Li Chang'an was different from other Talisman Masters.
The Path of Talismans and Seals was merely one of his methods for earning cultivation resources.
What he truly relied on...
...was the daily refreshing Divination!
Even without his Talismanic Inheritance, he might still obtain other inheritances in the future.
In short.
He didn't need to join the Zheng Family to acquire all sorts of resources.
'Marrying into the Zheng Family certainly has its benefits, but the drawbacks are greater.'
Li Chang'an complained inwardly, not voicing his thoughts.
After a moment.
Seeing his firm attitude, Manager Qian stopped trying to persuade him.
Zheng Qingqing didn't say much either, only asking Li Chang'an to consider it further.
"Daoist Li, if you make up your mind, you can come find me at any time."
Her eyes were bright and alluring, and her attitude remained gentle.
Li Chang'an nodded.
"Thank you for your kind offer, Young Lady."
Not long after.
Li Chang'an took his leave.
He left the Hundred Treasures Pavilion with the Spirit Stones he had earned from selling Talismans.
After he left.
Manager Qian spoke with a smile.
"That kid's Skills just had a breakthrough, so he's full of himself right now. It's normal for someone with such high spirits to refuse. Don't take it to heart, Young Lady."
"Of course I won't."
Zheng Qingqing chuckled, unconcerned.
Manager Qian added, "Young Lady, give it some time. Once his Talisman Art hits a dead end and he has nowhere else to turn, he'll definitely come knocking."
He was very confident about this.
After all.
He had experienced such a journey himself.
When he was young, he was always full of fighting spirit, thinking he could smash through all obstacles with his own two fists.
Only after taking a few beatings from life would he give up on that unrealistic fantasy.
"Young Lady, are you planning to introduce him to a Zheng Family's Young Lady with an Inferior Spirit Root?"
Manager Qian inquired.
Li Chang'an wasn't an ordinary Cultivator, after all. It was impossible to introduce him to a mortal woman of the clan.
Zheng Qingqing shook her head gently.
"An Inferior Spirit Root isn't good enough. Let's go with a Low Grade Spirit Root."
Hearing this, Manager Qian was a little surprised.
It seemed Li Chang'an's value in Zheng Qingqing's eyes was even higher than he had guessed.
...
For the next few months, everything continued as usual.
No matter how the outside world changed, Li Chang'an continued to cultivate in peace.
Before he knew it, a breakthrough was imminent.
'Peak of the Third Layer of Qi Refining!'
Li Chang'an slowly exhaled.
He was separated from the Qi Refining Fourth Layer by only the thinnest of barriers.
「For the next three days.」
He didn't engage in Talisman Painting, nor did he pay any attention to the outside world.
Instead, he bathed, burned incense, and worked to attain a state of Calm Heart and Peaceful Mind, pushing his own condition toward perfection.
'The transition from the Third to the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining is the shift from the Early Stage to the Middle Stage. It's a significant threshold, and I can't be careless, no matter how confident I feel!'
This breakthrough was especially important.
If he succeeded, he would no longer be at the very bottom of the Cultivation Realm!
One morning, as the sun rose in the east, Li Chang'an sat cross-legged with his eyes slightly closed.
The Small Spirit Gathering Disc was placed before him.
A large number of crushed Spirit Stones were scattered around the room.
For a moment.
The Spiritual Qi Concentration in the room had reached an astonishing level.
Li Chang'an was unhurried and calm, his mind steady as he circulated his Cultivation Technique.
Countless streams of Spiritual Power were drawn into his body, surging through his Meridians like mighty rivers before finally converging in his Dantian.
Time itself seemed to slow down at this moment.
An unknown amount of time passed.
Finally...
BOOM!
Li Chang'an's entire body trembled.
The barrier shattered completely, dissipating into nothingness.
At that moment.
His aura began to surge, and his Cultivation rose steadily.
His limbs, bones, and internal organs all underwent a drastic transformation, every inch of his body growing stronger than before.
When it was all over.
Li Chang'an opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them.
"Qi Refining Fourth Layer!"
