Chapter 1: Inventory

Da Yu Cultivation World, Nanshan Fang.

Xiao Zhangqing stared at the room with walls bare of furnishings, no larger than about twenty square meters.

Let alone any immortal's cave dwelling, even families in the Mortal World that are a bit richer have conditions far better than this.

"Alas! Pack up and return to the Mortal World!"

As a transmigrator, he also yearns for the Path of Immortality and wishes to avenge his former self, to harshly punish that pair of scoundrels.

But reality doesn't allow it! This body's cultivation talent is very ordinary, a low‑grade spirit root; what can he use to stage a comeback, to defy fate?

The effort of the past ten‑plus years only brought him from Qi Refining First Layer to Qi Refining Second Layer, which fully illustrates the problem!

He isn't material for cultivation!

Returning to the Mortal World, continuing as his prince, a carefree martial‑arts master—doesn't that sound appealing? Even if decades later he turns to a mound of yellow earth, at least he would have lived stylishly.

Much better than being the lowest‑rank workhorse here in the Cultivation World.

Think of what days his former self endured ten‑plus years ago: up early, working late, so busy he had no time to cultivate; the Spirit Stones earned in a month, after paying the rent for this 'Peng Hu Qu' dwelling, left almost nothing.

It was even worse than being a 996 corporate slave in his past life.

"Is this the fate of a sycophant?"

In Xiao Zhangqing's mind, he subconsciously recalled the final scene of his former self.

…

"We're not compatible; let's end it here."

"Not compatible? After thirteen years together, you now say it's not? Is it because of that guy beside you! Just because he's a native cultivator of Nanshan Fang? Because he has two shop fronts?"

The male cultivator behind Zhou Yun'e exuded no strong aura, his appearance was not handsome at all, even rather ugly, far inferior to the dignified, raging Xiao Zhangqing.

But… the difference is that he is not wearing an ordinary long robe, but a magical robe! Judging by the special sigil on the cuff, it should be a product of Baibao Lou.

It indicates that even this most basic style of magical robe, with the simplest array carving, still requires at least fifty low‑grade Spirit Stones.

"Indeed! Being with you, I see no hope. Dao Companion Hu's two shop fronts can collect twenty low‑grade Spirit Stones in rent each month, providing the life I want."

Zhou Yun'e's words were like the sharpest knife, striking Xiao Zhangqing's soft spot.

He said gloomily, "We came from the Mortal World to the Cultivation World with no foothold; early life was very hard. After so many trials, just when we finally managed to establish a foothold in Nanshan Fang, why give up?"

Zhou Yun'e shook her head, "Xiao Zhangqing, your so‑called establishing a foothold is to toil hard for a month, just barely able to pay the rent of the lowest‑grade cave dwelling?"

Xiao Zhangqing retorted, "I will work hard. Moreover, I have found a good job at Lingfu Pavilion!"

Zhou Yun'e sneered, "A temporary odd‑job worker, earning two low‑grade Spirit Stones a month, with rent costing one low‑grade Spirit Stone—this is considered a good job."

The male cultivator, eyes flashing, said, "The shopkeeper will teach me symbol techniques; in the future I will surely become a Symbol Master…"

But as he kept speaking, his confidence waned and his voice lowered.

Zhou Yun'e chuckled silently.

A moment of silence followed.

The Hu male cultivator behind Zhou Yun'e tugged her hand, indicating she could leave and not waste more time on such a person.

She finally said, "Xiao Zhangqing, since you happened to run into me today, let's speak plainly. From now on, we are cut off completely, with no further ties."

"I never want to live that old life again."

"I also want, like other female cultivators, to take a Gathering Spirit Pill each month and wear a magical robe… even if it's not an authentic Baibao Lou piece, a replica will do…"

"Instead of being forever limited to the long dress I grew tired of in the Mortal World, only eating ordinary mortal food, busy every day for rent to the point of having no time to cultivate!"

"I don't want to endure such hopeless days any longer. Otherwise, what's the point of venturing into the Cultivation World?"

Listening to the resolute words, Xiao Zhangqing asked bitterly, "Is our ten‑plus years of relationship still worth less than two shop fronts? You used to treat money as dirt!"

"Money may be like dirt, but Spirit Stones are not."

Zhou Yun'e sneered, "Moreover, you still have the nerve to talk about ten‑plus years of love. Ten years ago, what were you like? What are you now? I told you long ago that I was attracted to you because you were a prince, a martial‑arts master! You should feel ashamed and have no face for that, not question me now! Finally, a piece of advice: if you ever find a Dao Partner again and they want to leave you, you should first reflect on your own problems! If a man cannot earn a woman's admiration or provide her a comfortable life, why would a woman stay with him?"

Having said that.

She leaned into the Hu male cultivator's arms, turned, and left.

The Hu cultivator placed a hand on Zhou Yun'e's hip, turned his head toward Xiao Zhangqing, and sneered, "Useless."

