I Cultivate Longevity in the Cultivation Realm-Chapter 45: Is the Tribulation Cultivator Nearby Again?
"Alright."
Qian Xiaoyue didn’t think too much about it. After a brief contemplation, she agreed.
Subsequently, Zhou Changwang entered her room once again.
Unlike the tension of the last time, Zhou Changwang was much more at ease this time and even took a moment to survey her room, which looked no different from before, except that there were some new scratches on the walls.
These scratches were distributed unevenly, and the cuts were sharp and varied in depth, somewhat resembling marks made by a Flying Sword.
"I just got a new Magical Artifact, so I tested it out a bit more."
Qian Xiaoyue, seeing the situation, wasn’t embarrassed and explained with a smile, then said, "Why are you looking for me?"
Zhou Changwang heard her words but gave her a meaningful look. He himself also had a Flying Sword Magical Artifact and naturally knew that a Low-Tier Cultivator could at most drive the Magical Artifact in a straight line unless one’s cultivation reached the Qi Refining Fourth Layer and their Heart Spirit transformed into Spiritual Sense.
Or.
Master a Driving Technique or Artifact Control Technique and other such Magical Spells to use the power of Magic to control the Magical Artifact and make it spin and turn on its own.
And it was evident that Qian Xiaoyue had not broken through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. So being able to do this and leaving such marks on the walls clearly meant she had practiced Driving Technique or some such spell to control Magical Artifacts.
And such spells were extremely expensive.
Of course, this was someone else’s secret, and it wasn’t appropriate for him to pry too much, so he immediately said, "Fellow Daoist Qian, if I remember correctly, you can make Talisman Paper, right?
It just so happens that lately, I’ve been learning some Talisman Making techniques.
Since we are neighbors and have a bit of friendship, I thought I could purchase some Talisman Paper from you, you know, keep the advantages within the family."
"I do indeed know how to make Talisman Paper.
But as a friend, I still advise you not to attempt Talisman Making lightly.
Because the initial expenses are high, and it’s very hard to succeed."
Qian Xiaoyue nodded in agreement, but she still offered her advice.
She had been making Talisman Paper for years and naturally had not thought of learning Talisman Making.
After all, compared to the low price of Talisman Paper, the potential of Talisman Paper is much higher. Ordinary Low-tier Talisman Papers are one thing, but if they are special Spirit Talismans, the price can be very expensive.
However, the outcome was obvious.
A session of Talisman Making study drained all of the Spirit Stones she had saved up over more than a year, and the key was she learned nothing, could only make some low-tier Talismans, and the most crucial part was, the success rate was low, losing a Talisman with each attempt...
As a last resort, she gave up on Talisman Making and resorted to making Talisman Paper to earn Spirit Stones.
"I’m just giving it a try. If it doesn’t work, I naturally won’t be reckless."
Zhou Changwang smiled as he spoke.
"Then I won’t dissuade you.
In the Independent Cultivator Marketplace, Talisman Papers usually sell for one Lower-Grade Spirit Stone per stack, which is fifty sheets.
My Talisman Papers are of decent quality and sell for one Lower-Grade Spirit Stone for forty-five sheets in the Independent Cultivator Marketplace.
Given our familiarity, how about I give you fifty-five sheets for one Lower-Grade Spirit Stone?"
"Sure, and thanks for looking out for me, Fellow Daoist Qian."
He didn’t doubt Qian Xiaoyue’s words, after all, he had seen the stalls selling in the same quantity, and whether they sell or not is another matter, which he didn’t delve into; he simply agreed.
He then retrieved something from his pocket and said, "Here are six Lower-Grade Spirit Stones. I’ll go ahead and reserve some."
"Alright.
You’re actually in luck; I’ve just completed a batch and was planning to sell them at the marketplace tomorrow. Your purchase saves me the trouble of waking up early."
Qian Xiaoyue was straightforward, accepting the Spirit Stones, and then went into her room to bring out a bundle of Talisman Papers.
Then she said, "Here are seven stacks, totaling three hundred fifty Talisman Papers. You can count them. Consider the extra ones as a gift.
If you really succeed in making Spirit Talismans in the future, you must give me a discount should I wish to purchase."
"Of course, no problem."
Zhou Changwang took them in his hand, a glance confirming that there were indeed three hundred fifty sheets in seven stacks, and he didn’t bother to count them thoroughly.
Agreeing easily to her playful words, his expression then turned serious, and he whispered, "Recently, there have been many mysterious cultivators on the outskirts; did you know?"
"I know a little."
Qian Xiaoyue was momentarily taken aback, but then nodded, proceeding cautiously to cast the Sound Insulation Technique.
Seeing this, Zhou Changwang couldn’t help but furrow his brow.
Qian Xiaoyue’s caution only further confirmed the unusual nature of those mysterious cultivators, so he inquired further, "Fellow Daoist Qian, do you know where they come from?
Especially the two families that just moved in around us... something feels off."
"They are indeed suspicious.
That couple isn’t actually a couple; they’re siblings. I only vaguely heard from a distance that they come from the Divine Wind Valley Marketplace, five hundred miles away.
Supposedly, someone hired them for a high price to come here.
I’ve heard them mention ’plans’ a few times, but what exactly those plans are, I do not know."
Qian Xiaoyue said, and then with a peculiar expression continued, "As for the other pair of brothers, because they are living in Fang Yu and his wife’s old room, I overheard a bit more.
They are not actual brothers either; they are senior brothers from the same sect. Their sect isn’t a major one, more like a loose cultivator lineage.
Both are also from the Divine Wind Valley Marketplace, but they weren’t hired; they rushed over because they heard some rumors that seemed profitable."
Right.
They have another identity."
"What identity?"
Zhou Changwang was puzzled and asked.
"Tribulation Cultivators!"
Qian Xiaoyue said softly.
"What?"
Zhou Changwang’s face changed.
This... is the feng shui around here odd or something, having Tribulation Cultivators staying here?
"Don’t worry, they won’t target you.
The two of them are at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer and Qi Refining Sixth Layer respectively.
Even if you walked right in front of them, they wouldn’t bother to make a move."
Qian Xiaoyue laughed and said.
"Still, it’s best to be on guard."
Zhou Changwang muttered a bit, not letting his guard down, and then quietly asked, "Why are so many cultivators coming from all over?"
"Fengming Dock Marketplace is nominally under the Qingyuan Sect, but the Bai Family has actually been controlling it in practice.
Not only is the Bai Family quite powerful, with three Foundation Establishment Powerhouses within the family, but the Bai Family Ancestor is an Eighth Level Foundation Establishment Realm Great Cultivator. Moreover, the Bai Family sent their incredibly talented member, Bai Yufeng, to the Qingyuan Sect early on.
Twenty years ago, Bai Yufeng successfully established a foundation and became a disciple of a Golden Core Ancestor within the Qingyuan Sect.
With personal strength and a solid backing,
the Bai Family has been able to firmly hold onto Fengming Dock Marketplace, enjoying endless resources.
But I’ve heard that the Bai Family Ancestor was ambushed recently, suffering heavy injuries.
Adding to that, he is already over one hundred and eighty years old and doesn’t have much lifespan left.
It’s inevitable that some would start having ideas..."
Qian Xiaoyue said softly.
