Longevity: My Talents Are a Bit Abundant-Chapter 439: Hidden Dragons and Crouching Tigers
Upon hearing Shen Xuan’s request, Chen Zhifang let out a bitter laugh.
He claimed he didn’t have the authority to decide and would take him to meet the family elder.
As they proceeded, members of the Chen family they encountered all bowed respectfully.
The forbidden area of the Chen family’s ancestral manor, atop the rear mountain.
Welcoming them was a waterfall plunging down three thousand feet.
The air was filled with mist, teeming with flourishing life energy.
This was the area with the densest Spiritual Qi on Divine Dragon Island, close to a Tier Two Top Grade Spirit Vein.
The waterfall cascaded like a silver river, roaring through the cliffs with a deafening sound.
The dojo of the Chen family elder was built a hundred feet away from the waterfall.
"Please have some tea, Master Shen."
Opposite him, the Chen family elder personally served tea to Shen Xuan.
Chen Zhifang sat accompanying him at the side.
Shen Xuan’s request was simple.
He wanted a separate island to open a cave mansion.
Chen Zhifang didn’t dare to agree on his own.
Here, the ambiance was serene and natural, with a gentle breeze occasionally bringing a mist of Spiritual Qi, as if being in an Immortal Realm.
The Chen family elder was about two hundred years old, his hair and beard all white.
He looked robust, full of wind and frost wrinkles, but when he smiled, he resembled a kind grandfather from the mortal world.
Shen Xuan estimated that the cultivation technique the elder practiced had health-preserving effects like his own.
However, judging by the aura exuding from him, it was not pure enough, limiting him to the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment, making it hard to achieve Perfection.
"I heard from Zhifang that Master Shen is a loose cultivator; I wonder which country you’re from?"
After Shen Xuan took a sip of Spirit Tea, the Chen family elder asked with a smile.
"Song Country."
Shen Xuan replied calmly.
His accent and habits bore the traits of cultivators from Song Country.
There was no need to hide it.
"Ah, Song Country is a fine place! I visited there in my younger years, a land rich with talents."
The Chen family elder remarked with nostalgia.
A subtle Divine Sense quickly swept past Shen Xuan.
Shen Xuan found it amusing.
With the Chen family elder’s cultivation at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment, he definitely couldn’t see through Shen Xuan’s disguise.
Yan Country’s cultivators were somewhat stronger than those of the same realm in Song Country.
But only slightly.
Shen Xuan’s Spiritual Power and Divine Soul surpassed those of an ordinary cultivator who had achieved Foundation Establishment Perfection.
After mastering the Illusion Technique of Thousand Transformations, he could deceive even fake pill cultivators.
At this moment, Shen Xuan altered his appearance.
Using Thousand Transformations, he changed from a refined middle-aged scholar to a young and handsome gentleman.
"Over a hundred years ago, I traveled to Song Country and specifically visited Xuanyan Mountain and Jinyang Mountain."
Recollecting the past, the Chen family elder smiled slightly.
He was quite nostalgic for his spirited youth.
The two chatted for a while.
Shen Xuan noticed that the Chen family elder had some knowledge of the Seven Sects of Song Country.
When asked about his origin.
Shen Xuan admitted he was an outsider from a small cultivation clan in Cyan Yang Prefecture.
Before the Song-Liang Dao-Magic War, he traveled to avoid the conflict.
By coincidence, he managed to establish his foundation.
He traveled all the way here.
Upon seeing Divine Dragon Island, he felt a calling and wanted to settle here.
And take the opportunity to break through to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.
Facing the Chen family elder’s probing, Shen Xuan was already prepared.
This place was far from Song Country, which was a millennium-long mortal enemy.
With the strength of the Chen family on Divine Dragon Island, they couldn’t possibly investigate Song Country.
The Chen family elder was merely asking out of curiosity.
As long as he wasn’t a demon cultivator, and obeyed the law in Yan Country, everything was negotiable.
"Master Shen, your request as Zhifang told me, it’s indeed difficult to allocate a separate island."
Having sensed no Demonic Qi or Evil Qi during his Divine Sense probe, the Chen family elder felt mostly at ease with Shen Xuan.
A Tier One Top Grade Talisman Master had a high chance of advancing to Tier Two.
Such talent might be common in sects and immortal cities.
