178: Chapter 178 So, he's actually... a pure-hearted young man from Chu...

[Young Patriarch Zhao Zhanyuan looked at the Talisman pen handed over to him, then at your stunning face right in front of him. He could clearly see your long eyelashes trembling slightly and feel the warmth in your breath.]

[He was silent for two seconds.]

[Just when you thought he would take the Talisman pen, he took half a step back, widening the distance between the two of you.]

["No." His voice turned icy again. "Talisman-making techniques and skills are unpassed secrets among Cultivators, let alone involving the unique Talisman theories of my Zhao Family, which belong to Family secrets. I must refuse."]

[With that, he stopped looking at you and turned to stride away. "I have matters to attend to, I will leave first."]

[Your hand holding the Talisman pen froze in mid-air. Watching his back as he fled on his flying sword as if escaping in panic, the smile on your lips gradually faded, turning into a trace of speechlessness.]

["Tch." You rolled your eyes and frantically complained in your heart, "Why didn't you call it a secret when you were rambling on endlessly about basic Talisman theories earlier? Now that I'm asking you to hold a pen, it becomes a Family secret? This guy's guard is really high. He runs away right after finishing his lecture, what a pain to deal with."]

[You shook your head and put away the Talisman pen. Although this probe failed to go any further, it at least allowed you to figure out the nature of Young Patriarch Zhao Zhanyuan. The corners of your lips curled up slightly as you whispered inwardly, "It seems he is a... pure little virgin boy..."]

["Take it slow. If it really doesn't work out, there's no way to force it." You patted the dust off your body and turned to walk towards the Guest District.]

[For the next three months, you completely shelved the matter of romancing Young Patriarch Zhao Zhanyuan for the time being, living an extremely regular and boring secluded life.]

[During the day, you went to work at the Spirit Beast Garden to appease those cute Yao Beasts and earn contribution points. At night, you diligently cultivated the Burning Heaven True Art in your small courtyard. In your spare time, you would take out the Chiyan wolf-hair pen and repeatedly practice the Talisman-drawing skills Young Patriarch Zhao Zhanyuan taught you.]

[Unawares, another three months passed.]

[During these three months, your cultivation steadily improved, and the spiritual power within your body became increasingly profound. You had already vaguely touched the Bottleneck of the third layer of Qi Condensation, and only needed an opportunity or a Barrier-Breaking Pill to break through to the Middle Stage of Qi Condensation.]

[Your Talisman Dao attainment also advanced by leaps and bounds. The success rate of your First-Grade Low Grade Fireball Talisman had reached an astonishing 50%, and you had gained new insights into the First-Grade Medium Grade Fire Snake Talisman.]

[Just like that, three months passed in a flash.]

[A few days later, the Zhao Family's internal market opened once again.]

[As usual, you packed up your Talismans and headed to the market. After selling out your inventory, you carried the Storage Pouch filled with Spirit Stones and familiarly walked towards the depths of the market.]

[This time, when you walked into the depths of the market, Young Patriarch Zhao Zhanyuan was already there.]

[He was still wearing that moon-white robe, sitting cross-legged behind the blue stone slab with a dozen shimmering Talismans placed before him. His eyes were slightly closed, as if the surrounding hustle and bustle had nothing to do with him. Sitting there without a word, his entire body exuded a cold, aloof aura of "strangers keep away."]

[You stepped forward and greeted him familiarly, "Young Patriarch, good morning."]

[Young Patriarch Zhao Zhanyuan opened his eyes, glanced at you, and nodded slightly as a response.]

[You took out ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones from the Storage Pouch and handed them over, "Here, this month's final payment."]

[Young Patriarch Zhao Zhanyuan took the Spirit Stones, put them away, and silence fell between the two of you once more.]

[Standing in front of the stall, looking at his appearance of an old monk entering meditation and then looking at the exceptionally high-quality Talismans on his stall that no one paid attention to, you couldn't help laughing out loud.]

