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

Back at his residence, Chen Changqing stared blankly at the recording stone in his hand, which he could no longer see, and remained motionless for a long time.

Only now did he suddenly realize that he had overlooked a very big oversight—

Without reaching the third level of Qi Refining and without developing divine consciousness, one is simply unable to draw talismans.

Liu Feifei can paint because she was originally at the third level of Qi Refining.

Back then, she was almost killed because of her lack of combat experience; and because her opponent had a mid-stage Qi Refining expert watching over her, which frightened her.

"The Zhou family knew I was only at the first level of Qi Refining and therefore unable to learn any of the hundred arts of cultivation, yet they never warned me..."

"What should we do now?"

"...By the way, spiritual tea that can enhance spiritual awareness?"

A glimmer of hope flashed in Chen Changqing's eyes. He immediately opened the bag of spiritual tea and hurriedly brewed it.

He drank two pots of tea, the aroma of which was rich and mellow, but he saw no sign of the emergence of any divine consciousness.

"Perhaps the quantity is insufficient?"

Clinging to a sliver of hope, he gulped down the entire amount of spirit tea, which could have lasted half a month and was worth three and a half spirit stones, within an hour.

hiccup~

"Besides making my mind a little clearer and my stomach a little bloated, it's not very useful."

"It seems that without developing divine consciousness, drinking this stuff is a complete waste."

At this moment, he seemed somewhat naive.

Anything capable of fostering divine consciousness is a rare and precious treasure, something that a mere Foundation Establishment family could not possibly possess, let alone easily distribute to an "outsider."

"Sigh, now we can only take it one step at a time."

After a moment of frustration, Chen Changqing finally accepted this cruel reality.

The following morning, Zhou Chengjun began sending the month's financial aid.

Some grains, vegetables, fish and meat containing spiritual energy, three low-grade spirit stones, plus a cultivation technique.

Ironically, this exercise is none other than the "Changchun Gathering Qi Gong" that Chen Changqing possesses, also known as "Changchun Gong" for short.

Chen Changqing chose the second path of retainers, and could accept these retainers with a clear conscience for the next eight years.

Once he becomes a first-tier high-grade talisman master and serves as a guest elder in the Zhou family for ten years, he can regain his freedom.

Of course, if you want to leave early, you can contribute 500,000 points of family merit.

These were all agreed upon beforehand.

"Brother Chengjun, wait a moment."

Chen Changqing called out to him.

"Is there anything I can do to help you, Changqing?"

Zhou Chengjun had a very good impression of Chen Changqing.

"I already have this 'Changchun Gong'... Do you think it's possible to exchange it for something else?"

"You already have it? Then you really don't need it..."

What kind of cultivation technique do you need? The family's spells aren't cheap.

In the Zhou family, spirit stones, magical artifacts, and cultivation techniques can all be exchanged for merit points.

10 merit points can be exchanged for 1 low-grade spirit stone.

You can earn merit by contributing to the family by planting spiritual fields, making talismans, refining elixirs and medicines, saving lives and healing the wounded, etc.

Any surplus magical artifacts, animal hides, and demon cores can be exchanged for family merits.

It's worth mentioning that some of the family's products are priced slightly lower than those sold elsewhere.

The price of "Changchun Gong" is 800 merit points.

Other techniques mostly have around 1000 points.

"I don't know what kind of cultivation techniques my family has, or what kind of cultivation techniques I can exchange for them?" Chen Changqing shook his head.

"The best cultivation techniques are all in the library, but you haven't been in the family for a full year and are still under observation, so you're not qualified to enter."

Zhou Chengjun frowned at first, then smiled. "But your previous performance is enough to prove your loyalty to the family. I can only say that I will try my best to persuade the managers."

"In that case, I'll trouble you."

Liu Feifei heard about the Fairy Seed Banquet yesterday, and that Chen Changqing, like her, had rejected the Zhou family's young lady (handsome man).

Moreover, the girl's appearance was exceptionally beautiful, which immediately increased his goodwill towards her.

Upon learning that Chen Changqing had not yet developed divine consciousness, he invited him to his courtyard to observe his copying and drawing of talismans.

Chen Changqing was naturally curious and gladly went.

However, he quickly withdrew.

Because they lack spiritual awareness, even observation is a problem.

Chen Changqing couldn't help but feel depressed.

"Unfortunately, the Changchun Gong cannot be advanced by increasing proficiency."

