40: Chapter 40 Lately, the world has become increasingly turbulent.

Jiang Xuan picked up the Longevity Lock and placed it in his palm to show her.

"This is a small protective Spirit Treasure, a Longevity Lock, best suited for children to wear close to their bodies."

"Once worn, the clear Qi sealed within the lock will slowly circulate through the Meridians to the limbs and bones, nourishing the flesh and blood while guarding the child's tender Divine Soul."

"Children are young and their Divine Souls are not yet stable, making them most vulnerable to the intrusion of ominous spirits and evil winds."

"Having this lock on their person is equivalent to having an additional layer of constant, uninterrupted protection."

"Ordinary evil Qi and sinister winds cannot come within three feet, and even if they encounter something slightly more formidable, it can block it for the child, buying time to escape."

As he spoke, he handed the Longevity Lock over.

Mistress Zhen carefully accepted it with both hands, the instant her fingertips touched the body of the lock.

A wave of gentle warmth seeped into her palm, spreading along her wrist all the way to her forearm.

The touch was warm and smooth, like holding a piece of warm jade that had been basking in the sun all afternoon.

Her nose could catch a faint whiff of calming sandalwood, drifting in almost imperceptibly, making her feel at ease just by smelling it.

Mistress Zhen gently stroked the pattern of the Auspicious Beast on the face of the lock, her gaze so soft it seemed ready to melt.

She could imagine how her daughter would look wearing this lock; it must be beautiful.

Jiang Xuan watched the expression of fondness on her face and spoke softly: "However, Mistress Zhen, this item is not cheap."

He held up one finger: "Fifteen Spirit Stones."

Mistress Zhen's fingers trembled slightly.

The softness on her face froze in an instant, as if someone had splashed a basin of cold water on her.

She lowered her head to look at the Longevity Lock in her palm, its golden light warm and gentle, the warmth still flowing at her fingertips.

She looked up at Jiang Xuan again, her lips moving as if to say something, but in the end, she didn't speak.

After a silence of two or three breaths, she gently placed the Longevity Lock back into the box, moving very slowly and carefully, as if afraid of damaging it.

She said softly: "I only have eight Spirit Stones... Does the Immortal Master have any other options here?"

Jiang Xuan sighed inwardly.

A Mortal woman, without a Spiritual Root, without cultivation, relying entirely on her own two hands and her wits to make a living in a town teeming with Cultivators.

To be able to save up eight Spirit Stones, she must have risen countless mornings, worked countless late nights, and made countless trays of pastries to accumulate them.

There might even be some kindness included, where Cultivator customers gave her a few extra out of appreciation for her good craftsmanship.

It was his own impulsiveness; he hadn't considered things thoroughly just now.

He nodded, turned around, and searched through the System shop in his mind, finding a spiritual item that was lower in price but still had protective effects.

After deducting the Contribution Points, a delicate little copper bell appeared in his palm.

The copper bell was only the size of a thumb, its body gleaming with an ancient patina, with a red string tied to the top.

With a gentle shake, it emitted an extremely fine and clear crisp sound, melodious and pleasant, making one feel comfortable just listening to it.

As the bell sound dissipated, a layer of nearly imperceptible spiritual light ripples appeared in the air, vanishing in an instant.

Jiang Xuan handed the little copper bell over: "This has functions similar to the Longevity Lock; both are for protection and suppressing evil."

"It's just that the effect is slightly weaker than the Longevity Lock, and the range and duration of protection are both shorter."

"However, for a four-year-old child to wear around their neck, it is more than enough to deal with daily sinister winds and evil Qi."

"The original price is ten Spirit Stones, but I'll give you a discount; you can take it for eight."

Mistress Zhen's eyes lit up instantly.

She took the little copper bell with both hands and shook it gently by her ear.

The crisp ringing sound entered her ears, warming her heart, and even her previous worries dissipated a little.

"Many thanks, Immortal Master! Many thanks, Immortal Master!"

She hurriedly stood up and bowed properly, her waist bent very low, her gratitude genuine and heartfelt.

