Wealth Qi

Li Chengxuan had been in Azure Cloud Market for some time and naturally had some understanding of the power distribution within the market.

At the very top are naturally the three families: Supreme Mystery Mountain, Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain, and Azure Cloud Sect.

Rogue Cultivator craftsmen like Du Qingquan, who possess certain skills, can exert some influence by banding together for mutual support.

The Mountain and Sea Chamber of Commerce almost monopolizes trade between Azure Cloud Market and Little Dragon Mountain Market. It is obvious that it has the background of Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain and Little Dragon Mountain, so it can be considered a force to be reckoned with.

Pang Dafu fits the common person's stereotype of a wealthy merchant: obese, richly dressed, with a face so fleshy it's almost squished together, his eyes nearly invisible when he smiles. "Fellow Daoist Li, I've often heard people mention you lately. Seeing you in person, I can confirm your extraordinary bearing; you truly command respect."

After Li Chengxuan took his seat, he casually smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Pang, you flatter me."

Pang Dafu, adept at welcoming and seeing off guests, was a master of worldly wisdom. Sensing that Li Chengxuan disliked flattery, he wisely stopped talking about Du Qingquan: "Fellow Daoist Du is a man of keen insight and decisive character."

"I invited him to join the Mountain and Sea Chamber of Commerce several times, but he refused."

"Oh?!" Li Chengxuan glanced at Du Qingquan upon hearing this and laughed, "There's such a thing? Fellow Daoist Du has missed a great opportunity."

Du Qingquan shook his head. "I, Du, am self-aware. A person content with modest wealth shouldn't overestimate their abilities, otherwise they'll harm themselves and others."

Pang Dafu clearly disagreed, but he didn't argue with Du Qingquan. Instead, he continued to tell Li Chengxuan, "Back then, Fellow Daoist Du's talismans were of the highest quality in the market, and they were extremely rare."

"But just then, Fellow Daoist Du's shop stopped selling talismans and instead switched to selling talisman paper, talisman ink, and talisman pens."

Others only thought Fellow Daoist Du was foolish.

"I was greatly shocked when I heard this, and immediately went to invite Fellow Daoist Du to join the group, but he refused."

After a moment's thought, Li Chengxuan immediately understood and nodded in admiration, saying, "Fellow Daoist Du is indeed intelligent and decisive."

The market town Rogue Cultivator practitioners, all of whom needed to find some way to make a living.

Going to a celestial sect to become a spirit farmer and cultivate the land is only a last resort.

Although it's safe and secure, it's difficult to get ahead.

The other cultivation arts, especially formations, have too high a threshold and are simply beyond the reach of Rogue Cultivator.

The early stages of refining weapons and alchemy are extremely costly, relying entirely on Spirit Stone to gain experience.

Drawing talismans is a low-barrier-to-entry and low-cost method, naturally making it the best choice for Rogue Cultivator to learn the art.

However, with so many people studying it, the competition is fierce.

Especially for entry-level, low-end talismans, almost everyone can draw them, so who would buy them?!

Du Qingquan had the foresight to switch to selling talisman materials early on, and he probably made a lot of money.

After all, those who mine minerals may not earn as much as those who sell shovels.

Pang Dafu's smile deepened upon hearing this, and he praised, "Fellow Daoist Li is quick to understand and has a talent for business. Would you be willing to condescend to serve in the Chamber of Commerce?"

Li Chengxuan smiled without saying a word, and shook his head in polite refusal.

Pang Dafu didn't press the matter further and continued to praise Du Qingquan.

Du Qingquan was somewhat overwhelmed and waved his hand, saying, "Fellow Daoist Pang, please don't flatter me. I only know how to make some talisman ink; the talisman paper and talisman brushes are just for resale."

"If it really comes down to making money, who can compare to Fellow Daoist Fatty?!"

"Just by buying talismans at low prices in Azure Cloud Market and selling them in Little Dragon Mountain Market, one could probably make double the profit."

"I don't earn that much, it's just hard-earned money." Pang Dafu was modest in his words, but his smile deepened, probably indicating that Du Qingquan was telling the truth.

The conversation naturally turned to Little Dragon Mountain Market.

The Azure Cloud Market is peaceful and tranquil. Apart from dealing with Bandit Cultivator and plunders by other cultivators, ordinary cultivators have almost no opportunity to engage in combat.

