First-Tier Puppet Master

He had received ninety spirit essences. After subtracting thirty for costs, he had made a net profit of sixty.

Old Zhang's jaw dropped.

A moment ago, he had been worried that Qin Fei would fall victim to the men, but who could have expected such a complete reversal?

"Speak, brat. Just how many more secrets are you hiding from me?"

Old Zhang asked through gritted teeth.

Qin Fei chuckled and returned to his usual carefree manner.

"I have plenty of secrets. Widow Li in the East Market alley has a secret crush on me too. Did you know that?"

"Oh, get out of here. You're never serious!"

Old Zhang laughed and scolded him, then said with a sigh:

"Money really is easier to make on the border. When I was young and living in Great Qi's heartland, I never saw puppet soldiers sell for that price either."

Old Zhang was different from other people.

Ordinary cultivators avoided the border like the plague, but he had come of his own accord.

He was getting on in years and unwilling to remain stuck in Early Qi Refining. Prices were higher here, and there were more fortuitous opportunities, so he had come to take a chance.

As it turned out, the situation had continued to deteriorate in recent years. Barbarians from outside ran rampant, and Demon Beasts roamed unchecked. Even if he wanted to leave, he could no longer do so.

"Aren't your talismans just as popular? Lately, I've noticed the Spiritual Qi in the talismans you draw growing stronger. I imagine you're close to breaking through to become a first-tier talisman master, aren't you?"

"You've got a sharp eye, brat. That's right, I do feel a breakthrough coming. It shouldn't take more than a few days.

"There are only two months left until the barbarians' next border raid. If I can become a first-tier talisman master, I'm confident I can survive this one."

Seeing Old Zhang serious for once, Qin Fei put on a solemn expression too.

"The border's been this shitty for hundreds of years. Who can say for sure whether we'll survive? But Old Zhang, I'll definitely die after you."

With that, Qin Fei burst out laughing.

Old Zhang laughed too, drawing sidelong glances from passersby, who had no idea what had gotten into the pair.

After packing up his stall, Qin Fei headed to the Spirit Material Pavilion again.

He divided the spirit essences into three portions.

He used one portion to buy materials for puppet soldiers, and another to buy what he needed to make the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse.

With the last portion, he went into the market and bought the smallest Storage Bag available.

After all that, he had only two spirit essences left in reserve.

The Storage Bag contained a separate space, and he could deposit or retrieve items with a mere thought.

With it, buying materials for everyday use and carrying puppets would both be much more convenient.

On the way, Qin Fei came across a vendor selling Demon Beast meat. He lingered for a long time, but ultimately couldn't bear to spend the money.

Demon Beast meat could nourish the body, but he had better focus on making money first.

After returning home, Qin Fei once again spent his days without setting foot outside his door.

Making puppet soldiers could now turn a profit, but unfortunately, each successful creation gave him only one experience point.

He decided to put the puppet soldier simulations aside for now and devote the coming days to the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse.

Wooden Oxen and Flowing Horses were first-tier puppets. If he could make them, not only could he sell them for a good price, but it would also mean he had become a First-Tier Puppet Master.

Qin Fei summoned the Heavenly Craft Creation Pavilion and began simulating the creation of the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse.

Two days passed in a flash, but his brow only furrowed deeper and deeper.

"As expected of first-tier puppets. The difficulty has increased by so much."

Over two days of simulations, Qin Fei had tried making them dozens of times, and every attempt had ended in failure.

Everything else was manageable; the hardest part was inscribing the formation patterns.

Although the Storage Array's patterns were already etched into his mind, he discovered that actually inscribing them was another matter entirely.

Brain: I've got it.

Hands: No, you don't.

It was just like playing games in his previous life. He had already worked out in his head how to perform the "Ma-style triangle kill," but his hands simply wouldn't obey.

The formation patterns were exceedingly intricate. Even the slightest tremor of his hand would ruin the inscription.

Fortunately, the virtual materials in the Heavenly Craft Creation Pavilion were inexhaustible. Otherwise, there was no telling how much he would have wasted.

"No wonder First-Tier Puppet Masters are so rare. Once formation patterns are added, the difficulty really does multiply.

