Half a month later.
Inside Wubao Fort.
Fu Zhang listened as his subordinates reported last month's earnings.
Thanks to the recent chaos in Great River Market, low-tier talismans that could be activated instantly had become immensely popular among independent cultivators.
As a result, they had made a net profit of three thousand Spirit Stones last month.
Fu Zhang was not particularly satisfied with that figure.
The Fu Family had more than fifty cultivators, five of whom, like him, were at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.
The resources required for everyone's cultivation were undoubtedly enormous.
Most crucially, if this continued, when would they ever earn him a Foundation Establishment Pill?
And if he failed to establish his foundation, the Fu Family's so-called title as a Foundation Establishment family would be stripped away completely within ten years.
"Fortunately, we were given a share of the Mountain Shattering Gang's demon beast business. That will greatly reduce our costs for Talisman Skin and talisman ink."
The hides of demon beasts, once tanned, could make excellent Talisman Skin.
And demon beast blood, mixed with several mineral materials, also produced superior talisman ink.
Those two businesses were more worthwhile than giving the Fu Family several territories.
Fu Zhang put away the account book, and his foul mood eased somewhat.
"I hear the Inner City shop has been doing better and better lately. Dozens of customers come through the doors every day. It seems the Great River Market's independent cultivators have recognized our Fu Family's Talisman Crafting Arts!"
"If that is the case, then we..."
Just as he was about to issue several orders, his third brother Fu Jue, who managed the Inner City shop, hurried in with a tense expression.
"Third Brother, what is it? You are so flustered. This does not look like the steady