"But why is he like this now? I’ve been here for over a month, and Elder Li has been this way every single day.

His expression is completely wooden, and his eyes are vacant. If he hadn’t said a few words when I first arrived, I would’ve thought the old man had already..."

Yu Wenfeng looked over at the old man after hearing Jiang Xu’s words. Seeing that he was exactly as described, she couldn’t help but feel surprised.

"I really don’t know. I’ve only heard stories about these things from my seniors. I only met Elder Li once, over a decade ago. I’m not sure where he’s been for the past ten years. After all, I’m just a humble Inner Sect Disciple."

Suddenly, Jiang Xu thought of something.

"Oh, right. I never asked why you’re in the Marketplace. You said the shop you work for sent you to check on the situation, but I don’t remember seeing you with the group that came before."

"Actually, they were short-staffed in the Marketplace, so the Sect sent another batch of people over recently. The Sect learned its lesson this time, though. They sent several Elders as an escort, so there weren’t any problems."

While they were talking, more customers trickled into the shop. Jiang Xu skillfully applied all sorts of discounts for them, and the sheer variety of promotions left Yu Wenfeng dumbfounded.

"What... What are you doing? Are you just turning away Spirit Stones that walk right through the door?"

"It’s called a marketing strategy. How else do you think I get so many customers to come to such a remote location? If I didn’t offer so many discounts, why would they go out of their way to travel this far?"

After a moment of thought, Yu Wenfeng understood the logic behind it and was amazed by his business acumen.

"Junior Brother Jiang, with skills like these, why don’t you try to get a position in the General Affairs Hall? There’s plenty of room for you to shine over there. As for this line of work, Talisman Making..."

As she spoke, she trailed off, realizing something. She noticed the many Middle Grade Talismans for sale, glanced at Elder Li, then back at Jiang Xu in disbelief.

"You’re already a Tier One Middle Grade Talisman Maker?"

Jiang Xu suddenly realized his Talisman Making skill had been exposed.

There were only two people in the shop: Jiang Xu and the old man.

If the old man wasn’t the one making the talismans for sale, then it had to be Jiang Xu.

Jiang Xu knew he couldn’t lie his way out of this, so he had no choice but to nod and admit it.

"I am. You have no idea, Senior Sister Yu. Ever since I came to this shop, my Talisman Dao Cultivation has improved by leaps and bounds. I don’t know if I’m just imagining it, but whenever I’m making talismans near Elder Li, the process always feels exceptionally smooth, almost as if someone is guiding me. It’s really strange."

"Huh?"

Yu Wenfeng didn’t believe Jiang Xu’s nonsense at first. But after looking back and forth between the two of them and mulling it over, she suddenly seemed to have an epiphany. She nodded slowly, a look of profound understanding on her face.

After chatting for a bit longer, Yu Wenfeng got the full story behind the small shop. She then said her goodbyes to Jiang Xu, intending to leave and report back.

But just then, a Sound Transmission Talisman glowing with red light shot straight into the shop. A Sound Insulation Shield instantly materialized around Yu Wenfeng, enveloping Jiang Xu as well. A voice then echoed from the talisman.

The voice was clear and melodious, yet carried a faint, cloying sweetness:

"Junior Sister Yu, have you made it to the Marketplace? There’s been a new development in the Secret Realm in the Endless Forest near the Marketplace, so you have to be careful, okay?

Our Profound Origin Sect’s own Tier Three Array Master had been stuck, unable to enter the Secret Realm’s Inner Area. So, he found another Array Master to help him out. I hear it’s a Loose Cultivator who is quite famous throughout all of Dinghai State.

With his help, I hear they’re making much faster progress breaking the Chain Restriction that envelops the Inner Area. It could be breached at any time now. They should be able to get into the Inner Area in as little as a month, or half a year at most.

My great-grandfather told me the Inner Area of the Secret Realm is quite dangerous. Aside from some small, lingering Arrays and Restrictions, there are also Demon Beasts that escaped from the Spirit Beast Garden and have since multiplied. There are even some Tier Two beasts among them, so it’s best if you don’t go in, Junior Sister.

But don’t you worry. Even if the Sect happens to choose you to participate, I can have my great-grandfather get you exempted.

As for the Treasures inside, don’t you worry about a thing. I’ll go into the Inner Area and get them myself. You can take your pick of whatever I find. How about it, Feng’Er? Now you’ll finally have to..."

"Stop! Don’t say another word!"

Seeing things were heading in a bad direction, Yu Wenfeng hastily cut her off.

"Hm?"

The voice from the Sound Transmission Talisman turned cold.

"What do you mean? Don’t tell me... someone is with you?"

Cold sweat dripped down Jiang Xu’s back.

’How could I be so unlucky!’

’If that Sound Transmission Talisman had arrived just thirty seconds later, none of this would be happening!’

’Now I’ve accidentally overheard their private conversation, and I heard everything...’

Jiang Xu had been about to step out of the shield’s range, but he hesitated when he heard them mention the Secret Realm.

He never expected that brief moment of hesitation would lead to him hearing something he definitely shouldn’t have.

’...Am I going to be silenced for this?’ 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Who is it? Where are you?" the voice on the other end said coldly.

"I’m just in a shop buying something, and your Sound Transmission Talisman just happened to arrive."

"Have the person next to you say something," Leng Qingqiu said, cutting straight to the point.

Before Yu Wenfeng could say anything else, Jiang Xu spoke up.

"Uh, Senior Sister Leng, hello. I just run a small shop here. Senior Sister Yu was just buying a few things, and your Sound Transmission Talisman arrived right as she was about to leave."

"What?! You’re not dead!" Through the Sound Transmission Talisman, Leng Qingqiu’s voice sounded utterly shocked.

Her words left Jiang Xu speechless once again.

’Are these two cut from the same cloth? The first thing they say after finding out it’s me is to ask why I’m not dead?’

After his internal complaint, Jiang Xu suddenly realized something.

’Something about this doesn’t add up.’

’How would Senior Sister Leng recognize my voice?’

’I’m sure I’ve never spoken to her before.’

He could understand Yu Wenfeng knowing that he was headed for the Marketplace.

But someone as high and mighty as Leng Qingqiu...

...why would she be bored enough to keep tabs on the whereabouts of a new Outer Disciple in the Talisman Pavilion?

"Senior Sister Leng, how did you know I was in danger?" Jiang Xu couldn’t help but ask.

The Sound Transmission Talisman went silent for a long moment before a voice finally came through:

"As the lead senior sister among the Inner Sect Disciples of the Talisman Pavilion, I naturally have the authority to be aware of the status and safety of every disciple. I’m relieved that you’re alright, Junior Brother Jiang. That is all."

After she finished speaking, the Sound Transmission Talisman burst into flames without fire and vanished without a trace.

The Sound Insulation Shield around Yu Wenfeng dissipated as well. Looking embarrassed, she left quickly without another word.

Leaving Jiang Xu standing there, completely bewildered.

"So... I feel like I just learned something important, but at the same time, I feel like I know nothing at all..."