https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-524-Astonishing-All-the-Chief-Talisman-Master/13464527/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-526-Multitasking-and-Frenzied-Talisman-Crafting/13464532/
Chapter 525: Joining, the Fate Insight
Chapter 525: Joining, the Fate Insight
Silence hung heavy in the Treasure Pavilion.
Seeing Lu Qing’s silence, the Pavilion Mistress quietly waited, not urging him.
Though she was eager for talent and truly hoped Lu Qing would join the Treasure Pavilion, she knew this was not something that could be forced. It all depended on Lu Qing’s own decision.
Lu Qing’s background was shrouded in mystery, and it was clear he carried a powerful legacy. His origins were likely not insignificant.
Though the Treasure Pavilion had a deep foundation, they did not wish to offend anyone unnecessarily.
Lu Qing was indeed weighing the options.
Initially, his purpose in selling the Thunder Shock Talisman was to attract the Treasure Pavilion’s attention, hoping to collaborate and earn spirit stones by selling low-cost talismans.
However, the Treasure Pavilion’s reaction was far more intense than he had anticipated.
They actually wanted to invite him to serve as the Chief Talisman Master.
No wonder that thin middle-aged man, Master Qiu, had been hostile toward him.
It seemed the position of Chief Talisman Master was also a goal for Master Qiu.
After some thought, Lu Qing finally looked up at the Pavilion Mistress.
"Mistress, if I were to accept your invitation, what benefits would I receive?"
The Pavilion Mistress smiled.
The fact that Lu Qing asked this question indicated he was interested.
She immediately replied, "In terms of benefits, we won’t let you down, Daoist Lu. Everything is negotiable. Please follow me to a private room for a detailed discussion."
"Very well." Lu Qing agreed readily.
He also wanted to know what kind of offer the Treasure Pavilion could make.
Seeing Lu Qing follow the Pavilion Mistress into the private room, Master Qiu’s mood darkened.
He knew that the position of Chief Talisman Master was likely to be given to that young man.
The Pavilion Mistress was always generous and never stinted on rewarding true talent.
He believed few could refuse the rewards she offered.
However, the thought that a young upstart had taken a position he had meticulously planned for was infuriating.
Worse still, his behavior today had already seriously offended the young man.
He would likely face retaliation in the future.
At this thought, Master Qiu’s expression grew even more somber.
Just then, Master Wang’s voice rang out, "It seems our Treasure Pavilion will have a new Chief Talisman Master. I should prepare a gift to properly seek Daoist Lu’s guidance on talismans.
Unlike someone who barked like a mad dog without understanding anything.
Now, he probably won’t even have the chance to apologize, let alone seek guidance."
"Hmph!"
Master Qiu’s face darkened even further, and he swept his sleeve and left.
Master Wang felt a surge of satisfaction.
Master Qiu had been getting more and more out of hand lately. Since they had now shown their true colors, there would be no more pretense in the future.
However, his words were not mere talk.
He genuinely planned to prepare a gift and seek Lu Qing’s guidance on talismans.
"I wonder what kind of treasure this Daoist Lu likes?"
...
"The monthly stipend is thirty medium-grade spirit stones. Daoist Lu, the materials for crafting talismans will be provided by our Treasure Pavilion.
The spirit stones from sales will be split fifty-fifty.
Additionally, you will enjoy a fifty percent discount on all materials and treasures purchased from our Treasure Pavilion.
Daoist Lu, are you satisfied with these conditions?"
In the private room, the Pavilion Mistress asked Lu Qing.
Lu Qing’s expression remained calm, but inwardly he was impressed.
The Pavilion Mistress’s offer was truly generous.
Just the monthly stipend of thirty medium-grade spirit stones was a huge sum.
Converted to low-grade spirit stones, that would be a staggering three thousand.
Back in his homeland, the legacy of the two Core Formation Realm outsiders he had inherited, along with the spirit stones he had accumulated, did not come close to this amount.
And this was just the monthly stipend from the Treasure Pavilion.
Not to mention, he would also receive a share of the profits from the talismans he crafted.
However, Lu Qing did not immediately accept.
He smiled and said, "Such generous terms are truly flattering. Mistress, may I ask what I will need to contribute?"
Seeing Lu Qing’s calm demeanor, the Pavilion Mistress nodded inwardly.
