Chapter 20: Unique Level‑Training Method

After Mu Chunfeng left.

Xiao Zhangqing looked at the cave dwelling before him, which spanned over two hundred square meters; not only were the buildings splendidly constructed and all facilities complete, but there was also a small courtyard.

Outside the courtyard, a formation shrouded the area, preventing a clear view of the courtyard's interior.

Although it was a simple first-rank illusion formation, it was far beyond what an ordinary Scattered Cultivator could set up.

Its location was also highly advantageous, being close to Lingfu Pavilion, making Xiao Zhangqing's commutes very convenient.

Inside the cave dwelling, the abundance of spiritual Qi reached the Late Stage of the first level.

Even a cultivator at the Late Stage of Lian Qi could barely make do training here.

Xiao Zhangqing impatiently tried to activate the technique.

Boom! A continuous stream of heavenly and earthly spiritual Qi was absorbed, never drying up, and the awkward situation of having to stop training in Peng Hu Qu while waiting for Qi to recover would never occur again.

"I still underestimated Miss Mu's resolve. This cave dwelling can't be secured without at least thirty Low‑grade Spirit Stones each month!"

Xiao Zhangqing sighed inwardly.

If he were to rent it himself, he wouldn't dare live in such a fine cave dwelling now, even with Lingfu Pavilion's housing subsidy it would be too much.

"I'll remember this favor."

After the Longevity Technique completed one celestial cycle, Xiao Zhangqing nodded in satisfaction.

He realized he need not feel uneasy or unworthy of such enticement and benefits, thinking himself undeserving of this fine cave dwelling.

With a golden finger at his side, he would never be a mere fish in a pond.

At present, this cave dwelling was indeed useful to him, speeding up his cultivation and saving Spirit Stones for advancing his level.

Since they offered it out of goodwill, he accepted it calmly.

He will repay today's kindness manyfold in the future.

However, what Xiao Zhangqing did not anticipate was that Mu Chunfeng's benefits and enticements toward him were not limited to this alone…

…

…

In the blink of an eye, more than three months passed since Xiao Zhangqing moved from Peng Hu Qu to the Bing‑level Cave Dwelling.

In these three months, his cultivation advanced at a breakneck pace; he felt only a hair's breadth away from Qi Refining Fourth Level! Besides the abundant Qi of the new cave dwelling, the biggest factor was, of course, the Great Completion level Longevity Technique!

Under normal circumstances, this would be a realm that a Foundation Establishment mid‑stage cultivator would need centuries of diligent study to reach.

For Xiao Zhangqing, who was still at the early stage of Lian Qi, it was a dimensional downgrade strike.

Even though he possessed only a Low‑grade Spirit Root and his cultivation talent was poor, the high proficiency compensated the gap.

At the early stage of Lian Qi, even a High‑grade Spirit Root might not cultivate faster than him.

Of course, the technique's proficiency only gives an early advantage. In later stages, once everyone reaches the Foundation Establishment Realm, the genius proficiency of High‑grade Spirit Roots reaches Mastery or Great Completion, and cultivation speed accelerates further.

"When my cultivation reaches mid‑stage Lian Qi, I wonder if the inventory slots will increase?"

After a day's symbol drawing, Xiao Zhangqing set down his talisman brush and massaged his slightly swollen forehead and brow.

For cultivators, the limit of symbol drawing is often not physical fatigue but the discontinuity of spirit and magical power; currently the inventory can equip only three items, and their effects cannot be used simultaneously, only one can be active.

Thus, over these months, Xiao Zhangqing bought many good equipments with Spirit Stones at the market, yet he dares not use them yet.

These equipments vary in effect, but all are far inferior to the Twin‑wing Tiger Feather Pen; before the final equipment slot is expanded, Xiao Zhangqing does not recklessly use them.

If his cultivation breakthroughs to mid‑stage Lian Qi, the equipment slots will expand, instantly solving Xiao Zhangqing's pressing need.

"I hope the Cleanse Talisman can reach Great Completion soon," Xiao Zhangqing sighed.

His innate Talisman Path talent was originally terrible; before the 'Minor Completion' stage where the Talisman Master's Handbook's equipment grants its own effect, he progressed rapidly, filling it up in less than two months.

However, after Minor Completion, the 'Mastery' and 'Great Completion' stages, without equipment aid, the proficiency increase becomes exceedingly slow.

In other words, the Cleanse Talisman is the most fundamental of the fundamentals, the simplest Talisman Script, barely stackable over time.

If one year fails, three or five years will still eventually improve it.

If he switched to a more difficult Talisman Script, Xiao Zhangqing doubted whether time alone could stack it.

"I have to admit, without a golden finger, with my talent, I'm not a dog basket!"

At quitting time, a temporary worker from Lingfu Pavilion quickly arrived to collect today's Talisman Scripts.

"All Cleanse Talismans again. Symbol Master Xiao, why do you only draw Cleanse Talismans?"

After quietly tallying Xiao Zhangqing's work for the day, the temporary worker couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Because Lingfu Pavilion doesn't require me to draw other talismans," Xiao Zhangqing said with a smile.

"But…" the worker replied, puzzled, "But Cleanse Talismans are of low value, so your monthly income would be much lower."

"This is my own unique way of honing talisman technique. Compared to earning Spirit Stones quickly, I care more about improving my talisman skill," Xiao Zhangqing explained.

This wasn't a perfunctory excuse; last month the proprietor Hong Jiantao, because of his 'eccentric' behavior, specifically came to inquire about the situation.

At that time, Xiao Zhangqing explained just like that.

"Alright…"

The temporary worker turned away sulkily, daring not to ask further.

If the proprietor doesn't intervene, what right does he have to pry?

He could only mutter to himself: what unique way of honing talisman technique, perhaps he merely got lucky and learned a few basic Talisman Scripts by chance, and now his luck has run out, revealing his true nature?

He didn't actually think that.

Recently, throughout Lingfu Pavilion, whether first‑rank Symbol Masters or temporary workers, everyone heard about Xiao Zhangqing's eccentric solitary behavior.

Some began to doubt whether Xiao Zhangqing was all show.

Which Symbol Master uses drawing Cleanse Talismans to hone talisman skill? That's utter nonsense! To truly hone talisman skill, one should tackle high‑difficulty Talisman Scripts, which is also one of Lingfu Pavilion's preferential conditions, allowing Symbol Masters to experiment without worrying about cost within a certain error margin.

Xiao Zhangqing, on the other hand, fearing waste of Spirit Stones for Lingfu Pavilion, never challenges high difficulty, only does the simplest.

Even if Xiao Zhangqing were merely all show, his talent ceiling has already been reached; with six basic Talisman Scripts, it's enough to secure his spot as an official member.

Currently the time isn't long yet, so it's not a big issue. But if it stays like this for half a year, a year, it's inevitable to be criticized and mocked.

Xiao Zhangqing also considered that he would face such a situation, but this is currently his best development path, and he has no other choice.

Even if he is really mocked, he doesn't care.

Who can laugh last is what matters! In this way, another two months passed.

This day.

Xiao Zhangqing received an invitation letter, sent by the Mu family.

The Mu family's only Foundation Establishment cultivator, namely Mu Chunfeng's father, is celebrating his sixtieth birthday and preparing a grand banquet for guests.

Also on this day, Xiao Zhangqing's bottleneck at the middle stage of Qi Refining, under the constant impact of the Perfected-level Longevity Technique, finally loosened!

(End of chapter)