First-Order High-Grade Talisman Master!

Gathering Immortal Pavilion, Heaven-Grade private room.

Wei Yiyi was absent from this gathering, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

Although Yun Yao had already reached Qi Refining Ninth Layer Grand Perfection, when it came to the art of conversation, Junior Sister Lu Qingqing still had the edge.

Under Junior Sister Lu Qingqing's lead, they drank tea and discussed the Dao, exchanging cultivation insights and tales of what they had seen and heard. It was relaxed and pleasant.

Especially regarding the cultivation of spells, Yun Yao was the one guiding them most of the time, as though this had touched upon her strength.

As the sun set and the evening glow spilled through the windows into the private room, Yun Yao finally brought up the true purpose of this gathering.

"Four fellow Daoists, Junior Sister invited you here this time because Yun Yao has a favor to ask."

When the matter of Foundation Establishment came up, Yun Yao's expression was earnest.

"Little... Fellow Daoist Yun, we all know about your preparations for Foundation Establishment. Whatever it is, just say the word."

The straightforward Li Erniu spoke bluntly and readily.

Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing nodded in agreement as well.

Lin Chang'an also smiled and nodded. After all, the fact that everyone had come already said everything.

Yun Yao took a deep breath. Though the Cultivation World was fraught with treacherous hearts, it was already rare and precious that they could still gather together after all these years.

Then, with utmost sincerity in her eyes, Yun Yao slowly laid out her preparations for Foundation Establishment.

"Over the past few years, I have continuously ventured deep into the Cloud Mist Mountain Range to hunt monsters and seek Spirit Grass. Together with the Chamber of Commerce's accumulated funds, I have gathered most of what I need. Only the most important main material for Foundation Establishment is still lacking.

"The Monster Core of a Second Tier Water-Attribute monster is exceedingly rare and unavailable even at a price. I can only risk venturing deeper into the Cloud Mist Mountain Range."

Yun Yao's clear voice echoed through the room. Though she spoke lightly, everyone could hear the danger hidden beneath her words.

Especially the weariness between Yun Yao's brows, along with the savage scar faintly visible upon her snowy neck—it was easy to imagine the circumstances of her repeated journeys into the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, which she described in such a calm tone.

Yun Yao's greatest difficulty now was that she lacked a fine defensive magical artifact. She had nearly lost her life last time, so this time, she wanted to purchase an upper-grade defensive magical artifact.

"The Chamber of Commerce can currently produce only five hundred Spirit Stones. Any more would affect the business."

Lu Qingqing spoke solemnly, even laying out the Chamber of Commerce's accounts. From the very beginning, she had intended to board Yun Yao's ship.

"Apart from the Chamber of Commerce, my husband and I have some savings as well."

Shen Lie nodded solemnly. The Market had been unstable these past few years, and whenever people obtained Spirit Stones or anything of value, they generally used them first to improve their strength.

There truly was not much that could be saved.

Yet Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing had managed their affairs well over the years. Perhaps because of their guilt from three years ago, they actually brought out nearly two hundred Spirit Stones. This was undoubtedly their entire fortune.

"Fellow Daoist Yun, I have thirty Spirit Stones here."

Compared to the Spirit Stones contributed by Shen Lie and his wife, Er Niu's thirty Spirit Stones might not have seemed like much, but they still startled everyone.

After all, everyone knew Er Niu's circumstances perfectly well.

But in the next moment, Er Niu scratched his head awkwardly, cupped his hands, and said directly:

"My boy Yifan may not have much talent, but he is honest and dependable. If it is suitable in the future, let the boy help out at the Chamber of Commerce."

Li Erniu did not beat around the bush and stated his purpose outright. Instead, this made everyone smile.

Yun Yao nodded solemnly. "Let Yifan follow Qingqing and Shen Lie for now. Whether in cultivation or business matters, they are more than capable of guiding him."

Having gotten what he wanted, Li Erniu immediately broke into a smile.

Finally, Lin Chang'an gave a slight nod.

"Fellow Daoist Yun, I have some savings as well. It is not much, but there are a hundred Spirit Stones."

When they heard that Lin Chang'an could casually produce more than a hundred Spirit Stones, Li Erniu cried out in surprise:

"Talisman Masters make far too much money."

Li Erniu's eyes were practically red with envy. They were both Qi Refining Mid-Stage cultivators, yet their ability to earn money was simply beyond comparison.

But Lin Chang'an smiled and teased, "I have already let Yifan read Introduction to Talismans. If he has the talent in the future, the Zhou Family will naturally train him without any need for me."

Even Shen Lie was somewhat surprised by the hundred Spirit Stones.

The reason he and his wife had so much was entirely due to their business over the years, as well as their old capital.

However, when Lin Chang'an took out a Storage Bag and crisp clinking sounds of Spirit Stones rang out, Lu Qingqing's earlobes beside him twitched slightly, and an unusual glint flashed through her eyes.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Lin."

