Zhao Yan had learned the Five Basic Five Elements Talismans: the Fireball Talisman, Shooting Tide Talisman, Swift Gale Talisman, Iron Guard Talisman, and Stone Aegis Talisman. She had learn their recipes, how they were made, and their effects, but she knew she was not a Talisman Master.
As Zhao Yan closed her eyes to think, she began to see the names of numerous talismans. Some of them were unfamiliar, while others were too powerful for someone at the Qi Refinement Realm.
She also realized that if she wanted to learn the recipes for these talismans, she would need to engage in more intimate acts. Additionally, some higher-level talismans required her to complete specific actions to unlock their recipes.
What she didn't understand was whether these talisman recipes were related to her being special or to Yang Hao. She recalled that Yang Hao had bought talisman papers to practice making talismans but had repeatedly failed. She decided that tomorrow she would ask him if the previous night was his first time having sex. If it was, then the talisman recipes might be connected to him. If it wasn't, she would conclude that the ability was related to her.
For now, she decided to sleep. Tomorrow, she would find out the truth.
---
The next morning, Zhao Yan went to Yang Hao's house, but it was locked. She curled her lips in annoyance, wondering where he had gone so early. Just as she was about to return home, she saw him approaching with a bag in his hand.
"Sister Zhao? What are you doing here? Is there something you need?" Yang Hao asked, looking a bit awkward.
"Brother Yang... Nothing much. I just have a question for you. But... what's in the bag?" Zhao Yan asked, eyeing it curiously. She recalled that Yang Hao had given all his spirit stones to her. How could he have bought anything?
"It's spiritual ink and talisman papers," Yang Hao replied. "I had some left over from before. Last night, I used them all and managed to make ten Fireball Talismans. It seems that, after giving up on life, I had a sudden enlightenment and became a 1st-Grade Low-Stage Talisman Master."
With the market price of 10 Fireball Talismans being 30 spirit stones, Yang Hao had spent 20 spirit stones on new supplies, leaving him with 10 spirit stones. This meant he had no worries of his lies being exposed.
Zhao Yan nodded, understanding that the recipes she had obtained were most likely connected to Yang Hao. However, it seemed Yang Hao himself wasn't aware of this connection.
"Sister Zhao, what question did you want to ask me?" Yang Hao inquired.
"Um... Actually, I thought about this for a long time last night and decided... why not become your Taoist companion?" Zhao Yan said, her cheeks flushing with shyness. Originally, she had planned to ask if the previous night had been Yang Hao's first time, but after receiving the talisman inheritance and seeing Yang Hao's sudden success in talisman-making, she realized this might be an opportunity for both of them. It made sense to form a partnership.
Yang Hao was stunned as he stared at Zhao Yan. To him, she wasn't the type of woman he desired, but he did want a woman. Since Zhao Yan was offering herself, there was no reason to refuse. However, he was curious about why she had suddenly decided this. Deciding not to overthink it, he nodded. "If Sister Zhao doesn't dislike me, then it's fine."
Zhao Yan smiled and, after a moment's thought, said, "Brother Yang, I have the recipes for the Five Basic Elements Talismans. Would you like to learn them?"
Yang Hao's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Of course. I'll write them down for you. But first, let's formalize our bond as Taoist companions," Zhao Yan said with a bright smile. She felt hopeful, imagining the bright future that lay ahead with Yang Hao's Talisman Talent and Talisman Inheritance she had.
---
Inside Yang Hao's house, the two of them knelt side by side on a simple mat. The room was modest, with sparse furnishings, but the atmosphere was solemn. A low table held incense, which burned softly, sending thin tendrils of smoke curling toward the ceiling. Zhao Yan and Yang Hao faced the open window, where the morning light streamed in, illuminating the space with a gentle warmth.
Zhao Yan adjusted her robes, her fingers trembling slightly as she glanced at Yang Hao. This moment was important. Yang Hao looked calm, though his hands rested stiffly on his knees.
"Brother Yang, are you ready?" Zhao Yan asked softly.
Yang Hao nodded, meeting her gaze. "I am. Let us begin."
Together, they bowed for the first time, their foreheads nearly touching the ground. "We bow to heaven and earth," they intoned, their voices low and reverent.
They straightened and bowed a second time. "We bow to our ancestors." Zhao Yan felt a lump in her throat as she spoke the words, memories of her parents flashing through her mind.
Finally, they turned toward one another, their third bow bringing their foreheads close. "We bow to each other, as Taoist companions."
When they rose, a faint golden glow seemed to shimmer in the air, a sign that their vows had been accepted by heaven and earth. Zhao Yan's heart swelled with a mix of relief and hope.
Sitting back on their heels, they faced each other. Zhao Yan broke the silence first. "Brother Yang, now that we are Taoist companions, I feel it's right for us to talk about our parents…" Her voice wavered slightly. "They passed away when I was young. My mother died of illness, and my father… he died protecting our village from a demonic beast."
Yang Hao's eyes softened as he listened. "I'm sorry to hear that, Sister Zhao. My parents are also no longer here. My mother passed shortly after giving birth to me, and my father was a cultivator, like me, but he was betrayed by someone he trusted. I barely remember him," Yang Hao said. He didn't feel much connection to them since he came from earth.
For a moment, silence filled the room.
"Well," Zhao Yan said, breaking the quiet, "now that we're married, let's not waste time. I'll start writing the recipes for the Five Basic Elements Talismans."
Yang Hao chuckled lightly. "Very well, Sister Zhao. But don't forget, we are now Taoist companions. You can just call me 'Husband.'"
Zhao Yan flushed but didn't look away. "Fine, then… Husband."
Yang Hao's smile deepened. Although this was not woman he desires, he knew that this woman was now his wife, the first wife both in this life and past life.