Dongting Immortal Clan

Chen Changhe left the stall and wandered around the market, asking around several times before finally stopping at a used book stall at the end of another quiet alley.

The stall owner was an elderly man with gray hair and beard, and a reserved demeanor, unlike ordinary wandering monks.

"The True Explanation of the Mysteries of Spiritual Talismans, The Hidden Instructions of the Spiritual Source of the Array Pivot..."

His gaze fell on the two three-inch-thick booklets.

The pages are yellowed, the edges are slightly curled, and the book exudes the scent of age.

I casually opened "The True Explanation of Spiritual Talismans".

The "Golden Light Talisman," "Divine Speed ​​Talisman," and "Minor Cloud and Rain Talisman" recorded therein are all common talismans, consistent with the spells he knew, and are not fabricated.

Looking at the title page again, a line of elegant handwriting catches the eye.

"Recorded by Liu of the Heavenly River, the Taoist of the Mysterious Book."

Only by successfully laying the foundation can the clan establish its roots.

He had never heard of this "Tianhe Liu Clan," so he figured they weren't from this area, and he didn't know how these two volumes of Daoist scriptures had ended up here.

"Are there any matching items?"

Chen Changhe pointed to the book.

The old man nodded slightly. Seeing that he had chosen the Foundation Secrets, he took out several matching items from his storage bag.

A box of deep-colored "lapis lazuli spirit sand", an ordinary wolf-hair talisman brush, a plain flag with guiding patterns on three sides, and a palm-sized bronze array plate.

Chen Changhe estimated what he had left and took out all the remaining spirit stones and spirit beads from his bag.

The old man glanced at it and slowly shook his head:

"It's still a bit short."

Chen Changhe remained silent for a moment, then took out a bottle of unused "Neiyuan Pill" from his storage bag and gently placed it on the stall.

The old man opened the bottle, picked up a pill, sniffed it lightly, and then examined it closely with his spiritual sense. He found that the medicinal power was pure and mild. His wrinkles smoothed out, and he smiled slightly. He then put away the spirit stone and the pill together.

"Mastering the two arts of talismans and arrays is extremely difficult."

The old man wrapped the items up carefully as he spoke slowly.

"But if it's just the beginning, with rules to follow and tools to use, it's not too difficult."

"If this is your first time encountering these things, you can take these back to practice first. Once you have a basic understanding and know what you need, it will not be too late to find some high-quality items."

"What you say is exactly what I think."

Chen Changhe respectfully accepted the package.

He carefully put the books and various materials into his storage bag, then turned and walked away.

The bluestone path beneath his feet had been worn smooth by time, and his steps were slightly heavy.

……

"This time, I still couldn't find a suitable cultivation method."

He sighed inwardly.

His own cultivation had reached a critical point, and the Yin energy within his dantian had condensed into a fine, mercury-like substance, totaling eighty-one strands.

If one were practicing the conventional methods, one should have already broken through the barriers and entered the Jade Spring Realm.

However, he is currently practicing the "Taiyin Lianxing Ganying Pian" taught by Xiaoding, which is profound and difficult, and his progress is slow.

The "Water Element Mysterious Method" bestowed by Zhou Yan only reaches the fourth stage, Golden Marrow, so a new cultivation method must be found for the rest.

He stood in the middle of the street, watching the crowds come and go, the sounds of bargaining never ceasing, and suddenly felt a strange weariness.

This fatigue does not stem from the journey itself, but from the uncertainty about the road ahead.

Purchasing items with talisman arrays is meant to broaden the family's future and generate additional revenue, but whether they can master them remains to be seen.

Although the Crimson Bow has a broken string, if we can get the Zhao family of Qingshi Cliff to repair it, it will definitely add another layer of fighting power to our elder brother.

Even if it can't be repaired immediately, there's still that black stick, which can be used as a handy weapon.

In this way, the elder brother had more security in Wulong Gorge.

This trip to the Immortal Market of Deer Horn Mountain has broadened Chen Changhe's horizons. He not only saw a dazzling array of goods, but also learned more about the thoughts and schemes among the market vendors.

Furthermore, we witnessed a Foundation Establishment cultivator making a move...

"I think that 'Qingfeng brush' is pretty good."

"I want it, but I can't afford it."

Chen Changhe shook his head with a wry smile.

"In the end, the foundation is still too weak."

His family has been on the path of spiritual practice for less than six years.

Suppressing the sense of powerlessness in his heart, Chen Changhe stopped lingering, turned around and walked steadily toward the place he had agreed to meet with Guan Chengfu.

Their figures gradually blended into the bustling market.

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The Cloud Crossing Boat rested quietly on the open ground by the Chenjian River.

