I have a composite mirror

Chapter 45 Avoiding Water and Warding Off Evil

It was evening, and the sycamore leaves outside the Star Pavilion rustled in the evening breeze.

Just as Gu Shenyan was about to take his leave, Bai Cailing suddenly reached out and grabbed his sleeve.

"etc."

Her voice was very low, as if she didn't want others to hear it.

Gu Shenyan turned around and saw the girl take out a small celadon bottle from her sleeve and quickly put it into his hand.

The bottle was as smooth and warm as jade, slightly cool to the touch, yet surprisingly heavy.

"This is……"

"Spirit Gathering Pill".

Bai Cailing's eyes, however, seemed somewhat evasive:

"There are seven in total, keep them safe."

"Taking one pill daily, combined with meditation practice, can accelerate the condensation of spiritual energy."

As if afraid he would refuse, the girl added:

"Although this pill is not a high-grade medicine, it is still somewhat useful for beginners in the art of magic."

"If you want to condense your spirit core as soon as possible, hard work alone may not be enough; you will also need these external aids."

Gu Shenyan held the porcelain bottle, feeling the warmth emanating from his palm.

He looked up at Bai Cailing and saw the girl biting her lower lip, with a hint of guilt in her eyes.

"I should have provided you with better elixirs, such as the 'Mind-Concentrating Pill' or the 'Essence-Gathering Pill'."

"Those pills are far more helpful in condensing the spirit core than this Spirit Gathering Pill."

She let out a long sigh as she finished speaking:

"But I... am really short of money lately."

The night breeze blew by, ruffling the stray hairs at the girl's temples, but it couldn't take away the sorrow between her brows.

"Over the past year, I have traveled extensively and made many good connections in preparation for the trip to Yunmengze."

Bai Cailing's voice became somewhat forlorn:

"Practitioners of magic and Taoist arts are already rare, and finding suitable companions is even more difficult."

"So I thought, I should get to know more people and make more friends."

"Perhaps it will come in handy in the future."

She shook her head and smiled bitterly.

"But you also know that there's no such thing as a free lunch."

"If you want to befriend those apprentices in magic and Taoist arts, you'll have to offer some real money."

"Today I'll treat you to a meal, tomorrow I'll give you some spiritual herbs, and the day after tomorrow I'll send you some materials for magical artifacts..."

"With these expenditures, much of the family's savings has already been depleted."

She turned her head and looked at Gu Shenyan:

"Originally, I was thinking that if I could find three or five like-minded people, we could go to Yunmengze together."

"Even if it costs some money, it's worth it."

But who knew...

The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them back.

Gu Shenyan understood what she meant.

Those who took the benefits were all unreliable when it came to the crucial moment.

It's already considered good if it's like Qiu Yu's case; although the favor wasn't repaid, at least the money was basically returned.

"Senior, there's no need to blame yourself."

Gu Shenyan carefully put away the porcelain bottle and bowed respectfully:

"You have shown me immense kindness, and I will always remember it with my own words."

"I will accept these pills."

"If you ever need my help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."

Upon hearing this, Bai Cailing finally smiled.

She reached out and gently patted Gu Shenyan's shoulder:

"I am content with your kind intentions."

"Oh, right."

As if remembering something, she added:

"I'll also be participating in the monster-hunting operation next weekend."

"Although sending Chairman Xiao and the others would be sufficient, I was thinking..."

"This can be seen as a rehearsal for the trip to Yunmeng a year later."

Her gaze hardened again:

"If we can't even handle mere water monkeys, how can we even begin to venture deep into the Yunmeng Marsh?"

"So, I have to go."

Gu Shenyan nodded, "That's true."

Since Bai Cailing is determined to go to Yunmengze, this demon-hunting operation is indeed a rare opportunity for her to gain experience.

"By the way, be careful what you say."

Bai Cailing remembered something else and took out a piece of paper from her sleeve:

"These are the key points of the three types of talismans."

She handed the paper to Gu Shenyan:

"You should still remember the 'Water-Stabilizing Talisman' I had you draw last time."

"Similar to this is the 'water-repelling talisman'."

