Chapter 141: Fu Cheng

"I'm a registered first-rank appraisal master of the Immortals' Gate, after all. Although this white jade bell is quite unusual, as long as it falls within the first-rank category, completing a third-level appraisal won't be an issue."

Wu Wan spoke with great confidence. Seeing that he didn't inquire about the artifact's origin, Chen Mo breathed a sigh of relief.

"However, the price will be a bit on the higher side."

At this point, perhaps fearing Chen Mo's misunderstanding, Wu Wan immediately explained.

"Since it's an artifact related to sound cultivation, I'll need to research some information and might also have to seek advice from a senior expert in the field, which will involve some customary fees. But rest assured, Brother Chen, it won't exceed 8,000 merit points at most."

The mention of sound cultivation reminded Chen Mo of Bian Yiqing, a grandmaster in that area. However, he certainly wouldn't dare take this artifact to Bian Yiqing for appraisal.

Chen Mo had collaborated with Wu Wan several times. Even if his initial impression wasn't great, Chen Mo was quite satisfied with their subsequent dealings.

Still, the 8,000 merit points appraisal fee felt a bit expensive to him, even though Chen Mo currently had over a hundred thousand merit points in his account.

But if he considered it as having bought this high-grade first-rank bell artifact for 8,000 merit points, he felt much more at ease.

"As long as Master Wu can complete the third-level appraisal, we'll go with the price you mentioned."

"Alright, then let's sign the standard contract first."

A third-level appraisal, which requires reverse-engineering the methods of consecration and use, couldn't be completed quickly.

Wu Wan would need to take the white jade bell back with him and might require specialized equipment.

The Immortals' Gate had standard contracts for such situations, designed to prevent appraisers from becoming greedy upon seeing a valuable artifact, either taking it and disappearing or faking a replacement.

Chen Mo was confident Wu Wan wouldn't do such a thing, not because he knew his character, but because if something like that happened, the appraiser's registration certificate would be immediately revoked.

While the white jade bell might be valuable, it certainly couldn't compare to the first-rank appraiser certificate Wu Wan had painstakingly earned.

Even if his gold shop went bankrupt, with that certificate, Wu Wan could easily find work elsewhere, with many artifact crafting shops eager to hire him for ten thousand merit points a month.

After they signed, Wu Wan affixed his professional seal, attached a photo of the artifact, and then uploaded the standard contract to the Immortals' Gate network for backup.

"Ten days at most," Wu Wan declared, patting his chest, after receiving the deposit from Chen Mo.

"Oh, by the way, Brother Chen, are you free for lunch? I've invited Luan Jingsheng to eat; perhaps you'd like to join us?"

Luan Jingsheng was the student from Danzhu Academy who had sold the Five Transformations Umbrella to Chen Mo last time. He was also a client of Wu Wan's, and Wu Wan had received a good commission from that last deal. Since he was here, it was natural to get in touch.

"That works. I happen to have some questions about talismans and would like to consult an expert."

Chen Mo had initially intended to decline, but then he remembered his recent failures in drawing talismans and realized he shouldn't try to figure things out in isolation.

He had also asked Chan Si and Shen Juanxiu, but the former was now focused entirely on array formations, and the latter was only thinking about Foundation Establishment. While they knew a little about talismans, they couldn't offer much help to Chen Mo.

However, the president of the student council at Danzhu Academy from last time was an expert in drawing talismans. Chen Mo wasn't familiar with him, and while Chan Si had intended to introduce them, the president was also a seclusion fanatic and hadn't emerged from his cave dwelling since the entrance examination.

Since Luan Jingsheng was capable of refining a talisman artifact like the Five Transformations Umbrella, his mastery of talismans clearly wouldn't be low.

Chen Mo had completely forgotten about him. If Wu Wan hadn't brought it up today, he wouldn't have realized there was an acquaintance in Danzhu Academy he could consult.

"Oh, with your talent, to still be failing, it must be a very complex and difficult talisman to draw, right?"

Inside a small restaurant on the Danzhu Academy campus, Luan Jingsheng was surprised to see Chen Mo arrive with Wu Wan.

Although he hadn't watched the finals of the last entrance examination, he had easily learned about Chen Mo, the "Duel Victor" personally praised by the Scarlet Robe Immortal, through the flurry of posts on his social media feed afterward.

Those who could enter the four great Daoist academies were essentially considered true Foundation Establishment cultivators. If their future development went smoothly, it wasn't impossible for them to become a second Scarlet Robe Immortal and return home in glory.

Thus, Luan Jingsheng was somewhat surprised that a genius like Chen Mo would come to him for advice on drawing talismans.

"Not at all," Chen Mo replied. "I merely have some talent in combat. When it comes to drawing talismans, I haven't even crossed the threshold yet. I still need your guidance, Brother Luan."

Chen Mo treated them to this meal. Luan Jingsheng was also very generous, and after they finished eating, he directly led Chen Mo to a large classroom at Danzhu Academy specifically for drawing talismans.

Wu Wan, who had saved money on the meal and enjoyed a free one, chuckled and left first; he was busy appraising the white jade bell.

"Draw one for me to see."

Chen Mo obediently set out the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone he had brought, then picked up the brush and began to draw.

After completing the drawing, he infused it with spiritual power.

"Poof!"

It failed again.

He awkwardly looked at Luan Jingsheng, who, however, was deep in thought. He examined the method for drawing the "Rejuvenation Talisman" that Chen Mo had provided and then began to draw it himself.

Halfway through, Luan Jingsheng paused.

He then continued drawing, but the final product also failed.

However, Luan Jingsheng's expression didn't change. He took another piece of talisman paper and once again picked up his brush to draw.

This time, he drew it in one smooth motion, without any hesitation.

Chen Mo's face showed admiration; he didn't even need to test it to know that this Rejuvenation Talisman had been successfully drawn.

"It's a bit strange."

But after completing it, Luan Jingsheng frowned slightly.

"What's strange? It's successful, isn't it?"

"The strokes here are too sharp at the turns; there's clearly a better, more flowing technique."

As Chen Mo watched with wide, disbelieving eyes, Luan Jingsheng dipped his brush in ink and drew the Rejuvenation Talisman again. Halfway through, at the point where he had paused before, he spontaneously altered the turning stroke, making it smoother and simpler.

"Drawing it this way feels much more comfortable."

After completing this improved version of the Rejuvenation Talisman, Luan Jingsheng nodded with satisfaction.

"Try drawing it yourself, following this one I've modified."

Chen Mo nodded respectfully, then took the Rejuvenation Talisman Luan Jingsheng had just drawn and began to mimic his strokes.

But he failed two more times.

However, having someone guide him was entirely different from trying to figure it out on his own, just as it had been when the Scarlet Robe Immortal guided him in cultivating the Pure Yang Scroll. On his third attempt, Luan Jingsheng saw Chen Mo's stiff technique and couldn't help but directly grasp his wrist, guiding him to experience the correct strokes.

This time, it succeeded.

Chen Mo's face lit up with joy.

Although he immediately failed once more, the next time, he finally managed to complete the drawing of the Rejuvenation Talisman on his own.

He picked up the talisman he had drawn, infused it with spiritual power to activate it, and felt the spiritual power he had consumed while drawing the talisman slowly recover within his body. Chen Mo couldn't contain his inner joy.

He had finally succeeded!