“I am, after all, a first-grade treasure appraiser registered with the Immortal Gate. Although this white jade bell is somewhat unusual, as long as it falls within the first-grade category, I can complete the third-level appraisal without any problem.”
Wu Wan spoke with confidence. Seeing that he didn’t ask about the origin of this magical artifact, Chen Mobai breathed a sigh of relief.
“However, the price will be slightly higher.”
At this point, Wu Wan seemed to be afraid that Chen Mobai would misunderstand, so he quickly explained.
“Because it involves a magical artifact related to the Sound Dao, I need to consult some references and possibly seek advice from a senior in the industry. I will definitely need to show some gratitude then. But rest assured, Brother Chen, it will not exceed 8,000 Good Deeds.”
Speaking of the Sound Dao, Chen Mobai thought of Bian Yiqing, a grandmaster in this field. However, he dared not take this magical artifact to Bian Yiqing for appraisal.
Wu Wan had cooperated several times, and even if the initial impression was not good, Chen Mobai was quite satisfied with the subsequent times.
But this appraisal fee of 8,000 Good Deeds still made him feel a bit expensive, even though Chen Mobai now had more than a hundred thousand Good Deeds in his account.
However, he comforted himself by thinking that he had bought this first-grade superior bell artifact for 8,000 Good Deeds.
“As long as Master Wu can complete the third-level appraisal, we’ll go with your price.”
“Alright, let’s sign a standard contract first.”
The third-level appraisal, which requires reverse-engineering the methods of sacrifice and use, cannot be completed in a short time.
Wu Wan needed to take the white jade bell back, and might even need to use specialized equipment.
The Immortal Gate has standard contracts for such situations to prevent treasure appraisers from becoming greedy upon seeing valuable artifacts, either disappearing with them or replacing them with fakes.
Chen Mobai believed that Wu Wan would not do such a thing, not because he understood his character, but because if such a thing happened, the treasure appraiser’s registration certificate would be directly revoked.
Although the white jade bell might be quite valuable, it certainly couldn’t compare to the first-grade treasure appraiser certificate that Wu Wan had worked so hard to obtain.
Even if his gold shop went bankrupt, Wu Wan, with this certificate, could find work outside, and many refining shops would be eager to hire him for 10,000 Good Deeds a month.
After the two signed, Wu Wan stamped his professional seal, attached a photo of the magical artifact, and then uploaded the standard contract to the Immortal Gate’s online backup.
“No more than ten days.”
After receiving the deposit from Chen Mobai, Wu Wan patted his chest and guaranteed.
“By the way, Brother Chen, are you free at noon? I invited Luan Jingsheng for lunch, why don’t you join us?”
Luan Jingsheng was the student from Danzhu Academy who sold the Five Transformations Umbrella to Chen Mobai last time. He was also a client of Wu Wan. Since he was here, he naturally wanted to maintain the relationship.
“That’s fine, I have some questions about talisman making and would like to consult an expert.”
Chen Mobai originally wanted to refuse, but he thought of his experience a few days ago, where he failed to draw talismans no matter what he tried, and felt that he couldn’t just rely on himself.
He had asked Chan Si and Shen Juanxiu, but the former was now focusing on formations, and the latter was only thinking about Foundation Establishment. Although they knew something about talismans, they couldn’t help Chen Mobai.
The president of the student council of Danzhu Academy, on the other hand, was an expert in talisman drawing. However, Chen Mobai was not familiar with him. Chan Si wanted to introduce them, but the former was a recluse and had not left his cave since the entrance exam.
Since Luan Jingsheng could refine the Five Transformations Umbrella, his proficiency in talisman making must not be low.
Chen Mobai had almost forgotten about him. If it weren’t for Wu Wan’s reminder today, he wouldn’t have thought of asking this acquaintance from Danzhu Academy.
“Oh, with your talent, you’re still failing? It must be a very complex and difficult talisman, right?”
In a small restaurant on the campus of Danzhu Academy, Luan Jingsheng was quite surprised to see Chen Mobai coming with Wu Wan.
During the final round of the entrance exam last time, although he didn’t go to watch, he easily learned about Chen Mobai, the “Duel Winner” personally praised by the Red Robe Taoist master, from the trending posts on social media.
Being able to enter one of the four Daoist academies basically meant that one could be considered a true cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage. If one’s future development went smoothly, it was not impossible to become the second Red Robe Taoist master and return home in glory.
So, he was quite surprised that Chen Mobai, a genius like this, came to ask him about talisman drawing.
“Not at all, I just have some talent in dueling. As for the path of talisman drawing, I haven’t even stepped through the threshold. I still need your guidance, Brother Luan.”
Chen Mobai treated him to this meal, and Luan Jingsheng was very generous. After eating, he directly took Chen Mobai to a large classroom in Danzhu Academy specifically for talisman drawing.
Wu Wan, who had saved on the meal and even got a free one, left with a big smile. He was still busy appraising the white jade bell.
“Draw one for me to see.”
Chen Mobai obediently set up his brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, then began to draw.
After finishing, he infused it with spiritual power.
“Puff!”
It failed again.
He looked at Luan Jingsheng with an embarrassed expression, but the latter was deep in thought. He looked at the method of drawing the Resurrection Talisman provided by Chen Mobai and tried to draw it himself.
Halfway through, Luan Jingsheng paused.
Then he continued to draw, but the final product also failed.
However, Luan Jingsheng’s expression didn’t change. He took another piece of talisman paper and started to draw again.
This time he completed it in one go, without any pause.
Chen Mobai looked at him with admiration. He didn’t need to try to know that this Resurrection Talisman had been successfully drawn.
“It’s a bit strange.”
But after finishing the drawing, Luan Jingsheng frowned slightly.”What’s so strange about it? Didn’t it succeed?”
“The strokes here are too sharp, there’s a better way to transition.”
As Chen Mobai widened his eyes in disbelief, Luan Jingsheng dipped his brush in ink and drew the Resurrection Talisman again. Halfway through, he modified the transition of the brush stroke at the previous pause, making it smoother and simpler.
“It feels much better to write this way.”
After finishing the improved version of the Resurrection Talisman, Luan Jingsheng nodded in satisfaction.
“You try copying this one I’ve modified.”
Chen Mobai nodded respectfully, then took the last Resurrection Talisman drawn by Luan Jingsheng and began to imitate his strokes.
But he failed twice more.
However, having someone to guide him was completely different from figuring it out on his own. Just like when he switched to studying the Pure Yang Scroll under the guidance of the Taoist master in the red robe, on the third attempt, Luan Jingsheng saw Chen Mobai’s stiff technique and couldn’t help but directly hold his wrist, guiding him through the correct strokes.
This time, he succeeded.
Chen Mobai’s face lit up with joy.
Although he failed again immediately, the next time, he finally completed the drawing of the Resurrection Talisman on his own.
Picking up the talisman he had drawn himself, he activated it by infusing it with spiritual power, and felt the spiritual power consumed by drawing the talisman slowly recover. Chen Mobai couldn’t help but feel joy in his heart.
He had finally succeeded!