But in this rarely visited sea of stars, it was extremely rare.
The Chen family elder pondered and said, "If Master Shen doesn’t mind, you could open a cave mansion on one of the smaller islands."
"However, that island is home to two honored guest elders of the family."
The Chen family elder chuckled.
"Rest assured, Master Shen. Though titled honored guest elders, they’re actually an old friend of mine and a descendant of a past acquaintance."
"Zhifang, take Master Shen to meet Elder Zheng and young Miss Mu."
The Chen family patriarch respectfully replied, "Yes, elder."
He then led Shen Xuan to the smaller island next to Divine Dragon Island.
...
Though a smaller island, it was also linked to undersea earth veins and had protective arrays set up.
Moreover, once inside, Shen Xuan noticed that the two Spirit Vein nodes on the island had opened cave mansions, each with a defense array.
The Chen family patriarch brought Shen Xuan to one of these cave mansions.
The owner of the cave was a short, plump, old cultivator with a cheerful look, yet stern expression, as if people owed him money.
At the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, similar in age to the Chen family elder, likely around two hundred years old, with a serious demeanor.
The Chen family patriarch introduced the two.
"This is Elder Zheng Ziyi, a Pill Master and an old friend of the elder."
"And this is Talisman Master Honored Guest Shen Fei, who just joined the family."
Shen Xuan took the initiative to clasp his fists in greeting.
"Shen Fei greets Pill Master Zheng."
"No need for formality!"
Pill Master Zheng returned the greeting perfunctorily.
"What, old Chen wants to place someone on Spring Breeze Island?"
It turned out, this smaller island was called Spring Breeze Island.
"Forgive me, Pill Master Zheng. Spring Breeze Island just happens to have space to open another Tier Two Middle Grade cave mansion." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺
A Tier Two Middle Grade Spirit Vein site can open up to three cave mansions for three cultivators at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment to cultivate.
"Hmph, that’s not what was said back then."
"Elder Zheng, do help! Master Shen was invited by the elder himself, through immense effort and struggles."
The Chen family patriarch said smoothly.
"Forget it, I don’t feel like arguing with Old Chen! What about Ling’Er? Has her opinion been sought?"
"The Communication Talisman has already been sent, she’ll be here shortly."
Master Zheng nodded and said to Shen Xuan, "Symbolism Master Shen, I’m not targeting you. That Old Chen is not a good person, very petty. When he tricked me into coming here, he promised everything would be great."
"In the blink of an eye, he turned hostile and went back on his word. You should be cautious. Make sure you get all the benefits you deserve beforehand!"
Shen Xuan had a deeply understanding expression.
"Master Zheng’s words of wisdom are valuable to me. Thank you very much."
Patriarch Chen listened and smiled awkwardly from the side.
He didn’t bother to defend himself.
Soon after, a female cultivator at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment walked in.
Her face was veiled with thin silk, her figure was slender, her body graceful and light, with long legs, and white jade-like skin, her lively eyes sparkled as they moved.
Patriarch Chen greeted her.
"Immortal Mu, this is the newly arrived Honored Guest Symbolism Master Shen Fei from our family."
"Symbolism Master Shen, this is Mu Ling’Er, Immortal Mu, a Tier Two Array Master."
Shen Xuan glanced at Mu Ling’Er, feeling slightly surprised inside.
After using "Smell and Taste," Shen Xuan detected a faint virgin fragrance, fresh and pure, emanating from Mu Ling’Er.
Around thirty years old, she had established her Dao Foundation and was a Tier Two Array Master.
This made Shen Xuan display a hint of admiration.
"Shen Fei has met Immortal Mu."
"Is Master Shen a Symbolism Master? What kind of Talismans can you make?"
Mu Ling’Er’s eyes fell on Shen Xuan, repeatedly examining him, revealing a hint of curiosity.
Her voice was both tender and charming, innocent and playful.
"I am best at crafting Water Escape Talismans and Rejuvenation Talismans. I am currently researching Ice Talismans."
"That’s nice. Once Master Shen crafts the Ice Talismans, please inform Ling’Er. Ling’Er would like to purchase a few."
"Alright."
Shen Xuan replied with a smile, a flash of red appearing in his eyes.
After using "Illusion-Breaking Spirit Eye Technique" and "Sharp-eyed," Shen Xuan discerned the general appearance of Mu Ling’Er.
