Zheng Family Recruits Guest Elder

Under normal circumstances.

The disciples of aristocratic families and sects were stronger than Rogue Cultivators in terms of Cultivation Methods, Spells, and Artifacts.

For that very reason.

If their cultivation levels were the same, Rogue Cultivators were often weaker than cultivators from aristocratic families and sects.

However.

Rogue Cultivators were often more ruthless by nature.

If it came to a fight to the death, no one could predict who would live and who would die.

Li Chang'an previously only knew a few of the most ordinary Low-grade Wood Spells, and his combat ability was average.

"Learning too many Low-grade Spells is useless. What I need now are better Spells."

As he pondered, he searched through the Black Market.

After a long while.

He finally found a suitable Mid-grade Wood Spell—Green Vine Entanglement!

This Spell did not consume much Spiritual Energy and had moderate power. It was mainly used to trap enemies.

"How many Spirit Stones for this Green Vine Entanglement?"

"Four hundred Spirit Stones. No haggling!"

The stall owner answered lazily.

Li Chang'an frowned. "This isn't like an Artifact. It has no cost and can be copied at will. How can it be so expensive?"

"Precisely because it can be copied at will, I'm selling it at such a high price."

The stall owner smiled and glanced at Li Chang'an.

He explained aloud.

"Fellow cultivator, once you learn this Mid-grade Spell, you'll have an advantage over cultivators who only know Low-grade Spells."

"If I sell it too cheaply and everyone learns it, what advantage would you have left? I'm thinking of your sake!"

Li Chang'an was taken aback.

The reasoning sounded rather crooked.

But upon closer thought, that really was how it worked.

The price of Mid-grade Spells was itself a threshold for the vast majority of Rogue Cultivators.

"Fine."

Li Chang'an tossed out four hundred Spirit Stones and bought the Spellbook.

After that.

He searched for another half day and found two more suitable Mid-grade Wood Spells.

They were Azure Profound Sword Qi and Wood Armor Spirit Shield.

One for offense and one for defense—just right for him.

Of course.

Neither was cheap.

"Strange. I've searched for so long, yet I haven't found any Body Refining Cultivation Methods, and I've only seen a few Evasion Techniques."

Li Chang'an frowned slightly as his gaze swept back and forth across the various stalls.

Body Refining Cultivation Methods truly were far too scarce.

As for Evasion Techniques.

Li Chang'an had only found three Low-grade Evasion Techniques: Blood Burning Escape Technique, Earth Escape Technique, and Water Escape Technique.

The first consumed lifespan, while the latter two did not suit his Spirit Root.

"Are there no other Evasion Techniques?"

Li Chang'an asked a stall owner who specialized in selling Spells.

The stall owner shook his head.

"Fellow cultivator, these are all we have in this small place. If you want better Evasion Techniques, you can go take a look at Yellow Crane Immortal City."

"Yellow Crane Immortal City?"

Li Chang'an's heart stirred.

Yellow Crane Immortal City had been established by a Golden Core Rogue Cultivator, True Person Yellow Crane, and was regarded by countless Rogue Cultivators as the sacred land in their hearts.

There would certainly be more treasures in a place like that, as well as greater chances to pick up overlooked bargains.

It was just that.

It was somewhat far from Clear River Market, and all sorts of accidents might occur along the way.

Moreover, there were too many powerful cultivators in the Immortal City.

Li Chang'an had no plans to go for the time being.

"Oh, right. It's said that the Third Boss of Black Wind Mountain possesses peerless Evasion Techniques and can escape from the hands of Foundation Establishment experts."

The stall owner suddenly spoke of something he had heard.

"If you have connections and sufficient resources, fellow cultivator, you can seek him out to trade for an Evasion Technique."

"Alright, thank you for telling me."

Li Chang'an cupped his hands.

Afterward.

He bought some materials needed for Puppet refining and Talisman Drawing.

Perhaps because their origins were unclear, some items in the Black Market were cheaper than those in the Marketplace.

Even so, Li Chang'an's wealth shrank by a fair amount.

