A Twist of Fate

This night.

Shen Xuan had been restless the entire time.

A strong sense of unease kept him from sleeping for a long time.

Once Qinglong Bay Market was in chaos, a talisman master like him, lacking combat experience, would be a fat sheep in the eyes of robbing cultivators.

Although the B-grade residence had formation restrictions, it could defend against attacks from late Qi Refining stage cultivators.

But after all, it was only a Tier 1 High-grade formation.

If it lasted too long, even a magic artifact could smash open the formation restrictions with brute force.

"I need to make preparations as soon as possible!"

Shen Xuan opened his storage bag.

A Water Cloud Shield, a pair of Water-Splitting Emei Daggers, over seventy High-quality Talismans, and over a hundred spirit stones.

This was his entire fortune.

Fortunately, he had the Mysterious Jade Talisman.

[Talents: Breath Concealment, Invisibility, Water Control, Self-Healing, Critical Strike, Iron Bones, Longevity]

Breath Concealment Art and Invisibility Technique were at minor accomplishment, the rest were at mastery.

Looking at these talents.

Shen Xuan's unease gradually subsided.

[Divine Treasure Canghai Technique] mastery, [Water Condensation Edge Shaping Art] mastery.

As long as he hid in the water, even a Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator could do nothing to him.

Seven years of arduous cultivation had yielded much.

In terms of true combat power, Shen Xuan was confident he was above Zhao Chunsheng.

Shen Xuan tested them.

The Water Cloud Shield and Water-Splitting Emei Daggers consumed very little spiritual power and divine sense.

With his full effort, he could simultaneously control these two mid-grade magic artifacts.

As for the High-quality Talismans.

There was actually no need to activate them.

His innate spell, its effects far surpassed High-quality Talismans.

The next day, at dawn.

After Ding Yuyao woke up, Shen Xuan told her about the danger he was about to face.

"What are husband's plans?"

"Wife, I've thought it through. If the situation worsens, I'll have Old Liu, who drives the carriage, send you to Hongcheng County first."

Shen Xuan pondered as he spoke, "According to the Rules set by Qingyun Sect, cultivators are not allowed to attack mortals without authorization, and the wars of Cultivation Families cannot spread to the secular world."

"Your safety will still be guaranteed if you return to Hongcheng County."

Ding Yuyao's face was filled with determination, "Husband, this concubine will not leave! This concubine wants to stay with husband forever!"

"But, if the situation changes, I won't be able to protect wife."

Shen Xuan told her frankly.

Ding Yuyao was merely a mortal, with low strength.

If she encountered a Robbing Cultivator, she would be no match at all.

At that time, she would become Shen Xuan's burden.

Thinking of this, Ding Yuyao's face turned grim.

"This concubine will listen to husband."

"Rest assured, the situation may not necessarily worsen to that extent. I'm just preparing for the worst."

"Then, husband, after you've settled down, will you come to pick this concubine up?"

"Does that even need to be said? I will definitely come to pick you up! You are my wife!"

Ding Yuyao's tears turned into a smile. She couldn't help but hug Shen Xuan's neck, clinging to him.

"Husband is so good!"

The next morning.

Shen Xuan arrived at Tianxiang Pavilion.

This was his first time entering a high-class entertainment venue.

Just the Spirit Fruit and Spirit Wine on the table alone cost ten Spirit Stones, ten times the market price.

So dark!

Shen Xuan took out the VIP jade token and paid seven spirit stones.

Afterwards, while waiting, he resentfully packed away all the spirit wine and spirit fruit.

Before long, Leng Ningxiang came in.

"Yo, Talisman Master Shen, just sitting here? Didn't you call for a girl to serve you?"

"Pavilion Master Leng, I came specifically to find you."

Leng Ningxiang covered her mouth and chuckled, "Talisman Master Shen, so you have this kind of taste! Leng's price is much higher than those girls. Are you sure?"

Shen Xuan looked speechlessly at Leng Ningxiang before him.

After a long while, he slowly said, "Pavilion Master Leng, I'm here to buy information."

Tianxiang Pavilion didn't just do dual cultivation business, they also had an information business.

"Speak, what do you want to know?"

"How much lifespan the Ding Family Old Ancestor has left, and the Foundation Establishment preparations of Ding Yijin and Ding Yisi." Shen Xuan said without thinking.

The stability of the Ding family was related to the safety of Qinglong Bay Market.

The wars of cultivation families were thrilling every time, with countless casualties, leaving no room for slack.

Leng Ningxiang smiled.

"Given our cooperation, this information will be discounted for you, thirty spirit stones."

