Starting as a Talisman Master

Lu Chi's gaze at that moment was quite enigmatic.

Qin Su Niang had concealed her spiritual energy very well. At first glance, she appeared to be just an ordinary mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator, gentle and unassuming, steady and unassuming, just like how she usually appeared to others.

But beneath the gentle surface of the [Spiritual Eye], there is clearly an even deeper energy pressing down.

Like spring water covered with ice, it appears calm on the surface, but undercurrents are hidden beneath.

Especially that faint sense of oppression, clearly indicated that he had reached the threshold of the late stage of Qi Refining, which is the seventh level of Qi Refining.

This Qin Su Niang had previously cultivated a sophisticated technique for concealing her aura, which only the [Spiritual Eye] could discern.

Lu Chi's thoughts raced, yet a rare ripple of emotion stirred within him.

Qin Su Niang had been concealing her cultivation level all along.

More importantly, judging from her daily behavior and the reactions of everyone in the pavilion, it seems that apart from him accidentally seeing through her with his [Spiritual Eyes], no one else noticed anything at all.

Even someone like Mu Changfeng, who openly and secretly competed with her, probably didn't know her true strength.

Why did she hide?

His expression remained unchanged, still the same calm demeanor he had shown after hearing the teasing. He merely cupped his hands in a slight bow, his tone as usual:

"Sect Master is too kind. I've been wandering around outside and my spirit stones are all gone, so naturally I have to go back to the pavilion to beg for a meal."

Qin Su Niang covered her mouth and chuckled upon hearing this, her gaze sweeping over his face: "With Master Lu's current status, he still talks about begging for food. It makes me feel awkward to respond."

As she spoke, she turned to the side, making half a step clear of the doorway.

"There are people coming and going outside, this is not a place to talk. Now that Master Lu has returned, please come in and sit down."

Lu Chi nodded in agreement and stepped into the pavilion, but a wave of emotion was already rising in his heart: This woman is very well hidden and must have another purpose.

Although the sounds of people from the shops outside were close by, it was much quieter inside.

Qin Su Niang turned around and sat down behind the desk. She looked up at Lu Chi, her smile still there, but it was less playful and more serious than when she was at the door.

"Master Lu has been busy these past few days, so I didn't want to rush you. But I mentioned that matter to you before, and now it's time for a reply."

Lu Chi's heart skipped a beat, and he knew what she was talking about.

Qin Su Niang had previously mentioned that he should switch to the Qixia Sect's cultivation methods, her words implying an attempt to win him over.

Qin Su Niang looked at him, her eyes flickering slightly, "Master Lu should have realized this by now. While the art of talismans is indeed the foundation of one's livelihood, a cultivator cannot rely solely on a few talismans for protection when traveling outside."

"If one has a proper cultivation method as a foundation, one will be more secure in future battles or breakthroughs. Since Master Lu is the chief talisman master of the Moon Concealment Pavilion, many things can be discussed as long as he nods in agreement."

Lu Chi bowed respectfully, his tone calm: "I am grateful for the Sect Master's high regard, but this matter concerns the fundamentals, and I would like to postpone it for now."

Qin Su Niang's smile faded slightly, her gaze turning cold: "Master Lu, are you truly no longer willing to reconsider?"

As soon as those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the inner hall immediately became heavy.

Lu Chi felt a slight chill.

Having just glimpsed Qin Suniang's concealed cultivation level with his [Spiritual Eyes] at the door, he was already more wary of this woman.

At this moment, the other party's tone changed slightly, and the invisible pressure also became more apparent. Although it was only a slight pressure, it was enough to make people clearly feel the sense of alienation and coercion.

This woman clearly wanted to take things a step further and keep him firmly under her control.

Then we absolutely cannot agree to that.

Lu Chi thought of the high-grade golden talisman he kept close to his body inside his clothes, but his expression remained unchanged: "I appreciate the sect leader's kindness."

Qin Su Niang looked at him and lightly tapped the edge of the table with her fingertip.

The next moment, her eyebrows curved into a smile, and the coldness she had felt earlier vanished completely, replaced by a smile that seemed to have returned, as if nothing had happened.

"It was my impatience that made Master Lu laugh at me. Since Master Lu has no intention at the moment, I will naturally not force you. However, this statement still stands. If you change your mind in the future, you can come to me at any time."

She paused, as if it were a casual remark, yet every word hit the nail on the head.

"Moreover, within the Qixia Sect, aside from other things, the Concentration Fruit and the Earth Vein Mystic Ginseng are cultivated year-round."

"If Master Lu obtains another Purple Marrow Ganoderma in the future, then he will have all three main ingredients needed for the Foundation Establishment Pill formula. At that time, it may not be entirely impossible for him to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage."

"The Concentration Fruit, the Earth Vein Ginseng, and the Purple Marrow Ganoderma—these are the three main ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill formula… Revealing this now is simply using it as bait." Lu Chi did have a fleeting thought, but he quickly suppressed it.

