"Alright."
Qian Xiaoyue did not overthink it. After a brief hesitation, she agreed.
Soon after, Zhou Changwang entered her room once more.
Unlike his nervousness last time, Zhou Changwang was much more relaxed this time. He even had the leisure to look around her room. It seemed little had changed from before, except that there appeared to be a few more scratches on the surrounding walls.
The scratches were unevenly scattered, with sharp cuts of varying depths. They looked rather like marks left by a Dharma Artifact flying through the air.
"I just obtained a new Dharma Artifact and tested it out a little more."
Qian Xiaoyue was not embarrassed by the sight. She smiled and explained, then asked, "What did you need me for?"
Hearing that, Zhou Changwang gave her a meaningful look. He also possessed a Magical Flying Sword, so he naturally knew that low-level cultivators could at most drive Dharma Artifacts straight forward. Only after reaching Qi Refining, Fourth Layer, when the mind transformed into Spiritual Sense—
Or—
After mastering techniques for controlling Dharma Artifacts, such as the Object-Driving Art or Artifact Control Art, could one rely on the power of spells to make a Dharma Artifact turn and curve on its own.
And clearly, Qian Xiaoyue had not broken through to Qi Refining, Fourth Layer. Thus, for her to accomplish this and leave so many marks on the walls, she had obviously cultivated a Dharma Artifact-controlling spell like the Object-Driving Art.
And spells of that sort were exceedingly expensive.
Of course, this was someone else's secret, so it was inappropriate for him to pry too deeply. He immediately said, "Fellow Daoist Qian, if I remember correctly, you know how to make talisman paper, right?
As it happens, I've learned a few Talisman Crafting methods lately.
We're neighbors, and we have some friendship between us. So I thought I'd buy some talisman paper from you—let the rich water flow into our own fields rather than outsiders'."
"I do know how to make talisman paper.
But as a friend, I'd still advise you not to try Talisman Crafting lightly.
The initial costs are steep, and success is very difficult."
Qian Xiaoyue nodded, yet she still tried to dissuade him.
After making talisman paper for all these years, it was not as though she had never considered learning Talisman Crafting herself.
After all, compared with the cheap price of talisman paper, the upper limit of talismans was far higher. Ordinary low-level talismans were one thing, but certain special spirit talismans could fetch exorbitant prices.
Yet the result was obvious.
Her attempt at learning Talisman Crafting had drained more than a year's worth of Spirit Stones she had saved up in the early days. The key was that she had learned nothing to show for it. She could only make a few low-level talismans, and worst of all, her success rate was low—every talisman she made meant another loss...
Left with no other choice, she gave up Talisman Crafting and only made talisman paper to earn Spirit Stones.
"I'm only giving it a try. If it doesn't work out, I naturally won't act rashly."
Zhou Changwang said with a smile.
"Then I won't try to persuade you further.
At the Rogue Cultivator Market, talisman paper generally sells for one Low-Grade Spirit Stone per stack, with fifty sheets in each stack.
My talisman paper is considered fairly good quality. At the Rogue Cultivator Market, I sell forty-five sheets for one Low-Grade Spirit Stone.
Since we know each other, I'll give you fifty-five sheets for one Low-Grade Spirit Stone. How about it?"
"Of course. Thank you for looking after me, Fellow Daoist Qian."
Zhou Changwang did not doubt Qian Xiaoyue's words. After all, he had seen her stall before, and she did indeed sell forty-five sheets for one Low-Grade Spirit Stone. As for whether she could sell them all, that was another matter. He did not investigate further and simply agreed.
Then, he fished in his robes and said, "Here are six Low-Grade Spirit Stones. I'll order some first."
"Alright.
What a coincidence. I had just finished making a batch and was planning to set up a stall at the market tomorrow. Since you're buying them directly, it saves me the trouble of getting up early."
Qian Xiaoyue was equally straightforward. After accepting the Spirit Stones, she went into her room and brought out a pile of talisman paper.
Then she said, "There are seven stacks here, three hundred and fifty sheets of talisman paper in total. Count them. The extra sheets are a gift.
If you truly manage to refine spirit talismans in the future, and I want to buy some, you'll have to give me a discount too."
"Of course that won't be a problem."
Zhou Changwang accepted them. With one sweep of his eyes, he knew there were exactly seven stacks and three hundred and fifty sheets, neither more nor less, so he naturally did not actually count them.
After readily agreeing to her joking request, his expression turned serious. In a low voice, he said, "Recently, many mysterious cultivators have appeared in the outer district. Do you know about that?"
"I know a little."
Qian Xiaoyue was taken aback, but she nodded without changing expression. Out of caution, she casually cast the Soundproofing Art.
At that sight, Zhou Changwang could not help frowning.
Qian Xiaoyue's caution only further proved that those mysterious cultivators were no simple matter. He quickly asked, "Does Fellow Daoist Qian know where they come from?
Especially the two households that recently moved in around us... I keep feeling that something is off."
"Something is indeed off.
That couple is not actually married. They are brother and sister. Because of the distance, I only vaguely heard that they came from the Divine Wind Valley Market, five hundred li away.
They said someone had offered a high price to hire them to come here.
They mentioned a 'plan' several times, but as for what that plan actually was, I do not know."
As Qian Xiaoyue spoke, her expression turned strange. "As for the other pair of brothers, since they live in the room that Fang Yu and his wife used to occupy, I heard rather more.
They are not truly brothers either, but fellow disciples from the same sect. Their sect is no great sect, merely the sort of inheritance passed down among Rogue Cultivators.
They also came from the Divine Wind Valley Market, but they were not hired. They caught wind of something, thought there was profit to be made, and came running over.
Oh, right.
They have another identity as well."
"What identity?"
Zhou Changwang was startled and asked.
"Robber cultivators!"
Qian Xiaoyue said in a low voice.
"What?"
Zhou Changwang's expression changed.
Is the feng shui next door cursed or something? Why are there nothing but robber cultivators living there?
"Don't worry. They won't think you're worth their time.
One is at the Fifth Layer of the Qi Refining Realm, and the other is at the Sixth Layer of the Qi Refining Realm.
Even if you walked right up to them, they would not bother making a move."
Qian Xiaoyue smiled as she spoke.
"Even so, I still need to guard against them."
Zhou Changwang muttered. He did not dare let down his vigilance in the slightest, then asked quietly, "Then why have so many cultivators come here from all over?"
"Phoenix-Cry Cove Market nominally belongs to the Clear Spring Sect, but in reality, it has always been controlled by the Bai Lineage.
Aside from the Bai Lineage's formidable strength—there are three Foundation Establishment experts in the lineage, among them the Bai Lineage's patriarch, a great cultivator at the Eighth Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm—it is also because, in their early years, the Bai Lineage sent their supreme genius, Bai Yufeng, into the Clear Spring Sect.
Twenty years ago, Bai Yufeng had already successfully reached Foundation Establishment and become the disciple of a Golden Core Realm patriarch within the Clear Spring Sect.
With his own strength and such a deep background behind him—
The Bai Lineage had been able to firmly occupy Phoenix-Cry Cove Market and enjoy endless resources.
But I heard that the Bai Lineage's patriarch was ambushed some time ago and suffered severe injuries.
And he is already over one hundred and eighty years old, with little lifespan remaining.
It is inevitable that some people would begin harboring designs..."
Qian Xiaoyue said softly.
Before you continue