Chapter 16
Light at the Dark Side
As soon as they stepped onto the main road, Shen Ping’s expression visibly relaxed. Yu Yan was filled with disdain. “Fellow Daoist Shen, you’re at the mid-stage of Qi Refinement, not the low-level cultivator from before.” Without waiting for Shen Ping to speak, she said, “Alright, I’ll go shopping for a while. Hurry up.”
He looked at Yu Yan’s back. He buried his gratitude in his heart.
In the market.
Spring Embroidery Pavilion.
When Shopkeeper Chen saw Shen Ping, he greeted him with a smile. After sensing his aura, his eyes lit up. “Congratulations on your breakthrough, Fellow Daoist Shen. You’re one step closer to the Great Dao!”
As expected of a businessman, he knew how to compliment.
“Fifty amulets, thirty fire talismans, ten freezing talismans… As for the talisman materials, I want less this time. Give me eighty sets of amulet materials, forty sets of fire talismans materials, twenty sets of freezing talismans materials, and ten sets of earth-trap talismans materials.” Shen Ping said skillfully.
Shopkeeper Chen calculated in his heart and smiled as he took out 10 mid-grade spirit stones from the counter and handed them to Shen Ping. Then, he said, “Fellow Daoist Shen, more than half of the medium-sized courtyards on the east side of the market have been built. There are more than 200 reserved houses, and they all rely on their own connections. If Fellow Daoist Shen really wants to rent them, there’s a chance.”
Shen Ping was shocked. How long has it been? So many houses had been reserved! Those who could make reservations were definitely of a higher status than him, so he asked, “What opportunity?”
Shopkeeper Chen said, “Recently, there’s an inner disciple from the Golden Sun Sect who has just joined the sect. He plans to go to the Cloudy Mountain Swamp to do a mission and needs help. He’s still lacking a few helpers. If Fellow Daoist Shen can take the opportunity to build a good relationship with him, it won’t be difficult to get a spot.”
Shen Ping shook his head without hesitation. “Shopkeeper Chen, I don’t like to take risks.”
It was obvious that this kind of mission was to find cannon fodder. If he went, he wouldn’t be able to come back.
When Shopkeeper Chen saw this, he did not say anything else. He naturally knew that such an opportunity was extremely dangerous, but at the same time, the benefits were also great. As long as he could establish a relationship with the Golden Sun Sect’s inner disciples and give them some financial support when they were weak, the returns would be generous once he reached Foundation Establishment in the future.
He left the Spring Embroidery Pavilion.
Shen Ping went to the other shops one after another and sold the remaining talismans. Shopkeeper Chen did not harm him because he knew that it was indeed an opportunity for ambitious cultivators who were not afraid of death.
Unfortunately, he was not the ambitious type and was even more afraid of death.
“22 spirit stones…” He looked at the storage bag’s savings. He walked towards the True Treasure Pavilion. This amount of spirit stones seemed to be a lot, but he could not buy many high-grade talisman materials. The materials for the most common Golden Light Talisman cost one medium-grade spirit stone, and the upgraded version of the amulet, Spirit Protection Talisman, cost two medium-grade spirit stones.
This was also the reason why there were so few high-grade Talisman Masters.
He couldn’t afford to spend it.
Talisman masters and alchemists were both fed with materials. Therefore, the number of cultivators decreased drastically when they reached the high-grade level. Only cultivation families could afford to nurture them.
Shen Ping bought five sets of materials for the Spirit Protection Talisman and seven sets of materials for the Golden Light Talisman. He only had five mid-grade spirit stones left.
“One spends faster when they earn more!” He sighed and continued to buy spirit rice and other daily necessities. He also bought some new clothes for his wife and concubine, as well as a more private undergarment and cotton-colored silk scarf.
He returned to the main road outside the market. There were only 132 low-grade spirit stones left in the storage bag.
“Are you done?” Yu Yan was shopping at a nearby stall when she noticed Shen Ping and walked over. Shen Ping smiled and handed over two amulets. “Tsk tsk, how rich.” Yu Yan put it into her storage bag without hesitation. “If there’s such a good thing in the future, try to call me!”
The price of these two amulets cost close to a year’s worth of rent. Even if she went out and formed a team, she might not be able to earn so much money.
