I Can See Through Everything-Chapter 522

When Grandmaster Wang pointed at the alluring woman, her mind was still blank with shock.

She had clearly heard every word of the earlier conversation between Grandmaster Wang and the others.

Especially when she heard that the Thunderclap Talisman might be the work of a master-grade Talisman Maker, her head buzzed like thunder.

She never imagined that the talisman she had casually taken in could have such a profound origin!

“Ziyuan, was it you who recovered this jade talisman?”

The Treasure Pavilion Master’s gaze fell upon the alluring woman.

Everyone else also turned to look at her.

Feeling the Pavilion Master’s eyes on her, the alluring woman shuddered and quickly regained her senses.

She answered nervously, “Pavilion Master, this Thunderclap Talisman was indeed recovered by me today. The person who sold it was a Golden Core Realm True Being.”

“A Golden Core Realm True Being?”

The Pavilion Master’s eyes flickered with thought.

She gently closed her eyes and extended her Spiritual Sense into the formation within the Treasure Pavilion, seemingly sensing something.

After a moment, she opened her eyes and lightly waved her hand. An illusory image appeared before everyone.

What it showed was the scene of the alluring woman speaking with Lu Qing.

“Was it this Golden Core True Being?”

“It was.” The alluring woman respectfully nodded. “This True Being said from the start that he wished to sell a talisman.

After examining it with a magical artifact, I saw that it was a relatively rare lightning-type talisman of Golden Core grade. So I decided to purchase it for one hundred and twenty lower-grade spirit stones.

Later, on the way to the treasure vault, I ran into Grandmaster Wang. He immediately saw that the talisman was no ordinary item and took it to examine.”

“Only a hundred and twenty lower-grade spirit stones?”

Everyone was stunned by the price—not because it was high, but because it was too low.

Grandmaster Wang and the others had clearly determined that this talisman was likely the work of a master-grade Talisman Maker.

Such a talisman had uncommon value—not only as a collectible, but more importantly, for study and comprehension.

Especially for other Talisman Makers, this was a rare opportunity.

If one could glean even a trace of insight from the techniques of a master, it would be an immense boon.

If such a talisman were auctioned, the starting price would easily be over a thousand spirit stones. And yet Ziyuan said she had bought it for only a hundred and twenty?

“Pavilion Master, I did not intentionally undercut the price,” the alluring woman said uneasily. “I truly didn’t know it was the work of a master.

The price I offered was strictly in accordance with the pavilion’s guidelines.

I even asked the True Being if he wanted to consign it for auction, but he declined.”

She knew very well that the Pavilion Master valued the Treasure Pavilion’s reputation above all and would not tolerate dishonest dealings.

“No harm done. Even Master Qiu and the others failed to see the talisman's profundity at first glance. It's understandable that you missed it as well.

Besides, if the seller agreed to the price, then it cannot be called deceit.”

The Pavilion Master waved her hand, showing no intention to blame Ziyuan.

Though she prioritized reputation, a business still sought profit above all.

Since the other party had agreed to the price, it could not be considered misconduct.

However…

“That Golden Core True Being was willing to sell such a talisman for so little… Could it be he didn’t know its true value?”

The Pavilion Master couldn't help but muse aloud.

“Quite likely. Otherwise, how could a talisman made by a Talisman Master be sold so casually?” Master Qiu agreed.

“Everyone, that’s not the point!” Grandmaster Wang said urgently.

“The crucial point is that the refinement method of this talisman is extremely unique. It’s completely different from the signature techniques of the Talisman Masters we know!” 𝐑á𝐍ỘꞖĘṤ

Everyone froze in place, their bodies shuddering with realization.

The Pavilion Master’s eyes lit up as she asked eagerly, “Grandmaster Wang, are you saying that the person who made this talisman could be a newly emerged Talisman Master?”

“Even if not newly emerged, they must be a master we’ve never heard of. The crafting technique is incredibly innovative, as if it forms a system entirely of its own, separate from any known schools.

I suspect this person might be a Talisman Master from another world.

Pavilion Master, this could be an opportunity for the Treasure Pavilion.”

Grandmaster Wang nodded gravely.

He had spent the most time studying the Thunderclap Talisman and had the most authority on the matter.

