Chapter 33: Thief! How Dare You Harm My Grandson!
Zhou Family.
“First‑rank high‑grade Talisman Master, this person is indeed a talent, but unfortunately his age is somewhat advanced.”
The Zhou Family patriarch, Zhou Renmao, shook his head, as if lamenting that Lin Chang’an, at his age, was still persisting in hard cultivation, believing that he simply hadn’t recognized reality.
Below, Zhou Antai nodded and added:
“Family head, this person’s identity is clear and he’s a good prospect. Previously I had Erniu subtly hint it, but regretfully he persists in his arduous cultivation, and his aspiration for the Dao remains undying.”
Previously Erniu had hinted that the Zhou family intended to arrange a marriage. Lin Chang’an’s status as a Talisman Master would allow him to marry a girl from the Zhou family who had a spiritual root.
“An aspiration for the Dao, huh!”
Zhou Renmao’s expression turned somewhat complex, as though he recalled countless familiar figures who had fallen by this path.
“A first‑rank Talisman Master, and behind him is this Li huo Gong genius Foundation Establishment disciple. This favor is worth our Zhou family drawing in. You’ve done well.”
Zhou Renmao praised appreciatively. A first‑rank Talisman Master alone wouldn’t make them humble themselves so, but with the support behind him, it was different.
Especially since there was the tie through their Zhou family’s son‑in‑law. To get along and not offend was their family’s way of dealing with the world.
“Recently the clan has been preparing for the Foundation Establishment Pill. In these turbulent times, you should personally go to Yun’s Guild on behalf of the Zhou family and secure the next batch of long‑term orders.
Remember, there’s no need to deliberately undercut; pick orders similar to those found at other guilds.”
Hearing the patriarch’s arrangement, the elder Zhou Antai, who had fought for the Zhou family his entire life, respectfully bowed and said:
“Family head, I’ve already had my subordinates take care of these matters.”
Seeing his cousin’s steadiness, Zhou Renmao nodded with a satisfied smile.
“Also, recently tell everyone to be cautious. Father’s longevity is nearing its end. The Foundation Establishment Pill matter is easy to be targeted.”
At this moment, the patriarch’s expression turned extremely grave.
“It was fortunate this time. The previous Gale‑Splitting Eagle attack on the marketplace just gave our Zhou family a Wind‑attribute Demon Core.”
Beside him, Zhou Antai relaxed slightly at hearing this and nodded in agreement:
“Family head, this is heaven’s favor toward the Zhou family. Wind Young Master happens to be of an unusual spiritual root; his Foundation Establishment is absolutely nearly certain.”
However, hearing Zhou Antai’s comforting words, Zhou Renmao furrowed his brow before shaking his head and saying:
“No! Times change. Who knows how many people are eyeing the marketplace. For our Zhou family to survive this turmoil, relying on me alone is far from enough.”
Meanwhile, word had spread that the Zhou family had prepared materials for refining the Foundation Establishment Pills and invited alchemists from Li huo Gong to produce them.
In no time, countless people in the marketplace were watching the situation closely.
…
Juxian Tower.
“Brother Lin’s accumulation and sudden rise—he’s even managed to produce a first‑rank high‑grade Golden Light Talisman. Truly, he made us suffer for the inspiration!”
The minor marquis, Shen Lie, wore a look of envy, first offering congratulations and then teasing, yet bringing their relationship especially close.
This balance of distance and warmth was perfect, causing Lin Chang’an to feel a genuine liking.
“Brother Shen, please don’t mock me.”
Lin Chang’an laughed and waved his hand, then added with feeling:
“Half a year ago I had just made a breakthrough in skill—it wasn’t mature. Over these six months I’ve wasted many spirit stones dealing with fellow talisman masters. Fortunately, Daoist Yun gifted me the complete inheritance of the Golden Light Talisman.”
His words were all true: buying first‑rank high‑grade talisman paper and cinnabar, visiting other talisman masters to discuss experience—all these were for show to outsiders.