Seeing everyone's assistance, especially Lin Chang'an taking out more than a hundred Spirit Stones, Yun Yao's expression turned resolute. She did not say any overly sentimental words.

Lin Chang'an smiled and teased, "I also have two Golden Light Talismans here. I hope that when we next meet, Fellow Daoist Yun will already be a great Foundation Establishment cultivator. Then we will have someone to lean on."

Upon hearing this, everyone offered their congratulations in advance.

Yun Yao also rarely revealed a smile as she cupped her hands toward them all.

Even the Cultivation World valued the two words: good fortune.

At last, everyone took their leave. After all, the Market had not been very peaceful these past two years.

Outside Gathering Immortal Pavilion, Shen Lie watched the departing figure and could not help smacking his lips.

"No wonder Er Niu said before that even the Zhou Family praised Fellow Daoist Lin's superb talisman arts. With that kind of fortune, he cannot be lacking."

Lu Qingqing rolled her eyes at her husband.

"You really think that bag held only a hundred Spirit Stones?"

"What do you mean?" Shen Lie looked at his wife in astonishment, but Lu Qingqing pointed at her ears irritably.

"These ears of mine helped Grandfather settle accounts at Gathering Immortal Pavilion since I was little. With Spirit Stones and Spirit Crystals, I can estimate the amount from the faint sounds they make when they collide."

At last, Lu Qingqing glanced sidelong at the figure disappearing in the distance. No one knew what she was thinking. But when she turned and saw the husband she had chosen, Shen Lie, she shook her head with a smile.

If she had to do it all over again, she would still make the same choice. Knowing one's own limits and steering clear of harm while pursuing gain—this was what Grandfather had taught her.

"I estimate there were around a hundred and twenty Spirit Stones."

When Lu Qingqing said this, Shen Lie could not help clicking his tongue.

"No wonder they say that among the Hundred Cultivation Arts, once you get started, the means of earning Spirit Stones far surpass those of cultivators at the same level. Why do we not have that kind of talent?"

Filled with envy, Shen Lie finally looked at his wife Lu Qingqing and whispered, "How about we have a talented child?"

"Get lost." Lu Qingqing glared at him irritably, but her earlobes had already turned hot.

In truth, she had not spoken honestly. In her heart, she judged that the Spirit Stones Lin Chang'an had lent Yun Yao numbered around a hundred and fifty.

Yet at this moment, upstairs in Gathering Immortal Pavilion—

"One hundred and eighty-three Spirit Stones!"

Yun Yao was somewhat stunned. Did Talisman Masters truly make this much money? Moreover, she and the others had watched Lin Chang'an cultivate over the past few years.

But upon seeing the two talismans inside the Storage Bag, Yun Yao's beautiful eyes could not help flashing with shock.

"These are First-Order Mid-Grade Fine Golden Light Talismans!"

The two Golden Light Talismans, whose radiance was even richer, shocked Yun Yao while also making her seem to understand something.

First-Order Mid-Grade Fine Golden Light Talismans were infinitely close to upper-grade Talismans. At a critical moment, they could save her life.

This was equivalent to Yun Yao possessing two one-use defensive magical artifacts.

"A First-Order High-Grade Talisman Master... so that is how it is!"

At this moment, Yun Yao's beautiful eyes flickered, as though she had understood something.

As for Lin Chang'an, who had done all this, he quietly calculated in his heart on the way back.

"A complete First Tier talisman inheritance is simply not sold to outsiders by Li Fire Palace or Mystic Sound Pavilion."

Furthermore, with the increasingly tense situation outside and his own cultivation level, if he wanted to protect himself in troubled times, he needed to find someone to rely on.

He had not even considered the Zhou Family or the Wang Family.

Yun Yao was his best choice.

Things that were incomparably precious within the circles of Qi Refining Cultivators were entirely different in the circles of Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

"With Yun Yao's status in Li Fire Palace, obtaining the complete inheritance of First Tier Golden Light Talismans will not be difficult."

Lin Chang'an secretly calculated the upper-grade Talisman inheritance he needed.

Even if she failed, given Yun Yao's age and temperament, she would certainly attempt Foundation Establishment again. At that time, in order to shorten the preparation period, she would need him, a First-Order High-Grade Talisman Master, even more.

If she succeeded, then with Yun Yao, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, as his backer, his own safety would be guaranteed, and he would also have a channel for upper-grade Talismans.

Thus, he was now even more important to Yun Yao.

Yun Yao might make a killing, but he definitely would not lose out.

"Yun Yao has Li Fire Palace behind her. Once my cultivation rises a little further, perhaps I will have a chance to leave this place and find somewhere safe and stable to continue cultivating."

Lin Chang'an calculated silently. He was someone with limitless possibilities now—why gamble with his life?

Did they think this was some thousand-year Spirit Medicine or a Foundation Establishment Pill?