Hearing this, the Pavilion Master fell silent, tapping her finger as she pondered.

She naturally understood the implications of Grandmaster Wang’s words.

If a Talisman Master from another world had appeared, it would indeed be an extraordinary opportunity for them.

The Treasure Pavilion, while powerful in the Xiao Cang World, was among the top-tier merchant groups.

However, in the realm of talismans, their sales always lagged behind several rival groups.

The root cause? They had no Talisman Master of their own.

Their offerings in high-end talismans were far inferior to the competition.

But if they could recruit this mysterious Talisman Master, their weakness could be corrected.

In the future, they might even outstrip the other top groups entirely.

Seeing the Pavilion Master deep in thought, the others stayed quiet, waiting for her decision.

Even Master Qi, who normally clashed with Grandmaster Wang, dared not speak up to interrupt her deliberation.

Despite her being only a Golden Core Realm cultivator of the sixth transformation, her background was extraordinarily mysterious.

It was said she had once been the concubine of a powerful figure from the Tianyuan Great World.

Thus, though she wasn’t the strongest cultivator in the Pavilion, no one dared defy her orders.

After a while, the Pavilion Master finally spoke.

“All this is still speculation. We don’t yet know for certain whether the one who refined this talisman is truly a Talisman Master.

Even if it is the work of a master, we can’t be sure that the master resides here in the Xiao Cang World.

There’s a strong chance that the talisman came from the outside.

Or perhaps someone found it in an ancient ruin.

That Golden Core True Being didn’t seem to know its value and sold it for a mere one hundred and twenty spirit stones.”

“That it came from ruins seems unlikely,” Grandmaster Wang added.

“I studied it closely—there is no trace of the antiquity that usually clings to old talismans.

The lightning runes within are still very vibrant, clearly indicating it was made quite recently.

In fact, I estimate it was crafted no more than a month ago.”

“No more than a month ago?”

The Pavilion Master’s body trembled slightly.

If that was true, then even if the creator wasn't in this world, they must be in a nearby small world.

At this realization, the Pavilion Master finally made her decision.

“If a new Talisman Master has truly appeared, this is an opportunity we must not miss.

Grandmaster Wang, in your view, how might we locate this mysterious Talisman Master?”

“The Golden Core True Being who sold the talisman is the key. If we can learn the talisman's origin from him, the rest will follow.”

“Very well. Then you shall take charge of this matter. But remember—treat him with utmost courtesy. We must not damage the Pavilion’s reputation.

If you do discover the whereabouts of that Talisman Master, I will go in person to pay my respects.”

The Pavilion Master concluded the matter decisively.

“We shall obey the Pavilion Master’s command.”

Grandmaster Wang was overjoyed and immediately bowed with utmost respect.

The others all looked on with envy.

Master Qiu, in particular, felt a surge of jealousy rise within him.

They all knew that if this matter were to succeed, Grandmaster Wang would undoubtedly earn great merit in the Pavilion Master's eyes.

The reward would surely be generous.

Why did this old fellow get so lucky?

Master Qiu gritted his teeth inwardly.

He already had a longstanding rivalry with Grandmaster Wang, and now, it seemed he had fallen behind.

Still, despite the jealousy gnawing at his heart, Master Qiu dared not reveal a hint of it, nor even entertain any dark schemes to sabotage the matter.

He was all too familiar with the Pavilion Master's temperament. Though she was normally courteous and composed when interacting with them—tolerating, even encouraging, their internal rivalry—that was only as long as the rules remained unbroken.

But once someone crossed the line and violated the rules she had set, the consequences were severe.

There had once been someone who sullied the Pavilion’s reputation by breaking the rules.

It was said that person was still being held in the underground dungeon of the Treasure Pavilion, suffering torment day and night.

So even if Master Qiu harbored ill intent, he dared not let it show at this moment.

Besides, he too was deeply curious about the individual who had crafted the Thunderclap Talisman.

Just who was this person, capable of creating such an exquisitely refined talisman?

...

At dawn, Lu Qing opened his eyes from meditation on the meditation mat, a clear brightness gleaming in them.

Beside him, Xiaoli and Wuxing were both lying down, also cultivating diligently.

