In the world of cultivation, one grinds for proficiency and longevity.

"Hahaha! Young friend Chen, I've come uninvited, I hope you won't mind!"

The laughter was deafening, and before the words had even finished, a burly figure descended from the sky and crashed heavily into the courtyard.

Bang!

It stirred up a pile of flower, grass, and wood chips.

"My way of appearing on stage didn't scare you..."

Huh?

Obsidian broken into three pieces?

Did you use a magical artifact to smash it?

The newcomer's laughter abruptly ceased, his gaze falling upon the rubble, his expression subtly changing. Obsidian, with a texture comparable to black iron, is often used to forge low-level magical artifacts; it is incredibly hard, no wonder he was surprised.

"It wasn't done by a magical artifact."

Chen Changqing bowed respectfully, "I merely shattered it with my finger. I am sorry for not welcoming you properly, Fifth Elder."

"This... look at my memory! You're the kind of kid who can even break magical artifacts!"

Zhou Hao laughed heartily again, "I should have arrived earlier, but I was delayed because I was picking out a beautiful woman for you."

"Huh? Pick out beautiful women for me? Did I hear that right?" Chen Changqing asked in surprise.

"Of course you heard me right." Zhou Hao solemnly took out a recording stone. "Take a look, I carefully selected it, I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"

Chen Changqing probed with his divine sense, but his heart sank quietly.

The three beauties, each with a different figure, possessed an ethereal charm. What was even more remarkable was that two of them were at the early stage of Qi Refining, and one was at the middle stage.

They are all cultivators with spiritual roots!

Why is this?

Could it be... that after three years, they still haven't given up on my kidney?

Damn it, it must be because I stood out too much in the last competition that they've got their eyes on me!

Chen Changqing's expression grew increasingly grave.

He knew that the more enthusiastic the other person was now, the angrier he would be if he were rejected later.

"So! Are you still not satisfied?"

Seeing that Chen Changqing remained silent for a long time, Zhou Hao's voice lowered, containing a hint of anger, "Do you want me to get you a different batch?"

Troublesome...

"I appreciate the Fifth Elder's kind offer." Chen Changqing had no intention of marrying into the family, so he had to bite the bullet and reply, "However, since I am choosing the path of a guest elder, I must prioritize the Dao of Talismans. I will not consider starting a family for the time being."

"fart!"

Zhou Hao roared, "Three years of the eight-year agreement for you to be a guest retainer has passed. Have you even drawn a single talisman? Liu Feifei has long been able to exchange talismans for merit points. What about you? You've almost run out of talisman paper and ink, haven't you?"

Generally speaking, those who take the path of guest advisors and successfully draw talismans will exchange the finished talismans for resources in the library.

Liu Feifei is an example of this.

Chen Changqing has not yet redeemed the item, and it has been determined that he has not drawn the talisman.

But we still had to go; the talisman paper and ink were almost gone.

He said I can't draw talismans. Should I throw five finished talismans in his face?

No, I already went too far in order to get the reward.

The wood is beautiful in the forest, and the wind will destroy it.

Moreover, the Zhou family values ​​sons-in-law more than retainers; if I were to reveal my talents, I don't know whether it would be a blessing or a curse.

It's better to just play it safe and develop your strength!

"Fifth Elder, Changqing thanks you for your kindness, but there are still five years left, right? I want to give it my all and put the matter of settling down on a temporary basis."

Chen Changqing tried to phrase his words tactfully, implying that no matter how much the other party wanted to take advantage of his kidneys, it was still for his own good.

If it weren't for marrying into the family, I could seriously consider it.

That won't work either! If I don't have a child, he definitely won't let me have a good time!

Having a bunch of kids isn't what I want...

But he dared not ask these questions to their faces.

They were afraid that someone might kill them on the spot in a fit of anger.

"Try it out? I'd love to see you even attempt it!"

Zhou Hao became increasingly angry as he spoke, and his voice grew louder and louder, attracting the attention of many people nearby.

