Chapter 81: Talent

In the small courtyard, beneath the withered peachwood tree, Jiang Chen smiled as he looked at the items left behind by Lu Xuanping before his departure.

“Every cultivation force has its own core industry, much like the An family’s spiritual rice. The Lu family is most renowned for their elixirs.”

“The Essence Marrow Pill is a superior medicine that can refine the body and heal hidden wounds. Many cultivation families in the Qinghe region purchase these pills from the Lu family to nurture their own rising talents. Even people from other counties come seeking them. Unfortunately, the pill is difficult to craft, and few are distributed.”

“This pill is likely not a gift prepared by the Lu family for me, but rather something Lu Xuanping decided to offer at the last moment.”

Turning the pill bottle in his hand, Jiang Chen shook his head. Lu Xuanping was a competent heir to his family, but perhaps due to lack of experience, or simply by nature, there remained a streak of innocence in his heart.

“The Lu family cultivates the Great River Vitality, practicing water arts. Their water-based elixirs are less aggressive than those forged with fire techniques, making them more suitable for cultivators to ingest. Yet, water arts emphasize accumulation, so their efficiency in pill-making lags behind that of fire arts, and they too have their limitations.”

Stowing away the Essence Marrow Pill, Jiang Chen took out another prize—the azure lotus brought by the immortal crane.

“Rich in spiritual resonance, this is a true spirit object, probably of the first grade, suited for the Qi Refining stage…”

His fingertips brushed the blue lotus as Jiang Chen pondered its origins. Having inherited the lore of the An family, he recognized most common spiritual herbs, but this lotus was not among them.

“No matter. The lotus still holds vitality; perhaps it can be cultivated. Its medicinal properties can be tested in time. At any rate, a crane delivering a lotus is an auspicious omen. I wonder where that crane plucked it from.”

He examined it for a while, but found no clues, and recalled the white crane that had flown in earlier—a creature most likely beneath the Qi Refining level.

“This world of cultivation is truly wondrous. Legends say the favored sons of heaven stumble upon magical treasures wherever they go. Mine may not compare, but it has its own charm. By rounding up the numbers, I too must be favored by fate.”

Marveling at the mysteries of the immortal path, Jiang Chen laughed heartily for the first time in a long while. Since arriving in the world of cultivation, he found he smiled more often.

“With the founding of the Taiping Sect and the Lu family stating clearly that the Gao family will not take action for now, the situation has stabilized.”

“With the foundation of Taiping Sect in hand, my path of cultivation now rests on a solid cornerstone.”

Glancing at the bustle outside, Jiang Chen paid no mind. He had done what needed to be done; the festivities were of no concern to him.

His cultivation was but at the Qi Refining stage—he had no qualification to establish a sect or propagate his own teachings. The founding of Taiping Sect was merely a means to gather a local force to aid his own cultivation. It was less about transmitting the Dao, and more about mutual exchange. You serve me, bring benefit, and I pass on techniques to make you stronger.

It was for this reason that he set the entry requirements so low when recruiting disciples. In orthodox sects, recruitment is cautious; not only must one have talent, but temperament is paramount. Core disciples are raised from childhood, and those who join later rarely have prospects, as these factors determine a sect’s cohesion.

Taiping Sect, however, took the opposite approach. It welcomed disciples with their own resources—martial skills, wealth, anything would suffice.

“Now that temporary stability is achieved, I should take this chance to settle myself and strive for early mastery of Qi Refining.”

With this thought, Jiang Chen turned and entered his meditation chamber.

His alliance with the Lu family was largely to counter the Gao family. The River Bandits were an extension of the Gao family’s influence. Having seized their assets, there was a significant chance the Gao family would intervene. Yet with the Lu family’s backing, things would be different.

And if he hadn’t taken the River Bandits’ foundation? He would most likely be forced to become a wandering cultivator. While this could evade some trouble, in the current environment it would certainly slow his progress.

The mundane world is like a net; no one can truly stand apart. These twelve counties of the Southern Realm seem vast, but not a single patch is untended. Moving elsewhere would merely offend another Gao family.

“Only strength can defend the peace within the heart.”

He entered the quiet chamber, sat cross-legged, and his mind quickly sank into stillness. The ambient spiritual energy began to flow toward him in abundance.

Meanwhile, elsewhere, bearing the cat demon pelt, Lu Xuanping sought out another Lu family cultivator, Lu Yongfeng.

“Second Grandfather, this is the demon pelt crafted by Taiping Sect. I’d like you to appraise it.”

Showing respect, Lu Xuanping offered the cat demon pelt with both hands.

Lu Yongfeng was now the most senior member of the Lu family, and its sole craftsman of rank. Though he was only an early Qi Refining cultivator, not yet at small mastery, his position was lofty.

Looking at the pelt handed to him, the bald, slight but muscular Lu Yongfeng’s eyes lit up.

“Fascinating technique. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

He took the demon pelt and examined it closely, growing increasingly intrigued. After a while, however, he shook his head.

“The method requires sealing the demon’s lingering will within the pelt. This is its most mysterious aspect, but also its greatest flaw.”

“Cultivators may gain power through such pelts, but over time their own aura will be tainted by demonic energy, affecting their future cultivation. There is also a considerable risk of backlash from the demon’s will—should the soul suffer injury, regret will come too late.”

“You must never use this method.”

With a solemn expression, Lu Yongfeng looked at Lu Xuanping, his face grave.

Seeing Lu Yongfeng’s seriousness and understanding the dangers, Lu Xuanping nodded immediately.

“Second Grandfather, if cultivators shouldn’t use the demon pelt, what about martial artists?”

His tone calm, Lu Xuanping asked again.

Hearing this, Lu Yongfeng frowned slightly.

“They can, but the price is steep. One of the core steps is sealing the demon’s remnant consciousness, a task of great difficulty. Even if I attempt it, I’d have only a ten or twenty percent chance of success.”

“To improve the success rate, it would depend on individual talent. For mass production, you’d need the intervention of Foundation Establishment cultivators. They wield spiritual sense and can easily subdue such remnants.”

Smiling, with a hint of teasing, Lu Yongfeng shared his thoughts.

As a craftsman, he spoke with authority. Whether forging or alchemy, a complete inheritance is one part, but personal talent is another—possibly even more crucial. Without aptitude, nothing can be achieved.

Hearing this, Lu Xuanping’s expression froze. Foundation Establishment cultivators? Those were true powers; even the Lu family had none.

Recalling Jiang Chen’s effortless crafting of the green-arm ape demon pelt, Lu Xuanping could only silently marvel at his talent. Creating such pelts was exceedingly difficult; even with preparations, Jiang Chen’s smooth success was remarkable.

From the present perspective, Jiang Chen’s performance was beyond doubt. Had it not impressed him, he wouldn’t be so tempted. Shaking his head, Lu Xuanping suppressed his stray thoughts.

And while Taiping Sect’s founding had stirred the entire Qingyuan County, some remained silent amidst the storm.