Chapter 26 : High-grade First-rank Talisman Master!

Chapter 26: High-grade First-rank Talisman Master!

Juxian Tower, Heaven-class private room.

This gathering did not include Wei Buyi, making the atmosphere quite harmonious.

Although Yun Yao had already reached the peak of the Ninth Level of Qi Refining, when it came to the art of conversation, it was still this Junior Sister Lu Qingqing who excelled.

Under Lu Qingqing's hosting, they sipped tea and discussed cultivation, exchanging insights and experiences in a relaxed and pleasant manner.

Especially in the area of spell cultivation, most of the time it was Yun Yao who guided them, as if this had touched upon her strength.

As the sun set, and the evening glow spilled into the room through the windows, Yun Yao finally brought up the true purpose of the gathering.

“Fellow Daoists, I invited you here today through my Junior Sister because I have something to ask of you.”

When the topic turned to Foundation Establishment, Yun Yao’s expression was sincere.

“Lit—Daoist Yun, we all understand your preparations for Foundation Establishment. Whatever it is, just say the word.”

Straightforward Li Erniu spoke up bluntly and cheerfully.

Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing also nodded in agreement.

Even Lin Chang’an nodded with a smile—after all, the fact they all came said it all.

Yun Yao took a deep breath. Though the cultivation world was treacherous, the fact they could still gather after all these years was truly rare and precious.

Then, with an extremely earnest gaze, Yun Yao began to recount her preparations for Foundation Establishment in detail.

“These years, I have ventured deep into the Yunwu Mountain Range, hunting demon beasts, searching for spirit herbs, and accumulating wealth through the merchant guild. Most of what I need is already gathered—only the most important main material for Foundation Establishment remains.

The inner core of a Second-rank water-attribute demon beast is extremely rare, virtually priceless, and can only be obtained by risking entry deep into the Yunwu Mountain Range.”

As Yun Yao's crisp voice echoed, though her tone was light, everyone could sense the danger behind her words.

Especially from the weariness between her brows and a faint, hideous scar revealed at her snow-white neck—it was easy to imagine the peril of her calm narration about several forays into the Yunwu Mountain Range.

Yun Yao now faced a major difficulty: she lacked a high-quality defensive magical artifact. Last time, she nearly lost her life, and this time, she hoped to purchase a top-grade defensive item.

“The merchant guild can currently spare only five hundred spirit stones—any more would affect business.”

Lu Qingqing spoke solemnly, laying out the guild’s accounts. She had intended from the start to back Yun Yao.

“Besides the guild, the two of us also have some savings.”

Shen Lie nodded solemnly. In these unstable years at the marketplace, whenever they had spirit stones, they used them first to improve their strength.

What could be saved was truly not much.

However, Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing had managed their affairs well over the years. Perhaps also driven by guilt from three years ago, they actually brought out nearly two hundred spirit stones—undoubtedly their entire savings.

“Daoist Yun, I have thirty spirit stones.”

Compared to the couple’s contribution, Erniu’s thirty spirit stones might not seem much, but they surprised everyone.

After all, everyone knew Erniu’s situation.

But the next moment, Erniu scratched his head awkwardly and cupped his fists:

“My boy Yifan—while not very talented—is honest and reliable. If the time comes, I hope he can help out at the guild.”

Li Erniu didn’t hide his intentions, which instead brought smiles to everyone’s faces.

Yun Yao even nodded seriously. “Let Yifan follow Qingqing and Shen Lie for now. Whether in cultivation or business, they’re fully capable of guiding him.”

Having received the response he wanted, Li Erniu immediately broke into a smile.

Lastly, Lin Chang’an gave a slight nod.

“Daoist Yun, I have some savings. Not much, but I can contribute one hundred spirit stones.”

When Lin Chang’an said he could offer over a hundred spirit stones, Li Erniu exclaimed on the spot:

“Talisman Masters really make a fortune!”

At that moment, even Li Erniu was a bit envious. They were all in the middle stages of Qi Refining, yet the earning ability was on completely different levels.

Lin Chang’an, however, jokingly added, “I’ve already shown Yifan the basics of talismans. If he has the aptitude, the Zhou Family will naturally train him.”

A hundred spirit stones—even Shen Lie was a bit astonished.

The couple had accumulated theirs purely through years of business and old capital.

But as Lin Chang’an pulled out a pouch of spirit stones, accompanied by the crisp sound of stones clinking, Lu Qingqing’s earlobes twitched slightly, and a strange light flashed in her eyes.

“Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Lin.”

Seeing everyone's help, especially Lin Chang’an offering over a hundred spirit stones, Yun Yao’s expression turned resolute, without saying anything sentimental.

