That night.
Shen Xuan felt restless.
The intense unease kept him awake for a long time.
If Qinglong Bay Market descended into chaos, a Talisman Master like him, with no combat experience, would be a fat sheep in the eyes of the Robbing Cultivators.
Although the B-grade Residence had Formation Restrictions, they could also defend against attacks from Late Qi Refining Stage cultivators.
But it was only a Tier 1 High-grade Formation, after all.
Given enough time, even a Magic Artifact could smash through the Formation Restrictions.
"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 fine Talismans, and more than a hundred Spirit Stones.
That was everything he owned.
Fortunately, he had the Mysterious Jade Talisman.
[Talents: Breath Concealment, Invisibility, Water Control, Self-Healing, Critical Strike, Iron Bones, Life Extension]
Breath Concealment Technique and Invisibility Technique were at Minor Mastery; the rest were all proficient.
Looking at these talents,
the unease in Shen Xuan's heart gradually eased.
[Divine Treasure Canghai Technique] was proficient, and [Water Condensation Edge Shaping Art] was proficient.
As long as he hid underwater, even a Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator would be powerless against him.
Seven years of arduous cultivation had brought him a wealth of achievements.
In terms of actual combat strength, 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 Spiritual Sense.
At full strength, he could wield both Mid-grade Magic Artifacts at the same time.
As for the fine Talismans,
there was no need to activate them.
His Talents and Spell Techniques were far more effective than fine Talismans.
The next morning.
After Ding Yuyao woke, Shen Xuan told her about the danger they were about to face.
"Husband, what do you plan to do?"
"My dear, I've made up my mind. If things get worse, I'll have Old Liu, the coachman, take you to Hongcheng County first."
Shen Xuan spoke thoughtfully. "According to the rules set by Qingyun Sect, cultivators are forbidden to attack ordinary people without cause, and conflicts between Cultivation Families must not spill over into the secular world."
"If you return to Hongcheng County, you should still be safe."
Ding Yuyao looked resolute. "Husband, I won't go! I want to stay by your side!"
"But if things take a turn, I won't be able to protect you."
Shen Xuan spoke frankly.
Ding Yuyao was only an ordinary person, with little strength.
If they encountered Robbing Cultivators, she would be no match for them.
By then, she would become a burden to Shen Xuan.
At the thought, Ding Yuyao's expression darkened.
"I'll listen to you, husband."
"Don't worry. Things might not get that bad. I'm just preparing for a rainy day."
"Then, husband, once you're settled, will you come for me?"
"Of course I will! You're my wife!"
Ding Yuyao burst into a smile through her tears. She couldn't help wrapping her arms around Shen Xuan's neck and clinging to him.
"You're so good to me, husband!"
The next morning.
Shen Xuan arrived at Tianxiang Pavilion.
It was his first time stepping into such a high-class entertainment establishment.
Just the Spirit Fruits and Spirit Wine on the table cost ten Spirit Stones—ten times the market price.
What a rip-off!
Shen Xuan took out his VIP Jade Token and paid seven Spirit Stones.
Then, as he waited, he angrily packed up all the Spirit Wine and Spirit Fruits.
Before long, Leng Ningxiang came in.
"Oh, Talisman Master Shen, sitting here all by yourself? You didn't call a girl in to keep you company?"
"Pavilion Master Leng, I came here specifically to see you."
Leng Ningxiang covered her mouth and laughed. "Talisman Master Shen, so you're into that sort of thing! My price is much higher than those girls'. Are you sure?"
Shen Xuan stared speechlessly at Leng Ningxiang.
Only after a long pause did he slowly say, "Pavilion Master Leng, I'm here to buy information."
Tianxiang Pavilion did more than just business involving dual cultivation; it also ran an Intelligence Business.
"Tell me, what do you want to know?"
"How much Lifespan does the Ding Family Old Ancestor have left, and how prepared are Ding Yijin and Ding Yisi to attempt Foundation Establishment?" Shen Xuan asked without hesitation.
The Ding Family's stability was tied to the safety of Qinglong Bay Market.
Every war between Cultivation Families was harrowing, with countless dead and wounded. He couldn't afford to let his guard down for even a moment.
Leng Ningxiang smiled.
"In light of our partnership, I'll give you a discount on this information. Thirty Spirit Stones."
After Shen Xuan paid, Leng Ningxiang handed him an Information Jade Slip.
"With this Jade Slip, you'll only need to pay a small number of Spirit Stones for future updates."
"Thank you."
