My Cultivation Starting from Archery

After inquiring, it was discovered that the other party is going to Chiling Mountain for hunting.

Chen Sansi casually remarked: "Mr. Mo, as a Talisman Master, why would you engage in such a risky transaction?"

Mo Zhu took a sip and clicked his tongue: "I'm not very ambitious. I've been stuck at the Qi Refining Middle Stage my whole life. But I have to consider the future of my descendants, right? Recently, various sects are recruiting disciples. My grandson is neither exceptionally talented nor mediocre, and needs some arrangements to have a chance at entry-level as an outer disciple.

"This Daoist looks unfamiliar. Were you introduced here by a friend? Are you here to buy talismans or do you need me to do something?"

"Help me to meet someone."

Chen Sansi took out two Spirit Stones: "In the tavern fifty miles outside the city."

He detailed his requirements.

"Sure thing!"

Mo Zhu didn't ask a single additional question.

Two hours later.

Chen Sansi was waiting in a mortal tavern, expecting the person he arranged to meet.

Qu Lingchuan, with his hands behind his back, subtly forming a mantra, stood at the tavern doorway, cautiously examining the people inside, then carefully proceeded to the table.

Chen Sansi, following suit, revealed Xiao Feng's appearance.

"Is that you?"

Qu Lingchuan stepped back half a step: "Daoist Xiao, we have no grievances or enmity. Why have you invited me here today? Is there something you wish to discuss?"

Several years ago, after the commotion at Little Bamboo Peak, he hadn't seen this person again, then came the recent Luoxia Mountain incident.

In his eyes, Xiao Feng is deeply concealing his abilities, an extremely dangerous character, whom he prefers to avoid.

"Brother Qu, no need to be nervous."

Chen Sansi gestured for him to sit down, proactively pouring tea: "I've invited you here today to see if there's anything during your cultivation journey that I might assist with."

"..."

Qu Lingchuan sat down warily, not touching the tea: "Daoist Xiao, in light of past dealings, I won't reveal your presence, but please speak directly, without beating around the bush."

"I wish to acquire a Transmission Array."

Chen Sansi paused, then added: "The one connecting Daze Fang City and the Eastern Continent, I know Brother Qu is in charge of formation defenses."

"..."

Qu Lingchuan frowned: "Daoist Xiao, I am the Tributor and Law Enforcement Elder at the Steward Hall, and I absolutely won't collaborate with Evil Cultivators."

"Let's pretend we never met today, don't seek me in the future."

He spoke, then made a gesture to leave.

"Brother Qu!"

Chen Sansi intensified his tone: "Stuck at Mid-stage Foundation Establishment for over twenty years now, right? If you don't break through to the later stage within the next ten years, there's likely no chance of forming a Core in your lifetime."

Qu Lingchuan glanced sideways: "What, might Daoist Xiao help me form a Core?"

"Naturally, I can't do that."

Chen Sansi said: "But what I'm willing to give Brother Qu is definitely more than what the Li family can offer. If there's resources in the future that can aid in Core Formation, I pledge to prioritize you. My word is my bond."

"Forgive my bluntness, but if you continue in your current stagnant state, your Immortal Path may very well end here."

"..."

Qu Lingchuan stared at the sky outside the window, after a long silence he said: "I need a Breakthrough Pill. When can you acquire it, we'll discuss cooperation then."

With that, he left without looking back.

"Breakthrough Pill."

Chen Sansi quickly referenced the information from the texts he had read.

A Breakthrough Pill, as the name implies, is specifically used to assist cultivators stuck in a bottleneck to break through their realm, worth a significant amount.

The pill recipe isn't rare, but its costliness lies in requiring a thousand-year herb known as "Phoenix Stone Beast."

Although the name suggests "Beast," it is actually a spiritual Spirit Plant, named for its ability to devour spiritual beasts and live beings.

The Phoenix Stone Beast is rare to encounter, more so those exceeding a thousand years old, making it a coveted treasure for all Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Moreover, it's especially suited for Magic Cultivation's Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, unlikely to be found in Dusk Valley.

The quickest way Chen Sansi could think of to obtain it might be the Nine Nether Restricted Lands.

This neighbor from Little Bamboo Peak certainly set a high price.

But it's worth it.