After paying the spirit stones, Leng Ningxiang handed him an information jade slip.

"With this jade slip, for subsequent information updates, Talisman Master Shen only needs to pay a small amount of spirit stones to purchase."

"Thank you."

Shen Xuan's divine sense probed into the jade slip and browsed.

As expected of information worth thirty spirit stones, it recorded in detail the important personnel of the Ding family, their cultivation realms, main cultivation techniques, commonly used magic artifacts, family circumstances, and so on.

It even vaguely mentioned the Ding family's opposing forces, personnel, and the reasons for their enmity, etc.

The Ding Family Old Ancestor, which he paid special attention to, had only ten years of lifespan left.

And Ding Yisi, as rumored in the market, had stolen the Foundation Establishment Pill that originally belonged to Ding Yijin and secretly failed to establish his foundation.

However, at the end of the information, it stated that the Ding family had mortgaged the income of Qinglong Bay Market, borrowed heavily, and exchanged for another Foundation Establishment Pill from Qingyun Sect.

"Talisman Master Shen, there's no need to worry. As long as the Ding Family Old Ancestor is here, Qinglong Bay Market won't fall into chaos."

As they were leaving, Leng Ningxiang said softly.

A few days later.

The Ding Family Head, along with his two sons, Ding Yijin and Ding Yisi, appeared at Juxian Tower in Qinglong Bay Market to host a banquet for familiar friends and relatives.

During the feast, the Ding Family Old Ancestor made an appearance. He had an immortal demeanor, a ruddy complexion, and was full of vigor.

He looked nothing like someone whose lifespan was nearing its end.

The Ding Family Head announced that the rumor of Ding Yisi stealing the Foundation Establishment Pill and failing to establish his foundation was pure fabrication.

It was malicious slander from opposing forces against the Ding Family.

Effective immediately, Ding Yijin would enter seclusion for cultivation to attempt Foundation Establishment!

The appearance of the Ding Family Old Ancestor and others greatly stabilized the hearts of the people in Qinglong Bay Market.

After all, seeing is believing.

With the Ding Family Old Ancestor still exuding his former glory in front of so many people, and with Ding Yijin and Ding Yisi showing brotherly affection, the Ding Family's influence remained undiminished.

Shen Xuan, who already knew the inside story, buried himself in cultivation and talisman crafting.

He spent thirty-seven spirit stones in one go.

The spirit stones in his storage bag made him feel insecure.

He instructed Zhao Chunsheng to stay at home honestly during this period and protect his wife and children.

He told him not to go out hunting.

Zhao Chunsheng followed his instructions obediently.

For a cultivator to establish their foundation, it only took a little over ten days, which passed in the blink of an eye.

Soon, news spread throughout the market that Ding Yijin had successfully established his foundation.

"Ding Yijin has forged a Mid-grade Dao Foundation!"

"Qingyun Sect has specifically sent envoys to celebrate."

"The Zifeng Mountain Zhao Family, Wohu Ridge He Family, and Wanzhu Forest Tao Family have all sent people to reside in Qinglong Bay Market!"

Upon hearing this news, Shen Xuan let out a long sigh of relief.

Ding Yijin Foundation Establishment Success, the Ding family now has two Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivators, their situation is as stable as Mount Tai.

"It seems, this time, the Ding family bet right!"

The strength of a Cultivation Family has always been determined by its highest combat power.

Soon, the Ding family posted an announcement.

Ten days later, a celebratory banquet would be held at Juxian Tower in the market.

As a Mid-grade Talisman Master, Shen Xuan also received an invitation.

"Tsk tsk, Talisman Master Shen is famous, the Ding family even sent you a VIP Invitation!"

Zhao Chunsheng said with some envy.

He also received an invitation.

However, it was the ordinary version.

He could only bring his wife and children to the Buffet Feast to eat and drink for free.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, how about, I switch with you?"

"Talisman Master Shen, don't joke. The VIP seats, the gifts will be announced, I don't want to spend this wronged money! It's better to go to the Buffet Feast and just Deal with it."

Zhao Chunsheng immediately recoiled.

Shen Xuan shook his head.

Zhao Chunsheng was not wrong.

This banquet would only result in a loss, not an Earn.

If you are seated at the VIP seats, the Gift must have some weight.

Otherwise, it would be slapping the Ding family in the face!

It was not as good as Zhao Chunsheng.

The guests at the Buffet Feast could give any small Gift, bring their wife and children, and the four of them could eat to their heart's content, and they could eat back the value of the Gift.

"I hope everyone will be quiet!"

It was hard to get a stable and safe cultivation environment, Shen Xuan did not want to be displaced, with swords and shadows.