Fellow Cultivators Exchange

More than three months!

If word of that got out, it would surely cause a tremendous uproar.

Therefore,

Li Chang'an stated during their conversation that he had obtained a Talisman Inheritance many years ago.

"My aptitude is dull. I cannot compare to Fellow cultivator Liu, so I can only slowly grind away with time."

"Fellow cultivator Li, why belittle yourself?"

Liu Yue smiled sweetly.

The two then began discussing the Way of Talismans.

During that time,

the attainments Li Chang'an displayed in talismans were merely at the level of an ordinary low-grade first-tier Talisman Master.

After talking for roughly a quarter of an hour, they could be considered acquainted.

There was a little more trust between them.

Just then,

whether intentionally or not, Liu Yue suddenly brought up the grade of their inheritances.

"Unfortunately, I only obtained a Low-grade First Tier Inheritance. I cannot advance any further."

She let out a soft sigh, her delicate brows knitting slightly.

A trace of sorrow surfaced on her lovely face, so pitiful that even the sight of her stirred compassion.

Li Chang'an likewise sighed with feeling and blurted out,

"Yes. Inheritances are hard to come by. Obtaining a Low-grade Inheritance is already the greatest opportunity of my life!"

A melancholy expression appeared on his face, as though he too was troubled over a Mid-grade Inheritance.

At those words,

Liu Yue lowered her beautiful eyes, and an almost imperceptible flicker of disappointment passed through their depths.

The reason she had been willing to speak with Li Chang'an for so long was because she intended to test him; it was not simply for the sake of exchanging Talisman Skills.

Yet Li Chang'an had already noticed.

During their earlier conversation,

he had appeared relaxed, but in truth he had remained vigilant the entire time.

The temptation of a mid-grade first-tier Talisman Inheritance was simply too great. Before he had the means to protect himself, he would never reveal it lightly.

"At the very least, I need to break through to Mid Qi Refining before I can show my mid-grade first-tier skill."

Li Chang'an constantly reminded himself that he absolutely could not let down his guard.

In the conversation that followed,

Liu Yue seemed unchanged, yet there was an almost imperceptible distance in her manner.

Afterward,

Chu Daniu introduced several more Talisman Masters to Li Chang'an.

As expected, they were all low-grade first-tier Talisman Masters, and their skills were all quite ordinary.

Not one of them could even compare to Liu Yue.

These people were fairly polite to Li Chang'an.

"Fellow cultivator Li, this is your first time here, right? You must come often in the future!"

"The Way of Talismans cannot be pursued by building a cart behind closed doors. We must exchange insights often..."

Of course, that politeness was merely superficial.

After all,

they were fellow cultivators, but they were also competitors.

One more low-grade Talisman Master in the Marketplace meant one more person fighting for their livelihood.

However,

these people were exceptionally enthusiastic toward Liu Yue.

Not only because Liu Yue could draw Premium Grade Talismans, but also because she was young and beautiful and still had no Dao Companion.

A Talisman Master surnamed Wu praised her, "Fellow cultivator Liu has only been drawing talismans for three years, yet she has already mastered the skill of Premium Grade Talismans. It truly puts me to shame!"

"Fellow Daoist Wu overpraises me."

Liu Yue smiled modestly, her brows and eyes enchanting.

The others also spoke up one after another in praise.

Li Chang'an sat to one side with a smile on his face, though he found it rather dull inside.

This so-called exchange among fellow cultivators was nothing much.

They were all practitioners of low-grade skills, of little help to him.

At this moment,

Chu Daniu suddenly reminded him in a low voice, "Big Brother Li, Senior Luo Kun is here. He is a Mid Qi Refining expert, and he possesses a mid-grade first-tier Talisman Inheritance!"

"Oh?"

Li Chang'an froze briefly and looked in the direction Chu Daniu indicated.

He soon spotted an elderly man with a face like a red date and hair and beard as white as snow.

The man appeared to be past sixty. His strength also surpassed everyone present, so he indeed deserved to be called Senior.

"Strange. Among the Marketplace's Mid-grade Talisman Masters, there does not seem to be a Senior Luo?"

