23 Sudden Trouble

"Steamed black rice, kung pao chicken made with red feathered wild pheasant, twice cooked pork made with long-haired spirit pig, mapo tofu, sanxian dumplings, red bean soup…" Shen Xu reported more than thirty dishes as Zhen Yuan looked at the table in amazement.

"You look happy?" He finally said.

"I like cooking." Shen Xu agreed with a smile on his lips.

At first, he only planned to cook a few dishes.

However, after he started, he couldn't control himself.

He made one dish after the other but still felt like he hadn't had enough.

Unfortunately, the ingredients they had prepared were all used up, which forced him to stop cooking.

'I have prepared enough food to last several months. When we arrive in the capital, I will learn spirit food cooking and prepare another batch of dishes.' He thought with some anticipation in his heart.

For a professional chef like him, improving his craft was as satisfying as advancing his cultivation.

Even in this new world, Shen Xu didn't want to abandon his craft.

"Try them and tell me which ones you prefer." Shen Xu urged.

"Okay." Zhen Yuan said and served a few dishes.

After that, the two enjoyed a hearty meal, but Shen Xu didn't forget to note Zhen Yuan's preferences.

'He prefers spicy food and doesn't like too much sweetness.' He thought and chuckled happily.

"What's the matter?" Zhen Yuan questioned.

"Nothing." The double said, but his lips were curled in a smile.

In fact, Shen Xu also preferred spicy food.

When he discovered this similarity between them, he couldn't help but feel happy.

After the meal, Shen Xu went to the library to study weapon refining while Zhen Yuan retreated to the training room to draw talismans.

Time passed in this way, and it was soon morning.

After breakfast, the two wore masks, changed into plain clothes and left the Chaos Flame space. 

"Are you confident?" Zhen Yuan asked.

"Mmmmh." Shen Xu nodded.

"Okay, let's go."

The town lord's residence was in the centre of Two Reeds town.

A street away were the Alchemy Association, the Weapon Refining Association, and the Talisman Association.

"There is no formation association and inscription association." Zhen Yuan observed.

"Compared to pills, weapons, and talismans, formations and inscriptions are relatively rare in the Canglan continent. Our Divine Rainbow Empire only has one Formation Association and one Inscription Association. They are both in the Dragon capital." Shen Xu said and sighed.

Compared to higher-level continents, the Canglan continent lacked complete inheritances. 

In such a situation, it was amazing that cultivators could reach the golden core realm or even master the basics of the six arts.

"Let's go to the talisman association first." Zhen Yuan suggested, and Shen Xu agreed.

Less than an incense stick later, the two arrived at the entrance of the Talisman Association.

"Fellow Daoists, why didn't you come earlier? You are already too late." The guard said, looking at them with pity in his eyes.

Hearing that, Shen Xu and Zhen Yuan looked at each other in confusion.

"Fellow Daoist, we have just arrived in Two Reeds town and don't know the recent news. Can you tell us what is going on?" Shen Xu asked and stuffed a spirit stone into the guard's hand.

With a practised ease, the guard put away the spirit stone and looked at the two.

"Five months ago, the capital branch of our talisman association distributed a talisman map to other branches, including our Two Reeds town branch."

"What kind of talisman map?" Shen Xu asked.

"The map of a qi gathering talisman." The guard said excitedly.

Hearing that, Shen Xu suddenly remembered.

In the book, there was such a thing as a newly created qi gathering talisman. However, it was only mentioned, and no details were revealed.

In the Canglan continent, neither the protagonist nor his harem had anything to do with talismans. Because of this, the new qi gathering talisman didn't appear like a big deal.

However, from the guard's behaviour, Shen Xu knew the qi gathering talisman was significant.

Considering that, he turned to Zhen Yuan, his eyes filled with questions.

Fortunately, Zhen Yuan understood the unasked question and nodded in answer.

Since he became a talisman master, Zhen Yuan always made sure to only sell the talismans that were commonly available in the Canglan continent.

However, his inheritance had thousands upon thousands of talisman maps.

Naturally, the map of the qi gathering talisman was among them.

'I should remember to draw some qi gathering talismans for XiaoXu. They should be useful for his cultivation.' He thought.

"What does the map of the qi gathering talisman have to do with our coming late?" Shen Xu continued to question the guard.

"Our association sells thirty qi gathering talismans on the tenth day of each month." The guard explained.

"We really missed a big deal." Shen Xu acknowledged with unconcealed regret in his eyes.

However, he didn't actually care about the qi gathering talismans.

First, he was already at the peak of the twelfth level of the qi refining realm. Until he advanced to the foundation establishment realm, the qi gathering talisman was useless to him.

Second, Zhen Yuan had already confirmed he could draw the talisman.

When the time came, Shen Xu would get as many as he wanted. 

'I have gained a lot.' He thought and looked at Zhen Yuan appreciatively.

"Don't mind it. You should come early next month." The guard advised.

