Chapter 529

Boom!

A thick bolt of lightning flashed down, and a stone pillar in the courtyard—thick enough that several men would have to join hands to encircle it—was blasted into fragments.

This scene left everyone, including the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had just activated the talisman and the gathered onlookers, completely stunned.

It must be known that the stone pillars in the courtyard were all made of specially refined Blue Steel Stone.

This material was incredibly tough; even a high-grade magical artifact would struggle to leave a mark on it.

Yet now, it had been utterly destroyed by the lightning power released from a single talisman.

Such power—utterly terrifying!

“So this is the true might of a Golden Core-level talisman…”

The Foundation Establishment cultivator holding the talisman trembled slightly.

Even though activating that strike had consumed nearly half of his spiritual power, the power it unleashed was overwhelming!

He could sense that if he were struck by such a bolt of lightning—even slightly grazed—he would likely be reduced to ashes.

This was a killing weapon indeed. So this is the fearsome strength of the Golden Core Realm.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator’s heart quaked.

It was the first time he had ever used a Golden Core-level talisman. In the past, he wouldn’t even have qualified to touch such high-level items.

Only because the Treasure Pavilion had launched a new series of talismans did he finally get the chance to experience the power of one.

But that experience had made it unmistakably clear to him—just how terrifying the strength of the Golden Core Realm truly was.

He had to get one of these killing weapons!

With such a powerful talisman for protection, his confidence in exploring the secret realm soared.

Even if those temporary companions of his betrayed him, he would have nothing to fear!

With that thought, the Foundation Establishment cultivator gritted his teeth and asked, “How many spirit stones does it take to buy this Thunderclap Talisman?”

He was ready. Even if it cost him all his spirit stones, he would buy that talisman.

And also the Gravity Talisman—he absolutely needed that one too.

This secret realm exploration could not be taken lightly; it could determine whether he would one day reach the Golden Core Realm.

No matter how steep the price, it would be worth it.

Having asked, the Foundation Establishment cultivator was extremely anxious.

Though he had scrimped and saved over the years and accumulated a modest number of spirit stones, it was still not enough to buy a true Golden Core-level talisman—at least not from establishments like the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion or the Thousand Mechanisms Workshop. 𝘳𝘼ＮôᛒĘS

He had only dared dream of this opportunity because the beautiful saleswoman had said that the Treasure Pavilion’s new talismans were high-quality yet reasonably priced, and that the first five customers would receive a discount.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t even have dared consider such an expensive item.

“This Thunderclap Talisman is a lightning-element attack talisman. Its price is slightly higher than that of standard Golden Core-level talismans.

Here at the Treasure Pavilion, it sells for two hundred lower-grade spirit stones.

However, since you are our first customer purchasing a new talisman today, you qualify for a 90% discount.

So you only need to pay twenty lower-grade spirit stones to take it home.”

The moment these words were spoken, the Foundation Establishment cultivator was utterly dumbfounded.

Even the surrounding cultivators who had been watching were frozen in shock.

The entire courtyard fell silent.

Everyone stared at the beautiful female cultivator, as if trying to determine whether she was joking.

It wasn’t that the price was too high—it was unbelievably low!

“You… You said this Thunderclap Talisman… only costs twenty lower-grade spirit stones?”

A few breaths later, the Foundation Establishment cultivator finally recovered, his face full of disbelief as he stammered out the question.

His reaction was understandable—the saleswoman’s words were simply too astonishing.

A Golden Core-level lightning talisman—for only twenty spirit stones?

Who could believe such a thing?

“That’s right, Senior. You heard correctly. Because you enjoy a 90% discount, the Thunderclap Talisman only costs twenty lower-grade spirit stones.

However, this discount only applies to the first talisman purchased.

If you wish to buy more, the price returns to normal.

Also, for the time being, each person is limited to one of each type of talisman.”

The beautiful cultivator explained.

Such restrictions were, of course, meant to prevent others from taking advantage of the system to resell for profit.

Upon receiving confirmation, the Foundation Establishment cultivator was overjoyed.

Even if the discount only applied to one talisman, it was still a huge bargain for him.

He immediately declared without hesitation, “I’ll buy one Thunderclap Talisman!”

Afraid someone else might claim the discount before him.

