Zhenbao Tower, an asset of the Lihuo Palace.
No matter how chaotic last night was, no one dared risk robbing Zhenbao Tower.
There's a saying: it's fine to fish in troubled waters as long as you don't get caught. But if you dare to touch Zhenbao Tower, the Lihuo Palace won't bother with evidence.
"Talisman, alchemy, and other advanced inheritances have long been monopolized by the major sects and families. But this time, they're opening them to the public!"
Hearing this news, Lin Chang'an once again changed his disguise and headed toward Zhenbao Tower.
For wandering cultivators like them, this was good news.
But it also carried a warning.
Why would the normally tight-lipped Lihuo Palace be so generous? Forgetting the chaos in the market, this could mean big changes for wandering cultivators.
For the major sects, which boast three Golden Core elders, they wouldn't be disturbed by this.
When Lin Chang'an arrived at Zhenbao Tower, his heavily disguised face twitched involuntarily.
He had worried about being recognized, but with so many people here, who would bother paying attention to him?
"Reclamation is imminent. For the benefit of all cultivators, the Lihuo Palace opens first-rank mid-grade talisman, alchemy formulas, forging methods… even some rare first-rank mid-grade and superior pills and talismans to the public. You've caught a good time — prices are transparent and fair."
Outside, Lin Chang'an saw a dense crowd.
Usually, he'd never seen so many cultivators with wealth gathered together. Some came for rare pills; others came for life-saving talismans.
Among the crowd, Lin Chang'an was stunned to even spot superior breakthrough pills — a blessing for many stuck at the sixth stage of Qi Refining.
"First-rank mid-grade Flying Sword Talismans, Firebomb Talismans, Earth Spike Talismans… offensive types go for 100 spirit stones per set, defensive types at 120…"
"First-rank mid-grade Flying Sword Talisman inheritance — 100 spirit stones!"
Seeing the clear pricing, Lin Chang'an no longer hesitated. Such an opportunity was one he had to seize.
"Sign the spiritual contract, plus an extra 15 spirit stones."
Though paying extra for the contract stung, he had already spent the bulk of his money. He couldn't fuss over this small sum.
Still, in his heart, he cursed the old man who had swindled him of three spirit stones before.
At the same time, he felt a bit of schadenfreude—this old man's business was likely doomed, and no one else seemed to be getting scammed anymore.
"All right, here is the first-rank mid-grade Flying Sword Talisman jade slip."
Lin Chang'an was practically broke now; only a few spirit stones remained in his storage pouch.
The spiritual contract was like a vow of one's Dao heart—a promise not to spread the inheritance, not even to descendants or disciples.
To pass it on, one would need to pay the Tower again to buy another copy.
It was a peculiar kind of inheritance protection in the cultivation world.
Breaking it would cause a backlash of magical power, though the first-rank contract's binding force only applied to Qi Refining stage cultivators. Once you break through to Foundation Establishment, the contract no longer holds.
By that point, first-rank mid-grade talisman inheritances become readily available—different circles, different rules.
"They don't even let you keep the jade slip? How stingy."
Disguised among the crowd, Lin Chang'an looked disappointed as he left, as if he had no spirit stones to buy what he wanted.
Mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators who've undergone marrow-cleansing enlightenment can remember perfectly what they see. The inheritance content of the first-rank mid-grade Flying Sword Talisman wasn't much, but at least he got it.
Though it had been a bumpy ride.
After leaving Zhenbao Tower, changing disguises several times as he took winding routes home, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but smirk.
"The first-rank mid-grade Flying Sword Talisman is a gold-attribute offensive talisman. After ritual refinement, it manifests a golden sword blade, incredibly sharp."
…
Once home, news from the Zhou family made Lin Chang'an pause.
"Brother Lin, this is good news. All externally hired talisman and pill masters can receive another mid-grade skill inheritance. Though a spiritual contract must be signed, I heard from the clan that if you perform well or marry into the family, the clan might ease the restrictions on inheritance for your descendants."
