"This is my first time going down the mountain. I wanted to be better prepared."
Xu Taiping smiled a little sheepishly.
Zhao Linglong giggled at that.
"Relax. There are evil presences and ghostly wraiths down below, but a single lamplighting talisman can send most of them fleeing three leagues away. As for demonic beasts, most hide in the wilderness, cultivating in secret. If you don't provoke them, they won't come out."
Qingxiao patted Xu Taiping on the shoulder.
"Take these."
Then he held out several talismans to Xu Taiping.
"Senior Brother, there's no need to spend so much. It's only an escort mission. I won't need that many talismans."
Xu Taiping waved his hands repeatedly.
He could sense powerful fluctuations of spiritual energy from the talismans in Senior Brother Qingxiao's hand. They were at least middle- to high-grade Yellow Tier talismans, perhaps even Black Tier.
"Taiping, take them. Our Seventh Peak gives a few talismans to every disciple going down the mountain."
As Zhao Linglong spoke, she secretly winked at Qingxiao.
"Oh, right. It's a tradition of our Seventh Peak."
Qingxiao caught on at once and stuffed the talismans straight into Xu Taiping's arms.
How could a clumsy lie like Zhao Linglong's fool Xu Taiping?
But seeing that they genuinely meant well, he was touched and accepted the talismans without refusing again.
"Thank you, Senior Brother. Thank you, Senior Sister. On this trip down the mountain, I certainly won't disgrace the Seventh Peak's name."
Xu Taiping spoke with a solemn expression.
"What's the Seventh Peak's name worth? Your foremost priority is keeping yourself safe. As for this sect training mission, do what you can. Even if you fail once, there's always next time."
Zhao Linglong corrected Xu Taiping.
"All right."
Xu Taiping smiled and nodded.
He naturally knew that too.