Chapter 10: Qi Refining Third Level

Although you can't equip two items at the same time, you can have two different effects simultaneously.

But the good news is that switching equipment has no cooldown, you can switch and use at any time.

At night, while cultivating at home, Xiao Zhangqing switches to the Jade Tablet, using the Grand‑level Longevity Technique to speed up cultivation.

Even though the Spirit Qi density in Peng Hu Qu is too low, requiring pauses during cultivation, Xiao Zhangqing can still clearly feel his cultivation advancing much faster than before.

At this rate, he may soon break through Qi Refining Third Level.

During the day, when he clocks in at Lingfu Pavilion, he switches his equipment to the Symbol Master's Handbook, with six Basic Symbol Talismans at the minor achievement stage, and begins diligently drawing talismans.

Drawing talismans is not only his job but also the source of his next month's salary.

If he produces enough Talisman Scripts, he can obtain more than the guaranteed 20 Low‑grade Spirit Stones.

Moreover, drawing talismans improves proficiency; once he raises the proficiency of the six Basic Symbol Talismans to the minor achievement realm, he can discard the Symbol Master's Handbook, freeing an equipment slot.

"If there's a chance to equip the shopkeeper's Zhibi, that would be awesome."

In his private little studio, Xiao Zhangqing looks at the Zhibi assigned to him by Lingfu Pavilion; although it is also a premium piece, its materials are carefully selected and finely polished.

But this is a brand‑new pen that cannot be stored in the inventory.

Thinking of Shopkeeper Hong's Silver Moon Wolf Hair Brush, which grants a 'Symbol Master level +1' effect, Xiao Zhangqing's eyes light up.

Unfortunately, the Silver Moon Wolf Hair Brush is not only expensive—its cost runs into hundreds of Low‑grade Spirit Stones—but it is also Shopkeeper Hong's cherished item after many years, like a cultivator's long‑nurtured Magic Treasure, already imbued with sentiment; its value cannot be measured solely in Spirit Stones, and he won't part with it lightly.

"Don't overthink it; just work hard on drawing talismans, earn more money, and get a bigger salary next month!"

After resting for a short while and adjusting his condition, Xiao Zhangqing begins his formal work.

Thus, time passes unnoticed; half a month slips by as Xiao Zhangqing works earnestly and diligently.

During these half a month, spending 35 Spirit Sand on a Transmission Jade Tablet emptied Xiao Zhangqing's wallet, leaving him no money for leisure outings.

Each day consists of just two points: home and Lingfu Pavilion.

At home he cultivates; at Lingfu Pavilion he draws talismans.

Life is extremely routine.

Suddenly, Xiao Zhangqing feels as if he has returned to his former life as a corporate drone.

It seems that in any world, happiness has little to do with the vast majority of beings; the lower strata can only be beasts of burden.

All those fantasies—wielding a sword to rule the world, having a Dao Partner, wandering in carefree longevity—are just illusions! As a scattered Qi Refining cultivator, merely scraping together enough for a warm meal each day is already hard enough.

During this half month, after Zhou Yun'e cut ties with Xiao Zhangqing completely, she no longer appears in his world.

She never returned to Peng Hu Qu even once.

Her everyday items and change of clothes were never taken back.

After all, they are just mundane objects, worth hardly any Spirit Sand, and for her, now attached to a Local Second Generation Cultivator, they are completely unappealing.

Now she is probably living the good life, wearing a Dao robe and eating Spirit Rice at every meal.

As for the neighboring female cultivator Lin Ziyu, after a chance encounter at the market entrance last time, there was no further contact.

The two live next door, and occasional post‑work encounters are unavoidable.

But Lin Ziyu, for reasons unknown, gives Xiao Zhangqing a somewhat complicated look, seemingly trying to avoid him.

Each meeting consists of a brief eye contact, a polite nod, then they each return to their own homes.

Xiao Zhangqing is pleased to have the peace.

When he receives his salary and repays the two Low‑grade Spirit Stones plus interest, the two will owe each other nothing.

Everyone has an eye for beauty; regarding Lin Ziyu's looks and temperament, Xiao Zhangqing says that if he didn't feel even a slight stir, that would be false.

But having been burned by Zhou Yun'e in his previous life keeps a constant alarm ringing for Xiao Zhangqing.

Just like in his past life, as a corporate drone, he must understand that the prettier the woman, the less she has to do with you.

In the cultivation world, a female cultivator like Lin Ziyu has no connection with ordinary, hopeless scattered Qi Refining cultivators.

Such a woman, though appearing frugal, highly independent, able to endure hardship and poverty, inevitably harbors discontent inside.

Her current modesty is merely a way to increase her market value.

The goal is to someday reel in a talent like Hu Yuan, whose future is promising.

Xiao Zhangqing has encountered many such women in his previous life.

He worked in a first‑tier city for a corporation of thousands; many female colleagues with good looks, figures, and conditions were in their thirties and still unmarried.

