100: Retreating to cultivate true essence behind closed doors, silently accumulating wealth through talisman arrays.

Tianxing City, Central District, Qingshi Alley.

Although the aftermath of the storm sweeping across the Outer Sea had not yet settled, life within Tianxing City remained as calm as water under the suppression of such a titan-like power.

Business at the "Wannian Talisman Array Shop" was better than ever before.

Since that batch of "Enhanced Evil Warding Talismans" gained fame in the marketplace, and with Young Master Ling's "Gold-Lettered Signboard" acting as a guarantee, this unremarkable little shop had become a "hidden gem" whispered about among the Loose Cultivators of the Central District.

Strangely, however, Shopkeeper Han had recently become increasingly lazy.

“Limit of twenty Formation Plates today, available while stocks last.”

A wooden plaque hung at the entrance, blocking countless enthusiastic Loose Cultivators who wanted to snap up the goods.

In the secret room of the shop's backyard.

Zhou Wannian (Old Man Han) sat cross-legged on a prayer mat. Before him lay a freshly drawn Talisman, and in his hand, he held that "turtle spirit brush" which emitted a faint golden light.

“There is no end to the money to be made outside.”

He put away the talisman brush and nodded with satisfaction as he looked at the "Second-Tier Top Grade · Spirit Gathering Talisman" whose spiritual light was restrained within.

“For the current me, making money is just a means; cultivation is the foundation.”

His current net worth was already enough to support his squandering for a long time.

The harvest from that single "Rocky Thicket Ambush" alone had made him wealthy overnight. Coupled with the shop's steady daily flow of several hundred Spirit Stones, he was now fully qualified to live a luxurious life where he could "eat Medicinal Pills like meals."

“Wangcai, it's time to eat.”

Zhou Wannian casually tossed out a "Spirit Beast Feeding Pill" worth ten Spirit Stones.

“Squeak squeak!”

Wangcai, who had long been waiting impatiently, immediately pounced on it, clutching the pill and gnawing with great relish. This little thing had been eating so well lately that its golden fur had begun to shine, and it even showed faint signs of advancing to a Second-Tier Yao Beast.

Zhou Wannian himself was not idling either.

He took an exquisite jade bottle from his Storage Pouch and poured out a round Medicinal Pill.

Second-Tier Medium Grade · Essence Condensing Pill.

He had bought this at the largest pill shop in Tianxing City, "Danding Pavilion," for a high price (five hundred Spirit Stones per pill). This kind of pill could greatly refine the liquid True Qi of a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator and accelerate their cultivation speed.

“In the past, I had to calculate even the spending of Spirit Stone fragments, but now eating these pills is like eating jelly beans.”

Zhou Wannian sighed with emotion and swallowed the pill.

Boom!

A surge of pure medicinal power dissolved in his stomach, flowing through his Meridians toward his Dantian.

He immediately operated the Foundation Establishment chapter of the Cloud Seal Heavenly Scripture.

Within his Dantian, that sea of deep blue True Qi began to churn. Countless tiny runes bobbed within the True Qi, greedily devouring the medicinal power and transforming it into a part of himself.

As the cycle operated, the total amount of True Qi grew at a slow but steady pace.

“At this rate, combined with the accumulation of resources, I will be able to attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment mid stage within three years.”

This speed was practically divine for an ordinary Loose Cultivator.

But for Zhou Wannian, who possessed "money power" and a top-tier Cultivation Technique, this was merely a natural progression.

After finishing his cultivation.

Zhou Wannian was in no hurry to go out.

He took out the book "True Explanation of Second-Tier Talisman Formations" and that damaged "spirit gathering cannon core."

“Improving cultivation is a matter of slow grinding; it cannot be rushed.”

“But in terms of combat power, I still have much to achieve.”

During this period, besides drawing some ordinary Formation Plates to make money, he spent most of his energy studying the "combination of Talismans and Formations."

“Ordinary Formation Plates are useful, but after all, they are dead objects.”

“If I can combine the flexibility and versatility of Talismans with the power of Formations...”

A bold idea emerged in Zhou Wannian's mind.

He wanted to fuse the principles of "Heavy Water Yin Thunder" and the "spirit gathering cannon" to create a... [Palm Thunder Tube].

“Use high-grade Talisman paper for the tube body and engrave miniature Spirit Gathering Array patterns.”

“Use Heavy Water Yin Thunder as the projectile.”

“Once activated, it will instantly gather spirit energy and eject the Yin Thunder at extremely high speed!”

“This is equivalent to carrying a weakened version of a spirit gathering cannon! Although it can only be used a few times, in an encounter, it is absolutely a divine tool for ambushing people!”

No sooner said than done.

Zhou Wannian immediately threw himself into the new research and development.

Inside the secret room, low rumbles and fluctuations of spiritual power could be heard from time to time, but they were all blocked inside by the thick isolation Formation... The days passed by like this.

