Marry into the Zheng Family?

Inside the room.

Li Chang'an wiped away the restriction on the stone statue's surface.

Then he shattered it with a single palm strike.

A small, exquisitely crafted bag appeared amid the pile of rubble.

"This is the Spirit Beast Bag?"

Li Chang'an picked up the bag and examined it closely, surprise immediately appearing on his face.

The space inside this bag was far larger than he had expected.

It was actually close to ten cubic meters!

One had to know.

The several storage bags he had obtained each only contained about one cubic meter of space.

"Pretty spacious. Da Huang probably won't feel too cramped."

Of course.

Normally.

Da Huang still moved about underground, diligently digging tunnels.

Only when Li Chang'an went out would he place him in the Spirit Beast Bag and carry him along.

After testing the Spirit Beast Bag's functions.

Li Chang'an fell into thought.

"Although the struggle among the Three Great Families hasn't reached the Marketplace yet, no one can say what will happen later. I need to stockpile more resources as soon as possible."

He had a large reserve of Premium Grade Talismans in hand.

Previously, they had not been suitable to sell.

But now, the time was about right.

At dusk.

Li Chang'an arrived at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

He took out a Premium Grade Spirit Shield Talisman and handed it to Shopkeeper Qian behind the counter.

"Shopkeeper Qian, take a look. How much is this Talisman worth?"

"Alright, let me see."

Shopkeeper Qian's expression was calm, and he did not pay it much mind.

After all, Li Chang'an had come many times.

Every time, he had only sold the most ordinary Low-grade Talismans.

However.

This time.

The moment he took the Talisman, a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.

"Hm?"

Shopkeeper Qian raised a brow.

He sensed it carefully for a moment, then used the shop's instrument to examine it.

"A Premium Grade Talisman!"

Shopkeeper Qian was astonished and glanced at Li Chang'an.

"Fellow cultivator Li, has your Talisman Skill improved so quickly?"

"Just luck."

Li Chang'an smiled, his tone exceedingly modest.

He repeated the explanation he had previously given Liu Yue, saying that he had been drawing Talismans for many years, but had never been able to produce a Premium Grade Talisman.

That was precisely why.

He had purchased that mid-grade Talisman Brush some days ago.

"With the help of that mid-grade Talisman Brush, I finally managed to draw a Premium Grade Talisman."

Li Chang'an sighed, as though it had been far from easy.

Shopkeeper Qian smiled and raised a hand in congratulations.

"No matter what, Fellow cultivator Li has finally risen above the ranks of Low-grade Talisman Masters!"

Being able to draw Premium Grade Talismans.

Naturally placed one a cut above ordinary Low-grade Talisman Masters.

After that.

The two chatted for a few more moments, laughing and talking.

Shopkeeper Qian's attitude was clearly much warmer than before.

Just then.

A woman's voice suddenly sounded from outside the door.

"What has you so happy?"

The voice was exceptionally pleasant, like a mountain breeze—gentle and captivating—as it drifted by Li Chang'an's ears.

Hear the voice, and one knew the person.

Li Chang'an immediately turned around and cupped his hands. "Greetings, Young Miss!"

The newcomer was none other than the Eldest Miss Zheng Family.

Zheng Qingqing!

Wearing a flowing green dress, her figure light and graceful, she entered the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

"Fellow cultivator Li, we meet again."

She looked at Li Chang'an with a bright, smiling expression.

"I've already said it twice. There's no need to be so reserved. We are both seekers of the Dao, so simply address each other as fellow cultivators."

"Yes."

Li Chang'an wore a respectful expression.

Behind the counter.

Shopkeeper Qian beamed as he handed over a dusty Account Book.

"Young Miss, this month's accounts are all here."

"Very well. Thank you for your trouble, Shopkeeper Qian."

Zheng Qingqing gave a slight nod and took the Account Book.

This sight.

Left Li Chang'an somewhat surprised.

The Hundred Treasures Pavilion was actually a Zheng Family business?

Shopkeeper Qian seemed to see through his thoughts and immediately explained.

