Chapter 95: Emerging from Seclusion, Purchasing a Magic Sword

Since Xiao Zhangqing's auspicious cloud of Foundation Establishment appeared, indicating his successful Foundation Establishment, the Jia Yi Hall, which had few visitors because of the war, became bustling again.

Many people came bearing gifts; whether Xiao Zhangqing knew them or had any relationship, anyone prominent in Nanshan Fang, or any gang, shop, or family, hurried to offer congratulations.

Because this move is different from the previous relocation.

Moving houses isn't a big matter; ordinary cultivators usually don't celebrate, at most inviting a few friends.

But Foundation Establishment is different.

Especially in a small place like Nanshan Fang, a newly established Foundation Establishment is a momentous event!

A grand celebration of the Foundation Establishment is inevitable.

It is not merely formality, but a hopeful anticipation of the cultivation path.

Such a major breakthrough is far more solemn than a birthday or even a wedding.

The first thing Xiao Zhangqing does after his Foundation Establishment is to consolidate his cultivation, close his sect to study the Longevity Stone's two major skills and system changes, and orders the Lin sisters not to disturb him.

The Lin sisters dare not act on their own; although they think such a joyous event deserves celebration, they wait for Xiao Zhangqing's command after he emerges from seclusion.

They wait for over a month.

……

During this month, Xiao Zhangqing focuses his energy on adapting to his Foundation Establishment cultivation, as well as refining the external-body secret art and the Sixfold Sword Technique.

Now, through the external-body secret art, he has maximized the Longevity Stone's stored spiritual power, creating something akin to an "external elixir".

In emergencies, he only needs to activate the Longevity Stone to briefly possess solid spiritual power comparable to that of a Core-forming cultivator.

As for the Sixfold Sword Technique, he can only use it superficially, such as forming a sword aura with spiritual power; the power is greatly diminished.

He must first acquire six Flying Swords before the technique can truly unleash its power.

Xiao Zhangqing estimates that if he gathers six first‑tier superior Flying Swords, his early Foundation Establishment spiritual power will produce an attack strength that remains formidable even in mid‑Foundation Establishment. If he cannot collect all six, even a single first‑tier supreme Flying Sword—like the legendary sword cultivator of Nanshan Fang—still ranks among the best in early Foundation Establishment.

Among Xiao Zhangqing's many trump cards, this sword technique is not especially powerful; it pales compared to the external-body art, Dragon Chant Technique, and Nightmare Technique.

Nevertheless, the Sixfold Sword Technique may become the one he uses most frequently.

Because it can serve as his regular method, easy to wield, with no lingering concerns, sufficient against ordinary foes.

"Only the Sixfold Sword Technique isn't enough; I need more regular tools. For example, Talisman Scripts…"

Xiao Zhangqing ponders this.

When he was in the Qi Refining Realm, a second‑rank low‑grade Talisman Script served as his Protection Talisman, greatly boosting his sense of security and granting him a prestigious status and strong voice in Nanshan Fang.

Now that he has completed Foundation Establishment, his second‑rank low‑grade Symbol Master status still appears lofty to outsiders, attracting many sycophants, yet to Xiao Zhangqing it is already insufficient.

"At the very least, I must find a way to raise my talisman skills to second‑rank middle‑grade, or even superior."

With the aid of an Enlightenment Mat and a Twin‑winged Tiger Brush, Xiao Zhangqing's Talisman Path talent is no longer weak, nearly comparable to someone of Lu Qiu's caliber.

Yet advancing his talisman skills from second‑rank low‑grade to middle‑grade through solitary diligent practice is extremely difficult.

Any art, once at second‑rank, faces a difficulty jump that cannot be compared to first‑rank; its progression is far steeper than that of cultivation.

Lu Qiu originally took only a dozen years to go from learning talisman drawing to becoming a second‑rank Symbol Master.

But nearly ten years after his promotion, he still may not have reached second‑rank middle‑grade.

If Xiao Zhangqing's equipment slots are insufficient, he may have to break through slowly on his own.

Now the system's item inventory is fully unlocked; with nine equipment slots he can swap freely, effectively giving him infinite slots, eliminating any worries.

He just needs to find a treasure that carries second‑rank middle‑to‑high‑grade talisman skills and equip it! Everything's already set up; who would still laboriously grind the skills themselves?

His own time must be reserved for cultivation! "But second‑rank talisman treasures are hard to find. In the end, Nanshan Fang is too remote, resources scarce; the highest cultivation there is only mid‑Foundation Establishment, so finding a second‑rank Magic Treasure relies on scavenging."

"If I go to a large immortal city where a Core‑forming Realman presides, treasures are abundant."

Xiao Zhangqing thinks to himself.

Perhaps he should consider leaving Nanshan Fang to venture outside.

Normally, after Foundation Establishment, cultivators without attachments choose to leave the market town for an immortal city, seeking higher levels and eventually a chance at Core Formation.

