Xu Yanqiu’s gaze lingered on Lu Chi’s face for a long time, as if he were seeing him for the first time.

  Among the three of them, in terms of cultivation level, he was indeed the lowest.

  But in terms of age, he was actually the youngest.

  Moreover, he was the only one among them with a middle?grade spiritual root.

  At the very beginning of cultivation, the quality of one’s spiritual roots determined everything.

  The lowest were the False Spiritual Roots.

  Above those came the Lower?grade, Middle?grade, and High?grade Spiritual Roots, and even further above were the Earth?grade and Heaven?grade Spiritual Roots.

  Throughout the vast world of immortal cultivation, a middle?grade spiritual root was already considered respectable talent, enough to enter a proper sect or a cultivation family and be taken seriously.

  It was precisely because of this that Xu Yanqiu, despite his youth, possessed such high ambitions.

  He was willing to sell his family’s spirit fields, cutting off his own retreat, just to join the Shen family, firmly believing that he would one day become an Alchemist.

  He never expected that at this very moment, he would learn that Lu Chi—whom he had always seen as the most unremarkable of the three, the one who seemed to struggle the most with cultivation—had actually stepped ahead of him and become a Talisman Master.

  This gap had nothing to do with spiritual roots or age. Lu Chi had genuinely surpassed him.

  How could this not shock him?

  Zhou Jinyan laughed heartily, slapping his thigh. “You kid! Before, you always relied on your good aptitude to speak without restraint, acting all mature and worldly, even lecturing me sometimes.”

  “Today, I finally got to see you surprised. I’ve been waiting for this moment.”

  Xu Yanqiu’s face turned pale, then flushed red under his teasing, but he couldn’t retort, only letting out a cold snort.

  Seeing this, Lu Chi could only offer a wry smile and nod. “I have indeed stepped onto the path of a Talisman Master. If you ever need talismans in the future, Brother Xu, you’re welcome to come find me.”

  As he finished speaking, he raised a hand, and the small jade box containing the Revitalizing Grass was smoothly stored in the pouch at his waist. His movements were natural, without the slightest hesitation.

  This scene drew another thoughtful glance from both Zhou Jinyan and Xu Yanqiu, who were watching.

  “You’ve even acquired something like that?”

  After the initial surprise, Zhou Jinyan understood. This was most likely something Lu Chi had obtained through his transaction with Cao Zhen.

  Understanding was one thing, but his gaze still lingered on the storage pouch a moment longer, a trace of unconcealed envy flashing in his eyes.

  The shock on Xu Yanqiu’s face hadn’t fully faded, but his confidence had clearly been deflated.

  He snorted coldly, a note of stubborn pride in his tone. “So what if you’re a Talisman Master? It’s your birthday today, and it’s just the three of us having a small, quiet gathering.”

  “I imagine you can only draw first?rank, lower?grade talismans for now. Your reputation is still shallow—you’ll need to put in a lot more work.”

  “When I truly become an Alchemist in the future, the visitors at my gate won’t be limited to a scene like today. By then, I might not still be behind you.”

  Right at that moment, a commotion suddenly arose from outside the house.

  The three of them looked up almost simultaneously, already sensing several auras approaching from outside.

  “It must be Brother Cao and the others.”

  Zhou Jinyan was startled for a moment, then smiled. He turned to explain to Lu Chi, “Today, I took the liberty of inviting Brother Cao, as well as a few fellow cultivators who purchased Spirit?Gathering Talismans last time. I thought this would be a good chance for you to meet. I hope you don’t mind the presumption.”

  Lu Chi nodded slightly, showing no displeasure.

  These people were cultivators he had done business with before. He happened to have some questions on his mind for this trip and had also wanted to seize the opportunity to ask them directly.

  Xu Yanqiu raised an eyebrow slightly and asked casually, “What cultivation levels are the visitors?”

  Zhou Jinyan laughed. “Brother Cao is at the fifth layer of Qi Refinement. The others are mostly fellow cultivators at the fourth or third layer of Qi Refinement.”

  Having said that, he laughed heartily again. “Lu Chi can now draw first?rank, mid?grade talismans. The way I see it, even if some late?stage Qi Refinement old monster showed up, it wouldn’t be impossible.”

  A first?rank, mid?grade Talisman Master!

  Xu Yanqiu was momentarily speechless. He opened his mouth, then whispered, “The path of talismans… is it really that easy? If I had gone to become a talisman?mender back then…”

  The courtyard gate opened, and voices grew louder.

  “I’ve heard of Talisman Master Lu. Today, invited by Fellow Daoist Zhou, I have the honor of witnessing your esteemed presence. Taking advantage of this auspicious occasion, I wish Talisman Master Lu a long life on the immortal path and success in every talisman you craft.”

  “Some time ago, I benefited greatly from Talisman Master Lu’s Spirit?Gathering Talismans, and my cultivation progressed smoothly. I’ve come specially today to offer my congratulations.”

  “My cultivation is shallow, and my manners in offering birthday wishes may be lacking. I only wish for Talisman Master Lu’s talisman?crafting to advance ever further and hope for your continued guidance in the days to come.”