"Fellow cultivator Li, my Dao Companion is from the Zheng Family, so I can be considered the Zheng Family's son-in-law as well."

As he spoke, he could not help but sigh.

"Over the years, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion has weathered storm after storm. Without the Zheng Family's support, it would have collapsed long ago."

"So that's how it is."

Li Chang'an came to a sudden realization.

For the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to reach such a scale, it was impossible for it to lack support from a powerful force.

In Clear River Market, the Zheng Family was the best patron one could have.

Afterward.

Shopkeeper Qian said to Zheng Qingqing, "Young Miss, Fellow cultivator Li and I were happy just now because Fellow cultivator Li's Talisman Skill has improved. It is worth celebrating."

"Oh? Fellow cultivator Li, you can draw Premium Grade Talismans now?"

Zheng Qingqing looked at Li Chang'an, and a trace of surprise appeared on her lovely face.

To improve so quickly—could he be a genius?

Li Chang'an was helpless.

He had no choice but to repeat the same explanation once more.

After hearing it, Zheng Qingqing nodded faintly.

"So that was it. You've been drawing Talismans for many years already."

Zheng Qingqing's thoughts shifted, and she suddenly recalled the scene of Li Chang'an coming to seek her help before.

She could not help but smile.

"Fellow cultivator Li, it is good to keep something in reserve, but you must not hide yourself too deeply. Had you revealed your identity as a Talisman Master sooner, Zheng Jinbao naturally would not have dared assign you to mine."

"Indeed."

Li Chang'an sighed, seeming to agree completely.

At this moment.

Zheng Qingqing seemed to think of something as well.

Her eyes shifted as she carefully sized Li Chang'an up from head to toe.

It had to be said.

Li Chang'an's appearance was quite good.

With clear brows and handsome features, gentle as jade, he resembled a young scholar well versed in poetry and books.

Moreover.

Being able to draw Premium Grade Talismans already made him a rare talent.

"Fellow cultivator Li, may I ask whether you have someone you fancy?"

Zheng Qingqing suddenly asked.

Li Chang'an froze. Why was she asking this?

"No."

He shook his head, strange thoughts rising in his heart.

Zheng Qingqing smiled with her eyes and explained.

"There are quite a few unmarried women in my Zheng Family. Every one of them is cultured, sensible, and understanding."

"This..."

Li Chang'an was dumbfounded, unsure what to say.

Was she trying to recruit him as a live-in son-in-law?

"Young Miss, I am wholly focused on cultivation right now. I truly have no other thoughts."

He hurriedly refused.

He had only just escaped the Zheng Family. How could he casually go back?

Even in peaceful times, he would not agree.

Much less now.

The Zheng Family's conflict with the other two Foundation Establishment families was unceasing, and the family's disciples had suffered grievous casualties.

"Fellow cultivator Li, there is no need to refuse in such haste. The Zheng Family will not place too many restraints upon you."

Zheng Qingqing's tone was gentle.

At the side, Shopkeeper Qian also spoke up.

"Fellow cultivator Li, the path of a Rogue Cultivator is fraught with hardship. Don't you want a patron?"

His expression was sincere as he tried to persuade Li Chang'an.

"Within a Foundation Establishment family, the cultivation resources you can access far exceed anything you can imagine! Leaving aside everything else, take the Talisman Inheritance alone..."

Though the Zheng Family was a Pill Refining Family.

That did not mean the Zheng Family lacked other cultivation arts.

In fact.

The Zheng Family had collected a great many cultivation arts. While those arts had not reached Tier 2, most possessed High-grade First Tier standards.

For example, Talisman Inheritance!

"Fellow cultivator Li, as long as you join the Zheng Family and perform outstandingly in the path of Talismans, you will have no need whatsoever to worry about future Talisman Inheritance!"

It had to be said.

For ordinary Low-grade Talisman Masters, these words were indeed immensely tempting.

After all, most of them could not even obtain a mid-grade first-tier Talisman Inheritance.

Let alone a High-grade legacy?

But Li Chang'an had already made up his mind. No matter what they said, he would not waver.

"Shopkeeper Qian, there is no need to persuade me further."