He has a golden finger and several trump cards, fully capital for venturing out.

"Let's wait until the war in Nanshan Fang subsides before deciding."

Xiao Zhangqing silently thinks.

……

"Master, you finally emerged from seclusion!"

As soon as the training hall doors opened, Lin Ziyu rushed forward, her gaze tender yet reverent toward Xiao Zhangqing, her affection almost overflowing.

"Where's Zixi?" Xiao Zhangqing's spiritual sense probed and found only his sister inside, no younger sister.

Now his spiritual sense can extend outward up to eighty‑four zhang, so the Jia Yi Hall, though vast, is largely covered.

"Zixi went to the Guangju Building to brew wine today. Should I fetch her now? She's been waiting for you to emerge from seclusion these past days."

Lin Ziyu leaned in naturally, not out of calculated flattery but from genuine feeling.

Two months apart, she truly missed him.

As the saying goes, a brief parting feels sweeter than a new marriage.

"No need, we'll look for her tonight."

Xiao Zhangqing, unreserved, let his considerate hands get to work.

"Master~"

Flaking garments fluttered; after a half‑second, Lin Ziyu's crimson lips emitted a murmuring whimper.

For some reason, Lin Ziyu was unusually fragile today, overly sensitive, unable to endure the flogging, her emotions unusually agitated.

One hour later.

Exhausted, Lin Ziyu's face flushed and her body went limp; she barely managed to attend to Xiao Zhangqing.

She lifted her head, her slender fingers cautiously gliding over Xiao Zhangqing's cheek, tracing his jawline.

If it were usual, she would definitely not be so bold, always keeping in mind her status as a concubine.

It is only at this moment that she would be a bit braver. "Is this what a Foundation Establishment cultivator feels like? Indeed… it's different from the Qi Refining Realm," Lin Ziyu said, somewhat starstruck.

Xiao Zhangqing couldn't help but laugh.

He remarked that today Lin Ziyu's combat power was especially lacking.

Good fellow! So it's his newly minted Foundation Establishment status that gave her an unusual thrill, right?

He lingered for a brief moment.

Lin Ziyu began assisting Xiao Zhangqing with dressing.

"There have been quite a few people coming to see me during this period, right?" Xiao Zhangqing asked lazily.

Lin Ziyu hurriedly took a stack of petition letters from the storage bag; at a glance she estimated there were dozens of them.

Almost every cultivator in Nanshan Fang with a name and surname was included.

"They are all waiting for you, my lord, to hold a Foundation Establishment celebration. However, knowing that after your breakthrough you need to retreat to consolidate your cultivation, no one dares to disturb you," Lin Ziyu said.

Xiao Zhangqing took the petitions, flipped through them casually, and asked while reading, "During my seclusion, did any major events occur?"

The time spent on Foundation Establishment plus the seclusion adds up to two months.

Lin Ziyu replied, "We at Nanshan Fang haven't had any major incidents. About two weeks ago, an Evil Cultivator's formation master tore a huge breach in the protective mountain array. Three Evil Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment level led the charge. The head of the Cao family was in danger for a time, but ultimately, with the senior elder of the Cao family and a group of Late Stage of Lian Qi cultivators wielding Second‑rank Talisman Scripts, timely support was given. Without a great cost, the Evil Cultivators were driven back."

"The Cao family head later visited once and said that during this period Nanshan Fang's consumption of Second‑rank Talisman Scripts has become severe, almost depleted. He wishes you, my lord, to sell another batch of Second‑rank Talisman Scripts."

Xiao Zhangqing frowned and asked, "Has he gathered the materials needed to craft Second‑rank Talisman Scripts?"

Lin Ziyu shook her head.

Xiao Zhangqing waved his hand and said, "Then later have someone convey a message to him: unless he collects the Second‑rank materials, I can only draw talismans for him at a friendly price. Otherwise I have no Second‑rank Talisman Scripts to sell him."

He indeed still had a fair number of Second‑rank Talisman Scripts in hand, but most were Stabilizing Spirit Talismans and Demon‑breaking Talismans.

These two kinds of scripts have little effect when battling Evil Cultivators.

As for other Second‑rank Talisman Scripts, most of those he previously crafted have been sold; the few he kept for personal use cannot be sold.

If the Cao family can gather the Second‑rank Talisman Script materials and let him help craft them, he would charge a friendly production price, already a favor for protecting Nanshan Fang.

Otherwise.

Which Second‑rank Talisman Master would readily accept only a friendly fee to draw talismans for others?

"By the way, how is Lingfu Pavilion doing lately? Has Luoxia Sect arranged personnel or material support?" Xiao Zhangqing asked.

Lin Ziyu shook her head, also a bit angry, and said, "I've heard that other workshop markets, such as Taohua Fang and Bifeng Fang, have received support from Luoxia Sect and Baihua Valley, but Nanshan Fang remains ignored. Previously they even let Taohua Fang come here to recruit cultivators. Even though Nanshan Fang has you, my lord, stationed, capable of deterring post‑Foundation Establishment Evil Cultivators, can craft Second‑rank Talisman Scripts, and the Cao family head is a mid‑stage Foundation Establishment cultivator… it's still not absolutely safe. The approaches of the two major sects are rather biased."

