Chapter 289: Chapter 234 Is There a Possibility That I Am Truly Gaining Enlightenment
 

Just before, Jiang Cheng had arrived at the entrance of Capital University.

Since classes hadn’t started yet, the university’s entrance was deserted, with barely any sign of life.

The upside was that it was easy to find people; Liang Lu had effortlessly met up with Jiang Cheng after arriving at Capital University.

“Liang, aren’t you here to buy more talismans?” Jiang Cheng asked.

Ever since Liang Lu reached out to him with a communication talisman, Jiang Cheng had guessed her purpose.

After all, their relationship revolved around talisman trading, without much else in common.

“Jiang, you’re quite perceptive. Indeed, I am here to buy talismans from you,” Liang Lu admitted frankly.

Jiang Cheng laughed, “That’s easy to discuss. If you’re willing to write some detailed reviews on your use of the talismans, the more detailed the better, I can give you a discount.”

Many of the talismans Jiang Cheng sold to Liang Lu the last time were ones he had created while undercover at the Shadow Puppet Sect, intended for self-defense. However, he ended up not needing them, and thus many talismans lacked testing and experimental samples.

Liang Lu, having bought them now, certainly had a wealth of experience using this batch of talismans.

Jiang Cheng initially assumed that Liang Lu would agree immediately, since a review for a discount was a win-win situation. But unexpectedly, Liang Lu declined.

“I’m not here to buy old ones this time; I want new talismans!”

“New talismans? But the ones you bought last time were new.”

“They’ve been used once by me and are now old.”

“Huh?”

Afraid that Jiang Cheng didn’t understand, Liang Lu explained specifically, “I want to buy brand-new talismans that have never been used before.”

“For a competition?”

“Yes.”

“No. If that’s your request, then I no longer have any new ones to sell you,” Jiang Cheng said with utmost sincerity.

“Impossible, you must have some!” Liang Lu insisted.

She couldn’t believe Jiang Cheng would let her use up all his resources so easily.

Although she hadn’t interacted much with Jiang Cheng, Liang Lu had gotten to know his character through their few encounters.

He was the type who appeared leisurely in a brawl, clearly someone whose hidden cards were more than what was revealed.

He wouldn’t have sold all his talismans to her in one go.

He certainly kept the good ones separate.

As the saying goes, Jiang Cheng’s talismans were like water in a sponge—there was always more to squeeze out.

Liang Lu’s guess hit the mark, and Jiang Cheng said, “I do have talismans for competition, but those I can’t sell you. As a cultivator at the seventh level of Qi training, without a weapon, it’s only reasonable for me to keep some methods of self-protection, right?”

Upon hearing about new talismans, Liang Lu’s eyes shone, “I want to buy them, it doesn’t matter if they’re a bit more expensive.”

“Sorry, Your Highness, but some talismans are reserved as my trump cards, and it wouldn’t be good to let outsiders know about them.”

The term “outsider” felt uncomfortably harsh to Liang Lu.

Logic told her that her relationship with Jiang Cheng did indeed stop short of being friends, but at that moment, it still made her feel uneasy.

“Your Highness, if there’s nothing else, I have matters to attend to and won’t see you out,” Jiang Cheng prepared to take his leave.

But seizing a slim chance, Liang Lu pressed on, “If I’m not mistaken, you’re a Lotus University student, right? What are you doing at Capital University?”

“Um…”

“You can’t even say that? Because I’m an ‘outsider’?”

“I’m here to make rubbings of cultivation techniques,” Jiang Cheng said.

“But this is Capital University, Linlan Sect’s turf. As far as I know, the Linlan Sect isn’t known for being generous. And cultivation techniques have always been closely guarded secrets of the immortal sects. Normally, they wouldn’t allow outsiders to make rubbings.”

Liang Lu’s expression read: be honest, don’t try to fob me off.

Open and aboveboard, Jiang Cheng told the truth, “I drew a talisman for your royal brother in exchange for the privilege to make rubbings of cultivation techniques in the Capital University library.”

“It’s not Linlan Sect’s techniques, is it?”

“Of course not.”

“Can I take a look?”

“Sure. Though, I don’t think you’ll find it interesting.”

“I won’t find it interesting…” Liang Lu pondered for a moment, then, with a flash of surprise, said, “Could it be, you’re making rubbings of Demon Sect’s techniques?”

Jiang Cheng coughed, “How could you call it ‘stealing’ when it’s a scholar’s endeavor?”

Liang Lu didn’t reply, just silently walked alongside Jiang Cheng.

Her curiosity drove her to understand more about Jiang Cheng, but the more she learned, the more curious she became.

This state was like a snowball effect; the more it rolled, the bigger it got. Her curiosity was constantly tempting her to get closer to Jiang Cheng, ever closer…

Liang Lu hadn’t actually forgotten Mrs. Mo’s admonishment, but she rationalized that merely talking to Jiang Cheng didn’t count as “getting close” to him, did it?

What harm could come from just talking?

Maybe Mrs. Mo was being too sensitive.

“Jiang Cheng, do you have any grudges with the Taixu Sect?” Liang Lu asked.

Jiang Cheng, unsure why Liang Lu would ask this, responded, “No, on the contrary, my relationship with the Taixu Sect is rather good. Especially with President Li of the Talisman Master Association. We’re quite familiar with each other.”

“Oh.”

With her question answered, Liang Lu felt relieved.

If Jiang Cheng had a good relationship with the Taixu Sect, what was there for her to worry about?

In case of any issues, she would just seek out Li Qingge. After all, it was Li Qingge who was close with Jiang Cheng, and any problem would be her fault.

Thinking this way, Liang Lu felt a weight lift from her shoulders, bereft of any psychological burden.

Although Capital University’s library held Demonic Tao cultivation techniques, this section of “forbidden books” wasn’t open to the public, being specially locked in the library’s exclusive collection area.

Jiang Cheng, having introduced Liang Lu to Shen and Yue, continued with his task of making rubbings of cultivation techniques.

Jiang Cheng thought that Liang Lu and Yue Linger, both being female cultivators, would have plenty to talk about. But not long after, Liang Lu abandoned Yue Linger and came over to his side.

Liang Lu helped Jiang Cheng retrieve a book on cultivation techniques and said, “If I can also find these sorts of things for you, would I still be considered an ‘outsider’?”