Bamboo Leaf Market

Mu Xiuyun had put it that plainly, so Lan Chang'an found it hard to refuse.

What truly moved him was the double salary.

Over the years, as his talisman crafting improved, the Mu Family had given him not only the treatment afforded to ordinary lineage cultivators, but also an additional Spirit Stone stipend.

Adding the shop's salary, Lan Chang'an would have a considerable and stable income.

His personal cultivation, the Body Refinement Art, and raising the Earth Rock Rat all required no small expense.

In any case, Lan Chang'an had plenty of spare time.

Bamboo Leaf Mountain possessed a Second-Order Spiritual Vein. Even if he could not enjoy the spiritual vein in its core region, its cultivation effect would be no worse than Jade Moon Mountain Villa's.

Moreover, the marketplace saw heavy traffic, and its nose for news from the Cultivation World far surpassed the relatively isolated Jade Moon Mountain Villa.

"Eldest Miss, do you think Mu Ershun is suitable to be an apprentice?"

Lan Chang'an had not forgotten Li Ergou's request.

"Mu Ershun?"

Mu Xiuyun pondered. "That child understands a little talisman theory and barely meets the requirements. Since you've spoken up, give him a spot."

The two spoke for quite a while before Mu Xiuyun rose.

"Lan Chang'an, how is your success rate with High-Grade Talismans now?"

When they reached the courtyard, she asked him.

"A one-in-four success rate still means losses."

Lan Chang'an answered.

First-Order High-Grade Talismans cost considerably more. They demanded higher-quality Talisman Paper and Spirit Ink, while the Talisman Brush wore down much faster.

Drawing each High-Grade Talisman consumed a great deal of a Qi Refining Realm cultivator's mental energy, and time was also a cost.

"That is already considerable progress."

Mu Xiuyun nodded and left the courtyard, leaving behind a faint fragrance like osmanthus and orchids.

Half a month later.

A small Flying Boat departed from Jade Moon Mountain Villa, streaking through the clouds.

Mu Xiuyun stood prettily at the prow, her hair reaching her waist and her skirt fluttering in the wind. Her profile was as beautiful as a painting.

Lan Chang'an stood at her side.

Behind them were a male and female apprentice, their expressions somewhat restrained.

The boy with thick brows and large eyes was Mu Ershun.

The other was a Mu Family girl named Mu Shan. She was pretty, seventeen or eighteen years old, at the Qi Refining Second Layer, and a Talisman Master apprentice.

Over the years, the Mu Family's financial situation had improved greatly, and they had purchased two more small Flying Boats.

The main reason was that the situation had stabilized. Besides the aquatic products of Jade Moon Lake, the Mu Family also possessed the revenue from the entire Purple Copper Mine Area.

Mu Renlong, this newly advanced Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, was in the prime of life and had no worries about his lifespan. The arrival of Immortal Seedlings such as Li Ergou had replenished the Mu Family with fresh blood.

The recovered Mu Family was flourishing with vigorous vitality.

During the journey.

They inevitably spoke of the newly established Bamboo Leaf Mountain Market.

"Bamboo Leaf Mountain's location is highly suitable for establishing a marketplace. There are no large-scale cultivator trading grounds nearby. Whether it is Five Peaks Market or Yellow Dragon Immortal City, both are rather far from the nearby cultivation lineages..."

Mu Xiuyun introduced the situation of the new marketplace.

"The establishment of Bamboo Leaf Mountain Market has made things far more convenient for several Foundation Establishment Families, over a dozen small Qi Refining families, and countless Rogue Cultivators. It has filled a gap."

Lan Chang'an had seen the map. The Huang Family had made an exquisite move in this game.

As for the Beast Taming Zhou Family, its territory was relatively vast and farther away from this area.

Furthermore, the Zhou Family's foundation lay near a branch range of the Black Mist Mountain Range. There was also a marketplace there, but it mainly dealt in demon beast materials and spirit beasts. Restricted by geography, it could not radiate influence in all directions.

"To gather popularity, the Huang Family is selling marketplace shops to nearby Foundation Establishment Families at low prices."

"What about the Zhou Family?" Lan Chang'an asked curiously.

The Zhou Family had a Pseudo-Core True Person and had already surpassed the scope of a Foundation Establishment Family.

"The Huang Family gave the Zhou Family five shops free of charge, along with ten Cave Abodes on Bamboo Leaf Mountain."

As Mu Xiuyun spoke, her voice turned faintly cold.

"So many?"

Mu Ershun and Mu Shan exclaimed from behind them.

Once Bamboo Leaf Mountain Market prospered, any random shop would become a money tree.

"The Maple Leaf Huang Family really has no shame, currying favor with the Zhou Family like this."

Even thirteen-year-old Mu Ershun could see it. He muttered with disdain on his face.

Over the past two years, Lan Chang'an had heard rumors that the Maple Leaf Huang Family wished to send one of its daughters to the Zhou Family as a concubine.

"Establishing a marketplace, yielding benefits to the Zhou Family, repairing relations, currying favor with one or two branches, then plotting a marriage alliance..."

Lan Chang'an secretly praised the Huang Family's careful advance, step by step.

A few years ago, the Beast Taming Zhou Family had been somewhat dissatisfied with the Huang Family's annexation of the Zheng Family.

But over the past two years, the Zhou Family's rejection and hostility toward the Huang Family had diminished considerably.

Two days later.

The Flying Boat landed at Bamboo Leaf Mountain Market.

"What dense Wood Spiritual Qi."

Lan Chang'an observed the terrain and discovered that Bamboo Leaf Mountain had been planted with vast quantities of Spirit Bamboo. Most were Semi-Spirit Wood, while a small number were First-Order Spirit Bamboo.

Spirit Bamboo had once been the Zheng Family's principal industry.

