Cooperative Transaction

Several years ago, Lan Chang'an sought an audience with Zhou Qingxuan at the Zhou Family's residence, addressing her with the respect due to a senior.

There is nothing inappropriate about addressing her as Miss Zhou today.

When they first met at Bamboo Leaf Mountain, Zhou Qingxuan was a quirky and clever girl, twenty years younger than Lan Chang'an.

In terms of age difference, they could be each other's fathers.

"Brother Lu, we've known each other for decades. Calling me Miss Zhou is too formal. How about calling me Qingxuan?"

Zhou Qingxuan smiled brightly, her voice as clear as a wind chime, her playfulness tinged with a hint of dissatisfaction.

At this moment, she seemed like just a girl next door, not the aloof and powerful Foundation Establishment elder of the Zhou Family.

Brother Lu?

Lan Chang'an couldn't help but gain a new understanding of this woman.

If he remembered correctly, the last thing this woman said to him was, "I don't want to see you again."

"Miss Zhou, you flatter me. You are Foundation Establishment genius of the Zhou Family. How could I, an old man, presume to overstep my bounds?"

Lan Chang'an was not swayed by her charms and welcomed her into the house.

"Brother Lu, you're too modest. Reaching Foundation Establishment at seventy is something ordinary cultivators can't do. Besides, you're so well-preserved."

Zhou Qingxuan's bright eyes sparkled with a smile, her delicate and flawless face contrasting sharply with her undulating curves.

She thought to herself: Humph! You old geezer, I wouldn't have come to see you if it weren't for the request from my Lineage elders.

Guan Qiaozhi served the tea, bowed, and left.

The two chatted about the past, mainly about the Bamboo Leaf Mountain Market.

It's inevitable to mention the auction from back then, and the rampage caused by the Evil Cultivator Liang Shaotian.

Lan Chang'an learns more about the inside story, including how Zhou Qingxuan and her uncle Zhou Jingxuan manage to save their lives from Liang Shaotian.

"Alas, I have never heard of that ' Senior Yan ' all these years."

Zhou Qingxuan wrinkled her delicate nose, as if there was something missing.

Lan Chang'an felt strange; he hadn't expected that after so many years, this woman would still be so attached to this matter.

"As for Liang Shaotian, he has become increasingly rampant, having cultivated the ' Black Astral Demonic Flame,' and has gone on a killing spree, annihilating several renowned Foundation Establishment. In the past two years, this fiend has established a secret Demonic Cult stronghold near the Black Mist Mountain Range on the border of the Liang Kingdom."

Zhou Qingxuan looked utterly disgusted.

Lan Chang'an had heard of Liang Shaotian's formidable reputation over the years.

The reason this person went on a killing spree was that those reputable sects were smearing him.

Liang Shaotian publicly stated that he never raped or murdered the female cultivators of the Green Bamboo Sect, and that the real culprit was True Disciple of the Blazing Fire Palace.

However, Liang Shaotian had a very bad reputation in the Cultivation World of the Liang Kingdom, and no one believed his story.

The Blazing Fire Palace is Nascent Soul level power in the Liang Kingdom; who dares to question it?

Over the years, the number of crimes Liang Shaotian has accumulated has only increased.

The reason Zhou Qingxuan brought up Liang Shaotian again was because the territory of the Beast Taming Zhou Family, was a small branch near the Black Mist Mountain Range.

The secret stronghold established by Liang Shaotian is located on the border of the Liang Kingdom, near the Black Mist Mountain Range, not too far from the Beast Taming Zhou Family.

"Miss Zhou's visit this time is probably not to catch up with Mr. Lu, is it?"

Lan Chang'an took a sip of the spiritual tea.

"Brother Lu, to be honest, Qingxuan is here on behalf of the Lineage to invite you to become a retainer of our Zhou Family."

Zhou Qingxuan said seriously.

Lan Chang'an was not surprised by this.

