Chapter 525

Inside the Treasure Pavilion, silence reigned.

Seeing Lu Qing remain quiet, the Tower Master of the Treasure Pavilion simply waited patiently, not pressing him.

Though she was eager for talent and truly wished for Lu Qing to join the Pavilion, she understood this wasn’t something that could be forced—it had to be his decision.

Lu Qing’s origins were shrouded in mystery, and it was clear he bore a powerful inheritance. His background was unlikely to be simple.

Though the Treasure Pavilion had deep roots and vast resources, they had no desire to make enemies lightly.

Lu Qing was indeed weighing his options.

Initially, his purpose in selling the Thunderclap Talismans had been to draw the attention of the Treasure Pavilion.

He had hoped to establish cooperation with them, using the low-cost production of Thunderclap Talismans to earn and accumulate spirit stones.

What he hadn't expected was that the Pavilion did take notice—far more than he had anticipated.

They were actually offering him the position of Chief Talisman Master.

No wonder that thin, middle-aged man—Master Qiu—had shown hostility toward him earlier.

It seemed the so-called Chief Talisman Master position had been his goal as well.

After a while, Lu Qing finally lifted his head to look at the Pavilion Master.

“Pavilion Master, may I ask—if I agree to your offer, what benefits would I receive in return?”

The Pavilion Master smiled.

That he asked this meant he was tempted.

She immediately said, “As for compensation, rest assured that we won’t let you suffer, Fellow Daoist Lu. Everything can be negotiated. Please, come with me to a private room so we may discuss this in detail.”

“Very well,” Lu Qing agreed with pleasure.

He was also curious—just how generous could the Treasure Pavilion truly be?

Seeing Lu Qing follow the Pavilion Master into the private room, Master Qiu’s expression darkened.

He knew then that the matter of that young man being appointed Chief Talisman Master was likely already settled.

The Pavilion Master had always been generous, never stingy with rewards for true talent.

He believed that few could resist the rewards she offered.

Still, thinking of how he had schemed and planned for so long for that position…

Only to have it snatched away by a mere youth—Master Qiu could hardly feel cheerful.

Worse yet, he had offended that youth thoroughly today.

In the future, he was likely to suffer under that young man’s hand.

At that thought, Master Qiu’s expression grew even gloomier.

Just then, Master Wang’s voice rang out again. “It seems our Treasure Pavilion will soon gain a new Chief Talisman Master. I must prepare a gift and humbly seek his guidance in the art of talismans.

Unlike some people, who barked like mad dogs without even understanding the situation.

Now they probably won’t even have the chance to apologize, much less to ask for guidance.”

“Hmph!”

Master Qiu’s expression turned even uglier. With a cold flick of his sleeve, he turned and left.

Meanwhile, Master Wang felt quite pleased.

Qiu Rong had been increasingly arrogant of late. Since all pretenses were already dropped, there was no need to hold back anymore.

Still, his earlier words hadn’t been idle.

He truly did intend to prepare a gift and seek guidance from Lu Qing on the path of talismans.

“I wonder what kind of treasure Fellow Daoist Lu might appreciate...”

...

“The monthly offering is thirty mid-grade spirit stones. The materials for refining artifacts and talismans will be provided by our Pavilion.

Any spirit stones earned from sales will be split fifty-fifty.

Additionally, should you wish to purchase materials or treasures from us, you will receive a fifty-percent discount.

Fellow Daoist Lu, are these terms to your satisfaction?”

Elsewhere, in the private room, the Pavilion Master spoke to Lu Qing.

Lu Qing’s expression remained calm, though he was inwardly impressed.

He had to admit—the Pavilion Master’s terms were incredibly generous.

Just the thirty mid-grade spirit stones per month alone was already a fortune.

Converted to low-grade spirit stones, that was three thousand.

Back in his home world, when he had inherited the full legacy of two Golden Core outsiders and scoured for every last treasure, even that still fell short of this amount.

And now, this was merely the Pavilion’s monthly offering.

Not to mention, if he crafted and sold talismans, he would also receive a share of the profits.

Still, Lu Qing didn’t immediately agree.

Instead, he smiled and asked, “Such generous terms truly overwhelm me, Pavilion Master. But may I ask—what would I need to give in return?”

The Pavilion Master noted his calm demeanor and nodded inwardly.

The offer she made would be tempting even to a cultivator at the initial stage of the Nascent Soul Realm.

