On Luodu Island, in the Spirit Crane Garden.
With a resounding crane cry, Zhang Jing rose into the air on a Spirit Crane and flew toward the Thousand Techniques Pavilion along a familiar route.
He flew onward, crossing the boundless expanse of Dragon Marsh Lake.
Half an hour later.
Before the magnificent palace of the Thousand Techniques Pavilion.
Zhang Jing settled his Spirit Crane among a flock of Spirit Cranes nearby, then turned and walked straight into the Thousand Techniques Pavilion.
He crossed the familiar blue-and-gold giant doors.
A dazzling light immediately flared before his eyes.
When his vision returned.
Zhang Jing found himself on that familiar street whose end lay beyond sight.
Crowds surged along the street, with stalls of every size lining both sides, primarily selling various high-grade materials and cultivation resources.
Only a tiny fraction of them could be purchased with Spirit Stones.
Should I ask the Thousand Techniques Pavilion about setting up a stall, or sell the talismans directly to them?
Zhang Jing looked hesitant.
After weighing his options where he stood, he decisively entered the Thousand Techniques Pavilion's talisman shop.
He remembered that when he last came in, the senior sister inside had said they only bought Higher Vehicle Quality talismans. All the talismans he had now were of Higher Vehicle Quality, so they naturally met that condition.
Compared with selling directly to those senior brothers and sisters.
Zhang Jing actually preferred selling his talismans to the Thousand Techniques Pavilion, provided, of course, that they offered a suitable price, or at least did not drive it too low.
It would save him trouble.
Given the Thousand Techniques Pavilion's enormous scale, supplying countless cultivators throughout the Dao Academy, his little stock of talismans was insignificant. They could easily absorb it.
He only needed to make sure the quantities he sold were not too outrageous.
Ruan Xing'er was slumped over the counter, propping her chin on one hand as she watched the varied Dao Academy disciples passing outside in utter boredom, an uncontrollable yawn escaping her.
Suddenly.
"Junior Sister Xing'er, how many Higher Vehicle Quality talismans are left on display?" A slightly aged voice sounded behind her.
Upon hearing that voice.
Ruan Xing'er could not help shuddering. Not daring even to look behind her, she instantly stood straight, chest out and head raised, and answered:
"Senior Brother Zhu, we currently have two hundred and twenty Higher Vehicle Quality talismans on display: twenty-one Upper-Grade Talismans, fifty-three Middle-Grade Talismans, and one hundred and forty-six Lower-Grade Talismans."
"That's all we have left?"
There was a trace of anxiety in Senior Brother Zhu's voice.
"Yes, Senior Brother. The Outer Court disciples have been going on missions more frequently lately, so they've been using a lot of talismans. Even these expensive Higher Vehicle Quality talismans have been selling quickly."
After speaking, Ruan Xing'er seemed to remember something. Turning to look expectantly at the blue-robed elder behind her, who appeared to be around fifty, she said:
"Oh, right, Senior Brother, it seems the Inner Academy senior brothers from the Thousand Techniques Pavilion haven't come to replenish the Higher Vehicle Quality talismans in quite a while. Why don't you ask up above?"
"What we have left won't last more than a few months."
"Ah..." The elder sighed at her words and said dolefully, "I'd like to, too, but those Inner Academy disciples go into secluded cultivation at the drop of a hat. How would I dare disturb them over these mere Qi Refining Realm talismans?"
After pondering for a long time.
"I'll think of another way and see whether the talisman makers we work with can manage to produce more superior-quality mid- and low-grade talismans. As for the high-grade talismans... we'll just have to wait until the senior brothers remember."
"Junior Sister, if anyone comes, try to get them to buy ordinary-quality talismans."
The elder instructed her.
"Don't worry, Senior Brother. Xing'er knows what to do."
With that, the elder hurried out through the back.
Once the elder's figure disappeared, Ruan Xing'er stuck out her tongue, her face slightly flushed, then slumped over the counter again, staring blankly at the other people bustling around the shop.
Before long, a figure walked in through the front entrance.
Ruan Xing'er's eyes immediately lit up.
Isn't this the junior brother who only looked and didn't buy last time? Has he finally decided to buy something?
She immediately rose to greet him.
The moment Zhang Jing entered.
He saw a familiar figure walking toward him.
It was none other than the senior sister from last time.