As Foundation Establishment cultivator and Second-Order Talisman Master, with the reputation of Foundation Establishment in his seventies, it's normal for him to attract the attention of the Beast Taming Zhou Family.

"I, Lu, have only recently entered the Foundation Establishment and become Second-Order Talisman Master. What merit or ability do I possess?"

Lan Chang'an said tactfully.

Subsequently, Zhou Qingxuan revealed the truth:

The Beast Taming Zhou Family, currently has only one surviving Second-Order Talisman Master, whose lifespan is nearing its end, resulting in a lack of successors in the Talisman inheritance.

It's not that the Zhou Family lacks talented people.

Most of the talented people in the Zhou Family are skilled in beast taming, followed by alchemy and talisman making.

When Lan Chang'an Qi Refining Ninth Layer, he had already demonstrated a second-tier Talisman to Zhou Qingxuan. After advancing to the Foundation Establishment, he was a solid Second-Order Talisman Master.

Moreover, Lan Chang'an has a good character, which adds to his reputation.

Zhou Qingxuan had another hidden story she didn't tell.

Fu Xuemei owes Lan Chang'an a favor, which is something the Beast Taming Zhou Family values.

The Beast Taming Zhou Family, is located in the Northern Region of the Liang Kingdom, near a small branch of the Black Mist Mountain Range.

Yellow Dragon Immortal City is located due north, adjacent to a major branch of the Black Mist Mountain Range.

The distance between the two sides was neither far nor close.

The Beast Taming Zhou Family, has always wanted to deepen their relationship and promote cooperation with the Yellow Dragon Mountain lineage.

When the Zhou Family's higher-ups learned that Zhou Qingxuan and Lan Chang'an had known each other for many years, they sent her over to win them over.

This is why Zhou Qingxuan personally visited.

"Brother Lu, I mistakenly took the Earth Spirit Pill I sold you last time. Consider this second-tier Earth Spirit Pill as compensation for that oversight."

Zhou Qingxuan smiled sweetly and handed over a tea-colored porcelain bottle.

"Oh?"

Lan Chang'an took the porcelain bottle, inside which was a second-grade low-level Earth Spirit Pill with normal medicinal effects.

Zhou Qingxuan's actions can be considered an apology.

"A second-tier Earth Spirit Pill can enhance the cultivation level of earth-type spirit beasts."

Lan Chang'an accepted it without showing any emotion.

Squeak!

Sensing the enticing scent of the Earth Spirit Pill, the Earth Rock Rat emerged from its burrow at one corner of the yard.

She darted in front of Lan Chang'an and stared at him expectantly.

"Second-order Earth Rock Rat?"

Zhou Qingxuan was stunned.

She had just entered the courtyard when she smelled the scent of the Earth Rock Rat, but she never expected that the rat would actually advance to a higher level.

"No! This Earth Rock Rat has a mutated bloodline; its Demon Power aura is much stronger than that of ordinary Rat Demon."

Zhou Qingxuan stared at the Earth Rock Rat with a look of surprise and disbelief, her cherry-like mouth agape.

"Thanks to the Earth Spirit Pill given to me by Miss Zhou. Although its medicinal properties were unusual, by a twist of fate, this rat successfully advanced to the second rank, and its bloodline mutated."

Lan Chang'an said, half-jokingly.

He lived a long life, and he never intended to hide the existence of his Spirit Pet from the outside world.

The second-tier Earth Rock Rat can showcase his strength.

Lan Chang'an also had certain needs from the Beast Taming Zhou Family, such as the Monster Beast Hide.

"Bloodline mutation?"

Looking at the robust, orange-yellow-purple Rat Demon before her, Zhou Qingxuan was dumbfounded, her chest heaving.

The Earth Spirit Pill she gave him had extraordinary medicinal properties, which actually brought Lan Chang'an great luck?

Even Zhou Qingxuan wasn't sure what consequences the abnormally potent Earth Spirit Pill would cause.

Normally, the chances of a bad outcome are 90%, but the possibility of it causing bloodline mutations cannot be ruled out.