Li Chang'an had previously investigated the Marketplace's Mid-grade Talisman Masters.

At the time, the Hexagram Image had yet to offer him any guidance. He had still been worried about a mid-grade first-tier Talisman Inheritance and had even considered taking a Mid-grade Talisman Master as his teacher.

Chu Daniu immediately explained.

"Although Senior Luo has a Mid-grade Inheritance, his skill has not yet broken through. At present, he can already skillfully draw Premium Grade Talismans among Low-grade Talismans, with an extremely high success rate."

"So that is how it is."

Li Chang'an immediately understood.

He was still a low-grade first-tier Talisman Master.

But he had an inheritance in hand, after all.

So long as his talent was not too poor, breaking through was only a matter of time!

"Big Brother Li, Senior Luo has no children and has never accepted a disciple. You have to seize this opportunity!"

Chu Daniu reminded him quietly.

If he could curry favor with this senior, perhaps he might have a chance to obtain the Talisman Inheritance in his possession!

The other Talisman Masters present were thinking the same thing.

"Senior Luo!"

Liu Yue's eyes lit up, and she immediately rose to welcome him.

The others did the same.

Each wore a broad smile, their expressions respectful.

Luo Kun's expression was calm as he gave a slight nod.

"My young friends, have you all been well since we last met?"

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Luo!"

Liu Yue smiled radiantly, her voice carrying a touch more softness and sweetness.

And, intentionally or otherwise, she edged a little closer to Luo Kun.

Previously, she had maintained a sense of distance from everyone, but now she seemed like a completely different person, as though she wished she could stick herself directly to him.

Soon,

Luo Kun came before the group and sat down.

His aged gaze swept across Li Chang'an.

"This young friend looks unfamiliar. Is this your first time here?"

"This junior is Li Chang'an. Greetings, Senior."

Li Chang'an rose and cupped his hands in salute.

"This junior is indeed here for the first time."

"No need for ceremony. Sit."

"Yes."

Li Chang'an took his seat again.

Next,

Luo Kun adopted the bearing of an elder and had everyone state their doubts regarding Talisman Skills.

He was responsible for answering their questions and dispelling their confusion.

"Senior Luo, I happen to have some confusion."

Liu Yue blinked her beautiful eyes and voiced what she did not understand about Talisman Drawing.

The other Talisman Masters also spoke up in succession.

The questions they raised were all simple.

They seemed to be asking questions.

But in truth, they were using the opportunity to praise Senior Luo to the best of their ability, hoping to catch his eye.

"Senior Luo's Talisman Skill has truly reached the pinnacle. A question that had troubled this junior for many days was resolved with a single word of your guidance!"

The Talisman Master surnamed Wu looked utterly grateful.

Luo Kun narrowed his eyes slightly, seemingly enjoying the flattery immensely.

This scene

made Li Chang'an find it even more boring.

This kind of exchange among fellow cultivators was purely a waste of time!

He could not be bothered to ask any questions. He simply ignored the others' voices and began contemplating his own Way of Talismans.

But Chu Daniu watched with growing anxiety.

"Why is Big Brother Li still not asking anything? This is such a rare opportunity to exchange insights!"

He could not help regretting it. Had he known earlier, he should have reminded Li Chang'an a few more times.

A moment later,

he noticed Luo Kun's gaze sweep over Li Chang'an, and his brows furrowed slightly.

Chu Daniu's heart immediately skipped a beat.

He knew Li Chang'an most likely had no chance now!

The others, however, were overjoyed.

"This Li Chang'an is actually so ignorant of worldly ways!"

They knew full well that they had one less rival!

Roughly an hour later, the gathering came to an end.

Everyone bid each other farewell.

Li Chang'an left together with Chu Daniu.

On the way back,

Chu Daniu could not help sighing.

"Big Brother Li, why did you not ask a few questions?"

Li Chang'an smiled, unconcerned.

"I suddenly had an Epiphany at the time and sank into my own thoughts, so I did not notice the outside world."

"So that was it. Sigh..."

Chu Daniu could not help finding it a pity.

Opportunities were rare. Once missed, they were gone!