Just as he returned, Lin Erniu looked at him with envy. After all, Erniu was skilled in many cultivation arts but lacked talent in talisman crafting — nine of his ten apertures opened, but one was closed.
"I'm not like you, Brother Lin, a talisman master. The clan only rewarded me with a single spell. But did you notice something?"
Li Erniu lowered his voice, his expression serious and hushed. "First Lihuo Palace, now the great cultivation families. I heard the Li family has started the same. Doesn't this seem a bit off?"
It seemed like everyone was trying to enhance cultivators' strength, while the big families were also trying to win cultivators over.
Lin Chang'an glanced at Erniu, then smiled wryly and shook his head.
"Erniu, when the sky falls, there are always taller people to hold it up. Knowing our cultivation won't change anything."
But this time, Erniu grew silent, his mood sinking.
"Brother Lin, you know what? Last night I thought I was going to die. In my despair, I thought of my family — my kid is still young. I don't want to lose them…"
Feeling this helplessness, Lin Chang'an sighed deeply.
He was no different — only grateful that he was alone during the chaos, with no one depending on him.
But at the same time, he was alone daily, while Erniu had warmth and family—and with it, the responsibilities that come with it.
"Erniu, all we can do is keep cultivating. Thinking about it more won't help."
Comforted by Lin Chang'an, Li Erniu composed himself and limped away.
"Marriage alliances… looks like these great families have gotten some intel."
Lin Chang'an shook his head and smiled. Without strength, one can't enter the higher circles.
Right now, improving his own power was the priority.
…
[Name: Lin Chang'an]
[Lifespan: 40/99]
[Realm: Qi Refining Stage 4 (15/100)]
[Cultivation Method: Changchun Gong (Mastery: 932/1000)]
[Skills: Golden Light Talisman (Mastery 36/1000), Divine Movement Talisman (Mastery 3/1000), Flying Sword Talisman (Proficient 128/500)]
In a secret chamber, Lin Chang'an sighed in relief after just drawing a low-grade Flying Sword Talisman.
"As expected, my talisman art is already first-rank mid-grade. The new Flying Sword Talisman will soon be familiar."
His previous worries hadn't come true.
"My skill is my own, so like other talisman masters, I can quickly master low-grade first-rank talismans and reach proficiency. With some practice, I can break through to mid-grade first-rank."
Looking at his status screen, Lin Chang'an smiled.
From zero to proficient in Flying Sword Talismans in one night — he was confident he'd reach mastery in about a month.
That is, first-rank mid-grade talisman skill.
After all, mastering one technique leads to mastery of many. His personal ability was there, so his rank as a mid-grade first-rank talisman master was solid.
It was just switching to a different talisman, which he would quickly get used to.
"Now with first-rank mid-grade talisman inheritances, I have Golden Light and Flying Sword talismans. As for the Zhou family's so-called chance to learn another skill with marriage alliances — that's not just freely given."
Just like that chaotic night when Erniu was forced to fight for the Zhou family.
Lin Chang'an's heart was clear: he was just an externally hired talisman master — basically borrowing skills from the Zhou family on a loan, with a ten-year debt agreement signed.
Ask him to risk his life? He had no shortage of resources.
Because of this market opening, the whole market would face big upheaval, and selling talismans secretly to exchange resources would be easier.
With this opening from the sect and major families, Lin Chang'an could imagine the lower cultivation world under Lihuo Palace would soon see a surge in strength.
The biggest challenge for wandering cultivators, besides poor spiritual roots, was lack of resources.
…
As heavy snowflakes fell, two grand and majestic flying ships broke through the clouds, appearing above Qingzhu Mountain market.
They radiated substantial magical light, hovering mid-air.
One bore the Lihuo Palace's golden flame emblem; the other was marked with purple patterns.
On the Lihuo Palace's ship, three Foundation Establishment cultivators led nearly a hundred disciples down. Yun Yao was among them.
This scene caught the eyes of countless wandering cultivators in the market.
In Lin Chang'an's gaze, the once bright and dazzling young lady Yun Yao of the Gathering Immortals Tower now seemed like one star among many — no longer as radiant.
(End of chapter)
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