"So long without support?" Xiao Zhangqing suddenly had a thought: could Luoxia Sect be deliberately sabotaging Nanshan Fang? Or perhaps targeting him specifically?

As for the reason, it is because he refuses to return to Nanshan Fang and his ties with the former Shopkeeper Hong run deep.

Thus the factional struggles within Luoxia Sect have reached him? "The higher‑ups of Luoxia Sect shouldn't be this outrageous, right? To sabotage me, treating the safety of a cultivation workshop like Nanshan Fang as a child's play?"

Xiao Zhangqing furrowed his brows, silently weighing things in his mind.

If that is indeed the case, then it can only be said that Luoxia Sect is far less splendid than Gong Wansheng once claimed, and his decision not to choose to return to the sect was very wise.

However, now that he has completed Foundation Establishment, any schemes Luoxia Sect may have are destined to fail.

"Let's set the small Foundation Establishment celebration three days from now! No need for fanfare; just invite a few old acquaintances."

Xiao Zhangqing instructed.

Nanshan Fang is still in a state of war, with Evil Cultivators occasionally breaking through formations and slashing in. Holding a grand Foundation Establishment ceremony now would be inappropriate. Yet Foundation Establishment is a crucial milestone on the cultivation path, of great significance, and still warrants celebration.

After assigning who to invite and having Lin Ziyu prepare the invitation letters, Xiao Zhangqing made a trip to Baibao Lou.

He wants to purchase a magic sword!

He intends to buy six magic swords of at least First‑tier Superior quality in one go; aside from Baibao Lou, such swords are unlikely to be found elsewhere in Nanshan Fang.

Small shops or scavenger stalls are out of the question.

This time he isn't buying them to extract equipment skills, but to wield the 'Six Directions Sword Art'; even if Baibao Lou's swords are mostly brand‑new and yield no extractable skills, it doesn't matter.

"Honored senior! Your illustrious presence graces Baibao Lou, which truly shines."

Upon hearing that Xiao Zhangqing had arrived, shopkeeper Ruan Qingzhu did not dare to delay and immediately came out to personally attend.

She had previously gone to the Jia Yi Cave to deliver petitions, but the Lin sisters informed her that Xiao Zhangqing was in seclusion, so she could not meet him.

"Indeed, it's Foundation Establishment!"

Even though Xiao Zhangqing did not actively exude his aura, the subtle pressure characteristic of the Foundation Establishment realm emanated from him, startling her.

She changed her address, no longer daring to call him Symbol Master Xiao, but following Cultivation World convention, addressed him simply as "senior".

Xiao Zhangqing smiled, "Ruan shopkeeper, no need for formalities; we're old acquaintances, just call me Symbol Master Xiao."

"Yes…"

Ruan Qingzhu smiled at Xiao Zhangqing, instantly feeling the oppressive pressure lessen, yet she did not relax too much and hurriedly asked, "Symbol Master Xiao, what brings you to Baibao Lou today?"

She, clad in a purple fitted magic robe, was so restrained that she stood stiffly, slightly leaning forward, her mature, voluptuous chest exposed a dazzling delicate snow‑white, her slender waist and exaggerated hips forming striking curves.

Xiao Zhangqing's gaze subconsciously paused for two more seconds, thinking that the Pill Master Zhu Youlong had said he didn't understand romance, which now seemed somewhat justified.

Such mature allure indeed possessed a unique charm.

Moreover, Ruan Qingzhu, hailing from Baihua Valley, had once been highly valued, cultivated as a Foundation Establishment seedling; her appearance and temperament were naturally outstanding, ranking among the top among female cultivators, otherwise she wouldn't have been prized by the appearance‑focused Baihua Valley sect.

As a cultivator, he is naturally very sensitive to others' gazes; even a single glance is noticed.

Thus Xiao Zhangqing's subconscious gaze lingered, and Ruan Qingzhu quickly caught on.

Her cheeks flushed immediately, and she hurriedly covered her chest; the forward‑leaning posture that had signified respect was straightened, hiding the cleft and snow‑white skin.

"Ahem…" Xiao Zhangqing coughed, his face unmoved, and said calmly, "I wish to purchase six magic swords, each of at least First‑tier Superior quality; does Baibao Lou have them?"

Ruan Qingzhu certainly did not dare to be angry or object.

Without mentioning Xiao Zhangqing's Foundation Establishment cultivation and Second‑rank Talisman Master status, she said that Xiao Zhangqing had saved her son's life, and she could not be displeased over such a trivial matter.

"Six swords of First‑tier Superior quality? We should have them; I'll have someone check the inventory right away," Ruan Qingzhu said seriously.

(End of chapter)