Thunder in His Heart, Calm Lake on His Face

Inside the Spirit Talisman Tower, Shen Zhong's face was full of smiles as he warmly received the customers coming and going.

The Old Shopkeeper was still drinking tea and fingering his prayer beads. He asked casually, "You look so pleased. Did you refine a Mid-grade Fireball Talisman?"

Shen Zhong nodded and said sincerely, "There were two runes whose meaning I could never understand. If not for your guidance, I don't know when I would have succeeded."

The Old Shopkeeper nodded. "All things are difficult at the beginning. With your talent, you'll become a First-tier Talisman Master within a year."

Shen Zhong's eyes were filled with longing. As long as he refined three kinds of Mid-grade Talismans, he could officially become a First-tier Talisman Master.

Once I become a Talisman Master, I won't have to worry about spirit stones anymore. Maybe I'll truly have a chance to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm someday.

Shen Zhong clenched his fists. Since his parents had died, he had struggled his way through the Shen Family. A Four-Attribute Spirit Root found it difficult to receive substantial nurturing. If he had not possessed some talent for talisman crafting, he would likely have already followed in his parents' footsteps.

When customers entered, he gradually came back to his senses. Just as he was about to greet them, he realized they were two familiar faces.

Shen Yun walked up to the counter and asked, "I've come to sell a batch of talismans. Does the Spirit Talisman Tower accept them?"

Hearing this, Shen Zhong froze for a moment. A Moment Later, he said hesitantly, "Of course we do, but only spirit talismans of Mid-grade or above."

"Then that makes things easy. Help me appraise them."

Shen Yun patted his storage pouch, and a stack of spirit talismans immediately appeared atop the counter. The gathered treasure light instantly drew countless gazes.

Shen Qingruo looked curiously at the spirit talismans, wondering, Dad said talisman crafting was difficult. Could it be that he was lying to me?

Shen Zhong instinctively picked up a talisman. Once he saw it clearly, he cried out, "It's actually a High-grade Water Shield Talisman!"

As soon as these words were spoken, a commotion immediately broke out. A Mustachioed Man rushed over and said enthusiastically, "I am Zhang Tian, a steward of the Spirit Talisman Tower. It is a pleasure to meet you two esteemed guests."

He squeezed Shen Zhong behind him and began examining the talismans on the table. Shen Zhong's expression turned somewhat ugly, but he dared not voice his anger.

The surrounding employees were already used to the sight. Zhang Tian was the boss's brother-in-law, and relying on that connection, he usually loved stealing newcomers' sales. This was simply an old trick of his.

Shen Qingruo could not stand it any longer. Her little face turned slightly cold as she said, "We came to see Brother Shen Zhong. You should step aside first."

Zhang Tian's expression did not change. Putting on a profound air, he said, "You two may not know this, but only official shop employees can make decisions regarding such a major transaction."

That was naturally an excuse. He also cast Shen Zhong a pointed warning glance. In order to avoid trouble, Shen Zhong could only force a smile. "That is indeed the case."

Shen Qingruo was somewhat angry, yet she did not know how to refute him.

Shen Yun shook his head and looked toward the Old Shopkeeper, who sat calmly at the side. He asked, "Would you be willing to appraise them for us, Senior?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhang Tian's expression darkened slightly. The Old Shopkeeper was one of the Spirit Talisman Tower's Guest Elders, not someone he could control.

The Old Shopkeeper glanced at Shen Yun and nodded. "No problem."

Shen Zhong brought the spirit talismans before him. The latter arranged them in a row, and a trace of surprise flashed across his face. "Excellent brushwork, excellent technique. Which fellow Daoist created these masterpieces?"

Shen Zhong picked up a High-grade Fireball Talisman, his gaze fixed upon it. Drawn in by the runes, like silver hooks and iron strokes, he could not help muttering, "Such exquisite brushwork is absolutely the work of a master."

In their eyes, such exquisite spirit talismans had to come from the hand of an expert. The Old Shopkeeper put away his earlier disdain. Such talisman arts deserved his respect.

Shen Yun casually made up an excuse and said without hesitation, "These were made by an Old Daoist. He specifically instructed me not to reveal his name. Please forgive me."

The Old Shopkeeper nodded and said slowly, "Since that is the case, this old man will not ask further. There are sixty Mid-grade Talismans and forty High-grade Talismans here. The Mid-grade ones will be ten spirit stones each, while the High-grade ones will be thirty each. Water Shield Talismans are relatively scarce, so I'll add another ten spirit stones per talisman. The total comes to two thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones."

There were countless experts in the Cultivation World who liked concealing their identities. The Old Shopkeeper had long been accustomed to it.

It seems this kid has quite decent talent in talisman crafting, to have been accepted as a disciple by such an expert in the talisman Dao.

