14: Chapter 14 The Cultivator Arrives at the Door

"Robber Cultivator?"

Xu Changsheng was startled. He had formed many good connections within the market, and the Cultivators he interacted with generally respected his character.

He carefully recalled his actions over the past few months.

"Could it be Huang Laifu again?"

Thinking of this, Xu Changsheng's expression darkened.

"It might not be him; otherwise, the information would likely have given me a sufficient hint."

Xu Changsheng secretly recalled the people he had seen when he went to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to sell Talismans lately.

He couldn't rule out the possibility that some Robber Cultivator had noticed his frequent visits to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and targeted him as a 'big fish'.

While pondering...

Unknowingly, he had already returned to the front of his residence.

After entering the room, he immediately closed the door tightly.

With a slap of his Storage Pouch, he placed that dog-headed statue on the ground.

He walked around it twice, channeling spiritual energy into it and checking with his Divine Sense. Aside from a faint glow, there was nothing special about it.

No wonder that fellow Liu Erniu put it up for sale.

Xu Changsheng watched it for a long time.

After confirming the statue was hollow and had no other issues, he raised his hand and summoned a half-zhang-long water arrow, striking it directly against the statue.

"Bang!"

The statue instantly shattered into pieces.

Carefully identifying the fragments scattered on the ground, he did not see the Legacy he wanted.

"Did I buy the wrong one?"

He couldn't help but feel doubtful.

Just then.

A bright light caught his attention.

It came from deep within the core of the statue.

He took it out; it was a miniature Jade Slip, about three inches long, pale green all over, with its brilliance restrained.

As he pulled it out, it felt warm to the touch.

"Found it."

Impatiently, he pressed the Jade Slip against his forehead.

After a short while.

His tightly closed eyes snapped open, flashing with sharp light.

The process of refining a First-Grade High Grade Talisman was now clear in his mind.

"All that's left is practice."

High Grade Talisman paper and spiritual ink were already prepared. He decided he wouldn't step out of the residence until he had refined a High Grade Talisman.

...

The next day.

Xu Changsheng rubbed his bleary eyes.

Looking at the failed Talisman paper thrown all over the floor, he sighed softly.

It seemed that even with the One Proof Eternal Proof talent, he couldn't refine a High Grade Talisman in a short time; he still needed more practice.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

The front gate of the residence suddenly resounded with knocks.

Xu Changsheng's expression changed. The people who came to see him on a daily basis were few and far between. It seemed this knocker was the Robber Cultivator mentioned in the information.

"It's actually him?"

Xu Changsheng walked into the courtyard and detected the visitor's identity.

He opened the courtyard gate.

The visitor was burly and robust; it was precisely Liu Erniu, who had sold him the statue yesterday.

Xu Changsheng's expression remained unchanged: "Fellow Daoist Liu, what brings you to visit This Xu with such high spirits today? I recall we only met for the first time yesterday, didn't we?"

Liu Erniu gave a simple and honest smile: "Fellow Daoist Xu, there's a good thing!"

"What good thing?"

"Earlier in the Ancient Wood Mountain Range, I encountered a predecessor's Immortal Cave. According to my estimation, it belonged to at least a Senior at Qi Refining Great Perfection. The value of the treasures inside can well be imagined. I've come to invite Fellow Daoist to go treasure hunting together."

Liu Erniu's expression was sincere.

Xu Changsheng knew the truth and remained unmoved: "Why would such a good thing come to me?"

Liu Erniu brought out his prepared reason: "Naturally, it's because I see you are generous. Yesterday, when I was short on money, you bought my statue. That shows a chivalrous heart."

He continued: "Originally, I had found someone else, but he had something to do and couldn't go. I thought of you immediately."

"Old Niu must repay you!"

After hearing the cause and effect this man had fabricated, Xu Changsheng decisively refused: "My apologies, Fellow Daoist Liu. I have been feeling unwell lately and do not wish to go out."