Watching Lin Chang’an speak as if it were a breeze, Shen Lie felt deeply moved.
It’s never that easy.
Only those in the cultivation world know how difficult it is for a drifting cultivator to claw up step by step by sheer talent and endurance.
Just from six months of trial, Shen Lie understood that only Lin Chang’an himself truly felt the sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy.
But Shen Lie didn’t know that Lin Chang’an had only tasted the sweet.
“Brother Lin, I won’t waste words. With things so chaotic outside, first‑rank high‑grade talismans aren’t making money for the guild, but they remain indispensable. Otherwise drifting cultivators would all become opportunists.”
Speaking of the guild, Shen Lie spoke fluently, not thinking of taking advantage, but smiling and nodding:
“Brother Lin, leave your talismans to me. I guarantee you’ll suffer no loss.”
Lin Chang’an also nodded with a smile.
“In that case, then I won’t trouble a second master for the same task. I’ll have to trouble Brother Shen to provide the special talisman paper and cinnabar for these first‑rank high‑grade talismans.”
Hearing this, Shen Lie immediately beamed with delight.
Courtesy demands reciprocity. Human favors must be mutual.
Besides, he had to buy talisman paper and cinnabar from someone—why not him?
“Don’t worry. Though this is business, over the years you’ve introduced many talisman masters to the guild. The talisman paper and cinnabar will absolutely be top‑quality goods at no markup.”
The two exchanged a glance and both burst into hearty laughter.
They had known each other for twenty‑five years, and to maintain contact this long in the cultivation world was already quite rare and precious.
Afterward, Shen Lie hosted a banquet for him at Juxian Tower. Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded, and the two chatted freely in a private room.
Now, one‑third of the talismans he produced each month were sold to the Zhou family’s guild. After all, they had just shown him favor—he couldn’t really act aloof.
He had a clear understanding of his position. The Zhou family’s courtesy was largely due to Yun Yao’s status as a disciple of a Core Formation elder from Lihuo Palace.
He was merely carried along by that connection.
…
After Lin Chang’an broke through to become a first‑rank high‑grade Talisman Master, his old neighbors in the marketplace and cultivators with whom he had minor ties all came to offer congratulations.
The status of a first‑rank high‑grade Talisman Master was far above that of a late‑stage Qi Refining cultivator.
At first, Lin Chang’an greeted each familiar face with a smile—after all, they came bearing congratulations and gifts, and one doesn’t strike a hand that offers a gift.
But when the visits began interfering with his cultivation, he announced that he was entering secluded cultivation.
Only then did the lively doorstep quiet down.
It wasn’t that he looked down on those gifts of trifles.
However, peaceful days didn’t last long before another disturbance hit the marketplace.
“This is the battle of Foundation Establishment cultivators!”
Amid a deafening boom, even Lin Chang’an, who was inside drawing talismans, was startled. He stepped out of his house and leapt onto the roof, looking toward the distant scene in shock.
“The marketplace grand array has actually been broken!”
From afar, he could see a massive formation barrier on the eastern side of the marketplace. Now, under the roaring thunderous sounds, a huge breach had appeared in the formation.
It was precisely this that caused the battle within the array to shake the entire marketplace.
“This is the might of Foundation Establishment cultivators’ battle.”
Lin Chang’an was completely stunned. Couldn’t they just let people have a few peaceful days?
The moment the formation shattered and the aftermath of the battle leaked out, angry shouts came from the Zhou family’s direction and Xuanyin Pavilion.
“Thief!”
An enraged roar echoed from the Zhou family’s side, accompanied by a beastly roar.
Then, countless people in the marketplace witnessed a shocking sight—the Zhou family’s Guardian Spirit Beast, the Xuan Shui Turtle, revealed itself.
“Cultivator thief, don’t you run!”
Several sharp cries rang out from Xuanyin Pavilion, and in a flash, two Foundation Establishment cultivators rushed toward the scene of the disturbance.