Immortality and Cultivation: I Have Too Many Talents

Chapter 35 A Glimmer of Hope (Please continue reading)

This night.

Shen Xuan remained restless.

His intense anxiety kept him awake for a long time.

When Qinglong Bay Market descends into chaos, talisman masters like him, lacking combat experience, become easy prey in the eyes of the calamity cultivators.

Although Class B residences have array formations and restrictions, they can still defend against attacks from late-stage Qi Refining cultivators.

But it is only a first-tier high-grade formation after all.

Given enough time, even using magical artifacts to smash through the formation and restrictions can eventually break through them.

"We need to prepare as soon as possible!"

Shen Xuan opened the storage bag.

A Water Cloud Shield, a pair of Water-Splitting Emei Daggers, more than seventy exquisite talismans, and over a hundred spirit stones.

This was all his possessions.

Fortunately, he had a mysterious jade talisman.

[Talents: Concealment, Stealth, Water Control, Self-Healing, Critical Strike, Iron Bones, Longevity]

He has mastered the techniques of concealing his breath and invisibility to a minor degree, and is proficient in all the others.

Looking at these talents.

Shen Xuan's unease gradually subsided.

Proficient in both the Divine Treasure of the Vast Ocean Technique and the Condensing Water to Transform into a Sharp Edge Technique.

As long as he hides in the water, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator can't do anything to him.

Seven years of arduous practice have yielded fruitful results.

In terms of actual combat strength, Shen Xuan was confident that he was superior to Zhao Chunsheng.

Shen Xuan tried it.

The Water Cloud Shield and the Water-Dividing Emei Thorn consume very little spiritual energy or consciousness.

With his full power, he can simultaneously wield these two mid-grade magical artifacts.

As for high-quality talismans...

There is actually no need to stimulate it.

His innate magical abilities are far more effective than those of fine talismans.

The next morning.

After Ding Yuyao woke up, Shen Xuan told her about the danger she was about to face.

"What are your plans, my husband?"

“My lady, I’ve made up my mind. If the situation worsens, I’ll have Old Liu, the horse driver, take you to Hongcheng County first.”

Shen Xuan pondered for a moment and said, "According to the rules set by the Qingyun Sect, cultivators are not allowed to attack mortals without authorization, and wars between cultivation families cannot spread to the secular world."

“Your safety is guaranteed once you return to Hongcheng County.”

Ding Yuyao said resolutely, "My husband, I won't leave! I want to stay with you forever!"

"But if the situation changes, I won't be able to protect my wife."

Shen Xuan told him frankly.

Ding Yuyao was merely a mortal with meager strength.

If they were to encounter a cultivator who has undergone tribulation, they would be no match for him.

In that case, she will become a burden to Shen Xuan.

Thinking of this, Ding Yuyao's face darkened.

"I will obey my husband."

"Don't worry, the situation may not deteriorate to that extent. I'm just taking precautions."

"Then, my husband, will you come to fetch me after you've settled down?"

"Of course I'll come to pick you up! You're my wife!"

Ding Yuyao burst into laughter through her tears, and couldn't help but hug Shen Xuan's neck, clinging to him.

"My husband is so good!"

……

The next morning.

Shen Xuan arrived at Tianxiang Pavilion.

This was his first time entering a high-end entertainment venue.

The spiritual fruits and wines on the table alone cost ten spirit stones, ten times the market price.

So dark!

Shen Xuan took out his VIP jade token and paid seven spirit stones.

Then, while waiting, he angrily packed up all the spirit wine and spirit fruit.

Shortly after, Leng Ningxiang entered.

"Oh, Master Shen, you're just sitting here? Didn't you call a girl in to serve you?"

“Lord Leng, I came here specifically to see you.”

Leng Ningxiang covered her mouth and laughed, "Master Shen, so this is your type! My worth is much higher than those girls, are you sure?"

Shen Xuan stared speechlessly at Leng Ningxiang in front of him.

After a long pause, he slowly said, "Lord Leng, I'm here to buy intelligence."

Tianxiang Pavilion not only deals in dual cultivation, but also in intelligence.

"Speak, what do you want to know?"

"How much lifespan does the Ding family patriarch have left, and what is the progress of Ding Yijin and Ding Yisi's Foundation Establishment preparations?" Shen Xuan asked without hesitation. The stability of the Ding family is crucial to the safety of Qinglong Bay Market.

The wars between cultivation families are always thrilling and deadly, leaving no room for complacency.

Leng Ningxiang smiled.

"Considering our cooperation, I'll give you a discount on this intelligence: thirty spirit stones."

