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

No need for the manager to give instructions.

These beautiful and elegant women of the Zhou family fluttered to their respective tables like butterflies.

They began to busy themselves, pouring tea, wine, reciting poems, playing the zither, and playing the flute. Every move they made exuded refinement, and every smile and frown was full of charm.

Everyone present knew that although these Zhou family girls were descendants of mortals and cultivators, they possessed a high status and autonomy in marriage.

They weren't there to serve people; they were there to choose people.

Chen Changqing has excellent spiritual roots and a handsome appearance, and his outstanding performance yesterday has already spread throughout the family.

So, unsurprisingly, it became the focus of attention.

Several strikingly beautiful women from the Zhou family approached, their eyes darting around, subtly flirting with each other.

But no one dared to step forward.

Because Zhou Qiao'er has already taken action.

She was the third elder's grand-niece, but she had no spiritual roots. Her only reliance was to give birth to offspring with spiritual roots.

Chen Changqing, possessing a mid-grade spiritual root, was naturally the perfect choice.

Moreover, she had received hints from the clan's higher-ups before she came...

Zhou Qiao'er spoke softly, her breath sweet as orchids: "Young Master Chen, would you mind if I poured you some wine..."

No wonder they haven't mentioned learning any skills for so long; it turns out they still haven't planned to let my kidneys go.

"I'm sorry, young lady, but actually I do mind."

Chen Changqing responded somewhat coldly.

Fang Qingxue in the secular world is no less capable than Zhou Qiao'er, so how could she be seduced by beauty?

His goal in coming to the Zhou family was very clear: to master one of the hundred arts of immortal cultivation!

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qiao'er's expression changed, and a barely perceptible hint of anger flashed in her eyes.

Fortunately, having received a good education, she quickly recovered and returned to normal.

"It's alright. Young master, it was Qiao'er who was being presumptuous."

The scene became awkward for a brief moment.

They actually refused?

Such beauty... is he even a man?

He doesn't want to marry into the family... Does he really think learning a craft can lead to immortality?

Hmph, wanting to be an apprentice...

That's just... a tempting facade... no one teaches it at all!

Seeing that even the most outstanding woman among the family's mortals couldn't sway Chen Changqing, a barely perceptible sneer flashed in the eyes of the steward, Zhou Jian.

Li Erniu, however, surrounded by several beautiful women, looked ashen-faced and nervously clung to the woman beside him, appearing extremely apprehensive.

……

An hour and a half later, the welcoming banquet ended.

Among the immortal seedlings, apart from Chen Changqing, everyone was in pairs, living a very romantic life.

A handsome young man named Liang Shenggang and Zhou Qiao'er, who had just met, hit it off and started walking together.

Li Erniu then chose a girl from the Zhou family named Zhou Cui, who was not particularly noticeable in the crowd. Her appearance was average, and her skin was not fair.

"Brother Lu, what do you think of the wife I chose?" Li Erniu excitedly ran over to ask.

You're asking me how to choose a wife?

Do I look like I know a lot about these things?

Chen Changqing was genuinely puzzled.

"What do you see in her?"

"Two o'clock." Li Erniu scratched his head, looking slightly embarrassed.

"Firstly, I think she has a big butt, which makes it easier for her to have children."

"Secondly, her skin tone is healthy, so she will definitely recover quickly after giving birth and will be able to have another child soon."

Chen Changqing couldn't help but give him a thumbs up, "Not bad, the words may be rough, but the reasoning is sound."

Erniu may seem silly, but he's actually very shrewd.

We must never underestimate honest people.

……

The next day, Li Erniu got married.

There was no elaborate sedan chair carried by eight men; everything was kept simple.

The bride's relatives did not attend the wedding banquet.

The groom's side was even smaller.

There was only one Chen Changqing.

Several other promising young immortals also came to show their support.

To mark the occasion, Chen Changqing and the other young immortals prepared small gifts.

They were not wealthy; they possessed only worldly gold and silver, or worthless trinkets.

When it was Chen Changqing's turn, he gave away one and a half spirit stones.

In addition, a small picture book.

These are all sumo wrestling poses he unlocked in his previous life, probably less than a hundred.

He specifically instructed that it could only be seen by himself and not to be circulated to others.

To avoid ruining his reputation.

Another day has passed.

Chen Changqing was finally summoned by Zhou Jian to choose one of the hundred arts of cultivation.

Accompanying him was the young girl, Liu Feifei.

