Making money in the Drowning Dao Lower Court could be extremely easy, or it could be incredibly difficult.
Wang Quan only had to sell a strand of [Bright Moon Magic Power] to earn at least 1.1 million Green Fly Coins.
But magic power was his foundation. Now that he had his starting funds, he had no intention of selling any more until his strength reached a certain level, for fear of attracting attention.
Aside from that, the jobs within the lower court were safe, but they paid poorly.
At most, he could earn three or four thousand Green Fly Coins a day.
What could he do with that?
He couldn't even buy a ream of Moon-Pattern Paper.
"Looks like it's time to venture outside."
The jobs within the lower court didn't pay, but there was money to be made outside.
Before, when Wang Quan had no magic power or very little of it, he had been unwilling to venture out for fear of encountering danger.
Now, with thirty strands of magic power, thirty uses of [Moonlight Escape], one [Substitute Death Paper Doll], and the [Plain Moon Paper-Cutting Box] to fall back on, he felt ready to venture out.
"Wu Yong and the others could travel outside with barely a dozen strands of magic power. With thirty, I have even less to worry about."
To make money outside, he needed a way in.
In the past, he might have asked Wu Yong.
Now, however, he contacted the round-faced Daoist nun. "Senior sister, know of any money-making opportunities?"
The round-faced senior sister replied quickly. "Still nothing within the lower court."
Wang Quan said, "Outside is fine too."
The round-faced senior sister was surprised. "You're really planning to venture out?"
"Yes!"
"True enough. You have to go out to earn money, and with money, you can improve your cultivation faster."
"Interested in killing people for money?"
Wang Quan hesitated. "Not for now."
The round-faced senior sister sounded regretful. "Killing pays the best!"
Wang Quan said, "It's also the most dangerous!"
The round-faced senior sister nodded. "Mm... there's a flower-scattering job. Decent pay, not much work. Interested?"
Wang Quan said, "Hm? Tell me more."
The round-faced senior sister said, "Tonight, in section A of the market, a senior sister is officially putting herself up for dual cultivation. She needs people scattering flowers around her when she makes her appearance."
"She needs four handsome Daoists to scatter flowers three times: when she enters, during the intermission, and when she leaves."
"You provide your own petals. Illusions, paper petals, real petals-she doesn't care. All she asks is that there be as many petals and varieties as possible."
"It pays twenty thousand coins!"
Wang Quan's heart stirred. "Senior sister, this is my specialty."
"My [Plain Moon Paper-Cutting Box] holds hundreds of maids who served the rich and powerful. They know all kinds of etiquette, and they can fold flowers, prepare petals, and scatter them."
The round-faced senior sister said, "Good!"
"I'll sign you up. Go for an interview at noon."
"If you pass, give me a one-percent referral fee."
Wang Quan said, "Thank you!"
The round-faced senior sister said, "Hehe, I'm just trying to earn a referral fee myself."
A little later, the round-faced senior sister sent him the exact address through his token, then added a final reminder. "Don't be discouraged if you aren't selected."
"Money is hard to earn these days, and competition is fierce. If that happens, take a walk around the market and look for other ways to make money."
"All right!"
After ending the conversation, Wang Quan felt a little excited.
In almost three years, this would be his first time leaving the lower court. For a moment, his feelings were quite complicated.
There was still some time before noon. An idea struck Wang Quan, and he went to the Scripture Repository to continue studying the Daoist Scriptures.
Yet he had been reading for barely half an hour when his token trembled faintly.
He checked the message and found it was from Wu Yong.
[Have you refined any [White Bone Magic Power] yet? How many spells have you mastered now? Which ones?]
Wang Quan frowned. After more than a month without contact, the other man opened by asking about his magic power.
That displeased him considerably.
[No!]
Wu Yong: [You haven't produced even one strand of magic power in over a month? How many Daoist Scriptures have you studied? Why are you so slow? If you can't manage it, just switch to the New Method.]
[The New Method refines magic power quickly, and there's an improved version of the [White Bone Great Strength Demon God Method]. Once you switch, I reckon you'll be able to refine a strand in three to five days.]