"I can't go on like this. I need to find a way to solve the problem."

Qin Fei pondered the matter, but still couldn't come up with anything.

Just then, the communication talisman in his Storage Bag suddenly lit up.

He took it out and saw that it was a message from Wang Hu.

After trading the puppets, the two had exchanged communication talismans so they could contact each other later.

Wang Hu had lost several brothers on an earlier hunt and suffered heavy losses.

Now that he had acquired a few powerful puppet soldiers, he had gathered his brothers and gone into the mountains again to recoup those losses.

Sure enough, the puppet soldiers had proved remarkably effective, helping them hunt down several Demon Beasts.

They had returned laden with spoils today, and Wang Hu had sent a message specifically to thank Qin Fei and place an order for another batch of puppet soldiers.

Qin Fei couldn't help smiling when he saw the message.

All his hard work had not been in vain. He finally had a regular sales channel.

If it became a little more stable, he wouldn't have to go to his stall so often.

He wondered whether Wang Hu's Demon Beast hunting team had any need for the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse.

"Forget it. There's no use thinking about it. Who knows when I'll even be able to make the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse?"

Qin Fei shook his head helplessly and raised his hand to put away the communication talisman.

But halfway through the motion, his hand suddenly stopped in midair.

A flash of inspiration suddenly appeared in his mind.

"Talismans... formations... that's it! Drawing talismans is similar to inscribing formation patterns. They may have something in common. Old Zhang might be able to help me!"

The more he thought about it, the more promising it seemed.

Qin Fei hurried out the door.

By the time he returned, it was already evening, and he had acquired a set of bamboo slips.

They contained Old Zhang's insights on drawing talismans.

He had traded two jars of wine for them.

There was no helping it. Old Zhang had said he couldn't give them away for nothing and insisted that Qin Fei trade wine for them, so Qin Fei did.

After reading through the night, Qin Fei was not tired at all. Instead, his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Sure enough, drawing talismans and inscribing formation patterns had things in common.

Old Zhang's insights contained a detailed account of his experience drawing talismans, including how to overcome trembling hands, how to hold the brush, how to adjust one's mindset, and so on.

Qin Fei followed his example in earnest. He bathed, burned incense, calmed his mind, and focused, all to bring his state of mind to its best.

When he inscribed the formation patterns again, he still failed, but the result was much better.

Qin Fei understood that all he could do now was practice diligently.

In the days that followed, he never set foot outside.

Every day, he stayed home and simulated the creation of the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse. When he grew tired, he cultivated instead of resting.

During that time, he also took advantage of his spare moments to finish making several puppet soldiers.

Wang Hu came to collect them in person and expressed his thanks.

With Qin Fei's new puppet soldiers, the hunting team's earnings had shot up.

Previously, the puppet soldiers had been too weak to do much beyond basic reconnaissance or taking a blade for someone at a critical moment.

Now, the upgraded puppet soldiers were much stronger. Neither their speed nor their agility could be compared to what they had been before.

Thus, by combining them with certain special talismans and formations, the team could accomplish some highly difficult tasks.

Not long ago, Wang Hu's hunting team had used the new puppet soldiers together with a large number of explosive talismans to destroy the lair of a Late Qi Refining Demon Beast.

Under normal circumstances, even if Wang Hu had fought it himself, victory would not have been guaranteed.

Yet now they had succeeded in a single stroke, stealing the limelight among the outer city's hunting teams.

But when the subject of the puppet soldiers they had used came up, Wang Hu refused to reveal a thing, acting as though it were a closely guarded secret.

He had also quietly dealt with everyone who tried to investigate.

He had no desire for anyone else to discover Qin Fei, his money tree.

Qin Fei was naturally happy with the arrangement. He understood better than anyone that a tall tree catches the wind. What he wanted was to make money without drawing attention.

Just like that, half a month passed in a flash.

Everything in Shangyu Market went on as usual, while Qin Fei finally made progress.

[Wooden Ox creation complete, experience +8]

[Flowing Horse creation complete, experience +9]

He had finally become a First-Tier Puppet Master!