Chapter 10: Registration (Part 2)

Fish fat resembled lard from his past life—a milky-white solid. Guo Shieru took out a talisman mold, about half the size of an adult’s palm and one finger thick. He carefully filled it with fish fat, smoothed it out with a jade slab, then took out a pile of purified materials, mostly liquids and powders.

First, he used a thin talisman needle to carve on the smoothed mold several times until he achieved a satisfactory dark talisman rune. Then he picked up a crystal bottle and took out a dropper—something he had made himself based on memories from his past life, as no such tool existed here.

The thin dropper drew out a solid-specific solidifying liquid from the crystal bottle, quickly filling in the recesses of the rune before spraying a layer of reaction liquid. The entire mold then began to boil. A large amount of white mist rose, accompanied by a strong fishy smell. Guo Shieru narrowed his eyes and observed carefully. Creating dark talismans was completely different from creating attack talismans—it was very simple. As long as the steps were correct and the materials were properly purified, success was generally assured.

Guo Shieru waited quietly. After about ten minutes, the dark talisman in the mold shrank to the size of a mahjong tile and the thickness of cardboard, completing the semi-finished dark talisman.

Holding the semi-finished dark talisman, Guo Shieru felt a strange sensation—it was like a piece of soft plastic. After checking it thoroughly, he believed this step had been successful.

Taking out several types of spiritual herbs he had received from his master, Guo Shieru began purifying them. There were specialized tools for purification, making it easy to extract the liquid essence of the herbs.

During this time, Guo Shieru created several more semi-finished dark talismans—five in total—placing them on the stone table. He dropped drops of the herbal essence onto the dark talismans and added a drop of reaction liquid each. In just one hour, he had created five disposable dark talismans.

However, Guo Shieru didn’t dare use them on himself for now. Instead, he set them aside, planning to take them to his master’s place next time for verification. After all, since they were talismans he would use himself, he needed to be cautious.

The advantage of crafting dark talismans was that with minimal talisman energy, Guo Shieru could create at least fifteen of them. If making offensive disposable talismans, his talisman energy would only allow him to create three. So, after finishing the five dark talismans, he created two more disposable attack talismans. This was a daily task as he accumulated low-level disposable talismans.

Since Guo Shier didn’t need to sell talismans to gather materials, he carefully preserved every disposable talisman he created. To date, he already had over two hundred of them. Even though they were disposable, they were still worth more than ten thousand Black Talisman Coins. Of course, Guo Shier had no intention of selling them.

Besides making talismans, he also had to learn how to control them and use offensive talismans, which was a characteristic of the Sorcerer profession. From the start, he decided to develop both talisman-making skills and his control abilities—merely mastering talisman-making was far from enough.

Guo Shier practiced the sixth set of movements several times quickly, then connected them sequentially from the first to the sixth set, quickly replenishing the lost talisman energy. The excess energy was absorbed by his soul.

He stretched, ending his practice session. After washing up and changing into an apprentice’s outfit, he strode out.

Luo Zhan was the second Talisman Warrior sent by Luo Jie. Unlike Luo Luo, he didn’t have his own personal team; he was alone, meaning he was merely a follower. Of course, he was borrowed and not truly Guo Shier’s follower; his role was temporarily to protect Guo Shier.

With Luo Zhan and two other Talisman Warriors, Guo Shier left his home. Luo Zhan asked, “Shier, do you need a carriage?”

Guo Shier smiled and replied, “Uncle Luo, no need. I’m going to the Talisman Market to see if there are any new books in the library. Maybe I can find some special old books.”

The Talisman Market was the trading area inside the inner sect, with many such markets throughout it. The area where Sorcerers lived was one of the largest talisman markets inside the inner sect, and there was also a famous one located in the Sorcerer district. Due to the nature of their profession, Sorcerers were the main traders—they needed various materials and also had to sell the talismans they made.

Recently, Guo Shier had become a regular visitor to the Talisman Market. His favorite place was the library, where there were sometimes new books as well as a large collection of old ones. He loved hunting for old books because they were not only cheap but also diverse, covering all kinds of genres. Since the profession divisions in this world were very clear, with distinct branches, there were many books documenting various professions. As a reincarnated person, reading was the best way to understand this world.

The library was also a bustling place in the Talisman Market. Those who went there to search for books included apprentices, as well as some important figures. In the library, everyone was equal. Finding a good book was a skill, and it was normal not to find one either. The library was a place for relaxation.

