[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-the-jade-palace":3,"chapter-ascending-to-the-jade-palace-ascending-to-the-jade-palace-chapter-57":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Ascending to the Jade Palace",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2320519,4538,"Chapter 57: Can I Take Home the Spirit Water I Washed My Hands In?","ascending-to-the-jade-palace-chapter-57",57,"\u003Cp>Ten days later, the racetrack at Qingxi Fang was once again packed with noise and bustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu An’s beloved gourd jar didn’t pull any surprises this time—it finished dead last—but Yu An wasn’t here today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was busy crafting the monkey-themed magic tools needed for the blind boxes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fellow cultivators, the horse race is over, but I have good news to share.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Baibao Pavilion, a new talisman and elixir shop opened by the Wang clan of Anbei, has just launched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you gather three people to visit together, you can buy the Wang clan’s unique donkey-skin thousand-li talisman at a ten-percent discount.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Baibao Pavilion also...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fellow cultivators, don’t miss this chance—the Wang clan must be mad to offer such generous discounts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hurry over now, or if the Baibao Pavilion goes under, those who arrive late won’t get any deals!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Qi’s advertisement was catastrophic—but somehow, it actually worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this was the first time such a thing had ever happened in Qingxi Fang; cultivators had no concept of advertising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, shops in Qingxi Fang would just hire people to promote at taverns, inns, and teahouses—that was the limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou’s campaign tapped into the private traffic pool built by the Yang clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leveraging the top-tier traffic from the Qingxi Fang horse race and using the Baibao Pavilion discounts as a hook, he fully activated user touchpoints, achieving breakout marketing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was essentially a crude version of ecosystem disruption—a dimensional strike against Baibao Pavilion’s competitors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Baihao only learned about the new Baibao Pavilion through Yang Qi’s promotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was an Elder of Hongshu Sect, a low-tier sect; though it sounded absurd for a Qi Refining ninth-layer Elder, considering Hongshu Sect had only ever produced two Foundation Establishment cultivators since its founding, it made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His main mission in Qingxi Fang was to sell his sect’s specialty: ninth-grade red wood. After completing his task, he came to the racetrack to watch the races.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But upon hearing the Wang clan’s shop offered discounted thousand-li talismans, he changed his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His junior disciples needed thousand-li talismans—he could buy three to take back and distribute as rewards at the right moment, perfectly suited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he followed the crowd to the Baibao Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, the crowd—many cultivators who had come for the races had come here too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fellow cultivators, please line up. Those wishing to buy the three-person ten-percent discount thousand-li talismans: you must form a group of three to qualify for the discount; no one may buy more than two per person!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the shop assistant’s words, Cui Baihao grew annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your Wang clan is wealthy and powerful, yet you won’t even let us buy more than two? So stingy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cursed inwardly, but had no intention of leaving—the ten-percent discount on Wang clan donkey-skin thousand-li talismans was too tempting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The value of a loss-leader lies precisely in this: the Wang clan raised donkeys—they had no shortage of donkey-skin talismans, and even at ten percent off, they still profited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, it was Cui Baihao’s turn. Under the assistant’s guidance, he formed a trio with two other customers, each buying two donkey-skin thousand-li talismans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two other customers bought their talismans and left immediately, but Cui Baihao was stunned by the grand ancestral tablet inside the Baibao Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the Ancestor Mangxiang, Wang Yinghua of the Wang clan stood on equal footing with Xuanduan and Danri.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three other Wang clan Foundation Establishment cultivators had become disciples of Xuanduan, ranked among the Red Lantern Illumination’s direct heirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of the Red Lantern Illumination, thinking of the Anbei Wang clan, thinking of his own Hongshu Sect, Cui Baihao suddenly felt a pang of sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivation is hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivation is very, very hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recluses returning to the mortal world could enjoy a comfortable life—but who would give up the hope of eternal life?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though that hope was so faint, no one was willing to abandon it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“New blind boxes just arrived! Twenty boxes, each containing three low-grade magic tools and three bottles of six pills each of Huaiqi Elixir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huaiqi Elixir?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Baihao didn’t know what a blind box was, but he knew Huaiqi Elixir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One pill cost five spirit stones—it could boost a Qi Refining cultivator’s cultivation speed for five days, making five days of practice equal fifteen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After learning what a blind box was, Cui Baihao stared at the wooden boxes with shining eyes, his heart burning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buying two boxes meant that whether he drew a Huaiqi Elixir or a low-grade magic tool, he’d break even or even make a small profit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But among the twenty blind boxes, only six contained high-value items; to get them, you had to buy more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gritted his teeth and waved his hand, shouting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Give me five... blind boxes, yes, blind boxes—five blind boxes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry, we have a purchase limit: each person may buy only two, and, fellow cultivator, you called too late—there’s only one left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant’s reply left Cui Baihao dumbfounded—already only one left?