Immortality begins with equipping a worn-out talisman pen.

Li Mufeng accepted the Na Yuan Pill and bowed respectfully to Zhou Zhengyang.

In fact, he has never slacked off in his cultivation over the past two years, and his cultivation level has already broken through to the fifth level of Qi Refining.

Zhou Zhengyang's reaction just now made him even more convinced that his hard work in the Dao of Talismans over the past two years had not been in vain.

Unless one deliberately uses spiritual power to touch the body and examine it carefully, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator would find it difficult to see through his true cultivation level with just a casual sweep of divine sense.

All of this is thanks to the mid-grade talisman derived from the Qi Concealing Talisman—the Concealing Yuan Talisman.

This talisman can not only suppress the spiritual energy of the body, but also use its power to conceal the fluctuations of true essence, thus creating a false aura of cultivation in the perception of outsiders.

To outsiders, he is still just that little talisman master who had just entered the fourth level of Qi Refining.

Who would have thought that in just one year, he would have quietly advanced from the fourth level of Qi Refining to the fifth level of Qi Refining?

There's no reason to refuse a Na Yuan Pill that's offered to him, especially since the other party is his senior uncle. Li Mufeng naturally accepted it without any guilt.

This Na Yuan Pill is a renowned pill for the mid-stage of Qi Refining, and it was refined by a master alchemist from Danxia Peak. Its effects are definitely much stronger than those of ordinary market goods.

With the help of this pill, breaking through to the sixth level of Qi Refining doesn't seem so far away anymore.

Pushing open the door, Li Mufeng had only taken a few steps when he saw two figures standing not far away, seemingly having been waiting for some time.

It was Chen Jingyuan and Xu Wenshan.

Upon seeing him emerge, the two men simultaneously went to greet him.

Li Mufeng cupped his hands and smiled first:

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Xu Wenshan quickly waved his hand.

"Not at all, we just came out not long ago."

Chen Jingyuan bowed respectfully to Li Mufeng, without the slightest hint of reluctance in his expression.

"Brother Li's skill in drawing talismans today has truly broadened Jingyuan's horizons."

"I used to think I had some knowledge of talismanic arts, but seeing Brother Li's superb skills today, I realize that what my master said in the past was true."

"One must know that there are always people more capable than oneself, and there is always something beyond one's understanding."

Faced with the praise from this genius of the Chen family, Li Mufeng naturally didn't take it seriously and quickly returned the greeting.

"Brother Chen, you flatter me."

"Li is just a few years older, has experienced more failures, and has taken more detours."

"With Brother Chen's talent, if he had reached my age, he would probably already be a top-grade talisman master, far surpassing me."

These words pleased Chen Jingyuan greatly, and his goodwill towards Li Mufeng increased even more.

The cultivation world is never short of geniuses, but those who are both capable and know when to advance and retreat are rare.

Seeing that the two had finished their pleasantries, Xu Wenshan, who was standing to the side, chimed in with a smile.

"Fellow Daoist Li, if I may be so bold as to ask, would you be interested in becoming a guest elder of my Bai family?"

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Li, with your current mastery of talismanic arts, the Bai family will certainly not treat you unfairly. If you agree, I am willing to personally negotiate with the clan on your behalf, and I will definitely strive to secure satisfactory terms for you."

Upon hearing this, Li Mufeng showed a hint of apology on his face.

"Thank you for your kindness, Fellow Daoist Xu."

"It's just that I'm used to being idle and can't stand being restrained. I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint the Bai family's good intentions."

Upon hearing this, Xu Wenshan showed a hint of regret on his face, but secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Given the potential Li Mufeng has shown so far, his future achievements will surely surpass mine.

If I were to be recruited into the Bai family, I would certainly gain a considerable amount of credit for the introduction, but with the Bai family's resources being allocated to me in the future, my status within the clan would inevitably be affected.

Now that Li Mufeng has declined, it is actually the best outcome.

This way, you can do someone a favor without creating a competitor for yourself.

Having spent so many years navigating the treacherous waters of Heishifang City, Xu Wenshan naturally understood that having more friends was always better than having more enemies.

Especially for someone who has the potential to become a top-tier talisman master in the future.

Even if you're arrogant at first and then obsequious, it's still better than making enemies for no reason.

Thinking of this, Xu Wenshan's smile became even more sincere.

"It's alright, it's alright."

Even if a deal falls through, goodwill remains.

"If Fellow Daoist Li needs anything in the future, just ask. In this Black Stone Market, I still have some influence."

Seeing that Li Mufeng had no intention of joining the cultivation family, Chen Jingyuan put aside his prepared recruitment speech and instead took out a cyan token.

"Brother Li, this is a guest invitation from my Chen family."

"If you need any pills in the future, just go to the Pill Pavilion and mention my name."

"The same benefits that others can enjoy, Brother Li can naturally enjoy as well. If there are any rare elixirs that are hard to find elsewhere, you can let me know in advance and I will have them specially refined."

Li Mufeng accepted the token and solemnly clasped his hands in greeting.

"Then thank you very much, Brother Chen."

Chen Jingyuan laughed heartily.

"Don't call me Brother Chen or Fellow Daoist Chen. If Brother Li doesn't mind, just call me Jingyuan."

"In the realm of talismans, there are still many things I need to learn from Brother Li. I will certainly have to visit you in the future."

Li Mufeng smiled and agreed.

"Let's exchange ideas and make progress together."

"Jingyuan can come anytime."

……

After parting ways with the two, Li Mufeng walked out of the Hundred Arts Hall and looked at the bustling crowds in the market, feeling a sense of emotion.

The status of a mid-grade talisman master is ultimately different.

Back then, I was just a low-grade talisman master. If I hadn't occasionally been able to draw a few exquisite talismans, the Treasure Pavilion probably wouldn't have bothered to even glance at me.

Now, having just advanced to the mid-level, two of the three major Foundation Establishment families in Blackstone City have already extended olive branches to them.

Cultivating immortality is still about understanding human relationships and worldly affairs.

If you lack the ability, you won't be able to connect with people.

When you have enough power, the whole city will be full of old friends.

Speaking of the Treasure Pavilion, with the mid-grade talisman master certification, he can confidently and boldly showcase the results of his spirit-gathering talisman drawing.

Now that his cultivation has broken through to the fifth level of Qi Refining, he vaguely feels that his cultivation speed has slowed down. Although he has the Qi Gathering Pill to supplement his cultivation, he can never have too many cultivation resources.

To obtain higher-level resources, one must naturally sell higher-level talismans.

It's time to replace the Water Arrow Talisman that's so popular in Blackrock City; the era of the Spirit Gathering Talisman is coming.

Baiyitang and Jubaoge were not far apart. After walking for a short while, Li Mufeng arrived at the entrance of Jubaoge.

The familiar girl, Hongyu, was still standing at the entrance.

She recognized Li Mufeng at a glance, and her pretty face immediately lit up with surprise.

"Master Li! It's been so long since you've visited."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but take a closer look at Li Mufeng a few more times.

For some reason, the person in front of me did not look old at all compared to a few years ago. On the contrary, he looked more energetic and youthful. He was like a gentle spring breeze, making people feel close to him.

Thinking of her own years of hard work, with fine lines appearing around her eyes, Hongyu couldn't help but feel a pang of envy and blurted out:

"Master Li, how come you haven't changed at all over the years? In fact, you seem to be getting younger and younger. Do you perhaps have some secret to preserving your youth and health?"