Shen Xuan sent his Spiritual Sense into the Jade Slip and read through it.
It was certainly worth thirty Spirit Stones. It detailed the Ding Family's important members, their Cultivation Realms, primary cultivation techniques, commonly used Magic Artifacts, family relations, and more.
It even touched on the Ding Family's rival factions, their members, and the reasons behind their grudges.
The Ding Family Old Ancestor, whom Shen Xuan had been most concerned about, had only ten years of Lifespan left.
As the rumors around the Market claimed, Ding Yisi had indeed stolen the Foundation Establishment Pill originally meant for Ding Yijin and secretly failed to achieve Foundation Establishment.
However, at the end of the report, it said the Ding Family had mortgaged the profits from Qinglong Bay Market, borrowed heavily, and obtained another Foundation Establishment Pill from Qingyun Sect in exchange.
"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 Shen Xuan was leaving, Leng Ningxiang said softly.
A few days later.
The Ding Family Head brought the brothers Ding Yijin and Ding Yisi to Juxian Tower in Qinglong Bay Market, where they hosted a banquet for familiar friends and relatives.
During the feast, the Ding Family Old Ancestor appeared, looking like an immortal, with a ruddy complexion and a vigorous spirit.
He looked nothing like someone nearing the end of his Lifespan.
The Ding Family Head announced that the claim Ding Yisi had stolen the Foundation Establishment Pill and failed to achieve Foundation Establishment was pure fabrication.
It was malicious slander against the Ding Family by its enemies.
From that day on, Ding Yijin would enter seclusion to cultivate and attempt Foundation Establishment!
The arrival of the Ding Family Old Ancestor and the others eased the anxiety among the people of Qinglong Bay Market.
After all, seeing was believing.
With so many people watching, the Ding Family Old Ancestor was still as hale and hearty as ever, while Ding Yijin and Ding Yisi were on brotherly terms. The Ding Family's prestige remained undiminished.
Knowing what was really going on, Shen Xuan buried himself in cultivation and Talisman Crafting.
He had spent thirty-seven Spirit Stones in one go.
The Spirit Stones in his Storage Bag no longer made him feel secure.
He told Zhao Chunsheng to stay home and protect his wife and children for the time being.
He was not to go hunting outside.
Zhao Chunsheng followed his instructions without question.
A cultivator needed only a little over ten days to achieve Foundation Establishment, and before long, those days passed.
Soon, news spread through the Market that Ding Yijin had succeeded in achieving Foundation Establishment.
"Ding Yijin has established a Mid-grade Dao Foundation!"
"Qingyun Sect even sent an envoy to offer congratulations!"
"The Zhao Family of Zifeng Mountain, the He Family of Wohu Ridge, and the Tao Family of Wanzhu Forest have all sent people to settle in Qinglong Bay Market!"
After hearing the news, Shen Xuan let out a long breath of relief.
With Ding Yijin's successful Foundation Establishment, the Ding Family now had two Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivators. The situation was as steady as Mount Tai.
"Looks like the Ding Family won this gamble!"
The strength of a Cultivation Family had always been measured by its strongest fighters.
Soon, the Ding Family posted an announcement.
Ten days later, they would hold a grand celebratory banquet at Juxian Tower in the Market.
As a Mid-grade Talisman Master, Shen Xuan also received an invitation.
"Tsk, tsk. Talisman Master Shen, you've made quite a name for yourself. Even the Ding Family sent you a VIP Invitation!"
Zhao Chunsheng spoke with a trace of envy.
He had received an invitation too.
It was just the ordinary kind.
He could only bring his wife and children to the buffet banquet to eat and drink his fill.
"Fellow Daoist Zhao, how about I trade invitations with you?"
"Talisman Master Shen, don't joke. At the VIP table, they read out everyone's gifts. I don't want to waste my money on that! I'd rather go to the buffet and make do."
Zhao Chunsheng immediately shrank back.
Shen Xuan shook his head.
Zhao Chunsheng wasn't wrong.
This banquet was bound to cost more than it was worth.
At the VIP table, he'd have to give a gift of some substance.
Otherwise, it would be an insult to the Ding Family!
Zhao Chunsheng had the better deal.
Guests at the buffet could give any little gift they liked, bring their wives and children, and let all four of them eat their fill. They could easily eat their gift's worth.
"Let's hope everyone keeps the peace!"
It hadn't been easy to find a stable, safe place to cultivate. Shen Xuan didn't want to wander from place to place amid flashing blades and clashing steel.
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