The Lord of Void and Real
Chapter 408

Chapter 408: Chapter 404 West Market Festival Chapter 408: Chapter 404 West Market Festival Shen Luo could draw Thunderfall Talisman and Binding Talisman, both high-order runes, mainly due to his experience in Dreamland. If he relied solely on his natural talent in the real world, he might not even succeed with ten years of hard practice.

This Dream Remembrance Talisman seemed much more complicated than the Thunderfall Talisman and the Binding Talisman. With his current capabilities, it was impossible for him to successfully draw it in a short period of time.

“No problem, Big Brother Shen, you can take your time to study. As long as you can draw the Dream Remembrance Talisman within a year. If it's still not successful, I, Xiuxiu, won't insist.” Ma Xiuxiu was taken aback for a moment upon hearing these words, but she soon spoke with a firm tone.

“In that case, I'll give it a try.” Seeing the eager gaze in Ma Xiuxiu's eyes, Shen Luo could not outright refuse her. He merely gave a nod of agreement.

“Master Shen, did you come to Chang'an City this time for the Grand Annual Celebration? I'm curious to know what you're planning to buy. I, Xiuxiu, may be able to help.” Seeing Shen Luo's agreement, Ma Xiuxiu looked visibly relieved and asked.

“I came to Chang'an to buy a kind of Spirit Fire. I've heard that there will be a piece on display at the Conference. I wonder if it's true?” It occurred to Shen Luo that Ma Xiuxiu, being from the Treasure Pavilion, would know much more about Chang'an City and the Grand Annual Celebration than Xie Yuxin.

“Indeed, a Spirit Fire will be on offer at the Grand Annual Celebration. It's the Golden Yang Profound Fire, one of the 108 human fires.” Ma Xiuxiu's eyes glinted with surprise, before she answered.

“Golden Yang Profound Fire!” Shen Luo's eyes lit up at once.

He had done a specific research on this Golden Yang Profound Fire, one of the few human fires that could benefit him. It was a pure Yang fire, highly effective for restraining ghosts, and perfect for condensing the Pure Yang Sword Embryo.

“Although this news has yet to leak, I just learnt about it by chance. Given the rarity of Spirit Fire, Master Shen, you need to prepare plenty of Immortal Jade if you want to bid for this treasure,” Ma Xiuxiu cautioned after a moment's hesitation.

“I have another question for Miss Ma. Do you know any skilled Alchemy Masters?” Without any pause, Shen Luo asked further.

“Master Shen, you've come to the right person. I do know an Alchemy Master. His alchemy skills rank highly in the entire Chang'an City. However, he is currently busy with the Grand Annual Celebration, so I'm afraid he doesn't have time to meet you,” Ma Xiuxiu replied with a bright smile.

“Really?” Shen Luo was overjoyed at her words.

“Of course, Master Shen, if you're interested, I can negotiate on your behalf. However, this gentleman is quite peculiar and not easily persuaded to help with alchemy.” Ma Xiuxiu notified.

“Then I'll have to trouble Miss Ma. I will do my best to attempt the Dream Remembrance Talisman,” Shen Luo immediately said. Despite his best efforts to control his emotions, a hint of urgency seeped into his voice.

Ma Xiuxiu, noticing this, gave a charming smile. After asking Shen Luo about the elixir he wanted to refine, Shen Luo did not conceal anything and confessed that he had obtained half a bottle of Thousand-Year Spirit Milk by chance.

The negotiation went well, and without lingering, Ma Xiuxiu soon excused herself and left.

After seeing her out of his courtyard, Shen Luo went back inside. He picked up the white paper that detailed the Dream Remembrance Talisman and started studying it. He quickly memorized all the runes in the talisman, including the intricate transformations of some runes.

As the requirements for the talisman paper were not severe, he picked up the Talisman Paper and Talisman Ink to casually give it a try. After producing ten Dream Remembrance Talismans, they all failed, and he did not get the slightest feel for it.

“It seems my talent for making talismans hasn't improved much in reality. I still need to wait until I enter Dreamland to draw this Dream Remembrance Talisman,” he sighed inwardly, deciding not to waste time on futile attempts.

If he could enter Dreamland and succeed in drawing this talisman within a year, then he would have hope of success in reality. But that was a problem for another day.

Now, he needed to make the most of his time, drawing talismans to earn money.

Shen Luo picked up another piece of talisman paper and talisman ink, continuing to draw Binding Talisman and Fractured Talisman, amongst others.

More than a month quickly passed, and the annual Mid-Element Festival finally arrived.

The Great Tang Dynasty held a grand royal sacrificial ceremony at the Chong'an Temple to the west of the city. The emperor and the officials, both civil and military, were gathered. The temple was ablaze with lights, and the scent of incense wafted into the surrounding countryside.

Some Daoist temples and other shrines in Chang'an City also set up dojos and dharma platforms for blessing and good fortune. Ordinary people's families also set up incense platforms to honor their ancestors, burned paper money, released river lanterns, and conducted ceremonies for releasing the souls of the dead, creating an extraordinarily lively scene.

After a bustling day, night fell. Far from calming down, the city grew even livelier. Lanterns were everywhere, and countless paper lamps floated in the city's rivers, adding a misty beauty that daytime lacked.

A man and a woman were walking side by side along the bustling street. It was Shen Luo and Xie Yuxin.

At this moment, Xie Yuxin was wearing a tight-fitting black robe, with a black veil covering her face, apparently not wanting to show her face to the public.

“Chang'an City is indeed extraordinary, much more lively than Jianye City,” Shen Luo sighed as he looked at the scene before him.

“Of course. But these are just common worldly spectacles. When we reach West Market, you will see the real immortal realm.” Xie Yuxin said with a smile, her eyes full of anticipation.

Shen Luo nodded slightly. He had long admired Chang'an City's West Market, having been busy for days in Changping Alley, creating talismans. Today, he finally gets to see the elegance of the number one market in Great Tang.

The two moved forward and quickly came to a large block. At the entrance stood a massive archway, some twenty or thirty feet tall, with a carved relief depicting a dragon and a tiger in fierce combat.

The dragon and tiger were both majestic, roaring up at the sky, emanating a regal air as if they looked down upon all creatures.

Following the Dragon and Tiger Archway, shops lined the streets of the block. Likely due to the night, not many people were around.

“Here we are, this is West Market of Chang'an City,” Xie Yuxin halted and said.

“This is it?” Shen Luo was taken aback.

The scene in front of him was starkly different from what he had imagined. Was this renowned Chang'an West Market the scene before him?

“Oh, there is a prohibition here!” He looked up at the massive arch and immediately spoke again.

Between the arches in the void emerged a very faint white light curtain. If it weren't for his exceptional eyesight, he wouldn't have been able to detect it.

“The West Market organizes the Grand Annual Celebration, where many monks gather. The prohibition is set up to prevent causing turmoil among the city's populace,” Xie Yuxin explained.

“Do we need some special talismans to get in, like when entering the market of Wanqiu City?” Shen Luo recalled how they had entered a market in Wanqiu City and asked.

“That's not necessary. The prohibition here is only to obscure strange phenomena. There's no need for any special methods; we can directly pass through,” Xie Yuxin said, and then she stepped forward. As her figure touched the white film, she merged into it and disappeared from view.

Shen Luo, somewhat impatient, also immediately followed her, his body merging into the white film.

All he felt was a flash before his eyes, and then he found himself on a wide street. On both sides of the street were shops, each one unusually tall and decorated lavishly, far surpassing the ordinary businesses within Chang'an City.