Chapter 42: Taking Turns to Come?

Xiao Zhangqing discovered the two Lin sisters, and the Lin sisters naturally discovered him as well.

Seeing that Xiao Zhangqing had no intention of greeting them, they hurried home; Lin Ziyu, however, kept a normal expression and said nothing.

It was a strange coincidence that former neighbors from the slum district would, after many years, meet again in a Bing-level Cave Dwelling, giving a sense that each had reached the pinnacle through their own efforts.

The lowly scattered cultivator who had been abandoned by a Dao Partner back then has now become a promising Symbol Master of the Lingfu Pavilion. She has also changed her mindset, passed through a low point, and together with her sister has established a foothold in Nanshan Fang, even being able to leverage the influence of Cao family, the head of the Four Great Families.

Both sides have changed drastically, no longer the poor and destitute appearances of before.

But even though they have improved, it doesn't have to alter their relationship; remaining casual acquaintances is fine—no one needs to ask anything of anyone, and no one should be linked to anyone else.

Seeing that Xiao Zhangqing clearly didn't want to engage further, Lin Ziyu expressed understanding.

But younger sister Lin Zixi was different; watching Xiao Zhangqing's departing back, she said, "Sister, isn't this person your former neighbor? What was his name again? I think he's a Basic Talisman Master at the Lingfu Pavilion. Back then when I was selling goods at a stall, you wanted to help him save money, right? You were even willing to give up several Spirit Stones!"

"Why bring up the past?" Lin Ziyu said coolly.

After the mindset shift, her temperament has become increasingly mature and intellectual over these years.

"I remember now, his name is Xiao Zhangqing! He's rather arrogant. He clearly recognized us just now but pretended not to see us…" Lin Zixi snorted a couple of times, then curiously speculated, "But he's quite wealthy, able to afford a Bing-level Cave Dwelling. It seems that among the Basic Talisman Masters of the Lingfu Pavilion he isn't at the bottom but a standout, with a decent monthly income. So perhaps he might have a chance to become a First-rank Talisman Master in the future?"

Saying that, Lin Zixi found herself interested.

If Xiao Zhangqing becomes a First-rank Talisman Master, that would be remarkable—he'd instantly become a Xiang Bo Bo.

There is a fundamental change between a First-rank Talisman Master and a Basic Talisman Master! Ten Basic Talisman Masters can't match the importance of a single entry-level Talisman Master! Although an ordinary First-rank Talisman Master is still far inferior to her senior, Bai Wuji.

Senior Bai Wuji is a top performer among the First-rank Medium-quality Talisman Masters; Lin Zixi even suspects he's about to breakthrough to a First-rank High-quality Talisman Master!

Even if Xiao Zhangqing does become a First-rank Talisman Master later, he will never be able to compare with the Bai Wuji she admires and respects.

But even the lowest First-rank Talisman Master is a big figure in Nanshan Fang, a talent coveted by all four Great Foundational Families.

The sisters now cling to Senior Bai Wuji's leg and have linked themselves with the Cao family, but that is ultimately hollow and full of uncertainty.

There is a fundamental difference from a First-rank Talisman Master who relies on their own strength.

"Sister, I think this Xiao Zhangqing is actually quite good. Why not take him down while he hasn't broken through yet, before he becomes a First-rank Talisman Master? If we wait until he does, the difficulty will be much greater," Lin Zixi suggested earnestly.

Lin Ziyu glared at her sister, "If you're interested in Xiao Zhangqing, the Dao Companion, and like him, go after him yourself! You've always been very opinionated; are you completely ignoring my words?"

Lin Zixi muttered, "I can't set my sights on him. Even if I were to look for a Dao Partner, I'd need someone as mysterious and domineering as Senior Bai Wuji! Xiao Zhangqing just doesn't have that aura; he's dull and timid, the type who is hesitant."

Lin Ziyu said in a low, serious tone, "Zixi, I'm telling you, don't entertain any improper thoughts about Senior Bai Wuji! If you do, cut that notion off early! Bai Wuji is indeed a benefactor to us, but his mystery is such that even the Cao family can't uncover any information; to us he's like a moon in water or a flower in a mirror. If you invest emotions, you'll only be the one hurt."

Lin Zixi waved her hand impatiently, "How many times have I heard this? Sister, stop nagging, I get it! I only admire Senior Bai Wuji, not anyone else. You're clearly saying something, then shifting it onto me."

