12: Tea House Meeting

Another week passed like this; Cultivation life was just this ordinary.

However, for Xu Qi'an, every day was full of surprises.

With each passing day, the resources Xu Qi'an obtained from the gathering treasure basin became more abundant, and his Body Refinement and Qi Refining cultivation were advancing in an orderly manner.

Especially the first-grade High Grade Talismans, Xu Qi'an had accumulated dozens of them, of various types, making him a proper Talisman master.

Xu Qi'an had a premonition that even the few Qi Refining stage Talisman masters in the Qingzhu Market didn't have so many first-grade High Grade Talismans.

Morning in the Qingzhu Market, covered in thin mist, shops on both sides of the street opened one after another, and the air was filled with a faint scent of spiritual herbs.

Xu Qi'an pushed open the door of the thatched cottage, took a deep breath, feeling the abundant power within his body.

After a week of stacking demon beast meat and pills, he had finally broken through to Body Refinement second level, and his Qi Refining cultivation had also increased to the fifth level!

He was just about to go to the spiritual field when he suddenly heard a light and brisk footsteps from next door.

Meng Shuran, wearing a brand new green robe, still carrying that exquisite bamboo basket in his hand, walked over with a smile.

"Daoist Xu, are you free today? I'd like to invite you to the Qingzhu Market for a cup of tea and meet two friends."

Meng Shuran said with a smile, his tone carrying a hint of anticipation.

Xu Qi'an frowned, feeling a bit hesitant in his heart.

After spending time together recently, he knew that although Meng Shuran was straightforward.

His background was unclear, and getting too close to him might not be a good thing.

However, before he could refuse, Meng Shuran took out another Talisman from the bamboo basket and handed it over.

"This is a newly drawn first-grade mid-grade 'Clear Wind Talisman', consider it a thank you gift."

Meng Shuran said with a smile.

Xu Qi'an took the Talisman, secretly surprised in his heart.

A first-grade mid-grade Talisman was worth at least seven or eight ling stones on the market!

With the gift already in his hand, Xu Qi'an really couldn't refuse, after all, his identity as a Spiritual Farmer was there.

If he refused and others found out, they might think he had made a fortune and didn't even value such a precious item.

But he felt like Meng Shuran's brain had been kicked by a donkey, giving such a big gift so casually. If other Spiritual Farmers saw it, they would surely be green with envy.

"Daoist Meng, don't show off your wealth! You must be careful in the future!" Xu Qi'an said earnestly.

He was truly afraid that Meng Shuran would be deceived by villains in the future.

This habit of giving gifts so casually really needed to change!!

Only Xu Qi'an was kind-hearted; others would wish Meng Shuran would give them gifts every day.

Meng Shuran laughed heartily: "Daoist Xu, you can rest assured about this, no one will dare to plot against me in the future!"

"Daoist Xu and I hit it off right away, this little thank you gift is nothing."

He pondered for a moment, and finally nodded: "Since that's the case, it would be impolite to refuse."

However, Xu Qi'an sighed inwardly.

The deceit and intrigue in the Cultivation world were not just for show.

With Meng Shuran's personality, he would definitely suffer losses in the future.

Xu Qi'an had already warned him and didn't want to say more; saying more might worsen their relationship, which would be inappropriate.

However, Xu Qi'an couldn't help but admire Meng Shuran's Talisman-making talent!

To be able to refine first-grade mid-grade Talismans at such a young age was truly extraordinary talent!

In the center of the Qingzhu Market, a three-story tea house stood by the street, with the words "Spiritual Charm Tea House" written on the plaque above the door.

Outside the tea house, several Cultivators dressed in brocade robes went in and out, clearly people of some status.

Xu Qi'an followed Meng Shuran into the tea house and was immediately shocked by the luxurious decor inside.

Inside the tea house, tables and chairs carved from spiritual wood were neatly arranged, several paintings with shimmering spiritual light hung on the walls, and the air was filled with a faint tea fragrance, which was refreshing.

"Two guests, do you have a reservation?" A female Cultivator wearing aemerald green long dress came forward with a sweet smile.

Meng Shuran nodded: "The private room reserved by the Li Family."

Upon hearing this, the female Cultivator's expression became even more respectful: "So it's the distinguished guests of the Li Family, please follow me."

Xu Qi'an followed behind Meng Shuran, secretly vigilant in his heart.

The Li Family was one of the major families in the Qingzhu Market, with vast power. How could Meng Shuran have a connection with the Li Family?

The cultivation of the Li Family head was at the Qi Refining Peak! The foremost person below Foundation Establishment! His power was immense, and Steward Li Dey the manager of the spiritual fields, was from the Li Family.

However, due to Steward Li Dey's usual arrogant behavior, Xu Qi'an found it difficult to have any good impression of the Li Family.

