NOVEL WEB Ch. 28
The next morning, Li An and Tan Qingxue set out. The sect provided a white spirit eagle for transport, sparing them a grueling journey.
The eagle soared, wings cutting through the air as they left the Clear Sun Sect’s gates, wind whistling in their ears.
Li An recalled six years ago, trudging along rugged paths to reach the sect.
Now, leaving, the view was entirely different.
…
By evening, they arrived at a bustling market nestled between mountains.
Built along a second-grade spirit vein, Qingyang Market teemed with activity. Ten miles out, they met Clear Sun Sect disciples patrolling. Recognizing the sect’s eagle, they let them pass into the market.
Li An grew wary. Xu Qiuhui’s warnings rang true—security around the market wasn’t airtight.
But the market’s protective array kept out rogue cultivators, ensuring safety inside.
At the entrance, Li An and Tan Qingxue dismounted, verified their identities, and entered.
The market buzzed, streets packed with cultivators.
The Talisman Hall’s shop sat at the heart of Second Street, a prime spot with an upscale storefront. Its sign read “Clear Sun Talismans” in bold characters, proclaiming it an official sect outlet.
Tan Qingxue and Li An entered. A young disciple, Wang Yun, lounged at the counter. Seeing sect members, he perked up. “Brother, Sister, need anything? I’m Wang Yun, disciple of Master Li, Qingyang Market’s Talisman Hall overseer.”
Tan Qingxue said, “By the Talisman Hall’s order, we’re here to replace Master Li. Please inform him.”
Wang Yun scurried off.
Soon, a white-haired, frail old Talisman Master tottered out, overjoyed. “The sect’s finally letting me return… Sixty years away from the Talisman Hall, wonderful!”
He gave them a tour, explaining key details, then gleefully packed and left that night.
The shop was left to Tan Qingxue, Li An, and Wang Yun, their assistant.
The storefront was modest, with a sales area upfront and a small courtyard behind for living. Compared to the Talisman Hall, it was basic but adequate.
The shop’s operations were simple. Each month, the sect delivered goods—talismans, brushes, paper, and materials. Li An and Tan Qingxue sold them.
Prices were fixed, profits sent to the sect. High sales earned rewards; low sales cut rations.
Clear Sun Sect goods were in demand, so sales were steady.
The sect didn’t rely on shop profits. The market’s real income was rent.
Most shops were leased by nearby cultivation forces, paying hefty monthly rents. Rent alone brought the sect a fortune in spirit stones.
Shops existed to keep the market lively, drawing other forces and rogue cultivators with sect-quality goods.
Li An estimated monthly earnings at about four spirit stones, with living expenses self-covered. Far less than the Talisman Hall, with no free brushes or paper.
But he was thrilled to sell his own talismans here, keeping those profits without sect taxes.
Tan Qingxue and Li An settled in, managing daily operations.
After a brief slump, Tan Qingxue regained her drive. As a High Grade First Rank Talisman Master, she crafted two High Grade and ten Mid Grade First Rank Talismans in her first month, earning 30 extra spirit stones!
Li An quietly sold his stock of Low Grade First Rank Talismans—Flame, Chill Wind, and Earth Shield Talismans—netting over 20 stones.
After costs, he cleared a steady 20 stones monthly!
He was pleased with the pace.
Tan Qingxue was surprised. Li An’s talisman output was much higher than at the Talisman Hall!
Recalling Xu Qiuhui’s words, she hid her shock, staying silent. She even approached Li An twice, sharing tips on crafting Mid Grade First Rank Talismans.
Her warmth and initiative caught Li An off guard.
Tan Qingxue seemed genuinely sincere, caring despite his deliberate distance, almost like she was eagerly seeking his approval.
Li An neither rejected nor embraced her efforts, letting things flow naturally.
Three months passed.
The talisman shop ran smoothly, business even better than before.
As elite Talisman Masters, Tan Qingxue and Li An’s talismans were highly sought after.