“No wonder the premium room costs ten lower-grade spirit stones per day. If I could cultivate here for one or two months, I might very well break through to the Fourth Transformation.”

Feeling the dense spiritual energy that had barely diminished even after a night of cultivation, Lu Qing couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.

He had long been stuck at the peak of the Golden Core Third Transformation.

The quality of spiritual energy in his home world had failed to support his breakthrough, keeping his cultivation stagnant for over a decade.

But here, after just a single night in the premium room of this inn, he could already sense faint signs of movement in the bottleneck that had plagued him for years.

If he continued to cultivate here, it might not be long before he truly stepped into the Fourth Transformation.

The difference between his revival-stage home world and this Xiao Cang World was stark.

Moreover, Lu Qing had already investigated thoroughly.

Unlike his home world, which suffered periodic spiritual energy depletion every few tens of thousands of years, Xiao Cang World was anchored to the Tianyuan Great World and didn’t face such catastrophes.

Unless something went wrong with Tianyuan itself, this world would remain in peak condition indefinitely.

“Though I could break through cultivating here, the cost-effectiveness is too low. This should be a backup plan at best.”

Lu Qing shook his head after some thought.

At ten lower-grade spirit stones per day, the expenses quickly added up.

If he stayed for a month or two, the spirit stones he had on hand wouldn’t come close to covering it.

“I’ve heard there are real cultivation caves for rent in Canglan City. I wonder how steep those prices must be.”

Still, it was just a fleeting thought. He couldn’t even afford the premium room of a common inn—how could he afford a true cultivation cave?

“I’m still too poor… and the Treasure Pavilion hasn’t responded. Could it be that the Thunderclap Talisman didn’t catch their eye?”

He frowned slightly.

After selling that Thunderclap Talisman yesterday and returning to the inn, he had been quietly waiting for a response from the Treasure Pavilion.

But he had waited nearly the whole day, and still, nothing.

It made him start to doubt whether his plan had been flawed from the start.

“Looks like I was too confident… This is, after all, a small world closely tied to the Tianyuan Great World.

With so many inherited legacies from Tianyuan, the talisman traditions here must run deep. It’s not surprising they’d look down on my Thunderclap Talisman.”

That thought left Lu Qing a little dispirited.

He had sold the Thunderclap Talisman as a way to test the waters and see if he could forge some cooperation with the Treasure Pavilion.

After all, the talisman’s refinement cost was minimal. If he were to produce them in quantity for sale, it would inevitably encroach upon certain interests.

New to this world and with no backing, Lu Qing had no intention of making waves.

His ultimate goal was still to enter the Tianyuan Great World.

Offending the wrong factions could endanger that goal.

So he had hoped to align himself with a power like the Treasure Pavilion and reduce his risks.

Now it seemed he had been a bit naïve.

What he thought was a competitive advantage might not even be worth mentioning in the eyes of the Treasure Pavilion.

Perhaps they simply didn’t care about such minor profits.

“I suppose I’ll have to try my luck with another merchant group.”

Lu Qing sighed.

There were two other commercial firms in Canglan City with power comparable to the Treasure Pavilion. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

But their reputations weren’t as good, which was why he hadn’t approached them first.

Still, with the Pavilion silent, he had no choice but to consider them now.

If none of the firms showed interest, then he’d have no option but to go it alone.

Of course, if all of them showed disinterest, it also meant his solo venture wouldn’t be stepping on anyone’s toes—perhaps not a bad sign.

Having thought all this through, Lu Qing pulled out two Spiritual jades and began crafting two more Thunderclap Talismans.

Not long after, once he had finished inscribing the new talismans and was preparing to go out with Xiaoli and Wuxing...

A ripple of formation energy came from the door.

Someone was knocking.

The upper rooms of the inn were protected by formations—not only to ensure privacy but also to prevent intrusion or spying.

After all, those who could afford these rooms were cultivators of no small strength.

Without such protections, even a casual sweep of Spiritual Sense could expose all that occurred in adjacent rooms.

With the formation activated, even the innkeepers had to use a specialized formation outside the door to request entry.

Lu Qing deactivated the defensive formation and opened the door.

There stood the inn’s servant, wearing an ingratiating smile.

“Honored guest, there are a few seniors outside who wish to pay you a visit.”