# Chapter 52: Heavy Snowfall

Snow drifted down from the sky like strands of rain amidst the biting wind. A sudden gust swept through, sending the flakes dancing wildly in the air. In less than a morning, the entire market district had been transformed into a world of ice and snow.

It was the third quarter of the Mao hour, and the sky was just beginning to brighten.

Qin Lu looked out the window at the falling snowflakes, then glanced at Zhang Meng, who was preparing to head out. He couldn’t help but speak with concern.

“Why don’t you quit your job at Yueman Tower? Having to go on duty in such cold weather is too hard on you.”

Hearing this, Zhang Meng paused while wrapping her scarf. She smiled and said, “It’s fine. The shop has formation arrays; the entire restaurant is very warm. Don’t worry.”

“But you’ll still be cold on the way there. On a day like this, one really should stay under the covers. Just quit already,” Qin Lu urged.

“But… that’s twenty Spirit Stones a month…” Zhang Meng hesitated.

Qin Lu wore a helpless expression. “I’ve already told you, we have plenty of Spirit Stones at home now. Twenty measly stones are nothing to worry about. Listen to me—go today and quit.”

“Alright… I’ll listen to you. But let me finish this month first. If I leave early, the manager has grounds to dock my pay.”

“Hmm, how many days are left then?”

“Today is the fourteenth, so two more days,” Zhang Meng replied after a moment of thought.

Hearing this, Qin Lu didn’t press further and nodded slightly. “Fine, then work two more days.”

After chatting a bit more, Zhang Meng finished dressing warmly and ventured out into the snow.

……

More than ten days had passed since Qin Lu reached his agreement with the Sky Book Pavilion.

During this time, having purchased plenty of daily necessities, Qin Lu simply stayed home in seclusion for cultivation, never stepping foot outside.

The progress from his seclusion was quite pleasing. Through planned efforts, he had successfully raised two skills to the “Master” level: the cultivation technique [Mystic Sun Mantra] and the talisman skill [Water Qi Shield].

After the upgrade, Qin Lu gained new insights into his cultivation technique. During meditation, he could absorb increasingly more spiritual energy from between heaven and earth. Compared to before, it was as if an accelerator had been toggled on; spiritual energy flowed continuously into his body.

With so much spiritual energy being naturally absorbed, his cultivation progress sped up considerably. It had increased from two points per day to three points per day.

This excited Qin Lu immensely. At this rate, in just thirty-three days, he could advance by one minor realm!

His current cultivation progress had already reached seventy-six. It seemed that in just eight more days, he could break through to the fifth level of Qi Refining!

After the [Water Qi Shield] reached the “Master” level, its quality rose another tier. Qin Lu had previously tested it; a Master-level [Water Qi Shield] could block one close-range [Finger Flick Technique]. This level of defensive power was almost comparable to a mid-stage [Body Protection Shield].

As for his sword techniques and minor spells, each had seen its own improvements.

……

When the sky was fully bright, Qin Lu stretched lazily and got up to walk outside. He strolled slowly to the west wing room and pushed the door open.

In the center of the room sat a brazier with charcoal burning inside, emitting a gentle warmth. Xiao Ziyun was wrapped in a thick cotton quilt, sound asleep on the bed. Beside him lay his treasured small wooden sword.

Xiao Ziyun had not yet induced Qi into his body; he was still of mortal flesh. In such bitterly cold weather that even cultivators feared, he could only spend the entire winter inside warm rooms.

Qin Lu added some charcoal to the brazier and cracked a window slightly for ventilation. Then, he activated the [Ignition Technique], letting flames dance in his palm.

The scorching flames flickered continuously. In no time at all, the heat generated by the magic filled every corner of the room, making it even warmer.

After setting up this “heating,” Qin Lu left the west wing. He went to the kitchen, intending to cook a pot of hot porridge to warm his stomach, but he suddenly stopped. He looked toward a corner of the kitchen where the firewood was nearly depleted.

“The firewood is almost gone…”

“Then I’ll go out and buy some firewood. Might as well sell those talismans too…”

……

In the freezing weather, there were far fewer pedestrians on the streets, making the area seem rather desolate.

After advancing to mid-stage Qi Refining, Qin Lu’s physical constitution had improved significantly. Although it was very cold, it was still within his tolerance range. Walking against the snowfall, Qin Lu made his way forward and soon arrived in front of the Sky Book Pavilion.

The Sky Book Pavilion’s storefront stood over ten meters tall. Bronze bells hung from all four eaves; when a clear breeze blew through, they emitted tinkling sounds. The roof was covered with yellow tiles layered upon each other in an imposing and magnificent manner.

Even amidst this heavy snowfall, a beautiful female cultivator with a gentle smile still stood at the shop entrance. She greeted customers coming and going, making people feel favorable toward the establishment.

“Esteemed guest, what kind of talisman would you like to purchase?”

Seeing Qin Lu approach, the receptionist cultivator immediately stepped forward and asked sincerely.

Qin Lu pondered for a moment before speaking. “I have an arrangement with Manager Yan of your esteemed shop. I’m here today to sell talismans.”

“Very well! This way, please!”

The receptionist immediately turned to lead the way. Qin Lu followed her steps as they entered.

As he walked inside, Qin Lu observed the layout of the shop’s interior. The shop was divided into various sections based on talisman uses: attack type, defense type, speed-boosting type, functional type, daily-life type, and so on. Several large display shelves stood upright in the middle of the shop; many cultivators were browsing beside them, making their selections.

The receptionist led Qin Lu into a private room, then respectfully withdrew.

Without making Qin Lu wait long, Manager Yan pushed the door open and entered, his face beaming with delight.

“Fellow Daoist Qin! What a rare guest!”

“Manager Yan.” Qin Lu smiled slightly, greeting him.

After exchanging pleasantries, both got straight to business.

“Is Fellow Daoist Qin here today to sell talismans?”

“That’s right.”

Qin Lu took out a stack of talismans from within his robes and placed them on the table. “These are the [Water Qi Shields] I refined over the past period. A total of sixty-eight sheets. Please take a look.”

“Fellow Daoist’s efficiency is so fast! In just over ten days, you were able to refine over sixty sheets!” Manager Yan’s eyes showed genuine shock.

“You flatter me; I’m just a bit diligent, that’s all,” Qin Lu replied modestly, though he chuckled inwardly.

What’s fast about this? With the help of the interface panel, every talisman he made had a one hundred percent success rate. If he used a whole day solely for making talismans, he could draw ten sheets a day. Over ten-plus days, he could produce over a hundred sheets.

Now, he had brought a mere sixty-plus sheets. They were really making a fuss over nothing.

“Let me examine them…”

Manager Yan began a hands-on inspection while Qin Lu remained silent, quietly watching him flip through sheet by sheet.

Moments later, Manager Yan put down the talismans, looking thoroughly convinced. “These talismans all belong to the top grade. Tsk, tsk. Fellow Daoist Qin is truly a genius.”

“Manager Yan is overpraising me!” Qin Lu chuckled happily, paused, then probed, “Then, shall we proceed according to the previously agreed price?”

“Of course! Three Spirit Stones per sheet!”

Manager Yan waved his hand, and a stream of Spirit Stones flew from his sleeve, landing steadily atop the table surface.

“This is two hundred and four Spirit Stones. Fellow Daoist Qin, please check and receive them!”

“Good!”