Fairy, don't be afraid, I, Wang Daqi, am truly an honest man.

【Jiang Xuerou】

Age: 33

[Cultivation Level: Qi Refining Stage 8]

[Physical constitution: None.]

[Talent: Water Affinity. (Masters water-based magic with ease.)]

[Supernatural Powers: None.]

Appearance: 96

"Water-friendly??"

Wang Daqi's eyes lit up. No wonder he had just discovered that his water-type spiritual root had increased.

It turns out that Jiang Xuerou has this kind of talent!

Wang Daqi smiled.

"However, it seems that the Xuan Shui Arrow technique I'm practicing is a good match for this talent!"

After communicating with Jiang Xuerou, he naturally replicated the water-based affinity.

Therefore, he was even more adept at using the Xuan Shui Arrow.

With his previous Xuan Shui Arrow, at the sixth level of Qi Refining, he could probably only deal with cultivators at the seventh or eighth level of Qi Refining!

When dealing with someone at the ninth level of Qi Refining, you need to take them by surprise.

But now, this supernatural power is clearly different, and its power has reached a new level.

"I can try to teach her this supernatural ability later."

Now, Jiang Xuerou is under the influence of the Blissful Heart-Locking Mantra, and she is completely obedient to him.

Even if it meant dying for him, Jiang Xuerou probably wouldn't blink an eye!

"go!"

Wang Daqi decided to familiarize himself with the Xuan Shui Arrow again.

He pointed his fingers like a sword and made a sweeping motion in the air.

A slight blue light trembled at his fingertips, and a short arrow, as clear as an ice crystal, instantly materialized, slicing through the sky at more than twice the speed of before!

"Pfft! Pfft!"

Two soft sounds were heard.

Two plump birds in the distance, who were about to steal the elixir, were precisely pierced through the throats and fell to the ground before they could even utter a cry.

"What a wonderful affinity with water! But Senior Sister Jiang Xuerou doesn't seem to know she has an affinity with water, does she?"

Wang Daqi felt a surge of joy as he sensed the vibrant water energy pulsating in the air.

With this affinity, the originally clumsy Xuan Shui Arrow became as easy to use as an extension of his own arm, and its power was approaching that of the late stage of Qi Refining.

He walked over, picked up the two birds, and went to the doorway.

The black dog excitedly ran over, wanting food.

After the black dog and Zhao Feng's souls were swapped, Wang Daqi naturally stopped bullying it.

After skillfully skinning and gutting the bird, he fed all the entrails to the black dog.

Then he set up a bonfire on the open ground next to the medicinal herb field.

"Once Senior Sister Jiang breaks through, she can have a bowl of bird meat soup to replenish her qi and blood."

He muttered to himself, but his hands were busy, turning the roasted birds on the shelf while flipping through the book "Xuanqing's Record of Talisman Making".

This book records the profound and unfathomable mysteries of talismans.

In particular, the crafting methods for several of them, such as "Mystic Ice Talisman" and "Water Prison Talisman," are perfectly suited to his current water-based talent.

He felt that it would be easier for him to refine it himself!

It is evident that this Xuanqing Talisman Making Record is worlds apart from the True Explanation of Talisman Dao given by Elder Cheng Man before.

Before we knew it, time had passed by, minute by minute.

It was already dark.

The firelight flickered, and the aroma of meat filled the air, mingling with the fresh scent of herbs and plants from the medicinal garden, giving this otherwise quiet and desolate garden a touch of human warmth.

Wang Daqi watched with great interest, secretly planning that when he returned to his sect, he would definitely purchase a batch of talisman paper and cinnabar to try to transform this Xuanqing talisman technique into practical combat power.

Just then, his ears twitched slightly.

Outside the herb garden, a series of light footsteps approached from afar, accompanied by a faint, cool fragrance.

This aura...

A look of surprise flashed in Wang Daqi's eyes.

He was all too familiar with that scent.

That was Shen Younan, whom I hadn't seen in ages!

Why would she come to this remote and desolate medicinal herb garden in the middle of the night?

"Junior Brother Wang, what a fine mood you're in at this hour, behaving like a gourmand in the mountains?"

A clear, cool voice rang out.

Shen Younan wore a simple white dress, and against the backdrop of a sky full of stars, she exuded an otherworldly aura.

Wang Daqi stood up, happily brushing the dust off his hands: "Junior Sister Shen, what brings you here?"

Nangong Ling sat down by the campfire.

The firelight illuminated her stunning profile, adding a touch of ethereal beauty.

She smiled slightly and said softly, "I went to Lingyun Peak to look for you recently, but you weren't there. Later, I asked Senior Sister Shen and found out that you had taken on a task at the herb garden on the back mountain, so I thought I'd come and check on you."

"Thank you for your concern, Junior Sister Shen."

Wang Daqi handed over a skewer of golden-brown, juicy bird meat and laughed, "I did take on a job guarding the garden, just for some peace and quiet, and to earn some spirit stones along the way. Look, I only have a little over ten days left before I can go back."