To avoid disrupting their training, Tan Qingxue hired two young people to assist Wang Yun with sales.
Li An and she retreated behind the scenes, focusing on crafting and cultivation.
Life was even more serene than at the Talisman Hall.
Just as Li An had envisioned.
…
Time flew. Three years passed.
One day, Li An stepped out of his residence, his face alight with joy.
Three years, and he’d broken through to the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining!
Three years ago, he’d peaked at the Third Layer, yet this threshold took three more years to cross.
Early Qi Refining’s first three layers were simpler, but mid-Qi Refining was a different beast.
Low Grade Yellow Tier Spirit Roots typically capped at the Sixth Layer. Without rare opportunities, late Qi Refining was out of reach.
“Super Sense Technique’s range now hits 300 meters…” Li An murmured. His cultivation boost expanded its sensory reach.
“Iron Tree Technique’s flesh training is a third done.”
He’d bought silver sand in the market, its abundant sources keeping him stocked. His arms and chest had reached “silver flesh,” able to withstand mid-Qi Refining attacks!
“Three years, after cultivation, silver sand, liquids, paper, and brushes, I’ve got over 300 spirit stones…” Li An tallied his savings, pleased.
“I can try High Grade First Rank Talismans!”
He’d mastered Mid Grade First Rank Talismans, with a stock of 100.
Until he could craft High Grade ones reliably, he wouldn’t reveal his Mid Grade skills.
Always keep a card hidden.
He pulled out the High Grade brush Xu Qiuhui gave him three years ago!
Made of spiritual materials—snow spirit bamboo body, High Grade white crane feather tip—it was exquisite, worth over 100 stones!
A hefty gift.
Li An knew Xu Qiuhui likely saw clues from the Spirit Beast Mountain Range, guessing his role, prompting this gift with a hint of entrusting Tan Qingxue to him.
He didn’t mind helping, as long as it didn’t threaten his core interests. Building ties with a future Foundation Establishment cultivator was worthwhile.
But if Tan Qingxue acted foolishly, his rule stood: respect others’ fates.
The High Grade brush felt feather-light, tricky to control.
The sect’s shop stock included High Grade paper. Over three years, Li An bought sheets occasionally, amassing 52.
Spreading a snow-white sheet, he gripped the airy brush, dipping it in ink.
The first stroke ruined the paper!
Crafting High Grade First Rank Talismans was brutal.
Undeterred, Li An kept at it.
That night, he burned through over 30 sheets with zero successes.
Even with his strong mental strength, he felt drained and slept.
The next day, he persisted. With only four sheets left, his final stroke completed one!
“High Grade First Rank Talisman, Binding Talisman, done!” Li An was thrilled. A chain symbol on the white paper pulsed with the Great Path’s aura.
The success rate was grim—one out of 53 sheets!
But for a Low Grade Yellow Tier Spirit Root, it was remarkable. Crossing from Mid to High Grade was a chasm. Without exceptional talent, most Talisman Masters needed over a decade and vast stones for modest gains.
Li An’s 53-sheet success outdid even Tan Qingxue’s initial rate as a genius.
His mental strength and past life’s experience made it possible.
“It’s not top quality. Useless against Eighth or Ninth Layer Qi Refining cultivators, but it can affect the Seventh Layer, and likely bind Sixth Layer or below!” he murmured.
He could now control about 20 Mid Grade First Rank Talismans at once.
Binding an enemy, then blasting with 20 Mid Grade Talismans, would obliterate Fifth or Sixth Layer cultivators without protective treasures!
Stowing the talisman, he practiced his Water Arrow Technique.
He could now fire 30 arrows at once!
His Star Glow Dagger’s control reached 100 meters.
Over the next three months, Li An discreetly bought 100 High Grade talisman sheets from the shop’s stock.
Three months later, he left the shop.
After over three years, he’d mapped out the area.
It was time to fence his loot!
…
(Chapter End)