In the days that followed, Shen Xuan devoted himself to cultivation and talisman crafting.
He didn't even have time to attend to training his little wife.
He'd already tried all kinds of tricks, and things had begun to lack novelty and excitement.
He still focused mainly on Spring Return Talismans; they brought in the most profit.
Now and then, when he grew tired, he switched to Breath Concealing Talismans and Invisibility Talismans.
As his cultivation realm and talisman-crafting skills improved, making those two kinds of talismans took far less spiritual power and concentration. It was practically a way to relax.
With Zhao Chunsheng's family of four around, the household had also grown much livelier.
Zhao Dahu was a mild-mannered sort, but Zhao Erhu couldn't sit still.
Whenever he came home, he would hover in front of Shen Xuan, running errands and helping with odd jobs.
From time to time, Shen Xuan gave him a few Breath Concealing Talismans and Invisibility Talismans.
An emperor didn't starve his soldiers, and Shen Xuan never asked anyone to work for free.
To his surprise, Qin Yuehan wrote back.
Uncle Ren personally delivered the letter.
The message was simple: she had no time to travel in the near future, but if she passed through Qinglong Bay, she would come visit him.
Shen Xuan merely smiled and didn't take it to heart.
The Ding Family, however, became even more enthusiastic toward him when they saw that Qin Yuehan had indeed written back.
Lu Zhengying and the others also replied one after another.
Their letters all said much the same thing: they wouldn't be coming for now, but perhaps sometime in the future.
Wang Fugui warmly invited him to Dragon Gate Market Town. He'd just opened a new shop there, selling various Cultivation Spirit Items.
Shen Xuan replied to each of them in turn, sending his regards.
He likewise declined Wang Fugui's invitation, saying he didn't have time.
For now, Shen Xuan was devoting himself wholeheartedly to cultivation.
He had bought a Juvenile Water Cloud Turtle and used a Spirit Gathering Array.
Though it cost a fortune,
the visible improvement in his strength filled him with hope for his cultivation.
Moving into a B-grade Residence had another benefit.
The neighbors lived far apart, and they hardly ever interacted.
That suited Shen Xuan, who had no desire to socialize, just fine.
Now, even when he walked down the street, he couldn't help wearing a smile.
A Mid-grade Talisman Master, living in a B-grade Residence, with spirit stones in his pocket, a lovely wife at home, and a bright Dao Path ahead of him.
Sometimes he passed by Tianxiang Pavilion.
Watching the bewitching little temptresses beckon to him one after another,
he would think to himself,
One day, I'll show you just how formidable I, Shen Xuan, can be!
But his feet never slowed; he hurried on.
For now, he didn't dare provoke those beautiful little temptresses.
They weren't ordinary female cultivators.
Many were Registered Disciples of the Joyful Union Sect.
They were skilled in the art of replenishing Yin by harvesting Yang.
Many inexperienced young cultivators, once ensnared in their tender embrace,
would be drained of their spirit stones and their vitality alike.
Unless they were powerful enough to lock down their essence and Yang energy—or even turn the tables and replenish Yang by harvesting Yin.
Shen Xuan only entertained the thought in his mind. He didn't dare take such risks just yet.
When he got home,
Jiang Xueqi suddenly came over and gave him a meaningful look.
"We have a guest."
As soon as he stepped inside, he saw a stunning female cultivator seated in the first-floor Reception Hall.
She looked to be in her thirties, dressed in luxurious finery, yet still possessing all her mature charm.
Her aura was powerful—at least Late Qi Refining Stage.
The female cultivator was talking with Zhao Chunsheng. The moment Shen Xuan entered, she noticed him.
"You must be Talisman Master Shen, Shen Xuan."
Shen Xuan hurriedly replied with respect, "I am Shen Xuan. May I ask your name, fellow Daoist?"
The woman smiled. "I am Leng Ningxiang, an Inner Disciple of the Joyful Union Sect and the person in charge of Tianxiang Pavilion in Qinglong Bay."
"Ah, so you're Pavilion Master Leng! I was blind not to recognize Mount Tai. Please forgive my offense!"
Shen Xuan quickly bowed.
The Joyful Union Sect was a great sect that spanned several countries.
In Qinglong Bay, Leng Ningxiang's status ranked among the highest.
Shen Xuan didn't dare treat her lightly.
Zhao Chunsheng stepped forward to introduce them. "Pavilion Master Leng heard that Talisman Master Shen's Spring Return Talismans are both affordable and effective, so she came especially to place an order."