He had finally broken through!
He let out a long breath, his heart filled with joy.
From this day forward, he had left the ranks of the lowest-level Cultivators, taking a solid step upward!
The Fourth to Sixth Layers of Qi Refining were all considered the Middle Stage of Qi Refining.
A Cultivation at this level was quite impressive.
In some of the smaller Qi Refining families, he could even become an Elder.
A moment later.
Li Chang'an calmed himself and gave himself a warning.
'It's only the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. I can't get arrogant.'
After all, there were still two Middle Stage Qi Refining Tribulation Cultivators watching him.
He still had to be cautious.
'I should continue to show a Cultivation of the Third Layer of Qi Refining to the outside world. I'll "break through" again after some time.'
Li Chang'an made his decision.
「A few days later.」
He focused on consolidating his Cultivation, ensuring there were no hidden dangers from his breakthrough.
After that.
He took out his Talisman Paper and Talisman Brush.
'With a Cultivation at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, drawing a Tier One Middle Grade Talisman should be much easier than before.'
Li Chang'an's expression was calm as he held the Talisman Brush and began to draw a Golden Saber Talisman.
Just as he expected.
The Talisman Painting process was exceptionally smooth this time, without the slightest feeling of strain.
He didn't need to consume any Elixir Pills and easily finished drawing the Golden Saber Talisman!
"Not bad!"
Li Chang'an put away the Golden Saber Talisman and continued to try other Talismans.
Each one was easy.
The process was as smooth as flowing water, completed in a single stroke. He didn't make a single mistake!
'After a little more time, I can start trying to draw high-quality Middle Grade Talismans.'
A smile appeared on Li Chang'an's face; he was very satisfied.
...
「A few more days passed.」
Xu Fugui suddenly came looking for him.
"Brother Li, something terrible has happened!"
His tone was anxious, and his face was full of unease.
Li Chang'an's expression was mild, and his voice was calm.
"Don't rush, speak slowly. What happened?"
"The Zheng Family's Foundation Establishment Ancestor is dead!"
"Hm?"
Li Chang'an was stunned, finding it unbelievable.
A Foundation Establishment Ancestor was the symbol of invincibility in this region.
One must understand.
A Foundation Establishment Cultivator has a lifespan of two hundred and forty years!
Even the older of the Zheng Family's two Foundation Establishment Ancestors still had several decades of life left. It was impossible for him to have died of old age.
"Explain the details. What exactly is the situation?"
Li Chang'an's expression grew serious, and his tone became solemn.
Xu Fugui swallowed and began to explain.
"Not long ago, a new dangerous area appeared in the Secret Realm. That area is filled with a large number of damaged Arrays, and triggering one means risking death!"
But, although that area was dangerous...
...it held a great number of Treasures.
In the already explored parts, even damaged Tier Two Treasures have appeared, tempting even Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
The Zheng Family's Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment Ancestor set out to explore the depths of that area.
But not long after...
...an earth-shattering explosion was heard from the depths of the region.
And then...
...a rumor started to spread.
The Zheng Family's Ancestor died inside, and they couldn't even retrieve his body!
"Just a rumor? No one saw the Zheng Family's Ancestor die with their own eyes?"
Li Chang'an frowned slightly, questioning him carefully.
Xu Fugui nodded.
"Yes, Brother Li. But the news has already spread. Everyone in the Marketplace is talking about it, and the Zheng Family hasn't done anything to stop it."
'The Zheng Family hasn't come out to refute the rumor. What does that mean?'
'Could it be that the Ancestor really died?'
At this thought.
Li Chang'an's mood couldn't help but turn heavy.
'In the past, the Zheng Family was able to contend with the other two major families because they had two Foundation Establishment Cultivators.'
If one of them really died, and it was the strongest one, the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment Ancestor...
...then the situation was very bad.
'The Zheng Family, with only one Foundation Establishment Ancestor left, will be in a much more difficult position.'
Li Chang'an felt a faint sense of unease.
The peace in the Marketplace probably wouldn't last much longer.