Chapter 15: Planning to Find a New Dao Companion? (Please bookmark, please follow)

He tucked the double‑winged tiger hair brush close to his body and resolved that from now on he would mainly draw Cleanse Talismans.

Even though the Cleanse Talisman's Cost Performance Ratio is low, its profit is far less than that of the last three of the Six Basic Talismans, so Xiao Zhangqing's salary may still fall short of this first month.

But for long‑term development, he can't worry about that any longer.

Even if for the next few months or even a year or two he can only receive a guaranteed minimum of 20 Low‑grade Spirit Stones per month, when the Cleanse Talisman is fully mastered and the double‑winged tiger brush can be equipped, the lost Spirit Stones will be fully reimbursed double.

Of course.

Working hard on the Cleanse Talisman doesn't affect the move.

In the past month, the feeling of stagnation in his cultivation—though he could output strongly to accelerate—was limited by the thin spiritual energy of Peng Hu Qu, forcing him to halt; Xiao Zhangqing has had enough.

Goal: a better residence within a Ding-level Cave Dwelling!

For this, Xiao Zhangqing took a day off, and tomorrow will complete house‑viewing and moving in one go.

…

Thump—thump—thump!

"Lin Dao Companion, are you home?"

Xiao Zhangqing knocked on the door of the female neighbor next door; if there was anything left undone before the move, it was paying back the money.

He is not the type to owe money and not repay; as soon as he got his salary, he came to settle the debt right after work.

But after knocking for a while, the door didn't open; it seems Lin Ziyu hasn't returned yet.

Just as Xiao Zhangqing was about to go home and come back later, he happened to see Lin Ziyu return, dressed in a strikingly exquisite outfit.

She looked somewhat different from usual, with a sense of being in full formal attire; her already top‑tier looks and temperament were above ninety percent, now approaching a perfect score.

At least from Xiao Zhangqing's perspective, this woman is today flawless and truly top‑notch.

"Lin Dao Companion, you're back," Xiao Zhangqing greeted with a smile.

Today he received his salary again, Lu Qiu gave him a brush, and the third piece of equipment was also found, and it is very powerful.

The string of good events naturally put Xiao Zhangqing in a very good mood.

"Anything you need?"

Human joys and sorrows are not shared.

Xiao Zhangqing is in a good mood, but today the specially dressed, formally attired Lin Ziyu clearly looks in a bad mood.

"Um... is this from drinking?"

When he approached, Xiao Zhangqing realized that the rosy hue on Lin Ziyu's fair cheeks was not makeup but the flush after drinking, and besides the pleasant feminine fragrance, there was a distinct smell of alcohol.

The Cultivation World also has alcohol, and its varieties far exceed those of the Mortal World.

Many cultivators also love drinking, truly unable to enjoy themselves without wine.

Some specially brewed spirit wines have very strong effects; not only Qi Refining Realm cultivators, even those at Foundation Establishment or Nascent Soul Real Person level feel a light, floating sensation after drinking.

More importantly, these spirit wines not only satisfy a cultivator's thirst for alcohol but also boost cultivation after consumption.

Legend even says some spirit wines grant various divine effects after drinking...

Of course, whether the spirit wine induces intoxication or has divine effects, it is not cheap.

Ordinary Qi Refining Realm scattered cultivators are not qualified to drink it.

It seems today Lin Ziyu has someone treating her to a fine meal at places like Lai Feng Lou.

Female cultivators are comfortable, especially those with advantageous looks and figure.

"If there's nothing, I'll go back," Lin Ziyu seemed unwilling to talk more, bypassed Xiao Zhangqing and used her mana to open the door. Though Peng Hu Qu is cheap and its spiritual energy thin, the basic protective measures are still present.

For example, each room has a formation that requires cultivators to use a unique mana method to open.

Although the defensive power of such formations is almost negligible, even early‑stage Qi training scattered cultivators can easily force them open.

But at least it looks like a proper barrier.

Moreover, scattered cultivators in Peng Hu Qu don't keep valuable items at home; they carry everything with them.

"Sigh... wait, I'm here to return Spirit Stones," Xiao Zhangqing said helplessly, quickly pulling out two Low‑grade Spirit Stones and thirty pieces of Spirit Sand as interest, and handed them over.