"We will do so." Shen Xu nodded and then asked about certifying the talisman master level.

"Are you already a first-level master?" The guard asked when he learned Zhen Yuan wanted to certify the second level.

"Not yet." Zhen Yuan answered.

"You must certify the first level before the second level." The guard said and then continued.

"There is a fee of one thousand spirit stones for the first level and two thousand for the second level."

After learning what they needed, the two thanked the guard and entered the talisman association.

[XiaoXu, I have an idea.] Zhen Yuan suddenly said.

[What is it?] Shen Xu asked and turned to look at his husband.

[I want to sell a talisman map.]

When he heard that, Shen Xu fell silent.

Selling a talisman map was a good way to earn a large lump sum.

However, if Zhen Yuan sold it openly, he would fall into the eyes of troublesome people.

[Ayuan, we have to act carefully.] Shen Xu reminded in a cautious voice.

[I know.] Zhen Yuan assured and then continued.

[In Two Reeds town, no cultivator is powerful enough to threaten me. Most importantly, I etched several runes on our face masks; no one can see through them.]

After listening to Zhen Yuan's reassurance, Shen Xu immediately agreed.

Compared to major cities, making big moves in a remote place like Two Reeds town was safer. 

[Let's act according to the situation.] Shen Xu said, and Zhen Yuan nodded in agreement.

The lobby of the Talisman Association was a big room of about one thousand square metres.

It had tens of counters along the walls, and hundreds of cultivators were queuing in front of the counters or sitting in the waiting areas.

After they entered the lobby, Shen Xu and Zhen Yuan joined a short queue, and it was soon their turn.

"Fellow Daoist, I want to certify my level." Zhen Yuan said and gave one thousand spirit stones.

Hearing the voice, the female attendant looked up, expecting to see a handsome young man.

Unfortunately, the person was masked, and she was immediately disappointed.

However, the female attendant was well-trained. 

After she failed to see the young man's face, she quickly got over her disappointment and processed the registration.

Soon after, she gave Zhen Yuan a square wooden token.

"Please enter that room when your number is called." She said and pointed at a door.

"Thank you, fellow Daoist." Shen Xu said and pulled Zhen Yuan to sit in the waiting chairs.

"Have you decided which talisman you will draw?" Shen Xu asked after they sat down.

"Not yet. Which one do you like? I will draw whichever you like." Zhen Yuan said.

Hearing that, a young man seated next to them snorted.

"What a big tone!" The young man said and looked at Zhen Yuan in disgust.

"Does this fellow Daoist have a problem with us?" Shen Xu asked.

"What problem can I have?" The young man asked in a sarcastic voice.

"Young master Rong, did they offend you?" A male voice suddenly asked.

"I just encountered some people who like to brag." Young Master Rong said in a loud voice.

"What happened?" Another person asked.

"Young master Rong, can you tell us about it?" A female cultivator asked

"Just now, this fellow Daoist said he will draw whichever talisman his companion likes." Young master Rong revealed, his voice laced with undisguised mockery.

When they heard that, the surrounding cultivators burst into laughter.

"Although they are wearing masks, I can tell they are young. How many kinds of talismans can a young cultivator draw?"

"The young miss of the Lin family is a well-known genius, but she can only draw three kinds."

"Looking at their figures, one is a double. It's clear the taller one wants to impress the double."

"What a stupid way to court a lover."

"Young people should be down to earth." Someone advised, and Shen Xu gritted his teeth in anger.

Since they arrived, he and Zhen Yuan didn't bother others and only minded their business.

Even if Zhen Yuan was bragging, how did it concern the others?

Why did he and Zhen Yuan have to be scolded by a group of random strangers?

Thinking of this, Shen Xu glared at the so-called young master Rong, but the effect was lessened by the mask on his face.

"How dare you look at young master Rong with such eyes?" A female cultivator spoke angrily.

"The eyes are on me. I can look at whomever, however I want." Shen Xu said and sneered.

Unfortunately, the sneer was hidden beneath his mask, and the crowd couldn't see it.

"You…" The female cultivator shouted, but Shen Xu had already turned away.

"Have you decided?" Zhen Yuan looked at Shen Xu and suddenly asked.

Since he was young, Zhen Yuan had very little interest in people.

For some reason, he always felt like an observer and could never muster enough interest to get involved with others.

At this time, he didn't care what others thought about him, but unexpectedly, he couldn't stand that they irritated his wife.

Because of this, Zhen Yuan was willing to get involved. 

He was willing to do his best to find a place for his young wife. 

Thinking of the arrogant and proud face Shen Xu occasionally showed, Zhen Yuan, couldn't help but look forward to it.

"I have an idea." Shen Xu said with a mischievous smile in his eyes.

'Why do I smell trouble?' Zhen Yuan wondered but was willing to cooperate in whatever Shen Xu was planning. 

Although he didn't like to court trouble, if his XiaoXu poked a hole in the sky, Zhen Yuan was willing to bear it for him.