Chapter 20

As the sky just began to brighten, Xiaonao yawned and got up with sleepy eyes.

He was originally a street thug, not very old, but with a very sharp mind. A month ago, he was spotted by the owner of Zhang's General Store, Zhang Dayong, and luckily became a paid apprentice.

However, for nearly half a month, he had been helping Zhang Dayong with another task, acting as a sales clerk.

Opening the store door, a dense crowd had already gathered, blocking the entrance tightly.

"Open up! Brother Xiaonao, I want to order three Cone-Breaking Talismans, the new model!"

"Xiaonao, it's your neighbor Uncle Li. Do you still have the basic Green Wood Talismans with the power of a second-grade talisman?"

"Don't fight with me, everyone! I've been queuing for three days just to buy a Gold Blade Talisman for my son's protection. Whoever fights with me, I'll fight back!"

"I am a teacher from Tianfeng Talisman Academy in Songyan City. I'm here to meet the master who created the new basic talismans. Can Brother Xiaonao introduce me?"

...

The noisy voices buzzed, and the crowd pushed and shoved, completely disregarding their image, as if they were at a market grabbing goods.

Xiaonao was already used to this. Since the new Earth Shield Talismans created by Chen Xi spread out half a month ago, Zhang's General Store had become famous overnight in Songyan City.

Seizing this opportunity, Store Owner Zhang Dayong even posted a shocking announcement: "Master Talisman Maker personally crafted, the grand annual offering of our store, the ingeniously crafted new basic talismans are now available. You deserve to own them!"

The announcement was very impressive and indeed attracted a lot of attention, but since they were basic talismans, many people still doubted the authenticity of the news.

However, when Zhang Dayong casually revealed that General Qin's little princess had already purchased fifteen new basic Earth Shield Talismans, the threshold of Zhang's General Store was instantly overwhelmed.

In Songyan City, who didn't know that General Qin's little princess was a talisman enthusiast? If this new basic talisman could catch her eye, it must be good.

Zhang Dayong was overjoyed. He had planned this all along. When he saw Chen Xi continuously create various basic talismans with completely different patterns, he had foreseen the current situation. However, Chen Xi's new talismans were only about seven or eight types, and the quantity was extremely limited. To make the most of this valuable resource, he decided to sell only ten new basic talismans each day.

Rarity makes things valuable, the rarer, the more precious!

Zhang Dayong, who had been in business for thirty years, naturally understood this. To avoid being approached by acquaintances or powerful people, he had already gone into hiding, leaving everything to Xiaonao to manage.

"Everyone, check your numbers. Those I call can come in, the rest come back tomorrow." Xiaonao shouted loudly: "Number 155, 156..."

He called out ten numbers in a row. Those who were called were delighted, while those who weren't grumbled and complained, pleading, trying to pull strings, or even threatening... a vivid picture of human nature.

Xiaonao kept a straight face, unmoved, but inside, he couldn't help but feel a strong sense of envy.

He had once mocked Chen Xi as a bad omen, just like other talisman apprentices. Who would have thought that this "bad omen" would cause such a stir one day?

If it weren't for the store owner's strict instructions not to reveal Chen Xi's identity, he would have thought that just by creating new basic talismans, Chen Xi could change the entire Songyan City's impression of him!

Is this guy really going to wash away his bad luck and become a prominent figure?

Xiaonao secretly decided that he must respect Chen Xi in the future. If Chen Xi really becomes successful and helps him along the way, wouldn't that be a huge gain? However, Chen Xi hadn't shown up for over ten days. If he doesn't appear soon, the new basic talismans will run out...

In front of Chen Xi's house in the civilian area of Songyan City.

Lu Chong looked at the girl in a simple dress sitting on the stone steps, sighing inwardly. What a pity, a little princess from the General's residence, to squat in front of Chen Xi's house for over ten days just for some talismans? No wonder she's called a "little talisman enthusiast."

Lu Chong was the top expert under the General's residence in Songyan City, with unfathomable cultivation. He was slender, with long arms and bright eyes.

He was now hiding in the shadows, like a vigilant leopard, constantly observing the surroundings.

Qin Hongmian was obsessed with talismans but naive and innocent like a child. Running alone to the mixed civilian area, she could easily encounter danger. Lu Chong's task was to protect her and ensure her safety.

I wonder where that "bad omen" has gone, making us and the young lady suffer for over ten days. What a detestable scoundrel!

Lu Chong grumbled inwardly.

...

In the Li family's martial arts hall.

The butler Wu had a solemn expression and said, "According to reliable information, the target is likely to leave Qingxi Tavern today. Li Han, Li Feng, Li Zhan, you three are skilled in stealth and assassination. Tonight, you will be the main force, and you must leave no traces."

"Understood!"

The three young men, with steady and ruthless expressions, responded in unison.

"Good! This battle concerns the reputation of our Li family. I will also go personally. After success, I will recommend to the family head that you three be allowed to cultivate in the Ancestral Hall."

Wu butler nodded in satisfaction. These three brothers were all at the Eighth Stage of the Innate Realm. Together, they could defeat a cultivator at the Perfect Innate Realm. Dealing with a mere Third Stage Innate Realm cultivator would be a piece of cake!

Cultivate in the Ancestral Hall?