"This talisman allows people to move freely in water, without being hindered by the current."

"These two talismans are the most crucial when hunting water monkeys."

She then pointed to the last one:

"There is also the 'evil-repelling talisman,' which is the foundation for beginners in talisman making."

"Although this talisman is simple, it has a wide range of uses, and almost every apprentice in the arts of magic will keep a few on hand."

"If you can master these three types of talismans, then..."

A glint of light flashed in Bai Cailing's eyes:

"You can sell it."

"Sell?"

"good."

Bai Cailing nodded:

Before hunting demons, everyone prepares talismans for protection.

"Although most people carry a few with them, there are always those who are careless and forget to prepare them."

"Some people, even if they have talismans in hand, don't mind preparing a few more before the battle, just for peace of mind."

She looked at Gu Shenyan:

"A single water-fixing or water-avoiding talisman is estimated to be worth three large silver dollars on the market."

"Amulets are a bit cheaper, but they can still sell for two silver dollars."

"If you can draw dozens of these before then, it will be a considerable income."

Gu Shenyan took the paper and began to make plans in his mind.

In a week, I might be able to draw about twenty talismans, which would earn me forty or fifty dollars. That's much more than I could earn ghostwriting for those spoiled brats.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior."

He carefully put the paper away, then remembered something:

"So... what are your plans for the trip to Yunmeng a year from now, senior?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Cailing's eyes revealed a hint of helplessness:

"It seems that now it's just the two of us."

She hesitated slightly as she spoke:

"One year, at the normal cultivation pace..."

"At most, you can become an apprentice in the art of magic; you probably haven't even condensed your first life flame yet."

"When we enter Yunmeng Marsh, I'm afraid..."

It would be difficult enough if the other party could protect himself a year later; expecting him to be of great help is probably unrealistic.

It seems I was being a bit too presumptuous when I made the promise to Yunmeng.

Thinking of this, Bai Cailing felt even more guilty.

For the sake of that Azure Scaled Flood Dragon, they were actually dragging this half-grown boy into danger.

If something goes wrong, how will I explain it to his family...?

"Don't worry, senior."

Gu Shenyan smiled and said, "A year is enough."

"you……"

Bai Cailing wanted to say something.

But seeing the confidence in his eyes, she swallowed her words.

Well, since he's willing to go, I shouldn't say anything more.

At that time... all we can do is try our best to protect him.

"Alright, it's getting late."

She waved her hand:

"You should go back and rest early."

"These next few days, I'll practice those three types of talismans whenever I have time."

Gu Shenyan nodded, cupped his hands in farewell, and took his leave.

………………

When I returned to the martial arts school, it was dark.

Nowadays, there's not much entertainment, and people generally go to bed very early.

Gu Shenyan quietly pushed open his bedroom door.

The room was pitch black, so he lit an oil lamp, closed the doors and windows, and then blocked the doorway with a chair.

After doing all this, he took out what he had obtained that day from his bosom.

He first took out the small celadon bottle that Princess Bai had just given him.

Upon opening the bottle, a faint medicinal fragrance wafted out.

The fragrance was extremely refreshing, like the scent of a mountain forest after rain; one breath of it made one feel invigorated.

Inside the bottle, seven pills, each the size of a fingernail, lay quietly on the silk.

Each one is round and smooth like a pearl, with a faint bluish glow.

Gu Shenyan took out one and examined it in his palm.

The pill felt warm and smooth to the touch, and one could vaguely sense the spiritual energy contained within it flowing slowly.

After confirming that the pill was safe using the storage function of the [Three Elements Mirror], he took it.

The pill melted instantly upon entering the mouth, transforming into a cool stream of air that slid down the throat and into the abdomen.

The energy swirled in the dantian for a moment before dispersing into the limbs and bones.

Gu Shenyan closed his eyes and began to guide the medicinal power according to the meditation method taught by Father Moore.

About fifteen minutes later, he opened his eyes.

I could clearly feel that the spiritual energy within my body was much more abundant than before.

Although the growth is not significant, this subtle and gradual nourishment is extremely beneficial to spiritual practice.

If you take one pill daily, the cumulative effect will definitely be remarkable.