“Very well, Senior. Would you like to purchase any other talismans?”

“How much is the Gravity Talisman?”

“All of our newly stocked Foundation Establishment-level talismans are priced uniformly—twenty lower-grade spirit stones apiece.”

“All Foundation Establishment talismans are twenty each?”

The cultivator was once again shocked, but didn’t hesitate. “Then I’ll take one Gravity Talisman, one Vitality Talisman, and also one Flame Talisman…”

Very quickly, he spent almost all of his spirit stones and purchased seven talismans in total.

Aside from the Golden Core-level Thunderclap Talisman, the rest were all Foundation Establishment-level talismans.

He had actually wanted to buy another Golden Core-level talisman, but his funds simply didn’t allow it.

At this moment, he deeply regretted not saving more spirit stones in the past.

If he had, he could’ve bought every kind of talisman the Treasure Pavilion had just released.

Once he had left, feeling both excited and regretful, the rest of the cultivators who had been watching immediately surged forward and surrounded the elegant saleswoman.

“I want a Thunderclap Talisman!”

“I’ll take a Vitality Talisman and a Flame Talisman!”

“One of each talisman—give me all of them!”

...

All these cultivators had seen with their own eyes how powerful the new talismans were.

Even more importantly, their prices were far lower than those offered by other merchants for talismans of the same level.

They all understood—the Treasure Pavilion was likely offering such low prices because it was their first time promoting these talismans.

No one knew whether the price would remain this low in a few days.

If they missed this chance, they might never get another.

With that mindset, these cultivators—who had witnessed the talismans’ might firsthand—emptied their spirit stone pouches, buying as many as they could.

Some even rushed home to borrow more spirit stones, then returned to buy more.

Just like that, in a single day, more than half of the hundreds of talismans refined by Lu Qing had already been sold.

“You’re saying that Fellow Daoist Lu’s talismans are already running low?”

The Master of the Treasure Pavilion was visibly astonished after hearing Ziyuan’s report.

“Yes, Pavilion Master. The talismans refined by Senior Lu are of excellent quality, and combined with our low pricing, the cultivators who tested them nearly all made purchases.

I even saw some cultivators, upon realizing they didn’t have enough spirit stones, run off to borrow more and return to buy talismans.

If we hadn’t placed restrictions—only one of each type per person—then all of Senior Lu’s hundreds of talismans would’ve sold out today.

Even so, there are fewer than a hundred left now.

I fear they won’t be enough for tomorrow’s sales.”

Ziyuan gave her report slowly and carefully.

“To think the new talismans would sell so well on the very first day.”

The Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion listened with a mix of excitement and astonishment.

In her original estimation, it would have taken at least several days of steady promotion before the cultivators outside would begin to accept the new talismans.

She hadn’t expected things to progress so smoothly, far beyond what she had envisioned.

“Pavilion Master, what should we do next? Should we raise the price of the talismans?” Ziyuan asked.

“Absolutely not.” The Pavilion Master shook her head. “Our greatest advantage right now is the price.

If we raise the prices, we’ll be no different from the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion and the Thousand Mechanisms Workshop.

Worse yet, our sales could drop sharply.

After all, our talismans use low-grade spiritual jade, and some cultivators do care about that.”

“At this rate, our remaining talismans won’t be enough to last through tomorrow. We’ll need to ask Senior Lu to continue refining them.

But earlier, when I went to his cultivation cave, I saw a sign outside saying visitors are not to be disturbed.

I was afraid he might be at a critical point in cultivation, so I didn’t dare interrupt.”

“Fellow Daoist Lu is in seclusion…” The Pavilion Master fell silent for a moment before saying, “This is a miscalculation on my part. Strictly speaking, we shouldn’t disturb him so soon.

But now that the new talismans have gained momentum, it would be unwise to lose that momentum.

Very well, I’ll go personally to apologize and see if Fellow Daoist Lu will understand.”

With that, the Pavilion Master headed straight to Lu Qing’s cultivation cave.

After calling out a few times, Lu Qing emerged from his meditative state.

When he heard the news about how well the new talismans were selling, he was pleasantly surprised.

“Fellow Daoist Lu, that is the situation. The talismans you refined have proven unexpectedly popular.

We’re nearly out of stock here at the pavilion and will likely need another batch from you.

