Chapter 80: Hidden Spirit, Running Thunder

The two returned to the Clan Leader's residence in Qingyun City. It was hard to say how the Clan Leader felt, but Lin Zhangqing let out a long sigh, feeling his entire body relax significantly.

After all, under the watchful eyes of so many high-level cultivators, Lin Zhangqing's secrets could be exposed at any moment.

Furthermore, although the Great-Grandmother's attitude toward them was very gentle, Lin Zhangqing still felt uneasy.

Fortunately, they only needed to rendezvous at the Qingyun Sect's mountain gate in half a month; the remaining time could be spent as they pleased.

Lin Zhangqing knew that since the Clan Leader had brought him here, he must have something to say to him.

The two sat down in the living room, and the Clan Leader took out a tea set to begin brewing tea. Lin Zhangqing could only wait for the Clan Leader to speak.

As they sipped the spirit tea, the Clan Leader asked, "What are your plans for this mission?"

Lin Zhangqing thought for a moment and said, "I will strive to complete the mission, and then I intend to soak in the Purple Spirit Liquid myself!"

The Clan Leader smiled and nodded, saying, "This time, the six major sects are sending the younger generation into the Secret Realm to collect the main ingredients for Foundation Establishment Pills and Purple Mansion Tongxuan Pills, as well as to soak in the Purple Spirit Liquid."

"There will certainly be many elite disciples, and even core true disciples among them. I know you have some methods, but you must still be careful; after all, disciples from major sects surely have more tricks up their sleeves."

Lin Zhangqing nodded, saying with a serious expression, "Grandson has never dared to underestimate the disciples of these major sects; I will absolutely give it my all."

The Clan Leader sighed softly and continued, "It is good that you understand. However, since you are not truly a member of the Qingyun Sect, and conflicts and grudges are inevitable in the Secret Realm,"

"you should still disguise yourself when the time comes, to avoid bringing the grudges from the Secret Realm into the outside world."

Lin Zhangqing instantly grasped the Clan Leader's meaning and quickly said, "Grandson has been taught well. I will go to the Wanbao Pavilion in a moment to find a treasure suitable for concealing my appearance."

The Clan Leader nodded, took a jade box from his storage bag, and handed it to Lin Zhangqing. He said, "This was spoils of war from when I killed a group of robber cultivators several decades ago; it should be of some help to you."

Lin Zhangqing opened it to see three thin items that looked like facial masks. His heart skipped a beat—could these be human-skin masks? He took one out to examine it; it felt as light as nothing in his hand, and when he swept his spiritual sense over it, he could not sense the hand beneath the mask.

This meant that with this thing on his face, he wouldn't have to fear others probing with their spiritual sense.

"These three should be masks made of Hidden Spirit silkworm silk. I give them to you; you must make good use of them," the Clan Leader said earnestly.

Lin Zhangqing was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly promised, "Thank you, Clan Leader. I will certainly make good use of them and guarantee I won't bring trouble to the family."

The Clan Leader nodded and said, "I believe you will handle it well. I plan to take the clansmen back tomorrow. Will you stay here, or go to your grandfather's place?"

"I will go to Grandfather's place! After all, there is still half a month left, and I can help protect the Dharma for my father and Second Uncle."

"Very well. Tell your grandfather that I will return in about a month. Also, be careful in the Secret Realm, and remember to come back alive!"

Lin Zhangqing said earnestly, "Clan Leader, please rest assured, I will be fine."

"When I return from the Secret Realm, perhaps I might even bring you a big surprise."

"Grandson takes his leave; I am going to find Grandfather and the others now."

The Clan Leader chuckled and waved his hand, saying, "Go, go, I will wait for your big surprise!"

After leaving the Clan Leader, Lin Zhangqing remembered that he still lacked a specialized flying dharma artifact, so he headed straight toward the Wanbao Pavilion.

The Wanbao Pavilion in every location was almost always in the most conspicuous spot. Lin Zhangqing had seen it last time but hadn't gone inside.

As soon as he stepped into the Wanbao Pavilion, a young girl immediately came up to greet him.

"Greetings, guest. Welcome to the Wanbao Pavilion. I am your shopping guide for this visit; you may call me Zhi Lan. Is there anything you need?"

"Hello, I would like a flying dharma artifact that is relatively fast," Lin Zhangqing said.

"Certainly, guest, please head to the second floor. I will go get them for you right away. Please, this way."