The two were quickly led to a private room on the second floor. Pushing open the door, two young Cultivators were already seated inside.

One male and one female. The male was about twenty years old, wearing a white brocade robe, with a handsome face, and his cultivation was surprisingly at Qi Refining Seventh Level; the female was slightly younger, wearing a pink long dress, with a beautiful appearance, and her cultivation was also at Qi Refinement Sixth Level.

"Daoist Meng, you're here." The white-robed man stood up and came forward with a smile.

However, when he saw Xu Qi'an, he frowned slightly, his tone carrying a hint of displeasure: "Who is this?"

Meng Shuran quickly introduced: "This is my neighbor, Daoist Xu Qi'an. He is quite familiar with the Qingzhu Market, so I invited him to come along."

Upon hearing this, a trace of disdain flashed in the white-robed man's eyes, but he quickly hid it and said indifferently: "So it's Daoist Xu, please sit down."

Xu Qi'an noticed the other party's attitude and sneered in his heart, but didn't show it on his face, merely cupped his hands: "Apologies for the intrusion."

After the four were seated, the female Cultivator brought a pot of spiritual tea. The tea fragrance permeated the air, clearly not ordinary.

The white-robed man picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and said with a smile: "The 'Biluochun' from this Spiritual Charm Tea House is aAbsolutely in the Qingzhu Market. A cup costs three ling stones. Daoist Xu should savor it well, otherwise, you might not have a chance in your lifetime."

Upon hearing this, a cold smile surfaced in Xu Qi'an's heart.

Xu Qi'an's cultivation displayed at this time was at Qi Refining Third Level, and his identity as Meng Shuran's neighbor had long allowed the two from the Li Family to guess Xu Qi'an's identity.

A Spiritual Farmer!!

The bottom of the social hierarchy in the Qingzhu Market!

He picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and indeed felt a rich spiritual energy surge into his body, invigorating his spirit.

"Good tea." Xu Qi'an said indifferently, then put down the teacup, stood up, and said: "Three Fellow Daoists, please enjoy. I still have some trivial matters to attend to. Since I have safely escorted Daoist Meng here, I will take my leave first."

Meng Shuran was taken aback and quickly said: "Daoist Xu, you haven't finished the tea yet..."

Xu Qi'an smiled: "Thank you for Daoist Meng's kindness, but I truly have matters to attend to. We can catch up another day. Thank you three for the hospitality."

After speaking, he cupped his hands, turned around, and left the private room.

After Xu Qi'an left, the white-robed man's face immediately darkened.

He gave Meng Shuran a cold look, his tone carrying a hint of blame: "Daoist Meng, why did you bring a low-level Cultivator at Qi Refining Third Level? And a Spiritual Farmer at that!

"Such a person is completely unworthy of sitting at the same table as us!"

"Fortunately, this person is somewhat sensible... otherwise, hmph!"

Upon hearing this, a trace of awkwardness appeared on Meng Shuran's face, and he explained in a low voice: "Daoist Xu is a good person, I just wanted to..."

"Wanted what?"

"A Spiritual Farmer! Do you really just want to be a Spiritual Farmer your whole life? What good prospects can there be in associating with Spiritual Farmers?!"

The white-robed man interrupted him, his tone stern.

"Daoist Meng, since you have Talisman refining talent, you should cooperate with our Li Family."

"The shantytown is not where you should stay. Move out, and our Li Family will provide you with a better cultivation environment."

Meng Shuran was silent for a moment, and finally nodded: "Alright, I will follow Daoist Li's arrangement."

Xu Qi'an walked out of the tea house, looked up at the sky, clenched his fist, and sighed inwardly: At the end of the day, it's still about not having enough strength.

He shook his head, just about to leave, when he suddenly heard footsteps behind him.

Turning around, it was surprisingly the woman in the pink skirt.

Xu Qi'an didn't expect that Li Family woman to come out.

"One playing the bad cop, the other playing the good cop, it's probably still to save Meng Shuran's face!"

"Daoist Xu, please wait." The woman walked up to him and said indifferently, "Don't take my brother's words just now to heart. He is straightforward and speaks rather impolitely."

Xu Qi'an smiled and bowed: "It's alright. My cultivation is low, and attending today's tea party was indeed an act of offense. It was Daoist Meng who invited me, please don't take offense."

The woman looked at him, and suddenly took out a Low-Grade Spirit Stone from her sleeve and handed it over: "This is a small token of apology."

Xu Qi'an didn't take it, merely said indifferently: "Daoist is too polite. Although my cultivation is low, I, Xu Qi'an, am not so petty as to hold a grudge over a cup of tea."

After speaking, he turned and left, leaving the woman standing there, her expression slightly cold.