The three Li brothers were all shocked, their faces showing indescribable excitement.

Seeing this, Wu butler couldn't help but smile happily. It's been exactly a month, what a perfect opportunity. He could already see the prey struggling futilely in front of him...

Qingxi Tavern.

The small black room, which had been closed for nearly half a month, was opened from the outside. When they saw the inside, Old Ma, Qiao Nan, and Pei Wei all opened their mouths wide, their expressions freezing.

The mountain of materials had disappeared, and the empty room only had Chen Xi sitting alone, eyes closed in meditation, standing out prominently.

"Did this guy eat all the ingredients?" Qiao Nan exclaimed, "Those ingredients were enough to feed an ordinary cultivator for ten years!"

"Brother Chen Xi is not only handsome but also has such a fierce appetite. Hmm, a man like this is worth falling in love with," the charming and flirtatious Pei Wei said, falling into a daze.

Old Ma had already seen Chen Xi's extraordinary eating ability, but even he couldn't help but feel a chill. He muttered, "I've taken on a bizarre glutton as a disciple. I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse. How can he eat so much?"

"Brother, come and look. These seem to be dishes cooked by Little Brother Chen Xi." Pei Wei walked to the kitchen counter and saw a row of jade plates filled with various dishes, quickly calling out.

Old Ma and Qiao Nan came to the kitchen counter and looked at the row of dishes with different colors but all visually appealing. Their expressions became serious and solemn.

"This fried black eel is excellent, the texture and flavor are top-notch, and the spiritual energy is pure. Qualified."

"Yes, this Green Fire Steamed Meat is also excellent, reaching the top level in all aspects. What's particularly surprising is that he used the Yin-attribute Huaxi Grass to wrap the White Willow Beef Tendon to counteract the earthy smell of the Wood Insect Cicada. This idea is truly ingenious, simply breathtaking."

"The Purple Fragrant Beans, Red Cinnamon Fruit, and Hazelnut Grass... This porridge made from a hundred kinds of spiritual fruits is delicious, sweet and refreshing, with a soft and smooth texture. Hmm, I wonder how Little Brother Chen Xi thought of this. It seems to have the additional function of beautifying and nourishing."

The three Three-Leaf Spirit Chefs tasted each dish in turn, praising them one after another, their eyes filled with increasing surprise.

"Brother, you truly have a keen eye. With Chen Xi as a disciple, there's no worry about passing on your legacy," Qiao Nan said with admiration. "Seeing Chen Xi reminds me of myself when I was young, equally brilliant and..."

Old Ma ignored this self-absorbed guy and said proudly, "My disciple has now reached the One-Leaf Spirit Chef stage. Next, I will adopt a stricter training method to make him..."

"Wait, give me my salary for these days first. I need to go home." Chen Xi suddenly stood up, interrupting Old Ma's words, his tone quite impolite.

He couldn't be polite. Old Ma had thrown him into the small black room without a word and kept him there for over ten days. Anyone would be in a bad mood.

This kid is getting a temper. Does a disciple speak to his master like this?

Old Ma's eyes widened, about to get angry, but then he seemed to notice something and exclaimed, "Your cultivation..."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Nan and Pei Wei also noticed Chen Xi's change.

The previous Chen Xi was tall and slender, young but with a steady and dull demeanor, like a sealed sword, inward and unassuming.

However, now he had a unique sharpness, and his every move, though seemingly the same as before, gave off a subtle pressure.

"I have indeed advanced."

Chen Xi replied. These days, he had spent most of his time cooking dishes besides meditating. He hadn't expected that his realm would soar, and he had unknowingly broken through to the Eighth Stage of the Innate Realm!

"I see."

Old Ma looked at the empty room and instantly understood everything. Although the mountain of ingredients was just barely qualified, they all contained a thread of pure spiritual energy. Chen Xi, being at the Innate Realm, had advanced after consuming so much.

Old Ma didn't know that Chen Xi had not only advanced in cultivation to the Eighth Stage of the Innate Realm but had also cultivated the "Zhou Tian Star Slaying Body Tempering Technique" to the third stage, reaching the Water Twisting Sinew level, capable of attracting the soft water star煞 to twist and knead his bones and sinews!

The current Chen Xi had a skin like copper and bones like iron, his body tempered to be supple and strong. This was why his demeanor had subtly changed, full of vitality, no longer the weak appearance of before.

Seeing Chen Xi's calm and determined expression, Old Ma seemed to realize that simply forcing Chen Xi to focus on culinary arts was unrealistic. He decided to give Chen Xi a few days off and tossed him a treasure pouch. "This is your salary for the past fifteen days. Since you want to go home, I won't stop you, but come back quickly. Don't waste your culinary talent."

Getting the spirit stones and a treasure pouch, Chen Xi's anger from the past few days subsided. He nodded and hurriedly left.

Walking out of Qingxi Tavern, seeing the long-missed sunlight and blue sky, Chen Xi felt a sense of being reborn. Leaving the small black room felt... so good!

Without lingering, Chen Xi hurried home. However, halfway there, he suddenly felt a chill, as if being watched by a venomous snake in the dark.

Without hesitation, he stopped and turned to look into the distance.

At this moment, Chen Xi was on high alert, his entire body's aura bursting forth, like a spear piercing the sky, with an overwhelming momentum!