Yet Lu Qing remained unmoved, which showed the strength of his character.

It only reinforced her belief that Lu Qing’s background was far from ordinary.

Had he been a Golden Core cultivator of humble origins, he would’ve already agreed on the spot.

“Fellow Daoist Lu need not offer anything else. Our Treasure Pavilion has always sought out talent and holds those on the path of cultivation in great regard.

With your skill in talismans, agreeing to serve as our Chief Talisman Master is more than enough.”

Lu Qing’s heart trembled slightly, and he looked at the woman before him with newfound respect.

His decision was nearly made.

But he still said solemnly, “The Pavilion Master is truly magnanimous—Lu Qing is impressed. However, there’s one matter I wish to make clear.

My purpose in coming to the Xiao Cang Realm is to seek entry into the Tianyuan Great World for further tempering.

Once I’ve gathered enough spirit stones, I may not remain here for long.”

“So that’s what it is. You needn’t worry about that, Fellow Daoist,” the Pavilion Master replied with a smile. “Of those Golden Core cultivators who come to the Xiao Cang Realm, how many don’t wish to enter the Tianyuan Great World?

It’s only natural—you need not hold back.

If, one day, you wish to leave, you may do so at any time. Our Treasure Pavilion will never stand in your way.

Moreover, if you wish to enter the Tianyuan Great World, I may be able to offer you an alternate path when the time comes.”

“Oh? What kind of path might that be?” Lu Qing was intrigued.

He had planned to buy passage with spirit stones—both for himself and for Xiaoli and Wuxing. It would take a large sum.

If there were another method, he was more than willing to hear it.

“That, I shall keep secret for now. When the time is right, you’ll naturally find out.”

The Pavilion Master offered no further details.

Lu Qing understood.

Though she said no price was required, in truth, it would still depend on his future performance.

But that was only fair—after all, the conditions they offered him were exceedingly generous.

Lu Qing spoke earnestly, “Since the Pavilion Master holds me in such regard, then I shall respectfully accept.”

“Then allow me to welcome you, Fellow Daoist Lu, to our Treasure Pavilion,” the Pavilion Master said with a smile.

Of course, the position of Chief Talisman Master in the Treasure Pavilion was no trifling matter.

In the end, Lu Qing and the Pavilion Master signed a contract and each made a Soul Oath, formally confirming his new status as Chief Talisman Master.

“Fellow Daoist Lu, I’ve already ordered a banquet to be prepared in your honor, to welcome and cleanse the dust of travel. Would you care to join?”

After signing the contract, the Pavilion Master was clearly in high spirits and extended the invitation with a smile.

“May I trouble you to wait a moment? I still have a few things to retrieve from my inn. Once I return, I will gladly attend the banquet.”

The position of Chief Talisman Master at the Treasure Pavilion naturally came with a personal cultivation cave.

So Lu Qing planned to return and check out of his inn room.

After all, he had placed a deposit of one mid-grade spirit stone there. If he stayed past today, another ten low-grade spirit stones would be deducted.

"Very well. Once Fellow Daoist Lu has settled in, we can drink and talk at leisure," the Pavilion Master agreed readily, without pressing the issue.

After Lu Qing left, a figure with a suppressed and obscure aura silently appeared behind the Pavilion Master.

"Miss, why offer him such generous terms?

Though his talisman crafting skills are indeed refined, his cultivation is still shallow. I doubt he can yet create any truly powerful talismans.

Compared to a real Talisman Grandmaster, he is still far behind."

The shadowy figure—Fu Bo—asked in confusion.

The terms offered by the young lady could have easily recruited a seasoned Talisman Grandmaster. He truly didn’t understand why such generosity was being shown to a mere middle-stage, third-transformation Golden Core cultivator.

"Because he’s worth the price," the Pavilion Master replied calmly.

Fu Bo was stunned.

"Fu Bo, you've followed me for so many years—have I ever misjudged someone?"

Fu Bo shook his head. "Never. You have far-sighted vision. You’ve never been wrong."

He truly admired her from the bottom of his heart.

Back when he followed her from the Tianyuan Great World, he had thought they would spend the rest of their lives in quiet exile.

But he never imagined that she would, with her own abilities, carve out a place for herself in the Xiao Cang Realm.

Outsiders believed that a woman like her could only control such a massive trading company as the Treasure Pavilion by relying on powerful connections from the Tianyuan Great World.

Only he knew that—aside from borrowing a certain person’s name early on—everything since then had been built with her own hands, her own insight and strategy.

