"A Middle Grade Spirit Root?"
Zheng Qingqing looked a bit resigned.
In the Cultivation Immortality Realm, Inferior Spirit Roots and Low Grade Spirit Roots made up the majority.
Most Loose Cultivators possessed one of these two types.
After all, a Cultivator with a Middle Grade Spirit Root would have no problem joining a Sect.
With such talent, as long as they didn't lack resources, they had a high chance of reaching Foundation Establishment.
"Ling'Er, Cultivators with Middle Grade Spirit Roots are either Sect Disciples or Celestial Prides from other Noble Families. They are all prideful."
Zheng Qingqing continued to persuade her in a gentle voice.
"If you become Dao partners with a Cultivator like that, you are bound to be mistreated."
"But a Cultivator with a Middle Grade Spirit Root has a greater chance of reaching Foundation Establishment. If I can marry a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator, it would be worth it even if I'm mistreated."
Zheng Ling'Er lowered her gaze, still clinging to her own opinion.
Hearing this, Zheng Qingqing could only sigh softly.
"Fine. After the auction ends, you two can meet."
...
Down below, the auction for the Puppet had ended.
It was ultimately won by Li Chang'an.
He spent a total of sixty-eight Spirit Stones.
For a Low Grade Talisman Master, revealing this much wealth was nothing significant.
After that, the auction items that many Cultivators had been anticipating appeared one after another, such as the inheritance of a Tier One Middle Grade skill, Auxiliary Medicines for the Foundation Establishment Pill, and so on.
The excitement throughout the auction hall continued to build.
Li Chang'an made no further bids.
He was somewhat tempted by a few of the Auxiliary Medicines for the Foundation Establishment Pill, but he merely watched in silence.
The Foundation Establishment Pill was different from other Elixir Pills.
Its Pill Formula was public knowledge.
Almost every Loose Cultivator knew it.
The most crucial ingredients were a Tier Two Demon Core and three primary medicines targeting Essence, Qi, and the Divine.
'Aside from those four ingredients, the other Auxiliary Medicines aren't particularly precious. I'll have chances to collect them slowly in the future.'
Li Chang'an pondered.
About an hour later, the final auction item was sold.
It was a Vein Protection Pill, which could protect a Cultivator from backlash in the event of a Foundation Establishment Failure.
Although it couldn't compare to a Foundation Establishment Pill, it was still extremely rare and ultimately fetched the astronomical price of two thousand three hundred Spirit Stones.
Li Chang'an was secretly astonished by the price.
'Among the Hundred Skills of Cultivation Immortality, Alchemy must be the most profitable.'
The Zheng Family's power stemmed from their Tier Two Alchemy inheritance.
They guarded this inheritance strictly. Ordinary disciples of the Zheng Family were only allowed to learn the Tier One material; only Core Disciples could access the Tier Two teachings.
As for everyone else, even Cultivators who married into the Zheng Family were not permitted to learn Alchemy and had to choose from other inheritances.
'Time to go get my Puppet.'
Li Chang'an stood up and, following the directions, headed for one of the auction's private rooms.
In the private room, someone was already waiting for him.
To Li Chang'an's surprise, the person was actually Zheng Qingqing.
Next to Zheng Qingqing was a petite young woman in a white dress.
A strange feeling stirred in Li Chang'an's heart. A certain possibility occurred to him, and he immediately clasped his hands in salute to Zheng Qingqing.
"Greetings, Young Miss."
"Daoist Li, we meet again."
Zheng Qingqing offered a gentle smile.
She waved a fair hand, placing the Puppet before Li Chang'an.
"Daoist Li, our Zheng Family's Tier One Top Grade Puppet Master has already examined this Puppet. He says it's just an ordinary, incomplete Puppet. Or have you perhaps noticed something special about it?"
"Young Miss overestimates me."
Li Chang'an put on a wry smile.
He shook his head and explained:
"I just wanted to try my luck. Who knows, maybe I'll find some kind of Ancient Inheritance?"
His words were reasonable and matched what Zheng Qingqing had been thinking.