With his discerning eye, these talismans had surely been made by a Second-tier Talisman Master. Presumably, they had been specially refined to teach Shen Yun.

Shen Zhong naturally thought of this as well. Somewhat enviously, he said, "As expected of Brother Yun. From now on, you will surely become an outstanding Talisman Master."

To receive instruction from such an expert was naturally not something a self-taught wild fox practitioner like him could compare to. He was sincerely happy for Shen Yun.

Only Shen Qingruo cast Shen Yun a sidelong glance, thinking, Brother Shen Yun is lying again.

Having spent so many years together, no one understood Shen Yun better than she did. With little more than a glance, she could tell whether he was lying.

Shen Yun accepted the spirit stones and bought another batch of materials. He could not help marveling at how quickly Talisman Masters made money.

The Old Shopkeeper did Shen Zhong a favor and gave him the commission. Shen Zhong was secretly grateful. He was precisely in need of spirit stones, and he engraved this kindness in his heart.

After handing the Talisman Paper to Shen Yun, Shen Zhong suggested, "When Brother Yun has time, you can visit the Talisman Master Guild. You can learn much knowledge about the talisman Dao there."

"Thank you for the suggestion. We'll be leaving first."

Shen Yun left the Spirit Talisman Tower. Now that he had spirit stones, he first bought several bottles of Spirit Wine for Old Dad, along with some gifts.

Seeing Shen Qingruo secretly peeking at him, Shen Yun smiled and put an icy translucent Peace Buckle around her neck.

When they had passed by the magical artifact shop earlier, Shen Yun had noticed the little girl staring at it for quite a long time, so he spent five hundred spirit stones to buy it.

An intricate formation was inscribed upon the surface of the Peace Buckle. Once spiritual power was poured into it, it could raise a protective barrier. It was a highly practical First-grade Mid-tier Magical Artifact.

Defensive magical artifacts really are expensive. Money comes quickly, but it goes even faster.

Shen Yun sighed inwardly, but when he saw Shen Qingruo's warm smile, he felt the money had been well spent.

Making the loved ones around him happy was the best destination for money, was it not?

Night gradually deepened, and lights glimmered in the two-story building.

Shen Yun tidied the upstairs room. After Shen Qingruo returned to her room, he used the Light Body Technique and headed toward the mountaintop.

After a quarter of an hour, Shen Yun arrived outside Shen Qingruo's home. Just as he was about to send a message, Shen An's voice came from the courtyard. "Come in. The gate isn't locked."

Shen Yun let out a soft breath and pushed open the wooden gate. He passed through the garden along the stone path, where Shen An was waiting at a stone table in the octagonal pavilion.

"Uncle An."

Shen Yun cupped his hands in greeting, took out two brocade boxes, and said leisurely, "This year's Cloud Mist Spirit Tea. Have a taste."

Shen An waved a hand. "Sit. Why be so polite with me?"

After speaking, he took out a tea set, while Shen Yun began boiling water.

Rinsing the tea, brewing the tea, pouring the tea...

Shen Yun first poured him a cup, then sat down.

After they finished a cup, Shen Yun said naturally, "Qingruo's mood has improved quite a bit. I'll bring her back in a couple of days."

Shen An set down his teacup and looked at him. "Sometimes, I truly envy Ping Sheng for having such a worry-free son as you."

Shen Yun did not respond. He refilled the tea. Shen An kept staring at him, as though he wanted to speak but held back.

Shen Yun understood and asked, "Does Aunt Qing want to send Qingruo to cultivate in the Main Branch?"

Shen An nodded and sighed. "Nothing can be hidden from you. Qingruo couldn't bear to leave Falling Cloud Peak, which is why she had a falling-out with Qingling."

Shen Yun understood and said with a smile, "I'll try to persuade her."

He too felt reluctant, yet the Main Branch was where Shen Qingruo belonged. Staying at Falling Cloud Peak would only waste her talent.

The two chatted for a while. Seeing that the night had grown late, Shen Yun took his leave.

A Moment Later, Shen Qingling entered the courtyard and softly praised, "That child understands the bigger picture and knows when to advance and retreat. No wonder you admire him so much."

Hearing this, Shen An shook his head and said slowly, "If Qingruo had not awakened her Spirit Body, I truly would have wanted him as my son-in-law."

Shen Qingling said irritably, "They say fathers-in-law can never find their sons-in-law pleasing, but you're practically dying to send Qingruo to him. You father and daughter really are alike."

Shen An did not pursue the matter. With a Slight Smile, he said, "With thunder in his heart and a calm lake on his face, once winds and clouds converge, he will be a hidden dragon emerging from the abyss."

Shen Qingling was stunned for a moment, then said slowly, "Then I'll wait and see."

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