Wang Quan frowned.
What was Wu Yong getting at?
Even Qian Xiuyue had said that although the New Method refined magic power quickly, the resulting power was inferior. Why was Wu Yong still trying to lure him into practicing it?
Wang Quan said, "No need. I've been practicing another foundational method."
Wu Yong: [You... what a fool!]
[What foundational method are you practicing? When are you coming to the Red-Clothed Manor to work with us?]
Wang Quan said, "Taking a bath. Talk later!"
Wu Yong: ... You fucking live in a coffin. What the hell are you bathing for?!
Mountains stretched endlessly around the outskirts of the Land of Seeking Immortality.
Someone had sheared the summit off a small mountain, creating several hundred mu of flat ground, built a manor there, and finally gifted it to Zhao Hongyi.
Zhao Hongyi publicly claimed that she had cleared the land and built it herself, fooling Qian Xiuyue, Wu Yong, and the others into joining the manor and becoming part of her little circle.
When he wasn't on a mission, Wu Yong usually practiced and refined magic power at the manor. When he grew tired, he relaxed with the maids and songstresses in the grounds. His days were quite comfortable, and he was usually all smiles, gentle and cultured.
Today, however, his expression was ugly.
The maids attending him were extremely cautious and dared not say much.
"Wang Quan... I laid out your path for you. Why won't you follow my arrangements?"
"Your knowledge of the Daoist Scriptures falls short of mine, and so does your magic power."
"You... where did you find the courage to reject my arrangements?"
He couldn't understand it.
Wang Quan had originally been part of his plan.
He wanted Wang Quan to practice the [White Bone Great Strength Demon God Method] and serve as the one who charged into battle and drew enemy fire in Zhao Hongyi's team.
That would give him more control within the team.
But... Wang Quan had thrown his plans into disarray.
Just then, a maid brought a message. "Immortal Wu, Immortal Hongyi asks you to come over."
Wu Yong rose to see Zhao Hongyi.
Zhao Hongyi wore a moon-white Daoist robe, embroidered and studded with jewels.
She was lounging lazily on a soft couch, her head resting on a handsome youth's thighs. The hem of her robe hung down, exposing her long, fair legs.
Three or four other handsome youths attended her, feeding her grapes or massaging her shoulders and feet. She was thoroughly enjoying herself.
Sandalwood incense also burned in the room, wisps of pale smoke drifting through the air and filling it with fragrance.
Wu Yong frowned inwardly. "Senior sister."
Zhao Hongyi frowned. "Get ready. Tonight, we're going to the Fury River to gather [Black Sinking Sand]."
At those words, Wu Yong's expression shifted slightly.
The Fury River was a great river running through the mountains, hundreds or even thousands of meters deep and over a hundred li wide. Its waters surged fiercely, stretching for untold tens of thousands of li.
The river teemed with water demons and eerie entities, all extremely troublesome.
And [Black Sinking Sand] existed only on the riverbed, thousands of meters below. Powerful water demons and eerie entities abounded there, making it extremely dangerous.
Every gathering expedition cost Zhao Hongyi's team one or two lives.
The other cultivators also suffered injuries to varying degrees, losing several days of magic-power refinement.
"Sister Hongyi, didn't we already gather some this month?"
Zhao Hongyi sighed. "My senior brother's spell cultivation has reached a critical stage, and he urgently needs [Black Sinking Sand]. We have no choice but to make another trip this month."
"Wu Yong, we can't refuse."
Wu Yong sighed. "Sister Hongyi, could you find someone practicing the [White Bone Great Strength Demon God Method] to help? That would make gathering it easier."
Zhao Hongyi frowned. "Didn't you say a while ago that Wang Quan was going to practice that foundational method? Just call him over."
Wu Yong said angrily, "He chose another foundational method."
Zhao Hongyi froze briefly, then sneered. "Since he isn't of one mind with us, don't contact him anymore."
"If he asks you for help in the future, ignore him."
"And tell Xiuyue and the others to cut off all contact with him!"
Wu Yong said, "All right!"
Before you continue