A Tier Two serpent demon, equivalent to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator of the Human Race, and the poisonous mist it sprays is difficult to remove with ordinary Detoxification Pills.
"This bit of toxicity, I can suppress with Spiritual Power and slowly recover. Just the right excuse to go home," Zhao Chunsheng chuckled.
Shen Xuan was speechless for a moment.
He didn't expect that Zhao Chunsheng, a Late Stage of Qi Cultivation cultivator, would be so stingy.
Although the toxicity was mild and could be suppressed with Spiritual Power and slowly recovered.
However, over time, it would have some impact on the Dao Foundation, detrimental to future cultivation.
But judging from Zhao Chunsheng's demeanor, he wasn't too passionate about cultivation anymore.
His mind was set on earning Spirit Stones and nurturing his two sons.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have continued living in such a humble residence.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shen Xuan said some polite words wishing him a good recovery, gifted him two exquisite "Rejuvenation Talismans," and then headed back home.
In the following days, Shen Xuan returned to his routine of cultivation, talisman making, and instructing his lovely wife.
His Storage Pouch gradually filled up, accumulating over a hundred Spirit Stones.
With his current talisman-making skill, focusing on creating "Rejuvenation Talismans," he could earn 70 to 80 Spirit Stones a month.
After deducting the cost of the Spirit Gathering Array and daily expenses, he could save 40 Spirit Stones per month.
"I need to find another water-attributed demon beast whose talent I can steal!"
Shen Xuan opened the "Barbaric Wilderness Demon Beast Atlas."
There were many demon beasts in the book, but only a few met Shen Xuan's requirements.
Tier One middle grade, water attribute, abundant, cheap.
The ones that met the requirements were mostly various spirit fish, demon shrimp, and demon crabs in the Longze River.
Water-attribute demon beasts on land were not only difficult to hunt but also expensive.
After flipping through for a while, Shen Xuan finally settled on the Ironback Crab.
He used the Concealing Breath Technique to change his appearance, donned a brown short outfit, and went to the market alone.
"How much for these Ironback Crabs?"
Shen Xuan stopped in front of a street vendor.
"Six Spirit Stones each!"
One Ironback Crab weighed about two catties, translating to three Spirit Stones per catty, which was rather expensive.
With a whole crab shell, there was at most three taels of meat in one catty.
"Can you lower the price a bit? I'm sincere about buying!"
The vendor looked up at Shen Xuan.
"How many do you want?"
Shen Xuan pondered for a moment.
"Four!"
Over these days, he became increasingly familiar with the Mysterious Jade Talisman.
Each time the golden light was emitted during talent acquisition, there was a limit to the number of demon beasts it could cover.
Also, there was a certain cooldown period.
Four crabs weighing eight catties were almost the upper limit of the Mysterious Jade Talisman's golden light range.
"Eleven Spirit Stones, no less!"
"Alright. But, you must give me the biggest ones!"
Shen Xuan handed over the Spirit Stones.
The vendor skillfully tied up four Ironback Crabs with a magic rope and handed them to Shen Xuan.
"Fellow Daoist, be careful, these demon crabs are very strong, don't untie the rope."
"Thank you, I'll be careful."
After leaving the market, Shen Xuan walked in circles several times, seeing no one following him. He changed his appearance in a secluded corner and quickly returned home.
In the Practice Room.
As the golden light of the Mysterious Jade Talisman swept over, the four bound Ironback Crabs fell silent.
[Stealable Talent: Water Control, Iron Bone, Self-Healing]
Shen Xuan chose the "Iron Bone" talent.
[Talent: Iron Bone (16/100)]
[Dao Rhyme: 12]
Shen Xuan was slightly disappointed.
Spending twenty Spirit Stones, and the progress of the talent was only 16 points.
Moreover, the Dao Rhyme was only 12 points.
"It seems the quality of this Iron Bone talent is quite poor, and the Dao Rhyme is even worse."
However, his main goal was to enhance his Spirit Root talent, so he could accept the slightly lower quality of talent and Dao Rhyme.
"In the future, if there's an opportunity, I should still go to the Immortal City near the East Sea. There are plenty of water-attributed demon beasts, and they're cheap with strong talents!"
Shen Xuan pondered in his heart.