Her face was slightly round, with a rosy complexion, delicate features, soft and vibrant cherry lips, a petite and well-defined nose, making her look cute and lively.
Shen Xuan speculated that Mu Ling’Er had an extraordinary background.
Such a stunning appearance, if found among lower-level loose cultivators, would have long lost her personal freedom and become a tool of power.
It would have been impossible for her to smoothly establish her Dao Foundation and become a Tier Two Array Master.
"Immortal Mu, Symbolism Master Shen is residing on Spring Breeze Island. Master Zheng has agreed, you don’t have any objection, do you?"
Master Zheng let out a heavy "humph" to show his protest.
But did not voice a rebuttal.
Which implied approval.
Mu Ling’Er gently shook her head.
"No objections. It’s Ling’Er’s wish that Master Shen would reside here!"
Mu Ling’Er’s tone was tender, like coquettishness, sounding rather pleasant.
"Then many thanks to Master Zheng and Immortal Mu. Once I’ve crafted the Ice Talismans, I’ll present a few to both of you for appraisal."
Shen Xuan smiled and bowed.
Master Zheng rolled his eyes and remained silent.
He had seen many such whimsical promises.
Crafting Tier Two Talismans is not that simple!
Mu Ling’Er smiled brightly and said charmingly, "Ling’Er thanks Symbolism Master Shen!"
She was quite straightforward.
There was a hint of warmth in her words towards Shen Xuan.
Likely due to Shen Xuan’s handsome appearance.
Once out of Master Zheng’s cave mansion.
Shen Xuan infused a mark of Magical Power into the Spirit Contract, signing the Honored Guest Agreement, each holding a copy.
Patriarch Chen summoned an elderly cultivator in the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation.
"This is my cousin Chen Daf’u, responsible for the chores on Spring Breeze Island. If Symbolism Master Shen needs anything, feel free to instruct him."
"Alright!"
After sending off Patriarch Chen, Shen Xuan was led around Spring Breeze Island by Chen Daf’u.
Spring Breeze Island, with its Tier Two Middle Grade Spirit Vein, could support no more than three Tier Two Middle Grade cave mansions.
Apart from the cave mansions of Master Zheng and Mu Ling’Er, Shen Xuan had to choose the easternmost main peak on the island.
This was the only remaining best node of the Tier Two Spirit Vein.
Shen Xuan took a look.
The peak was relatively low, the summit spacious, and the area available after opening the cave mansion had a diameter of a hundred meters.
"This will do!"
After patrolling, Shen Xuan decided on the location for his cave mansion.
The Tier Two Middle Grade Spirit Vein was simply insufficient for his cultivation needs.
The Spiritual Qi absorbed into the body was divided between him and the Eight-colored Lotus at a ratio of three to seven.
He could only use thirty percent of it.
Looking around.
This mountain peak was broad, facing the sea.
Beneath the peak was a thousand-meter cliff leading to the East Sea.
Opening a Tier Two Middle Grade cave mansion is a systematic project.
The Chen Family had dedicated cultivators responsible for such tasks.
However, in terms of cave mansion design, they had to respect Shen Xuan’s wishes.
Chen Daf’u brought a Chen Family Array Master, listening to Shen Xuan’s explanation on cave mansion design.
"Set up a Water Curtain Streaming Light Array as an illusion array ten meters outside, and a Reverse Five Elements Wind and Thunder Killing Array at the entrance, then inside..."
Shen Xuan spoke eloquently.
The Chen Family Array Master was bewildered.
Clearly, this was beyond his capability.
Shen Xuan sighed.
He had obtained the "Rao Family Array Essentials" from Rao Baiyi.
During leisure time, he had studied it for a while.
Theoretically, he should be a Top Grade Tier One Array Master.
The Chen Family Array Master in front of him was estimated to be only an Upper Grade Tier One.
His mastery of the Array Dao was inferior to Shen Xuan’s!
"Let’s get someone else! Find a better Array Master!"
Shen Xuan said dissatisfiedly.
At this moment, a fragrant scent wafted over.
Nearby, a gentle and adorable voice spoke.
"Symbolism Master Shen, for array setup, just call Ling’Er! In the entire Starry Sea, Ling’Er offers the fairest deals!"
Mu Ling’Er said with a smile, her eyes revealing a hint of anticipation.
