txolops Chapter 145 Two Years
Chapter 145 Two Years
Time flies when you're cultivating, and two years have passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, outside Tianxing City, a slightly mottled cyan flying boat slowly landed, and two travel-worn female cultivators stepped off the boat.
The older female cultivator appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. She wore a moon-white robe, had a beautiful face, and possessed a gentle yet resilient temperament. She had already reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.
Beside her was a slightly younger girl, about eighteen or nineteen years old, with a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivation level. She had bright, lively eyes and a hint of naive curiosity mixed with lingering fear from past events.
The two followed the procession through the city gate, paid their spirit stones, and officially entered this renowned metropolis.
Sensing the much richer and more vibrant spiritual energy within the city compared to Kui Xing Island, and the bustling crowds of cultivators of varying cultivation levels on the streets, the young girl couldn't help but gently tug at the sleeve of the older female cultivator and sigh softly, "Master, is this Tianxing City? The spiritual energy is indeed abundant, and there are so many people... It feels much safer than Lingbang Island."
The female cultivator's gaze swept over the orderly streets and patrolling Star Palace guards. She nodded slightly, a hint of relaxation in her eyes: "Under the Star Palace's rule, the order is indeed incomparable to that of remote islands. Kui Xing Island..." She paused, her voice lowered, tinged with lingering fear and solemnity, "In that sea area, rogue cultivators have been disappearing without a trace one after another. Even a force like the Six Linked Palaces has seen Core Formation cultivators fall one after another. The undercurrents are turbulent; it's really not a place to stay for long."
Upon hearing this, a flicker of fear crossed the girl's face. She moved even closer, her voice barely audible: "Fortunately...fortunately, I met Master. If it weren't for Master's intervention that time, Siyue would probably already be..." She recalled her near-death experience encountering demonic cultivators near Lingbang Island, and a chill still ran down her spine.
She was out with her father when they were ambushed by several masked cultivators. To protect her, her father used his only high-level escape talisman on her and then turned to fight them. This was the last time she saw her father.
The talisman's spiritual power was exhausted, and then they were besieged by several low-level demonic beasts. If the person in front of them hadn't happened to pass by, they would probably have been devoured by the demons.
The young woman, grateful for her kindness and seeing that the other woman was upright and had considerable cultivation, begged to become her disciple. The female cultivator, seeing that she was of good character and had good aptitude, and that she was all alone, agreed and accepted her as her disciple.
The female cultivator patted her hand, comforting her, "Don't dwell on the past. Now that we've arrived in Tianxing City, it's a new beginning. This place is rich in resources and offers many opportunities, making it perfect for us, master and disciple, to settle down and cultivate diligently."
Wen Siyue's eyes lit up, as if she had remembered something, and she suggested with a little excitement, "Master, your talisman-making technique is so exquisite. There are many cultivators in Tianxing City, so the demand for talismans must be even greater."
"How about we... how about we open a small talisman shop here? Master, you can focus on crafting mid-level talismans, and I can learn from you, help out with low-level talismans and other miscellaneous tasks. This way, we can earn spirit stones to support our cultivation and have a stable place to settle down, gradually integrating into this community."
This idea had been lingering in her mind for a long time. She knew that her master was quite talented in talisman making, and she herself had learned a little bit from him. Opening a shop would allow her to make use of her skills and avoid living off her savings, which was indeed a prudent choice.
The female cultivator listened and began to think about it seriously.
Opening a talisman shop would certainly require a significant initial investment of spirit stones for renting a shop and purchasing materials, but with her talisman-making skills, establishing a foothold in Tianxing City shouldn't be difficult. More importantly, it would indeed provide a relatively stable and discreet livelihood, allowing the master and apprentice to cultivate discreetly, gather information, and gradually establish themselves in this unfamiliar metropolis.
