Still Current entered the main building of the manor, thinking over the examination. He wasn’t a talisman master. But he had some knowledge.

  Red Heaven was definitely an amateur, yes, but making any talisman successfully was difficult below the Body Tempering realm. The lack of innate qi seeped into the spine and muscles made unity of mind and body difficult. With the stringent requirements of talisman crafting, it would take a mortal years of consistent practice in order to craft just a few talismans.

  In simple terms, Red Heaven’s raw talent was absurd. With absurd talent meant he likely possessed bloodline abilities or a powerful physique. Both were things indicative of a powerful clan or sect— and with as arrogant a name as Red Heaven, they must be confident.

  Still Current decided to abandon any further investigation on Red Heaven. He deemed ignorance was bliss.

  ??????????????

  “Normally, you would extract Water Qi from the surrounding qi and materialize it to form a temporary form of water. You seem to have pulled actual water out of the air.” Green Ink explained, showing me an example of what I should have done.

  “Ah, I see. I was thinking from a perspective without Qi.” Reed acknowledged.

  “And your earth attraction talisman… You tried to do the same thing. Was the name misleading?”

  “Hmmm… Why not just call it an Earth talisman?”

  “Earth qi is different from water qi which is everywhere. It has to be drawn from beneath the ground.”

  “I see.” Reed considered

  “Your fire talisman is also very forced. Why didn’t you separate the Fire Qi first? You're trying to set Water Qi on fire as well?”

  “I focused on the language, intent and form rather than the actual Qi types. A mistake I guess. I’ll improve next time.”

  Reed went silent as Green Ink hummed, seeming to have no shortage of things to say.

  “Hey. Kid.” Suddenly, Dark Quill, who had been standing silently, spoke up.

  “?” Reed turned, not stopping him.

  “You definitely knew nothing of talisman before. Not even this basic level.” Dark Quill started. “So what happened. Did you really find a way to cheat?” He looked at Reed sternly.

  “...You're right. I didn’t know much 5 days ago.” Reed admitted.

  “So you cheated? You're brave.”

  “No. I didn’t cheat. Honesty and integrity is one of the things I value most.” Reed denied it… Then reevaluated his words. Considering he used chaotic energy mid-test to finish off a design… He had cheated…

  Reed looked to the sky, disappointed in his own hypocrisy. But he couldn’t tell the truth either. It seemed he had taken the chaotic energy as something he would always have, despite knowing nothing about it.

  Seeing as both Green Ink and Dark Quill were waiting for a response, Reed sighed and continued.

  “I just… Studied really, really hard for 5 days… Like I did with all my previous exams after ignoring classes.”

  “...Don’t lie to me.” Dark Quill was calm for a moment, then his face twisted into anger. “Do you think this is a skill that can be mastered in a few days!? Even if the first level talismans are basic— and the knowledge could be easily memorised— the practical skill required to draw a successful talisman takes years to develop even to the lowest level!” Dark Quill started shouting.

  “And that's at the Body Tempering realm! Where unity between mind and body can be achieved! Let alone a mortal!” Dark Quill grabbed Reed and despite being almost twice as built as the old man, Reed found their grip like iron, completely unable to resist.

  “Now, now.” Green Ink quickly intervened, separating the two.

  “Red Heaven. I understand your talent for your age and realm, but the jokes are a bit too much. Even for me, a third level talisman master, speaking of my life's work so… lowly is a bit…” Green Ink trailed off.

  “...Could I prove it to you?” Reed asked.

  “Are you serious? Are you bluffing again?” Dark Quill looked at Reed with sheer contempt. “Alright. Five days for the Qi-Blood realm and Five days for Body-Tempering.” He said.

  “Well, cultivation is on my to-do list. But can I start the day after tomorrow?” Reed asked.

  “You…” Veins began bulging on Dark Quill’s face.

  “Now, now.” Green Ink stood between the two, before turning to Reed. “Red Heaven. While it might be possible in the capital. Ten days for Qi-Blood and Body Tempering is not only impossible, but also dangerous.” He gave a stern look, like scolding a child.

  “...I’m sorry.” Reed apologised, bowing to Dark Quill and Green Ink. He suddenly realised that this strange inflated pride was messing with him again. He had no need to take up another bet. He already had a token that proved his identity and status.

  “...Tch.” Dark Quill sneered, while Green Ink smiled lightly, nodding back.

