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

"Master, I don't want any reward today."

Chen Changqing spoke calmly, "I want to ask if my path to becoming a guest advisor is true?"

"Of course. It was clearly written in the contract at the time, so why are you asking this question?" Zhou Dezheng asked, puzzled.

"Alright. I'm confident in my talisman-drawing skills now. I'd like to see the 'complete equipment capable of drawing high-grade talismans' mentioned in the contract." Chen Changqing emphasized.

Regardless of whether the Zhou family had it or not, Chen Changqing's confrontation today was simply to get a definite answer.

If the Zhou family did not deceive anyone, then it would be good for everyone.

Otherwise, the land reclamation project three and a half years from now should be cancelled.

Actually, he had wanted to bring this up for a long time, but he was afraid that the Zhou family would continue to bully him and not take him seriously.

Today, while I have made some contributions to the Zhou family, it is the perfect time to bring this up.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Dezheng was visibly taken aback.

A set of equipment that can be inscribed with high-grade talismans is worth two to three thousand spirit stones, which is definitely a huge sum of money for a Foundation Establishment family.

No one in the Zhou family knows how to draw talismans, so why would they waste spirit stones to buy such an expensive item and keep it in the family?!

But he never expected that after fooling the immortal seedlings so many times, this time he would actually encounter someone who could draw talismans.

Should I be happy?

Should I still not be happy?

I think I should be happy!

"Changqing, you guessed right. The equipment you mentioned is indeed not currently available in my Zhou family. Moreover, given these extraordinary times, I don't plan to buy it unless... you reach the late stage of Qi Refining and truly possess the ability to draw high-grade talismans!"

Back then, I would sell everything I own, go without food or drink, to buy it for you!

Zhou Dezheng was genuinely surprised to learn about Chen Changqing's talisman-drawing skills from his daughter last night, and for the first time, he spoke candidly about it.

"And then what? Shouldn't I be free now?"

"Being a freelancer won't work, but clearing land is exempt!" Zhou Dezheng blurted out.

"What do you mean?" Chen Changqing asked, puzzled.

Zhou Dezheng didn't answer the question, but instead changed the subject: "I've heard that many elders of the Ye family are after you. Furthermore, the masked man you injured yesterday is of unknown origin. Don't you think it's necessary for our Zhou family to stand together against this common enemy?"

After hearing this, Chen Changqing fell silent.

What Zhou Dezheng said was indeed true. Although Chen Changqing was determined to leave the Zhou family in the future, he could not avoid getting involved at this moment.

But these are things that cannot be avoided.

Whether it's to save their lives or to obtain resources for cultivating immortality!

"Patriarch Zhou, can you simply tell me what you need me to do?"

"Indeed, chatting with smart people is so much easier." Zhou Dezheng paused slightly, then continued, "The previous contract is void; we'll draft a new one!"

"What contract?"

"Ruoyun wants to open a talisman shop. You'll help her for eight years, and I'll give you 15% of the profits. After eight years, regardless of whether you have the ability to draw high-grade talismans, you'll be considered a guest of the Zhou family, and your treatment will be increased accordingly. If you're not satisfied, you can leave or stay as you see fit. What do you say?"

"I want 20%!" Chen Changqing pleaded.

Zhou Dezheng brushed the insects off his clothes. "Young man, I can only give you ten percent at most. The other half was negotiated for you by Ruoyun!"

After saying that, he turned and left, knowing that Chen Changqing would agree.

"At the fifth level of Qi Refining, one is indeed easily manipulated!"

Chen Changqing wasn't angry. He was just asking a question, and even if the other party disagreed, he wouldn't lose anything.

Moreover, the new contract has no strict requirements and the term is two years shorter than the previous one, so he definitely made a profit.

three days later.

While the Zhou family was investigating spies, a cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Refining escaped.

When Zhou Dezheng sent people to catch up, the other party had already committed suicide by poisoning himself, and nothing could be found out. The matter was temporarily put to rest.

half a month later.

After breaking through to the ninth level of Qi Refining, Zhou Hao went to ambush the Ye family alone, killing a total of nine mid-level cultivators and venting his anger for the Zhou family.

With high-level combat power shifted, the Ye family cultivators were filled with anxiety. Everyone knew that Zhou Hao had a volatile temper and acted without any regard for the consequences!