Xiao Zhangqing finally broke his composure, unable to contain his fury; spiritual energy surged, his fist ignited with flame, and he hurled it at the Hu male cultivator.

If this were in the Mortal World, that punch could split mountains and shatter stones, easily slaying martial‑arts legends.

But facing the unremarkable Hu cultivator, he only said, "You really dare to seek death!" The magical robe activated, a piercing cold wind struck instantly, freezing the flaming fist; Xiao Zhangqing himself seemed turned into ice, bound by knife‑sharp cold wind, unable to move.

Then the Hu cultivator waved his hand, and Xiao Zhangqing was blasted backward, his fate unknown.

After that.

The current 'Xiao Zhangqing' has just transmigrated.

…

…

"How does the Cultivation World also have xxn?"

Xiao Zhangqing couldn't help but complain.

Of course, Zhou Yun'e was indeed beautiful.

In the Mortal World, she was the top beauty on the Jianghu's list of stunning women where Xiao Zhangqing belonged.

In the Cultivation World, celestial beauties are as numerous as clouds, yet she still ranked among the elite.

Back then, Xiao Zhangqing was the legitimate son of a prince in the Mortal World, with an extraordinary martial‑arts talent; barely past twenty, he could rival Jianghu masters, hard to find an opponent. Under her gentle advances, he quickly and willingly gave up everything to venture into the Cultivation World.

However, the Xiao Zhangqing with exceptional talent in the Mortal World became ordinary in the Cultivation World; after less than two years, Zhou Yun'e's attitude drastically changed, constantly despising Xiao Zhangqing. Former strengths turned into flaws.

If the Cultivation World weren't far more ruthless than the Mortal World, where a woman's beauty is far less 'precious,' and finding a suitable golden‑capped son‑in‑law is difficult, she would have kicked Xiao Zhangqing out long ago.

"Pack up your belongings! Then ask the landlord to refund next month's rent! Leave tomorrow!"

Xiao Zhangqing didn't want to stay any longer.

Leaving the Cultivation Market, the Mortal World has no spirit veins, making cultivation impossible; one's cultivation can no longer advance, and over time it will even retreat.

But his identity and his mortal martial arts cultivation are enough for him to live a carefree, comfortable life.

Saying do it then doing it, Xiao Zhangqing begins to tidy up this small one-room apartment of over ten square meters.

This is the lowest-grade dwelling in Nanshan Fang; the spiritual energy concentration inside is only First Tier Lower, very thin. If a mid-stage Qi Refining Realm cultivator lives and practices here, it is nearly impossible to make progress, and they can barely maintain without falling back.

But even such a dwelling costs one Spirit Stone per month in rent.

Over the past ten-odd years, Xiao Zhangqing's cultivation has only increased by one level; besides poor spiritual-root aptitude, the dwelling's low grade is also an important factor.

"How am I supposed to tidy up when there's nothing at all!"

Xiao Zhangqing felt around and found that there wasn't even a single valuable item.

"No, this counts as having value..."

Xiao Zhangqing took out a small booklet from under his pillow, on which was written "Methods for Crafting the Six Basic Talismans of the Qi Refining Realm".

This was after he worked as a temporary worker at Lingfu Pavilion for two months; the boss saw him diligent and hardworking, willing to endure hardship, always proactive in whatever he did, and out of benevolence casually gave it to him.

Let him go back and figure it out himself, take a look and learn.

Not expecting to master it, after all not every cultivator has the Symbol Master Talent; it can be encountered but not sought.

But understanding a bit more of the basics of talisman drawing can let one serve as a qualified assistant when a Symbol Master draws talismans, lend a hand, and maybe later even become a regular employee at Lingfu Pavilion instead of a temporary worker.

Only then would one truly have a firm foothold in Nanshan Fang.

Unfortunately, Xiao Zhangqing will now disappoint the boss's good intentions.

"This booklet, if taken out, could probably sell for some Spirit Stones, right?"

Xiao Zhangqing pondered.

He is about to leave the Cultivation World, and Spirit Stones become even more precious to him. Because the Mortal World has no spiritual energy, he wants to replenish his magical power, relying entirely on Spirit Stones.

But the next moment, he was dumbfounded.

Because the booklet in his hand suddenly vanished into thin air! Immediately after, a panel appeared in his field of vision.

The disappeared Talisman Script booklet is now on the panel, somewhat like equipment in a game.

Xiao Zhangqing stared, then tried to open the booklet.

【Talisman Master's Handbook】

【The most common Talisman Script booklet in the Cultivation World, Unranked, worthless. But annotated by a Symbol Master, it records some of his insights on drawing talismans……】

【Equipment Requirements: None】

【Equipment Effect: Minor accomplishment in the six Basic Symbol Talismans of the Qi Refining Realm (Cleanse Talisman, Barrier-breaking Talisman, Calm-heart Talisman, Demon-breaking Talisman, Fireball Talisman, Protection Talisman)】

(End of Chapter)