Robber Cultivators Next Door Again?

"Alright."

Qian Xiaoyue did not think too much of it. After a brief moment of consideration, 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 looked much the same as before, except there seemed to be a few more scratches on the surrounding walls.

The scratches were unevenly scattered, their cuts sharp and varying in depth. They looked somewhat like traces left by a magical artifact flying through the air.

"I just got a new magical artifact and tested it out a bit more."

Qian Xiaoyue was not embarrassed by the sight. Smiling, she explained before asking, "What did you need me for?"

At that, Zhou Changwang gave her a meaningful look. He himself possessed a Magical Flying Sword, so he naturally knew that low-level cultivators could only send magical artifacts flying in straight lines. Unless their cultivation reached Qi Refining, Fourth Layer, and their minds transformed into Spiritual Sense.

Or—

They had mastered artifact-manipulating spells such as the Object-Driving Art or Artifact Control Art. Only then could they use the power of such spells to make magical artifacts turn and curve on their own.

Clearly, Qian Xiaoyue had not yet broken through to Qi Refining, Fourth Layer. For her to achieve this and leave so many marks on the walls, she had evidently cultivated an artifact-manipulating spell like the Object-Driving Art.

And spells of that sort were exceedingly expensive.

Of course, this was someone else's secret, and he could not pry too deeply. So he immediately said, "Fellow Daoist Qian, if I remember correctly, you know how to make talisman paper, right?

It just so happens that I've learned a few talisman-making techniques recently.

We're neighbors, and we have some friendship between us. I thought I'd buy some talisman paper from you—let the good water flow into my own field, not someone else's."

"I do know how to make talisman paper.

But as a friend, I would still advise you not to try talisman-making lightly.

The initial costs are high, and success is very difficult."

Qian Xiaoyue nodded, but she still tried to dissuade him.

Over the years she had spent making talisman paper, it was not as though she had never considered learning talisman-making herself.

After all, compared to the cheap price of talisman paper, talismans had a far higher ceiling. Ordinary low-level talismans were one thing, but special spirit talismans could fetch exorbitant prices.

But the result was obvious.

A single attempt at learning talisman-making had drained all the Spirit Stones she had saved over more than a year. Worse still, she had learned nothing useful and could only make a few low-level talismans. Most importantly, her success rate was low—every talisman she made meant a loss...

Left with no choice, she gave up talisman-making 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 charge ahead recklessly."

Zhou Changwang said with a smile.

"Then I won't try to talk you out of it.

At the Rogue Cultivator Market, talisman paper usually sells for one Low-Grade Spirit Stone per stack, fifty sheets to a stack.

My talisman paper is of 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; she really did sell forty-five sheets for one Low-Grade Spirit Stone. As for whether she could sell them, that was another matter. He did not bother looking into it and readily agreed.

Then he reached into his robes and said, "Here are six Low-Grade Spirit Stones. I'll order some first."

"Alright.

What a coincidence. I just finished a batch and was planning to set up a stall at the market tomorrow. Since you're buying them directly, you've saved me the trouble of getting up early."

Qian Xiaoyue was equally straightforward. After taking the Spirit Stones, she entered her room and brought out a pile of talisman paper.

Then she said, "These are seven stacks, three hundred and fifty sheets of talisman paper in total. Count them. The extra ones are a gift for you.

If you really do manage to make spirit talismans in the future, and I want to buy some, you'll have to give me a cheaper price too."

"Of course, no problem."

Zhou Changwang reached out and accepted them. With a sweep of his eyes, he knew that there were exactly seven stacks and three hundred and fifty sheets. Naturally, he did not actually count them.

After readily agreeing to her joking request, his expression turned serious. In a low voice, he said, "There have been many mysterious cultivators in the outer district lately. Did you know?"

"I know a little."

Qian Xiaoyue froze for a moment, then nodded without changing her expression. To be cautious, she casually cast the Soundproofing Art as well.

Seeing that, Zhou Changwang could not help frowning.

Qian Xiaoyue's caution only further proved that those mysterious cultivators were no ordinary people. He quickly asked, "Fellow Daoist Qian, do you know where they came from?

Especially the two households that recently moved in around us... I keep feeling something is off."

"Something is indeed off.

That married couple is not actually married. They are brother and sister. Because of the distance, I only vaguely overheard that they came from Divine Wind Valley Market, five hundred li away.

They said someone had paid a high price to hire them to come here.

They mentioned a 'plan' several times, but I have no idea what exactly the plan is."

Qian Xiaoyue continued, then said with a strange expression, "As for the other pair of brothers, since they live in the rooms that Fang Yu and his wife used to occupy, I heard rather more.

They truly are not brothers, but fellow disciples from the same sect. Their sect is not some great sect either, but the kind passed down among Rogue Cultivators.

The two of them also came from Divine Wind Valley Market, but they were not hired to come here. They heard some rumors, sensed there was profit to be made, and came rushing over.

Oh, right.

They have another identity."

"What identity?"

Zhou Changwang was taken aback and asked.

"Robber cultivators!"

Qian Xiaoyue said in a low voice.

"What?"

Zhou Changwang's expression changed.

This... Was the feng shui next door cursed or something? Why were robber cultivators always living there?

"Don't worry. They have no interest in you.

One is at the Fifth Layer of the Qi Refining Realm, while the other is at the Sixth Layer of the Qi Refining Realm.

Even if you walked right up to them, they would be too lazy to make a move."

Qian Xiaoyue said with a smile.

"Even so, I still need to stay on guard."

Zhou Changwang muttered. He did not dare lower his vigilance in the slightest, then asked in a low voice, "Then why have so many cultivators come here from all over the place?"

"Phoenix-Cry Cove Market is nominally under Clear Spring Sect, but in truth, it has always been controlled by the Bai Lineage.

Aside from the Bai Lineage's genuine strength—with three Foundation Establishment cultivators in the lineage, including the Bai Lineage's patriarch, a great cultivator at the Eighth Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm—

It was also because, in their early years, the Bai Lineage sent their supreme genius, Bai Yufeng, into Clear Spring Sect.

Twenty years ago, Bai Yufeng had already successfully achieved Foundation Establishment and become the disciple of a Golden Core Realm patriarch within Clear Spring Sect.

With his own strength and such deep backing—

The Bai Lineage was able to hold Phoenix-Cry Cove Market firmly in its grasp and enjoy endless resources.

But I heard that the Bai Lineage's patriarch was ambushed some time ago and suffered grave injuries.

And he is already over one hundred and eighty years old, with little lifespan remaining.

It is only inevitable that some people would start entertaining thoughts..."

Qian Xiaoyue said softly.