Chapter 45: Reactions from All Sides

Xiao Zhangqing broke through to become a First-rank Talisman Master; after it was announced in the Lingfu Pavilion, the news naturally could not be concealed.

In just four years, from a Scattered Cultivator in the Peng Hu Qu, abandoned by his Dao Partner, he surged to become a Sixth Layer of Lian Qi cultivator and also advanced to a First-rank Talisman Master! The current Xiao Zhangqing is definitely among the upper-tier cultivators in Nanshan Fang, with a bright future, and his displayed talent is only second to the Second-rank Talisman Master Lu Qiu from a few years ago!

This time it is no longer limited to people like Hong Jiantao, Jiang Jiyue, Mu Chunfeng, etc., who were only aware of the inside details, realizing Xiao Zhangqing's talent.

Instead, everyone in Nanshan Fang who follows the matter believes in their heart that Xiao Zhangqing has a great chance to later advance to a Second-rank Talisman Master! As a result, Xiao Zhangqing naturally became the talk of the town, and the foundation families also intend to cultivate good relations with him, forming a bond.

However, the regret is that Xiao Zhangqing is already a First-rank Talisman Master and a Sixth Layer of Lian Qi cultivator; his status in Nanshan Fang is already high enough, and it is no longer easy to impress him.

Adding embroidery to brocade cannot compare to sending charcoal in snow.

For a time, the community even had many various version stories about Xiao Zhangqing circulating, making the many Scattered Cultivators still struggling at the bottom talk about them with relish, taking him as a role model.

From a Scattered Cultivator in the Peng Hu Qu to an honored guest of the major foundation families, it is said that foundation cultivators themselves personally approach, trying to win him over—what a spectacular scene! It is a treatment that many Scattered Cultivators could not even dream of.

At the same time, the more Xiao Zhangqing is envied and taken in, the more the people who originally abandoned Xiao Zhangqing, Zhou Yun'e, are mocked and cursed by many.

She abandoned a Symbol Path genius whose future growth potential would surpass that of foundation cultivators, choosing a mediocre local cultivator with no special skills, merely because of two shops with monthly rent of twenty or thirty Spirit Stones... Such a huge joke has never appeared in Nanshan Fang.

"Xiao Zhangqing! Xiao Zhangqing!" Zhou Yun'e, whose usual cold and proud demeanor, after hearing the various rumors in the community, was completely broken.

Even though she constantly warned herself not to overthink, to seize the present choice and have no regrets, the inner remorse and jealousy still devoured her.

She left Xiao Zhangqing four years ago, not on a whim, but had already had the idea long before.

But the Cultivation World is not like the Mortal World; beautiful fairies are not rare, and more emphasis is placed on resources and practical benefits. Even though Zhou Yun'e is exceptionally beautiful, obtaining top-tier cultivators is not easy, just as was the case with Lin Ziyu before.

Zhou Yun'e searched for several years without finding a suitable match; finally, when she met Hu Youquan, who fell for her at first sight, she finally considered having found a next partner.

Unfortunately.

The partner who once seemed quite good to her, enough to let her establish a foothold in Nanshan Fang and live the life she had dreamed of—Hu Youquan—now, compared with Xiao Zhangqing, is not even a hair's breadth.

"You let me leave back then; you should have obediently returned to the Mortal World! Why are you getting stronger step by step?"

Zhou Yun'e's inner discomfort reached the extreme.

Seeing Xiao Zhangqing gradually become a prominent figure in Nanshan Fang is even more painful than her own regression in cultivation! Of course.

In the past two years, Zhou Yun'e's cultivation has not regressed; it has improved. She is now at the Qi Refining Fourth Level, a mid-stage cultivator of Lian Qi.

This is also thanks to Hu Youquan.

Two years ago, after being humiliated by the Mu family, Hu Youquan was persuaded by Zhou Yun'e, gave up the plan to buy a third shop, and used all the Spirit Stones to boost his cultivation.

Then...

Hu Youquan's cultivation changed little, while Zhou Yun'e's progress was noticeably enhanced.

