Jun lingered at the entrance of Talisman Hall, absorbing the serene atmosphere that permeated the air.
The flickering light of countless talisman arrays illuminated the determined faces of young cultivators immersed in their practice.
A friendly voice interrupted his contemplation. "This fellow daoist, are you here to order a custom-made talisman or to recruit a disciple?" The question came from a tall and handsome young man, exuding an air of confidence and expertise.
"I'm here to recruit a disciple," Jun replied. He sought the right individual who could not only benefit from the talent scroll but also contribute to his own shop.
"Please follow me," the tall man gestured, leading Jun deeper into the hall.
As they walked, he began introducing various talented disciples who showed promise in becoming talisman apprentices. However, Jun remained unswayed; talent was the least of his concerns.
Amidst the introductions, a young man in his early twenties sprinted towards Jun in a hurry, colliding with him in what seemed like an emergency.
"You... Ding Xue!" erupted the tall and handsome Instructor Jiang, his anger evident.
"I am sorry, Instructor Jiang. I am in a hurry; I will apologize to you later," Ding Xue apologized hastily, not even glancing back as he rushed out of the hall.
Witnessing Ding Xue's swift departure, Instructor Jiang's fury intensified.
The urge to give chase and teach him a lesson surged, but he restrained himself, realizing the presence of an important guest he needed to attend to.
"Well, there must be some kind of emergency. Otherwise, disciples of our Talisman Hall wouldn't do such a thing," Instructor Jiang said with a mix of apology and embarrassment.
Jun, absorbed in the system screen before him, remained unfazed by the commotion around him.
[Name: Ding Xue]
[Cultivation: 3rd Stage Qi Condensation Realm]
[Insight: Above Average]
[Constitution: Bronze Physique]
[Technique: Raging Waves Fist(Mortal grade low-level)]
[Spiritual Root: Water Elemental (Earth grade, low-level)]
[Talent: Cooking (Inferior grade, low-level)]
Ever since Jun acquired the system, he could view his and others' status panels. Among all the disciples he'd checked, Ding Xue's panel impressed him the most. Despite having a seemingly trivial talent, Ding Xue boasted an above-average physique, insightful understanding, and excellent spiritual roots.
If Ding Xue aimed to join a sect, he'd easily secure a spot in a good sect.
Physiques were categorized into seven levels: Wood, Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond and Zenith. Jun, born with a Iron Physique, saw it decline to Wood level after enduring qi deviation.
"Instructor Jiang, who's that kid?" Jun's lips formed a wide smile, unsettling Instructor Jiang.
"This... he's just a kid from a wealthy merchant family. Although he lacks talent in Talisman crafting, he insists on learning it for some unknown reason," Instructor Jiang hesitated, unaware of Jun's thoughts.
Perfect! It seems I've found my first customer,Jun mused, a wide grin on his lips.
"I'd like to recruit that kid," Jun asserted confidently.
"What? But..." Instructor Jiang began to persuade Jun against recruiting Ding Xue, but he stopped, seeing Jun's resolute expression.
Instructor Jiang sighed softly, "As you wish. Please fill out the recruitment form here."
Jun completed the recruitment paper, answered various questions, and promptly exited the Talisman Hall. Making his way to the Shop House outside the city, he sighed while glancing at his own status panel.
[Name: Wu Jun]
[Cultivation: 2nd Stage Qi Condensation Realm]
[Insight: Excellent(+)]
[Constitution: Wood Physique (damaged)(+)]
[Technique: None]
[Spiritual Roots: Ice and Gold Elemental (Mortal grade medium-level)(+)]
[Talent: None]
"What's this plus sign?" Jun noticed the + sign next to attributes. After a moment of contemplation, he recalled receiving an attribute point from the starter pack.
"Since I can upgrade one attribute by a level, it's time to cure my physique first." Jun's damaged Wood Physique needed recovery for proper Qi energy circulation. Immediately, the + sign after Wood Physique vanished, and a peculiar sensation enveloped his body.
It felt like some otherworldly force entered his body. After a few seconds, the discomfort caused by his damaged physique vanished, leaving him feeling more comfortable and stronger.
Checking his status panel again, he saw the damaged status behind Wood Physique had disappeared.
"Is this Fellow Daoist Wu Jun?" Ding Xue stood at the shop's entrance with a polite expression.
"Yes, I am Wu Jun. Please come inside," Jun invited Ding Xue politely.
Entering the shop, Ding Xue sensed Jun's Second Stage Qi Condensation Realm aura.
His expression shifted from joyful to unpleasant. Initially elated at the prospect of gaining a chance to become Talisman Apprentice, seeing Jun turned his joy into disappointment.
Many Talisman Hall disciples lacked resources to reach the Talisman Apprentice level, often seeking forces willing to invest in them.
Ding Xue, though polite on the surface, harbored resentment at the idea of working for someone weaker.
"Fellow Daoist Wu Jun, I heard you wanted to recruit me. Is that true?" Ding Xue asked politely, masking his internal frustration.
"Yes, it is. I wonder if you'd consider working for my shop. Though unknown now, I assure you won't regret joining," Jun replied politely.
Ding Xue's demeanor shifted as he questioned, "Fellow Daoist Wu Jun, you must have heard I've been in Talisman Hall for a while, yet I've made no progress in talisman crafting. Is it because you lack resources to recruit a more talented disciple?" His eyes turned cold, recounting his past, marked by talent and wealth until a resentful half-brother's interference changed everything.
Ding Xue, originally from a wealthy family and talented in cultivation, had a fortunate life until his half-brother, harboring resentment, discovered Ding Xue's possession of Earth-grade high-level spiritual roots.
His half-brother was then accepted as a disciple by a Golden Core Realm elder from the Spirit Returning Sect.
Facing difficulty due to his half-brother's association with a Golden Core Realm elder from the Spirit Returning Sect, Ding Xue found it challenging to gain support from other forces.
Turning to talisman crafting like his grandfather, despite his lack of talent, offered a chance to join a powerful force as a young Talisman Apprentice.
"Don't worry, Fellow Daoist Ding Xue. I understand your concerns. What if I can solve the problem that's troubled you for years?" Jun proposed.
Ding Xue, snapped from his thoughts, replied, "Fellow Daoist Wu Jun must be kidding. My half-brother's master is in the Golden Core Realm, and I doubt your strength can confront him." Ding Xue wore a mocking expression.
"I'm not referring to your half-brother's master but your talent in talisman crafting," Jun clarified.
"My talent?" Ding Xue, confused, misunderstood Jun's intentions, thinking he was being mocked.