"I still have over two thousand Spirit Stones. That's enough for cultivation."

He calculated silently.

Fortunately, he had saved the Spirit Stones meant for buying an Array and armor. Otherwise, his wealth would have shrunk even further.

"It's time to head back."

Li Chang'an set out on the return journey with all of today's gains.

The road back was rather peaceful.

He did not encounter any other Rogue Cultivators.

Just after returning to the Marketplace.

Li Chang'an ran into Chu Daniu.

From him, he learned a new piece of news.

"The Zheng Family is recruiting Guest Elders?"

The Zheng Family's requirements for Guest Elders were high. One had to possess at least one First-tier Mid-grade Craft.

Once one became a Guest Elder.

One could receive the Zheng Family's Stipend and enjoy all manner of preferential treatment from the Zheng Family.

If one performed outstandingly, one could even enter the Zheng Family's Library Pavilion and choose from various Cultivation Methods and Spells that were difficult to obtain outside.

"Ah, if only I could become a Zheng Family Guest Elder."

Chu Daniu sighed.

He only possessed the Legacy of Low-grade Spirit Wine.

And on the surface, Li Chang'an only possessed the Legacy of Low-grade Talismans.

Neither of them had any hope.

"Big Brother Li, did you know? Senior Luo has successfully drawn a First-tier Mid-grade Talisman and has been hired by the Zheng Family as a Guest Elder."

"Senior Luo Kun?"

Li Chang'an remembered that man.

That fellow greatly enjoyed hearing flattery and praise from juniors.

"Yes, Senior Luo Kun."

Chu Daniu's face was full of envy as he spoke of the news he had just learned.

This news.

Had caused a sensation within their small circle of craftsmen.

Almost everyone envied Luo Kun.

As he spoke.

Chu Daniu sighed again.

"Big Brother Li, Senior Luo promised me back then that he would personally give you guidance a few times. You should have gone then!"

Whenever he brought this up, Chu Daniu always felt regretful.

After all.

Luo Kun had yet to take a disciple even now.

If Li Chang'an had performed a little better back then, perhaps he might have moved Luo Kun to consider taking him as a disciple.

Luo Kun's status and position now far surpassed what they had once been.

It would be difficult to ask for his guidance again!

"What has passed is gone. There is no need to mention it again."

Li Chang'an's expression did not change, and he appeared perfectly calm.

Yet Chu Daniu refused to give up.

He had always felt that Luo Kun was where Li Chang'an could most easily obtain a mid-grade Talisman Inheritance.

"Big Brother Li, there's actually still a chance!"

Chu Daniu suddenly lowered his voice.

He told Li Chang'an, "When I delivered wine to Senior Luo before, I heard that the Zheng Family assigned him a Residence near the Marketplace's Core Region. The Spiritual Energy concentration there has reached High-grade First Tier!"

"That's perfectly normal."

Li Chang'an nodded. After all, a Guest Elder counted as half one of their own.

The Zheng Family's treatment of him certainly would not be poor.

Chu Daniu continued, "Big Brother Li, Senior Luo said that Residence is too large, and he plans to hire several servants!"

"This is the opportunity you were talking about?"

Li Chang'an could not help laughing.

Chu Daniu nodded forcefully.

"Big Brother Li, there's nothing bad about being a servant. You'd be able to interact with Senior Luo often, and you could cultivate in that Residence!"

As he spoke, Chu Daniu could not help revealing a longing expression.

Though he possessed the Spirit Wine Craft, he could only barely meet his daily cultivation needs.

He simply could not afford to exchange for a better Residence.

"Big Brother Li, think about it. That Residence's Spiritual Energy concentration has reached High-grade First Tier. It's far better than where we live now! As long as you can..."

"Da Niu, I actually no longer live in that old place."

Li Chang'an spoke at the right moment, cutting Chu Daniu off.

Chu Daniu froze.

"Big Brother, did something happen? Did someone force you to leave?"

"No. I merely changed Residences and haven't had time to tell you all yet."

Li Chang'an smiled with an easy expression.

He beckoned.

"Come on. I'll take you to see it."