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

Chen Changqing pretended not to see it. "Don't get the wrong idea. It's just that the Zhou family originally only had me and her as prospective guest elders. Now I'm the only one left, so I'm feeling a bit sentimental."

"It's so hot." Zhou Youran casually pulled her collar down a little, then added, "Brother Chen, can we go bird hunting together tomorrow?"

This girl... you'd be more interested in my hunting skills and cooking abilities than in me as a person.

"Can."

Chen Changqing never resists anything that can increase his cultivation level.

"That's great!"

After the barbecue, Zhou Youran took the initiative to clean up the mess before going back.

……

It was afternoon.

There was a knock at the door. When she went out, she saw Liu Feifei, who was already married. "Mrs. Liu... did you need something?"

At this moment, Liu Feifei was dressed solemnly and conservatively, and her complexion seemed to be not very good.

Chen Changqing could vaguely see the bruises inside his clothes and sleeves.

If she was beaten by her husband, it shouldn't have been that mild.

Chen Changqing guessed that Liu Feifei was bullied by the First Madam and the Second Madam because she had no family connections.

"I am now in charge of the Zhou family's management of talismans, and I bring you the reward promised by the elders."

As he spoke, he handed twelve medium-grade talisman papers to Chen Changqing.

"Congratulations on Madam Zhou's promotion. Such a small matter could have been easily delivered by a servant; there's no need for you to trouble yourself."

"Hmph! You don't need to keep calling me 'Madam' to mock me. If I had a choice, I, Liu Feifei, wouldn't have chosen this path."

Immediately, the tone shifted, becoming more stern:

"Chen Changqing, you can draw mid-grade talismans, so... you must have already learned how to use talismans for warding off evil and concealment from the notes I lent you, right? You've really been hiding your abilities well!"

"First of all, I have no intention of mocking you, Madam. We were once fellow apprentices, and I am overjoyed to see you free from the hardships of pioneering in the past four years."

Secondly, regarding talismans, it's just as you said. However, mid-grade talismans are very difficult to make, with a success rate of less than 10%.

Regarding the notebook, Chen Changqing openly admitted that the original transaction was aboveboard and consensual, and he was not afraid of Liu Feifei causing trouble.

Moreover, Liu Feifei was not in a position of power.

However, given his current limited strength, Chen Changqing wouldn't be foolish enough to create enemies for himself if he didn't want to offend anyone.

Perhaps sensing Chen Changqing's sincerity; or perhaps realizing that a tough stance would be ineffective, Liu Feifei was initially delighted, but then, she humbled herself and spoke again:

"Brother Chen, Feifei isn't doing well these days. The job the Zhou family arranged for her is just a tool for her. Actually... I came here today to ask for your help."

Is this the attitude of someone begging for help?

Chen Changqing didn't mind, "Tell me first how I can help you?"

"I want to open a talisman shop, but my success rate with first-tier mid-grade talismans isn't high enough. Could I ask Brother Chen if I could borrow a few finished talismans?"

"You want me to help you deceive? No way!"

This was risky, so Chen Changqing decisively refused.

"Brother Chen, Feifei has no relatives or friends here. The only one who can help me is you. If even you are unwilling to help me, I will be bullied to death by those two wicked women in less than three months!"

Fearing that Chen Changqing would not agree, she added, "Brother Chen, as long as you agree to Feifei's request this time, Feifei will never say no to any request in the future."

After saying that, he leaned forward and gave Chen Changqing a knowing look.

Unexpectedly, Chen Changqing felt a wave of fear and silently took a few steps back to create distance between them.

Seeing Chen Changqing's expression, Liu Feifei first showed despair, then a glint of malice flashed in her eyes, and she changed to a threat:

"If you don't agree, I'll tear off my clothes right now and yell that you molested me... I'm not going to live anyway!"

"Miss Liu, I, Chen, have rejected many beauties from the Zhou family. Would I covet the beauty of a married woman like you? Who would believe that? However, since you've put it this way, it would seem too heartless of me not to help you!"

"I'll find a way to send you the talisman in ten days, how about that?"

After a quick consideration, Chen Changqing concluded that if he did not agree, even if the Zhou family believed in his innocence, it would be unfair.

Liu Feifei's husband, Zhou Guang, or a high-ranking member of the Zhou family, might also cause Chen Changqing a lot of trouble because of face-saving issues.

The latter carries a greater risk than the former.

After weighing the two options, Chen Changqing ultimately chose to compromise and save the person.

However, having been through many trials and tribulations, he did not leave Liu Feifei with the impression that he was "easy to manipulate".

"With Brother Chen's words, Feifei is relieved."

Then, Liu Feifei took out two more dozen mid-grade talisman papers, "These are what I borrowed in advance, Brother Chen, please use them sparingly."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Chen Changqing looked at the two thick stacks of valuable talisman papers, and his lips finally twitched.

If someone finds out, this will be evidence!

"Oh, right, I almost forgot to tell Brother Chen, the Zhou family currently doesn't have any equipment capable of drawing high-grade talismans. You'd better watch out!"

Liu Feifei suddenly turned around and added a sentence.

Thank you for letting me know.

……

"Does this... mean I'm being told there's no road ahead?"

Despite his previous doubts, Chen Changqing was still momentarily dazed when faced with the facts.

You should know that he had previously gone out to inquire and found that a single first-tier talisman brush and ink that could draw high-grade talismans cost three to four hundred spirit stones.

If it were a complete set, it would cost at least a thousand spirit stones.

One thousand spirit stones!

Would the Zhou family be willing to "invest" in me?

Forget it, why think so much?

After closing the door again, Chen Changqing left all his worries behind and focused on improving his skills.

Drawing talismans, practicing martial arts; drawing talismans, practicing martial arts.

[Symbol Drawing Experience +1]

[Boxing Skill Experience +1]

……

[Fist Technique: Ninefold Prison Suppression Fist (Mastery 399/400)]

"Strange, we're just one upgrade away, why can't we make it?"

Chen Changqing tried many times without success, and finally accepted the fact.

Indeed, it would be too incredible to learn a complete technique with only half of it.

The next morning, a gentle breeze was blowing.

Chen Changqing opened the door, and there was already someone waiting in the courtyard.

She was a beautiful woman, holding a steaming bowl of porridge in her hands.

"Brother Chen, you're up. I cooked some fish soup porridge, but we couldn't finish it, so I saved a bowl for you."

Before Chen Changqing could speak, Zhou Youran stepped forward.

"Miss You Ran, no wonder you're so plump, your cooking skills are really good."

Chen Changqing didn't stand on ceremony, finished the meal, and praised it highly.

"Hehe, it's nowhere near as good as Brother Chen's roasted bird. I wonder if I'll be lucky enough to have some today?"

Zhou Youran licked her lips, revealing a greedy look.

"Let's go bird hunting!"

"Okay."

The two began walking towards the lake.

Chen Changqing discovered that this girl didn't even bring a hunting bow and arrows; she just carried a small burlap sack on her shoulder.

"Brother Chen, your spiritual power is unparalleled, so I won't embarrass myself by showing off."

Seemingly understanding Chen Changqing's look, Zhou Youran said cheerfully, "Today I'll be in charge of picking up the birds."

"Then I can't let you down."

Chen Changqing smiled, bent down and casually picked up a few small stones from the ground: "Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut?"