DIV Chapter 19: Liu Yue's Surprise

"How much for this item?" Li Chang'an approached the stall and casually picked up a severely damaged magical artifact.

The stall owner glanced at it. "Five spirit stones."

Upon hearing this, Li Chang'an pondered briefly and put the artifact down. Then he asked about several other items.

The stall owner was quite patient. After all, accumulating spirit stones wasn't easy, and most cultivators only asked without buying. He was already used to it.

At this moment, a familiar voice sounded from nearby.

"Oh, Fellow Daoist Li, are you also here treasure hunting?"

Liu Yue approached with graceful bearing, her pretty face wearing a bright smile.

Li Chang'an cupped his hands in greeting.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, I'm just casually looking around."

"Same here," Liu Yue laughed softly.

After that fellow cultivator exchange meeting, although Li Chang'an hadn't attended again, he occasionally encountered Liu Yue and others in the market. Through these encounters, they had become quite familiar.

After conversing briefly, Li Chang'an continued to act as if he were selecting items, asking about the prices of several things, seeming somewhat indecisive.

Finally, his gaze moved to point at the spiritual beast stone statue in the center of the stall.

"How much for this one?"

"This item..." The stall owner pondered for a moment without directly giving a price.

He reached out and vigorously patted the stone statue. The sound wasn't dull but rather somewhat hollow.

"This statue is hollow and protected by prohibitions. I suspect treasures are sealed inside the statue."

"Oh? So this also counts as a secret realm treasure chest?" Liu Yue smiled sweetly, seeming to have developed some interest.

The stall owner nodded slightly.

"I suppose so. I've never opened it myself. Fellow Daoist, you may examine it freely."

With that, he directly picked up the statue and handed it to Li Chang'an.

Li Chang'an reached out to accept it, finding it somewhat heavy. The prohibitions on the statue's surface carried a trace of decay and the breath of ages, with no signs of having been opened.

Of course, some swindlers could imitate the breath of decay. But Li Chang'an had divination guidance, so he wasn't worried.

"Give me a price. I'll take this item."

"Well..." The stall owner hesitated for a moment and was about to speak.

Just then, a strange fluctuation of spiritual power suddenly emanated from another stall not far away, attracting the attention of several people.

Before that stall stood a young cultivator. He had just bought an unopened bronze tripod and was opening it with anticipation, hoping for sealed treasures within.

But suddenly, the bronze tripod violently trembled. Then it exploded with tremendous force.

"Boom!"

The young cultivator couldn't dodge in time and was instantly blown into bloody mist! Countless sharp and deadly cold gleams shot in all directions.

"Shield!"

Li Chang'an reacted quickly, instantly releasing over ten high-quality Spirit Shield Talismans.

The talismans flickered as spiritual energy formed shields. Over ten layers of protective barriers layered one after another, firmly protecting him and the surrounding area.

Moments later, wails filled the surroundings. Dozens of people who couldn't react in time were struck by bronze tripod fragments.

"That was close!" The stall owner was terrified.

He also hadn't reacted in time, but fortunately Li Chang'an's talismans had protected him as well. Otherwise, even if he didn't die, he would have been severely injured!

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist!" He showed gratitude and immediately expressed his thanks.

Li Chang'an waved his hand dismissively.

"It's nothing."

Beside them, Liu Yue was also shocked. What surprised her wasn't only Li Chang'an's reaction speed but also the over ten high-quality talismans flickering before them.

"Fellow Daoist Li, you... you can already draw high-quality talismans?" Her lips parted slightly, a trace of disbelief flashing in her bright eyes.

One must know, she had always prided herself on being a genius. It had taken her only three years to successfully draw high-quality talismans.

But how long had Li Chang'an been drawing talismans? It seemed like only a little over a year!

Li Chang'an's expression remained unchanged as he said solemnly, "Previously, I concealed something from Fellow Daoist Liu. Actually, I'm not new to the talisman path. I've been drawing talismans for many years, just never making it known. Only recently did I luckily manage to draw high-quality talismans."

"Many years?" Upon hearing this, Liu Yue's heart settled somewhat.

This was more reasonable. After all, drawing high-quality talismans in just over a year would be too shocking.

Li Chang'an's explanation didn't have any problems either. He was naturally low-key, never showing off or boasting about anything to outsiders. It was normal for him to possess high-quality talisman skills.

"Fellow Daoist Li, you really hid this well. You're clearly an experienced talisman master, yet you pretended to be a novice in front of me," Liu Yue gave him a sideways glance with a slight reproach.

Whether intentionally or not, she quietly moved closer, and the distance she had previously maintained had disappeared.

Li Chang'an remained composed, looking toward the explosion site.

The bronze tripod was completely shattered. Nothing remained.

"This kind of thing has happened before," the stall owner explained.

"After all, these are ancient items. What's sealed inside might be opportunities, or it might be danger. No one can say for sure."

He had encountered this type of incident before, just never so closely.

Before long, the Zheng family's patrol team arrived, cleaned up the scene, and sent away the injured.

Cultivators had strong adaptability. Soon, the market returned to its previous lively atmosphere.

Li Chang'an held the statue and inquired of the stall owner.

"Fellow Daoist, you still haven't mentioned the statue's price."

"What price are we talking about?" The stall owner shook his head and said, "Fellow Daoist, you saved my life. A life is worth much more than this statue. Take this statue! If there's anything else on my stall that catches your eye, take it as well!"

"Very well."

Li Chang'an didn't decline. Spirit stones were precious, so saving when possible was wise.

He immediately stored the statue in his storage bag.

His purpose for coming to the market this time was accomplished. He was about to return home when Liu Yue suddenly spoke, her tone particularly gentle.

"Fellow Daoist Li, since we can both draw high-quality talismans, we should find time to sit and discuss the Dao, exchanging insights. What do you think?"

She was very close, her fragrance wafting over.

"I've been quite busy recently. Let's discuss it later," Li Chang'an said very politely and hurriedly left, not giving her another chance to speak.

Watching his retreating figure, Liu Yue bit her silver teeth lightly, somewhat annoyed.

"This Li Chang'an really doesn't understand romantic feelings. I personally invited him, yet he actually refused!"

Several days later, a fellow cultivator exchange meeting was held as scheduled.

Everyone proceeded as usual, sometimes exchanging techniques, sometimes flattering seniors.

During this, Liu Yue mentioned what happened in the market.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, can that Li Chang'an really draw high-quality talismans now?"

"Indeed."

Upon learning this, everyone was quite surprised.

Luo Kun's brow furrowed slightly, seeming somewhat displeased.

Soon, someone reacted.

"So what? He still can't compare to Senior Luo!"

"Senior Luo intended to guide him, but he didn't even come, wasting Senior Luo's good intentions!"

Several low-grade talisman masters spoke up one after another, their words never straying far from Luo Kun.

Various flatteries connected into one piece, making Luo Kun very satisfied.

As for Li Chang'an, he ultimately lacked mid-grade inheritance and had only temporarily taken a step ahead. He wasn't worth currying favor with.

The several low-grade talisman masters present were all confident that someday they too would be able to draw high-quality talismans.

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