Chapter 10

"However, if Brother Chen is interested, I can offer some guidance—preferably with Brother Zheng joining as well."

As she spoke, she shot a provocative glance at Su Wanyao.

Chen Zhao immediately understood.

So these two sisters were secretly poaching each other's disciples.

And Su Wanyao had brought her sister here, most likely just to show off.

He dared not accept Su Muqing's offer.

But upon hearing this, all the guests cast envious glances his way.

Women competing over a man was nothing unusual.

The key was that an Alchemist would personally teach Alchemy.

"Brother Chen, you possess Three Spirit Roots—you are no ordinary vessel."

Seeing his reluctance, Su Muqing frowned slightly:

"Moreover, you've reached Qi Refining Third Layer in less than a year after joining the sect—such progress—why waste your future?"

The implication was clear.

It meant that following Su Wanyao led nowhere.

Liu Chen spun around sharply.

His eyes were stunned.

In his view, Chen Zhao was lazy, content to idle away his time on monthly tasks worth only one Low-grade Spirit Stone—he was doomed to stagnation.

Yet he himself had risked life and limb, and gained extraordinary fortune.

How had Chen Zhao's cultivation silently caught up to his own?

Chen Zhao smiled lightly and raised his cup in toast:

"Thank you, Sister Muqing, for your kindness—but this matter is of great consequence; I must consider it further."

Upon hearing this, Su Muqing silently cursed his stupidity and walked away in a huff.

"Brother Chen, you don't actually have feelings for her, do you?"

Liu Chen pursed his lips.

He didn't understand.

When Chen Zhao refused Su Wanyao, he did so decisively—why was he now hesitating?

Chen Zhao shook his head and asked in return:

"If you two aren't on good terms, why did Sister Su invite her?"

"I didn't invite her—she came on her own to cause trouble."

Su Wanyao turned, gazing at the twilight-hued lake, and sighed deeply:

"My grandfather's lifespan is nearly spent—he will step down as clan head in five years. She and I are cousins; when my father and uncle compete for the position, one of the criteria will be their influence within the sect."

Chen Zhao froze.

It sounded like vote-seeking.

But upon closer thought—

Even a modest boost from a Golden Core sect could crush a Foundation Establishment family.

"So, Brother Chen, Brother Zheng—even if you don't join me, please don't align with her."

Su Wanyao raised her cup and pleaded:

"She is two-faced and won't easily honor her promises—please, both of you, be extremely cautious."

You're no better yourself.

Chen Zhao inwardly grumbled, yet still raised his cup and said:

"Fine, I accept your offer."

Zheng Daocai, however, hesitated.

Come on.

Almost every white-robed disciple here stood by Su Muqing's side.

And she was a First-grade Alchemist to boot.

"Sister Wan Yao, if you're going to compete with her, you must have another card up your sleeve, right?"

Zheng Daocai sneered inwardly.

It couldn't possibly be Liu Chen, a Qi Refining Third Layer Rune Master?

But judging from their closeness—

Liu Chen's Rune Master inheritance must be substantial.

"Little Chen needs future cultivation—but now..."

Su Wanyao clapped her hands.

"This is Xin Tong—she and I are both Outer Sect Disciples of the Discipline Hall, and she is a First-grade Array Master."

Array Master!

Chen Zhao was secretly astonished.

Among the hundred arts of cultivation, Array Dao stood supreme—hardest to enter, highest ceiling.

Due to their extreme rarity, Tiankui Sect didn't even have a dedicated hall.

He never expected Su Wanyao had snagged one!

Chen Zhao gave her a quick appraisal.

This sister had a pale complexion, short hair cut to her ears, and a delicate, petite frame.

At this moment, she was still hiding behind Su Wanyao, poking out half her head. Feeling his gaze, she shrank back as if she'd been shocked.

But Chen Zhao was quite puzzled.

A Formation Master's future was boundless — what made Su Wanyao think she could win one over?

If possible, he too would like to recruit one.

"Xin Tong has a rare Empty Spirit Body. The spiritual power within her cannot replenish itself, but once it exceeds a certain limit, it will automatically dissipate. She can only rely on Spirit Stones to maintain her cultivation, and in this life she will never be able to break through the seventh layer of Qi Refining."

