Drawing talismans, meditating, eating, drawing talismans, meditating…

After repeating this cycle a few times, it was already afternoon.

Having fully restored his spiritual energy, Qin Lu stood up and stretched lazily.

What was originally a dull and monotonous cultivation life didn’t seem so boring now, thanks to the numerical display of his attribute panel.

Looking at the courtyard outside, Qin Lu suddenly had an idea.

“I have some free time today. It’s time to practice that [Soft Wind Technique]…”

The [Soft Wind Technique] could make one’s body as light as a swallow, enhancing agility and personal speed.

Among the many minor techniques available in the early Qi Refining stage, it was the most practical one.

This was also the technique Qin Lu most wanted to learn. Unfortunately, the house he lived in back in The Slums was simply too small, making practice impossible.

But now, this new courtyard might just be the most suitable practice ground.

Walking to an open space in the courtyard, Qin Lu let his hands hang naturally and slightly closed his eyes.

He focused his mind and spirit, allowing his body to relax completely.

Following the description in the manual, he slowly dispersed the spiritual energy within his body to every corner.

Sensing the right moment had arrived, Qin Lu pushed off with the sole of his foot.

“Whoosh—”

In a single step, he covered two meters, his entire figure becoming much lighter.

“Thud!”

He planted his foot on the ground again, changing direction.

His figure shot towards another spot, appearing exceptionally graceful.

A wave of joy rose in Qin Lu’s heart. This feeling of running with spiritual energy suffusing his entire body was completely different from his previous experience of running.

Not only was his speed significantly increased, but his control over his body was also much more effortless.

“Thud! Thud! Thud!”

With the sound of his feet repeatedly hitting the ground, Qin Lu’s figure began running in circles around the courtyard, like a phantom.

He ran for a full ten minutes before stopping, panting heavily.

He took a moment to calm his excited emotions.

Taking a deep breath,

Qin Lu opened his attribute panel.

He saw that the [Soft Wind Technique] had now appeared in the spells section, with a proficiency level of two.

Seeing the new skill appear on the panel, Qin Lu couldn’t help but reveal a satisfied smile.

“I must practice this move regularly. It’s a life-saving skill.”

Having secretly made this resolution, Qin Lu continued his practice.

……

Five days later.

Noon.

After a simple lunch, Qin Lu picked up the [Water Qi Shields] he had drawn over the past few days, gathered his stall tools, and headed out the door.

Today was his day to set up his stall.

Locking the courtyard gate, he made his familiar way towards the market.

Arriving at the market, Qin Lu noticed the crowd was even larger than usual today.

Relying on experience, he quickly found a spot in a corner, swiftly setting up his stall.

Seeing the surge in foot traffic, Qin Lu couldn’t help but ask an elderly Loose Cultivator running a stall next to him:

“Senior, why does it feel so much more crowded today?”

The old Loose Cultivator looked to be in his sixties or seventies. He wore a faded robe, his graying hair tied up with an old hairpin. His stall sold some worn-out books, giving him the appearance of a down-and-out cultivator.

Hearing the question, he glanced at Qin Lu’s stall and said indifferently:

“Today is the Wanbao Pavilion’s quarterly auction. It’s a famous event around here. Of course it’s crowded.”

“I see…”

Qin Lu nodded, not fully understanding.

The Wanbao Pavilion was precisely where Lu Xian worked.

“This isn’t even considered crowded. When the market arena competition comes, that’s when you’ll see a real sea of people!” the old Loose Cultivator said slowly, his face wearing a reminiscent expression.

“What’s the market arena competition?” Qin Lu asked curiously.

The old Loose Cultivator glanced at him again, a hint of disdain in his eyes. “I say, kid, you look about forty, don’t you? How can someone your age know nothing?”

“Uh…” Qin Lu’s face flushed red. He hurriedly explained, “I’m only thirty-five this year!”

Ignoring this, the old Loose Cultivator continued, “The market arena competition is a martial arts tournament organized by the Wuji Sect. Many disciples from various sects will come here to compete, and even we Loose Cultivators can participate. It’s the most exciting event in this region, held once every ten years!”

Qin Lu’s eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, “So when is this competition?”

“In about half a year or more… That’s also when we stall owners make our fortune!” the old Loose Cultivator said with a smug expression.

Qin Lu nodded slowly, but before he could speak, he immediately heard the old Loose Cultivator’s voice again.

“Look, the one in white robes. That’s the head of the Yu family, Senior Yu Xiu! He’s at the Foundation Establishment level!” The old Loose Cultivator tilted his head and gestured with his lips, a trace of envy in his eyes.

Following the old cultivator’s gaze, Qin Lu looked.

In the crowd was a white-robed elder with white hair and a youthful face. Surrounded by a group of people, he moved through the area, smiling amiably as he walked.

“So that’s a Foundation Establishment cultivator…” Qin Lu murmured to himself.

Previously, he had only interacted with Qi Refining cultivators. This was his first time seeing a cultivator of a different realm.

In the cultivation world, the cultivation levels were divided into:

Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformation…

Within the Qi Refining level, there were ten layers. The first nine layers corresponded to the early, middle, and late stages.

Reaching the tenth layer was also called the Great Perfection stage.

“You really are knowledgeable, Senior. May I ask, is reaching Foundation Establishment difficult?” Qin Lu asked again.

“Tsk! You really don’t know anything, kid. Come on, buy a few of my books. Read them carefully when you get home, and I guarantee you’ll understand all this clearly!” The old Loose Cultivator seized the opportunity to promote the books on his stall.

Hearing this, Qin Lu felt tempted and couldn’t help but look at the old cultivator’s stall.

Truth be told, he really didn’t know much about this world. The main reason was probably that he hadn’t read enough.

A blade grows rusty if not sharpened; a person falls behind if not learning.

Seeing Qin Lu’s interest, the old Loose Cultivator immediately changed his expression to one of ingratiation. He hurriedly picked up several books and introduced them:

“This one is ‘An Introduction to the Cultural Landscapes of Flowing Cloud Prefecture.’ This is ‘Common Knowledge of the Cultivation World.’ And this one, ‘Thirty Things a Qi Refining Cultivator Needs to Know.’ These are all excellent books…”

Under the old Loose Cultivator’s smooth-tongued recommendations, Qin Lu was thoroughly convinced.

Soon, without even realizing it, he spent eight Spirit Stones to buy several books.

Among them was a somewhat flashy mortal sword art.

It was called the ‘Gray Shadow Sword Art.’

The main reason he bought this sword art was because he had now learned the [Soft Wind Technique].

Practicing empty running every day was honestly a bit boring. It would be better to practice some swordplay instead.

After the successful transaction, Qin Lu and the old Loose Cultivator exchanged names.

The old Loose Cultivator was named Li Gui. He currently lived over in The Slums area and mainly dealt in reselling books and storybooks.

Due to the surge in foot traffic, Qin Lu’s talisman business was better than usual.

The twenty-five [Water Qi Shields] he had refined over five days sold steadily.

Later on, Qin Lu even brought out the [Cleansing Talismans] he had intended for his own use and put them on the stall for sale.

As expected, someone actually bought them.

Soon, the sun began to set in the west.

All the talismans Qin Lu had brought out were successfully sold, netting him a total of sixty-two Spirit Stones.

After a brief farewell to Li Gui, Qin Lu packed up his stall belongings and left the market.

Afterwards, he went to a talisman shop, spent thirty Spirit Stones to buy a pile of talisman-making materials, and then, satisfied, headed home.

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