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

Jiang Xuerou bit her lip, then walked into the house somewhat awkwardly.

At this moment, Xu Yan was in the kitchen preparing to boil water and make tea with a cold face. Her movements were heavy, and the sound of firewood clashing could be heard far away.

Jiang Xuerou hesitated for a moment, then moved to the kitchen doorway. Looking at the busy Xu Yan, she said softly, "Junior Sister Xu Yan, I heard you've been learning talisman making recently. Perfect timing, I happen to have a talisman brush on hand..."

As she spoke, she took out a talisman brush from her sleeve, its entire body dark blue and its tip made of the neck hair of a first-tier "Spirit Rabbit".

This pen is named "Azure Crow". Although it is only a low-level first-tier magic weapon, the pen handle is engraved with spirit-gathering array patterns, which can greatly improve the stability of spiritual power infusion.

This was purchased by Jiang Xuerou at the market for 6 spirit stones after she sold some of Zhao Feng's belongings a while ago.

She had originally intended to use it herself, but after overhearing Xu Yan's complaints at the door, she, being quick-witted, immediately changed her mind.

Xu Yan's hands froze.

She turned her head and stared at the exquisite talisman brush for a long time.

She has been practicing making talismans these days, using the most ordinary brush, which has a very low success rate in transmitting spiritual energy, and nine out of ten talismans are ruined.

"This...this is for me?" Xu Yan's tone softened instantly, her eyes fixed on the talisman brush.

"Yes, I bought it especially for you."

Jiang Xuerou smiled gently, took Xu Yan's hand, and put the pen in her hand, "If you become a talisman master in the future, don't forget to help me with a few spirit talismans."

As Xu Yan touched the warm, smooth pen handle, the slight sourness in her heart instantly vanished.

In the world of cultivation, magical artifacts often represent sincerity. A talisman pen worth 6 spirit stones is exactly what she needs right now.

"Oh, Senior Sister Jiang, you're too kind! Please sit down, please sit down. I'll brew you the best spiritual tea right away!!!" This time, Xu Yan's attitude was indeed quite different!

"Thank you, Junior Sister Xu. By the way, let me tell you the name of this talisman brush. It's called Qingwu. This is how it's used, and its effects are..."

Seeing the two women in the kitchen suddenly become affectionate, Wang Daqi, sitting in the main room, felt very gratified.

Sure enough, the cultivation world and the mortal world are not much different. Sometimes, a woman's friendship can be settled with just a pen.

As the saying goes, "He who takes a man's gift is bound to be obliged." Xu Yan accepted the "Azure Crow" talisman brush she had been longing for, and all her previous jealousy had long since vanished.

Not only did her attitude change drastically, but she also eagerly grabbed Jiang Xuerou's hand, insisting that she stay for dinner.

Jiang Xuerou didn't refuse; instead, she obediently rolled up her sleeves and joined Xu Yan in working in the kitchen.

Smoke curled from the cramped kitchen.

Two strikingly beautiful female cultivators were seen picking vegetables and washing rice together; if outsiders saw them, they would be utterly astonished.

"Junior Sister Xu, actually I was... truly blinded by Zhao Feng before."

As Jiang Xuerou added firewood to the stove, she lowered her eyes, her tone tinged with self-mockery and regret.

"At that time, I always thought that my deceased brother and Zhao Feng were good brothers... If it weren't for Daqi, I would probably still be being deceived."

Jiang Xuerou said a lot at once.

As Xu Yan listened to Jiang Xuerou's heartfelt explanation, the last bit of resentment in her heart completely disappeared.

She nodded empathetically: "Daqi is indeed a responsible and good man. I'm glad you can let it go, Senior Sister Jiang."

Taking the opportunity, Jiang Xuerou took out the ten spirit stones again and said sincerely, "Please keep these spirit stones as a token of my appreciation. You can even use them to buy some good cinnabar."

This time, Xu Yan firmly refused, saying, "Sister Jiang, this won't do. I'll accept the talisman brush, but these spirit stones are what you earned through your hard work in the assessment. You'll need them for various expenses in the future, so it's the right thing to keep them for your own cultivation. Brother Daqi isn't short of money right now, so don't worry about us."

Seeing Xu Yan's resolute attitude, Jiang Xuerou felt a warm current in her heart.

They then stopped insisting, and their conversation shifted from cultivation secrets to where to find better rouge.

An hour later, Wang Daqi finished his practice and stood up, feeling that his spiritual energy was abundant and his meridians were much wider.

He pushed open the door to the dining room, expecting to see the two sitting awkwardly opposite each other, but instead he was greeted by two figures chatting incessantly from behind.

"Braised fish is here!!"

Xu Yan, carrying a plate with a radiant smile, didn't even glance at Wang Daqi as she passed by, and placed it directly in front of Jiang Xuerou, saying, "Senior Sister Jiang, please try my cooking."

Wang Daqi touched his nose and sat down in the main seat with a somewhat helpless expression.

Well, my Daoist partner has been neglected.

