DIV Chapter 10: Fellow Cultivator Exchange

More than three months!

If this timeframe were to spread, it would certainly cause an uproar.

Therefore, Li Chang'an indicated during their conversation that he had obtained the talisman inheritance many years ago.

"My aptitude is dull, I cannot compare to Fellow Daoist Liu. I can only rely on time to slowly improve," he said.

"Why must Fellow Daoist Li belittle yourself?" Liu Yue smiled gracefully.

The two then began discussing the way of talismans. During this time, the talisman mastery that Li Chang'an displayed was merely at the level of an ordinary low-grade talisman master.

After discussing for about a quarter hour, they had become somewhat familiar with each other and developed some mutual trust.

Just then, Liu Yue, whether intentionally or unintentionally, suddenly brought up the grade of inheritances.

"Unfortunately, I only obtained a first-tier low-grade inheritance and cannot advance further," she sighed lightly, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed.

A few traces of melancholy appeared on her pretty face, truly evoking pity.

Li Chang'an also felt emotional and spoke without thinking, "Indeed, inheritances are rare to come by. Being able to obtain a low-grade inheritance is already the greatest fortune of my lifetime!"

He showed a dejected expression, as if he too was worried about mid-grade inheritances.

Hearing this, Liu Yue lowered her beautiful eyes slightly, and a barely perceptible flash of disappointment crossed the depths of her eyes.

The reason she was willing to converse with Li Chang'an for so long was because she harbored probing intentions, not purely for exchanging talisman techniques.

However, Li Chang'an had already noticed this. During their earlier conversation, though he appeared relaxed, he had actually maintained his vigilance throughout.

The temptation of a first-tier mid-grade inheritance was simply too great. Before he had means of self-protection, he would not easily reveal it.

"At least I need to break through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining before I can display first-tier mid-grade craftsmanship," Li Chang'an constantly reminded himself, never to let his guard down.

In the subsequent conversation, Liu Yue seemed unchanged on the surface, yet there was an additional subtle sense of distance.

Afterward, Chu Daniu introduced Li Chang'an to several other talisman masters. As expected, they were all first-tier low-grade talisman masters, and their skills were quite ordinary. Not one of them could compare to Liu Yue.

These few people were reasonably polite to Li Chang'an.

"This is Fellow Daoist Li's first time here, right? You must come often in the future!"

"The way of talismans cannot rely solely on working behind closed doors. We need to exchange ideas more often..."

Of course, this politeness remained superficial. After all, they were both fellow practitioners and competitors. Having one more low-grade talisman master in the market meant one more person competing for their livelihood.

However, these few people were quite enthusiastic toward Liu Yue. Not only because Liu Yue could draw high-quality talismans, but also because she was young and beautiful, and had no Dao companion thus far.

A talisman master surnamed Wu praised, "Fellow Daoist Liu has only been drawing talismans for three years, yet has already mastered the craft of high-quality talismans. This truly makes me ashamed!"

"Fellow Daoist Wu flatters me," Liu Yue smiled modestly, her eyes and brows captivating.

The others also voiced their admiration one after another.

Li Chang'an sat to the side with a smile on his face, but found it quite boring in his heart. This so-called fellow cultivator exchange was just that, nothing more. They were all low-grade craftsmen, of little help to him.

At this moment, Chu Daniu suddenly whispered a reminder, "Big Brother Li, Senior Luo Kun has arrived. He's a mid-stage Qi Refining expert and possesses a first-tier mid-grade talisman inheritance!"

"Oh?" Li Chang'an was startled and looked in the direction Chu Daniu indicated.

Soon he saw an elderly man with a face like a dark jujube and completely white hair and beard. He appeared to be over sixty years old, and his strength surpassed everyone present, indeed deserving to be called senior.

"Strange, among the mid-grade talisman masters in the market, there doesn't seem to be this Senior Luo," Li Chang'an had once investigated the mid-grade talisman masters in the market.

