The Might of a High-grade Talisman

As for Zheng Qingqing's proposal about becoming a Guest Elder.

Li Chang'an did not give it much thought and politely declined.

"Young Miss, I am wholly focused on cultivation right now. I truly do not wish to spend my energy on other matters."

"Fellow cultivator Li, there is no need to refuse so quickly."

Zheng Qingqing spoke softly.

"Perhaps you are already satisfied with your Spiritual Land for cultivation, but what about your Cultivation Method?"

She smiled faintly and named her terms.

So long as Li Chang'an was willing to become a Guest Elder.

She would allow him to enter the Zheng Family's Library Pavilion and freely choose one Wood-attribute Cultivation Method.

One had to know.

Li Chang'an's current Cultivation Method was merely the low-grade Evergreen Cultivation Method.

This Cultivation Method was far too ordinary. Even among low-grade Cultivation Methods, it was considered second-rate, scarcely any better than an Inferior-grade Cultivation Method. It offered little help to his cultivation and even held him back somewhat.

If he could obtain a better Cultivation Method.

His efficiency in absorbing Spiritual Energy would increase dramatically.

His cultivation speed would also become faster.

"There should be a medium-grade Wood-attribute Cultivation Method in the Zheng Family's Library Pavilion."

Li Chang'an pondered.

He had to admit.

He was somewhat tempted.

Yet he still refused.

"Thank you for your kind intentions, Young Miss, but I truly lack the ability to take on the position of Guest Elder."

"Since Fellow cultivator Li is unwilling, I will not force you."

Zheng Qingqing's smile was radiant, and her tone remained gentle.

She had anticipated this long ago.

She had not truly come today to make Li Chang'an a Guest Elder, but merely to discuss a business deal.

"Fellow cultivator Li, how many mid-grade Talismans can you draw each month?"

"This..."

Li Chang'an considered briefly before saying, "My Mana is still somewhat weak at present, so I cannot draw many."

After some discussion.

Zheng Qingqing proposed a trade.

From then on, Li Chang'an would steadily provide the Zheng Family with a batch of mid-grade Talismans every month.

And the Zheng Family would pay him according to market prices.

This was equivalent to Li Chang'an gaining a fixed sales channel.

Naturally, he would not refuse.

Before signing the trade contract, in order to verify his Talisman Drawing ability, he directly drew a mid-grade Talisman, the Wind Escape Talisman, before Zheng Qingqing.

Afterward.

The two parties signed the contract.

This contract placed very loose restrictions on Li Chang'an.

Even if he could not provide Talismans on time, it would not matter. He could unilaterally terminate the agreement whenever he wished.

This pleased him greatly.

"Now that the Spirit Contract has been formed, I shall not disturb Fellow cultivator Li any longer."

Zheng Qingqing smiled sweetly, put away the Spirit Contract, and took her leave.

After returning.

She handed the Wind Escape Talisman to Zheng Ling'er.

"Ling'er, Li Chang'an's Talisman Skill has indeed broken through. He has become a mid-grade Talisman Master."

"He actually broke through?"

Zheng Ling'er looked at the Wind Escape Talisman in surprise.

No matter what.

A craft could not be faked.

Zheng Qingqing smiled. "Ling'er, if you wish to entrust your life to someone, Li Chang'an is actually quite a good choice."

"B-but he ultimately lacks the potential to establish his foundation..."

Zheng Ling'er's heart was tangled in knots, all ten of her fingers twisting together.

That night.

Li Chang'an was cultivating.

A new Divination Result appeared before his eyes.

[Divination Result Refreshed]

[Today's Divination Result: Auspicious]

[You head to the Black Market to purchase materials and discover a First-tier Late-stage Demonic Beast, an Earth-Splitting Pangolin, along the way. You successfully kill it.]

"An Earth-Splitting Pangolin?"

Li Chang'an's eyes lit up.

The shell and sinews of this Demonic Beast were both excellent materials for crafting a Defensive Puppet.

"The Earth-Splitting Pangolin's shell is extremely hard and difficult to break through. I will need to prepare carefully."

Early the next morning.

Li Chang'an altered his aura and headed straight for the Black Market.

Halfway there.

He indeed discovered the Earth-Splitting Pangolin mentioned in the Divination Result.

Almost at the same moment.

The Demonic Beast discovered him as well.

"Roar—"

It threw back its head and roared, its presence intimidating.

Seeing that Li Chang'an's aura was only at the Third Layer of Qi Condensation, it attacked without hesitation.

In an instant.

Surging Demonic Qi came crashing toward him.

"Da Huang, go!"