Only by controlling the Transmission Array can the army advance and retreat freely.

Moreover, if he indeed finds such an item, Chen Sansi can alter the pill recipe, crafting elixirs to aid Early-stage Foundation Establishment, benefitting both parties.

"Phoenix Stone Beast."

He silently memorized the name, marking it as his primary target within the Nine Nether Restricted Lands.

Having made up his mind, Chen Sansi did not linger and returned once again to the Cave Mansion in Dusk Valley to commence long-term closed-door training.

The forbidden area had not yet opened, but time must not be wasted in vain.

In the blink of an eye, four full months had passed.

[Cultivation Technique: Swallowing Fire Technique. Early Stage Foundation Establishment]

[Progress: 35/500]

Advancement in the Immortal Realm progressed slowly.

But considering, Chen Sansi was only thirty-five years old, and at this age, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator was certainly considered young in the Cultivation World.

The progress of the "Dragon Scripture" was also extremely challenging; he estimated that before the opening of the forbidden area, he could open another Jing Shen.

After tiring from cultivating various techniques, he would shift his focus to the Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation.

Foremost came the Puppetry Technique.

During the closed-door training, Chen Sansi would spend one to two hours daily remotely controlling the puppet at the Boundless Hall in Sky Wall City to handle governmental affairs.

But two hours is still time.

According to the records of the "Heavenly Calculation of Ten Thousand Soldiers," if one could cultivate the Puppetry Technique to a certain level, they could multitask.

By leaving a trace of the soul on the puppet, even without deliberate manipulation, it could perform tasks according to the owner's will.

Thus, time could be utilized to the utmost.

[Skill: Heavenly Calculation of Ten Thousand Soldiers (First Level)]

[Progress: 278/500]

Not only in Puppetry Technique but also in all other skills, Chen Sansi did not fall behind.

[Skill: Beast Taming (entry-level)]

[Progress: 239/500]

All three of his Spiritual Pets had reached the late stage of the Spirit Aperture Realm, with Qian Xun on the verge of breaking through to the Mysterious Body Realm.

The cultivation speed of spiritual beasts could also be enhanced through resources, further affirming the importance of collecting Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

[Skill: Alchemy (Second-tier)]

[Progress: 466/1000]

...

[Skill: Formation (First Rank)]

[Progress: 471/500]

...

[Skill: Talisman Painting (First Rank)]

[Progress: 489/500]

...

The skill of talisman painting was closest to a breakthrough, so Chen Sansi dedicated over ten days to improve his proficiency.

Talismans can be understood as spells stored in talisman paper, requiring no gestures or incantations, no learning, and even no consumption, allowing them to be unleashed directly.

Thus, they are also the cultivators' favorite means to use.

However, while using talismans consumes nothing, painting them is not an easy task.

Every half inch of ink Chen Sansi splashed on the talisman paper rapidly consumed his mana and Divine Sense at an astonishing rate.

Ordinarily, a Qi Refinement Realm Talisman Master could create at most two or three talismans a day, whereas more could harm their Divine Sense.

Foundation Establishment, however, doubles this, allowing four or five talismans.

Moreover, each painting often requires two days of rest to protect the Divine Soul and Divine Sense.

The higher the rank of the talisman, the greater the consumption for the Talisman Master, hence the high market price of talismans.

If one were to mindlessly doodle with a pen all day, producing thousands of talismans, they would have flooded the market and lost value.

Due to practicing multiple skills and the "Heavenly Calculation of Ten Thousand Soldiers" honing his Divine Sense, Chen Sansi was stronger than ordinary people, capable of painting seven or eight talismans in one go.

He gritted his teeth against the pain from Divine Sense depletion, sketching the final talisman of the day, gradually achieving resonance with the Heaven and Earth Laws.

As if Chen Sansi's talisman pen was a divine artifact meant for manipulating the Heaven and Earth Laws, with him being the creator controlling these laws.

In this state, not only did he become more skillful, but even the consumption during talisman painting drastically reduced.

[Skill: Talisman Painting (Second-tier)]

[Progress: 0/1000]

[Utility: Skillful]

[Skillful: Talisman painting skill is becoming more proficient, producing a faint resonance with the Heaven and Earth Laws, reducing the consumption for painting talismans, and increasing speed.]