Got Rich!

Next, the others were inspected one by one.

The spirit detecting artifact, a bead, flashed to a similar extent as it had for the old man in the green robe. All these people had used some secret technique.

Soon, everyone had been checked, leaving only Chen Lin.

Lu Li's expression had turned extremely unpleasant.

Fierce light blazed in his eyes, making it feel as if he could erupt and kill at any moment.

The atmosphere became exceptionally tense.

Chen Lin observed from the corner of his eye that several Talisman Masters had already slipped their hands inside their robes, likely gripping their artifacts.

A few others had formed hand seals, ready to cast spells at any moment.

In short, none of them wanted to sit and wait for death.

With Lu Li's keen senses, it was impossible for him not to notice this situation, yet he remained unconcerned, clearly not taking these people's strength seriously at all.

Seeing that the other party was already controlling the bead to inspect him, Chen Lin hurriedly took out the successfully refined Soul Capturing Talisman from his embrace.

"This humble one has not failed the mission and luckily succeeded once. I do not know if it meets Fellow Daoist Lu's requirements."

With that, he handed the talisman over.

He dared not let the other party inspect him; if it were discovered that he hadn't used any secret technique, it would be difficult to explain.

"Ah?"

Lu Li exclaimed in surprise.

He had long since given up hope, only thinking about whether he would have to gather another batch of materials and have these people refine them again after the inspections were complete.

However, he also knew that since this attempt had failed, even a few more attempts would likely be futile.

After all, the Talisman Masters he had found were mostly rogue cultivators with low cultivation levels, so their skills couldn't be that exquisite. But he couldn't force the Talisman Masters from major families, and he didn't have enough leverage to entice them with benefits.

Yet, unexpectedly, just as his hope was about to be dashed, the last Talisman Master, who was only at Qi Refining second layer, actually produced a finished product!

Lu Li snatched it and brought it close to examine.

Then, he burst into hearty laughter.

"Haha, excellent, excellent! Indeed, one cannot judge a book by its cover. I never expected Fellow Daoist's talisman crafting skills to be so exquisite. You've given Lu a great surprise. May I know your esteemed name?"

Lu Li contentedly put away the talisman, his tone becoming amiable.

The tense atmosphere in the main hall eased.

The others were stunned for a moment, then they all offered congratulations.

Now that the talisman was refined, they no longer had to worry about Lu Li venting his anger and killing them, so they were genuinely happy.

Chen Lin cupped his fists, without any hint of pride, and said, "This humble one is Wang Tieniu, merely a low-level Talisman Master who has just begun. Being able to refine this talisman is purely luck."

"Hehe, no need to be so modest. Luck is also a part of strength."

Lu Li, with a beaming smile, was like a different person from before.

After speaking, he beckoned to his cousin, who had remained silent. The cousin then brought over a cloth bag and placed it heavily on the table in front of them with a bang.

"These are fifty Mid-grade Spirit Stones. I, Lu, keep my word. Since Fellow Daoist Wang has refined the talisman, the reward will absolutely not be shortchanged!"

Fifty Mid-grade Spirit Stones!

Chen Lin's breathing became heavy.

He hadn't expected the other party to actually keep his promise and give him the reward.

Not just him, but everyone else's eyes also gleamed, staring intently at the spirit stone bag.

This gave Chen Lin a sudden shock.

If he took these spirit stones out, he would likely be robbed and murdered before he got far.

With his Qi Refining second-layer cultivation, he couldn't defeat any one of the people present.

But giving up this sum of spirit stones was also impossible for him.

With this thought, he unceremoniously took the heavy spirit stone bag into his hands and then said to Lu Li, "Fellow Daoist Lu, may I be excused first?"

Lu Li looked at him with a half-smile and nodded, "Alright, Fellow Daoist Wang, travel safely."

Receiving permission, Chen Lin's heart slightly relaxed. He grabbed the spirit stone bag and left the inn's main entrance without looking back.

He hurried along under the cover of night.

He wasn't sure how long Lu Li would detain the other Talisman Masters, so he exerted all his strength, kicking up snow in all directions.

Soon, he arrived at the place where he had changed his clothes and disguised himself earlier. He looked around, and seeing no one, he burrowed into the snowdrift.

Shortly after, a young woman in a white dress emerged.

The woman's face was a little pale, and snowflakes still clung to her hair.

She cautiously scanned her surroundings, then adjusted the bundle on her shoulder and quickly moved forward along the path that had been cleared.

After taking many turns, she stopped outside a dilapidated courtyard gate.

After looking back again to make sure he wasn't being followed, he pushed the door open and slipped inside, closing it behind him.

Not far away, high in the sky, Lu Li and his cousin appeared out of thin air, floating silently.

Lu Li's sword-like eyebrows rose slightly as he watched the courtyard gate with interest. "I didn't expect it to be a woman. Her disguise skills are quite good, and she's certainly cautious."

"Cousin, should we capture her?"

Lan Yuqing asked, seeing her cousin make no move.

"Why would I capture her? A mere fifty Mid-grade Spirit Stones aren't enough to make me break my word. I just wanted to confirm her residence and identity. Perhaps she'll be useful later."

Lu Li sneered sideways.

Lan Yuqing nodded and fell silent.

Her cousin was a bit arrogant, but he always kept his word, which was one of the reasons she liked him.

"Alright, let's go back. We'll leave the city first thing tomorrow morning, so get some rest."

Lu Li glanced at the courtyard, then urged his artifact forward, leaving side-by-side with Lan Yuqing.

Not long after they departed, the snowdrift at the base of the back wall of the courtyard suddenly trembled, and a figure emerged from the snow.

It was Chen Lin.

He hadn't noticed Lu Li and his cousin spying on him. After a cautious look around, he circulated his Magical Power and quickly sped away.

This time, there were no detours. He returned directly to his residence, quietly opened the door, and slipped inside.

After securing the door and calming himself for a while, Chen Lin took off his outer clothes and took out the bag containing Spirit Stones from his waist.

He gently caressed it, then untied the opening and poured out all the Spirit Stones inside.

With a rustle.

A pile of glittering stones covered the table.

Chen Lin felt dizzy and his breathing quickened. He picked up one stone after another, touching all of them.

I'm rich!

This time, I'm truly rich!

One Mid-grade Spirit Stone was equivalent to one hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones. Fifty of them meant five thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones!

A fortune!

After being excited for a good half hour, Chen Lin finally calmed down. He put the Spirit Stones away and pondered how to spend them.

At the same time, he recalled whether he had been followed.

Although he felt that given Lu Li's status, he wouldn't secretly follow him for these Spirit Stones, otherwise, he wouldn't have let him go and allowed him to leave first.

However, his usual caution led him to change his identity twice and even use a hideout he had prepared.

That dilapidated courtyard was rented a month ago under a female identity. He had never used it before, intending it as a place to hide if he encountered danger. This time, to leave no trace, he used it.

But Chen Lin felt it was worth it.

He was too weak right now, and he couldn't be too careful for his own safety.

That night, after observing Red Thread Filling the Sky once more, Chen Lin couldn't sleep. He got up to meditate and cultivate.

With his pockets full, he extravagantly used a Mid-grade Spirit Stone. The effect was indeed much faster than normal cultivation, but the energy was impure and not explosive enough to allow him to break through.

The next morning, Chen Lin washed up and went to Duobao Pavilion.

After purchasing ten sets of alchemy materials and a simple alchemy furnace, he hurried back.

Upon returning home, he hung a "Do Not Disturb" sign outside his door and began to attempt alchemy.

Thanks to "Fish Under the Sky," "Fifty-Four Seals," and others for their rewards and recommendation votes!