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The shopkeeper stroked his beard and smiled, a glint of shrewdness in his eyes. "Fellow Daoist, taking four magical artifacts at once is quite a generous gesture. I hope you'll be a frequent customer in the future."

Qing Chen's heart stirred slightly. This shopkeeper was indeed quite generous, and the discount he offered wasn't small either.

But thinking about how many spirit stones he'd lost, he took a second look at the old shopkeeper's face, thinking, "This fellow must have quite a lot of spirit stones and magical artifacts."

Qing Chen's heart skipped a beat. He cupped his hands and said, "Shopkeeper, how could I refuse such generosity? I will definitely be a regular customer and repay you in the future."

The shopkeeper laughed heartily, clearly pleased with Qing Chen's straightforwardness. He said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist is indeed a straightforward person. If you need any more magical artifacts in the future, feel free to come here and choose. I will definitely give you the best price."

With the aid of these four magical artifacts, Qing Chen's strength greatly improved.

However, the spirit stones were being spent too quickly!

Six hundred spirit stones! Even after fifteen years of sect stipends, Qing Chen couldn't save enough.

...

After leaving the Hundred Refinement Pavilion, Qing Chen led Su Zixuan through the market.

After navigating several bustling streets, they finally found a rentable cave dwelling in a quiet alley. It was simple but practical.

The spiritual energy here wasn't particularly dense, but its quiet seclusion was its advantage.

"This cave dwelling has spiritual energy comparable to a mid-grade level one spirit island. It's perfect for your current cultivation level. This will be your training ground for the next five years."

Qing Chen said, expressionlessly handing thirty spirit stones to the broker.

As his fingertips touched the spirit stones, his heart ached again—thirty spirit stones! Enough to buy two bottles of Qi-Nourishing Pills!

He turned to Su Zixuan and instructed, "Keep these array formation manuals and spiritual materials safe. The art of array formations is crucial to your future; you must study them diligently and not neglect them, for I will need them greatly."

Thinking of the simple [Maze Warning Array] on Huangzhu Island that had saved him from danger several times, if he could have a decent array master to assist him...

If only Su Zixuan could set up even a few array formations, it would be an incredible windfall. Qingchen even dared to hunt down late-stage Qi Refining experts.

A glint of anticipation flashed in his eyes.

Su Zixuan bowed deeply, "Young Master, you are of great kindness. I will study diligently day and night and will never fail your expectations."

Qing Chen nodded slightly, suppressing his heartache, and took out ten spirit stones, a bottle of pills, and some scattered materials from early-stage first-tier demonic beasts, handing them over:

"Use these first. Remember, studying formations is of utmost importance. If anything happens, contact me with a communication talisman."

"Remember, the path of cultivation is long and arduous. Formations, you must, you absolutely must study them well."

Watching Su Zixuan solemnly accept the gifts, he secretly calculated whether this investment would recoup its cost.

"Zixuan understands." The girl carefully put the items away, a surge of indescribable gratitude welling up in her heart. "Young Master, I will definitely cultivate diligently and strive to break through to the formation realm as soon as possible to serve you."

Qing Chen narrowed his eyes in satisfaction.

He liked people like this, who planted a demonic seal and were grateful for kindness.

If it were a cultivator with a personality like Qing Chen's, he definitely wouldn't like them.

The Demonic Seal of the Dao Heart not only controls life and death, but also subtly instills greater trust in the imprinter in the recipient.

The Demonic Seal can be revoked, but multiple imprints are limited!

Such a grateful maid is far more useful than those cunning ones.

He casually handed Chen Zhu'er's 'Azure Steel Sword' and 'Low-Grade Storage Bag' to Su Zixuan before turning to leave.

Leaving Su Zixuan alone standing in front of the cave, watching Qingchen's departing figure for a long time.

As he walked out of the alley, Qingchen couldn't help but turn back to look at Su Zixuan.

It cost me at least a hundred spirit stones...

...

Inside the General Affairs Hall, the scents of sandalwood and spirit ink mingled.

Within the sect, the General Affairs Hall was where various miscellaneous tasks were handled, missions were handed over, and sect contribution points were collected.

For outer sect disciples, it was an important place to acquire resources and improve their status.

The hall was arranged in an orderly manner, with rows of bookshelves filled with all kinds of classics and jade slips.

Some disciples in the General Affairs Hall were engrossed in their work, busily handling various matters.

Qingchen walked straight to the task handover counter and handed his token to the disciple on duty: "Senior brother, I am Qingchen, an outer sect disciple. I've come here to hand over my task regarding guarding Huangzhu Island."

The disciple didn't even look up. He took the token, compared it to his own, and then marked a mark on his register:

"Junior brother Qingchen, your task of guarding Huangzhu Island is complete. According to sect regulations, you will receive one hundred sect contribution points. Keep it safe."

With that, he prepared to toss the token to Qingchen.

Just then, a series of soft footsteps sounded from inside the General Affairs Hall.

A middle-aged cultivator, around forty years old and dressed in black robes, slowly approached.

His face was thin, his eyes deep-set, but his complexion was somewhat pale, and he coughed occasionally.

"This must be Junior Brother Qingchen?" Mo Qiuxian approached slowly, his voice gentle.

"Greetings, Steward Mo!" The disciple who had spoken earlier hurriedly rose and bowed, and the other disciples in the hall followed suit.

Mo Qiuxian waved his hand, signaling everyone to dispense with formalities, his gaze landing on Qingchen: "I've heard that Junior Brother not only successfully completed his mission on Huangzhu Island but also broke through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining, a truly remarkable achievement."

A pill the size of a longan, radiating pure spiritual energy, appeared in his palm. "As a steward of the General Affairs Hall, I naturally feel obligated to reward you. This Qi Gathering Pill is bestowed upon you, Junior Brother. I hope you will diligently cultivate and make even greater contributions to the sect."

"Thank you for your generous gift, Steward Mo. I am deeply humbled," Qingchen bowed respectfully, his posture impeccably respectful.

He then immediately channeled his magical power to envelop his hands before accepting the pill with both hands.

The instant he received it, he immediately cast three hand seals to seal the pill before storing it in his storage bag.

Extremely cautious.

If Qingchen couldn't guess the identity of the person before him, he would truly have lived in vain; he might as well have killed himself with a piece of black iron.

Master Moqiu smiled slightly, a barely perceptible glint of light flashing in his e