"Brother Lu is indeed quite fortunate to have achieved Foundation Establishment at such an advanced age."

Zhou Qingxuan blinked her pretty eyes, as if she wanted to get to know Lan Chang'an again.

The breeding of the Mystic Water Turtle is progressing better than expected.

The Earth Rock Rat's bloodline mutated, advancing to the second tier.

Luck played a part, but Lan Chang'an did have some little secrets about beast taming.

Now, Lan Chang'an has become Foundation Establishment cultivator, Second-Order Talisman Master, and has Second-Order Spirit Beast by his side, enjoying an inspiring reputation.

Even the Beast Taming Zhou Family, could not fathom its secrets.

"Brother Lu, did you obtain a beast-taming inheritance?"

Zhou Qingxuan's eyes were gentle and charming, her delicate face flawless, and she slowly approached, exuding a fragrance like that of a lotus flower.

"Miss Zhou, don't overthink it. I am merely skilled in healing and fortunate enough to heavenly materials and earthly treasures, which enabled me to successfully cultivate the Mystic Water Turtle."

Lan Chang'an dissuaded her from the idea.

"The Way of Veterinarians?"

Zhou Qingxuan pondered to herself, her mind starting to race.

Veterinary medicine is also one of the many skills in the cultivation of immortality.

If the medical skills are good enough, it is not impossible to raise the sickly Mystic Water Turtle well and promote its growth.

"Miss Zhou, I am accustomed to freedom and it is impossible for me to join the Beast Taming Zhou Family. However, I can cooperate with your family."

Lan Chang'an didn't beat around the bush and stated his thoughts directly.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingxuan was slightly disappointed, but it still met her basic expectations.

If we can't recruit them directly, we can at least try to forge partnerships.

"Our Zhou Family has a need for certain second-tier Talisman. If Brother Lu can meet that need, we can provide excellent talisman-drawing materials for a trade with you."

"Oh, which second-tier Talisman?"

Lan Chang'an inquired and found that most of them were traps or binding devices, which wouldn't be difficult for him.

"No problem. I hope the Beast Taming Zhou Family, can provide me with the Monster Beast Hide."

Lan Chang'an put forward his demands.

"Late-stage Tier 2 Monster Beast Hide?"

Zhou Qingxuan's pretty eyes widened in surprise; she hadn't expected Lan Chang'an to be so arrogant.

A second-tier late-stage Demon Beast possesses immense strength, and its hide is a rare sight in the Yellow Dragon Immortal City.

"Lu wanted to refine a mid-grade second- Mid-Grade Talisman, but his skills were lacking, so he could only use higher-grade materials to lower the success rate."

Lan Chang'an sighed.

"A mid-grade second-tier Mid-Grade Talisman?"

Zhou Qingxuan's eyes flickered, guessing that Lan Chang'an had become a second-tier low-grade Talisman Master at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, after all, he had good talent and was so old.

Now that he has advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm, his Law Power and Divine Sense have greatly increased, and he is able to attempt to refine Mid-Grade Talisman.

In the art of Talisman Master making, it's quite common for those lacking sufficient skill to use higher-grade materials to increase their success rate.

Second-tier mid- Mid-Grade Talisman, equivalent to Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Law Technique, are very rare on the market.

An ordinary cultivation Lineage could obtain one and use it as a trump card.

Even the Beast Taming Zhou Family, needs to develop powerful methods in this area.

"If Brother Lu can refine a mid-grade second -Mid-Grade Talisman that meets our requirements, the Zhou Family can provide the Monster Beast Hide, which wouldn't be out of the question."

Zhou Qingxuan pondered for a moment.

Lan Chang'an was secretly delighted. As expected of the Beast Taming Zhou Family, they could produce the Monster Beast Hide.

Old connections came into play.

Purchasing materials for a second-tier High-Grade Talisman in Yellow Dragon Immortal City through normal means is extremely rare.