["Young Patriarch, don't you even shout out to sell things? Sitting here like this, will anyone really come to buy your Talismans?" Your tone carried a hint of teasing.]

[Young Patriarch Zhao Zhanyuan lifted his eyelids and said with a calm expression, "Naturally someone will buy them, because these are Talismans drawn by me."]

[Watching his matter-of-course and utterly pretentious look, the corners of your mouth twitched slightly.]

["Good grief, you pulled off another flex, buddy." You frantically slandered in your heart, "If I didn't know you are a Top-Grade Talisman Master and the Zhao Family's Young Patriarch, with this attitude of yours, your stall would have been overturned long ago if you set it up outside."]

[However, your eyes rolled, and a plan formed in your mind.]

["In that case, to thank you for your guidance last time, today I will help you sell them!"]

[Without waiting for his consent, you squatted down beside him very naturally, and even leaned closer to his side, instantly shortening the distance between the two of you.]

[Young Patriarch Zhao Zhanyuan furrowed his brow slightly, his body instinctively moving half an inch to the side. Just as he was about to refuse, you had already cleared your throat and cried out in a crisp, melodious voice.]

["Passersby, don't miss out! First-Grade High Grade, top-grade Talismans personally drawn by the Zhao Family's top-grade Talisman Master! Full of spiritual power, astonishing power, an excellent Sharp Weapon for saving lives and killing enemies! Limited quantity, first come, first served!"]

[Your voice was inherently piercing, coupled with the natural affinity brought by the Peerless Elegance title. With that shout, you instantly attracted the gazes of a large swath of Cultivators around.]

[When everyone saw clearly that the person squatting in front of the stall hawking wares was you, a burst of low discussion immediately erupted in the crowd.]

["Look quickly! Isn't that Lin Shuangwan? Why did she run to the Young Patriarch's stall?"]

["Hiss... Honestly speaking, although Fairy Lin has an Inferior Spiritual Root, her looks and figure sitting together with the Young Patriarch really make them a talented man and a beautiful woman, looking just like a match made in heaven."]

["Could this Fairy Lin be interested in the Young Patriarch? I heard she rejected the pursuits of many direct descendants, turns out she had her eyes on the highest branch?"]

["Shh! Keep it down. The Young Patriarch is famously aloof towards women; this Fairy Lin is likely going to hit a wall."]

[Although the Cultivators kept their discussions very low, with Young Patriarch Zhao Zhanyuan's cultivation, he naturally heard them clearly. He looked at you somewhat helplessly, his brow furrowing even deeper, but watching you hawk so energetically, he ultimately didn't speak up to chase you away.]

[Because of your hawking, coupled with the name-recognition effect of Fairy Lin, the number of people coming over to inquire indeed increased. However, when they saw the price tags of tens or hundreds of Spirit Stones, most Family disciples and lower-tier Guest Elders backed away in hesitation.]

[Those who ultimately opened their wallets were mostly some of the Zhao Family's elders and wealthy disciples from the inner circle.]

["Yo, isn't this Zhanyuan?" A voice carrying a slight smile rang out.]

[Internal Affairs Hall Master Zhao Chengfang walked over with her hands behind her back, smiling. Her gaze darted back and forth between Young Patriarch Zhao Zhanyuan and you, her eyes revealing a hint of profound meaning.]

["Sixth Aunt." Young Patriarch Zhao Zhanyuan quickly stood up and bowed respectfully. Seeing this, you also stood up and bowed.]

[Zhao Chengfang waved her hand, her gaze falling on the Talismans on the stall. She casually picked up a First-Grade Top-Grade "Golden Light Shield" Talisman and nodded approvingly, "Not bad, the spirit patterns are smooth and the spiritual power is restrained. Your Talisman Dao attainment has improved once again."]

[Finished speaking, her tone shifted as she looked at Young Patriarch Zhao Zhanyuan with a chuckle and teased, "However, it's quite rare for you today, kid. Even when you occasionally come out to set up a stall, you're like a sullen gourd. How did you quietly find such a pretty helper today? Has the iron tree finally blossomed?"]