Chapter 72: Sisters Defending Together

For three consecutive days, Xiao Zhangqing acquired four Second‑Grade Stabilizing Talismans and two attack‑type Talisman Scripts on his body.

The total number of Second‑Grade Talisman Scripts on Xiao Zhangqing has already reached 18! That's temporarily enough.

Even if he meets a protracted battlefield, it's roughly sufficient.

As for ordinary First‑Grade Talisman Scripts, even a First‑Grade Superior one now has little use for Xiao Zhangqing, since he already has nine layers of refined Qi.

So over this month he stored 47 First‑Grade Demon‑breaking Talismans and 41 First‑Grade Stabilizing Talismans.

Their quality all reached First‑Grade Superior, with a small portion attaining First‑Grade Top‑grade.

……

This day.

Xiao Zhangqing felt his stored talismans were fully sufficient, so after returning home from Lingfu Pavilion, he decided not to work overtime drawing talismans but to comfortably soak in a hot spring.

Over the past month he has pushed his spiritual consciousness to its limit each night; it doesn't harm his consciousness, but fatigue is inevitable.

It's time for a proper rest.

However, soaking alone in a hot spring would be rather meaningless.

In the past two years Xiao Zhangqing has grown accustomed to being served.

Human nature may be like that; whether mortal or cultivator, it's easy to go from frugality to luxury.

At first he had no real feelings for the Lin sisters; he rescued them mainly because of the information they provided about the existence of a Golden Core cultivator's cave relic in the Lin family ancestral mansion.

Now, seeing the outside in such chaos, when Xiao Zhangqing eventually succeeds in establishing his foundation and has the strength to explore the relic, whether the Lin family ancestral mansion still stands is another question.

Yet regarding the Lin sisters, Xiao Zhangqing feels he cannot quite detach himself.

Especially Lin Ziyu, who has become accustomed to her taking care of every aspect of his life; if one day she were gone, Xiao Zhangqing would indeed find it hard to adjust.

"Ziyu, come soak in the hot spring."

Xiao Zhangqing called out inside the house.

A moment later, a figure slowly walked through the mist surrounding the hot spring; Xiao Zhangqing kept his eyes closed and did not open them, his spiritual consciousness remained unprojected—these past two years Lin Ziyu has served him in the hot spring countless times, perhaps a hundred, certainly fifty.

A fixed routine has already formed: when to relax which part, head or legs, all follows an order.

But today Lin Ziyu seemed to deviate from the routine, and her massage technique was noticeably more clumsy.

With his eyes closed, Xiao Zhangqing thought of something, then his nose twitched and sensed a different fragrance.

The scent on Lin Ziyu is generally richer, but today's fragrance was distinctly lighter, evoking a playful, lively owner.

Opening his eyes, he pulled the haphazardly massaging Lin Zixi into his arms, smiling, and said, "Compared to your sister, your massage skills are far worse. Find time to learn from her."

Lin Zixi's cheeks flushed slightly, "Learning is learning; it's not that difficult."

Xiao Zhangqing wrapped his hands around her supple waist and hips, his gaze bearing a teasing goodwill, and said, "How about you come over now, and I'll demonstrate on the spot…"

"No…" Lin Zixi's coquettish face instantly turned crimson as she reflexively protested.

Last month in the studio, Lin Zixi finally mustered the courage to ask Xiao Zhangqing to take her, but the encounter was interrupted and couldn't continue.

This month Xiao Zhangqing has been busy drawing talismans, with no suitable opportunity.

Hence today, while Xiao Zhangqing was soaking to relax, Lin Zixi happened to be at home, seized the chance, told her sister, and came over herself.

Today, counting it, she truly for the first time intends to give herself over.

How could she let her sister come now to teach beside her? Would she lose face? Would she even be alive?

Yet she quickly realized it was improper.

As a concubine, any excessive request from the master should be obeyed; how could she refuse?

Moreover, this wasn't an especially excessive request.

Both she and her sister are Xiao Zhangqing's concubines; it is an honor for the master to favor them, and it is natural for the two to be together.

"I… I'm afraid the first time I might not be accustomed and could ruin the master's interest. Next time… next time I'll ask my sister to come too, okay?" Lin Zixi bit her red lips, shyly whispering.

Snap! Lin Zixi's hips flushed red.

Xiao Zhangqing smirked, "Fine, fine. But today you must be punished…"

In an instant, the hot spring's water rippled, and exclamations rang out repeatedly.

……

An hour later.

Lin Zixi and Lin Ziyu leaned on Xiao Zhangqing's chest, one on the left, one on the right.

The exhausted Lin Zixi finally called her sister Lin Ziyu for on‑site teaching assistance. Though Lin Zixi is usually strong, bold, and not one to back down—resourceful and capable—she is somewhat weaker in this matter, far less tolerant than Lin Ziyu.

But in this matter, she is indeed a bit weaker, far not as tolerant as Lin Ziyu.

Lin Ziyu always watches the fragile scene, yet she can often accompany Xiao Zhangqing in a rapturous manner.

Perhaps that is why appearances can be deceiving.

With his body and spirit greatly relaxed and satisfied, Xiao Zhangqing lounged lazily in the hot spring, unwilling to move.

If given a choice, he truly would not want the situation to become turbulent; he prefers steady, step‑by‑step cultivation—comfortable and happy, without hindering either.

But alas, things do not always go as one wishes.