"Junior Brother, you're back. What would you like to look at this time? Or are you looking to buy some talismans?" Ruan Xing'er asked with a faint smile.
"Senior Sister, I'm here to sell some talismans this time. I just don't know what price you can offer."
"Rest assured, Junior Brother, all our talismans have clearly marked-"
Ruan Xing'er introduced the shop's offerings as she led Zhang Jing inside. But midway through speaking, she suddenly realized something was wrong, and her words cut off.
"Junior Brother, are you sure you mean selling talismans? I believe I told you last time that we only buy Higher Vehicle Quality talismans here."
Ruan Xing'er studied Zhang Jing's exceedingly youthful face, a trace of surprise and doubt in her eyes.
Meeting her gaze, Zhang Jing nodded calmly and said with certainty, "Senior Sister, I know your rules."
"So... you have Higher Vehicle Quality talismans? How many?"
A hint of hope appeared on Ruan Xing'er's face.
"Not many. Just a few dozen Lower-Grade Talismans."
"A few dozen-talismans!"
At his words, her little mouth fell open, seemingly wide enough to fit an egg.
The next moment.
"Wait a moment, Junior Brother. I'll ask Senior Brother Zhu to come and speak with you..."
A short while later.
Zhang Jing glanced at the additional eighty Dao Merit on his identity Jade Talisman and walked out of the shop with an odd expression.
He had exercised some restraint with the quantity this time, selling only forty Star-Attracting Talismans.
But unexpectedly.
After confirming the talismans' quality, Senior Brother Zhu inside had not tried to drive down the price at all. He had bought every Star-Attracting Talisman Zhang Jing offered at the retail price of two Dao Merit each.
He had even given him a Communication Talisman.
He had said outright that if Zhang Jing made more talismans of the same quality, he could contact him through the Communication Talisman, and he would come to collect them. No matter how many there were, the price would remain the same as today.
This had caught Zhang Jing completely off guard.
He had originally thought he would have to sell the talismans he made at a discount. From the looks of it now, perhaps Higher Vehicle Quality talismans were precious resources even in the Thousand Techniques Pavilion?
Zhang Jing did not want to concern himself with the exact circumstances behind this.
He only needed to know that it was good news.
Having thought it through, Zhang Jing continued onward. Since he had made the effort to come here, he naturally had to take this opportunity to explore this mysterious market-like area within the Thousand Techniques Pavilion.
He had to admit.
Because this place catered to Dao Academy disciples, the grade and quality of the goods sold in its shops far surpassed those of Dragon Marsh Market. If the vast majority of these items made their way outside, they would surely provoke frenzied competition among Rogue Cultivators, with no shortage willing to walk a perilous path.
Just then.
"Junior Brother up ahead, please wait a moment."
Zhang Jing heard what seemed to be someone calling to him from behind.
He could not help turning to look. A middle-aged man in blue robes was rapidly approaching.
"Senior Brother, is there something you need?" Zhang Jing asked in surprise.
He did not remember ever meeting this senior brother before.
"Junior Brother," the blue-robed man said quietly as he reached Zhang Jing's side, "I just saw you apparently selling some talismans at that talisman shop in the Thousand Techniques Pavilion. Given their rules, you must have sold Higher Vehicle Quality talismans, right?"
"What advice do you have for me, Senior Brother?"
Zhang Jing asked in return.
Hearing this, the man immediately put on a friendly smile and explained:
"I think you've misunderstood, Junior Brother. I stopped you only to ask whether you have any Higher Vehicle Quality talismans left. If you do, I can offer a high price for them."
After hearing him out, Zhang Jing could not help looking at him with a trace of puzzlement in his eyes.
What does this man mean? Why offer a high price for my talismans instead of going to the Thousand Techniques Pavilion? Could it be-
A trace of wariness arose in his heart.
After some thought, Zhang Jing asked tentatively, "May I ask how many you want to buy, Senior Brother? And what types of talismans do you need?"
As soon as he finished speaking.
The man before him immediately said excitedly, "Haha, you really do still have some, Junior Brother? How about this: ten Defense Talismans and ten offensive talismans. I'll pay you forty Dao Merit."
"Senior Brother, please explain. That price is too high. You could simply buy them from the Thousand Techniques Pavilion."
Zhang Jing said calmly.
The man was actually willing to pay a premium of five Dao Merit to buy his talismans. Zhang Jing would never believe he had no other intentions.