settled in, Fairy Yueyi turned her head and asked in a low voice, "I heard from the maid that someone led you to the rogue cultivators. How did it go?"
Chen Bai smiled and said, "Thanks to the fairy, I have met several fellow Daoists with genuine feelings, and we have had a very pleasant conversation."
A hint of relief flashed in Fairy Yueyi's eyes, and she nodded slightly, saying, "That's good. It's always good to know more people."