Why? No one pursued them? Don't want to marry?

Obviously not.

It's just that those who chase them don't find them appealing; they only want a first‑generation or second‑generation rich person. Similarly, Lin Ziyu's situation is somewhat alike.

Given Xiao Zhangqing's current circumstances, he certainly doesn't catch her eye.

……

That day.

Night.

Lin Ziyu and Xiao Zhangqing both returned home, each cultivating in their own rooms.

"Here it comes, here it comes, again!"

"Ups and downs, rises and falls, it's unbearable!"

"What's going on lately? I feel the already thin Qi has become even more unstable. Could it be that the Spirit Qi supply to Peng Hu Qu has been secretly reduced again? Or perhaps the overall spirit vein of Nanshan Fang has declined?"

Inside her room, Lin Ziyu feels the Qi concentration constantly fluctuating up and down, leaving her unsettled and unable to pinpoint the cause.

She certainly wouldn't think this was caused by Xiao Zhangqing.

After all, Xiao Zhangqing is merely a Qi Refining Second Layer cultivator; compared to her Qi Refining Fourth Level, he's far weaker, so how could his thirst for Qi affect even the neighbor beside her?

Although the Peng Hu Qu rooms are simple, the foundations use special materials, so generally the cultivation of two rooms does not affect each other.

Just as Lin Ziyu can never affect Xiao Zhangqing.

But after Xiao Zhangqing equipped the Transmission Jade Tablet, his Longevity Technique reached great accomplishment, which is the level of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, greatly increasing his absorption speed of spiritual energy, surpassing the limit of the Peng Hu Qu room partitions.

After all, when the Peng Hu Qu was first built, no one would have thought that a Foundation Establishment cultivator would come to live here!

What Foundation Establishment cultivator would live in the Peng Hu Qu? Even if he were utterly down on his luck, it wouldn't come to that! Foundation Establishment cultivators, in the Da Yu Cultivation World, whether in major sects or the various immortal cities, are absolutely the backbone force! In a place like Nanshan Fang, they are the top upper echelon!

The total number of Foundation Establishment cultivators in Nanshan Fang does not exceed ten!

Each one resides in the top-tier Jia-level Cave Dwelling! Just as Lin Ziyu endured discomfort and forced her cultivation, suddenly, a special fluctuation transmitted from the neighboring room.

That is the special fluctuation formed when a Qi Refining Realm cultivator breaks through a minor stage.

The movement wasn't big, but it was very clear; she herself had experienced it.

"Has Xiao Zhangqing's cultivation broken through?"

Lin Ziyu was doubtful and uncertain.

She knew that Xiao Zhangqing's cultivation had previously been only at the Qi Refining Second Layer; even if he broke through, it would only be to the Qi Refining Third Layer, still inferior to hers.

But for low-level Qi Refining scattered cultivators, especially those living in the Peng Hu Qu, each breakthrough is not easy and is especially precious.

"This guy, could it really be that his luck has turned? Without even mentioning becoming a Formal Member of Lingfu Ge, his cultivation has broken through so quickly—double blessings."

"Being dumped by Zhou Yun'e, is that really a good thing for him?"

Lin Ziyu couldn't help but feel envious.

At the same time, she couldn't help but wonder again whether she had missed out on a potential stock.

She originally, of course, completely looked down on Xiao Zhangqing.

At first, when facing Xiao Zhangqing, she was aloof with a hint of arrogance; even though they were neighbors living next door, she had no intention of befriending him.

Later, upon learning that Xiao Zhangqing had some talent in the Talisman Path, when he became a Formal Member of Lingfu Ge, she already had Hu Yuan as a suitor, so she could only be polite and keep her distance.

Even Hu Yuan made fun of Xiao Zhangqing, mocking that his Dao Partner had run off with someone else; Lin Ziyu felt a bit uncomfortable hearing it, but she didn't show it. Sometimes she even had to go along, saying a couple of disparaging remarks.

Because compared to that, even if Xiao Zhangqing's luck had turned, the gap compared to a genius like Hu Yuan was still too great.

If she now chooses to turn back and 'fish' for Xiao Zhangqing, Lin Ziyu has confidence she can easily handle it; she would be much happier, not having to be as cautious as when facing Hu Yuan.

After all, she is very confident in her own conditions.

Not only is her appearance and bearing excellent, she has always maintained her status, preserving herself well, unlike Zhou Yun'e who casually gives herself away.

Only a female cultivator like her can truly capture a man's heart.

Otherwise, why would a genius like Hu Yuan, who has Foundation Establishment potential, also be enamored of her?

If she is willing, with just a little means, Xiao Zhangqing cannot resist.

But she still shook her head; to her, Xiao Zhangqing was still somewhat low-end.

She would rather sacrifice her own comfort in order to climb higher.

Xiao Zhangqing's current status and position do not bring her much help.

(End of chapter)