Chapter 14: Gift of the Pen

"First time getting this many Spirit Stones?"

Hong Jiantao asked with a cheerful smile, "Now that you have Spirit Stones, what are you planning?"

"First, move houses. I'm currently living in Peng Hu Qu; the ambient Qi is too weak, so I plan to move to a Ding-level Cave Dwelling, which will let me raise my cultivation to the mid‑stage of Refined Qi more quickly."

"Then, I'll try some Spirit Food and the like. Besides satisfying curiosity, food infused with spiritual energy can also aid cultivation after you eat it…"

Xiao Zhangqing laid out his plans one by one, naturally omitting his curiosity about the hook bar.

"Hmm, not bad. All your resources go to the cutting edge; for us cultivators, the most essential core is still cultivation. You're only at the third layer of Refined Qi, which is too low; you should soon advance to the mid‑stage of Refined Qi." Hong Jiantao nodded, approving Xiao Zhangqing's arrangements.

But he paused and asked, "Aren't you planning to find a way to improve your symbol techniques?"

Of course I have plans.

It's just that my method of improving symbol techniques differs from yours, shopkeeper; I go straight for equipment.

The third piece of equipment—previously I was just waiting for a salary because I had no Spirit Stones to look for! Hong Jiantao continued, "There's a saying in the Mortal World: If a worker wants to do a good job, he must first sharpen his tools. This also applies to us Symbol Masters. Besides diligent practice and accumulating experience, having a handy, high‑quality Zhibi can greatly increase our success rate in drawing talismans…"

As he spoke, a rectangular jade box appeared in Hong Jiantao's hand.

Xiao Zhangqing, who had been trying to gauge the shopkeeper's intent, suddenly froze, and an unrealistic thought began to surface subconsciously.

"Could it be… could it be that the shopkeeper is going to give me his Silver Moon Wolf Hair Brush?"

"No way, no way!"

Even though it seemed illogical and absurd, the thought spread uncontrollably in his mind.

The Silver Moon Wolf Hair Brush is undoubtedly the best equipment he's ever seen, and the most suitable and desired! A Symbol Master of a lower rank would jump one level, allowing him to become an Exclusive Lingfu Pavilion Symbol Master, achieving a double promotion within a month! An Entry‑level Symbol Master in Nanshan Fang is definitely a top figure, a guest of honor for all factions! "Is that really so?!"

Xiao Zhangqing's eyes widened with excitement as Shopkeeper Hong actually handed him the jade box.

Hong Jiantao said, "Take it. It's a gift for you. Inside is a First‑grade premium Zhibi called the Double‑winged Tiger Hair Pen… No need to look at me with tears of gratitude; Lu Qiu asked me to deliver it."

Uh…

After a series of twists, Xiao Zhangqing's emotions went from excitement to disappointment, then from disappointment to astonishment.

At first he thought Shopkeeper Hong was being generous, willing to give his beloved item to him.

But he was wrong; the jade box contained not his Silver Moon Wolf Hair Brush, but a pen called the Double‑winged Tiger Hair Pen.

However, this pen wasn't a gift from Shopkeeper Hong, but from that genius Symbol Master who recently caused a sensation in Nanshan Fang, attracting countless foundation‑building forces.

"Lu Symbol Master… how could he send me a Zhibi?" Xiao Zhangqing asked, after taking the jade box and pausing.

Hong Jiantao explained, "There are two reasons. First, this Double‑winged Tiger Hair Pen is only First‑grade, which is insufficient for him now that he's already advanced to a Second‑rank Symbol Master. But he's used this pen for many years; saying he has an attachment isn't an exaggeration, so he doesn't want to seal it away or sell it for Spirit Stones. He asked me to find a new owner for the Tiger Pen. He has no special demands, just that the new owner be a Symbol Master with potential and talent, and of decent character."

Xiao Zhangqing scratched his head, still puzzled, "So… do I count as having Symbol Master Talent?"

He considered his character impeccable; the term 'gentleman' perfectly describes him.

But the Symbol Master Talent he displayed doesn't seem particularly outstanding, does it?