  “So. How did you cheat?” Dark Quill asked again.

  “I really wasn’t lying.” Reed maintained his innocence.

  “You… So that apology was really nothing, huh?” Dark Quill raised his fist, prompting Green Ink to block his path again.

  “Red Heaven… You're taking this too far.” Green Ink said through a strained voice.

  “...” Reed wondered if he should just back down, but… He felt like he was being denied the effort he put in. Even though he used chaotic energy it wasn’t like he lazed around and did nothing. He made every effort he could.

  “I have my own pride as well. In my honesty and integrity. I did not cheat.” Reed continued through gritted teeth, his own anger starting to build.

  “You…” Green Ink’s expression darkened a moment, then changed to surprise. “Are you really telling the truth?” He asked again.

  “I swear on my life.”

  “Do you dare swear it on the heavens!?” Dark Quill interrupted.

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  “No need to go that far—” Green Ink started, but Reed spoke first.

  “On my own conscience! I swear to the heavens I gained first level talisman mastery… In the past 5 days!” Reed declared.

  “You—” Green Ink started.

  A crack of thunder sounded in the clear sky.

  There was a moment of silence.

  Reed eyed the sky. He suddenly felt how vast the sky was.

  Reed shook his head, he didn’t know why he had to swear to heaven specifically, but just in case, he declared he learnt in the last 5 days rather than that he didn’t cheat.

  “He wasn’t struck by lightning.” Green Ink noted.

  “You— Are seriously telling the truth???” Dark Quill’s face turned from puzzlement to disbelief.

  Even Green Ink seemed baffled. “This… Haaah… Forget it… There are geniuses born among the common people every now and again.” He sighed, waving it off with a smile before heading out.

  Reed, after a few moments, followed him out, leaving Dark Quill with his mouth hung open in the small courtyard.

  Some guards stood at the manor's front door, opening it for Green Ink and Reed as they approached.

  “Do you have any plans tonight?” Green Ink asked suddenly.

  “I think I’ll reward myself with a nice meal at Red Tray Pavilion. Otherwise, not particularly.” Reed responded.

  “They are one of the top three restaurants in town. Then, remember to come to the mangrove estate tomorrow. The young miss would like to see you again.”

  “Is the afternoon alright?”

  “Anytime. The young miss’s lessons go all day.”

  Reed nodded, then the two separated, with Green Ink entering the Mangrove estate door while Reed continued to Middle Bridge Inn, stopping at the Sunny Scroll pavilion to take a few more scrolls on Qi and Qi types for 9 silver.

  The clerk had changed and the guards barely looked up.

  ??????????????

  Inside, Reed felt the tension drain from his body.

  He felt free of carrying a heavy stone as he always did after an examination.

  Yet, after sitting down for a while, Reed thought back over what happened and quickly understood how he barely passed the examination.

  Taking out the talisman materials, he improved all the points Green Ink had pointed out, focusing on the different types of Qi detailed in the scrolls he bought.

  “No wonder I barely passed.” Reed mumbled to himself.

  By filtering and collecting only Fire Qi, the fire orb lasted for easily 5 times longer. Spending the night testing more things, he optimised the light spell to last easily 10 times longer and could probably do a lot more if he didn’t run out of talisman ink and spirit paper.

  “So it's not just about intent and language.” Reed nodded to himself. It made a lot more sense. If it were as simple as writing down what you wanted to happen and using enough Qi then anyone could be a talisman master.

  Reed recalled what his father had always said, “Any idiot can build a bridge that stands, but it takes an engineer to build a bridge that barely stands.”

  Sighing at the lack of talisman materials to keep trying, Reed lay down in bed.

  He pondered over what he had to do now.

  The goal was still to increase his status until he could find the information he needed. However he was once again reminded of the whole… Cultivation thing.

  There was even an exemption in the examination for those without any cultivation.

  There was also the fact that this town, despite stretching seemingly forever, was a “backwater” by Halberd Moon’s standards. It might not mean much from someone who'd never seen the place, but considering Halberd Moon was physically staying here, Reed was inclined to believe his opinion.

  “Hmmm… Tomorrow…”

  Staring at the ceiling, Reed decided to look into cultivation tomorrow. He would start with Halberd Moon, by delivering a batch of twenty mirrors and then go to the mangrove estate where he could try asking about it.

  Fortunately he had described a background without much contact with cultivation, so he hoped it would be fine to ask about it.