"Since the item is already within the Qixia Sect, there might be other ways to obtain it later. A hasty agreement now would only drag us into her conflict with Mu Changfeng, which would be a net loss."

He showed no sign of it on his face, pretending to listen casually. He picked up his teacup and took a sip, but in his heart, he had already firmly memorized the two names: "Concentrating Spirit Fruit" and "Earth Vein Mystic Ginseng".

Qin Suniang: "Let's not talk about those distant matters for now. Master Lu returned today, surely not just to listen to my nagging. I wonder how many talismans he brought this time?"

Seeing that she was no longer bothering him, Lu Chi was happy to get back to business. He took out the talisman box, placed it on the table, and pushed it over.

The box lid was opened, revealing a high-grade spirit-gathering talisman inside, along with more than ten mid-grade talismans arranged in several categories and neatly stacked.

He still exercised restraint this time.

Only one top-grade talisman is produced; the rest are rarely revealed.

The mid-grade talismans were used to make up the numbers, so that it would seem like he had a constant supply of talismans, but it wouldn't make people think that he made talismans too quickly or had too much stock.

As for matters related to alchemy, not a single detail will be revealed.

Qin Su Niang glanced down at the talisman box, her smile deepening. She took out a talisman, examined it closely, briefly checked its quality, and quickly gave a price.

The deal was finalized after only a few words between the two.

This time, the talismans were exchanged for a total of 150 low-grade spirit stones.

Including the share of the previous batch of completed talismans, Lu Chi has earned more than two hundred low-grade spirit stones in total from this trip to the Pavilion.

The spirit stones were in hand, a heavy bag resting in the palm of the hand.

Lu Chi felt a slight sense of relief; having spirit stones in his hand made him feel more at ease. Ultimately, the feeling of earning money is indeed the most satisfying.

Qin Suniang suddenly seemed to remember something, raised her hand to her chin, and said with a smile, "By the way, Master Lu has been in the Moon Hidden Pavilion for over a month now. Do you still remember what you promised me?"

Lu Chi raised his eyes: "Instructing the disciples in the pavilion?"

"Exactly." Qin Suniang nodded. "You've been busy these days, so I haven't urged you. Now that you're here, if there's nothing else urgent, why not settle this matter here? The younger generation has been learning talismans terribly lately, and they need someone to keep them in check."

He had indeed agreed to this beforehand; it was one of the conditions agreed upon when he joined the cabinet.

Lu Chi nodded and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "I will go and take a look now."

Qin Suniang smiled gently: "With Master Lu's words, I am relieved."

Lu Chi spoke a few more words to her, then followed the disciples of the pavilion to the backyard.

The footsteps faded into the distance, and the inner hall fell silent once more.

Qin Su Niang's smile lingered, but her fingertips remained motionless on the rim of the teacup for a long time. Only when the figure completely disappeared at the end of the corridor did she slowly withdraw her gaze, and the tenderness in her eyes faded slightly.

She had thought that her earlier probing would at least open a crack in the defenses.

Unexpectedly, this resulted in Lu Chi distancing himself from him.

Young, newly famous, and a self-taught cultivator, what he should lack most is a powerful backer and a promising future.

She revealed the method, offered the way, and made the information about the three main ingredients of the Foundation Establishment Pill clear. Most people would have been tempted, or at least shown some hesitation.

This person appears gentle, but is actually extremely guarded.

If it were her back then...

Qin Su Niang lowered her eyes and took a sip of tea, her gaze slightly heavy, but her thoughts involuntarily drifted back to the shameful banquet from many years ago that she still couldn't shake off.

"Senior brother, you're drunk. Please have some self-respect."

"Have self-respect? Junior Sister Qin, how could you not understand my deep affection for you? I am the young master of the sect; in terms of status, cultivation, and spiritual roots, how am I not worthy of you?"

"You...let me go! Are you crazy?! Stop!"

"No...please...I'd rather die than submit..."

"Don't come any closer! If you push me any further, I'll die right here and let the whole sect know what you've done!"

"Die? Haha, are you willing to give that up? Everyone in the sect knows you're the one I've chosen. If you die, I'll go to the Yellow Springs with you... Come, obediently submit to me!"

……

"Madam, the sect has presented three high-grade spirit jades today. They are crystal clear. Would you like to take a look?"

"No need."

"Oh my, Madam is truly indifferent to fame and fortune. Anyone else would be overjoyed."

"What's so great about them? They're just inanimate objects."

"What you say is true, Madam. Now that you hold such a high position, these mundane things are naturally beneath your notice. However, everyone in the sect is hoping that you will smile more often."

"Laugh? Who are you laughing at?"

"Please calm down, my lady. It is I who have overstepped my bounds."

……

"Cough cough, that damned Xuan Yin old ghost! He actually caused me to be so badly injured! Once I emerge from seclusion, I will make him pay for this in blood!"

"My lord, how are your injuries?"

"It's alright, you'll be fine after some rest. You were quite diligent tonight."

"Uh...you...wife...what are you doing?!"

"My husband, this cup of wine is one I brewed for you myself... Go in peace."