Chapter 8: The Cunning Rabbit Has Three, Four... Five Dens

Whoosh—

With a single breath, the spirit fire was extinguished.

The improvement in his cultivation had greatly aided his ability to draw talismans. Shen Lian was keenly aware that talisman crafting was merely a supplementary means to achieve longevity. Ultimately, it was all for the sake of obtaining spirit stones for cultivation.

Sometimes, when sleep eluded him, he’d wonder: since I’ve transmigrated, why not to the ancient times? It was said that back then, those with five-element spiritual roots were the darlings of heaven and earth, truly embodying the fullness of the five elements, possessing the potential of a Da Luo immortal.

Now, however, spiritual energy was far scarcer than in ancient times. Heaven itself seemed to bring calamity, and those with five-element roots were little more than useless trash.

He had consumed a whole bottle of Yellow Sprout Pills just to reach the fourth level of Qi Refining. Not to mention supreme roots—even with high-grade dual roots, things wouldn’t be so troublesome. If his spiritual roots were better, wouldn’t it be far more enjoyable to save those fifty spirit stones to visit the Fair Maiden Pavilion and admire the celestial beauties?

Night fell.

[Calm Heart, Comprehension Points +2]

[Calm Heart, Comprehension Points +3]

...

[Mind Beyond the World, Insight Points +1]

In the hazy moments before sleep, as Shen Lian was about to drift off, a sudden jolt roused him fully awake. It had been over fifty days since he last gained an Insight Point.

[Mind Beyond the World, Insight Points +1]

Once his eyes opened and his mind cleared, that mysterious voice faded away.

Shen Lian turned over and lay perfectly still, striving to regain his previous restful state.

But it was futile.

“How does one slip into that half-awake, half-asleep state?”

He rolled onto his side, lay flat, lay on his back, slouched like a lazy lord, practiced horse stance with punches, lay with all five hearts facing the sky… and then…

Dawn arrived.

Shen Lian eventually realized that such a state could not be forced—it was a rare chance, not to be chased after. Yet he couldn’t help but try.

He rubbed his face and silently recited:

[Shen Lian: Qi Refining, Fourth Layer]

[Five-Element Spiritual Roots: Metal 17, Wood 29, Water 18, Fire 32, Earth 18]

[Talismanist: First Tier, Low Grade (112/1000)]

[Comprehension Points: 13]

[Insight Points: 2]

A moment later, Shen Lian allocated his Insight Points to his Fire spiritual root.

The Fire root’s gauge shifted from 32 to 34.

A profound and subtle sensation emerged within him again. The tingling numbness made Shen Lian collapse back onto his bed, unconsciously letting out a soft sound.

It felt as if he were once more strolling along the shaded paths he had once yearned for.

Advancing to the fourth layer of Qi Refining had made his spiritual power much more enduring.

This time, he had to seize the opportunity presented.

“May the mining area in the Wu sector be a bit larger,” he murmured, standing before his bed and smoothing out his talisman paper, offering a heartfelt blessing.

Four days later, the two bottles of spiritual ink he had previously purchased were completely used up. In total, he had crafted thirty Miasma-Dispelling Talismans.

After tidying his robe, Shen Lian headed straight for the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.

The market was livelier than usual, and the pavilion was bustling with activity.

Shen Lian waited for the steward he had dealt with previously, who he now knew was named Weng Xia. For the extra stack of talisman paper he had received last time, he owed him some gratitude.

“Fellow Daoist, it’s been a while… So it is you… Congratulations on reaching the mid-stage of Qi Refining; longevity is now within reach,” Weng Xia said, hastening over after seeing off the previous batch of customers.

Last time, Weng Xia had offered Shen Lian extra talisman paper precisely to win over a returning client—especially one who was a talismanist.

“Steward Weng, you’re too kind.”

He led Shen Lian to a small counter. “Are you here to sell talismans again?”

Shen Lian took out the thirty Miasma-Dispelling Talismans from his storage pouch. Although they had traded several times, Weng Xia still examined each talisman one by one.

After a short while, Weng Xia put the talismans down. “Your talisman crafting skill has improved yet again, it seems you’re not far from becoming a first-tier, mid-grade talismanist.”

“After so many years of cultivation, I’m finally making some progress.”

This time, Shen Lian did not feign modesty, but nodded in acknowledgment. Weng Xia’s previous gesture was clearly a sign of appreciating his talisman crafting ability, so it was wise to showcase it a bit—just as you know my intentions to play hard to get, and I know your ulterior motives.