He borrowed for less than half a year at a 15% interest rate, which isn't low.

Thus Xiao Zhangqing owes the other party nothing.

"This..."

Seeing the Spirit Stones, Lin Ziyu finally cleared a few degrees of her drunken haze, "These thirty Spirit Sand..."

Xiao Zhangqing said, "When we first borrowed the Spirit Stones we agreed there would be interest, so it naturally has to be settled. I should be moving tomorrow, and we may have fewer chances to meet later, Lin Dao Companion, take care."

Others may have little interest and not want to talk much, but Xiao Zhangqing is not an insensitive person.

After a brief farewell, he prepared to return to his own home.

Moving tomorrow?

Lin Ziyu, for some unknown reason, suddenly felt a bit panicked and, almost supernaturally, tried to retain him with, "Xiao Dao Companion, would you like to come in for a cup of tea?"

Huh? Inviting him into the house for tea? If Xiao Zhangqing remembers correctly, this is the first time in the few years Lin Ziyu has lived in Peng Hu Qu that she has invited him inside.

"Just as you said, Xiao Dao Companion, after moving we may have fewer chances to meet. Having a cup of tea before leaving isn't a waste of the years we've been neighbors," Lin Ziyu said, her eyes calm but the flush on her face seemed even brighter.

Xiao Zhangqing thought it reasonable and followed her inside.

The room was small, just over twenty square meters, a one‑room unit, with a layout identical to the one next door where Xiao Zhangqing lives.

…

After sitting down, Lin Ziyu began to brew tea.

At the same time she subtly probed Xiao Zhangqing's situation, "I recall, Xiao Dao Companion, you've been officially at Lingfu Pavilion for about a month, right? Did you receive your salary today?"

Xiao Zhangqing nodded, "Yes. It's exactly a month; today the salary was paid, which is why I have Spirit Stones to return to you, Dao Companion Lin."

Lin Ziyu's eyes showed envy, "How nice. Officially at Lingfu Pavilion, moving out of Peng Hu Qu, Xiao Dao Companion, you're truly soaring now. I heard that formal members of Lingfu Pavilion start with a monthly salary of twenty Low‑grade Spirit Stones, and renting a Cave Dwelling comes with discounts..."

You know quite a lot! I wouldn't call myself soaring; even if I get thirty Low‑grade Spirit Stones a month, I still can't go to Lai Feng Lou for meals every now and then, let alone drink spirit wine...

Of course, such remarks certainly couldn't be said to someone's face; Xiao Zhangqing's emotional intelligence wasn't that low.

After exchanging a few laughs and casual chat, Xiao Zhangqing stood up and prepared to leave.

Unexpectedly, Lin Ziyu also spoke up: 'Dao Companion Xiao, do you have plans to find a new Dao Partner?'

Xiao Zhangqing blinked, pondering, and asked: 'Dao Companion Lin, what do you mean by that?'

Lin Ziyu didn't know if it was the alcohol rising, her cheeks grew increasingly flushed, her gaze a little unfocused, and she said with envy: 'I also want to move away from this godforsaken place, just like Dao Companion Xiao, and live in a cave dwelling with abundant spiritual energy.'

How could these words feel somewhat suggestive? Xiao Zhangqing couldn't quite read her intentions, and instinctively replied: 'Dao Companion Lin, if you want to move into a cave dwelling, isn't that quite difficult? I think it won't be long before you can move into a Bing-level Cave Dwelling...'

Xiao Zhangqing had heard that Hu Yuan came from a good family and lived in a Bing-level Cave Dwelling.

If those two got together, wouldn't Lin Ziyu just move over there?

But this remark was like stepping on Lin Ziyu's tail; the previously ambiguous atmosphere instantly dissipated, and she questioned: 'What do you mean? How could I just move into a Bing-level Cave Dwelling? In your eyes, am I no different from those courtesan Kun Cultivators in the pleasure quarters? Anyone can have me, as long as you give Spirit Stones, I can sell myself?'

~ (During the new book period, collections, follows, and votes are all crucial, relating to whether this book can go further. Readers, even if you don't vote, just make a sound, otherwise playing alone is too boring.) (End of chapter)