During the meal, the two women chatted enthusiastically.

From skincare tips to sect gossip, Wang Daqi couldn't get a word in edgewise and could only bury his head in his food.

However, through their conversation, Wang Daqi still managed to glean a crucial piece of information.

It turns out that Jiang Xuerou came here not only to give gifts, but also to bring an extremely rare opportunity.

"Daqi, actually, there's another thing I wanted to ask for your opinion on when I came here today."

Jiang Xuerou put down her chopsticks, her expression turning serious. "After yesterday's competition, because of my good performance and high ranking, I've already been accepted as a personal disciple by the peak master of Divine Weapon Peak!!!"

"A personal disciple?" Wang Daqi's eyes lit up. "Then congratulations! This is a great leap forward."

"That's why I'm able to get access to sect missions that ordinary disciples don't get to do."

Jiang Xuerou continued, "Recently, the production of a dazzling gold mine at the foot of Divine Weapon Peak has run out, and the sect urgently needs a batch of dazzling gold to forge a new batch of inner sect swords. Therefore, the peak master plans to assign a group of trustworthy disciples to mine the ore, and as a personal disciple, I will be responsible for guarding and patrolling that area."

Wang Daqi's mind raced: "How much are the miners paid?"

"This isn't ordinary mining," Jiang Xuerou hurriedly explained. "It's a mining area heavily protected by the sect. The environment is harsh, but the spiritual energy is even denser than in the outer sect. Most importantly, the rewards are extremely high. As long as you complete the assigned amount each day, you can get 300 spirit sand! In a month, that's a steady 9 spirit stones. If you're lucky enough to find a mineral essence, there's an extra bonus!!!!"

300 spirit sands a day!

Xu Yan, who was listening nearby, was delighted.

This mining task is practically a lucrative job that's giving money to outer disciples!! She was quite tempted after hearing about it!

"Senior Sister Jiang, can I go too?"

Xu Yan couldn't help but ask, her eyes shining, "I'm currently at the sixth level of Qi Refining, an inner disciple, so I can mine with you."

Wang Daqi did not immediately express his opinion; he was thinking about it more deeply.

Places like the Xuanjin Mine usually come with certain risks, but since Jiang Xuerou is the garrison commander, her safety is somewhat guaranteed.

Thinking of this, Wang Daqi grabbed Xu Yan's hand and said, "Yan Yan, this kind of rough work is not suitable for you. Let me do it."

Xu Yan felt a warmth in her heart, but still said, "It's alright, I'm at the sixth level of Qi Refining now, not an ordinary little girl!"

"That being said, it was still rough work."

"Daqi, how can we let you make money all by yourself?" Xu Yan insisted.

Just as Wang Daqi was about to speak, Jiang Xuerou couldn't help but laugh.

"Daqi, Junior Sister Xu, stop arguing. My master said he's looking for some inner disciples to go with me and help me guard the area! The guard duty isn't too difficult, so Junior Sister Xu can go and do the guard duty; it'll be five hundred spirit sands a day!"

Xu Yan stood there stunned: "The pay for guarding this place is that high?"

"Of course! Beneath the mines, not only are there poisonous creatures like centipedes and sand worms, but there's also the possibility of raiders robbing the ore!"

"Okay, I'm willing to do it!" Xu Yan nodded emphatically.

"Great talent! As for you, since you're an outer disciple, you can only do mining work!"

Wang Daqi didn't care.

Such high wages are much more profitable than farming!

"No problem, I'll take the job. When do we leave?"

"Two days later..."

…………

…………

As night fell, the aroma of wine filled Qingfeng Garden.

Because of the lucrative job secured in the mining area, and the fact that the three of them had reconciled, Jiang Xuerou impulsively drank a few more cups of spirit wine.

Although this spirit wine has a low alcohol content, it has a strong aftereffect.

At this moment, her fair cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were dreamy.

Her originally aloof demeanor was dispelled by a hint of intoxication, adding a touch of captivating charm.

"Sister Jiang, Divine Weapon Peak is still quite far from here. If you go back like this, you might have trouble maintaining your balance while flying. Why don't you stay here tonight?"

Seeing that she was quite drunk, Xu Yan took the initiative to make a suggestion.

Jiang Xuerou also lost her usual reserve, nodding with a silly smile: "Then...then I'll trouble you, Junior Sister."

late at night.

Xu Yan specially filled a large bucket with hot water and washed herself behind the screen until she smelled wonderful.

She changed into a new silk dress she had just bought during the day. The silk clung smoothly to her shapely body and exuded a faint fragrance of medicinal herbs.

Then, like a startled fawn, she tiptoed into Wang Daqi's bed.

Wang Daqi felt a surge of warmth in his heart as he embraced the warm, jade-like body.

Although the two had been married for some time, Xu Yan was exceptionally sensible.

Before long, low breathing and soft whispers filled the room, and an ambiguous atmosphere slowly permeated the air.

In the next room, Jiang Xuerou was sound asleep when she was awakened by a thirst.