"You know the cultivation method I practice is quite unique.

As long as there’s not too great a gap in cultivation, I can almost always see through a person’s fate and background.

But just now, when Fellow Daoist Lu stood before me, I used a secret art to observe his fate.

What I saw was completely clear, as if nothing was hidden.

Yet at the same time, I had a strong sense that what I was seeing… was a façade.

As though the fate before me was something he deliberately allowed me to see.

Only those peerless powerhouses who have walked far down the path of Nascent Soul cultivation have ever given me this feeling.

And yet, this was from a mere mid-grade Golden Core cultivator...

In short, this Fellow Daoist Lu's identity and origins are absolutely not simple.

I can sense it—if we ally with him, he may become a tremendous source of help in the future."

The Pavilion Master spoke slowly, her eyes gleaming with a strange light.

"Is that so!" Fu Bo was shaken.

He knew well how mysterious her cultivation art was. It was the very reason a certain someone had once tried to take her as a concubine.

To think that even her secret technique couldn’t see through that young man’s fate…

"I spoke out of turn. Please forgive me, Miss." Fu Bo immediately bowed.

"You were only concerned for me, Fu Bo. Now go prepare the banquet. Make sure everything is worthy of the Treasure Pavilion’s hospitality," she instructed.

"Yes."

After Fu Bo left, the Pavilion Master stood in silence for a long while.

Only then did she whisper softly, “Back then, I burned a hundred years of my life to use the secret art and glimpse a thread of fate.

Following destiny’s guidance, I came to the Xiao Cang Realm.

So many years have passed, and I still haven’t found a way to avert my death tribulation.

Until today—for the first time, I felt a change in my fate.

Could it be that the one who can break my fated calamity… is you?”

...

"Ah Qing, that Pavilion Master… seems unusual," a voice echoed in Lu Qing’s mind as he stepped out of the Treasure Pavilion.

"Oh? You sensed it too?" Lu Qing was mildly surprised.

But remembering Xiaoli’s extraordinary sensory powers, he wasn’t too shocked.

"Yes, I could sense a very strange power lying dormant within her. If released, it would be terrifying."

Xiaoli’s voice carried a rare weight.

"Indeed, the Pavilion Master isn’t as simple as she appears.

But that has nothing to do with us. As long as she doesn’t mean us harm, it’s all fine."

Lu Qing responded with indifference.

In this world, who didn’t have secrets?

Especially someone managing a vast trading empire like the Treasure Pavilion—it was perfectly normal to have hidden trump cards for survival.

His purpose in joining the Pavilion was simple: to craft talismans and quickly accumulate enough spirit stones to enter the Tianyuan Great World.

He had no interest in meddling in anything else.

“Still, ‘dual souls by birth, fate-divining divine ability’—the secrets on that Pavilion Master are intriguing indeed.”

Lu Qing recalled the information he had previously divined with his special ability, and a strange look flickered in his eyes.

Once back at the inn, Lu Qing checked out of his rented upper room.

After retrieving the remainder of his deposit, he returned to the Treasure Pavilion.

There, Master Wang was already waiting in the front hall.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, the Pavilion Master has already prepared the banquet. Please, allow me to escort you."

"Many thanks, Master Wang."

Lu Qing followed Master Wang into a magnificent hall.

Inside was a long jade table, overflowing with delicacies and fine dishes.

The Pavilion Master and Master Zhao were already present, along with several others.

On either side of the hall stood two rows of graceful maidservants, hands folded before them.

“Fellow Daoist Lu has arrived—please, have a seat.”

As Lu Qing entered with Master Wang, the Pavilion Master immediately stepped forward.

The others all rose to greet him as well.

Though some among them held positions no lower than Chief Talisman Master, they could clearly see how much the Pavilion Master valued Lu Qing, and were happy to give him face.

Especially when they saw her personally escort Lu Qing to the seat of honor—many exchanged glances once again.

It was obvious now just how highly she regarded Lu Qing.

“Everyone, today’s banquet is held specially in honor of Fellow Daoist Lu Qing.

His mastery of the talisman arts is otherworldly—truly awe-inspiring.

We are honored that he has not found our humble Pavilion beneath him, and is willing to serve as our Chief Talisman Master.

From this day forth, all matters related to talismans within the Pavilion shall be under his charge. I hope everyone will keep this in mind.”

Once everyone was seated, the Pavilion Master announced solemnly.