There was a table against the wall. The woman walked to the table, sat in a high-backed chair, and asked, "What does Fellow Daoist want?"

Qing Xuanzi couldn't sense her level. If she could call him a fellow Daoist, she must be a senior who could see the depth of his cultivation.

Unexpectedly, such a powerful figure was hidden in a corner of the Ice City. He respectfully asked, "I would like to buy more high-quality talisman paper and cinnabar. Do you have any here, senior?"

The woman gave Qing Xuanzi a meaningful look and nodded: "Yes, how much do you want?"

"Do you have 10,000 talismans? And enough cinnabar."

The woman frowned; this was going to empty her entire inventory.

But I still took it out and asked, "Don't you want anything else?"

"Does the senior have any items here suitable for children to practice their skills?"

The woman laughed and said, "If you ask like that, then there are so many useful things. Are you going to buy them all?"

Qing Xuanzi was a little embarrassed: "Then let's just use the medicine cauldron, the talisman brush for children, and ordinary yellow paper!"

The woman nodded: "Yes, we do, but the items are not cheap, and I don't accept worldly gold and silver here."

Qing Xuanzi nodded. For cultivators, gold and silver are things that are easily obtained.

Seeing him nod, the woman got up and walked to a wooden shelf in the corner. She took down a small medicine cauldron from it. The cauldron was simple and unadorned, with some simple runes engraved on its surface. It looked unremarkable, but Qing Xuanzi could feel the spirituality contained within it.

"This is a medicine cauldron for children. Although it's simple, it's enough to refine some basic pills." The woman handed the cauldron to Qing Xuanzi and continued, "As for the talisman brush and yellow paper, I also have those here. Although they're not top-quality materials, they're suitable for beginners."

She took several talisman pens from the wooden shelf. The pens were carved with delicate patterns and had soft, flexible tips.

Then, she took out a stack of yellow paper, which had a faint yellow hue and a subtle fragrance.

The woman handed the items to Qing Xuanzi one by one, saying, "These are enough for the child to use for a while."

Qing Xuanzi spent a while searching in his sleeve, then took out the Ganoderma lucidum that Rong Jiaojiao had absorbed spiritual energy from and handed it to the woman, saying, "Senior, please take a look. This might be enough to exchange for these things."

The woman took the Ganoderma lucidum and immediately knew that it had lost its spiritual power.

She took it and gently sniffed it. After turning the Ganoderma lucidum over a few times and examining it carefully, she nodded slightly and said, "Although it has lost its spiritual energy, its medicinal properties are well preserved. It's still enough to exchange for these items."

Qing Xuanzi breathed a sigh of relief. He had just been wondering what to use to make up for the shortfall.

The woman pushed the items toward Qing Xuanzi, saying, "Put them away. I'll take your Ganoderma."

"Thank you, senior!"

He packed up the items one by one and thanked them.

The woman turned her gaze to Rong Jiaojiao in her arms and said, "You're lucky; you've taken on a good apprentice."

Qing Xuanzi was shocked. He hadn't even let this woman see Jiaojiao's face. How could he possibly see that Jiaojiao was extraordinary?

Seeing his nervousness, the woman waved her hand and said, "I didn't see anything in him, so I knew this child must be extraordinary. But I saw more in you that you have benefited greatly from her. Everything in this world has its own destiny, so you should cherish it."

Qing Xuanzi nodded: "May I ask who this master is?"

"Tian Shu!"

Qing Xuanzi exclaimed in surprise: "Tian Shu? Senior Tian Shu, the leader of the metaphysics group of the special department of China?"

It is said that the leader of the Tian Shu group is a woman who has reached the cultivation level of a Celestial Master. Could it really be the one in front of us?

Tian Shu nodded: "It's my old woman."

Qing Xuanzi asked in confusion, "Why is Senior here?"

Tian Shu laughed and said, "I chased a Japanese Onmyoji here a few days ago. I just finished dealing with him, so I came here to relax for a few days."

Qing Xuanzi looked around and asked, "Isn't this your shop?"

Tian Shu shook his head: "No, this is a supply station for our Xuanmen Group. We usually sell things to others just to learn about the Xuanxue talents in various places."

"I see! Then I won't bother you any longer, senior. Please continue with your work!"

Qing Xuanzi bowed slightly, gave a respectful salute, and turned to leave.

Tian Shu suddenly called out to him, "Wait, don't rush off."

Qing Xuanzi stopped and turned to look at Tian Shu, asking in confusion, "Senior, is there anything else you need?"

Tian Shu smiled slightly, a hint of profound meaning in his eyes: "I have a connection with this child. Here is a jade pendant. Keep it for her. When she grows up, if she is interested in joining the Xuanmen Group, a special department, have her take the jade pendant to headquarters to find me."

Qing Xuanzi was overjoyed. He knew that Tian Shu came from the Xuanji Sect and not only had extremely high cultivation, but his divination skills were also unparalleled.

For Rong Jiaojiao, being valued so highly by her was undoubtedly a tremendous opportunity.

He quickly took the jade pendant, which was a piece of warm white jade with a lifelike phoenix carved on it, as if it were about to take flight at any moment.

The jade pendant exuded a peaceful aura, which made Qing Xuanzi feel at ease.

"Thank you, senior! I will definitely keep this jade pendant safe for her." Qing Xuanzi respectfully put the jade pendant into his sleeve, his heart filled with gratitude.

Tian Shu nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Rong Jiaojiao again, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes: "This child is exceptionally talented, her future is limitless. Teach her well, and do not let her talent go to waste."

Qing Xuanzi was shocked; he knew that Tian Shu's words were no exaggeration.

For Rong Jiaojiao, gaining her approval was undoubtedly the best starting point.

He nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, senior, I will do my best to teach her."

Tian Shu smiled, satisfied with his answer.

She stood up from her chair, opened her palm, and a worn-out thread-bound book appeared in her hand. She handed it to Qing Xuanzi and said, "These are some of my cultivation insights that I'm giving to the girl. Perhaps they will be of some help to her."

Qing Xuanzi took the book. The handwriting was delicate and the edges were rough. It was clearly a beloved book that its owner often read. He was even more grateful that she had given it to Jiaojiao like this: "Senior is so kind. I really have no way to repay her."

Tian Shu waved his hand and said calmly, "Cultivators believe in cause and effect. I'm helping you in the hope that you can pass on this kindness. When she grows up, she might become a grandmaster. When that happens, don't forget to come back and visit this old woman."

Qing Xuanzi felt a warmth in his heart and nodded, saying, "Senior, rest assured, when Jiaojiao grows up, I will definitely bring her to pay her respects to you."

After thinking for a moment, he took out a piece of wood he had collected yesterday and handed it to Tian Shu: "Please take a look and tell me what kind of wood this is?"