Chapter 80: Dust Removal Technique

After sharing his breakthrough insights, the instructional disciple stood up to leave.

This routine was repeated daily with minimal variation; many disciples had already heard these teachings and thus paid less attention. Similarly, the instructional disciple’s primary concern was earning points for fulfilling his teaching duty. Whether the listeners understood or were willing to learn wasn’t his responsibility.

In large sects, indifference often crept into various aspects of life.

In smaller sects, the instruction elders might engage more deeply, fostering better relationships among members. Unlike here, where even after three months, Chen Luo still didn’t know the name of the instruction elder.

“I have a talisman-drawing task from a Senior Sister of the She Nation. It involves assisting with talismans, offering one spirit stone per month. Are you interested?” Huang Ying added, “No need to leave the mountain!”

“Yes.”

Upon hearing “no need to leave the mountain,” Chen Luo agreed without hesitation.

For any other task, he might have hesitated, but he had mastered the foundational techniques of drawing talismans half a month ago using knowledge from the mummified brain. Although he couldn’t yet create complete talismans independently, assisting others in their creation was well within his capabilities.

A task that allowed him to earn spirit stones without leaving the mountain was precisely what he needed to overcome his current resource shortage.

It was all thanks to Huang Ying’s connections.

“Here! This is your advance payment.” Huang Ying took out a spirit stone and handed it directly to Chen Luo.

Chen Luo was somewhat taken aback.

“We’re fellow countrymen from She Nation; I couldn’t just watch you be expelled after three years,” Huang Ying said with a smile.

“Thank you.”

Chen Luo expressed his gratitude.

Regardless of Huang Ying’s intentions, this single spirit stone genuinely alleviated his immediate financial strain.

“This isn’t charity. My question earlier was casual, but if you didn’t know how to draw talismans, knowing about this task wouldn’t have helped anyway.” Huang Ying’s words were true.

Although talisman creation is considered the simplest among the four arts of immortal cultivation, the entry barrier remains high. Drawing talismans requires innate talent. Those lacking sufficient aptitude can spend countless hours yet still fail to complete a single talisman.

The combination of time investment, financial cost, and inherent talent requirements inherently excludes over ninety-nine percent of individuals.

These multiple factors result in talisman artists being exceptionally rare within the Qi Refinement stage, and even fewer are willing to assist others in their crafting.

After further conversation, Chen Luo rose to bid them farewell.

With a spirit stone in hand, he could now proceed with certain plans.

“Junior Sister Huang, was it necessary to waste so much time on him?” Once Chen Luo left, Fu An and others couldn’t help but ask, following behind her.

“A future talisman master is definitely worth it!” replied Huang Ying without elaborating further.

As the saying goes, “Adding flowers to brocade is easy; offering aid amidst hardship is difficult.” Engaging with Chen Luo now was akin to providing support during adversity. Waiting until he achieved prominence to approach him would hold entirely different implications.

Huang Ying’s presence here was not coincidental; she had been well-informed beforehand. She knew of Chen Luo’s record in completing talisman inscription tasks.

Armed with a spirit stone, Chen Luo collected some Fasting Pills and promptly headed to the library.

Originally, his plan was to start learning spells next month. However, thanks to Huang Ying’s spirit stone, he could accelerate this process, effectively saving valuable time.

Regardless of her intentions, he acknowledged the favor owed.

“What do you wish to learn?”

The disciple overseeing the library had changed again, and they were unfamiliar with Chen Luo. After giving him a glance, they inquired.

“Dust Removal Technique.”

Chen Luo handed over the spirit stone he had just earned from Huang Ying.

To undertake cemetery tasks, mastering the Dust Removal Technique was essential—a prerequisite.

With a wave of his sleeve, the disciple inside accepted the spirit stone and tossed out a jade slip.

“This is a single-use spiritual jade. If you don’t learn it successfully, additional purchases will cost more spirit stones.” The attending disciple reminded him as part of routine procedure. Being a basic Dust Removal Technique, most disciples typically learned it on their second day after joining.

“Many thanks, Senior Brother.”

Chen Luo took the jade slip and headed towards the nearby Comprehension Hall.

This hall was designated for learning techniques, with significantly higher spiritual energy compared to residential areas. Disciples lacking spirit stones often practiced cultivation here. Naturally, those with ample spirit stones preferred spending them on dedicated cultivation rooms, which were far more effective due to their installed Spirit Gathering Arrays that greatly increased the concentration of spiritual energy.

Wealth, Techniques, Fellowship, Location—the first step in cultivation always hinges upon ‘financial resources.’

Chen Luo found a seat, crushed the jade slip, and felt a momentary daze. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself at the transmission platform, this time displaying the scene recorded within the jade slip.

Most surprisingly, within this jade slip, he found his bargain-priced Shizun whom he had met only once—Daoist Wuwei!

A divine ability personally taught by a Foundation Establishment immortal cultivator; no wonder it required payment!

“A divine spell is a means of utilizing spiritual energy. The manifestation varies greatly depending on one’s elemental affinity. For instance, the same sword incantation, when wielded by a fire elemental cultivator, emphasizes destruction; in the hands of a wind elemental cultivator, it focuses on speed; and for a metal elemental cultivator, it highlights sharpness.”

Seated on a raised platform, Daoist Wuwei expounded upon the intricacies of casting spells.

While similar concepts could be found in books, hearing them from a Foundation Establishment cultivator provided a profoundly different perspective, enhancing the comprehension of divine abilities for those practicing cultivation.

“The Dust Removal Technique is no exception. Each person’s innate talent differs, resulting in unique patterns of spiritual energy flow and release techniques during its practice. These subtle distinctions reflect your individuality and spiritual intuition.”

As Daoist Wuwei spoke, he lifted his hand.

Spiritual energy flowed along a specific trajectory, culminating in a small, pale green vortex.

Daoist Wuwei purposefully slowed down his demonstration; otherwise, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he could complete such a basic technique with merely a thought.

“Every cultivator is unique. Those who only mimic others will never become true immortal cultivators.”

The small azure vortex dissipated from Daoist Wuwei’s palm, transforming into a gentle breeze that swept across everyone, effortlessly removing all dust without causing any disturbance. Not even a strand of hair stirred amidst this subtle wind.

“With the same amount of spiritual energy, I can unleash the Exorcism Technique ten times, while those unfamiliar with its nuances would manage it just once.”

The dispersed ethereal aura circled back, coalescing into a pale gray sphere and returning to Daoist Wuwei’s hand. All the dust and impurities within the area were now contained within his grasp.

As Chen Luo observed Daoist Wuwei performing the technique above him, he instantly grasped the essence of the Dust Removal Technique.

For the first time, he realized techniques could be executed in such a manner. It was entirely different from the method Longevity Daoist had taught him at the Yue Kingdom’s Great Mausoleum.