Chapter 694 - 547: Getting Certified (Part 2)

"If the rental period exceeds fifty years, the rent will be reduced by an additional ten top-grade Spirit Stones."

The female cultivator paused before continuing:

"If you are an Alchemist, Artifact Refiner, Array Master, or possess similar skills, we might be able to further reduce the rent.

Senior, do you need such a reduction?"

The question was cleverly phrased, allowing even those without skills to graciously decline.

Ji An’s smile grew gentler, "Of course, I would need a reduction. Please explain the specific standards for reduction."

"May I ask, Senior, what certifications do you hold?"

"What certifications?"

Ji An was bewildered and turned to the broker, clearly questioning, ’Why didn’t you mention anything about certifications?’

The female cultivator seemed familiar with this situation and asked:

"Pardon my boldness, Senior, but are you from another continent?"

Many cultivators from other continents were unaware of this regulation in the Central Continent. She encountered such situations once or twice a year.

"Yes," Ji An vaguely grasped the issue.

Zhang Jun awkwardly scratched his head, not expecting his employer to be a cultivator from another continent.

"Here’s the situation: To regulate transactions among cultivators and protect everyone’s rights, the major Nascent Soul powers in the Central Continent have initiated certification assessments for cultivators learning various cultivation techniques.

This way, when cultivators engage in private transactions, they can verify whether the commissioned cultivator is qualified. An advantage is that cultivators are better treated when they arrive in unfamiliar areas, without needing to spend time building reputation."

Ji An scratched his head, reminded of those certification exams in his previous life. He once considered taking the second-level construction exam back then.

This certification setup seemed generally reliable. The Western Continent was too small for such systems.

"Is certification troublesome? How much rent reduction can certified individuals get?"

"Certification isn’t troublesome. You need to face a few live assessments by panelists.

Take being an Alchemist for example: If you certify as a Tier Two Five-star Alchemist, you can reduce the rent by three top-grade Spirit Stones annually. If you certify as a Tier Three One-star Alchemist, the reduction is five top-grade Spirit Stones annually.

For Tier Three or higher, each additional star level allows a reduction of two more top-grade Spirit Stones.

Moreover, reductions from various certifications can be cumulative, with a maximum rent reduction of thirty percent..."

The female cultivator explained in detail, covering a variety of scenarios, clearly trained for such inquiries.

Ji An sighed lightly, "Alright, I’ll go for a couple of certifications and return tomorrow."

Since he would be staying in the Central Continent long-term, acquiring certification was more convenient. Besides, saving Spirit Stones was beneficial.

He nodded to the female cultivator and turned to leave while Zhang Jun hurriedly followed.

"Take care, Senior."

...

Outside the pavilion, Zhang Jun nervously explained:

"Senior, I was unaware you were from another continent."

Ji An lightly waved his hand, "Ignorance isn’t a fault. Lead the way; let’s go get certified."

He brought the broker along, flying on a cloud, and soon descended in front of a silver building.

The building’s entrance was bustling with people coming and going.

A radiant cultivator walked out and said to his companion:

"Haha, today I certified as a Tier Two Three-star Alchemist. Let’s gather at the Yingxian Pavilion tonight and not leave until we’re drunk!"

"Congratulations, my wise friend. We must have the best wine."

"A jar of Tier Two Middle-Grade Spirit Wine for everyone; Lower Grade Spirit Wine is all-you-can-drink!"

Ji An observed the humorous scene, smiling as he entered the building, found a steward, and inquired:

"I’d like to certify as an Alchemist and Talisman Maker. What’s the procedure?"

"Which level of certification are you pursuing, Senior? Different certification levels have varying fee requirements."

"I’m from another continent. Can I directly take the Tier Three level certification?"

"That is possible, but you must cover the fees for each preceding level of certification."

Ji An pursed his lips. Money-mongers!

"No problem, please arrange it quickly for me."

"Please wait a moment, Senior. I’ll check the assessment content for your certifications. Different assessments have different fee standards."

The steward hurried upstairs and shortly thereafter returned just as quickly.

"Senior, the authority suggested starting with your Tier Three Talisman Maker certification. The fee is thirty top-grade Spirit Stones, as it includes the use of Tier Three materials provided by the association."

"Not cheap," Ji An murmured while retrieving thirty top-grade Spirit Stones.

"You misunderstand, Senior. If you successfully certify, those Spirit Stones will be refunded."

"Very well."