The supply of various talismans already exceeded demand, and with no opportunity to consume them, their prices naturally continued to decline.

On the contrary, the situation at Little Dragon Mountain is not only more turbulent, but also offers opportunities to slay demons in the sea, and they are in dire need of talismans and Law Artifact.

The Mountain and Sea Chamber of Commerce naturally made a fortune.

Li Chengxuan asked curiously, "You can even go into the sea to kill demons? Aren't you worried about angering the dragons in the sea?"

"Fellow Daoist, you jest." Pang Dafu glanced at Li Chengxuan and explained with a smile, "Those are dragons! They don't even deign to look at jiaos, so why would they care about the lives of fish, shrimp, crabs, and shellfish?!"

Li Chengxuan thought for a moment and nodded, "That's true."

After some casual conversation, the initial awkwardness of meeting for the first time was largely dispelled.

Pang Dafu also tried to bring up the matter of cultivation, chuckling, "Fellow Daoist Li's explanations of Daoist scriptures are highly praised in the market, demonstrating his profound knowledge and wisdom. I wonder if he can discern my background?!"

Li Chengxuan sized up Pang Dafu, noticing a faint stench emanating from him since he sat down. He chuckled and said, "Could it be that Fellow Daoist Pang cultivates [Wealth Qi]?"

"I knew it!" Pang Dafu laughed, turning back to Du Qingquan and reaching out his hand. "I won! Give me the Spirit Stone."

Du Qingquan, looking helpless, had no choice but to take a Spirit Stone and place it in Pang Dafu's hand.

Pang Dafu, as if he had received a tremendous benefit, happily put it away and then asked, "Fellow Daoist Li, do you know the origin of my [Daoist lineage]?!"

Li Chengxuan naturally knew, but shook his head. "I don't know."

Pang Dafu smiled upon hearing this and began to recount ancient stories, "My lineage of cultivation is naturally incomparable to the ancient lineage of [Yi Wood]."

"But it has a long history, dating back to the Middle Ages."

"At that time, the [Human Emperor] had a son who ascended to the throne, with the honorific title [Wu Geng] and the name [Lufu], who is the origin of my Dao."

"So it was him!" Li Chengxuan exclaimed in realization, then asked in confusion, "How come I remember that this lord angered the [Human Emperor] by committing a rebellion and was subsequently executed by the Sage?!"

Pang Dafu was immediately embarrassed and quickly said, "These are all ancient stories from the Middle Ages, who can say for sure?!"

He paused, then added, "My master's surname is Yin, a noble surname from ancient times, and he is a descendant of Wu Geng. He told me this himself, so it shouldn't be false."

Li Chengxuan smiled and nodded, without saying anything more.

"Pang Dafu Daoist Li is indeed a master; I, Pang, am truly impressed." Seeing that Li Chengxuan was indeed knowledgeable and not easily fooled, Pang Dafu felt relieved and solemnly began to speak about the main issue, "Actually, the reason I asked Fellow Daoist Du to act as a go-between was to resolve a troublesome matter."

"To be honest, fellow Daoist, I, Pang, have spent my entire life striving for wealth. Originally, I braved the winds and waves of the Southeast South Sea to conduct business."

"Later, when the ban on Southern Reach was lifted, I was ordered to come here to scout the way."

Everything was going smoothly until this unexpected turn of events.

"I have a daughter, the apple of my eye. I dote on her very much."

"One day, he accompanied me through Danzhou City. He slept for a day and a night, and when he woke up, he said that he had encountered a fairy in his dream the night before and received fortuitous opportunity."

"At first, I didn't think much of it, assuming the child was just tired from the journey."

"Unexpectedly, things started to get even stranger."

"I shamelessly inquired with various sects, Little Dragon Mountain's lineage was incomplete and they couldn't help; Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain was too proud to get involved; Azure Cloud Sect's New Method cultivation method was something they avoided like the plague."

"As for Supreme Mystery Mountain, I heard it had a bad reputation, so I didn't dare to go and inquire about it."

"I'm now at my wit's end and have no other choice but to try anything, so I'd like to ask Fellow Daoist Li for help."

"Rest assured, fellow Daoist."

"If you can solve this, I will reward you handsomely."

"If that's not possible, I, Pang, will also offer Spirit Stone, the amount of which will definitely satisfy you, fellow Daoist!"