Liu Erniu didn't expect to be rejected and hurriedly asked: "Fellow Daoist Xu, are you sure? This is a once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity. Are you going to give away this Opportunity?"

Xu Changsheng nodded: "Yes, This Xu really hasn't been feeling well lately. Please find another expert to hunt for treasure, Fellow Daoist."

Seeing Xu Changsheng's firm tone, Liu Erniu had no choice but to leave dejectedly.

After watching the latter disappear from sight, Xu Changsheng's face turned cold.

He carefully considered all the information regarding Liu Erniu.

Speaking of which, Liu Erniu was quite famous in the market. Years ago, when Xu first entered the market, Liu Erniu was already a Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivator.

Furthermore, the Cultivation Technique he practiced was the Heaven Burning Art, and his combat power was not to be underestimated. He often went to the Ancient Wood Mountain Range near Liuyun Market to hunt monsters, and had even entered the Ancient Wood Secret Realm multiple times and returned safely.

Logically, a figure like this should have started gathering Foundation Establishment spiritual items to prepare for Foundation Establishment long ago.

But he hadn't.

Because although Liu Erniu was powerful, he was a complete gambler.

Every time he returned from hunting monsters and exchanged his spoils for money, he would go to the casino in the market and boast that his luck was about to change.

But every time, the result was a total loss.

He hadn't expected that what was usually idle gossip would involve him.

Thinking of this.

He couldn't help but wonder: "Did Liu Erniu come to find me on his own? Or was it ordered by Huang Laifu?"

...

Over the next two months.

Liu Erniu did not come to visit Xu Changsheng again.

Relying on the White Snake Pill, Xu Changsheng successfully switched his cultivation to the Great Sun Fusang Scripture and raised his cultivation to the fourth level of Qi Refining.

One day.

Inside the quiet room, the candlelight flickered.

Xu Changsheng took a deep breath and channeled a wisp of pure spiritual energy into the First-Grade High Grade Talisman Brush in his hand.

This Talisman Brush was a reward given to him by the Xie Family after he had continuously made Talismans for them for half a year.

Dipping it in spiritual ink, his brush moved like a soaring dragon!

Every step was steady, and one exquisite rune after another lit up on the Talisman paper.

After a long time.

He lifted the Talisman Brush.

On the desk, the Talisman suddenly erupted with a fiery red glow.

Then it floated up, spinning in mid-air and emitting the spiritual energy fluctuations of Late Stage Qi Refining.

Xu Changsheng was soaked in sweat, his face slightly pale, but his eyes were frighteningly bright.

"A First-Grade High Grade Talisman, it's finally done. This Flame Burst Talisman is truly complex."

A single Talisman had basically exhausted all of his dharma power. He could only sit cross-legged, waiting for his dharma power to recover before refining the next one.

Just then.

There was another knocking sound at the courtyard gate.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, Fellow Daoist Xu, are you there?"

Hearing this voice.

Xu Changsheng's brow furrowed tightly. Liu Erniu was back!

He walked downstairs.

Seeing Yun Xin about to open the door to welcome the guest, he sent a Divine Sense transmission: "Don't come out, stay in the house. Later, you..."

Yun Xin was stunned for a moment, then nodded vigorously.

Only then did he open the courtyard gate.

He cupped his fists in greeting: "I trust you've been well, Fellow Daoist Liu."

Liu Erniu had a regretful look: "What a pity, Fellow Daoist Xu. Do you know how great an Opportunity you missed?"

He took out a pill bottle and opened the stopper; immediately, the fragrance of medicine filled the air.

"This bottle of yellow dragon pills has a total of five pills. It was found in the Immortal Cave."

Xu Changsheng also said regretfully: "Alas, it seems my fortune is shallow."

Seeing this.

A smile returned to Liu Erniu's face: "Fellow Daoist Xu, no need to be discouraged. This time, I've discovered a new Opportunity."

"Ah? Another one?"

Xu Changsheng hadn't expected this person to be so persistent.