Chapter 53: Lord

"Do you still have any other items that have been passed down from the cave residence relics?"

After listening to the Lin sisters' explanation, Xiao Zhangqing asked.

A cave residence belonging to a cultivator just one step away from the late stage of Golden Core, if fully developed and with a bit more luck, might not be outmatched even by all the treasures of Nanshan Fang combined!

Especially for Xiao Zhangqing, it is even more so.

If the cave relics could yield a few more top‑grade gear pieces like the Enlightenment Mat, his innate talent and comprehension would be greatly enhanced, making him a true genius! Thus his interest in the cave relics surpasses even his interest in these two sisters!

"We don't have any left, but there must still be many treasures uncovered from cave relics within the Lin clan!" Lin Zixi said, "In recent years the Lin family has declined, selling off many Magic Treasures. Especially the previous head of the family, in order to push for the Foundation Establishment Realm, bought Foundation Establishment Pills, consuming most of the clan's foundation, and ultimately failed... Yet the Lin family still retains some magical artifacts."

Xiao Zhangqing frowned.

The Lin family has treasures, but he has no way to obtain them now!

Not to mention the current turmoil; outside Nanshan Fang there isn't enough strength, and danger is easily encountered.

Moreover, although the Lin family now has no Foundation Establishment cultivator stationed, they have a Second-rank Mountain Guard Array; with proper defense, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator who goes there would be forced to retreat in defeat.

He has no way to get anything from the Lin family.

"It seems we can only wait for later."

Xiao Zhangqing thought to himself.

But it's not especially urgent.

His current cultivation level still needs some time before reaching the Late Stage of Lian Qi; his equipment slots haven't expanded, so even if he had top‑grade gear now, he couldn't equip it.

Just like the Silver Moon Wolf Hair Brush that Shopkeeper Hong gifted before leaving, it still hasn't been equipped.

He must at least wait for the Late Stage of Lian Qi, and perhaps even after reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, before he can scheme to obtain the relics guarded by the Lin family.

"Make a solemn oath with your Dao hearts now," Xiao Zhangqing said after a moment of contemplation, finally agreeing.

The Lin sisters were overjoyed at his words.

Xiao Zhangqing finally, finally agreed to extend a helping hand and rescue them!

"Thank you, Symbol Master Xiao!"

"Thank you, Lord!"

The former is the younger sister Lin Zixi's address, the latter is the elder sister Lin Ziyu's address.

Elder sister Lin Ziyu, evidently already mentally prepared, upon hearing Xiao Zhangqing agree to act, immediately changed her address to "Lord," placing herself in the role of a concubine or even a maid.

Lin Zixi, after regaining her composure, again showed a look of unbearable humiliation in her eyes, clearly conflicted and unwilling, thus relegating herself to a lower status.

But thinking that if Xiao Zhangqing were unwilling to act, the two sisters would surely die, she felt a bit relieved.

Let me be a concubine or maid then; after all, Xiao Zhangqing is already a promising talent, standing at the very top of Nanshan Fang, a figure of great renown.

Following him won't be a loss; perhaps there will even be opportunities!

If luck is good enough, and I am fortunate enough, perhaps in the end I could even outlive Xiao Zhangqing, and then my sister and I would directly inherit the inheritance...

After quickly consoling herself in her heart, Lin Zixi finally endured the humiliation and changed her words, "Thank you, Lord!"

Then, the two women solemnly swore with their Dao hearts, willingly serving Xiao Zhangqing from now on, never daring to betray or be double‑minded, and should Xiao Zhangqing wish to explore the Lin family relics in the future, the two sisters are willing to guide the way.

"Get up," Xiao Zhangqing said, pulling the two women's chins gently. After Lin Ziyu stood, she seemed to think of something, her face flushed with a rosy hue, lightly pursing her pink lips, and shyly asked, "Lord, tonight... tonight do you require service?"

Xiao Zhangqing was momentarily stunned, then waved his hand and said, "No need."

Before turning back, he added, "I'll speak after I see Zhou the shopkeeper tomorrow."

He weighed the matter in his mind and thought that as long as he is willing to act, protecting the two Lin sisters should not be a big problem.

After all, these two are merely pawns; even if captured, no real outcome would be asked.

But the Talisman Path talent he now displays is already enough for Zhou Changkong to court him, proactively seeking a good relationship.

In the past six months, Zhou Changkong has indeed given Xiao Zhangqing a lot of face.

Even the first‑rank top‑grade Symbol Master Wu Qingquan in the pavilion now receives far worse treatment than him.

Of course... now Xiao Zhangqing is already a first‑rank top‑grade Symbol Master, just not yet revealed.

…

…

"So those Lin sisters are actually your concubines, Symbol Master Xiao?"

Lingfu Pavilion.

The next day when Xiao Zhangqing went to work, he proactively approached Zhou Changkong.

Zhou Changkong wore a surprised expression.

In reality, he had clearly already received the news yesterday, but remained unfazed, letting Xiao Zhangqing come to him first.

"I cannot conceal from Zhou the shopkeeper. Those two sisters were not my concubines before; we merely crossed paths long ago. Before I rose and learned the Talisman Script, I lived in the Peng Hu Qu, and elder sister Lin Ziyu lived next door. At that time I... harbored quite a fondness for her, but she never gave me a proper glance. Now the two sisters are desperate and have come to ask me to take them as concubines..."

"Although with my current status, finding a female cultivator in Nanshan Fang whose looks are not inferior to these two sisters is not particularly difficult."

"But taking in these Lin sisters gives me a different sense of achievement. It's like the lofty celestial maiden who once looked down on me, now having to crawl at my feet... I wonder if Zhou the shopkeeper can understand this feeling?"

Xiao Zhangqing spoke half‑truth, half‑lie, with a frank, bare‑hearted confession, leaving nothing concealed.

Originally still a bit doubtful about the matter, Zhou Changkong heard this and completely dispelled his concerns, laughing heartily: "I naturally understand. I thought Symbol Master Xiao was pure‑hearted and indifferent, devoted to cultivation and the Talisman Path, uninterested in other matters, but it turns out he's a fellow practitioner. Not bad, not bad."

Xiao Zhangqing, a little embarrassed, asked, "Zhou the shopkeeper, could you kindly lift your hand and let these two Lin sisters go free?"

Zhou Changkong didn't deliberately hold back Xiao Zhangqing, and gladly gave him face: "Since Symbol Master Xiao has spoken up, I naturally must give you face. However, if that mysterious Symbol Master appears again in the future and contacts the Lin sisters, I hope Symbol Master Xiao can convey the message on my behalf."

Xiao Zhangqing nodded, "Certainly!"

Will Bai Wuji appear again? Perhaps.

But before you, Zhou the shopkeeper, leave Nanshan Fang, it will certainly not appear again.

The Lin sisters' crisis has, indeed, been resolved.

This is the advantage of being in a high position~ what ordinary cultivators see as a catastrophic disaster, now I can easily overcome with just a single sentence.

So I must work harder, to soon reach the Late Stage of Lian Qi and advance to Second‑rank Symbol Master! (End of chapter)