At that time, the divination had not yet given him guidance, and he was still troubled about first-tier mid-grade talisman inheritances, even considering finding a mid-grade talisman master to apprentice under.

Chu Daniu immediately explained, "Although Senior Luo has a mid-grade inheritance, his skills haven't broken through yet. Currently, he can skillfully draw high-quality talismans among low-grade ones, with an extremely high success rate."

"I see," Li Chang'an immediately understood.

He was still a first-tier low-grade talisman master. But after all, he had the inheritance in hand. As long as his talent wasn't too poor, breakthrough was just a matter of time!

"Big Brother Li, Senior Luo has no children and hasn't taken any disciples. You must seize this opportunity!" Chu Daniu whispered a reminder.

If he could please this senior, perhaps there would be hope of obtaining the talisman inheritance in his hands!

The other talisman masters present thought the same way.

"Senior Luo!" Liu Yue's eyes brightened, and she immediately stood up to welcome him.

The others did likewise. Each wore a smile all over their face with respectful expressions.

Luo Kun's expression was calm as he nodded slightly.

"Fellow juniors, I hope you've all been well?"

"Thank you for Senior Luo's concern!" Liu Yue smiled sweetly, her voice carrying more softness.

She also intentionally or unintentionally moved a bit closer to Luo Kun's side. Previously, she had maintained a sense of distance from everyone, but now she seemed like a different person, as if she couldn't wait to directly stick to him.

Soon, Luo Kun came before everyone and sat down. His aged gaze swept over Li Chang'an.

"This fellow junior looks unfamiliar. Is this your first time here?"

"Junior Li Chang'an pays respects to Senior," Li Chang'an stood up and cupped his hands in salute.

"Junior is indeed here for the first time."

"No need to be so formal, please sit," Luo Kun said.

"Yes," Li Chang'an sat back down.

Next, Luo Kun, taking the stance of an elder, asked everyone to voice their doubts about talisman craftsmanship. He would be responsible for answering questions and resolving doubts.

"Senior Luo, I happen to have some confusion," Liu Yue blinked her beautiful eyes and spoke of her puzzlement regarding talisman drawing.

The other talisman masters also spoke up one after another. The questions they raised were all very simple. They appeared to be asking questions, but in reality, through the opportunity of questioning, they were trying their utmost to praise this Senior Luo, hoping to be noticed by him.

"Senior Luo's talisman techniques are truly at their peak. The doubts that have troubled this junior for many days were resolved with just one word of guidance from you!" the talisman master surnamed Wu said with a face full of gratitude.

Luo Kun squinted his eyes slightly, seemingly quite enjoying these compliments.

Such a scene made Li Chang'an find it even more boring. This kind of fellow cultivator exchange was purely a waste of time!

He was too lazy to ask questions and simply ignored the voices of the others, beginning to contemplate his own way of talismans.

But Chu Daniu watched with secret anxiety, "Why isn't Big Brother Li asking questions? This is a rare opportunity for exchange!"

He couldn't help but regret not giving Li Chang'an more reminders earlier.

A moment later, he noticed Luo Kun's gaze sweep over Li Chang'an, and his brows furrowed slightly.

Chu Daniu's heart immediately sank. He knew that Li Chang'an probably had no chance now!

The others, however, were overjoyed. "This Li Chang'an actually doesn't understand social etiquette at all!"

They clearly knew they had one less competitor!

About an hour later, this gathering ended. Everyone bid farewell one after another.

Li Chang'an left together with Chu Daniu. On the way back, Chu Daniu couldn't help but sigh.

"Big Brother Li, why didn't you ask a few questions?"

Li Chang'an smiled, not taking it to heart, "I suddenly had an epiphany at that time and was absorbed in my own thoughts, not paying attention to the outside world."

"So that's how it was, sigh..." Chu Daniu couldn't help but feel regretful.

Opportunities were rare, and once missed, they were gone!

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