Chapter 69: Bizarre Evil Cultivator (Third Watch)

It was urgent, so Lin Ziyu rushed into the room, forgetting to knock.

But she didn't expect that as soon as she opened the door she would see a scene of flushed faces, which left her stunned, her mind blank for a moment, and the words she wanted to say got stuck.

After regaining her senses, she immediately backed out and shut the door.

A year ago, she had already given herself completely to Xiao Zhangqing, becoming physically intimate with him.

She also thought that her younger sister Lin Zixi should follow suit early; since she had decided to be the lord's concubine, she should truly be one.

She had even deliberately created many opportunities to secretly matchmake.

But Lin Zixi's temperament was still different, far more ambitious and driven; she believed that even as a junior concubine she must prove her worth, otherwise she would become a disposable commodity, and no matter how well she tended the lord's daily needs, she would never hold a significant place in his heart.

Thus over the past year Lin Zixi accepted the role of Xiao Zhangqing's concubine and devoted herself, yet she still wanted to prove herself, throwing herself wholeheartedly into the business of Guangju Lou.

Meanwhile, the lord Xiao Zhangqing, for reasons unknown, never actually "took" Lin Zixi.

Lin Ziyu could never have imagined that the two would be secretly doing such things in the room today.

Of course, upon seeing the scene, besides being momentarily speechless and embarrassed, she felt happy inside.

The two sisters could finally move forward side by side.

Lin Ziyu closed the door and left; inside the room, Xiao Zhangqing and Lin Zixi naturally could not continue.

Seeing Lin Ziyu's panicked demeanor when she first entered, it was clear something was amiss.

After Lin Zixi blushed and rose from Xiao Zhangqing's embrace, he clacked his teeth, tasted the air, then coughed, "Ziyu, come in."

"I… I'll step out first."

Even though Lin Zixi was bold and thick‑skinned, she couldn't stay dumbfounded; after her sister entered, she lowered her head and ran away.

Lin Ziyu silently regretted, thinking that had she known, she shouldn't have meddled at this time; a half‑hour later… no, an hour later! The lord and sister would have naturally come together.

"What happened?"

When Xiao Zhangqing asked, Lin Ziyu snapped out of her reverie and said seriously, "Lord, Symbol Master Zhu is waiting outside, saying there is an extremely urgent matter that needs your help."

"Symbol Master Zhu? I'll go out right away."

Xiao Zhangqing was somewhat surprised to hear that.

A year ago, after attending a symposium and meeting Pill Master Zhu Youlong, the two lived in adjacent caves, so they met frequently and eventually became close.

Moreover, one was a First‑rank Superior Pill Master and the other a First‑rank Superior Symbol Master; their statuses were equal and each had something the other needed, so their interactions were naturally pleasant.

However.

In the past year they had exchanged a lot, but Symbol Master Zhu had never "asked" him for anything.

Moreover, given Zhu's status and position in Nanshan Fang, what could possibly require his help? With doubt, Xiao Zhangqing met the anxious Symbol Master Zhu in the courtyard of the cave.

"Symbol Master Xiao, you must help this time!" Zhu Youlong, upon seeing Xiao Zhangqing, immediately stepped forward and clasped his hands, looking like he was in dire trouble.

"Symbol Master Zhu, what difficulty have you encountered? No rush, take your time; wherever I can help, I will." Xiao Zhangqing reassured.

"It's not me who's in trouble, it's Qingzhu… no, not Qingzhu! It's Qingzhu's son who ran into trouble and urgently needs a Stabilizing Talisman and an entry‑level Demon‑breaking Talisman!"

Zhu Youlong, in his haste, spoke with a confused logic.

After a moment, Xiao Zhangqing finally understood the situation.

Symbol Master Zhu himself faced no difficulty; rather, his beloved confidante, the Baibao Lou shopkeeper Ruan Qingzhu, had a son whose life was in imminent danger, urgently needing a Stabilizing Talisman and a First‑rank Demon‑breaking Talisman to save him.

The Demon‑breaking Talisman is one of the Six Basic Talismans; even an Unranked Symbol Master can draw it.

However, there is an upgraded version whose power can reach the later stage of First‑rank.

Within Lingfu Pavilion, not only Xiao Zhangqing but several other Symbol Masters can also draw entry‑level Demon‑breaking Talismans.

But the Stabilizing Talisman had previously only been drawn in all of Nanshan Fang by Symbol Master Lu Qiu.

Since Lu Qiu left Nanshan Fang years ago, now only Xiao Zhangqing, who "inherited" Lu Qiu's legacy, can draw it.

Even Wu Qingquan, another First‑rank Superior Symbol Master in Lingfu Pavilion, has not mastered this talisman technique.

Thus Zhu Youlong came to ask Xiao Zhangqing.

"I don't have any ready stock of entry‑level Demon‑breaking Talismans or Stabilizing Talismans right now. Moreover, these two talismans have recently been the ones Shopkeeper Zhou specifically requested, submitted daily, and will soon need to be sent back to the sect…" Xiao Zhangqing frowned slightly.

Zhu Youlong hurriedly pleaded, "Alright, brother, could you please draw a few Demon‑breaking Talismans and Stabilizing Talismans right now? Name any amount of Spirit Stones, I won't haggle. Moreover, whenever you need anything from me, or anything involving Baibao Lou, just ask!"

They no longer addressed each other as Dao Companions; in their haste they called each other 'brother', showing how desperate Zhu Youlong was.

Indeed, he was deeply concerned for that shopkeeper Ruan.

Those unaware might think it was his own son whose life was in peril.