The book pavilion was built with bluestone, and any wooden structures inside were fitted with fire-resistant talismans. Desks were filled with various books, while bookshelves held mostly talismanic texts as well as some precious books. Many wicker chairs were placed in the spacious hall, where people sat in groups reading. As soon as Guo Shieru entered the book pavilion, he headed straight for the stacks of books, while Luo Zhan and the others sat on the wicker chairs waiting. An old man saw Guo Shieru enter and immediately went up to him, smiling and saying, “Shieru, what brings you here today?” The old man had lost an arm, two twisted scars on his face, and was blind in one eye, giving him a somewhat terrifying smile. He was the owner of the book pavilion, a former talisman master who had been severely injured in battle, causing his life talisman to explode. Fortunately, he survived, but his cultivation level dropped to that of a talisman artisan. With his missing arm, he could no longer use many talisman formulas, so he opened this book pavilion in the Talisman Market. Guo Shieru was familiar with him and said with a smile, “Hello, Grandpa An. Are there any good books these days?” The old man’s surname was An, and his name was An Zhengyan. It was said he had indigenous South Border blood. He said cheerfully, “Shieru, as usual, you have to find them by yourself. But there’s a new book recently—written by the great talisman master Fu Qing and published by the Inner Sect. Hehe, many people have bought it. Go take a look.” Guo Shieru asked happily, “Where is it? Let me see…” An Zhengyan took a book from a cabinet behind him and handed it to Guo Shieru, saying, “Check it out yourself. Hehe, it’s not cheap.” “Insect talismans and Plant talismans? What kind of talismans are these?” An Zhengyan replied, “Insect talismans and Plant talismans are unique to the South Talisman Sect, different from ours in the North Talisman Sect. It won’t hurt to learn about them.” Guo Shieru nodded and asked, “How much?” “Forty-seven Great Talisman Coins.” Guo Shieru was shocked, “Why is it so expensive?” An Zhengyan smiled, “It was written by a great talisman master, so it’s not expensive.” Guo Shieru said with a wry smile, “Grandpa An, if that’s not expensive, then have pity on me, a poor apprentice.” An Zhengyan said, “Stop acting poor. Who doesn’t know you’re a disciple of a great talisman master? Oh, right, as usual, apprentices can get an 20% discount on new books. After rounding off, you’ll only need to pay thirty-seven Black Talisman Coins.” Guo Shieru took out his money bag and paid thirty-seven Black Talisman Coins. He was never stingy when it came to buying books—though acting poor was also necessary, of course. He handed the new book to Luo Zhan and then dived into the piles of old books to hunt for treasures. Old books were cheap and his favorite. A dozen old books might cost just one Great Talisman Coin, and almost every time he would take home dozens of books.

Guo Shier selected a dozen old books and placed them beside him, still holding one in his hand as he listened to the conversation between the two people nearby, which piqued his interest.
“Have you signed up? Registration for Ye Guancheng has started!”
“No, I’m an apprentice. Apprentices aren’t allowed to participate in the battles at Ye Guancheng, right?”
“Who said that? The battles at the beginning of spring will be fierce. As apprentices, we can’t fight directly, but we can observe. Hehe, I’ve never seen wildlings before. If we can kill a few, it will count as meritorious service, and we can get rewards from the sect. I signed up yesterday… I saw many apprentices going there too.”
“Forget it. What skills do you have as an apprentice? Although you have potential as a sorcerer apprentice, you don’t even have many talismans. Are you going to let those wildlings eat you?”
“I’m not going to the battlefield. How could I get eaten by wildlings? I’m just going to observe and learn, so that when I advance to a sorcerer later and get sent to Ye Guancheng… not knowing anything at all would be deadly…”
“…You have potential as a sorcerer. In the future… you’ll participate in battles… Of course… I have potential as a talisman master…”
“…”
The two left the bookshelf, their voices gradually fading away. Guo Shier went over to An Zhengyan and asked, “Grandpa An, what is Ye Guancheng?”
“Ye Guancheng? Why do you ask about Ye Guancheng?”
Guo Shier replied, “I heard earlier that some apprentices are signing up to observe at Ye Guancheng, and there are also wildlings. Hehe, I’m a bit curious.”
An Zhengyan’s expression darkened as he said, “Ye Guancheng is the northernmost city, right next to the Wildling Pass. Every spring, it’s attacked by large numbers of wildlings. An important task for the Northern Talisman Sect is to defend against their invasions. That place… is a bloody land, with countless disciples of the Northern Talisman Sect dying there.”
Guo Shier had also heard some things about Ye Guancheng, but since he was focused on cultivation and learning, he hadn’t delved into it deeply. He nodded and said, “I see.”
An Zhengyan asked, “Do you also plan to go to Ye Guancheng?”
Guo Shier wasn’t so enthusiastic. He knew he didn’t yet have the ability to protect himself. He said, “I don’t plan to go. I’m just curious.”
An Zhengyan nodded and said, “Ye Guancheng… is not a lucky place.”
Guo Shier arranged the books he had chosen, paid, and prepared to leave.
“Shier! Shier! Hey, it took us so long to find you!”
Huo Bao and Hong Shi rushed in. Guo Shier asked, “What’s the rush?”
“Grandpa Luo is looking for you. He wants you to go to his house.”
Guo Shier said, “My master is looking for me? Did he say what it’s about?”

Hong Shi said, “He didn’t say anything. He just asked you to take us along. Chen Bing and Chen Hong have already arrived outside Fushi by carriage; they’re waiting for us to join them.”
Guo Shier nodded, called over Luo Zhan and two Fu warriors to follow, then bid farewell to An Zhengyan.
Getting into the carriage, they quickly arrived at Luo Jie’s home. Guo Shier was already very familiar with his master’s house and recognized the Fu warriors at the door. Without any announcement, they went in straight.
Luo Jie was waiting inside. Guo Shier led his four companions in and bowed, saying, “Master, I’m here.”
“Shier, do you know about the apprentices going to Yeguan City?”
Guo Shier was surprised. “Master, I just heard about it at the library in Fushi.”
Luo Jie said, “I’ve signed you up. The five of you are going together, and Luo Zhan will go too.”
Guo Shier was puzzled. “Master, I’m only nine years old… Isn’t it too young to go to Yeguan City?” He didn’t want to go at all. Staying inside the inner sect, he could focus on cultivation, not worry about food or clothing, and avoid living in harsh conditions. He knew well the hardships outside.
Luo Jie said, “It’s not about fighting. It’s just to let you experience life, complete a few small tasks. If possible… take a look at the war using talismans and get used to brutal battles as soon as possible. Don’t you want to go?”
Guo Shier could only force a smile. How could he refuse? He asked, “When are we going?”
Book 2: Crazy Wildman