Lin Chang’an jokingly added with a smile, “I still have two Golden Light Talismans. Hopefully, next time we meet, Daoist Yun will already be a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Then we’ll have a powerful ally.”

Upon hearing this, everyone began congratulating her in advance.

Yun Yao also smiled rarely and cupped her hands to everyone.

Even in the cultivation world, people still cared about auspiciousness.

In the end, everyone took their leave. After all, the marketplace had been rather unstable in the past two years.

Outside Juxian Tower, watching the departing figures, Shen Lie couldn’t help smacking his lips and said:

“No wonder Erniu said the Zhou Family praises Fellow Daoist Lin’s talisman skills—just based on that wealth, he’s doing well.”

Beside him, Lu Qingqing rolled her eyes at her husband.

“You really think that pouch only had a hundred spirit stones?”

“What do you mean?” Shen Lie looked at his wife in confusion, but Lu Qingqing pointed at her ear with a huff.

“These ears of mine grew up calculating accounts in Juxian Tower with Grandpa. Whether it’s spirit stones or spirit crystals, just the slight sound of them colliding is enough for me to estimate.”

Then, casting a sidelong glance at the now distant silhouette, Lu Qingqing seemed lost in thought. But when she turned and looked at her husband Shen Lie, she shook her head with a smile.

If she had to choose again, she would still choose this way. Knowing oneself and avoiding harm—these were lessons her grandfather had taught her.

“I’d estimate there were about a hundred and twenty spirit stones.”

When Lu Qingqing said this, Shen Lie couldn’t help clicking his tongue.

“No wonder they say cultivation arts of all kinds—once you get started, the ways to earn spirit stones far outstrip ordinary cultivators. Why didn’t we have that kind of talent?”

Jealous, Shen Lie finally glanced at Lu Qingqing and whispered, “Maybe we should have a talented one ourselves.”

“Get lost.” Lu Qingqing glared at him, but her ears were already flushed red.

She actually hadn’t told the whole truth—she estimated Lin Chang’an had lent Yun Yao closer to a hundred and fifty spirit stones.

However, at that moment, in the upper floors of Juxian Tower—

“One hundred and eighty-three spirit stones!”

Yun Yao was slightly stunned. Were Talisman Masters really this profitable? And she had seen Lin Chang’an’s cultivation progress with her own eyes over the years.

But when she saw the two talismans inside the spirit stone pouch, Yun Yao’s beautiful eyes flashed with surprise.

It was precisely because of these two talismans sandwiched in the pouch that Lu Qingqing’s hearing had misjudged the number.

“These are mid-grade high-quality First-rank Golden Light Talismans!”

These two Golden Light Talismans, glowing even more intensely, left Yun Yao shocked—and at the same time, she seemed to understand something.

A mid-grade high-quality First-rank Golden Light Talisman, infinitely close to a high-grade talisman—for her, this could be life-saving in a critical moment.

This was equivalent to Yun Yao now possessing two single-use defensive magical artifacts.

“A high-grade First-rank Talisman Master… so that’s how it is!”

At that moment, Yun Yao’s eyes sparkled—she seemed to understand something.

Meanwhile, Lin Chang’an, having done all this, was also silently calculating on his way back.

“A complete First-rank talisman inheritance—Lihuo Palace and Xuanyin Pavilion don’t sell it to outsiders at all.”

With the increasingly tense external situation and his current cultivation level, if he wanted to survive the chaos, he needed a powerful ally.

He didn’t even consider the Zhou Family or the Wang Family.

Yun Yao was his best option.

What was extremely precious to Qi Refining cultivators was completely different in the circle of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

“With Yun Yao’s status in Lihuo Palace, acquiring a complete First-rank Golden Light Talisman inheritance wouldn’t be difficult.”

Lin Chang’an quietly calculated the high-grade talisman inheritance he needed.

Even if it failed, with Yun Yao’s age and temperament, she would surely try to break through to Foundation Establishment again. To shorten the preparation time, she would need him, a high-grade First-rank Talisman Master.

If it succeeded, with Yun Yao as his Foundation Establishment backer, his safety would be guaranteed, and he’d have access to high-grade talisman resources.

Therefore, right now, he was even more important to Yun Yao.

Yun Yao might be earning a fortune—but he definitely wasn’t losing.

“With Lihuo Palace behind Yun Yao, if my cultivation improves further, I might have the chance to leave this place and find a safe and stable location to continue cultivating.”

Lin Chang’an was silently planning. Now, he was someone with unlimited potential—why risk his life recklessly?

Who did they think he was? A thousand-year spiritual herb? He wasn’t even a Foundation Establishment Pill.