"Just knowing that is enough," Lin Ziyu nodded, then added, "There's no chance between me and Xiao, the Dao Companion, so don't waste your effort either."

Lin Zixi, however, was undeterred, silently deciding to help her sister give it a try.

She had a hunch that her sister actually harbored a slight interest in Xiao Zhangqing.

At least, she's not averse.

Had she known that after her sister went through someone like Hu Yuan, a man with a beast's heart behind a human face, her mindset would shift dramatically. Not disliking a male cultivator essentially means she has some favorable feeling.

……

……

Xiao Zhangqing goes about his days methodically: clocking in at work, earning side gigs after work, and cultivating.

Since the two Lin sisters moved in next door, there's been no real impact.

Lately Xiao Zhangqing has been pondering when it would be appropriate to showcase his breakthrough to a First-rank Talisman Master at the Lingfu Pavilion. The shopkeeper Hong Jiantao is about to leave and won't stay long in Nanshan Fang.

What Xiao Zhangqing is thinking is to reveal it before Hong Jiantao departs; it can't be called repayment, only that he doesn't want to disappoint him and wants him to know he chose the right person.

Anyway, it's already been four years, which is considerably longer than the three years it took Lu Qiu, the Symbol Master, to break through to a First-rank Talisman Master back then.

At this point, his breakthrough, though swift, is still within a reasonable range and won't cause a stir.

However, after revealing his First-rank Talisman Master status, earning side gigs at home will become more taxing.

Now his job only requires drawing Basic Symbol Talismans, which is easy; he can finish overtime at home without trouble. If he becomes a First-rank Talisman Master, his workload will surge dramatically, being squeezed dry to the utmost.

If he wants to avoid affecting his cultivation speed, the scale of his side work might need to be reduced a bit.

Previously he sold sixty talisman scripts per month; now it would have to drop to thirty.

Of course, Xiao Zhangqing claims that after the breakthrough, his salary at the Lingfu Pavilion will soar, which can offset part of the loss from reduced side work.

Overall, the difference won't be huge.

Just as Xiao Zhangqing was planning this, he had just finished work and returned home when Lin Zixi suddenly showed up at his door.

"Anything?" Xiao Zhangqing was a bit reluctant to let them in.

"Hmm, I have something proper I'd like to discuss with you, Xiao, the Dao Companion," Lin Zixi said, nodding.

Seeing the woman's expression, Xiao Zhangqing almost instinctively thought she was about to unmask his disguise.

There's nothing he can do; he's a bit paranoid.

After thinking it over, Xiao Zhangqing let her in, wanting to hear what proper matter she had.

Once inside, Lin Zixi was not timid at all; instead she acted familiar, scanning the room before smiling and saying, "Xiao, the Dao Companion's Cave Dwelling seems a bit better than ours. Your dwelling gets 26 low-grade Spirit Stones a month, right? Ours only gets 25. Living like this alone, Xiao, you're really rich!"

"I have a housing subsidy from the Lingfu Pavilion," Xiao Zhangqing explained, then got to the point: "Lin, the Dao Companion, what's the proper matter? Say it directly."

To be honest, Xiao Zhangqing was a bit unsettled by the woman's current attitude.

For the past year and a bit, he's been interacting with her under Bai Wuji's alias.

Every meeting, Lin Zixi treated him with utmost respect, obeying every command, constantly calling him "senior," being very obedient, her eyes full of admiration.

Now, treating him as an equal, being quirky, and even daring to tease!

Naturally, Lin Zixi didn't know what Xiao Zhangqing was thinking.

When it came to the proper matter, she became somewhat serious, her bright eyes fixed on Xiao Zhangqing as she asked, "Xiao, the Dao Companion, you've been single for many years; have you ever thought about finding a Dao Partner?"

Huh? Hearing that, Xiao Zhangqing felt a vague sensation, as if a dead memory was beginning to assault him again.

If his memory serves, the night before he left the slum district, Lin Zixi's sister Lin Ziyu had invited him in and said something similar, exuding an ambiguous atmosphere that seemed to flirt with him.

Then, inexplicably, she got angry, scolded him, and said a bunch of nonsensical things.

What, the wheel of time turns, and we have to go through it all again, huh?

It's just that the older sister turned into the younger sister—are the sisters taking turns?

"I have no such intention!"

Xiao Zhangqing won't be taken in again; he flatly refused.

(End of chapter)