Half an hour later.

With a soft click, the door was unlatched from within.

Chen Lan’s alluring figure emerged from the room.

“Senior Brother, I’ll be heading back now.”

Chen Lan turned to close the door, calling out toward the room’s interior.

“Mn. Junior Sister, be careful on your way.”

Hearing the slightly weary voice of Senior Brother Li from inside, Chen Lan pursed her lips into a secret smile. She turned, her slender waist swaying enticingly as she walked into the courtyard. Moments later, her graceful form leaped lightly into the air, and she soared away on her flying sword.

[+5 Affection] [+25 Sub-profession XP]

The system prompt brought a faint smile to Li Meng’s lips. All he had done was utter a single concerned remark, yet it had earned him five points of affection. Women were truly emotional creatures.

Li Meng sat up, crossing his legs into a meditative posture, and began to carefully study his “Golden Finger.”

The interface consisted of a single screen displaying his character information, giving him the distinct feeling of playing a game.

“Treasure Pavilion?”

Li Meng suddenly noticed a sub-tab within the interface. He reached out and tapped the empty air in front of him. The Treasure Pavilion page instantly popped up.

“What kind of Treasure Pavilion is this? It’s just formulas for pills, talismans, formation plates, and forging methods for artifacts,” he muttered to himself, somewhat disappointed.

He had hoped to find something truly valuable—finished products he could use immediately.

“Well, having something is better than nothing. Anything obtained without effort usually holds little meaning anyway.”

Li Meng lay back on the bed and continued browsing the Treasure Pavilion’s contents.

“There are so many First Tier pill formulas!”

At a glance, there were over twenty. There were even Soul Nourishing Pill formulas. It was worth noting that pills targeting the soul were typically Tier 3; only some ancient, lost formulas could produce Tier 1 versions.

There were also quite a few talisman crafting methods, about a dozen or so. Artifact refining methods weren’t lacking either, with over twenty blueprints for crafting magical artifacts. Formation methods were fewer, numbering only three.

“Talismans are good stuff. I’ll go buy some beast blood and hides tomorrow.”

Beast hides could be used to make talisman paper, while beast blood served as the ink, or cinnabar. Higher-tier talismans required correspondingly higher-grade beast blood and hides.

There were two types of talismans: ordinary ones for single use, and reusable Talisman Treasures. To craft a Tier 1 talisman into a Talisman Treasure required talisman paper of a higher tier.

Li Meng spent over two hours engrossed in the information before finally falling asleep in satisfaction. He was tired—utterly exhausted. With his Lifespan Limit approaching and his body withering, he often felt powerless. He would sleep for a while and then rise to meditate and cultivate.

Everything would improve once he reached Foundation Establishment.

Time flowed steadily onward, and soon, the next day arrived.

Early the following morning, Li Meng set out for the Market City.

Every cultivation sect, regardless of size, maintained its own Market City. A well-managed market could become a sect’s greatest source of revenue. While one could exchange contribution points for various cultivation resources within the sect, the value wasn’t particularly high. For example, one Qi Nourishing Pill could be exchanged for five sect contribution points, but using points to purchase the same pill would cost significantly more than five points.

Joyous Union Sect Market City, Thousand Treasure Pavilion.

The market was usually rather quiet on ordinary days, its streets and alleys mostly empty. The occasional passerby hurried along with quick steps. It only became lively during auction gatherings, when cultivators from all corners would converge—Rogue Cultivators, sect disciples, and members of cultivation families all gathering together.

Dressed in his blue robe, Li Meng entered the Thousand Treasure Pavilion.

“Well, if it isn’t Immortal Master Li!”

A shop assistant who had been wiping down shelves brightened up upon seeing him. His face broke into an ingratiating smile as he hurried over. This was the first floor of the Thousand Treasure Pavilion; even the attendants doing reception work were ordinary mortals handling miscellaneous tasks.

“Immortal Master Li, what will you be needing this time?”

The assistant, Li Er, was quite familiar with the Immortal Master standing before him. Li Meng visited almost every month, making him a regular customer. It was just that his cultivation was a bit low—an old bag of bones who probably didn’t have much longer to live.

Li Meng produced a list and handed it to the assistant.

The assistant glanced at it and chuckled. “Please wait a moment, Immortal Master Li. I’ll prepare these items for you right away!”

Taking the list, the assistant scurried off.

Li Meng began idly browsing the first floor, examining some of the less valuable items on display. Had he held a horsetail whisk in his hand at that moment, he would have truly exuded the air of a graceful, dignified immortal.

Just then, a figure flashed past the entrance.

A graceful silhouette hurried into the Thousand Treasure Pavilion. She wore a purple rainbow dress; she was tall in stature, possessing an elegant waistline and pleasing curves. Her face was expressionless, giving her an aloof, icy appearance. With light steps, she walked directly toward the staircase leading to the second floor.

[Name: Qu Rou] [Age: 114] [Luck: 2000] [Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Great Perfection] [Aptitude: Water-Wood Dual Spirit Roots] [Affection: 0]

Li Meng glanced at her surreptitiously. Her purple dress indicated she was an Inner Sect Foundation Establishment disciple of the Joyous Union Sect. Her steps seemed light but carried a hint of weakness and instability. Her cheeks were slightly pale, yet her neck bore patches of flushed redness. A few glistening beads of sweat traced paths down her forehead.

Watching that alluring figure pass by the aisle of shelves, a flicker of hesitation crossed Li Meng’s eyes.

That hesitation lasted only for a breath.

Li Meng stepped out from behind the shelves and bowed respectfully with clasped hands.

“Senior! Please hold a moment!”

Hearing someone address her, Qu Rou paused on her way upstairs and looked down toward Li Meng standing beside the shelves.

Seeing that the one who had hailed her was a white-haired Outer Disciple clearly nearing his Lifespan Limit at only the sixth layer of Qi Condensation, Qu Rou’s brow furrowed slightly in displeasure.

A mere Outer Disciple trash daring to accost her? What audacity!

If she weren’t in such a hurry to deal with the fire poison raging within her body, she would have certainly taught this ignorant Outer Disciple a lesson about knowing his place.