Li Chang'an took out the Turtle Puppet he had crafted earlier, then ordered Da Huang to engage it.

The Turtle Puppet stood before him.

Blocking every one of the Earth-Splitting Pangolin's Demon Arts.

"The Earth-Splitting Pangolin is famed for its defense. Its attacks are not particularly strong."

Li Chang'an's figure flickered. Using an Evasion Technique, he vanished from where he stood in an instant.

Not far away.

Da Huang had already pounced forward.

He and the Pangolin were both earth-element Demonic Beasts.

In the blink of an eye, Yellow Sand billowed and Sandstorm swirled, all manner of earth-element Demon Arts emerging one after another.

Boom!

A terrifying boulder smashed into Da Huang.

Fortunately, he had condensed Rock Armor and did not suffer much damage.

At the same time.

Sharp earthen spikes shot up from the ground, like countless blades, striking straight at the Pangolin's abdomen.

Yet the shell on its belly was equally incomparably sturdy. It simply could not be pierced.

Both sides excelled at defense.

If this continued.

Who knew how long it would take to decide the victor.

"Roar! Roar!"

The Pangolin roared repeatedly.

Its eyes were fierce and savage. As it fought Da Huang, it also searched for Li Chang'an's whereabouts.

In its view.

So long as it killed Li Chang'an, this battle would end.

But just then.

Da Huang opened his mouth and spat out a rolling wave of Yellow Sand, within which was unexpectedly hidden a Talisman.

Buzz!

The Talisman trembled, abruptly erupting with an extremely terrifying aura.

This was precisely the High-grade Talisman Li Chang'an had prepared for him.

Armor-Piercing Talisman!

A sharp and terrifying stream of Spiritual Energy pierced through the Sandstorm and reached the Pangolin's eyes in the blink of an eye.

Its eyes were precisely its greatest weakness!

A trace of panic flashed through the Pangolin's eyes.

It hurriedly shut them.

But the shell around its eyes was far inferior to that covering the rest of its body.

Crack!

The shell was pierced through in an instant, and a spray of blood burst forth.

The Pangolin howled in pain.

Before it could react.

A Flying Needle Artifact as thin as a strand of hair and almost impossible to see instantly pierced into its skull through the wound opened by the Armor-Piercing Talisman.

"Howl—"

The Pangolin let out a miserable cry, its body trembling for an instant.

Then it crashed heavily to the ground.

It no longer moved.

"The Ghost Needle left behind by that Rogue Cultivator senior truly is a weapon made for sneak attacks."

Li Chang'an appeared, his expression calm as he raised a hand and recalled the Ghost Needle.

Thanks to the Armor-Piercing Talisman and the Ghost Needle.

This battle had gone very smoothly.

This Pangolin was actually somewhat stronger than Da Huang.

But it never could have imagined.

That Da Huang could actually use Talismans.

"Let's go."

Li Chang'an put away the Pangolin's corpse.

Afterward.

He went to the Black Market with Da Huang and bought some necessary materials.

For some time afterward.

Li Chang'an cultivated while crafting a humanoid Defensive Puppet.

Before he knew it.

A month had passed.

"The time for the transaction agreed upon with the Zheng Family has arrived."

Li Chang'an calculated the date. He had already prepared a batch of mid-grade Talismans.

According to their agreement.

For the first transaction, Zheng Qingqing would personally come to collect them.

At this moment.

Zheng Qingqing had yet to arrive.

But another Female Cultivator had come to his door.

Liu Yue!

Her brows and eyes were slender, her vermilion lips lightly pursed, and her figure graceful and alluring. She had dressed herself with great care.

Over these past days.

Liu Yue had pondered for a long time.

"Although Li Chang'an does not have a mid-grade Talisman Inheritance, the fact that he can live in this area clearly means he possesses no small amount of ability. Besides, he is much younger than Luo Kun..."

So long as she could become Dao Companions with Li Chang'an, she would be able to enjoy this cultivation Spiritual Land with him.

Though he was somewhat stiff and dull.

But Liu Yue had great confidence in her own charm.

As long as she kept visiting him often.

She refused to believe she could not stir Li Chang'an's heart.

But just then.

A familiar voice sounded by Liu Yue's ear.

"Fellow cultivator Liu, do you also have business with Fellow cultivator Li?"

Liu Yue froze and turned toward the voice.

The one speaking.

Was none other than Eldest Miss Zheng of the Zheng family, Zheng Qingqing.

"Young Miss."

Liu Yue immediately put on a respectful expression.

When she thought of the word "also" in Zheng Qingqing's words, a few traces of disbelief immediately rose in her heart.

"Young Miss."

"You came to find Li Chang'an too?"