A trace of pity flickered in Su Wanyao's eyes:

"I gave her half of the share my family allotted me, in exchange for her service to me."

Hearing this, Chen Zhao raised his cup toward Xin Tong in greeting:

"I am Chen Zhao. I'm honored to make the acquaintance of Senior Sister Xin."

With the Divination Tube in hand,

he would cast a hex later to see whether the Empty Spirit Body could be resolved.

If he could befriend her,

he would set up a Spirit Gathering Array, a Bewitching Array, and arrange several more layers of Protective Sect Array for himself.

Then he could hole up inside, and his cultivation would yield twice the result with half the effort.

"You... hello, would you... like a Low-grade Spirit Gathering Array?"

Xin Tong asked in a soft, sticky voice, her words a little halting.

"Mm? Yes, yes, I want one."

"Materials cost thirty Low-grade Spirit Stones, labor is ten Low-grade Spirit Stones. If you're Wan Yao's friend, I can knock off five Low-grade Spirit Stones and put it on her tab. If you want any modifications, the Spirit Stones will be extra..."

"Never mind, I'll come find you another day."

Chen Zhao covered his face and drew a deep breath.

How does she suddenly speak as fast as a string of beads the moment Spirit Stones come up?

A money-grubber — an absolute money-grubber!

"Junior Brother Chen, please forgive her. Senior Sister Xin's constitution is special, so she's rather sensitive about Spirit Stones..."

Su Wanyao quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

Not long after.

Three rounds of wine had been drunk.

The spirit wine settled in their bellies, and everyone was a little tipsy.

Those who needed to be acquainted had mostly been acquainted. Already three or four pairs of men and women had left Baixian Tower; the rest were almost all disciples bartering goods.

Chen Zhao, his chest warmed by wine, strolled about looking here and there.

Zheng Daocai was greedy for his cups and had drunk himself reeling.

Liu Chen, a poor drinker, grew more talkative:

"This First-grade Mid-tier Talisman — its spiritual power is full, the brushwork is fluid. It was clearly the work of a master, but unfortunately the talisman paper is crude, and it's been hidden away in the dark for years, so its power is only half."

He stroked his chin and paused before a disciple in a grey robe.

"Junior Brother, you have a good eye — to actually understand a talisman of this grade. Let's call it a friendship price: ten Low-grade Spirit Stones a piece, how about it?"

The grey-robed disciple let out a wine-burp and said, rubbing his hands together.

"I don't have any Spirit Stones on hand. Could I trade two Fireball Talismans for it?"

Liu Chen was clearly drunk, and fished two water-stained talismans from his robes.

"Looking for trouble, are you? How dare you palm off trash on me? Is this how your Su Family treats its guests?"

That disciple was also somewhat drunk, and flew into a rage on the spot, shouting.

This was, after all, a First-grade Mid-tier Talisman — surely stronger than two basic talismans!

Converted into Spirit Stones, there was a price difference.

How was this any different from an insult?

Seeing the situation, Chen Zhao stepped in to defuse it:

"My friend has had too much to drink and can't find a place to exchange his talismans for Spirit Stones. Please, Senior Brother, tell us where to go. Once we exchange them for Spirit Stones, we'll trade with you."

"That would be best. Tonight, at the hour of the Pig, at the Southern Temple, there's a gathering of Cultivators."

After that grey-robed disciple finished shouting, his drunkenness had sobered a few degrees.

He didn't want to utterly offend the Su Family, so he took the offered out.

At the same time,

Su Wanyao took out ten Low-grade Spirit Stones and bought the talisman.

She also nodded her thanks to Chen Zhao.

Only Liu Chen, bleary-eyed and half-awake, muttered under his breath:

This talisman's power isn't even stable yet — selling one for six Low-grade Spirit Stones would be too expensive. If I weren't trying to learn the brushwork, why would I bother wasting words on you?

Chen Zhao narrowed his eyes in a smile, sidestepped to block Liu Chen from view, and let the others help circulate his qi and disperse the wine.

In his heart, though, he was secretly delighted.

A sales channel — just like that, he'd found one.

Taking advantage of the commotion just now,

he had confirmed the transaction details and the password, and once sure it was feasible,

he used the excuse of returning to his residence for Alchemy and left the place.