Moreover, he seemed even more excited when there were more people around:

"That stubborn, promising talent from the last batch who took the path of guest advisors ended up with nothing but bones! If it weren't for your potential, I, Zhou, wouldn't have bothered with you!"

"Also, don't think you're so great just because you've learned that bullshit fist technique. Let me tell you, it's a flawed style with no future!"

Chen Changqing did not reply, but stood quietly to the side, thinking that the other party was agitated and that letting him express his displeasure might be beneficial for him.

After a moment, Zhou Hao couldn't help but speak again: "Kid, someone's losing patience. I'll ask you one last time, are you choosing or not?"

Chen Changqing raised his eyes, his gaze clear and firm: "Thank you for your kindness, Elder. Changqing... still wishes to give it a try."

You're even more stubborn than that one-track mind!

"Just wait to die!"

Zhou Hao flicked his robe and flew away from the scene like a cannonball.

As Chen Changqing gazed in the direction he had left, a strange feeling arose in his heart: "Although this man is strong-willed, he is also frank and sincere."

Compared to the cunning and calculating patriarch, this fifth elder actually made him feel more favorably toward him.

"I never expected that after three years, the Fifth Elder would still be acting as a matchmaker for Chen Changqing!"

"Tsk tsk, the other party is a cultivator with spiritual roots, truly enviable!"

"Even more surprisingly, he refused!"

"Why do you think that is?"

"Could it be that he still has unfinished romantic ties in the mortal realm?"

"Could it be that he... is impotent?"

"Did you develop feelings for Feifei over time?"

"Nonsense! They barely see each other a few times a year, how could they possibly develop feelings for each other over time?"

"Oh... I see! He must have fallen in love at first sight with that stunningly beautiful young lady three years ago, and his heart can't accept anyone else!"

"Hmm? That makes sense! Speaking of the young lady, I still remember the gentle way she applied medicine to me..."

As soon as Zhou Hao left, the crowd that had been watching with bated breath suddenly erupted into a clamor. After a flurry of discussion, everyone unanimously agreed that the last guess was the most plausible.

However, Chen Changqing had no time to pay attention to these rumors and gossip.

He had only one goal at that moment: to go to the library and exchange for the resources he needed.

He has long since passed the probationary period.

"Elder, I want to exchange my merit points."

Chen Changqing neatly placed ten catties of spirit beast meat, three Qi-restoring pills, and three talismans on the counter.

He wanted to conceal his abilities, so of course he didn't use any talismans for protection or concealment.

Upon hearing this, the guardian elder lazily opened one eye, his gaze sweeping over the items on the counter, a disdainful sneer curling at the corner of his lips:

"Oh? You can actually draw talismans... but only three. It seems your talent is mediocre."

Based solely on the three dozen talisman papers he distributed, he arbitrarily concluded that Chen Changqing's success rate in creating talismans was pitifully low.

Immediately, he turned to his young page and instructed, "Little Fish, help him exchange it."

"Yes, Master."

A little boy who looked about six or seven years old stepped forward and said to Chen Changqing in a soft voice, "Senior brother, please come with me."

"Spirit beast meat 50 merit points, Qi recovery pill 90 merit points, three talismans 15 merit points, totaling 155 merit points. Please verify."

If everything is correct, please show the nameplate.

"Correct."

Chen Changqing handed over a nameplate engraved with a tiny array. With a soft "beep," 155 merit points were credited to his account.

With a surplus of spiritual tea at home, Chen Changqing unhesitatingly exchanged all his merit points for consumables used for drawing talismans:

Six-strike green hemp grass talisman paper.

Three bottles of talisman ink.

A plate of calming incense.

……

Upon returning to his residence, he immediately shut himself in and refused visitors, focusing intently on improving his skill level.

[Character drawing proficiency +1]

[Character drawing proficiency +2]

……

A month later, Liu Feifei paid a visit.

Unlike usual, she was dressed conservatively today, and her whole demeanor became more haughty.