Chapter 28: New Equipment, Left by a Core‑Formation Cultivator!

"Kun represents Earth, Water and Fire intersect… Not bad, a rare good hexagram!"

"Seems that loss indeed brings gain!"

Xiao Zhangqing's eyes lit up.

The last time he scavenged a water‑type artifact flag, the hexagram wasn't as good as this one.

It looks like this time he'll either make a fortune in Spirit Stones or find equipment extremely useful to him!

If possible, Xiao Zhangqing would prefer the equipment.

But that can't be predicted; after all, he only possesses a first‑rank divination technique, which can only vaguely sense fortune and can't pinpoint specifics.

It's like he can only gauge the overall fortune for the coming period, not predict which specific day will be favorable.

Rumor has it that only after the divination technique reaches the second rank will it have myriad wonders, no longer just simple hexagram displays, but concrete sensing and even some unfathomable divine abilities.

"Let's go to the market!"

Xiao Zhangqing stood up and left.

That day, he spent a full hour browsing the market and gained little.

The second day was also unremarkable.

The third day still yielded nothing worth celebrating.

On the fourth day, just as Xiao Zhangqing finished work and was about to head to the market, someone stopped him.

It wasn't a stranger; it was Miss Mu Chunfeng of the Mu Family.

Mu Chunfeng wore an apologetic expression and said sincerely, "Dao Companion Xiao, it may already be too late to say this, but I still want to apologize. I've been away from Nanshan Fang on a mission; the matters decided by the family elders were never communicated to me. Had I been in Nanshan Fang at the time, I certainly wouldn't have let them reclaim the cave dwelling. This is my failure to keep the original promise. I hope you won't resent the Mu Family; if you must resent someone, resent me, and I will try to compensate as much as possible."

"Miss Mu, you speak heavily. Regardless, I lived in the Mu Family's cave dwelling for almost a year for free; their reclaiming it now is reasonable and not something I resent. On the contrary, I will remember that you once valued me, even though my Talisman Path talent was limited and fell short of expectations. If in the future—if I have the chance and Miss Mu needs my help—just ask, and I will certainly assist."

After these days of busy turmoil, Xiao Zhangqing has let go of much of the senior Mu cultivator's overbearing attitude from that day.

Yet, having let go, Xiao Zhangqing still made his stance crystal clear this time.

He won't hold a grudge against the Mu Family, but he also feels indifferent toward them.

The year he was given residence in the cave dwelling, he will regard solely as Mu Chunfeng's personal favor and will honor that.

The Mu Family will have no more personal favors toward him.

"Alas…" Mu Chunfeng sighed, catching Xiao Zhangqing's underlying meaning, and nodded in understanding.

From a bystander's perspective, she also thought Xiao Zhangqing was right.

The Mu Family's approach is a classic turning of kindness into hatred.

Investing in someone, then after a year growing impatient, abruptly reclaiming the cave dwelling without face—who would honor your favor? It's like playing with others. Yet Mu Chunfeng still holds some expectations for Xiao Zhangqing, believing his future achievements won't be low; even if he doesn't become the second Lu Talisman Master, he can still be a top among First‑rank Talisman Masters.

If the Mu Family were willing to wait another ten years or so, the investment would surely be reclaimed in the future.

"Thank you, Dao Companion Xiao, for your understanding…"

Mu Chunfeng said a few more apologetic words, then took her leave in a hurry.

She has many matters to attend to lately; the Mu Family's situation is dire, far worse than outsiders speculate.

Not only have many clan members and enterprises been attacked, cutting family income sharply, but her father Mu Renjie also greedily demanded, forcing the clan to supply massive amounts of Spirit Stone resources.

Mu Renjie's justification is that he is cultivating an unparalleled divine art; if successful, the Mu Family could become the premier family of Nanshan Fang, directly absorbing and leading other families, and even aspire to be the foremost cultivation clan in the southwest of Da Yu!

The family elders naturally were skeptical, but Mu Renjie was adamant and, being the only Foundation Establishment cultivator in the clan, after intimidating a few with thunderous measures, the other elders could only obey.

By now, the Mu Family's years of accumulation have almost been drained dry by Mu Renjie.

This is why Mu Chunfeng thinks the clan's reclaiming of Xiao Zhangqing's cave dwelling is wrong, yet she can only tacitly accept it, coming only to apologize rather than return the dwelling.

Because the Mu Family truly has little surplus now.

She herself lacks the energy and finances to plan ten or twenty years ahead.

She believes Xiao Zhangqing has a promising future, but also thinks it's still quite far off.

……

After seeing Mu Chunfeng off, Xiao Zhangqing didn't change his plan and still went to the market.

The auspicious signs from the last divination have yet to manifest.

Although the first‑rank divination technique isn't advanced and can't specify exact fortunes, its overall accuracy remains high.

Since it's a good hexagram, there's a high chance of good luck; just keep looking.

After browsing for about two incense‑burning periods, Xiao Zhangqing didn't make a single purchase.

Hundreds of cultivators had stalls at the market, so there were certainly many good items.

But most stall owners were discerning buyers.

The items displayed for sale clearly listed their prices; usually the listed price exceeds the actual value, making it hard to find a bargain unless luck is overflowing.

For Xiao Zhangqing, he can't snag bargains unless the item can be equipped and has exceptionally good or perfectly suitable effects for him, then he'll buy.

Yet equipable items are as rare as a lucky find, with roughly the same odds as a bargain.

"I hope I won't end up empty‑handed again today."

Just as Xiao Zhangqing was losing hope for today.

He subconsciously moved to the next stall, and when he looked up, he suddenly saw a young female cultivator stall owner whose expression showed something unusual.

Because this stall owner looked very familiar, much like someone he previously knew, yet on closer inspection there were notable differences; clearly not the same person.

"Two people who look so alike?"

Xiao Zhangqing was internally surprised but didn't rashly ask; he merely speculated in his mind while, as usual, feeling every item at the stall.

Result.

When he touched a roughly one‑meter‑diameter circular white jade stone, his body suddenly stiffened and gave off an imperceptible tremor.

His head lowered, his face showing a stunned, incredulous shock.

【Enlightenment Mat】

The material isn't especially precious, being forged entirely from cold‑ice white jade. Yet it accompanied a Golden Core cultivator from the early Refining Qi stage through the late Golden Core stage, finally becoming the seat of his ascension; its significance is extraordinary, bearing witness to the entire life of a senior Golden Core cultivator through countless vicissitudes…

Equipment requirement: cultivation at least Early Refining Qi stage

Equipment effect: comprehension increased, spiritual root quality +1 (below Tian Ling Root)

Looking at the description provided in the inventory, Xiao Zhangqing has indeed seen a great deal; at this moment he can no longer restrain his ecstatic joy, almost unable to contain himself.

This is a treasure left behind by a late‑stage Golden Core cultivator!

The entire Nanshan Fang probably cannot find a second one! (End of chapter)