Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family Chapter 6: The Myriad Arts of Cultivation - Talisman Crafting!

“Lanshu, I appreciate all your hard work.”

Carrying the infant, Lu Changsheng stepped into the chamber and looked toward Lu Lanshu, who was resting on the bed. He took a seat at her side and gently grasped her hand.

Even though their union was rooted in mutual benefit rather than romance, as the old proverb suggests, affection grows over time.

After spending so much time together, the arrival of their child had naturally fostered genuine feelings between them.

“Husband.”

A subtle smile touched Lu Lanshu’s pale lips as she called out in a fragile voice.

“Stay still and focus on recovering,” Lu Changsheng replied tenderly.

As he held the baby and gazed at his wife, a wave of contentment washed over him. He felt that a life like this would be quite wonderful.

However, the memory of the Chen family’s ambush on the road to Qingzhu Mountain lingered in his mind. In this world governed by the law of the jungle, where the strong devour the weak, Lu Changsheng understood that happiness required the protection of strength.

Furthermore, without power, the child would not truly belong to him once he eventually departed from the Lu family.

And besides...

Having been blessed with the chance to transmigrate into this realm to seek immortality, and with a system at his command, he was unwilling to settle for a life of mediocrity.

Noticing Lu Lanshu’s exhaustion, Lu Changsheng kept his words brief. He encouraged her to sleep and passed the infant to a nearby maidservant.

It wasn't that the child had to be surrendered to the Lu family immediately, but rather that he lacked the knowledge to care for a newborn, so he entrusted the baby to the woman's care.

As for the child's spiritual roots, they would remain undetectable until the age of five or six.

Once he exited the delivery room, Lu Changsheng returned to his private quarters and whispered internally, “System, I wish to perform a lottery draw.”

Instantly, a pale red virtual wheel materialized before his eyes.

It was categorized into seven segments: Cultivation Techniques, Skills, Spirit Beasts, Elixirs, Magic Treasures, Treasures, and Other.

“The variety is quite impressive.”

Lu Changsheng surveyed the potential rewards with a look of delight.

The only drawback was the wheel’s resemblance to the predatory "gacha" games from his previous life.

It gave him a sense of uncertainty and unease. Could it truly provide high-quality items?

Moreover, while lottery draws in his past life cost money, he wondered if this one required spending spirit essence. It felt somewhat peculiar to him.

Regardless, he decided to view this lottery as a form of "allowance" provided by the system.

Pushing aside his doubts, Lu Changsheng commanded, “Begin the draw.”

A streak of golden light immediately began to whirl around the reddish wheel.

After five seconds, the rotation slowed, and under Lu Changsheng’s intense focus, the light came to a halt on the Skills section.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for acquiring the Second-Rank Talisman Crafting Skill!]

[The rewards have been placed in the system storage and can be accessed at any time.]

A cluster of light shaped like a talisman appeared on the wheel, accompanied by the system’s notification.

With a thought, Lu Changsheng checked his system space and saw the glowing icon with its description.

[Second-Rank Talisman Crafting Skill: Upon activation, the host will instantly master the Second-Rank Talisman Crafting Skill at maximum level, including a comprehensive library of talisman designs.]

“A max-level second-tier talisman technique right away?!”

“System, I apologize; I realize now that I was being narrow-minded.”

Lu Changsheng’s face was a mask of shock upon reading the details.

He never anticipated such a magnificent reward from his very first attempt.

During his tenure with the Lu family, he hadn't just been focused on procreation and Cultivation.

He had also spent time educating himself on the intricacies of the cultivation world.

He was well aware of how immensely valuable a second-tier talisman technique was.

Much like the mortal realm, the world of Cultivators had its own specialized professions.

These included alchemy, weapon refining, talisman crafting, formations, beast taming, spirit planting, medicinal cooking, and more.

There was a common saying back on Earth that a man with a trade would never starve. The same logic applied to Cultivators.

Not only would they never lack resources, but their expertise made them highly sought after wherever they traveled.

This was because the barrier to entry for these skills was high—talent and significant financial backing were mandatory.

Among these, Formations, Alchemy, Refining, and Talisman Crafting were the most prestigious.

For instance, a second-rank talisman master corresponds to the Foundation Establishment stage, which sits above the Qi Refining stage.

With this expertise, he could easily secure a position as a prestigious guest or official within powerful clans and Sects!

Without hesitation, Lu Changsheng activated the skill from his system space.

In a flash, a massive torrent of information flooded his consciousness.