Shen Ping had indeed given her too much, but this concerned his own life. He would rather spend more than make the other party unhappy. They returned to Red Willow Alley safely.
The dull and fulfilling life continued.
However, Shen Ping was not in a hurry to make high-grade talismans. Instead, while making mid-grade talismans, he continued to accumulate and improve his comprehension of the Dao of Talismans through sex with his wife.
In the blink of an eye, it was the Wei Kingdom’s Lantern Festival. There was no festive atmosphere in the Cloud Mountain Market.
However, as the construction of the medium-sized courtyard in the east was gradually completed, the entire market was filled with restlessness. Those with connections walked around frequently, wanting to obtain the remaining 600 spots.
Actually, if it was last year, this quota could be given to Shen Ping. At that time, there were not many high-level cultivators in the market. However, in the second half of this year, five consecutive batches of cultivators were transported from the main sect, causing the number of high-level cultivators to skyrocket. Although most of them were at the seventh or eighth level of Qi Refinement, these cultivators still took away 200 small courtyards.
“Should I ask Shopkeeper Chen to see if he can use his connections to fight for a spot?” Shen Ping was conflicted. In the end, he gave up.
Strictly speaking, he did not have a deep relationship with Shopkeeper Chen. He could not overestimate his status and value. Moreover, Shopkeeper Chen had given him a chance last time.
“Focus on creating talismans. When the success rate of high-grade talismans increases, my safety will also increase greatly.” He calmed himself down and continued to craft talismans.
The mid-grade talisman materials had been used up last month, but he still endured it and did not move. Now that his experience in the Dao of Talisman was close to 10,000, it should not be a problem to make the Golden Light Talisman and the Spirit Protection Talisman.
Knock, knock.
“Fellow Daoist Shen, it’s me!” Yu Yan’s voice sounded.
He opened the door, and the cold wind blew in. Snowflakes fluttered. “Get in the house.” Shen Ping hurriedly said.
The moment Yu Yan walked in, she noticed Wang Yun and Bai Yuying. The two of them were cultivating when they had nothing to do. Although the house was small, it was not a problem for them to meditate and absorb it.
“Greetings, Senior Yu!” The two women bowed respectfully.
Yu Yan nodded and went straight to the point. “Fellow Daoist Shen, I have a spot here. Do you want to rent it together?”
Shen Ping was stunned for a moment before he said happily, “Fellow Daoist Yu, are you talking about the quota for the medium-sized courtyard?” He was worried about this matter.
Yu Yan smiled and said, “That’s right. Personally, it’s very difficult for me to bear the rental fee of 15 mid-grade spirit stones. The separate house in the small courtyard is divided into two floors. If we co-rent, I’ll stay below while you and your wife and concubine will stay above. The privacy is a little lacking, but it’s safe.”
Shen Ping bowed and said, “Thank you for taking care of me, Fellow Daoist Yu. Don’t worry, how about we settle the rent on June 4th?”
Yu Yan smiled and said, “Sure.” She could still afford six mid-grade spirit stones a year.
When Wang Yun and Bai Yuying heard this, they could not hide their excitement. After all, moving to the market meant that they didn’t have to worry about safety anymore. As long as the Golden Sun Sect did not fall.
Their husband could earn money. They could live for decades without any problems.
“In three months, the market’s Deacon Hall will officially sell the small courtyard. Don’t forget.” With that, Yu Yan turned around and left.
As soon as she left, Wang Yun said happily, “That’s great, husband!”
Shen Ping was in a good mood. He directly walked into the cubicle to pray for blessings. Then, he dipped the blood ink into the talisman paper and drew spirit runes. There were more than 120 spirit runes in the Golden Light Talisman. There was no pause in between. He had to focus all his attention on it.
Without a mid-stage Qi Refinement cultivation, it was very difficult to support such mental exhaustion. He was immersed in the crafting of talismans. The outline of the spirit brush was as smooth as flowing water. It only took him twenty minutes to successfully make it.
“Golden Light Talisman, succeeded in making a high-grade talisman!”
Double happiness was at the door. Shen Ping was in a very good mood. After resting for a while and recovering his mental state, he walked out of the cubicle and carried his wife and concubine to the bed.
The bed quickly swayed.