As time passed, from various clues, especially the actions of Lingfu Pavilion Shopkeeper Zhou Changkong, Xiao Zhangqing judged that unrest in Nanshan Fang should arrive soon.

Of course, although unrest will come, he also believes Nanshan Fang can hold its ground without issue.

Because he works at Lingfu Pavilion, when interacting with Zhou Changkong he vaguely sensed that Luoxia Sect seems to be secretly dispatching a major figure to Nanshan Fang.

This person most likely has a higher status and cultivation than Zhou Changkong!

This indicates that Luoxia Sect absolutely will not allow Nanshan Fang to be occupied by Evil Cultivators, letting the demonic sect's claws extend further into its territory.

After regaining her senses from the afterglow, Lin Zixi barely recovered her composure and thought of something, asking, "Master, I browsed Baibao Lou today and found they have a Flying Boat Magic Treasure, high quality, reaching First‑Grade Top‑grade. It costs a bit much, requiring 1,400 Low‑grade Spirit Stones. Should we purchase it?"

A typical First‑Grade Top‑grade Magic Treasure costs between 800 and 1,200 Low‑grade Spirit Stones.

Prices fluctuate depending on the treasure type, market stock, and rarity.

However, a large artifact like a Flying Boat, which serves both travel and defense, is harder to forge than ordinary Magic Treasures, so its price is naturally higher.

"Buy it."

Xiao Zhangqing considered for a moment and made his decision.

Although for now Nanshan Fang does not seem to be under threat, there is no need to flee in the short term.

But eventually, when we have to leave for other immortal cities, owning a Flying Boat will be essential.

Cultivators in the Qi Refining Realm find flying on their own too slow and exhausting, requiring them to stop and rest to recover their cultivation power. Short trips are manageable, but for long journeys a flying artifact is necessary.

As for Flying Swords and the like, they are fast and indeed look cool, but they are more for show than for use, suitable only for short flights.

For example, flying from Silver Leaf Peak to Nanshan Fang at full speed takes more than half a month for a Qi Refining cultivator, and standing on a Flying Sword the whole time is exhausting, isn't it?

A Flying Boat is the best choice for traveling abroad.

It isn't slow, and it's quite comfortable.

"Everyone says Nanshan Fang is safe, but it feels like we're the ones getting ready to run away," Xiao Zhangqing sighed.

Lin Zixi propped up his head, speaking with interest: "Actually, many people like us are making dual preparations now, and many cultivators have already begun selling their cave residences and properties. Two days ago, the landlord of our Guangju Building specifically asked me whether I wanted to pull the Guangju Building listing, even offering a modest price reduction, which I declined. After years of rising house prices in Nanshan Fang, the upward trend has finally halted and begun to fall. But I feel this may only be the beginning; now is the best time to offload cave residences and shops. Once the war breaks out and the Demon Sect invades, even if Nanshan Fang can hold out without trouble, the house prices will then plunge dramatically."

Xiao Zhangqing shook his head and lamented: "The Demon Sect is invading now, and the news of Silver Leaf Peak's fall is still only circulating among the cultivators of Yi Cave Residence. Most lower‑mid‑tier Scattered Cultivators are still unaware. Unable to see the situation clearly, some of them might even think the slight dip in house prices is a good bargain opportunity!"

Which world isn't like this? The big shots get the news early, leave early—those who run away run, those who retire retire, filling their pockets to the brim, while only the lower‑mid ranks stay on the front lines, becoming the ones who pick up the slack.

They're even being duped by experts with the bogus claim that "essential demand doesn't care about price fluctuations."

Of course, property speculators are not worthy of sympathy.

……

For example, Hu Youquan, who long ago owned two shops and a cave residence, sees little improvement even after pouring resources into his own cultivation, while his Dao Partner Zhou Yun'e benefits considerably. He has realized his own lack of talent, and no matter how hard he struggles, reaching the Late Stage of Lian Qi this lifetime seems hopeless.

At the same time, he doesn't want Zhou Yun'e to surpass him and slip out of his control, so he set his sights on the rapidly rising real estate.

He took out a mortgage to buy a third shop, then found a legitimate reason to cut Zhou Yun'e's food and clothing expenses.

At first, his mindset of "outwitting and outbraving" Zhou Yun'e dominated most of his actions, but after purchasing the third shop, a year's profit equated to over two hundred Low‑grade Spirit Stones, and he became intoxicated.

After a period of "investigation" and "research", he gritted his teeth, leveraged again, and with a massive mortgage purchase, bought a cave residence in the Bing Zi Area!

He knows clearly that he cannot surpass his rival Xiao Zhangqing in cultivation or status.

So his only chance is to find ways to increase his wealth, hoping that one day his fortune will elevate him to the upper echelons of Nanshan Fang and let him move to Yi Cave Residence! Yet, less than half a year after buying the Bing Cave Residence, Nanshan Fang's house prices began to slip quietly.

Zhou Yun'e sensed something amiss and urged Hu Youquan to consider selling.

After all, if they sell now, even after interest, they would hardly incur any loss.

But how could Hu Youquan possibly listen? He firmly believes Nanshan Fang's house prices will keep rising, with better days still ahead.

Of course, if he sells the cave residence and has extra cash on hand, Zhou Yun'e could seize the chance to request larger expenditures, and he would have no reason to refuse.

So he kept both cave residences and the three shop fronts firmly in his grasp, waiting quietly for the house prices to recover…

(End of Chapter)