"Oh?"

Ye Shanhu arched a delicate brow. "What sort of assistance do you require?"

Xu Changshou smiled faintly. "I wish to acquire a few materials. I wonder if your Wanbao Pavilion carries them?"

"What materials?"

"Three items in total:

The wolf-bristle hair of a Century-Old Yellow Weasel.

The hide of a Black Antelope Thunder Ox.

And the horn of a Moon-Gazing Rhinoceros."

Hearing this, the corner of Ye Shanhu's mouth twitched.

Aside from the weasel's bristle, each item Xu Changshou demanded was more exorbitant than the last. An ordinary Qi Condensation cultivator could never dream of affording such treasures.

"For what purpose do you need these?"

"They are not for my use."

Xu Changshou shook his head, his tone even. "A Senior Brother of mine requires them. These are components for refining a spirit brush. He intends to craft an artifact of the highest caliber."

Ye Shanhu nodded, offering a graceful smile. "Our Wanbao Pavilion possesses an entire pelt of a Century-Old Yellow Weasel. As for the other two, I can cast a net and inquire on your behalf.

However, do not harbor high hopes. The horn of a Moon-Gazing Rhinoceros, in particular, is a prized material for refining Magical Artifacts."

"In that case, you have my gratitude, Senior Sister Ye."

Xu Changshou maintained an unreadable facade, though secret elation surged in his heart.

He had scoured both the Sect's grand exchange hall and the bustling markets of Danxia Peak for these three items, finding absolutely nothing.

To think the Wanbao Pavilion's inventory was this comprehensive.

They actually held the pelt of a Century-Old Yellow Weasel. One must understand, a century-old weasel possessed cultivation rivaling a peak Qi Condensation expert. Furthermore, they were notoriously cunning and fiendishly difficult to hunt.

Regardless of the difficulty, Xu Changshou had to secure these materials.

Only with these three components could he draft the Thunder Explosion Talisman. This talisman would render him practically invincible within the Qi Condensation realm; it was an absolute necessity for his survival.

"Hehe, there is no need for such politeness, Junior Brother Xu."

"Senior Sister Ye, how many Spirit Stones for the weasel's pelt?"

"Originally, it would fetch five Spirit Stones. But for one of our own, I will offer a discount and ask for only four."

"Acceptable."

Xu Changshou gave a terse nod.

Inwardly, however, his heart bled.

One must realize, his entire accumulated fortune amounted to a meager six Spirit Stones.

Over the past year, he had painstakingly scraped together a dozen Spirit Stones, but after purchasing Qi Gathering Pills, only six remained.

To bleed four Spirit Stones in a single breath when it took over a year to save six.. how could it not agonize him?

Yet, for the sake of the Thunder Explosion Talisman, he would endure the pain.

"Then when I visit next, I shall bring it to you."

"It is a deal!"

..

On the third day, Ye Shanhu arrived.

She came in a rush. It was likely she had spent the entirety of the previous day testing the Windwalk Talisman and hurried over the moment she verified its potency.

At that time, Xu Changshou was sequestered in his workroom, drafting talismans.

"How was it? Does the Windwalk Talisman meet your expectations?" Xu Changshou asked directly as he stepped out.

"More than merely meeting them. The efficacy is extraordinary," Ye Shanhu beamed with genuine delight.

Xu Changshou rubbed his chin. "Senior Sister Ye, I am in the middle of a draft. Wait for me in the adjacent room; I will find you once my brush rests."

"Very well, focus on your drafting."

Ye Shanhu waved her hand dismissively and headed next door, displaying no desire to pry into his talisman-crafting secrets.

Xu Changshou shut the door and returned to his arduous grind.

By the time he completed his daily quota, the sun hung high in the sky, signaling the hour of the midday meal.

Just then, a rich, savory aroma wafted from the adjacent room.

Stepping over, he discovered Ye Shanhu busily preparing spirit cuisine. The table was laden with exquisite spiritual ingredients, alongside two plates of freshly cooked, mouth-watering dishes.

Xu Changshou's modest courtyard did possess a kitchen. If one were inclined, they could procure ingredients from the Sect's pantries and cook their own meals.

However, Xu Changshou possessed neither the culinary skill nor the precious time required. Thus, his hearth had remained cold and unused.

"Wait just a moment, Junior Brother Xu. It will be ready shortly."

"Senior Sister Ye actually knows the culinary arts?"

"Naturally."

"I had assumed a privileged cultivation heir such as yourself would simply open your mouth to be fed and extend your arms to be clothed."