Ultimately, the Ye family asked the Duan family to mediate.

The Zhou family didn't want to risk a lose-lose situation and benefit the other two families, so they agreed.

Thus, both sides entered a three-year period of rest and recuperation.

……

"Ruoyun, are there any auctions being held recently?"

Although the Ye and Zhou families had mediated, the cautious Chen Changqing still felt it was unsafe to open a talisman shop outside, hence the question.

Especially since Black Widow helped Zhou Ruoyun take drugs last time, she has been in a deep sleep and has not woken up since.

This made Chen Changqing even more worried.

"Yes, there happens to be a good auction at the Duan family's 'Thousand Pet Market' in a few days. There are quite a lot of things. What do you want to buy? I'll go with you."

After half a month of recuperation, Zhou Ruoyun has not only fully recovered, but her complexion is also rosy and healthy.

I don't know if it's because I'm about to open a talisman shop with Chen Changqing that I'm so happy.

"Let's buy some things that can improve our combat power and go take a look. I don't have much cash on hand..."

Chen Changqing currently only has seventy or eighty spirit stones left, but he still has nearly a hundred mid-grade talismans, so he's not worried.

"Yes, I have some. What's your budget? If it's not enough, I'll ask my father for more."

Uh, is that appropriate?

"Three hundred spirit stones, please."

"No need to trouble Father, I have enough!"

She really is a rich girl...

……

Qianchong Market is one of the largest markets within a radius of hundreds of miles, covering a vast area with crisscrossing streets and alleys and a continuous stretch of buildings.

Its shops selling elixirs, spiritual materials, beast eggs, and spirit pets lined the street, bustling with the sounds of people and immortals, and were owned by the Duan family, who were skilled in beast taming.

Its scale is comparable only to the Lingshan Market of the Ning family.

Among the four major Foundation Establishment families in the vicinity, the Duan family and the Ning family each operate two markets, while the Ye and Zhou families each have one, but they are extremely small in scale and have few customers. Even the talisman shop that Zhou Guang opened for Liu Feifei was not chosen by his own family, but was opened in the Duan family's market.

Zhou Ruoyun also plans to open her talisman shop in the Duan family's area. When asked why she didn't choose her own shop, she replied that the Duan family's market had too many spirit pets, and the smell was unpleasant.

It doesn't smell very good, but it's acceptable.

Chen Changqing stayed at the Zhou family's house and rarely came out, so he seemed curious about everything.

He looked left and right, but quickly lost interest. "What Thousand Pet Market? Most of them are spirit pets that haven't reached the next level."

But thinking about it, it makes sense. Otherwise, wouldn't the Duan family have crushed the other three major powers?

"Changqing, the auction is about to start, shall we go?"

The two strolled around for a while, and Zhou Ruoyun naturally took his hand. Because they were wearing masks when they came out, they didn't attract much attention.

"it is good."

Chen Changqing had just finished resupplying Black Widow with snacks, some toad skins and poisonous herb juice.

...After taking a number, I entered the auction hall, which was already packed with hundreds of people.

"Welcome, fellow Daoists, to our market... First, let me state the rules: releasing divine sense without authorization is strictly prohibited..."

"...The first item up for auction is a single Black Water Turtle egg!"

"This tortoise can reach the second tier at its highest, and lives for a thousand years... It can be trained into a guardian spirit beast for a sect. There's only one left, so if you're interested, act fast!"

Starting bid: Fifty spirit stones!

The voluptuous and tall female auctioneer introduced the merchandise while simultaneously creating a lively atmosphere.

"Fifty-five spirit stones..."

"Seventy spirit stones..."

This tortoise has a long lifespan, which is quite fitting for my "Eternal Spring Exercise".

Chen Changqing was somewhat tempted, but considering that a normal Xuan Shui Turtle egg would cost around two hundred spirit stones, he estimated that such a low auction price meant it was either a "bad egg" or similar to the previous Demon Kiss Spider egg.

Although the Evergreen Technique might be effective, he really didn't want to waste his lifespan on an egg, so he gave up for the time being.

In the end, the Xuan Shui Turtle Egg was won by a bid of ninety spirit stones.

...The second item is the Mind-Clearing Pill, and the fifth item is the Mad Bull Armor...

After six attempts, Chen Changqing still hadn't gotten the right shot, and he started to get a little anxious.

Until the seventh item appears.