Seeing the expectant light in her disciple's eyes, the female cultivator smiled gently and said, "Siyue's suggestion is excellent. Opening a talisman shop is indeed a good start. However, this matter needs to be planned carefully. First, we should find a suitable temporary cave dwelling to settle down, and then slowly inquire about shop rentals, material sources, and other matters."
"Yes! I'll do whatever Master says!" Wen Siyue smiled as soon as her master agreed, and the fatigue from her days of travel seemed to dissipate.
The master and apprentice discussed in hushed tones, then blended into the bustling crowds of Tianxing City. Their arrival was like two drops of water merging into the ocean, causing not a ripple.
Luo Ming, who was meditating deep in his cave, was currently focusing his mind inward, guiding the spiritual fire of the Fat Sun Bird to complete a subtle tempering of his divine sense.
A moment later, Luo Ming slowly opened his eyes, a condensed golden light flashing briefly before returning to its deep and peaceful state.
During his two-year seclusion, in addition to honing his magical power, he continuously practiced the "Spirit Fire Forging Technique" and the "Qianyang Fire Eye".
Although these two secret techniques are still quite far from the second level, he has already sensed the growth of his divine sense and eyesight, especially the Qianyang Fire Eye Divine Power, which he is extremely looking forward to.
Upon reaching the second level, this supernatural power not only grants greater sensitivity to changes in spiritual energy within space, but also allows the user to condense a spark of fire within their eyes, unleashing a dazzling divine power. Judging from the description above, its power is quite remarkable.
He stood up, a few imperceptible specks of dust settling on his body, and walked steadily out of the quiet room.
As soon as he arrived at the front hall of the cave, a green shadow darted to his feet and affectionately rubbed against his trouser leg; it was the Wind Fox Beast.
At this moment, the Wind Fox Beast's size had not increased much compared to before, but the pale blue light flowing around its body had become more solid and agile. Its aura had clearly reached the peak of a level four demon beast, and it seemed to be just one step away from breaking through to level five.
In particular, a sharp and indescribable glint occasionally flashed in his bright eyes, clearly indicating that his bloodline potential had been greatly stimulated after refining that wisp of "Wind Spirit Essence".
"Not bad, not bad, it seems you've gained quite a bit." Luo Ming smiled slightly and stroked the Wind Fox Beast's smooth fur. The Wind Fox Beast comfortably squinted its eyes and made soft purring sounds, while simultaneously conveying a clear and eager intention. It had reached the barrier to advancement and needed a place with abundant spiritual energy that was safe and secluded enough to prepare for the advancement process that might trigger unusual phenomena in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
Luo Ming naturally understood its meaning. A level 5 demon beast is equivalent to a human cultivator in the early stage of the Golden Core realm. The commotion it causes when it advances is indeed considerable, and it is absolutely unacceptable to do so in Tianxing City, where cultivators gather. They must find a deserted island overseas.
"I know you've reached the border," Luo Ming said thoughtfully, "but we'll have to wait a few more days. There's an important matter I need to attend to first."
Although the Wind Fox Beast was unwilling, it had already developed intelligence and could understand its master's intentions. It let out a low growl as a sign of agreement, but its eyes still held an eagerness for a breakthrough.
The important matter Luo Ming mentioned was the auction of the four major merchant alliances that had been making headlines in the high-level cultivator circles of Tianxing City recently.
This auction is jointly organized by the four major merchant alliances and is of extremely high standard. It is only open to cultivators at the Core Formation stage and above, and it is said that even some Nascent Soul stage cultivators who are in seclusion will participate.
Not only will local cultivators gather, but cultivators from both the righteous and demonic paths of the Chaotic Star Sea, as well as other regions of the distant sea, will also come, making it a grand event.
The treasures that appeared at the meeting were all rare and precious items, which was an excellent opportunity for newly promoted Golden Core cultivators like Luo Ming to broaden their horizons and find the resources they needed.
He tidied himself up briefly, changed into an ordinary black Taoist robe, activated all the restrictions on his cave dwelling, and went out. As agreed, he arrived at an elegant teahouse in the city.