"Tch!"

Ye Shanhu shot him a sharp glare, voicing her displeasure. "Do you truly believe the scions of illustrious clans have it easy? Let me tell you, the internal strife among aristocratic disciples is ruthlessly brutal. If you desire resources, you must seize them with your own two hands."

"Is that so!"

Xu Changshou rubbed his head, momentarily robbed of words.

He had always believed that privileged heirs lived in pampered bliss-much like Landlord Wang's idiotic son back in the mortal realm, who glutted himself on fine wine and meats without ever lifting a finger.

"Senior Sister Ye, do you require my assistance?"

"There is no need. Simply sit and wait."

"Ah, then I will leave the hard work to you."

Xu Changshou found a wooden stool and sat, quietly watching Ye Shanhu maneuver around the kitchen.

At this moment, she resembled a mortal wife, enveloped in the warm, grounding aura of hearth and home.

Observing her bustling silhouette, Xu Changshou could not help but lean back, settling into a comfortable posture.

If he had not embarked upon the lethal path of cultivation, living as a wealthy mortal without a care for food or clothing would not have been a terrible fate.

Ideally, taking a beautiful wife like Senior Sister Ye.

Although Xu Changshou respectfully called her Senior Sister, Ye Shanhu was actually two years his junior.

The Senior Sister Ye he usually encountered radiated an aloof, untouchable superiority.

Today, she felt entirely different.

Soon, the spirit cuisine was served. The two partook of the meal while exchanging idle chatter.

"Ah, Junior Brother Xu. Here is the yellow weasel's pelt you requested. I had my subordinates deliver it through the night."

As she spoke, Ye Shanhu withdrew a bundle of plush fur from her storage.

It had already been meticulously cured and washed clean of any impurities.

Though the pelt was large, the viable material for crafting a brush tip was scarce. Only the stiff wolf-bristles located near the tail could serve as the core of a spirit brush.

The hide itself harbored tremendous utility as an excellent base for refining feather robes.

A robe woven from this hide would repel water and dust, remaining eternally pristine while offering formidable defensive properties.

Such luxurious armaments were typically the exclusive privilege of great Foundation Establishment cultivators. Were it not so, this weasel's pelt would never command such a steep price.

Yet in Xu Changshou's hands, this hide could be pushed to its absolute limits.

The yellow weasel inherently possessed an Earth affinity. Once the hide was sectioned, it could serve as a premium canvas for drafting talismans.

It was perfect for bearing the runic weight of Earth Escape Talismans, Earth Stalwart Talismans, and other earth-attribute techniques.

It was exceptionally suited for defensive arrays like the Earth Stalwart Talisman. The weasel's hide boasted a spiritual load-bearing capacity vastly superior to ordinary Yellow Hemp Paper.

If used to draft an Earth Stalwart Talisman, the resulting defensive barrier would be amplified by at least two to three times.

Against anyone below the Foundation Establishment realm, barring the use of destructive Magical Artifacts, shattering such a barrier would be utterly impossible.

"My deepest thanks, Senior Sister Ye. Here, these are for you."

Stowing the pelt away, Xu Changshou handed over four shimmering Spirit Stones.

Ye Shanhu accepted them with visible surprise. She had not actually expected him to produce the sum so readily; in her mind, Xu Changshou was practically destitute.

As a merchant who specialized in peddling pills, she knew perfectly well that the disciples of Green Ink Peak squandered the bulk of their wealth on Qi Replenishing Pills just to survive their drafting quotas.

Under such oppressive conditions, not only had Xu Changshou ground his cultivation up to the eighth layer of Qi Condensation, but he had somehow hoarded four Spirit Stones.

For a mere Miscellaneous Disciple, this feat bordered on the impossible.

Ye Shanhu's gaze meticulously traced the contours of Xu Changshou's face, now separated by only a breath's distance:

Junior Brother Xu seemed.. different. He was more striking than she remembered, radiating a profound, unshakeable calm.

"Senior Sister Ye, why are you staring at me? Is there a flower blooming on my face?"

"Nonsense!"

Ye Shanhu's pretty face flushed a faint crimson. She hastily averted her gaze, a flicker of panic dancing in her beautiful eyes.

She frantically changed the subject:

"Junior Brother Xu, we tested your Windwalk Talisman yesterday. It truly is three times faster than standard issue. Our Wanbao Pavilion is prepared to offer you an exceptionally high price."

"How many Spirit Stones per talisman?" Xu Changshou revealed a predatory smile.