  Led by Cao Zhen, several people filed in. Just as Zhou Jinyan had said, they were mostly cultivators at the third or fourth layer of Qi Refinement, each carrying simple, modest gifts.

  Lu Chi accepted them all one by one, greeting them with smiles and perfect courtesy. Yet, he couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotion rise within.

  In the past, his days had been cold and lonely. When had anyone ever celebrated his birthday like this?

  He was not inflated by this.

  Most of these people had come today solely for the title of "Talisman Master."

  Human relationships ultimately revolved around interests.

  Seeing that although Lu Chi was a Talisman Master, he did not put on airs, spoke modestly, and remained composed, the newcomers felt a sense of closeness.

  After a few words were exchanged, the atmosphere in the courtyard quickly warmed.

  After entering the courtyard, they also greeted Zhou Jinyan casually.

  Their words were brief but still quite familiar.

  When it was Xu Yanqiu's turn, someone casually exchanged a few pleasantries with him as well.

  However, he merely nodded slightly and responded indifferently, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.

  Seeing his cold response and sensing that they hadn’t met in a long time and that their rapport had faded, the others said no more and soon shifted their attention elsewhere.

  Lu Chi’s gaze paused slightly among the group and settled on a female cultivator.

  After a moment of hesitation, he asked, “And who might this be?”

  The female cultivator was a beautiful woman in formal robes, standing to one side of the crowd.

  The first impression she gave called to mind a line of poetry: “Twin snow?capped peaks press against Mount Wu, mist?veiled ridges half?revealed in secluded valleys.”

  Her figure was full and curvaceous, entirely different from the slender female cultivators commonly seen in the market district.

  Though her clothing was of ordinary style, it fit her well, clearly outlining her curves, and her movements carried a presence that was impossible to ignore.

  Her face was not exceptionally beautiful, but her features were dignified, her expression gentle, and in her eyes lay a trace of the calm that comes from worldly experience.

  It was the bearing of a mature woman, far removed from that of a young female cultivator.

  She stood not far from Cao Zhen, and the two spoke together quite naturally.

  Looking more closely, Lu Chi realized that this female cultivator was also at the fifth layer of Qi Refinement—the highest cultivation among those present.

  The beautiful woman smiled faintly and said calmly, “I am Qin Suniang, sect master of Mistvale Sect. I pay my respects to Talisman Master Lu.”

  Hearing this, Lu Chi felt a stir in his heart.

  Mistvale Sect… He had long heard of this small sect located on Mistvale Ridge in the southern part of Dongyue County.

  Though not large, the sect operated a Moon?Veil Pavilion in the market district, specializing in cultivation robes, hair ornaments, and other personal accessories. The materials were exquisite and the craftsmanship meticulous, earning a good reputation among female cultivators.

  He vaguely recalled that the sect master of Mistvale Sect was a male cultivator at the late stage of Qi Refinement.

  Glancing back at Qin Suniang, Lu Chi secretly wondered: Could this person be that sect master’s Dao companion?

  This Cao Zhen, with his rough appearance, dark skin, and usual reticence, stood before others like a block of wood—yet he seemed rather close to this beautiful woman.

  Thinking of his surname, Cao, Lu Chi suddenly had some strange thoughts and felt the man’s name was quite fitting.

  “I heard Fellow Daoist Cao mention Talisman Master Lu before. It is said that Talisman Master Lu achieved much at a young age. Seeing you in person today, indeed you do not disappoint—able to draw mid?grade talismans in your twenties, and with such extraordinary bearing.”

  Qin Suniang’s tone was gentle yet self?possessed. She took out a small jade box and offered it.

  “This is a Beauty?Nourishing Pill. It is but a simple birthday gift—a small token, hardly enough to express my respect.”

  Suddenly, everyone’s gaze involuntarily fell upon that jade box.

  Although the Beauty?Nourishing Pill did not aid cultivation, it was a first?rank pill. After taking it, one could appear several years younger—a rarity for female cultivators.

  Its value was no less than that of spirit herbs or spirit wines, only its use was different.

  What was even more unexpected was that Qin Suniang, having just met Lu Chi, would present such a precious pill.

  Compared with her, the gifts prepared by the others who had come with Cao Zhen—including Cao Zhen himself—were merely ordinary birthday presents, mostly spirit herbs and spirit wines worth only ten or twenty taels of spirit sand at most.

  Lu Chi felt somewhat hesitant inwardly, thinking this gift too valuable. Seeing the other party’s calm expression, he had to maintain his composure as usual. He cupped his hands in thanks and placed the jade box into his storage pouch.

  Once the item was stored away, he secretly let out a sigh of relief.

  The storage pouch he had bought with five or six spirit stones now seemed just right.

  Without it, the gifts received in this courtyard alone would have kept him busy and flustered.

  The thought crossed his mind, and he felt a strange sense of relaxation.

  This birthday gathering—just a small get?together—with spirit herbs, pills, and miscellaneous gifts added together, turned out to be worth more than one or two spirit stones.

  No wonder there were always cultivators in the market district who, as they grew older and their cultivation stagnated, became overly keen on hosting banquets, gatherings, and discussions. So there was such reasoning behind it.

  This birthday really was… quite profitable. Maybe he wouldn’t do it every year… but once every ten years would be fine.