However, Zheng Qingqing knew full well that the family had just used this Puppet to make up the numbers. After all, not every item in an auction can be a High-quality piece.
Li Chang'an's Spirit Stones were probably wasted.
She thought to herself, but did not say it out loud.
"Then I wish Daoist Li good luck."
"Thank you, Young Miss."
Li Chang'an put away the Puppet.
He clasped his hands to take his leave and was about to go.
But Zheng Qingqing stopped him and, with a smile, introduced the young woman in the white dress beside her.
"Daoist Li, this is my cousin, Zheng Ling'Er. I wanted you two to meet."
Hearing this, Li Chang'an's body stiffened.
He felt even more unsettled.
But his expression remained unchanged as he looked at the young woman.
"Miss Zheng."
"Young Master Li."
Zheng Ling'Er gave a faint, charming smile.
Regardless of her inner thoughts, her outward etiquette was impeccable.
"Young Master Li, I've heard your Talisman Art is exceptional, and that you can craft High-quality Talismans at such a young age."
"You flatter me, Miss Zheng."
Li Chang'an's tone was modest.
He wore a smile, putting on an equally flawless performance.
Regardless, this was a gesture of goodwill from Zheng Qingqing, and he couldn't afford to make the situation too awkward.
Otherwise, he might offend her.
And so, the two of them exchanged a few words.
They seemed to be getting along harmoniously.
Yet both maintained a certain distance, and the atmosphere grew more and more awkward.
During their conversation, Zheng Ling'Er sensed Li Chang'an's own reluctance and couldn't help but feel secretly delighted.
After a while, Li Chang'an clasped his hands to take his leave.
"Young Miss, Miss Zheng, I have matters to attend to at home, so I cannot stay and talk for long."
"Take care, Young Master Li."
Zheng Ling'Er smiled and stood up to see him off.
The conversation ended there.
After Li Chang'an left, Zheng Ling'Er smiled sweetly, her eyes curving into crescents, and said to Zheng Qingqing:
"Sister Qingqing, you saw that, didn't you? It's not that I'm unwilling, it's that Li Chang'an who's unwilling!"
"Sigh... so be it..."
Zheng Qingqing glanced in the direction Li Chang'an had left, a flicker of regret in her eyes.
Judging by the aptitude Li Chang'an had shown so far, he had a good chance of advancing to the Late Stage of Qi Refining in the future.
Furthermore, he had some talent in the art of Talismans.
If he married into the Zheng Family and received their advanced Talismanic Inheritance, his chances of becoming a Top Grade Talisman Master were quite high.
A Late Stage Qi Refining cultivator and a Top Grade Talisman Master—to an ordinary Loose Cultivator, a man with such prospects would be considered an excellent match.
But Zheng Ling'Er was, after all, a daughter of a Noble Family.
She had her sights set higher.
For now, the matter had to be dropped.
...
Outside the auction house, just as Li Chang'an walked out, he saw a familiar figure.
Zheng Jinbao!
He too had spotted Li Chang'an, and a kind smile instantly spread across his face, as if he were looking at a beloved junior.
"Ah, Chang'an, did you get anything good at the auction?"
"A little something."
Li Chang'an replied casually, his expression unchanged.
He didn't linger. After a brief greeting, he hurried off in the direction of his residence.
Behind him, Zheng Jinbao watched his retreating back, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes.
'That brat can already craft High-quality Talismans. His status is rising with the tide, and the Young Miss is valuing him more and more—she even wants him to marry into the family!'
The higher Li Chang'an's status rose, the more uneasy Zheng Jinbao felt.
If Li Chang'an really married into the Zheng Family and received enough resources, his future status might even surpass his own!
'I absolutely cannot let that happen!'
Zheng Jinbao's expression turned ugly.
He somewhat regretted having offended Li Chang'an in the first place.
But at this point, regret was useless.
He had to find a way to settle this matter for good!
'Those two good-for-nothings, how have they not gotten rid of Li Chang'an after all this time?!'
Zheng Jinbao cursed inwardly, then turned and walked off in another direction.
But he didn't notice a seemingly ordinary mutt following him from a short distance behind.