CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35: LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

This night.

Shen Xuan was restless throughout.

A strong sense of unease kept him awake for a long time.

With chaos in the Cyan Dragon Bay Market, a talisman master like him, lacking combat experience, was just easy prey for tribulation cultivators.

Though the second-class mansion has array restrictions, capable of defending against an assault from a cultivator in the late stage of Qi Cultivation.

But after all, it was only a tier one upper-grade array.

Given enough time, even a magical artifact bombarding it could break the array restrictions.

"It’s crucial to prepare early!"

Shen Xuan opened his storage pouch.

A Water Cloud Shield, a pair of Water-Splitting Mount Emei Needles, over seventy premium talismans, and more than a hundred spirit stones.

This was all he possessed.

Fortunately, he had the Mysterious Jade Talisman.

[Talents: Concealing Breath, Invisibility, Water Control, Self-Healing, Critical Strike, Iron Bone, Longevity]

The Concealing Breath Technique and Invisibility Technique were moderately developed, while the others were mastered.

Looking at these talents.

Shen Xuan’s anxiety slowly subsided.

[Divine Hidden Sea Technique] was mastered, [Condensed Water Blade Technique] was mastered.

As long as he hid in water, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator couldn’t do anything to him.

Seven years of arduous cultivation had yielded great success.

In terms of real combat power, Shen Xuan was confident that he surpassed Zhao Chunsheng.

Shen Xuan tested it out.

The Water Cloud Shield and Water-Splitting Mount Emei Needles had a low consumption of spiritual power and divine sense.

When he exerted full effort, he could simultaneously wield these two middle-grade magical artifacts.

As for the premium talismans.

They actually weren’t necessary to activate.

His talent techniques were far superior to premium talismans.

Early the next morning.

After Ding Yuyao woke up, Shen Xuan told her of the impending danger.

"What does my husband plan to do?"

"My dear, I’ve thought it over. If the situation deteriorates, I’ll have Old Liu, the driver, take you to Hongcheng County first."

Shen Xuan pondered and said, "According to the rules set by the Cyan Cloud Sect, cultivators are not allowed to harm mortals, and wars among cultivation clans cannot spill over into the mundane world."

"Your safety will be more assured after you return to Hongcheng County."

Ding Yuyao responded resolutely, "Husband, I’m not leaving! I want to stay with you always!"

"But if the situation changes, I won’t be able to protect you."

Shen Xuan confessed frankly.

Ding Yuyao was just a mortal, with very low strength.

If she encountered a tribulation cultivator, she wouldn’t stand a chance.

In that situation, she would become a burden to Shen Xuan.

Thinking of this, Ding Yuyao’s face turned somber.

"I’ll listen to my husband’s decision."

"Rest assured, the situation may not deteriorate to that extent, I’m just planning ahead."

"Then, my husband, will you come to fetch me once you are settled?"

"Of course, I’ll definitely come to get you! You are my wife, after all!"

Ding Yuyao smiled through her tears, unable to resist wrapping her arms around Shen Xuan’s neck and clinging to him.

"Husband is so good!"

...

The next morning.

Shen Xuan arrived at the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion.

It was his first time entering such a high-end entertainment venue.

Just the spirit fruits and spirit wine on the table cost ten spirit stones, ten times the market price.

So exorbitant!

Shen Xuan took out his VIP Jade Token and paid seven spirit stones.

Then, while waiting, he angrily packed away all the spirit wine and fruits.

Not long after, Leng Ningxiang came in.

"Oh, Shen Talisman Master just sitting idly, didn’t call a girl to attend to you?"

"Master Leng, I specifically came to find you."

Leng Ningxiang covered her mouth and laughed, "Shen Talisman Master, so this is your preference! My worth is much higher than those girls, are you sure?"

Shen Xuan looked speechlessly at the Leng Ningxiang before him.

After a while, he finally said slowly, "Master Leng, I’m here to buy information."

The Celestial Fragrance Pavilion not only engaged in dual cultivation services but also dealt in intelligence.

"Tell me, what do you want to know?"