Fortunately, he initially chose a water attribute Spirit Root; otherwise, acquiring other attribute demon beasts would be even harder, and the price would be several times higher.
In the following days, Shen Xuan changed his appearance every ten days to purchase Ironback Crabs.
Three months later.
Shen Xuan successfully acquired the "Iron Bone" talent from the Ironback Crabs.
[Talent: Iron Bone Introduction (2/100)]
[Dao Rhyme: 68]
[Spirit Root: Water 18/100]
The Iron Bone talent tempered the entire skeleton, making it as hard as iron, providing immense strength.
Shen Xuan performed the "Iron Bone Technique," and the Spiritual Power in his body seeped into his bones, continuously tempering and strengthening the hardness of his skeleton.
"Not bad, at least the cultivation speed is fast!"
The "Iron Bone Technique" was comparable to high-level Body Refining Techniques and didn't require expensive medicinal baths, making it a practical talent.
Shen Xuan unhesitatingly invested all of the acquired Dao Rhyme into the "Self-Healing" talent.
[Talent: Self-Healing Mastery (73/200)]
Shen Xuan planned to take a break for a while, to first advance the "Iron Bone" talent to mastery, making his flesh body even more solid.
Perhaps, in the future, he might even achieve the legendary status of a saint of the flesh body!
Shen Xuan was indeed looking forward to the effects of the "Iron Bone" talent.
A few days later.
Zhao Chunsheng and Jiang Xueqi returned for a visit.
"Has Zhao Daoist's poison not been completely removed yet?"
"It's not that quick! That was a Tier Two serpent demon!"
Zhao Chunsheng was not concerned.
"Only a small part remains, and in about another month, it will be completely removed."
Zhao Chunsheng came to inquire about Shen Xuan's future plans.
He was recuperating at home, with no income, living off his savings, and feeling a bit anxious.
"Of course, I'll still have to trouble Zhao Daoist to help me sell the 'Rejuvenation Talismans' and purchase demon beasts."
Shen Xuan reassured him.
In these two tasks, Zhao Chunsheng could earn some Spirit Stones.
And Shen Xuan preferred not to show his face, fearing to attract trouble.
Actually, with his current strength, he should be above Zhao Chunsheng.
"No problem. Shen Talisman Master's a person who does great things, leave these trivial matters to me, Zhao!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Chunsheng patted his chest confidently.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Shen Xuan found it a bit strange.
He had been living in the Cyan Dragon Bay Market for fifty years, always keeping to himself, never socializing with others.
Opening the door.
An old servant in green stood at the door, his aura was surprisingly at the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation.
He stepped aside, and a young cultivator walked in, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, carrying an extraordinary aura, exuding the charm of an elegant young gentleman.
"Shen Xuan, this is Ding Yijin, Young Master Ding," the old servant politely said, full of respect.
Shen Xuan was taken aback.
Behind him, Zhao Chunsheng's voice transmitted.
"The Ding Family Patriarch's legitimate heir, Foundation Establishment seed of the Ding Family."
Shen Xuan felt puzzled, yet his face naturally showed a smile.
"Young Master Ding's grand visit is an honor for Shen, please come in!"
Ding Yijin smiled slightly.
"There's no need for Shen Talisman Master to be so formal. I am of the same generation as Yuyao, just call me Yijin."
"Young Master Ding is too kind," Shen Xuan said respectfully.
Having lived in the Cyan Dragon Bay Market for so long, apart from Zhao Chunsheng and his wife, he had no familiar Daoist friends.
Moreover, as the legitimate heir of the Ding Family, a key Foundation Establishment seed, he dared not overstep.
With a slight scan of his Divine Sense, he knew that this person's Cultivation Realm was also above his.
Only slightly inferior to Lv Zhengying.
Most likely at the Perfection stage of Qi Cultivation.
An alarm bell rang in Shen Xuan's heart.
Someone with such a noble status wouldn't visit him without a reason.
For a moment, Shen Xuan's mind spun, trying to figure out where things went wrong.
Although Shen Xuan had been somewhat reserved, he did purchase the "Condensed Water Blade Technique," Water Cloud Shield, "Water-Splitting Mount Emei Needle."
If the Ding Family was attentive, they would definitely notice that his talisman-making skill far exceeded that of an ordinary middle-grade Talisman Master.
Did they come here to verify this?