  ??????????????

  “Oh!” Halberd Moon exclaimed excitedly as he examined the twenty mirrors Reed had used today's trace of chaotic energy for.

  “It hasn’t been that long has it?” He asked, smiling. “Did you find more artisans?"

  Reed shook his head. “I just made the process more efficient by organising the artisans we already found last time to only do the part of the mirrors their best at. One handled and gave basic shape to the silver, handed it to the next guy who refined the shape and polished it. Another guy handled making the glass and then a fourth guy assembled it. Managed to make 5 mirrors a day, with some more unfinished ones being worked on as we speak.”

  “Incredible. I’m someone deeply immersed in cultivation, so I always underestimate how efficient mortal artisans are compared to cultivators.” Halberd Moon complimented, carefully stowing the mirrors away. “Even Qi Refining cultivators couldn’t get the shine and curvature so perfect.”

  Reed took a bite of whatever meat had been served to the two, clearly the spirit beast meat that he had heard mentioned a few times now. The kind which made him feel rejuvenated and energised.

  “So at this rate, it should only take… about 20 days to finish all the mirrors?” Halberd Moon asked.

  “Around that much time.” Reed nodded as Halberd Moon began stacking gold coins on the table between them, creating three tall towers totalling 40 gold coins.

  “Nicley stacked.” Reed commented before taking the coins and having to spread the amount across various pockets. He realised he would need to invest in some quality pouches or bags, perhaps even a safebox or something similar.

  The two ate in silence for a moment before Reed decided to ask about his main purpose.

  “As you know, I haven't started cultivating.” Reed began.

  “Mmmh.” Halberd Moon hummed, still focused on the food.

  “Any advice?” Reed asked.

  “Hmmm…” Halberd Moon hummed again, pausing as he looked up and around.

  “Perhaps… Reaching the extremes of Qi-Blood and Body Tempering rather than the simple peaks?” Halberd Moon said.

  “The extremes?” Reed asked.

  “Most realms can be neatly divided into four steps. The early, middle, late and peak of that realm are usually called. However there is the concept of reaching the extremes of a realm, beyond the peak, a fifth step so to speak, though it's more the culmination of reaching the extremes of the 4 steps.” Halberd Moon began, rubbing his chin while his gaze was unfocused.

  “Take Qi-Blood for example. The first step is to use techniques, herbs or treasures to somehow get a vague sense of Qi in your body. If you can do that, you’ve reached the early Qi-Blood realm.”

  “Techniques, herbs or treasures?” Reed repeated. “ I thought you said the Qi-Blood realm was pretty common? Are those things cheap?” Reed asked.

  “Well… Who doesn’t dream of ruling the world? Common techniques and herbs are common. So most people will try their luck, practicing a technique at home every night in hopes of one day chasing that dream.” Halberd Moon explained.

  “However. The common techniques on the market aren't great and herbs and treasures are expensive. Most will never even see the peak of the Qi-Blood realm, let alone Body Tempering. Of course, there are some with exceptional body aptitude.” Halberd Moon sipped some tea as the two finished all the food on the table.

  “...I see.” Reed thought it through. If the techniques were so common, why couldn’t many see the peak of the Qi-Blood realm? Shouldn’t anyone who practices consistently reach the peak eventually?

  “Why can’t they reach the peak?” Reed asked, since Halberd Moon seemed in a good mood to answer questions.

  Halberd Moon sat back, leaning into the chair. “Because the techniques they practice are of poor quality. If you wish to reach the peak of the Qi-Blood realm, let alone its extreme, you’ll need a good quality technique and a few herbs and artifacts.” He paused to sip some tea.

  “Join my sect and I can give you one of the highest quality techniques on the continent.” He threw another recruitment offer.

  “I’ll look into it.” Reed shrugged it off. “How does one reach the extreme of a realm though?”

  “Hmmm… I’ll tell you if you join the sect.”

  Reed prevented himself from rolling his eyes.

  “I have a connection with a core disciple, the most beautiful woman in the sect. Join and I’ll even introduce you.”

  “I really appreciate the offer… But I’d rather have a lot more knowledge of what I’m getting myself into.”

  “Unfortunate.” Halberd Moon sighed. “But probably a wise decision.” He admitted.

  The two's conversation stalled after the recruitment offer, so Reed gave his farewell and prepared to head to the Mangrove estate now that it was past lunch.