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Zong Wu was the Symbol Master from whom he frequently purchased talismans. Naturally, Fang Xi also thought of his cultivation partner, Lu Zhi, known for her fiery figure and even more explosive temper.

“Oh!”

As Fang Xi observed Chen Ping, he noticed a restrained hint of joy on his face, realizing why now.

“Sigh… Fellow Daoist Lu has tragically lost her beloved companion, and I must offer my condolences properly. However…” Chen Ping glanced at Fang Xi with an unmistakable expression seeking repayment, “I don’t currently have enough spirit stones to pay respects appropriately.”

Fortunately, Fang Xi had come prepared to settle his debt and promptly produced five spirit stones. “Thanks to Brother Chen, Fellow Daoist Di, and Jiuxuan last month, here are five spirit stones. Please, Brother Chen, kindly return these to your fellow Daoists…”

“Of course!”

With spirit stones in hand, Chen Ping hastily rushed off to purchase gifts, eager to console the bereaved.

This left Fang Xi feeling quite dejected.

He hadn’t even had a chance to mention his Forced Entry Talisman, silently cursing this lecherous bastard who prioritized women over friendship.

As a prosperous talisman master, Symbol Master Zong had rented an immortal cave within Qingzhu Mountain Market.

Upon entering, Fang Xi immediately felt the pure spiritual energy envelop him and couldn’t help but marvel inwardly:

‘So this is an immortal cave with a first-tier meridian? With such rich and pure spiritual energy aiding my cultivation, I likely would have already reached the peak of the third layer in the Everlasting Spring Art, ready to attempt breaking through to Mid Qi Refining, wouldn’t I?’

In the southern wilderness’s cultivation world, meridians were classified into several tiers, corresponding to different realms like Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, etc.

A first-tier meridian primarily caters to the needs of Qi Refinement stage cultivators.

A second-tier meridian can support great Foundation Establishment cultivators during their meditation and cultivation.

Qingzhu Mountain possessed a first-tier meridian, typically sealed by an array, supplying energy only for internal market use.

Spirit farmers like Fang Xi, outside the market’s formation, could barely harness residual energies from the meridian, effectively cultivating on subpar, almost negligible spirit veins.

In terms of effectiveness, it was just slightly better than mundane conditions.

“Jiuxuan Daoist, Fellow Daoist Di!”

As soon as Fang Xi entered the immortal cave, he recognized two familiar faces.

Old Daoist Jiuxuan still wore his robes, exuding an air of transcendent elegance. Upon seeing Fang Xi, Di Qi broke into a smile, “Fellow Daoist Fang truly keeps his word!”

‘It seems Chen Ping did return these two’s spirit stones without keeping them for himself… Hmm, well then, he might be someone worth befriending.’

Fang Xi genuinely feared that Chen Ping might have greedily pocketed his spirit stones.

After all, three of them had borrowed spirit stones from him together.

As they entered the inner room, they found numerous cultivators present, seemingly representing Symbol Master Zong’s network of acquaintances.

His cultivation partner, Lu Zhi, dressed in mourning attire, graciously served spirit tea and refreshments to the guests. Despite not seeing her for several days, Fellow Daoist Lu appeared slightly worn out yet still as charming as ever. The elegantly somber outfit only added to her allure, stirring vivid fantasies in onlookers’ minds.

Notably, Chen Ping couldn’t help but stare intently.

“Hmm? They’re here too?” Fang Xi quickly scanned the crowd and noticed Shen Haoran and Goddess Yunmeng beside Chen Ping, muttering under his breath.

“Hmph, just two arrogant individuals…” Di Qi responded with evident discomfort upon spotting Shen Haoran.

“Oh?!” Fang Xi looked thoughtfully between Di Qi and Shen Haoran, instantly grasping the situation.

