The next morning, the sun was just right, and Pei Liang opened his shop door early, feeling refreshed and invigorated!
The five Shadow Clones that had sacrificed themselves for him yesterday had all been revived.
He hadn't done anything, relying solely on time.
This made Pei Liang even more surprised.
Where did the energy for the Clones come from? Was it the star stone itself?
He stopped thinking about things he couldn't understand. Life should be easy; why make it so tiring?
"It's rare to see you up so early today?" Old Man Fang walked over, his face beaming.
"Looking at that smile, what scheme are you cooking up now?"
"A good thing!" Old Man Fang grinned, "How about I introduce you to a wife?"
"Stop right there!" Pei Liang waved his hands repeatedly, "I can't afford that 'good thing'!"
"Didn't you say you wanted to enjoy life? How can you enjoy it without a wife?" Old Man Fang didn't seem to be asking for his opinion. "It's settled then, I'll bring her over in a couple of days for you to meet!"
"Sigh..."
Pei Liang watched Old Man Fang's retreating figure, speechless for a moment.
In a month, he might not even have a place to live. Get a wife? Sleep on the street then...
Just as he was about to turn back into the small shop for a nap, he saw a square-faced man walk out of the courtyard next to Old Man Fang's.
Pei Liang paused his steps. When the man approached, he bowed slightly and greeted him, "Xu Fellow Daoist, going out so early?"
This square-faced man was Xu Jie, the strongest person in Yanhuo Alley, with a Cultivation Base at Qi Refining sixth level.
As neighbors, he and Old Man Fang had been trying hard to maintain a good relationship with him.
After all, Yanhuo Alley wasn't always peaceful. With this person's deterrence, their two shops could avoid a lot of troublesome issues!
However, Xu Jie merely glanced at him indifferently and walked away unhurriedly.
In his eyes, Pei Liang was just an insignificant Talisman Master, not worth his time to stop and greet.
Pei Liang didn't mind either.
The other person had the capital to be arrogant; the Talismans he refined were useless to him, so why waste time with him?
...
By evening, Pei Liang closed his shop and went to Feixing Tavern on the main road to order some wine and dishes.
He quietly carried them out of the Immortal Market area.
Qingming had just passed, and the air carried a hint of moisture. He found a secluded stream, with lush green willows along its bank.
The shimmering water reflected two figures, drinking heartily from their cups.
"From now on, you shall be called Xi Wang, and you shall go to Xuan Yu Sect to pay your respects!"
Pei Liang took a Storage Pouch from his waist and handed it over, "Inside, I've left you two Spirit Stones, a Low Grade magic sword, and a few Body Protection Talismans! Consider it your travel expenses!"
"Thank you, Master!" Xi Wang said solemnly, "I will never fail Master's high expectations!"
"Alright, drink this bowl of wine and then depart!"
The wine bowls clinked, and wine splashed.
"The mountains are high and the road is long, take care on your journey. All of our futures depend on you!"
"Master, take care!"
As the sun set, Pei Liang watched Xi Wang's figure disappear into the twilight, remaining silent for a long time.
"May you be like these mountains and waters, with surging winds and clouds rising!"
He had high hopes for this Earthly Spiritual Root Clone with Sword Dao talent.
The Cultivation Techniques, skills, and resources within Xuan Yu Sect were all things he yearned for but couldn't obtain.
If this Clone could achieve something within the Sect, then the Master's life would undergo earth-shattering changes!
Therefore, Pei Liang named him Xi Wang, representing his hope!
On the way back, Pei Liang released two more Clones.
One was named Shen Dan and the other Shen Fu.
Their mission was to find a way to enter Dan Bao Pavilion and Fu Bao Pavilion to apprentice and learn.
Their Spiritual Root quality was ordinary, so it might be difficult for them to enter a Golden Core Sect.
As a secondary option, being able to enter the system of Yunluo Immortal Market was also a proud achievement.
He had already experienced the hardships of being a Loose Cultivator for over two hundred years. Now that he had Clones that could change his destiny, he naturally had to make thorough arrangements.
As for whether they could achieve something, he wasn't anxious; everything depended on their luck.
The sky grew darker, and Pei Liang hurried back to his small shop.
He actually didn't like going out much, especially at night.
He always felt that the dark night was like a gluttonous beast, full of unknown dangers.
However, there was no other way; the deployment of autonomous Clones could only be done within his spiritual consciousness range.
As a small Cultivator at Qi Refining third level, his spiritual consciousness range was only a pathetic few meters.
To avoid making people suspect his connection with the Clones, he could only go to deserted places and secretly release them!
Autonomous Clones seemed incredibly miraculous; any slight gain from them could bring boundless value to Pei Liang.
The only thing was that this process couldn't be achieved overnight and required some patience!
Pei Liang no longer cared much about the high-interest loan weighing on him.
Now with the Clones as his backing, what if he had to wander the world?
There will be a time when the strong wind breaks the waves, and the cloud sails will hang high to cross the vast sea!
Three days later, the breeze was cool, the sky was dim, and rain was threatening but not falling, making it feel a bit heavy.
Old Man Fang walked into the small shop with a cheerful smile.
Behind him followed a brightly dressed female Cultivator.
"Pei boy, come here quickly!"
Pei Liang frowned. This old fellow, instead of learning good things, insisted on being a matchmaker, and he actually brought a female Cultivator?
If he didn't meet her now, would it seem too impolite? Besides, this female Cultivator wasn't bad-looking...
"This is Pei Liang, a Talisman Master!"
"This is Yu Min Xianzi!"
Old Man Fang's wrinkles around his eyes crinkled together as he gave a simple introduction.
"Hello, Fairy Yu!"
Pei Liang's smile was quite bright as he honestly greeted her.
Although this female Cultivator's appearance couldn't be called breathtaking, she was elegant and gentle, with a graceful figure.
If it weren't for too many secrets on him, becoming Dao Companion would also be a good choice.
However, even if they couldn't become Dao Companion, a casual chat now and then wouldn't be bad!
Yu Min Xianzi glanced at him sideways, then surveyed his small shop.
"This Talisman shop is too small, and the person is just so-so, nothing special!"
"Oh, Pei Fushi, what is your current Cultivation Base? And how is your Talisman crafting skill?"
Pei Liang's face flushed slightly as he replied, "It's shameful to say, my Cultivation Base is still at Qi Refining third level. As for my Talisman crafting skill, I can barely be considered a Low Grade Talisman Master."
"Qi Refining third level? Low Grade Talisman Master?" Yu Min rolled her eyes, a hint of disdain appearing on her face. "Fellow Daoist Pei, you should focus on your cultivation. Seeking a Dao Companion is just a waste of time!"
"And this Talisman shop, you actually have the nerve to do business?"
After saying that, she left without looking back.
Old Man Fang's plastered smile froze on his face. He chased Yu Min for a few steps, then turned back, looking disappointed. "I told her you were about to become a Medium Grade Talisman Master!"
"And you, you said Low Grade, and even 'barely'?"
"I don't think that's the point!" Pei Liang shook his head. "I think she didn't fancy my small Talisman shop!"
"What kind of logic is that?"
Pei Liang smiled without speaking, too lazy to explain to him.
He believed Old Man Fang had already explained his situation to her. The fact that she came meant she was interested in his small shop, but this Talisman shop was smaller and more dilapidated than she imagined, so she could only leave disappointed!
Forget it, the hope of friendly interaction was gone...