Even for a powerhouse at the Initial Spirit Soul Realm, her offer was substantial.
Yet, Lu Qing remained unperturbed, a testament to his strong character.
This further confirmed her belief that Lu Qing’s background was far from ordinary.
An ordinary Core Formation Realm cultivator would likely have accepted such generous terms without hesitation.
"Brother Lu, you don’t need to offer anything in return. Our Treasure Pavilion has always been eager to attract talented individuals, and we greatly appreciate those with expertise in the Dao."
"Given your mastery of talismans, it’s enough for you to serve as our Chief Talisman Master."
Lu Qing was inwardly shaken and regarded the woman in front of him with renewed respect.
He had already made his decision but still said in a solemn voice, "Pavilion Master is indeed generous, and I admire that. However, there is one more thing I hope you understand."
"The reason I came to Xiaocang World is to train in Tianyuan World. Once I accumulate enough spirit stones, I might not stay in Xiaocang World for long."
"Ah, I see. Brother Lu, there’s no need to worry", the Pavilion Master smiled. "How many Core Formation Realm cultivators who come to Xiaocang World don’t wish to enter Tianyuan World?"
"This is only natural, and there’s no need to feel obligated."
"If you ever decide to leave, you are free to do so. Our Treasure Pavilion will not stand in your way."
"Moreover, if you wish to enter Tianyuan World, perhaps I can help you find another path."
"Oh, I wonder what kind of path that might be?" Lu Qing’s interest was piqued.
He had planned to use spirit stones to buy the right to enter Tianyuan World. Not only for himself, but also for Xiao Li and Wu Xing, which would require a substantial amount of spirit stones.
If there was another way, he would be very interested.
"I’ll keep it a secret for now. When the time is right, you will know", the Pavilion Master did not reveal the details immediately.
Lu Qing understood. Although the Pavilion Master didn’t ask for anything in return, she was still waiting to see how he would perform in the future.
However, this was reasonable, given the generous conditions she had offered.
Lu Qing said earnestly, "Thank you for your high regard, Pavilion Master. I will humbly accept your offer."
"Then I welcome you, Brother Lu, to join our Treasure Pavilion."
The Pavilion Master smiled.
Of course, the position of Chief Talisman Master at the Treasure Pavilion wasn’t something to be taken lightly. In the end, Lu Qing still had to sign a contract and swear a soul oath with her.
Only then did he officially join the Treasure Pavilion as the Chief Talisman Master.
"Pavilion Master, I’ve already instructed my subordinates to prepare a banquet to welcome you. How about joining us for a feast later?"
After signing the contract, the Pavilion Master’s mood improved greatly, and she asked with a smile.
"Could I take a moment? I need to retrieve some items from my inn. I’ll return and attend the feast afterward."
As the Chief Talisman Master, Lu Qing would naturally have his own private residence within the Treasure Pavilion.
So, he planned to check out of the inn. After all, he had deposited a medium-grade spirit stone there, and if he stayed past today, it would cost him ten more low-grade spirit stones.
"Of course, once you’ve settled in, we can celebrate together."
The Pavilion Master did not insist and readily agreed.
After Lu Qing left, a figure with a mysterious aura appeared behind the Pavilion Master.
"Miss, why did you offer him such generous terms? Although his talisman-making skills are exquisite, his cultivation is still shallow. He may not be able to create truly powerful talismans, and he falls far short of a true Master."
The mysterious figure was puzzled. The terms she had offered could even attract a genuine Master.
He couldn’t understand why she was being so generous to a mere mid-stage Core Formation Realm cultivator.
"Because he’s worth it", the Pavilion Master replied coolly.
The mysterious figure was taken aback.
"Uncle Fu, you’ve followed me for many years. Have you ever seen me make a mistake in judgment?"
Uncle Fu shook his head. "No, Miss, you have always had far-sighted vision and have never made a wrong judgment."
At this, Uncle Fu felt immense admiration.
He had followed her from Tianyuan World, initially expecting to be driven away and to live a simple life with her.
But to his surprise, she had built a significant presence in Xiaocang World through her own abilities.
People outside assumed that she controlled the Treasure Pavilion, a vast merchant house, through connections in Tianyuan World.
Only he knew that, apart from borrowing someone’s name at the beginning, she had personally handled almost everything, relying on her exceptional insight and hard work.
