Chapter 1625: I Want to Go to the Luo Family

"This is more like it!" Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction, reaching out to hold the talisman between his fingers.

Since the talisman was refined from Kong Shi's blood, it was only natural that as a Celestial Master Teacher, he could make it submit. As expected, a single try confirmed it.

Wu Chen's eyes widened.

To be honest, he was truly worldly and well-traveled, but the shock he experienced today surpassed anything he had encountered in his entire life. He couldn't help but be impressed.

A talisman refined by Kong Shi, which even Ancient Sage Qiu Wu and Ancient Sage Ran Qiu didn't value, submitted so readily just by being touched... Is there anything you can't do?

However, what truly surprised him wasn't that, but rather what happened after Zhang Xuan grasped the talisman. With a flick of his wrist, the treasure — coveted by all and connected to Kong Shi's most important hidden treasure — floated lightly into Luo Ruoxi's palm.

"Ruoxi, you can keep this Celestial Talisman for now! It's useless to me anyway."

Wu Chen's body stiffened.

The four previous individuals had used all sorts of treasures just to get their hands on this item, a clear sign of its immense value. Yet, he was casually giving it away, showing not the slightest concern...

But the biggest surprise was yet to come.

"This talisman has already recognized you as its master, so it's fine if you keep it! It would be even more useless in my hands... As long as you take me into the Temple of Confucius when it opens!" Luo Ruoxi shook her head, an equally nonchalant expression on her face, and handed the talisman back.

"Alright then!" After a moment of hesitation, Zhang Xuan, with a helpless look, took the talisman back.

The Spring and Autumn Grand Ceremony was said to be incredibly powerful, but to him, with the Library of Heaven's Path, it was dispensable, let alone a mere talisman.

He had primarily come this time because the girl invited him. He also wanted to spend more time with her and, incidentally, figure out her true identity. Now that he knew she wouldn't do anything to harm humanity, giving away the talisman was no big deal.

It was just... he hadn't expected her to be so unconcerned either.

With both of them passing it back and forth, the Celestial Talisman, the object of this exchange, was practically in tears.

A dignified treasure refined by Kong Shi, something even Ancient Sage Ran Qiu wasn't worthy of refining, was being tossed back and forth so disrespectfully, neither wanting to hold it... "Don't hold me back, just let me bash my head in and die..."

"Never mind, I'm just a talisman, a piece of paper, with no head. I can't die by crashing myself anyway..."

Just as it was feeling utterly depressed, it saw its newly acknowledged master looking at it with eager eyes, like a miser.

"Little Talisman, since you've recognized me as your master, are there any more treasures in this ruin? Gather them all up for me to take away!"

"..." The talisman wiggled: "There aren't any..."

"How can there be none? Aren't there ninety-nine passages? Since my passage had the Dragon Bone Divine Spear, surely the other passages must also contain treasures..." Zhang Xuan wondered.

"The other passages are all trials, or killing formations; there are no treasures..."

The talisman swayed.

"None?" Zhang Xuan looked suspiciously at Luo Ruoxi and the other person, who nodded. "It's right. The passages we went through were a form of trial; we didn't find any treasures..."

"I see..." Zhang Xuan felt a pang of disappointment.

He had originally thought that all ninety-nine passages would contain treasures comparable to the Dragon Bone Divine Spear, but it seemed he had been overly optimistic...

"Oh, by the way, can you pry off the three characters 'Ran Zi Hall' from outside the door for me? That's good stuff too!"

Out of options, Zhang Xuan settled for the next best thing.

"..." The talisman.

'I've seen stingy people, but never *this* stingy... That's a plaque personally inscribed by Ancient Sage Ran Qiu; he's even taking the characters...'

'When others fight, they throw out long swords, long spears... but you throw out a plaque...'

Ignoring the almost-crying talisman, Zhang Xuan thoroughly ransacked Ran Zi Hall before returning, satisfied.

One never knows the cost of daily necessities until they manage a household. Having finally found a wealthy target, of course he had to make the most of it and fill his coffers.

"Take us out of here!"

Zhang Xuan instructed the talisman. The latter's body twisted, and the group was instantly enveloped in light. The next moment, they reappeared outside the folded space, back on Bai River Mountain.

"Miss, Master Zhang, I have some urgent matters to attend to, so I might have to take my leave now... I'll come find you once I'm done!"

As soon as he steadied himself, Wu Chen bowed and clasped his hands, a hint of worry and urgency on his face.

"What happened? Do you need any help?" Zhang Xuan asked, looking at him.

"Just some minor matters. Thank you for your concern, Master Zhang. I can handle it alone!" Wu Chen nodded.

"That's good then..." Zhang Xuan sighed in relief.

"Alright, go. Just contact me when you're done!" Luo Ruoxi nodded.

"Thank you!" Wu Chen said no more. With a flick of his finger, a spatial passage reappeared before him. He swayed, then leaped directly into it, disappearing from their sight shortly after.

Seeing him leave, Zhang Xuan turned to the girl not far away and smiled faintly, "Ruoxi, what are your plans now?"

With the Mother Talisman in hand, not finding the remaining talismans wouldn't be a big deal; they were inconsequential. All that was left to do was wait for the Temple of Confucius to open and enter directly.

"I don't have anything planned for now..." Luo Ruoxi shook her head.

"If you don't have anything to do, why not come back to the Zhang clan with me? We left in a hurry last time, and this would be a good chance for you to meet my parents!" Zhang Xuan smiled faintly.

After being reunited for so long, he certainly didn't want to part ways so soon.

He had only recently returned to his clan and acknowledged his parents. Since their relationship was already established, he wanted to take her to meet them.

"This..."

Luo Ruoxi's pristine white face flushed slightly. "I caused such a ruckus at the Luo clan and took you away, causing friction between the Zhang and Luo clans... Wouldn't it be awkward to just show up like that?"

"What's there to be awkward about? They're very easy to talk to..."

Zhang Xuan smiled faintly.

Although his parents had appeared quite suddenly, and he still hadn't brought himself to call them 'mom' and 'dad', he had to admit they were incredibly doting towards him.

Leaving aside everything else, just consider the tense situation at the Luo clan at that time, which concerned the reputations of both the Zhang and Luo clans. Any other parents would have long since slapped their "unfilial" son to death. Yet, they had fully supported him, and for that alone, they deserved his respect.

"This..."

With a conflicted expression, Luo Ruoxi seemed at a loss, unsure of what to do.

She could be as cold as ice, as calm as water, about anything; even the Mother Talisman, whether it was in Zhang Xuan's hands or her own, didn't matter. But... this matter left her feeling quite flustered.

"Don't be nervous. You'll have to meet them eventually. Meeting them will also solidify our relationship!"

Understanding her concerns, Zhang Xuan took her hand. "Alright, it's settled then, don't decline!"

"I..." Seeing the eagerness in his eyes, Luo Ruoxi paused, then finally didn't refuse. "Alright!"

"Great!" Seeing her agree, Zhang Xuan smiled faintly, then suddenly remembered something. "However, before we go back, I want to make a trip to the Luo clan first!"

"To the Luo clan?" Luo Ruoxi frowned.