The fault lies with my own poor planning. I beg your forgiveness.”

The Pavilion Master spoke sincerely.

Lu Qing smiled. “Why do you say such a thing, Pavilion Master? The talismans being so well received is a good thing. We should be pleased. However…”

He paused for a moment, then continued, “I can only refine five hundred talismans per day at most. I need the rest of my time for cultivation. I hope you’ll understand.”

“Five hundred is more than enough!” the Pavilion Master quickly replied.

She was even more shocked inwardly.

From the sound of it, five hundred a day wasn’t even Lu Qing’s full capacity. He could still make time for cultivation?

“Then starting tomorrow, have Miss Ziyuan come at morning hour to collect the talismans. I’ll begin refining shortly.”

“Then I shall take my leave.”

After the Pavilion Master left, Lu Qing returned to his cave, took out his spiritual jade, and began refining talismans.

Truth be told, the Pavilion Master’s news had delighted him.

The better the talismans sold, the faster he could accumulate spirit stones.

And the faster he saved spirit stones, the sooner he could enter the Tianyuan Great World.

That, for him, was an excellent development.

As for refining talismans—it wasn’t a difficult task for him to begin with.

Moreover, when he refined talismans, he employed the Art of Soul Division, which also served to temper his spirit and will.

The second day arrived swiftly.

And just as Ziyuan had predicted, word of mouth had begun to spread.

Even more cultivators came to the Treasure Pavilion to buy talismans than the day before.

Thankfully, with the addition of the new five hundred talismans refined by Lu Qing, they just barely managed to keep up with the demand.

In the days that followed, the stream of cultivators coming to purchase talismans showed no sign of slowing down.

In fact, the popularity of the new talismans even brought more business to the rest of the Treasure Pavilion’s wares, such as magical artifacts and medicinal pills.

In a short span of time, the Treasure Pavilion made a fortune in spirit stones.

Such an unusual level of activity naturally didn’t go unnoticed by the sharp-eyed individuals in Canglan City.

Especially not by the other businesses competing with the Treasure Pavilion.

That included their two biggest rivals—the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion and the Thousand Mechanisms Workshop.

Within a hidden chamber of the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion, several figures sat solemnly, all gazing intently at a few talismans laid out on the table before them.

Any cultivator present would have instantly recognized them—these were the new talismans being sold like wildfire at the Treasure Pavilion.

“These little things are the reason we’ve barely seen any customers for days now? The Myriad Phenomena Pavilion, almost deserted because of this?”

A burly red-faced elder with wild beard and hair stared at the unremarkable jade talismans in disbelief.

To his senses, these talismans didn’t emit any particularly powerful aura.

Most were only Foundation Establishment-level. The strongest among them was just at the early Golden Core level.

He simply couldn’t believe that these modest, low-to-mid-tier talismans were the reason their business had been brought to a standstill.

“Vice Pavilion Master, you mustn’t underestimate these talismans.”

At that moment, a white-faced middle-aged man with a jade fan spoke up.

“They may appear ordinary, but they hold subtle mysteries within.

Just now, Master Zhuo examined them—and even he couldn’t stop praising their craftsmanship.”

“Is that so, Master Zhuo?”

The burly red-faced man turned to a black-haired elder seated calmly nearby.

“Indeed,” the elder replied. “Though these talismans are of modest rank and made from coarse, low-grade materials, their crafting technique is truly ingenious.

The way the runic arrays are fused seamlessly into the spiritual jade allows even the lowest-quality jade to bear potent rune power, unleashing effects far beyond what the materials would normally allow.

Such miraculous craftsmanship—only a talisman master of the highest caliber could accomplish this!”

“A talisman master!” the red-faced elder exclaimed in sudden understanding.

“So that’s it. The Treasure Pavilion must’ve found a way to recruit a true talisman master.

It’s this unknown master who has stirred up such a storm these past few days?”

“That’s likely the case,” Master Zhuo nodded. “All the talismans use low-grade spiritual jade, which keeps production costs down.

That’s how the Treasure Pavilion can afford to sell them at such low prices.

However, there’s still something I can’t understand.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“Why would a talisman master lower themselves like this—to exhaust their effort on refining such a massive quantity of low-level talismans?”