Guan Chengfu was already waiting by the boat. When he saw him coming, he immediately nodded in greeting.

His seventh uncle, Guan Shuiqing, was still leaning against the ship's side, smoking his old pipe, his eyelids drooping, seemingly half asleep.

Guan Xiaoman, Madam Yu, Ma Deguang, and the others had also arrived and were talking in hushed tones.

Seeing Chen Changhe approach, Guan Chengfu stood up, his usual smile returning to his face:

"Fellow Daoist Chen, is everything you need ready?"

"All done."

Chen Changhe nodded.

"Then let's head back."

Guan Chengfu called out to the crowd.

The group boarded the boat one after another and took their seats.

Guan Shuiqing then slowly knocked off the ash from his cigarette, tucked the pipe back into his waistband, walked to the wooden rudder at the stern of the boat, which was engraved with runes, and placed his hands on the rudder.

With a slight surge of magical power, the runes on the ship's hull lit up. The Cloud Ferry gently trembled, steadily ascended into the air, turned its direction, and flew towards Yunmeng in the east.

Not long after the boat set sail, Guan Chengfu suddenly took out a small cloth bag from his bosom and took out a red obsidian bow and a dark long stick.

"The people from Lingbao Pavilion have delivered the items; the bow and the staff are among them. Please examine them, fellow Daoist."

Thank you for your trouble.

Chen Changhe took them, probed them with his spiritual sense, and found the Crimson Bow and the Dark Long Staff safely inside. He then took them out and placed them at his feet.

"polite."

Guan Chengfu waved his hand.

Guan Xiaoman, who was standing nearby, leaned over, her eyes sparkling, and asked in a low voice:

"Second Master Chen, is this your newly acquired magical artifact?"

Chen Changhe hummed in agreement, but didn't say anything more.

Guan Xiaoman, unable to contain her curiosity, asked again:

"What kind of treasure is it? How many spirit pearls did it cost?"

"Xiaoman" (Grain Buds).

Guan Chengfu gave a light rebuke and glared at him.

"Don't meddle in other people's private affairs."

Guan Xiaoman shrank back, not daring to ask any more questions, but her eyes couldn't help but dart towards Chen Changhe's feet, filled with curiosity.

Madam Yu also glanced at Chen Changhe, her gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny.

She had heard of the Chen family of Bishui. They were a family recently promoted by Zhou Yan, the Observer of the Wind. They were not well-known before and rarely moved around in the cultivation world.

This time, the person I met didn't look particularly impressive, but I was surprised to find that he was quite generous.

Two magical artifacts would cost at least ten or twenty spirit stones.

This is not an amount that ordinary rogue cultivators or low-ranking families can easily come up with.

Ma Deguang, who had been resting with his eyes closed, twitched his ears almost imperceptibly, clearly listening to the commotion. However, being adept at reading people, he knew that Chen Changhe was difficult to get along with, so he did not rush forward to make connections.

Guan Chengfu's gaze shifted slightly, and he suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but loud enough for the people in the cabin to hear clearly:

"Fellow Daoist Chen, you bought these two magic artifacts a bit too expensive, costing three thousand spirit pearls... If I had known earlier, I would have accompanied you to talk to them, and perhaps we could have gotten a lower price."

Three thousand spirit pearls?!

Upon hearing this, Guan Xiaoman gasped.

Madam Yu looked at Chen Changhe with more respect.

Even Ma Deguang opened his eyes and looked him up and down.

Thirty spirit stones are nothing to the Guan family, but for a rogue cultivator, or for a small family like the Biyue Chen family that ranks last, it is a great burden.

The fact that this Chen family cultivator could so easily produce such items suggests that he must possess something of value.

"This second master of the Chen family has a solid foundation; we must be on good terms with him."

Ma Deguang made a mental note of it.

Chen Changhe leaned against the gunwale without saying a word.

However, they knew in their hearts that Guan Chengfu's words were meant to elevate the status of the Guan and Chen families, instilling a sense of awe in them.

The wind blew in through the window, making his robes flutter.

The cloud-crossing boat broke through the clouds and landed steadily at the Chenjianjiang ferry crossing north of Yunmeng County two hours later.

Chen Changhe rose and disembarked, bowing respectfully to Guan Chengfu.

"I am deeply grateful for the help I received from Fellow Daoist Guan."

"You're welcome."

Guan Chengfu smiled and said, "Please give my regards to Old Master Chen when you get back."

Chen Changhe nodded in agreement, turned around and entered the city. He did not go straight home, but instead headed east.

The villa of Zhou Yan, the envoy in charge of observing the winds, was located here.