"Uncle Fu, you should know that the cultivation method I practice is unique. As long as the cultivation gap isn’t too great, I can almost see through a person’s destiny and background."
But just now, when this Daoist Lu was in front of me, I used a secret technique to observe him and found that his fate seemed crystal clear to me, as if there were no secrets at all. However, I also sensed a faint mist surrounding him, as if the fate presented to me was only what he deliberately showed me. In the past, only those supreme beings who had reached far into the Primordial Soul Realm could give me such a feeling. Yet, this mere mid-stage Core Formation Realm cultivator can also evoke such a sensation. In short, Daoist Lu's background is definitely not simple. I can sense that if we become friends, he might bring me great assistance in the near future."
The Lady of the Treasure Pavilion said slowly, her eyes gleaming with an unusual light.
"Is it really so!" Uncle Fu was inwardly shaken. He knew that Miss practiced a profound cultivation technique, which was why that person had wanted to take her as a concubine back then. However, he never expected that even Miss's secret technique couldn't see through the young Core Formation Realm cultivator's true nature.
"I spoke out of turn, please forgive me, Miss." Uncle Fu immediately bowed.
"Uncle Fu, you were only concerned for me. That's enough. You may go now and ensure the banquet preparations are proper, without disgracing the Treasure Pavilion's reputation."
"Yes."
After Uncle Fu left, the Lady of the Treasure Pavilion remained silent for a while before softly saying, "Back then, I expended a hundred years of my lifespan to activate a secret technique and finally glimpsed a sliver of my fate. Following the guidance of destiny, I came to this Xiaocang World. But after so many years, I still haven't found a way to break through the calamity. It wasn't until today that I first sensed a change in my own fate. Could it be that the one who can resolve my destined calamity is really you?"
...
"Ah Qing, that Lady of the Treasure Pavilion seems quite extraordinary", Xiao Li's voice echoed in Lu Qing's mind as they left the Treasure Pavilion.
"Oh, you sensed it too?" Lu Qing was somewhat surprised. But then, considering Xiao Li's extraordinary sensing abilities, he wasn't too surprised.
"Yes, I can sense a very peculiar power lurking within her. Once it erupts, it will be extremely terrifying", Xiao Li said with a serious tone.
"Indeed, the Lady of the Treasure Pavilion is not simple. Her strength is not just what it appears to be on the surface. However, this doesn't concern us as long as she doesn't act against us", Lu Qing said nonchalantly. These days, who doesn't have a few secrets? Especially as the head of such a large business, having a few life-saving trump cards is entirely normal.
His goal in joining the Treasure Pavilion was to refine talismans and quickly accumulate enough spirit stones to enter the Tianyuan World. He didn't want to get involved in other matters.
"Still, being born with dual souls and possessing the Fate Insight, the Lady of the Treasure Pavilion's secrets are indeed intriguing", Lu Qing mused, recalling the information he had gathered earlier. A hint of an indescribable expression flashed in his eyes.
After returning to the inn, Lu Qing canceled his room and reclaimed his deposit. He then returned to the Treasure Pavilion, where Master Wang was already waiting in the front hall.
"Daoist Lu, the Lady has prepared a banquet for you. Please follow me."
"Thank you, Master Wang."
Following Master Wang, Lu Qing entered a grand hall. Inside, a long jade table was set with a variety of delicacies. The Lady of the Treasure Pavilion and Master Zhao were among those present, and on either side stood rows of beautiful maidservants, hands clasped.
"Daoist Lu has arrived, please take your seat."
Seeing Lu Qing and Master Wang enter, the Lady of the Treasure Pavilion immediately approached. The others also stood up. Although some of the people present held positions equal to or even higher than that of the Chief Talisman Master, the Lady clearly held the young Core Formation Realm cultivator in high regard, so everyone was willing to give her this face. When they saw the Lady lead Lu Qing to the seat of honor, many exchanged glances, further confirming her high regard for him.
"Everyone, this banquet is in honor of Daoist Lu Qing. His talisman-making skills are extraordinary, and it is a great honor that he has agreed to serve as the Chief Talisman Master of our Treasure Pavilion. From today onward, all matters related to talismans will be under his jurisdiction. Please remember this."
After everyone was seated, the Lady of the Treasure Pavilion announced.
(End of Chapter)
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