These were all Chen Ping’s friends, likely interacting regularly. However, both Shen Haoran and Goddess Yunmeng surpassed Di Qi in terms of family background and cultivation base. Moreover, considering their behavior at Mingqing Pavilion, they clearly weren’t known for humility or respect towards others.

It seemed that Di Qi might have faced some past grievances from them, harboring resentment as a result.

‘Good thing he didn’t outright call them snobs; this kid has some restraint after all.’

Fang Xi nodded inwardly, then conferred with Nine Profound Reverend before jointly offering a low-grade spirit stone as their condolence gift.

“Ladies and Gentlemen!” After serving another round of tea, Lu Zhi rose from her seat at the head table and gracefully bowed. “On behalf of my late husband, I express my heartfelt gratitude to all who have come today!”

“No need for such courtesy!”

“Not at all…”

Fang Xi and the others hastily returned the gesture.

“Ahem… may I inquire why Symbol Master Zong met his demise?” Shen Haoran asked, holding a white jade folding fan with an air of elegance, reminiscent of a refined noble gentleman.

Lu Zhi promptly replied, “That stubborn fool ignored our advice and ventured outside the market seeking opportunities, only to be killed by raiders… From what I’ve gathered, the likely culprits are the ‘Three Kou Brothers’!”

“The Kou Brothers?!” Di Qi gasped sharply.

Noticing Jiuxuan’s confusion, he explained further, “The Three Kou Brothers are close siblings, rumored to each possess Late Stage Qi Refinement cultivation bases. Together, they can challenge even those in the great circle of Qi Refinement. Known for their rampant brutality, their hands are stained with countless lives…”

“Oh, truly that vicious?” Jiuxuan’s eyes widened.

Despite his title as ‘Nine Profound Reverend’, he was merely a novice with an early-stage Qi Refinement cultivation. Facing such ruthless adversaries, he feared he wouldn’t stand a chance, barely enough to fill their appetites.

Fang Xi observed coldly from the sidelines as soon as the name “Qiu” was mentioned, a strange silence fell over his acquaintances.

Not a single one pledged to seek vengeance for their fallen comrade.

He couldn’t help but inwardly sigh at the fickle nature of relationships within the cultivation world, evident even in this brief moment.

While alive, Symbol Master Zong had been a mid-tier, first-rank talisman master with limitless potential. Yet, dead, he held no value whatsoever.

Moreover, avenging him would only invite trouble from formidable adversaries like the Three Kou Brothers!

“Hmph!”

Seeing this reaction, Lu Zhi let out an unsatisfied snort. However, she quickly composed herself, retrieving a plain silk handkerchief to wipe her eyes. “With that dead man gone, I, being just a frail woman, cannot sustain this household alone. Therefore, I plan to sell everything and return home… In gratitude for your presence here today, I shall host a barter exchange!”

At these words, many eyes lit up, including Fang Xi’s.

Alas, remembering his empty pouch, Fang Xi shook his head with a wry smile:

‘Ah…I don’t even have the means to be a vulture scavenger…’

Auctions were grand events in the cultivation world!

Additionally, among fellow cultivators, smaller barter exchanges occasionally took place, often involving direct trade of goods to fill each other’s needs.

Considering the significant turnout despite Symbol Master Zong’s demise, it seemed word had spread swiftly among fellow practitioners.

Moments later, Lu Zhi spoke softly, “Cave number eight at Qingzhu Mountain, lease with five years remaining, starting bid at fifty spirit stones…”

“I’ll take it!”

“Mine for fifty-one spirit stones!”

Quickly, a yellow-robed old daoist secured the lease for fifty-five spirit stones.

Next, Lu Zhi produced a talisman brush. “A high-grade first-rank talisman brush, crafted from Silvermoon Wolf fur…”

This item once again sparked intense bidding among numerous talisman masters.

Fang Xi noticed Chen Ping’s flushed face as he secretly conferred with Shen Haoran and Goddess Yunmeng, yet they refrained from participating in the auction.

‘Did their negotiations fall through?’

