Chapter 9: First-Rank Talisman Master

"This can't be true! He must have used some trick, or the talisman testing device is broken today! How could this waste of a man with a shattered dantian possibly make a talisman!" Liu Gaoyang suddenly pointed at Chu Jianqiu, shouting like a madman.

"Waste, you're just bringing shame to me!" Chang Gaochen, enraged and embarrassed, slapped Liu Gaoyang across the face. The slap, fueled by his anger, was poorly controlled, sending Liu Gaoyang flying. His mouth spewed blood and teeth as he rolled his eyes and fainted.

Liu Gaoyang not only caused him to lose five hundred Body Tempering Pills but also made him lose face in front of so many people. Now, he even dared to doubt the talisman testing device of the Spirit Talisman Pavilion.

Doubting the Spirit Talisman Pavilion's testing device was tantamount to slapping the face of the Spirit Talisman Pavilion. Even Chang Gaochen might not be able to bear the consequences, let alone a mere First-Rank Talisman Master. It was better to knock him out early to prevent a bigger mess.

Liang Jiushan was also deeply shocked. This boy could actually refine a talisman with such a talisman core. It seemed that the Tianshui County would soon have an extraordinary talisman master.

Sometimes, a talisman core can better reflect a talisman master's level. A high-rank talisman master only indicates a higher level of strength and more means at their disposal, but it doesn't necessarily reflect their true talisman-making skills.

The grade of the talisman core better reflects a talisman master's potential.

Currently, in Tianshui County, no one seems to be able to refine a talisman with a high-grade core.

Liang Jiushan's anger over Chu Jianqiu's violence in the Spirit Talisman Pavilion had long dissipated, leaving only shock and joy in his heart.

"Boy, are you interested in joining the Spirit Talisman Pavilion?" Liang Jiushan's usually stern face now melted like an ice mountain, his face full of smiles.

Chu Jianqiu was taken aback. This sudden invitation was completely unexpected, leaving him unprepared. He had come to the Spirit Talisman Pavilion to sell talismans and earn enough spirit stones to buy Body Tempering Pills, never thinking about joining the Spirit Talisman Pavilion.

"Boy, what are you hesitating about? If you join the Spirit Talisman Pavilion, you will get a discount on all the talisman-making materials here, and the Spirit Talisman Pavilion won't impose any restrictions on you. You can still do whatever you want," a loud voice rang out.

Everyone turned to the source of the voice, seeing a tall figure approaching.

"Pavilion Master!"

Liang Jiushan, Chang Gaochen, and the others of the Spirit Talisman Pavilion bowed in unison to the newcomer.

Everyone was shocked that even the Pavilion Master of the Spirit Talisman Pavilion, Yang Zhenhai, had been alerted by this matter.

The Pavilion Master of the Spirit Talisman Pavilion was always elusive, rarely showing himself. Few people in Tianshui City knew him, and Chu Jianqiu had never met Yang Zhenhai before.

Chu Jianqiu did not hesitate for long before agreeing. Having the identity of a Spirit Talisman Pavilion member would provide an additional layer of security, at least making the Liu family less likely to harm him openly.

The Spirit Talisman Pavilion was actually a branch of the Talisman Array Alliance on the Tianwu Continent. The Talisman Array Alliance was an organization formed by numerous talisman array masters, initially established to facilitate the exchange and evaluation of talisman array masters, not as a strict sect organization.

The Spirit Talisman Pavilion operated within the Wanwu Trading Company, maintaining a cooperative relationship rather than being a subordinate institution.

Seeing Chu Jianqiu agree, Yang Zhenhai burst into laughter, feeling extremely pleased. He had high hopes for this young man who could refine a high-grade core talisman at such a young age, curious about how far he would ultimately go.

If Chu Jianqiu could truly shine in the field of talisman arrays, it would bring glory to him, and Tianshui County would no longer be looked down upon by the old fellows in the capital.

"Boy, catch!" Yang Zhenhai pulled out a token and threw it to Chu Jianqiu.

Chu Jianqiu caught the token and was surprised to see it.

The front of the token was engraved with a mysterious talisman array, and the back had a small talisman symbol.

Even if Chu Jianqiu had previously known little about the talisman array world, he recognized that this was a talisman master's identity token. The talisman array on the front was the emblem of the Talisman Array Alliance, and the small talisman symbol on the back represented a First-Rank Talisman Master.

A Second-Rank Talisman Master would have two talisman symbols, and an array master would have an array engraved on the back.

Typically, a talisman array master must pass a strict evaluation to obtain this identity token from the Talisman Array Alliance.

For a talisman array master to gain public recognition of their skills, obtaining this token is a necessary condition.

Chu Jianqiu was surprised that Yang Zhenhai so easily gave him the First-Rank Talisman Master token, looking at him with confusion and questioning eyes.

Yang Zhenhai laughed and said, "You've already refined a First-Rank talisman with a high-grade core. Why bother with an evaluation? I can't even refine such a talisman now. If I were to evaluate you, it would mean I don't have the qualifications to hold this First-Rank Talisman Master token either."

Hearing Yang Zhenhai's explanation, Chu Jianqiu put the token away with relief. He then turned to Chang Gaochen and said with a smile, "Elder Chang, when will you give me those five hundred Body Tempering Pills?"

Yang Zhenhai was taken aback, looking at Chang Gaochen and saying, "Old Chang, when did you owe this boy Body Tempering Pills? That's not very honorable of you. You, a Second-Rank Talisman Master, are trying to cheat a young successor?"

Chang Gaochen's face turned ashen, his lips trembling as he tried to explain but was too embarrassed to speak. In the end, Liang Jiushan explained the situation to Yang Zhenhai.

After hearing the explanation, Yang Zhenhai burst into laughter again, patting Chang Gaochen on the shoulder and saying, "Old Chang, you must honor your bet. Since you've already lost, you should give him the five hundred Body Tempering Pills as agreed."

With Yang Zhenhai's words, Chang Gaochen could no longer back out. He gritted his teeth and reluctantly took out the five hundred Body Tempering Pills.

At this moment, Chang Gaochen inwardly cursed himself for his loose tongue. Chu Jianqiu had initially bet on three hundred Body Tempering Pills, but he had added two hundred more out of spite.

Five hundred Body Tempering Pills, even for a True Qi Realm expert, was a significant fortune.

After handing over the Body Tempering Pills, Chang Gaochen couldn't bear to stay any longer and left with Liu Gaoyang in tow, feeling humiliated.

If he had stayed, Liang Jiushan might have brought up Liu Gaoyang's earlier actions, forcing him to pay a heavy price to settle the matter.

Although Liu Gaoyang had caused him significant losses, he was still his disciple, and he had close ties with the Liu family. He couldn't let Liu Gaoyang be punished by Liang Jiushan.

Given Liang Jiushan's stubborn and harsh nature, Liu Gaoyang's actions would not be easily forgiven. So, Chang Gaochen quickly took Liu Gaoyang and left before the situation worsened.