"We've arrived at our Zhou family's 'Library'," Zhou Jian said to the two.

Before entering the pavilion, two arrays were removed, and there were also experts at the seventh level of Qi Refining guarding the entrance, making it extremely secure.

"First, let me clarify that among the various arts of cultivation, our Zhou family can provide most of the inheritance options... however, we lack a master to guide you."

The implication is that while our Zhou family has a wealth of skills passed down through generations, no one is teaching them, so you shouldn't be too ambitious when making your selection.

"If you change your mind now, you can still choose the first option."

"this……"

Liu Feifei hesitated.

It turns out that half of the Zhou family's second path was a lie, contrary to what was initially said.

The goal is to lure people in first.

Orthodox cultivation families generally wouldn't resort to such methods, as it would have a negative impact if word got out.

The two who chose this path, whether it was Chen Changqing with medium spiritual roots or the girl with spiritual roots, were both rare resources in the cultivation world.

At least, that's the case for a Foundation Establishment family.

Chen Changqing guessed that Zhou Jian's statement that he "possessed most of the inheritances of the various arts of immortal cultivation" was highly exaggerated; he might have inherited two or three, which would be considered an overstatement.

But now that you're on someone else's turf, you really have no choice but to swallow this bitter pill.

It's somewhat like a modern-day "trapped transaction" or "deceptive transaction." He doesn't say "no," but it's just not what was originally agreed upon.

For example: mini versions of products from a certain online marketplace.

It can also be described as "selling dog meat under the guise of mutton".

Damn it, Zhou Dezheng is treating me like a fool.

If it weren't for my special ability, I would have really been forced to rely on my kidney function to survive!

"Manager Zhou, I choose the talisman path."

Chen Changqing made the first choice. He knew that other skills might not be passed down, but the other party definitely possessed the simple and easy-to-learn art of talismanic arts.

Sure enough, Zhou Jian beamed with joy when he heard that Chen Changqing insisted on taking the second path, because he had chosen one of the two schools with few remaining lineages.

This is enough to spread the word that their Zhou family head did not "lie" about recruiting immortal seedlings.

"The Way of Talismans is excellent, the Way of Talismans is truly excellent! Young friend Chen, you have excellent taste. The talismanic tradition we have collected is the most complete."

He turned to look at Liu Feifei, "And you, little girl?"

"I also choose the talisman path."

Hearing Zhou Jian say that the talismanic tradition was complete, Liu Feifei felt relieved.

So Zhou Jian told the two to wait at the door, and then he turned and went into the library.

"Miss Liu, I heard your father studied talisman drawing. Your foundation must be quite good, right?"

"Waiting is boring," Chen Changqing asked.

"I was very good at drawing when I was little. My grandma said I would definitely be able to make a living by drawing talismans in the future, but my father wouldn't let me learn... Sigh, never mind him. Brother Chen, you saved my life. Just call me Feifei."

"I can draw two basic talismans, but I don't have enough spiritual power, so it's slow and laborious for me."

"If Brother Chen wants to learn, we can learn from each other and exchange ideas."

Liu Feifei smiled, having already experienced being rescued, she wasn't at all reserved.

"In that case, thank you in advance, Miss Feifei." Chen Changqing cupped his hands in thanks, then his tone suddenly changed:

"By the way, Miss Feifei, didn't you go to the banquet this morning?"

"banquet?

I'm going!

At that time, I was all alone, facing...

Liu Feifei's pretty face suddenly flushed red, and she couldn't continue speaking.

"Are you facing four or five handsome young men from the Zhou family?"

Chen Changqing could guess that was the case, but he didn't say it aloud.

Instead, they asked, "Why won't you agree?"

"I think that even women should have dreams. Shouldn't we all strive for ourselves at least once in our lives?"

Indeed, your resolve in the Dao is firm.

But this is the world of cultivation, and being willing to endure hardship and having determination is far from enough.

"Very good," Chen Changqing praised.

A short while later, Zhou Jian came out.

Holding two sets of essential materials for drawing talismans, he handed them to the two people, saying, "The Zhou family's talisman heritage is all here."

Chen Changqing opened it and saw the list as follows:

Three dozen (36 sheets) of hemp grass talisman paper.

Fu ink, two bottles.

A wolf-hair calligraphy brush, one.

"Basic Talisman Compendium" (with a photo-recording stone).

One bag of spiritual tea (can slightly enhance spiritual awareness).