“Foundations of Talismans”

“The Encyclopedia of Basic Talismans”

“Mastery of First-Rank Talismans”

“Mastery of Second-Rank Talismans”

“The Profound Art of Talismanry”

“Principles of Talisman Construction”

“Talisman Crafting: The Path from Novice to Grandmaster”

Moments later, Lu Changsheng’s mind was saturated with profound talismanic wisdom.

It felt as though he had been practicing the craft for many decades.

He hurried to his desk, took up a brush, and with fluid, expert motions, sketched a complex and mysterious pattern on a sheet of paper.

“This sensation is incredible!”

“It’s like writing calligraphy I’ve practiced for centuries. There isn't a hint of hesitation or Clumsiness.”

“The system’s products are truly top-tier!”

Lu Changsheng admired the runes on the paper, a look of pure joy on his face.

He wasn't just doodling; he had perfectly drawn the inscription for a first-tier Fireball Talisman. It hadn't activated only because he lacked a proper talisman pen, special paper, spirit ink, and the infusion of Qi.

He couldn't even explain the process; it had become as natural as breathing—a deep-seated muscle memory.

“With this second-tier skill, I could support myself even if I left the Lu family!”

“I’ll never have to worry about providing for a family again!”

Lu Changsheng exhaled deeply, his heart racing with excitement.

After a moment, he paused, his brow furrowing.

“However, I cannot reveal this second-rank skill immediately. I wouldn't be able to explain how I learned it, and it would only invite trouble.”

There is a saying that a man is not guilty of a crime, but possessing a treasure makes him a target.

As a mere discard of an Immortal Sect who was just starting his journey, a sudden display of mastery would stir suspicion and danger.

Furthermore, as a son-in-law living under the Lu family's roof, he didn't know how they would react. He might be demoted from a 'stud' to a mere tool for mass-producing talismans.

“I must be patient. I'll start by purchasing basic materials and practicing in secret. I’ll gradually 'discover' my talent within the Lu family before eventually revealing my first-rank and second-rank skills.”

“By doing it that way, I can avoid suspicion. The Lu family might even elevate my status once they see my talent.”

Taking another deep breath, Lu Changsheng solidified his plan.

Now that he had witnessed the system's power and held a second-rank skill, his confidence in his future had grown immensely.

He realized that if he remained prudent, continued to have many children, and avoided reckless behavior, he would achieve great things even if he didn't become a supreme ancestor.

The following morning, Lu Changsheng departed his quarters. He brought the flying sword gifted to him by Lu Yuandeng and headed toward the Bai Bao Pavilion at Qingzhu Mountain Villa.

The Bai Bao Pavilion served as the local general store for cultivators.

It traded in everything from magical tools and elixirs to talismans, spiritual rice, vegetables, monster meat, and daily sundries.

Usually, Lu Changsheng used his monthly allowance of spirit stones to buy monster meat and spiritual produce there.

While elixirs were potent, they were far too pricey. For someone in his position, spiritual food offered better value.

Today, his goal was to acquire a set of tools for talisman crafting. Since he was short on funds, he planned to sell the flying sword to raise the necessary capital.

“Shopkeeper, do you stock talisman brushes, paper, and spirit ink?”

Upon entering the pavilion, Lu Changsheng addressed the elderly man sitting behind the counter.

“What use do you have for those?”

The shopkeeper was a gray-haired Elder and a fellow Cultivator.

“I’m interested in learning the art of talisman making, so I want to buy some supplies to practice with,” Lu Changsheng replied.

“Learning talismanry?”

The old man chuckled as if he had heard something amusing. He looked at Lu Changsheng and asked, “Are you aware of how difficult that path is?”

There weren't many Cultivators at Qingzhu Mountain—only about a hundred—so the shopkeeper knew most of them by sight. Lu Changsheng, being the son-in-law who had fathered five children in a single year, had a bit of a reputation, which made him easy to recognize.

“I’m not entirely sure, but my Cultivation talent is only average. My progress will be slow if I only focus on that, so I figured I should learn a trade,” Lu Changsheng said, offering a self-deprecating smile.

He had prepared this justification the night before.

“Hehe, it's a noble thought, but I’d advise against wasting your resources.”

“A novice can expect to fail hundreds of times when starting out. If your natural aptitude is low, failing a few hundred times is actually quite common!”

“Even if you master one type, trying a different talisman—even if it's similar—carries a high risk of failure.”

“To become a competent Talisman Master requires thousands of practice sessions. Think of the immense cost involved.”

Because the shopkeeper viewed Lu Changsheng as a hardworking man who had been quite 'productive' for the Lu family, he offered this friendly warning.