As Fang Xi pondered, he saw Lu Zhi present a weathered, yellowed jade slip. “My late husband’s talisman crafting notes, containing methods to create various spirit talismans…”

“One hundred spirit stones!” exclaimed a talisman apprentice, his eyes gleaming brightly, having previously competed for the talisman brush.

“Fifteen hundred spirit stones! This is the lifetime legacy of a Symbol Master; stop dreaming, boy!” another elderly talisman master promptly rebuked.

After intense bidding, the price settled at 176 spirit stones, with no further increases.

Cultivators, being astute individuals, wouldn’t lose their rationality over a single Dao of talismans inheritance.

“Two…two hundred spirit stones!” A new voice suddenly rang out.

Fang Xi turned to see it was Chen Ping!

His face pale, lips trembling slightly, yet his expression remained resolute.

“Excellent!” Lu Zhi, somewhat taken aback, promptly agreed, “For two hundred spirit stones, my late husband’s Dao of talismans inheritance shall be entrusted to Fellow Daoist Chen.”

“Thank you, indeed.” Chen Ping chuckled gleefully, but Fang Xi felt something wasn’t quite right.

Even if Fellow Daoist Chen had some savings, it would likely amount to only a few spirit stones, most of which he had already spent on Goddess Hong Feng’s items. How could he now afford such a large sum?

Unless… Shen Haoran and Goddess Yunmeng lent him the spirit stones.

However, neither of them were known for generosity; lending such a substantial amount to Chen Ping must come with stringent conditions! Moreover, there must be something valuable about Chen Ping that they desire.

Otherwise, plenty of impoverished rogue cultivators exist, yet none have managed to borrow significant sums of spirit stones like this.

As Fang Xi pondered, the exchange session neared its end. Lu Zhi had emptied Symbol Master Zong’s entire stockpile of talismans, even selling some of his cherished collection.

Among them, one particular talisman caught Fang Xi’s breath.

“A high-grade First-Order Forced Entry Talisman, a rare and exceptional item. That old fool spent a fortune on it, intending to study and replicate…ah…if any Daoist friends are interested, it can be yours for thirty spirit stones.”

Lu Zhi produced a wooden box and opened it to reveal a single talisman inside. The pale yellow parchment was adorned with intricate silver ink strokes, reminiscent of iron-like calligraphy, incredibly complex.

Between the silvery runes, faint distortions seemed to radiate outward unexpectedly.

This was precisely the Forced Entry Talisman that Fang Xi desperately needed!

Unfortunately, after repaying his debt, he remained penniless.

‘Such a pity, such a pity! If only I had more time…’ As he lamented silently, a talisman master stroked his beard and spoke up, “A First-Order Forced Entry Talisman can only break through First-Order restrictions and arrays, not particularly useful… If it were Second-Order, its value would skyrocket by tenfold or even hundredfold.”

First-tier formations were quite basic; even the protective arrays around Qingzhu Mountain Market employed second-tier techniques.

If those raiders obtained a second-tier Forced Entry Talisman, it could spell disaster for the entire market!

However, Fang Xi knew that first-tier Forced Entry Talismans still had significant utility - this old talisman master was attempting to suppress the price!

As expected, the man continued, “At the Heavenly Talisman Hall, a well-crafted high-grade First-Tier Forced Entry Talisman sells for around thirty-five spirit stones. Your asking price seems somewhat steep…”

“Hmph! There’s not a hint of spiritual energy leakage from my talisman, and I’ve already discounted it by five spirit stones. How can you call it steep?” Lu Zhi glared fiercely, her fiery demeanor resurfacing.

“Ah…” Witnessing this exchange, Fang Xi silently sighed to himself, ‘Not every opportunity I encounter is meant for me…’

Without enough spirit stones at hand, he could only wait until his next sale of mythic beast meat, accumulate sufficient funds, and then try his luck again at the Heavenly Talisman Hall.