Zhang Jun added, "I’ll wait for you downstairs, Senior."

As he couldn’t accompany Ji An during the assessment.

...

Inside the room sat three Golden Core Daoist Masters. The lead individual had white hair and a young face, donned in a moon-white Daoist robe.

"Fellow Daoist, the Tier Three Talisman Maker assessment is simple. Successfully crafting two Tier Three Talismans from five sets of materials is sufficient. Which Talisman would you choose to craft?"

"I only know how to craft one—the Spirit Stabilizing Talisman."

It wasn’t like Ji An had a choice.

The lead cultivator’s white brows rose in surprise, "The Spirit Stabilizing Talisman is transmitted from Buddhist Cultivators. It’s notably difficult for us Daoist Cultivators to scribe.

If you manage to craft a Tier Three Lower Grade Talisman, we can credit you as a Tier Three Two-star Talisman Maker."

A slender-faced cultivator beside him frowned slightly and said, "Qing Feng Fellow Daoist, that’s not in accordance with the regulations, is it?"

The white-haired, white-browed Daoist Master lightly shook his head, "I will make the decision myself."

The slender cultivator looked to the third present cultivator. Although Master Qingfeng was the chief examiner, they could overturn the chief examiner’s decision if they both objected.

Master Qingfeng had an average relationship with the other two. He believed they wouldn’t appreciate Qingfeng’s high-handed approach either.

"I support Qingfeng Fellow Daoist’s decision," Daoxuan Daoist Master spoke, indicating he was not on good terms with Master Qingfeng but would not oppose him on significant matters.

Only Nascent Soul cultivators and the core Golden Core disciples of various powers knew about the weakening Demon Cave seal. Spirit Stabilizing Talismans, capable of constructing spirit soul defenses, were highly effective against certain demon lords and were resources that major powers began stockpiling.

Master Qingfeng gestured at the steward, "Fetch five sets of Spirit Stabilizing Talisman materials from the storeroom."

"By your command," the steward departed and soon returned with a tray.

He placed the Talisman Paper, Cinnabar, Talisman Brush, inkstone, and the prepared potion on the table and then exited the room, closing the door.

Ji An regarded the prepared items with a complex expression.

These materials were not much different from the Talisman Making heritage he obtained in the Far North. What he once treasured was seen here almost like common produce.

At that moment, he felt a bit disoriented.

Gently shaking his head, he swiftly dispelled his negative emotions, reminding himself that these circumstances were precisely why he traveled to the Central Continent from afar.

Ji An poured the Cinnabar into the inkstone, adding potion to begin grinding, the room filled with a faint sandalwood aroma.

During the grinding, his mind quickly returned to tranquility.

Upon completing the Talisman Ink preparation, he picked up the Talisman Brush, infusing it with Spirit Power, noticing how smoothly it reached the brush tip, nodding in satisfaction.

This Talisman Brush turned out to be a Tier Two Upper Grade Spiritual Artifact, surpassing his usually-used one.

Ji An extended his Divine Sense to feel the texture of the Talisman Paper, dipped the brush in the ink, and started scribing.

With fluid strokes, the first Talisman was completed, yet the Spiritual Qi rapidly dissipated, leaving the white Talisman Paper slightly charred.

Paying no attention, Ji An continued crafting the second Talisman without delay.

Moments later, he presented three Tier Three Top-grade Talismans and one Tier Three Middle-grade Talisman to the examiner.

Master Qingfeng repeatedly praised, "I didn’t expect Fellow Daoist’s skills to be so extraordinary. Admirable!"

He was one of the best in Talisman Making at the Cloud Sea Immortal City’s Certification Association, also capable of scribing Spirit Stabilizing Talismans, though with only about a seventy percent success rate, with top-grade Talismans at merely thirty percent.

He used the Object Control Technique to hand the Talismans to the other examiners, awaiting their confirmation of the Talismans’ authenticity, before saying:

"Fellow Daoist, with your remarkable skills, you earn the title of Tier Three Four-star Talisman Maker! The Five-star certification requires crafting three types of Top-grade Talismans."

Daoxuan Daoist Master concurred, "Agreed."

Due to the Spirit Stabilizing Talisman’s uniqueness and the difficulty in scribing a top-grade one, its challenge was akin to crafting top-grade other types of Talismans.

The slender cultivator nodded, "I agree as well."

A craftsman’s capability is evident at a glance, impossible to feign.