Zhi Lan led Lin Zhangqing to a small private room to sit, and a maid served a cup of spirit tea. Lin Zhangqing nodded to express his thanks. After waiting a short while, Zhi Lan returned with three dharma artifacts on a tray.

"Guest, apologies for keeping you waiting. These are the dharma artifacts currently most suitable for you."

Lin Zhangqing nodded, signaling Zhi Lan to introduce them.

Zhi Lan picked up a boat-shaped dharma artifact and introduced it: "This is a First-Grade Upper-Quality flying dharma artifact, the Light Wind Boat. It is a small flying dharma artifact that can carry up to three cultivators, priced at 400 spirit stones."

"Its feature is that the boat body is small, and the speed is quite decent."

"This one is a First-Grade Top-Quality flying dharma artifact, the Swift Wind Boat. It is also a small flying dharma artifact that can carry up to five cultivators, priced at 600 spirit stones."

"Its feature is that the boat body is relatively slender, and the speed is faster."

"Finally, this one is a First-Grade Top-Quality flying spiritual artifact, the Cloud-Piercing Boat. It is between a medium and small flying spiritual artifact, can carry up to ten cultivators, and is priced at 900 spirit stones."

"Its feature is that the boat body is relatively light, and it can be propelled by multiple people together. The speed is the fastest of these three."

After finishing, she looked at Lin Zhangqing, waiting for him to make a decision.

Lin Zhangqing thought for a moment and said, "I'll take the Cloud-Piercing Boat! Does your pavilion have any thunder-attribute dharma artifacts or spiritual artifacts? If so, bring them up for me to see."

As he was about to enter the Ziyang Secret Realm, Lin Zhangqing decided to strengthen his capabilities; thunder-attribute dharma or spiritual artifacts were the most suitable.

"Yes, we do. Please wait a moment, honored guest." After saying this, she excused herself to prepare.

Outside, a maid came in, refilled Lin Zhangqing's spirit tea, and then withdrew.

Not long after, Zhi Lan entered carrying a large tray, displaying four thunder-attribute dharma and spiritual artifacts.

Lin Zhangqing signaled for her to introduce them first.

Zhi Lan picked up the first sword-shaped dharma artifact and said: "This is a First-Grade Upper-Quality Golden Thunder Sword, it has..."

"No need to introduce this one, I already have one. Introduce the next one," Lin Zhangqing interrupted her introduction.

"Oh, very well."

She picked up another thunder-attribute dharma artifact and introduced it: "This is a Thunder Lightning Ring, a First-Grade Top-Quality dharma artifact. You can usually channel spirit energy into it, and with a single thought, it can form a thunder-lightning shield. It is priced at 600 spirit stones."

Seeing that Lin Zhangqing had no particular reaction, she picked up another one and introduced it: "This is the Running Thunder Sword, a Second-Grade Lower-Grade spiritual artifact. This flying sword is very fast; at the very least, it is thirty percent faster than flying swords of the same grade."

"It is the first choice for cultivators who like to use sword weapons. This spiritual artifact flying sword is priced at 3,000 spirit stones."

She glanced at Lin Zhangqing and picked up the last shield-shaped spiritual artifact to introduce it: "This is the Heavenly Thunder Shield, a Second-Grade Mid-Grade spiritual artifact. You can usually channel spirit energy or mana into it."

"With a single thought, it can form three thunder-lightning shields, which can be stacked together or expanded side-by-side to increase the defensive area."

"Furthermore, the Heavenly Thunder Shield's own defense is also very powerful. If the two types of defense are combined, the defensive strength approaches that of an Upper-Grade spiritual artifact. This Heavenly Thunder Shield is priced at 5,500 spirit stones."

Lin Zhangqing considered it and said, "I will take the Running Thunder Sword and the Heavenly Thunder Shield. Calculate the total number of spirit stones."

Hearing Lin Zhangqing say this, Zhi Lan couldn't help but reveal a smile and quickly said, "Thank you, honored guest. The two spiritual artifacts and one dharma artifact total 9,400 spirit stones."

Lin Zhangqing nodded, counted out 9,400 spirit stones, and handed them along with the Wanbao Pavilion's VIP card to Zhi Lan, so she could register the record of the spirit stones purchased this time using a secret method.

He told Zhi Lan not to see him out, and then left the Wanbao Pavilion alone and low-key.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 81 =====