Nangong Ling took the roasted meat, but didn't eat it. Instead, she glanced at the closed door with her beautiful eyes, then looked at Wang Daqi and said in a long voice, "That's about right. If you count the days, you'll be able to catch up with this year's inner disciple competition when you go back. Senior Sister Shen Ruyan really wants to get a good ranking this time."

"The Inner Disciple Grand Competition???"

Wang Daqi scratched his head, looking completely unconcerned. "That's where geniuses compete. What does it have to do with a nobody like me, a mere spirit farmer?"

"You don't need to belittle yourself."

Nangong Ling shook his head, his gaze deep. "After the Inner Sect Grand Competition, there will be the 'Inner Sect Selection' for outstanding outer sect disciples like you. With your current Qi Refining Level 6 cultivation... entering the inner sect is almost a certainty. At that time, you can completely shed your menial servant status and formally enter the inner sanctum."

"Join the inner sect...?"

Wang Daqi pondered for a moment; this was indeed a huge temptation.

The resources, techniques, and status of the inner sect are far superior to those of the outer sect.

"good."

Nangong Ling continued, "Including your Daoist partner Xu Yan, her talent is also quite good. If you both work hard, wouldn't it be wonderful if you could both enter the inner sect?"

Upon hearing Xu Yan's name, Wang Daqi's heart skipped a beat.

Indeed, he would be willing to do so if it would allow Xu Yan to obtain better resources as well.

But as he stared at the sparks dancing in the fire, he remained silent for a long time before finally shaking his head slowly.

"If Xu Yan can participate, I will naturally give my full support. As for me... well, forget it, I don't want to enter the inner sect for the time being."

"Um?"

Nangong Ling let out a soft "hmm," put down the roasted meat in her hand, and looked at him with some surprise. "Cultivators defy the heavens; who doesn't strive to climb higher? The Inner Disciple Grand Competition is a chance for a fish to leap over the dragon gate; why would you give it up???"

She originally thought that if she told Wang Daqi the good news, the silly boy would definitely be very happy.

That's why she came here – she wanted to find an opportunity to give Wang Daqi some pointers.

To everyone's surprise, Wang Daqi refused!

Wang Daqi narrowed his eyes, a hint of helplessness in his voice: "Junior Sister Shen, don't you think I've been... being too conspicuous lately?"

Nangong Ling's expression shifted slightly, but he remained silent.

Wang Daqi continued, "Originally, I was just an unknown low-level spiritual farmer, but recently, my cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds, and I've inexplicably been drawn into various conflicts. I've always been curious why the Zhao brothers, Zhao Feng and Zhao Dong, have been targeting me for no reason??? They even went so far as to set up a deadly trap to harm me."

He paused for a moment, recalling what Jiang Xuerou had told him before, and sneered, "It wasn't until later that I learned from others that Zhao Feng had long suspected that I possessed a great opportunity, and even suspected that I had obtained some kind of inheritance."

"As the saying goes, 'The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind.' My foundation is shallow, and if I rashly enter the sight of those important figures in the inner sect at this time, it will only attract more 'Zhao Fengs.' Before I have the ability to absolutely protect myself, I want to hide for the time being."

Jiang Xuerou told him all of this.

If Zhao Feng could have doubts about him, what about the others?

He dares not gamble!

On the other hand, he knew he truly possessed a great opportunity! Even without resources, he could quickly become stronger!

In that case, he might as well lay low for a while and see what happens!

After hearing these words, Nangong Ling couldn't help but think more highly of Wang Daqi.

At such a young age, he not only possesses extraordinary talent, but also has such a cautious and patient nature.

If an ordinary disciple had such an opportunity, he would probably have been eager to spread the word throughout the sect in order to gain attention.

Yet, he was able to think of "concealing his strength" at such a time.

Actually, Wang Daqi wasn't deliberately being tolerant.

This time, however, he was truly terrified of Zhao Feng.

"It's good that you thought of this."

Nangong Ling chuckled softly.

"Junior Sister Shen, why do you sometimes speak so maturely?"

Wang Daqi gave her a strange look.

"Huh? Really?"

"Hehe, maybe you're precocious."

Wang Daqi didn't think much of it: "By the way, how are your internal injuries?"

"Thanks to you, I feel much better. By the way, I brought you a bottle of pills this time."

She took out a jade bottle: "These contain Spirit-Nourishing Pills, five in total!"

Actually, she still has quite a few.

However, if he took it out all at once, Wang Daqi might become suspicious.

After all, her current identity is just an ordinary female cultivator in a family.

"No, so many, they're too precious." Wang Daqi refused as always.

"Senior Brother Wang, please accept it. This is a special reward from the family for my progress this time."

"You've had a hard time yourself, how could I possibly take your things?" Wang Daqi said he didn't want them no matter what.

Nangong Ling was speechless.

This is the first time I've ever seen someone unable to give anything away.

She grabbed Wang Daqi's arm, pleading like a little girl, "If you don't accept it, I won't be able to eat or sleep. If you accept it, I... I'll reward you!"

Wang Daqi was speechless.

So, am I rewarding you, or are you rewarding me?