Reunion

Chen Lin's outright refusal, so decisive, immediately angered Zhang Mazi.

He believed the terms he offered were already generous, expecting Chen Lin to be grateful. He hadn't anticipated such a lack of appreciation.

"If that's the case, then forget it. Fellow Daoist is certainly a person of conviction."

As the shopkeeper, his priority was harmonious commerce. Though displeased, he didn't show it too obviously.

The surrounding people, however, looked at Chen Lin with unusual expressions, a hint of pity in their eyes.

With this unpleasant interlude, Chen Lin lost his desire to shop here and turned to leave.

Just then, Zhang Mazi's neck stiffened, and he sneered, "Hmph, truly unappreciative. I intended to offer you a way out, but since you refuse, then just wait to be consumed by the abnormalities..."

He stopped mid-sentence, as if realizing something, and quickly shut his mouth.

Then, with a blank expression, he walked back behind the counter.

Chen Lin didn't pause and walked straight out of Zhang's Business, but his heart was secretly alarmed.

Although Zhang Mazi didn't finish his sentence, his words suggested he knew about the abnormalities.

If that were the case, it meant the Zhang Family held a significant position.

But why was the Zhang Family still recruiting people at this time? Were they planning to take them all away?

According to Yu Yuehai, the fewer people leaving, the better, to avoid attracting the abnormalities' attention.

Chen Lin agreed with this reasoning; he himself had been connected by a red thread after the shadowy abnormality appeared.

Was the Zhang Family's action due to ignorance of the situation, or was there another reason?

However, if too many cultivators left the city, it would undoubtedly cause chaos.

As he walked, he pondered how the future would unfold: Would Yu Yuehai succeed in Foundation Establishment? Could he successfully sever the red thread and leave? Would the abnormality discover them and annihilate them all?

After thinking for a while, he realized these were not things he could change, and he felt incredibly insignificant.

Being at the mercy of others, like a fish on a chopping block, was a terrible feeling.

With a heavy heart, he arrived at Duobao Pavilion and purchased some materials for refining pills, as well as a Flying Sword.

His previous Carefree Sword had been shattered by Yu Yuehai, so he had to buy a new one.

The Flying Sword was a little over a foot long, pale silver, and unnamed – just an ordinary low-grade Magic Tool.

It wasn't that he didn't want to buy a better one; it was simply that his Spirit Stones were running low. The fifty Mid-grade Spirit Stones he had obtained from Lu Li last time were almost all spent.

He had even intended to buy spells and Magic Tools to conceal his cultivation, but he couldn't afford them.

Even so, he didn't want to spend time making talismans to earn money for now. The urgent priority was to quickly increase his strength to deal with the unknown dangers.

Therefore, he planned to use the Enlightenment Pill to go through the spells in his spell details multiple times.

It was a pity he didn't have a Storage Bag; otherwise, he could have refined more Thunderclap Beads.

Chen Lin once again lamented the constraints of poverty, which hindered him at every turn.

This was even with his talent and cheat-like abilities. Ordinary Rogue Cultivators were in a far worse state, which explained why the original owner's cultivation hadn't progressed in twenty years.

After buying his items, he started walking back.

Through his thoughts along the way, he had come to a decision: staying by Yu Yuehai's side was currently the best option. Thus, he decided to patiently wait for the other cultivator to successfully establish his Foundation, abandoning any other plans.

"Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment!"

Just as he was about to leave the market, a figure suddenly appeared beside Chen Lin, causing him to instinctively grip his Flying Sword and look over warily.

"Who are you, and why are you stopping me?"

Seeing an unfamiliar Female Cultivator, Chen Lin couldn't help but ask, confused.

However, the other party was only at Qi Refining Level 3, which slightly eased his guard.

"Could Fellow Daoist step aside for a word?"

The Female Cultivator glanced at the cultivators selling goods in the distance and then whispered, beckoning Chen Lin to follow her further away.

Seeing Chen Lin not move, the Female Cultivator quietly said, "Artifact Refining Manual."

Chen Lin's eyes flickered. He sized up the Female Cultivator from head to toe, a look of realization dawning on his face.

So, this was the Female Cultivator who had sold him the damaged artifact refining book in the inner city. Although she had disguised herself, her malnourished appearance and similar aura were unmistakable.

"It's you. What do you want with me, and how did you recognize me?"

He had been disguised as well, so he was very surprised that she recognized him at a glance.

Despite his surprise and suspicion, Chen Lin still followed her a distance away, out of the market.

His cooperation stemmed from the fact that she had been at Qi Refining Level 2 in the inner city, and now she was at Qi Refining Level 3. She didn't seem like she had just broken through, suggesting she had used a spell or Magic Tool to conceal her cultivation. He wanted to see if he could acquire it at a low price.

"Now, tell me, how did you recognize me?"

With no one around, Chen Lin raised his voice.

The Female Cultivator first cupped her hands in greeting, then smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist, please don't doubt me. I am simply very sensitive to scents, and I had a deep impression of Fellow Daoist, so I recognized you when I encountered you again."

Chen Lin was stunned.

He hadn't expected that to be the reason.

This really meant having all sorts of abilities. He would need to be careful about this aspect when disguising his identity in the future.

"Then what do you need me for?"

Chen Lin didn't directly ask about concealing his cultivation.

The Female Cultivator hesitated for a moment, then bowed deeply and said, "This humble one is Xu Ruolan. I have a request."

Chen Lin frowned, not believing he was in a position to warrant her seeking help, but he still asked, "What is it?"

The Female Cultivator hesitated again before saying with a look of determination, "Fellow Daoist, are you in need of a cultivation partner?"

"What!"

Chen Lin thought he had misheard.

With his current physique and appearance, was a Female Cultivator actively approaching him?

After saying it, the Female Cultivator calmed down and said seriously, "Fellow Daoist, you heard correctly. If you are interested, I am willing to become your cultivation partner. I am only twenty-eight years old this year. Even if my cultivation is lower than yours, you won't be at a disadvantage."

Chen Lin stared at her, scrutinizing her, trying to guess what her intentions were.

Love at first sight?

He wasn't that narcissistic.

If he had Late Qi Refining cultivation, it might be possible for her to approach him actively, but Qi Refining Mid-stage was still a bit lacking.

Even though Zhang Mazi wanted to introduce him to a Female Cultivator from the Zhang Family, that was for marriage into the family, which was no different from selling himself.

"Speak. What is it you really want? If you don't say, I'm leaving!"

Chen Lin didn't want to play hide-and-seek with her. He had many things to do.

Seeing Chen Lin's attitude, Xu Ruolan knew she had been a bit rash. She pursed her lips and asked, "Fellow Daoist, do you have any Pills that can increase cultivation? Or do you have channels to purchase Pills?"

Chen Lin suddenly understood.

So that was the reason.

If you want to buy pills, just say so. Why bring up cultivation partners? Trying to get something for nothing?

Chen Lin grumbled inwardly, then frowned, "How can you be sure I'd have Pills? The Pills in the city are controlled by the Five Great Families. How could I, a mere Rogue Cultivator, possibly buy any?"

Xu Ruolan smiled slightly upon hearing this. "Fellow Daoist, why be so modest? If it weren't for the power of Pills, with your age, it would be difficult to break through two levels consecutively and reach Qi Refining Mid-stage!"