Shen Lian was also intent on building a good relationship with this steward.

“The purchase price remains at eight spirit stones each—two hundred and forty spirit stones in total.” After collecting the talismans, Weng Xia asked, “What do you need this time, Fellow Daoist?”

Shen Lian had anticipated the price. It was already quite high; rogue cultivators needed the Miasma-Dispelling Talismans, but they weren’t reckless spenders. In retail, nine or ten spirit stones apiece were already enough to make them bleed. Any higher, and they might as well sell a kidney for a mid- or high-grade first-tier talisman.

“One bottle of Yellow Sprout Pills, five bottles of first-tier low-grade spiritual ink, ten stacks of talisman paper.”

These, all together, came to one hundred and eighty spirit stones, leaving him sixty spirit stones in surplus.

“You should craft as many Miasma-Dispelling Talismans as you can,” Weng Xia whispered, after handing Shen Lian what he needed. “Recently, the sect has been sending more and more rogue cultivators; demand for those talismans far outstrips supply.”

“Thank you for the tip.”

Shen Lian cupped his fists and turned to leave.

Just as he exited the main doors, his steps faltered. Then, he headed toward the Affairs Hall.

Before becoming a talismanist, he had always felt insecure. Now, even as a talismanist and with his advancement to mid-stage Qi Refining, he still felt uneasy—the sense that someone was out to harm him never faded.

...

“Uncle… Uncle… It’s that same cultivator buying pills again; he’s gone to the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.” On the street, Lin Xiang, pretending to shop, stared at Shen Lian’s departing form and tugged urgently at his uncle.

To be able to buy Yellow Sprout Pills at the early stage of Qi Refining—Lin Xiang remembered it well. Now, Shen Lian was already in the mid-stage.

Damn it! His Yellow Sprout Pills, just gone like that.

“Told you, this one’s a fat sheep,” Lin Yunshan replied, glancing at Shen Lian as well. There was no denying it—what a coincidence.

In the past month, the uncle and nephew had visited the street of shops five times and encountered Shen Lian twice.

Out of five scouting attempts, they had identified nine promising targets. Four never left the market, and another four were lost in the wild. In the end, only one job was completed.

As for the proceeds—after selling everything, they made a grand total of nine spirit stones. Nearly not enough to pay Little Peach Blossom’s “knocking fee.”

“Uncle,” Lin Xiang sidled closer.

Both uncle and nephew were at the fourth layer of Qi Refining. Their usual tactic was “fellow Daoists hoard grain, we hoard weapons.” Their chosen targets were all Qi Refining newbies. With careful scouting and wide nets, they barely managed to eke out a living and occasionally took the spiritual water route through Little Peach Blossom.

But this month, their luck had turned; business had plummeted. Now they had to seek new prospects.

“He’s already at the fourth layer. That bottle of Yellow Sprout Pills must be used up by now,” Lin Yunshan’s eyes gleamed with ruthless intent.

“Keep an eye on him.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle, just leave it to me.”

Early-stage rogue cultivators were simply too poor. No matter how carefully they chose, it was hard to squeeze many spirit stones from them. Inside the market, they dared not act, and outside, they didn’t want to stray too far for fear of becoming prey themselves.

“No loitering here. Go to the archway at the end of the street—pick several more targets.”

...

Affairs Hall.

“Are there any vacant courtyards in the central district?”

“No.”

A mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator replied coldly without lifting his head.

Shen Lian was a bit disappointed. He’d hoped to see if he could rent a small courtyard in the market’s center—far more secure than the peripheral dwellings.

“When will a place become available?”

“I don’t know.”

The cultivator at the desk was clearly impatient, but the Bluewater Sect forbade swearing at or assaulting fellow Daoists. Otherwise, he’d have driven him out long ago.

“Then I’ll rent a small house on the outskirts.”

“Pick one yourself,” the cultivator replied, tossing over a jade slip without looking up. “Once you’ve decided, pay the rent over there—six spirit stones a month.”

Taking the jade slip, Shen Lian began to select his lodgings. The rent had increased by one stone since before.

Half a quarter of an hour later, as Shen Lian left the Affairs Hall, his storage pouch now held three house plaques. Unable to rent a courtyard in the market center, he could only find another way—securing several nests for himself.