Seeing Xiao Zhangqing still hesitated, Zhu Youlong quickly added, "Regarding Shopkeeper Zhou, rest assured—I know the rules of Lingfu Pavilion forbid Symbol Masters from selling talismans privately. Your drawing the Demon‑breaking and Stabilizing Talismans today isn't for Spirit Stones but to save a life; I'm sure Shopkeeper Zhou won't object. Even if he does press the issue, thinking it improper, Qingzhu and I will visit him tomorrow to explain. I believe that even if Zhou doesn't give us face, considering the reputation of Baibao Lou and Baihua Valley, he won't say a word."

Since the other party had already said all that, and Baihua Valley and Luoxia Sect have always had good relations, he believed Zhou Changkong would grant them favor.

Thus Xiao Zhangqing agreed and told Lin Ziyu to quickly begin the preparations for drawing the talismans.

Taking this interval, Xiao Zhangqing asked again about what danger Ruan Qingzhu's son faced that required entry‑level Demon‑breaking and Stabilizing Talismans to save his life.

Seeing Xiao Zhangqing agree to help, Zhu Youlong's anxious heart finally relaxed, and he briefly recounted the beginning of the incident.

It turned out that, for unknown reasons, Ruan Qingzhu's relationship with her son Ruan Bufan was not harmonious.

A few years ago, after a mother‑son dispute, Ruan Bufan left Nanshan Fang in a huff, heading further south to a cultivation workshop market on the true fringe of the Cultivation World, Silver Leaf Peak, in Da Yu.

Silver Leaf Peak Market also had a Baibao Lou branch owned by Baihua Valley, and Ruan Qingzhu asked the Baibao Lou shopkeeper there to look after her son.

But half a month ago, Silver Leaf Peak was breached by Demon Sect Evil Cultivators, resulting in countless cultivator casualties, and even some Foundation Establishment cultivators fell within the market.

However, Ruan Bufan's injury was not caused by the Demon Sect Evil Cultivator.

As a Baibao Lou enterprise of the Jie Dan Sect, it had swift information and wide channels.

When the Evil Cultivators first began besieging the market, they foresaw the situation was untenable, and as Silver Leaf Peak could not be defended, they swiftly evacuated with valuables and key members.

Ruan Bufan, while traveling from Silver Leaf Peak back to Nanshan Fang, encountered a bizarre incident, seemingly haunted by evil qi, severely damaging his vital energy.

Even now back in Nanshan Fang, he cannot shake this condition; he remains traumatized, plagued by nightmares, and without further treatment his life may be short.

In this situation, taking Pills or spirit items helps little; entry‑level Demon‑breaking Talismans and Stabilizing Talismans are the most effective.

"Demon Sect Evil Cultivator, truly terrifying. After being struck by their evil technique, even if separated by a thousand li, one cannot escape?"

Xiao Zhangqing heard that and widened his eyes, a little incredulous.

Whether it's the previous incarnation of this body or himself over the years, he has never left Nanshan Fang; his knowledge of the Cultivation World is actually limited, not much different from an ordinary low‑rank Scattered Cultivator.

It was this year that he moved into the Yizi Cave Residence, befriended a group of senior cultivators from Nanshan Fang, and his knowledge began to increase.

But regarding Demon Sect Evil Cultivators, he still knows little.

He only knows that Evil Cultivators are cruel; some arts and techniques require the lives of mortals, even cultivators, as sacrifice.

"I don't know," Zhu Youlong shook his head, his voice a little trembling: "From what I gather, ordinary Foundation‑establishing Evil Cultivators aren't that bizarre. Perhaps what Qingzhu's son encountered this time wasn't an Evil Cultivator…"

Xiao Zhangqing was stunned, "If not an Evil Cultivator, then what could it be?"

Zhu Youlong could not offer any explanation.

At that moment, Lin Ziyu prepared all the materials for drawing talismans; Xiao Zhangqing said no more, let Zhu Pill Master rest first, and he went to draw talismans.

Given Xiao Zhangqing's current attainment as a Second-rank Talisman Master, and after his cultivation rose to the ninth layer of Refined Qi, his Soul Transformation projected thirty zhang outward, drawing a First-Grade Talisman is very easy, causing no fatigue, and the success rate is almost one hundred percent.

However, Xiao Zhangqing felt uneasy, his brows furrowed.

Having heard of the plight of Ruan Bufan, the shopkeeper's son, and recalling the recent turbulence he sensed, as well as Zhou Changkong's demand that half of his daily talismans be Demon-breaking Talismans and Soul‑Stabilizing Talismans…

Xiao Zhangqing inexplicably felt uneasy.

He did not think this was a coincidence.

Perhaps Luoxia Sect had sensed something in advance, learned some news, which is why they so heavily demand Demon-breaking Talismans and Soul‑Stabilizing Talismans.

Fortunately, Xiao Zhangqing's cultivation is now at the ninth layer of Refined Qi, only one step away from Foundation establishment, having passed the weakest stage.

Moreover, with his powerful Soul Transformation, the dozen or so Second-rank Talismans on his body, and the Assassin's Blade Dragon‑Song Technique, his self‑defense is sufficiently strong.

"But from now on I also need to stock more Demon-breaking Talismans and Soul‑Stabilizing Talismans for reserve…"

Xiao Zhangqing silently planned this in his mind.

Since Luoxia Sect heavily demands these two talismans, and now Ruan Bufan also needs them to save his life, it shows that these talismans can be of great use in some bizarre emergencies! Stock more, better safe than sorry.

ps: Chapter Three, nine thousand words delivered! Keep pulling all‑nighters to type, Chapter Four will be soon; everyone read it after getting up tomorrow morning. The author is clumsy, typing speed is too slow.

(End of chapter)