Chapter 64

Yang Lingrui glanced at the man and raised his hand. “Yang Lingrui of the Songshan Yang Family. It’s good to see a friend.”

The cultivator blinked, then smacked his forehead. “My apologies! This is my first ceremonial gathering—I forgot the rules. Don’t mind me!”

“Xu Jianan of Qingfeng Cave in Beipu.”

At the Hundred Arts Hall, one had to declare their background before asking prices.

Qingfeng Cave was a minor sect in Beipu. Across the dynasty, cultivators belonged either to families or sects.

Not all sects matched giants like Wanhuamen or Solitary Moon Mountain, which boasted Spirit Communication cultivators. Mid-tier sects, comparable to noble clans, were usually founded by Condensing Essence stage experts. Then there were places like Qingfeng Cave—its master barely at perfection, most disciples stuck in early or mid-stage Gathering Qi.

Xu Jianan, around twenty-seven, stood out with his fifth-level Gathering Qi cultivation.

“A friend from Beipu! That’s quite the journey.”

“Worth every step! Couldn’t miss the Golden Scales Ceremony!” Xu Jianan grinned. “City Lord Song’s performance earlier? Astonishing. Felt like ‘A single lecture from you beats ten years of poring over books!’”

After exchanging pleasantries, Yang Lingrui stated the prices. “Superior-quality tranquility and evil-repelling talismans—two spiritual crystals each. Inspect them if you like.”

“Excellent!” Xu Jianan studied the talismans, then nodded approvingly. “Your talismans are impeccably made!”

Satisfied, he said, “Ten of each. Any discount?”

Yang Lingrui laughed. “Friend, materials alone cost one to two crystals per early-stage Gathering Qi talisman. My price barely covers effort. No room for cuts.”

“None at all?”

“None. Try other stalls.”

“Wait! I’ll take them!” Xu Jianan had scoured every stall—individual, family, sect. None matched Yang Lingrui’s quality and price.

He produced forty spiritual crystals. The exchange was swift.

“May your business thrive! Farewell.”

“Fortune shine on you.”

As Xu Jianan left, Yang Lingrui pocketed the warm crystals, emotions swirling. Thanks to Chen Yang’s mastery, each talisman cost just one crystal—netting twenty pure profit.

Years ago, when the Yang Family first stood alone, Old Yu had scrambled to Fish Ridge River market for formation funds. Back then, they’d scraped together barely thirty crystals.

The circumstances back then and today couldn’t be compared at all.

This showed how crucial comprehensive inheritance was to any faction. Possessing it meant a stable, efficient supply of spiritual crystals to support cultivators.

Yet the Yang Family’s smooth success primarily stemmed from Chen Yang’s involvement.

Other cultivators, even those gifted in talisman crafting, couldn’t match his efficiency.

After Xu Jianan’s visit, more cultivators trickled in.

A clan cultivator from Fengling Town purchased five inferior fire talismans for forty spiritual crystals, netting a profit of twenty-five.

A veiled female cultivator from Huanghua Valley in the Mobei region bought four inferior divine movement talismans for thirty-two crystals, earning twenty.

An elderly man named Pei Xuejian, claiming to be a Loose cultivator from Moon Watching City, lingered at the stall before buying one inferior divine movement talisman for five crystals.

Beyond these three, others merely browsed before leaving.

Being a private stall with limited talisman variety, failing to secure large orders was expected.

As the Hundred Arts Hall’s operating hours neared their end, Yang Lingrui hadn’t sold anything else.

Still, earning seventy spiritual crystals had fulfilled Yang Lingqing’s assignment. Satisfied, he planned to return tomorrow.

“Fellow Daoist Lingrui, a moment.”

Yang Lingrui turned while packing his talismans to see Pei Xuejian, the old man who’d purchased the movement talisman.

“What requires my attention, Friend?”

“My young master requests your presence.”

“Your master?”

Yang Lingrui stepped back warily. He distinctly recalled this man claiming to be a Loose cultivator.

Who would falsify their background at the Hundred Arts Hall? Did he fear no investigation from the Immortal Patrol Office?

Moreover, if this man’s cultivation already reached the sixth level of Gathering Qi, what rank might his master hold?

Li Cheng approached from his own stall, halting mid-sentence upon recognizing Pei Xuejian.

“Young Master Li,” Pei Xuejian inquired, “is this Fellow Daoist Lingrui your associate?”

“Li Cheng pays respects to Fellow Daoist Pei.” Li Cheng’s tone turned uncharacteristically deferential. “Lingrui is my acquaintance. May I inquire about your business with him?”

Yang Lingrui marveled at Li Cheng’s sudden formality, curiosity about the old man’s identity growing.

“Having observed Fellow Daoist Lingrui’s talismans today,” Pei Xuejian explained, “my young master found the divine movement talisman’s quality remarkable. He wishes to converse at his pavilion.”

Li Cheng stiffened, unprepared for the Yang Family’s talismans to draw such attention.

“Which family does he represent?” Yang Lingrui whispered.

“The Su Family of Jingyun Peak,” Li Cheng answered after composing himself. “A noble lineage.”

Li Cheng knew this family well—two Li elders had secretly pledged allegiance to them, ready to kneel at their gates should trouble arise.

Yang Lingrui’s pulse quickened, not from awe but concern. Had they detected something in the talismans?

The Yangs’ cover story stated these talismans originated from Old Yu’s fragmentary inheritance. Old Yu’s destroyed sect—foreign to the Zhuhu Dynasty—supposedly provided his Talisman Technique knowledge. Chen Yang had intentionally flawed the fire and movement talismans for this sale.

“The Spirit Stone Immortal’s preparations should prevent exposure,” Yang Lingrui told himself, maintaining outward calm.

Noting their tension, Pei Xuejian clarified, “No need for alarm. My master simply believes your talisman might complement our Talisman Inheritance. A discussion is all he seeks.”

Both men relaxed—Li Cheng assuming interest in the Yangs’ methods, Yang Lingrui relieved his ruse held.

“My misunderstanding,” Li Cheng conceded. “Accompany Fellow Daoist Pei, Lingrui. The Su Family’s reputation ensures propriety.” He stressed “noble lineage” pointedly.

Yang Lingrui nodded. “Lead on, Friend.”

“Be assured, Young Master Li,” Pei Xuejian vowed. “I’ll return him unharmed.”