"You flatter me. It's only thanks to the fellow Daoists' favor," Shen Xuan said modestly.
The three of them exchanged pleasantries for a while.
With Zhao Chunsheng mediating, Shen Xuan and Leng Ningxiang signed a sales agreement.
From then on, Shen Xuan would provide twenty High-grade Spring Return Talismans each month at a fixed price of fifty spirit stones.
The price would remain unchanged, regardless of fluctuations in the market.
They signed a Spirit Contract for one year to start.
After a year, they would decide whether to renew it based on the circumstances.
As he escorted Leng Ningxiang out, she suddenly handed Shen Xuan a jade token.
"A VIP Jade Token for Tianxiang Pavilion. At any Tianxiang Pavilion, you'll get thirty percent off everything except the service fee."
The service fee was the costumers' direct payment to the enchantresses for dual cultivation.
Shen Xuan instinctively wanted to refuse.
"Talisman Master Shen, just keep it. It might come in handy someday."
A mysterious smile played at the corner of Leng Ningxiang's mouth, and a hint of mockery glimmered in her eyes.
Shen Xuan could only accept it with an awkward stammer.
Back inside,
Zhao Chunsheng still looked regretful.
From now on, he wouldn't need to help Shen Xuan sell his High-grade Spring Return Talismans.
"Pavilion Master Leng came to you herself. I hear your Water Law Spring Return Talisman has special effects in certain areas."
"Ah!" Shen Xuan had never heard that before.
"Talisman Master Shen, you didn't know?"
"I've never used one."
Shen Xuan had the Self-Healing Talent, which worked better than a High-grade Spring Return Talisman, so he'd never used one.
"Tsk, tsk. What did Pavilion Master Leng give you just now?"
Shen Xuan showed him.
"A VIP Jade Token with a thirty-percent discount! What a great thing. You'll save a lot of spirit stones when you visit Tianxiang Pavilion!"
"Want to borrow it and go have some fun?"
"No thanks. The token has a serial number; lending it out won't work."
Only then did Shen Xuan notice that a line of tiny characters had been carved on the back of the VIP Jade Token.
"Qinglong Bay, A-108."
Two months later.
In the cultivation room,
the Mysterious Jade Talisman's golden light drew the Essence Blood from three Juvenile Water Cloud Turtles.
[Talent: Life Extension Initiate (2/100)] [Dao Rhyme: 96] [Spiritual Root: Water 20/100]
He checked his lifespan next.
[Lifespan: 66/125]
Good heavens, he'd gained ten years of lifespan just by reaching the entry level!
Shen Xuan performed the Life Extension Technique. His aura grew faint, and his entire metabolism seemed to slow as he entered a state of tranquility.
His breathing gradually steadied, each breath stretching out longer than the last.
It felt as if he were a giant turtle drifting in the depths of the sea. Strands of blue-green Water Spiritual Qi flowed into his body with each breath, trickling like a stream as they nourished his organs before finally gathering in his dantian.
[Talent: Life Extension Initiate (3/100)]
One Lesser Celestial Circuit added one proficiency point.
"Excellent. I can increase the talent's proficiency just by cultivating."
Shen Xuan continued adding the Dao Rhyme Points he'd gained to his Self-Healing Talent.
[Talent: Self-Healing Mastery (10/400)]
Seeing his Self-Healing Talent advance to mastery, Shen Xuan let out a long breath of relief.
At this point, one use of the Self-Healing Technique should be three to five times as effective as a High-grade Spring Return Talisman.
"So I've become an immortal cockroach?"
Shen Xuan mused to himself.
As long as he didn't suffer a fatal blow that killed him instantly, he could recover.
Then Shen Xuan circulated the Divine Treasure Canghai Technique. His spiritual power flowed more smoothly than it had a few days earlier.
He could sense the Water Spiritual Qi in the cultivation room more clearly, too.
Guided by his Spiritual Sense, the spiritual power within him circulated faster, leaving him feeling light as a swallow.
An hour later,
he slowly opened his eyes and ended his cultivation.
He carefully sensed the spiritual power inside him.
He could hardly contain his excitement.
Just one hour of cultivation had made his spiritual power a little more abundant.
At this rate, he only needed to cultivate for another four years to break through to Qi Refining Level 6!
If he activated the Spirit Gathering Array, he could cut that down to two years!
"As expected of a Mid-grade Spirit Root. Not only is cultivation faster, but my spiritual power is also purer!"
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