Daoist Pinglu

Mid-grade Spirit Talismans were indeed far more popular in the market than low-grade ones. In less than half a day, of the dozen or so Golden Light Talismans at Song Qingming's stall, only one remained. Qin Zhen alone had bought four at once.

The cultivation techniques of Rogue Cultivators were mostly common wares, without any particularly formidable divine abilities. When they went out demon hunting, they generally relied more on external aids such as magic artifacts, Spirit Talismans, and formations. Among items of the same grade, aside from formations, Spirit Talismans were far more powerful in use than magic artifacts and were also a common method used by cultivators.

Back at Yunwu Mountain, Song Qingming had escaped the pursuit of that Eagle Nest Ridge bandit only because he had ambushed him with a rather powerful Mid-grade Talisman, buying himself a sliver of survival. Such situations were everywhere in the Cultivation World. At critical moments, talismans were much more useful than other spiritual items.

However useful talismans were, they were consumables—one-use spiritual items that vanished once used. Though much cheaper than magic artifacts, they were not something one could afford to use casually and could only be employed at crucial moments. For this very reason, regardless of cultivation level, every cultivator would keep several Spirit Talismans on hand against unforeseen dangers.

Some time ago in Guiyun Marketplace, Song Qingming had also spent thirty Spirit Stones to purchase two High-grade Spirit Talismans for himself, carrying them in case of danger. With those two High-grade Spirit Talismans on him, he had finally felt much more at ease on his journey back from Guiyun Marketplace. Even if he encountered a Late Qi Refining Stage Cultivator, with two High-grade Spirit Talismans in hand, he would have some confidence in escaping.

After not coming for several months, Song Qingming's stall this time went exceptionally smoothly. Not only did all his mid-grade Spirit Talismans sell out, but quite a few of the low-grade Spirit Talismans he had stockpiled before were sold as well. Before sunset, there were hardly any Spirit Talismans left at his stall, only twenty or thirty low-grade ones remaining.

As the sun sank westward, people had already begun packing up their stalls and leaving one after another. Song Qingming also rose to tidy up, preparing to leave Caolu Mountain. This trip had been quite rewarding.

Yet just as he stepped out of the courtyard, someone approached him head-on and interrupted his departure.

The newcomer was an elderly cultivator with white hair and a youthful face, rosy cheeks, and the attire of a Daoist. He was Daoist Pinglu, one of the three masters of Caolu Mountain. Song Qingming was truly surprised to see him and had no idea why this old Daoist had come looking for him.

"Young Friend Song, at such a young age, your cultivation has improved again. You are no less gifted than I was in my youth. In all Qinghe County, you can be considered one of the rare young talents. Foundation Establishment may well be within your grasp in the future," Daoist Pinglu said with a smiling face, clearly taking him for a genius cultivator with Three Spirit Roots as well.

Hearing Daoist Pinglu praise him so highly, Song Qingming thought it over and felt there was no need to explain much. It did not matter if others took him for a Three Spirit Roots genius, so long as he did not openly admit it. Among the major cultivation families of Qinghe County, in order to protect important clan cultivators with outstanding Spirit Roots, they generally did not reveal the attributes of those geniuses' Spirit Roots to outsiders. It was also for their protection, lest they be targeted by enemies when they went out.

Song Qingming waved his hand and replied modestly, "Senior is a Peak Qi Refining cultivator. How could my cultivation compare with yours? If Qingming can have the chance to reach Senior's level in this life, I will die without regrets. How would I dare dream of attaining the Dao through Foundation Establishment?"

Daoist Pinglu's cultivation had already reached the peak of Qi Refining. Decades ago, he had once attempted to break through to Foundation Establishment, but without a Foundation Establishment Pill in hand, he had failed. Still, he had relied on sheer willpower to survive by luck. Among the nearly thousand cultivators in all Qinghe County, legendary figures like him who had dared to attempt Foundation Establishment without a Foundation Establishment Pill and still lived could be counted on one hand.

Though these people had failed to achieve Foundation Establishment, their courage to stake everything on the path of Dao despite the danger of death and dissolution made them heroes in the hearts of Qinghe County's many Qi Refining Cultivators. Song Qingming deeply admired him as well. If it were himself, he might not have had the courage to smash the cauldrons and sink the boats, making such a life-or-death choice.

"Humble and courteous, with both feet on the ground—you are good material for cultivation. I heard that you need to purchase a large quantity of mid-grade talisman-making materials. This old Daoist happens to have some on hand recently. I wonder if you still need them?"

"Yes, of course I do!"

So that was it. The Three Elders of Pinglu rarely appeared at the gathering. It was always their disciples and followers who maintained order in the courtyard. This old man had suddenly come here, and sure enough, it was still for a few Spirit Stones. Song Qingming finally understood Daoist Pinglu's true purpose in seeking him out and could not help showing a faint smile.

Following the old Daoist into the inn on Caolu Mountain, the two found a more secluded guest room. Song Qingming had assumed the old man did not have much material and that he would still need to make a trip to Qinghe Market this month. To his surprise, Daoist Pinglu was deeply hidden and extraordinary in his dealings, producing over a hundred portions of mid-grade talisman-making materials at once. It truly startled Song Qingming. Good heavens, this was nearly on par with an ordinary materials shop in Guiyuan Workshop.

Song Qingming counted the materials. Together with what he had received at the gathering just now, they were enough to last him for over half a month. After agreeing on a price with Daoist Pinglu, he readily accepted the batch of materials.

Seeing Song Qingming take out several dozen Spirit Stones, Daoist Pinglu accepted them, gave them a glance, and swiftly put them into his Storage Bag. Raising his head, he said with a smile, "Young Friend Song, if your family plans to purchase them over the long term, you may inform me in advance. This old Daoist has some connections around Caolu Mountain. Gathering some talisman-making materials for your family will not be difficult."

Song Qingming was delighted upon hearing this. If this old Daoist truly had such channels, it would save him quite a bit of trouble in the future. After thinking it over, he settled the matter with Daoist Pinglu. From then on, the two would conduct secret transactions at this inn over the long term.

However, Song Qingming did not dare ask for too much at the start. He only asked that Daoist Pinglu provide one hundred portions of mid-grade talisman-making materials and one hundred portions of low-grade talisman-making materials every month. If it was too much, he feared it might arouse the suspicions of this old fox who had cultivated for nearly a century.

Furthermore, although he could now make mid-grade Spirit Talismans, he still needed to make some low-grade Spirit Talismans as a cover. Otherwise, if he only sold mid-grade Spirit Talismans in the future, his identity as a Mid-grade Talisman Master would likely soon be exposed at this gathering alone.

"Rest assured, Young Friend. I was an old acquaintance of your clan head back in the day. Since I have promised you, I will certainly gather them for you within a month. When the time comes, you can simply come here to collect them," Daoist Pinglu said, beginning to swear solemnly that there would be no problem once he saw Song Qingming was willing to purchase over the long term.

It had to be said that Daoist Pinglu was truly skilled at business. Caolu Mountain's present scale certainly owed no small part to his efforts.

However, he and the Song Family's clan head, Song Gushan, were cultivators of the same generation. Both were elders nearing a hundred years of age, with only a dozen or so years of Lifespan remaining. At such an age, he was still running about for a few Spirit Stones. Presumably, he was paving the way for his younger cultivators.

In the Cultivation World, only a handful of cultivators from each generation could achieve Foundation Establishment. After most cultivators lost the path to advance further, they would choose to take in many disciples or establish families and spread their branches and leaves, helping them gather cultivation resources and placing their hopes upon the next generation of cultivators.