"How much lifespan does the Ding Family Patriarch have left, and the Foundation Establishment preparation of Ding Yijin and Ding Yisi." Shen Xuan said without hesitation.

The stability of the Ding Family was essential to the safety of the Cyan Dragon Bay Market.

Wars among cultivation clans were awe-inspiring and intense, with countless casualties, and allowed no negligence.

Leng Ningxiang laughed.

"For the sake of our cooperation, I’ll give you a discount on this intelligence, thirty spirit stones."

After paying the spirit stones, Leng Ningxiang handed him an Information Jade Scroll.

"With this Jade Scroll, you can buy the subsequent intelligence updates with just a few spirit stones."

"Thank you."

Shen Xuan’s divine sense delved into the Jade Scroll to browse through it.

Indeed worthy of thirty spirit stones, the intelligence detailed the important members of the Ding Family, their cultivation realms, main cultivation techniques, commonly used magical artifacts, family situations, and so on.

It even subtly mentioned the opposing forces to the Ding Family, personnel, reasons for animosity, etc.

The patriarch he focused on had only ten years of lifespan remaining.

And Ding Yisi, as market rumors had it, stole the Foundation Establishment Pill that originally belonged to Ding Yijin, and failed in his secret Foundation Establishment.

However, the intelligence concluded by stating the Ding Family had put up the Cyan Dragon Bay Market profits as collateral to take on massive debt and exchanged it with the Cyan Cloud Sect for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

"Shen Talisman Master needn’t worry. As long as the Ding Family Patriarch is around, the Cyan Dragon Bay Market won’t fall into chaos."

Leng Ningxiang softly said as he left.

...

Several days later.

The Ding Patriarch, along with Ding Yijin and Ding Yisi, appeared together at the Juxian Tower in the Cyan Dragon Bay Market, hosting a banquet for acquaintances and friends.

During the banquet, the Ding Patriarch appeared, exuding an immortal aura, with a rosy complexion and a spirited demeanor.

Not at all like someone nearing the end of his lifespan.

The family head announced that the rumors of Ding Yisi stealing the Foundation Establishment Pill and failing to establish a foundation were false.

They were malicious fabrications from rival factions to discredit the Ding Family.

Starting today, Ding Yijin will officially prepare for Foundation Establishment.

With the presence of so many witnesses, the safety of the Cyan Dragon Bay Market was considerably reassured by the presence of the Ding Family Patriarch.

After all, seeing is believing.

Well aware of the inside story, Shen Xuan was absorbed in cultivation and talisman making.

In one go, he spent thirty spirit stones.

Having done that, Shen Xuan told Zhao Chunsheng to stay home and protect his wife and children in the meantime.

And avoid going out to hunt.

"Let’s hope everything settles down!"

Once a stable and secure environment for cultivation presented itself,

Not long after, news came from the market that Ding Yijin had succeeded in establishing his Dao Foundation.

"Ding Yijin has successfully established a Middle Grade Foundation!"

"The Cyan Cloud Sect, as well as the Zhao Family, He Family, and Tao Family from Purple Maple Mountain, Wo Hu Ridge, and Tens of Thousands Bamboo Forest, all sent representatives to the Cyan Dragon Bay Market!"

On hearing this, Shen Xuan felt at ease.

Finally, the situation had stabilized.

"It seems the Ding Family has won their gamble this time!"

Cultivation clans’ wars are always harrowing, leaving countless casualties in their wake, with no room for error.

Ten days from now, at Juxian Tower in the market, there will be a grand celebration banquet.

As a middle-grade talisman master, Shen Xuan also received an invitation.

Zhao Chunsheng said with a hint of bitterness.

He had also received an invitation.

However, it was the standard version.

"Shen Talisman Master, are you joking? The VIP table, they read out gifts there."

Zhao Chunsheng immediately shrank away.

Shen Xuan shook his head.

Zhao Chunsheng was not wrong.

This time, let there be peace!

After finally having a stable and safe environment for cultivation.

It’s better than Zhao Chunsheng.

At the very least, one can enjoy a feast and make up for any gifts given at the ordinary table.