The changing winds and clouds of the outside world seemed to have nothing to do with this little old man hiding in Qingshi Alley.

He only opened the shop for two hours a day; the rest of the time was spent in closed-door cultivation, researching Talisman Formations, and... counting money.

This dull yet fulfilling life was exactly the state most enjoyed by those on the path of Gu Dao.

Until half a year later.

On this day, Zhou Wannian had just finished his cultivation and was preparing to go to the front to open the shop.

“Thump! Thump! Thump!”

A steady and powerful knocking sounded at the door.

It wasn't the impatient type of Loose Cultivator, nor was it an arrogant Gang member.

This knocking sound hit the nodes of the Formation with every strike, revealing a type of... unconcealed strength and arrogance.

“Hmm?”

Zhou Wannian swept his Divine Sense out, and his pupils suddenly constricted.

Foundation Establishment mid stage!

And that aura... upright and peaceful yet carrying a hint of sharpness—definitely a Core Disciple or a Deacon of the Qingyun Sect!

“Someone from the Qingyun Sect? Why would they come to my door?”

The hair on Zhou Wannian's body stood on end. His first reaction was—"Did something happen to that fat Zhao the Abacus?" or "Was the matter of the spirit gathering cannon exposed?"

Either one would be fatal.

He did not open the door but immediately retreated two steps, his hands moving like lightning to activate the defensive Formation of the entire small courtyard to its limit.

“Buzz—”

The Restriction light curtain rose, isolating the inside from the outside.

Then, he took a deep breath and summoned that dark-golden Heavenly Secret Dao Disk in his Sea of Consciousness.

“I dare to ask the Heavenly Secret.”

“Is the person outside the door friend or foe? Is this visit a blessing or a curse?”

Buzz—

The tortoise shell rotated, and golden light flowed.

A moment later, a line of characters appeared:

【Deduction Result: A Deacon of the Qingyun Sect, acting on orders to recruit.】

【Divination: Moderate Luck (Opportunity lies within danger). The Qingyun Sect urgently needs to repair damaged Magical Artifacts from the Outer Sea. Hearing of the host's exquisite craftsmanship, they have come specifically to conscript you. If accepted, you can gain the protection of an official identity and gain access to higher-level Artifact Refining Legacies; if refused, it may be seen as disrespect, inviting suppression.】

【Suggestion: Go with the flow, but keep a backup plan.】

“Conscription? Repairing Magical Artifacts?”

Looking at the divination, Zhou Wannian's tense body relaxed slightly.

“So they've taken a fancy to my craftsmanship.”

“It makes sense. With the fighting in the Outer Sea being so fierce, the wear and tear on Magical Artifacts must be an astronomical figure. It's within reason that they would seek me out.”

Since it was "Moderate Luck," then there was room for negotiation.

Zhou Wannian smoothed his robes and resumed his persona of a mercenary old man. His face was piled with just the right amount of panic and confusion before he slowly withdrew a layer of Restrictions and opened the shop door.

“Oh my, I did not know an honored guest had arrived. This old man has failed to welcome you properly, please forgive me!”

Outside the door stood a middle-aged man wearing a cyan Daoist robe with a long sword on his back. His expression was cold, and his gaze was like a sword, scanning Zhou Wannian as if evaluating the old man's worth.

“Are you Han Zheng?”

Although the middle-aged man's tone was polite, that sense of high-and-mighty charity could not be hidden.

“It is indeed this old man.” Zhou Wannian bowed in greeting.

“I am a Deacon of the Qingyun Sect. By order of the Elder, I have come specifically to invite Fellow Daoist Han... for a talk.”

The middle-aged man smiled meaningfully. “Our Elder has heard that Fellow Daoist Han's skills can not only repair Magical Artifacts but also... 'turn waste into treasure'?”

Hearing those four words, Zhou Wannian's heart instantly became as clear as a mirror.

This wasn't just about repairing Magical Artifacts; this was a hint—they likely already suspected something regarding that spirit gathering cannon core.

However, since the divination said it was "Luck," it meant the other party did not intend to kill him for his treasures but rather wanted to utilize his skills.

“Interesting.”

A more panicked expression appeared on Zhou Wannian's face, but inside his sleeve, his fingers had already quietly gripped a freshly made "Palm Thunder Tube" Talisman Treasure.

“Since it is an invitation from the Elder, then this old man... will respectfully obey.”

“Please.”

The middle-aged man waved his hand, and a luxurious Spirit Beast carriage stopped at the door.

Zhou Wannian closed the shop door and glanced at the carriage.

“Since it's a lucky omen, then I'll go take a look.”

“But if the divination is inaccurate...”

He felt the Thunder Tube in his sleeve and sensed the Minor Teleportation Talisman in his pocket.

“...Not a single person in this carriage will leave alive.”

This "old fox" who had been dormant for half a year finally revealed his fangs once again.