Just like the Mu Family's spirit fish and aquatic products from Jade Moon Lake.

The marketplace was built halfway up Bamboo Leaf Mountain. Its scale was somewhat smaller than Five Peaks Market, which Lan Chang'an had visited before.

After all, the Ten Thousand Swords Zhuo Family, which controlled Five Peaks Market, was one of the Seven Great Cultivation Families of the Liang Kingdom.

Around the foot of the mountain lay vast Spirit Fields, mainly planted with Spirit Grain and low-grade medicinal herbs.

Apart from a small number of Cave Abodes, the mountaintop held a luxurious residence surrounded by clusters of Spirit Bamboo, including quite a few First-Order Spirit Bamboo.

The spiritual qi radiating from there had reached the level of a Second-Order Spiritual Vein.

Lan Chang'an did not need to guess that important figures of the Huang Family surely lived in the residence atop the mountain.

The marketplace had only just opened, and the streets were deserted, with little human presence.

"This is our talisman shop."

Mu Xiuyun arrived before a three-story pavilion. The signboard bore the words: Mu's Spirit Talisman Shop.

The shop occupied nearly half an acre and came with a rear courtyard, where several simple Wooden Huts had been built.

The first floor served as a display area for goods, with a reception room partitioned off at the back.

It mainly sold First-Order Talismans and Basic Talismans, including related items such as Talisman Paper, Spirit Cinnabar, Talisman Brushes, and Talisman Illustrated Manuals.

Half of the second floor served as a storeroom, protected by multiple Restrictions. The other half had been divided into a suite for the chief Talisman Master's residence.

Lan Chang'an would live there from now on.

The third floor was where the shopkeeper lived, and it also contained a spacious talisman room.

As for the two apprentices, Mu Ershun and Mu Shan, they lived in the simple Wooden Huts in the rear courtyard.

The four of them tidied and cleaned the place.

The next day, Mu's Spirit Talisman Shop officially opened for business.

In the marketplace, several factions and shopkeepers on good terms with the Mu Family came to offer congratulations and send flower baskets.

Since it was his first time here, Lan Chang'an first familiarized himself with the faces, receiving guests alongside Mu Xiuyun.

Amid the comings and goings, Mu Xiuyun secretly transmitted her voice, introducing the identities and backgrounds of the guests from every side.

Amid the bustle, listening to the Eldest Miss's gentle and clear voice, Lan Chang'an felt considerably more at ease.

"Miss Mu, why did you not notify me when your shop opened? Huang could have gathered some friends to help liven things up."

Near dusk, a handsome young man in purple robes strode calmly into the shop.

Behind the young man stood two Qi Refining Mid-Stage attendants, guarding the entrance.

"Young Master Huang, forgive me for failing to welcome you from afar."

Mu Xiuyun moved forward with lotus-like steps, an unnatural smile appearing on her face.

She secretly gave Lan Chang'an a meaningful glance.

Lan Chang'an immediately understood the visitor's identity.

The young master of the Maple Leaf Huang Family, Huang Yu.

Back when the two lineages had been in conflict, the Mu Family had intended to marry Mu Xiuyun to Huang Yu, the Huang Family's young master.

However, the Huang Family had made extravagant demands, offering her at most the status of an equal wife. The marriage negotiations had fallen through.

"Young Master Huang." Lan Chang'an cupped his hands.

Huang Yu's phoenix eyes swept over Lan Chang'an. He gave a slight nod but did not ask about his identity.

After that, Huang Yu focused entirely on the graceful and quietly beautiful Mu Xiuyun. He chatted and laughed with elegant refinement.

If an ordinary person kept staring at a beautiful woman, they would seem lecherous.

Yet Huang Yu was suave and smiling, giving people the impression that he was merely appreciating beauty.

Of course, his status also lent him that advantage.

Young Master Huang possessed a High-Grade Spiritual Root and cultivation at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer. He was the administrator of this marketplace.

His identity and status naturally placed him above others.

After they chatted for quite some time, night had fallen.

Huang Yu glanced at Lan Chang'an beside them before finally rising to leave.

Before departing, he handed a letter to Mu Xiuyun.

Only after Huang Yu left did the smile vanish from Mu Xiuyun's face.

She opened the letter and quickly scanned it, a chill like starlight flashing through her bright eyes.

Then she handed the letter to Lan Chang'an.

Lan Chang'an froze for a moment, not expecting the Eldest Miss to be so unconcerned about privacy with him.

After reading it, Lan Chang'an was stunned.

In the letter, Huang Yu said that ever since he had last seen Mu Xiuyun, he could neither eat nor sleep. He was willing to demote his current wife to equal-wife status and marry Mu Xiuyun into his household.

If Mu Xiuyun agreed, three marketplace shops and five Cave Abodes would serve as the betrothal gift.

"It may not be so simple."

Lan Chang'an pondered briefly, then smiled.

Fortunately, Young Master Huang showed no intention of pestering her and did not come again for a long time afterward.

That letter seemed to have been nothing more than a joke.

The marketplace had only recently opened, and business at all the major shops was poor.

Lan Chang'an, the chief Talisman Master, was happy to be idle as well, teaching the apprentices during his spare time.

Because Bamboo Leaf Mountain contained so much Spirit Bamboo, it enhanced Wood-Type Techniques.

The spiritual qi environment around the shop was equivalent to a First-Order Spiritual Vein, yet Lan Chang'an's cultivation efficiency there was noticeably higher than at Jade Moon Mountain Villa.

This gave him even more spare time each day, and he would occasionally visit the marketplace to drink tea and wine.

During this period, an entertainment house opened in the marketplace.

But Lan Chang'an had never gone there.

In the blink of an eye, more than half a year passed.

The business of Mu's Spirit Talisman Shop gradually began to improve.