The price difference of two Spirit Stones was not even worth a blink for a Cultivator.

But for her, that was something earned only by getting up before dawn to knead dough, steam cakes, and tend the stall countless times.

Mistress Zhen took out a palm-sized cloth bag from her sleeve, untied the string, and revealed the eight Spirit Stones neatly stacked inside.

There were obvious traces of repeated wiping on the Spirit Stones; they were clean and each one was bright.

She placed the Spirit Stones on the table one by one, counted them once, and then pushed them toward Jiang Xuan.

[Congratulations to the Shopkeeper for completing a transaction. Transaction price: eight Spirit Stones. Obtained cultivation rebate 1.6, obtained Contribution Points +1!]

[Cultivation: Qi Refining Stage 5]

[Progress: 27.5%]

Jiang Xuan placed the little copper bell into a clean wooden box and handed it to her.

Mistress Zhen took it, holding it with both hands as if she were holding some incredible treasure.

She tucked the box carefully into the most secure place against her chest, and only then did she let out a long sigh of relief.

Jiang Xuan saw that although she had bought the item, the worry on her face had not completely faded, and that slight wrinkle between her brows was still there.

Holding his teacup, he asked casually: "Mistress Zhen, I observe that you still seem to have something on your mind; have you encountered some troublesome matter?"

Mistress Zhen paused slightly, and her brows, which had relaxed somewhat, furrowed again.

She hesitated for a moment, lowered her voice, and glanced at the shop entrance before speaking:

"The Immortal Master may not know, but lately, the world has become increasingly unsettled."

"A group of villagers came from Dingfeng Village, flooding into the town with their families, looking everywhere for help."

"They say that an evil spirit has appeared in the village, specifically targeting children."

Her voice dropped even lower, and her speaking speed slowed down.

"Children from several households have disappeared; some were stolen from their beds in the middle of the night, while others simply vanished while playing at the entrance of the village at dusk."

"There wasn't even a cry; it was as if they had vanished into thin air."

"Now, the villagers there are panic-stricken, and no one dares to go out at night in the entire Dingfeng Village."

Jiang Xuan's brows furrowed slightly.

He knew of Dingfeng Village; it was a village on the outskirts of Tingfeng Town, not too far, about half a day's journey.

It was inhabited entirely by Mortals, with no Cultivator stationed there. Usually, relying on its proximity to Tingfeng Town and basking in the residual awe of the Town Master, it had been peaceful.

But if some evil spirit were really causing trouble, how could a village of Mortals withstand it?

He asked: "Have any Cultivators gone to investigate?"

Mistress Zhen nodded, her expression becoming even more serious.

"A few days ago, when I was setting up my stall on the street, I heard several cultivating Immortal Masters chatting, and it seemed that someone had gone to Dingfeng Village to investigate."

"But of those who went, some searched around and found nothing, returning empty-handed."

"And some..."

She paused, her voice becoming almost inaudible.

"Some also disappeared along with them; they haven't returned to this day, and there is no trace of them."

The hand holding Jiang Xuan's teacup paused.

Being able to make a Cultivator go and not return meant that this matter was not simple.

Either there was a powerful demon lurking in the shadows slaughtering people and livestock, or some Demonic Cultivator was causing trouble in that area in secret.

Regardless of the situation, it was not something a Mortal or even a low-level Cultivator could handle.

Mistress Zhen added: "That is exactly why I heard these things and thought to come quickly to the Immortal Master's place to buy an item to keep my daughter safe."

Speaking of this, her voice softened, wrapped in a thin layer of fear.

She wasn't afraid for herself; she was afraid that something would happen to the child.

Jiang Xuan put down his teacup, stood up, and personally escorted Mistress Zhen to the door.

Mistress Zhen stopped on the steps, turned around, and bowed respectfully once more.

"The Immortal Master's great kindness, I will keep in my heart."

"If there is ever a place where you need me in the future, I will certainly do my utmost."

Jiang Xuan waved his hand: "You speak too seriously; it was just a transaction. Going back and taking good care of the child is what is most important."

Mistress Zhen nodded and turned to walk down the street.