After paying with spirit stones, Leng Ningxiang handed him an information jade slip.

"With this jade slip, Master Shen can purchase subsequent intelligence updates by paying only a small amount of spirit stones."

"Thank you."

Shen Xuan probed the jade slip with his divine sense.

As expected of intelligence worth thirty spirit stones, it meticulously records the important members of the Ding family, their cultivation levels, main cultivation techniques, commonly used magical artifacts, family information, and so on.

It even subtly mentions the opposing forces and individuals within the Ding family, the reasons for their feud, and so on.

The Ding family patriarch, whom he was particularly concerned about, only had ten years left to live.

As rumored in the marketplace, Ding Yisi stole the Foundation Establishment Pill that originally belonged to Ding Yijin and secretly failed in her Foundation Establishment attempt.

However, at the end of the intelligence report, it was said that the Ding family mortgaged the profits of Qinglong Bay Market, borrowed heavily, and then exchanged a Foundation Establishment Pill from Qingyun Sect.

“Master Shen, there’s no need to worry. As long as the Ding family patriarch is here, Qinglong Bay Market will not descend into chaos.”

As she left, Leng Ningxiang said softly.

……

a few days later.

The head of the Ding family, accompanied by his brothers Ding Yijin and Ding Yisi, appeared at Juxianlou Restaurant in Qinglongwan Market to entertain familiar relatives and friends.

During the banquet, the Ding family patriarch appeared, exuding an air of otherworldly wisdom, with a ruddy complexion and boundless energy.

He doesn't look like he's nearing the end of his life at all.

The Ding family head announced that the claim that Ding Yisi stole the Foundation Establishment Pill and failed to establish her foundation was pure fabrication.

It is a malicious smear campaign against the Ding family by hostile forces.

Starting today, Ding Yijin will go into seclusion to cultivate and attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage!
The appearance of the Ding family patriarch and others brought much peace of mind to the people of Qinglong Bay.

After all, seeing is believing.

In front of so many people, the Ding family patriarch remained as imposing as ever, and Ding Yijin and Ding Yigong were as respectful and amicable as brothers, demonstrating that the Ding family's prestige was undiminished.

Knowing the truth beforehand, Shen Xuan buried himself in cultivation and talisman making.

Thirty-seven spirit stones were spent in one go.

The spirit stones in his storage bag made him feel insecure.

He instructed Zhao Chunsheng to stay home obediently for the time being and protect his wife and children.

Do not go hunting.

Zhao Chunsheng readily agreed to this suggestion.

The foundation-building stage for cultivators only takes a little over ten days, which passes in the blink of an eye.

Soon after, news spread throughout the market that Ding Yijin had successfully completed his foundation building.

"Ding Yijin has completed the mid-grade Dao foundation!"

"The Qingyun Sect specially sent an envoy to celebrate."

"The Zhao family of Zifeng Mountain, the He family of Wohu Ridge, and the Tao family of Wanzhulin have all sent people to Qinglong Bay Market!"

Upon hearing this news, Shen Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

With Ding Yijin's successful Foundation Establishment, the Ding family now has two Foundation Establishment experts, making the situation as stable as Mount Tai.

"It seems the Ding family won their gamble this time!"

The strength of a cultivation family has always been determined by its highest combat power.

Soon, the Ding family posted a notice.

Ten days later, a grand celebratory banquet was held at Juxianlou Restaurant in Fangshi.

As a mid-grade talisman master, Shen Xuan also received an invitation.

"Tsk tsk, Master Shen's reputation is so great, even the Ding family sent you a VIP invitation!"

Zhao Chunsheng said with a hint of bitterness.

He also received an invitation.

However, it's the standard version.

He could only take his wife and children to freeload at banquets.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, how about we switch places?"

“Master Shen, please stop joking. The gifts for the VIP seats have to be read out, and I don’t want to waste my money on that! I’d rather go to the banquet and have a simple meal.”

Zhao Chunsheng immediately shrank back.

Shen Xuan shook his head.

Zhao Chunsheng was right.

This banquet was a losing proposition.

Since they were seated in the VIP section, the congratulatory gifts they gave had to be of some substance.

Otherwise, it would be a slap in the face to the Ding family!

He's not even as good as Zhao Chunsheng.

Guests at a banquet can bring any gifts they like, and with their wives and children, the four of them can eat their fill and still recoup their gifts.

"I hope things will calm down a bit!"

Having finally found a stable and safe environment for cultivation, Shen Xuan had no desire to wander aimlessly amidst the clash of swords.

(End of this chapter)