"That's the second reason," Hong Jiantao said with a smile, looking at Xiao Zhangqing. "You don't think I haven't noticed your recent progress, do you? Demon‑breaking Talisman, Fireball Talisman, Protection Talisman—within just half a month you've quickly raised the success rate above the profit threshold, and it keeps climbing day by day. I have to admit, this old man was mistaken again. A month ago I thought you had a hint of talent, but you've shown strong late‑blooming power…"

"After Lu Qiu returned to the sect, although Lingfu Pavilion still has several Exclusive Symbol Masters, I don't think their talent surpasses yours."

He was on the verge of tears! Xiao Zhangqing had thought his efforts were in vain; after finally having a chance to show his skill without hiding his shortcomings, two major events crushed that hope, and he assumed no one would notice. He didn't expect shopkeeper Shopkeeper Hong to have already seen through everything and recognized his rapid progress.

"Take it! Make good use of this Double‑winged Tiger Hair Pen, don't waste it. Strive for Qi, and aim that one day you can advance to a Second‑rank Symbol Master; that will be a fine story."

Hong Jiantao hoped.

In his view, Xiao Zhangqing's talent certainly falls short of his prized disciple Lu Qiu's.

But Lu Qiu rose from clueless to Second‑rank Symbol Master in just a dozen years; even if Xiao Zhangqing's talent is weaker, taking twice as long—reaching Second‑rank by thirty—would still be decent!

"I will do my best!" Xiao Zhangqing said, taking the jade box, and asked, "May I meet the Lu Symbol Master? I want to thank him in person and promise not to let this pen gather dust."

Hong Jiantao shook his head, "You can't see him. Yesterday he followed a sect elder and left Nanshan Fang. Otherwise, he would have wanted to hand the pen to you himself and meet you as well."

Xiao Zhangqing's expression was solemn; besides happiness, he felt an inexplicable weight of inheritance.

Such a freebie carries a heavy weight.

"I just don't know if it can fit into the inventory… huh? What the heck!"

Xiao Zhangqing's previously heavy heart was instantly shattered, filled with excitement.

【Double‑winged Tiger Hair Pen】

【A First‑grade premium Zhibi handcrafted by a genius Symbol Master; over a dozen years it produced more than one hundred thousand First‑grade Talisman Scripts, achieving high synergy with Symbol Masters, and eventually drew Second‑grade Talisman Scripts】

【Equipment requirement: any Talisman Script of Grand Completion】

【Equipment effect: Small completion of twenty‑seven Entry‑level Talisman Scripts, Symbol Master Talent increase】

"What the heck!"

If the shopkeeper Hong Jiantao hadn't finished speaking and turned away without seeing Xiao Zhangqing's stunned yet excited expression, one might think the kid had gone mad.

But Xiao Zhangqing can't be blamed.

He just searched everywhere in vain, yet it came to him effortlessly.

He hadn't even looked for the third piece of equipment, and it came to him on its own.

Look at the equipment effects; there are two! Small completion of twenty‑seven Entry‑level Talisman Scripts—what does that mean? If equipped, it essentially makes Xiao Zhangqing a First‑rank Symbol Master, and a richly experienced one at that! Symbol Master Talent increase; this isn't a concrete effect, but in a sense it's even more extreme! "No wonder he's a Symbol Master prodigy coveted by all factions! This commonly used Zhibi is no weaker than Shopkeeper Hong's."

Xiao Zhangqing's heart boiled; he wanted to equip the pen immediately.

Unfortunately, this Double‑winged Tiger Hair Pen, like the Silver Moon Wolf Hair Brush, requires a Grand Completion‑level Talisman Script mastery to use.

It can't be equipped for now.

But it shouldn't take too long.

At least it's hundreds of times faster than the time it takes to reach Small Completion as a First‑rank Symbol Master.

"Isn't it just Grand Completion‑level proficiency? The Cleanse Talisman Grand Completion level is also Grand Completion!"

To equip it quickly, Xiao Zhangqing naturally chose the most basic of the Basic Symbol Talismans, the easiest difficulty!

(End of Chapter)