"It's all your fault! I believed your nonsense, trying to surpass Xiao Zhangqing in cultivation. Now this kid, I don't know what's happening, is already at the Sixth Layer of Lian Qi, and I'm still at the Fourth Level? How can that compare?"

Hu Youquan, upon hearing the news, naturally felt indignant and couldn't understand why an outsider, a stinky Scattered Cultivator, could overturn destiny.

But he also realized the huge gap between them; he could not possibly catch up.

Thus, after seeing reality clearly, he no longer wanted to compare himself with Xiao Zhangqing, nor sought to regain his standing.

What he now regrets is that two years ago he should not have listened to Zhou Yun'e's scheming and spent all the Spirit Stones.

If he had continued to save and bought the third shop early, he wouldn't know how much profit he could have made now! These past two years have been the period when Nanshan Fang's 'housing prices' grew the most, a market almost once in a hundred years.

"In terms of cultivation, status, and position, I can no longer catch up with Xiao Zhangqing. All I can do is earn more assets..." Hu Youquan looked at the prices of Nanshan Fang's caves and shops; the price kept changing, and he was seriously left empty‑handed, unable to afford meat, feeling very anxious.

He began to consider whether to take a loan and leverage! He had a hunch that Nanshan Fang's price surge had not yet peaked; if he could buy a couple more shops or caves now, perhaps in a few or ten years his assets would double! "From today on, I must live frugally!"

Hu Youquan said.

Zhou Yun'e was powerless to refute.

She knew that besides Hu Youquan's belief that Nanshan Fang's 'housing prices' were promising, there was another important reason: he did not want to spend too many Spirit Stones on her, fearing that her cultivation would gradually surpass and outstrip him.

But what could she do?

One misstep leads to another.

…

…

Upon hearing the news of Xiao Zhangqing's promotion to First-rank Talisman Master, the elders of the Mu family secretly regretted.

Originally, Mu Chunfeng recruited Xiao Zhangqing and forged a friendship early; had they not later reneged and reclaimed the cave, the Mu family would have made a huge profit this time.

With an extremely low price, they won over a limitless‑potential genius First-rank Talisman Master, who has a high probability of becoming a Second-rank Talisman Master in the future!

Had they known earlier, they should have trusted the miss's judgment and invested firmly.

They never imagined that a Basic Talisman Master who could only draw Cleanse Talismans in the early stage could exchange that for talent and, four years later, advance to the rank.

Now saying anything is too late.

Wanting to invest in Xiao Zhangqing again, even at ten times the original price, would not yield the same effect, because the Mu family handled the matter so poorly; if they encounter petty people, it would be considered a betrayal, so how could they invest again? Of course, the Mu family now faces internal and external troubles, the situation has become extremely dire, and they cannot spare many resources to invest in talent.

The Mu family was inexplicably targeted by an unseen hidden force, and within Nanshan Fang the Cao family also rushed to strike from the bottom, gnawing away at the Mu family's assets.

The Cao family, with two foundation lines, was originally the foremost family in Nanshan Fang; now the Mu family's foundation cultivator Mu Renjie is injured under unclear circumstances, making it hard for the Mu family to muster resistance.

Thus, after the Mu elders heard the news, although they regretted it, they could only force themselves to act tough, claiming it's just a First-rank Talisman Master, not a Second-rank Talisman Master.

Canceling the investment means canceling it; anyway it wouldn't help the Mu family's current predicament.

…

…

"First set a small goal: within a year, break through to the Seventh Layer of Lian Qi and unlock a new equipment slot!"

"At the same time improve talisman techniques, aiming to draw a First-rank superior Talisman Script within a year!"

"Then, equipping the Silver Moon Wolf Hair Brush, adding 'Talisman Master minor level +1', I should count as having advanced to a Second-rank Talisman Master, right?"

Xiao Zhangqing looked at the beloved pen gifted by Shopkeeper Hong, his heart stirred and full of anticipation.

Second-rank Talisman Master! In five years, he hopes to strive for a rank higher than foundation cultivators, a Second-rank Talisman Master that is harder to attain!

Then, he will not merely have a foothold in Nanshan Fang, but be able to stride across Nanshan Fang without restraint!

(End of Chapter)