After cultivating in the small courtyard for a long time, Chen Changqing went out and walked to the left.

Upon arriving at Li Erniu's courtyard, one finds the gate tightly shut, and strange noises emanating from it.

He bent down to listen carefully, and soon left with a strange expression.

"Erniu, you need to take care of yourself!"

"There are never fields that are over-plowed, only oxen that have collapsed from exhaustion."

On the way back, Chen Changqing became even more depressed, so he continued to absorb spiritual energy and cultivate frantically.

Three days passed like this, and Li Erniu really didn't even step out of the door.

However, his neighbor on the right, Liu Feifei, would often run over to his house when he was dizzy from drawing talismans, which made him a little difficult to deal with.

Fortunately, Zhou Chengjun arrived.

"Changqing, after careful consideration, the clan's higher-ups have granted you permission to enter the library to select and change spells."

"But... you'll have to figure out how to make up the difference yourself... I'm not rich either."

Zhou Chengjun said somewhat embarrassedly.

"Brother Chengjun, please don't say that. I'm so grateful to you, how could I possibly ask you for spirit stones?!"

Led by Zhou Chengjun, Chen Changqing visited the library for the second time.

Upon closer inspection, one can see the items displayed inside the pavilion, with prices clearly listed:

"Three Qi-restoring pills, 90 merit points."

"Five catties of dried spirit fruit, 110 merit points."

"Low-grade robe, 500 merit points."

"Yellow-rank spell 'Flame Technique,' 1000..."

Chen Changqing silently examined the situation, weighed the pros and cons, and finally reluctantly exchanged the newly acquired magic sword for it.

Exchange for the magic sword, merit points +700.

Exchange for a pseudo-magical artifact, merit points +170.

After the exchange was completed, Chen Changqing received a small jade plaque. Upon closer inspection, it displayed the number: 1670 merit points.

"You have 15 minutes. Go in."

Having given prior notice, the elder guarding the entrance removed the barriers and waved to them, saying, "The second floor is a forbidden area; trespassing is not permitted."

"I already know."

Chen Changqing nodded and stepped inside.

No wonder a Foundation Establishment family in the cultivation world can stand for hundreds of years.

This is the reason for its profound heritage.

If this is the case for families, what about sects...?

Chen Changqing personally experienced the dazzling array of spiritual objects and magical artifacts in the library and couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

He walked straight to the spellbook shelf, his gaze sweeping over it swiftly like lightning.

"Staff techniques, knife skills, sword techniques... let's skip that for now."

Before coming, Chen Changqing thought it over carefully and felt that since he already possessed the "Spiritual Power Finger Flick" technique, it would be more appropriate to choose another close-combat spell.

"The Great Capturing Technique... The Hongmen Bagua Palm... Huh? There's actually a Xuan-level magic technique mixed in here?"

Chen Changqing's heart stirred slightly. He put down the book in his hand and quickly pulled out the dusty ancient scroll.

"Ugh~ So much dust, how long has this been sitting here?"

Shake off the dust to reveal the words: "Ninefold Fist of Prison Suppression" (Part 1).

"Does that mean there are other volumes?"

"The question is, can my cheat ability ignore the incomplete skill and keep 'grinding' indefinitely?"

Chen Changqing had just put the book down when he immediately picked it up again.

After all, this is the only advanced technique on the first floor.

Turning to the first three pages of the unrestricted book, the moves are explained in a way that is obscure and difficult to understand. It is quite difficult to even look at them, let alone practice them.

"It's good that it's difficult to master; it means it's quite powerful."

"Worth a gamble!"

After thinking it through, Chen Changqing unhesitatingly aligned the nameplate with the corresponding red aura:

drop!

Merit points -1200.

"An incomplete cultivation technique, yet so expensive? It's outrageous!"

He muttered something under his breath and, taking advantage of the time he still had, wandered around.

Before long, he couldn't resist spending all his merit points.

Aside from exchanging some poisoned steel balls, he used the rest to exchange for "Qi-Nourishing Pills" that could improve his cultivation.

To save money, avoid browsing shopping pages on Taobao, Tmall, and other similar sites when you're bored.

Also, don't bring your wallet when you go shopping...

As he emerged, Chen Changqing looked at the plaque with a merit value of "zero" and recalled the classic quote from his down-on-his-luck friend from his previous life, expressing deep agreement.