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fellow cultivator, still want it? If not, I’ll sell it to someone else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with the crowd so large, the assistant had no time for Cui Baihao to hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, give me even just one!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even one is fine—small bets bring joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buying five at once was too risky; though the Anbei Wang clan wouldn’t ruin their reputation, caution was wiser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding the blind box, Cui Baihao traced the red-lacquered wooden surface, eager to open it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he noticed other cultivators who had bought blind boxes were bowing before the Ancestor Mangxiang tablet—as if seeking ancestral protection?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking he had nothing to lose, Cui Baihao bowed twice as well, his movements and expression perfectly sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was, without doubt, the most respectful moment he had ever shown toward Ancestor Mangxiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he’d bowed to the ancestor, washing his hands was obviously not to be skipped—everyone else washed; if he didn’t, wouldn’t his luck be just a little worse?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as Cui Baihao reached for the water basin, the assistant stopped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spirit-water handwashing tickets: one spirit stone for five washes. Fellow cultivator, you haven’t bought a ticket yet, have you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Baihao’s eyes widened as he pointed at those who had just washed their hands and were preparing to open their boxes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did they all buy tickets?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant swiftly pulled out a carved wooden card, engraved with the Baibao Pavilion’s relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, look—this is the spirit-water handwashing ticket. Each wash gets a punch mark. Would you like one?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, we also offer free plain water—it’s just ordinary tap water, but we can give you that for free.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the assistant’s carved wooden handwashing ticket, Cui Baihao, from a modest household, was about to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eh! I won! I won! Hahaha I won!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lone cultivator who had just washed his hands had drawn a low-grade purple-copper Breaking-Devil Mace and was now dancing joyfully around the Baibao Pavilion’s main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Baihao’s words died in his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I take home the spirit water I washed my hands in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hongshu Sect was poor; Cui Baihao might be an Elder, but he still had to save where he could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The water used to wash hands was perfect to take back and brew tea with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course! We’ll pack it for you free of charge, fellow cultivator—would you like to buy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll buy it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Cui Baihao washed his hands, picked up the packed spirit water, and left with his blind box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was an old hand—he wouldn’t open the blind box in public; if he drew a low-grade magic tool, others would envy him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in his rented room at Fuyuan Inn, Cui Baihao sat on his narrow bed, barely able to turn over, staring at the red-lacquered blind box in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart raced, his hands trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the box, perfectly centered, rested a jade vial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d struck it rich!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncorking the jade vial and holding it to his nose, inhaling the elixir’s fragrance, Cui Baihao sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So this is what Huaiqi Elixir smells like—so fragrant. Elixirs truly are extraordinary, truly extraordinary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d only ever used Huaiqi Powder, never dared buy Huaiqi Elixir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He poured one pill into his palm, gazing at its deep-brown, cherry-sized form, swallowed hard, then placed it back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll take it back to the sect to consume!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these six pills in hand, his path to Qi Refining tenth layer would advance faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the second floor of the Baibao Pavilion, Wang Rong smiled broadly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yulou, I never expected these blind boxes to sell so well—hahaha, I was blind to their potential.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s booming business at Baibao Pavilion was clearly thanks to Yulou’s efforts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three-person discount group, timed auctions, and horse race ads were all traffic drivers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the blind box sales genuinely expanded profits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these four moves, Yulou’s position as shop manager was now secure—he no longer needed to fear being fired for poor performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But lack of foresight invites immediate trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cousin, Baibao Pavilion’s success owes everything to your strong support, but we now face a new problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou first flattered his cousin, then pleaded for help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The blind boxes sell well because their total value, averaged out, is sold at a 98 percent discount.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, cultivators who get lucky become repeat customers, naturally boosting sales.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But selling too fast isn’t entirely good—I predict Baibao Pavilion will soon face supply shortages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ve taken so much business from other shops; we should negotiate with them—we can’t rely solely on our own supply. What do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stabilize the supply chain while avoiding being seen as monopolizing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou’s blind box strategy effectively increased sales volume per unit time through high turnover, thereby boosting overall profit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But market demand is limited; when Baibao Pavilion thrives, competitors go hungry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, certain methods are needed to achieve mutual benefit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone like Mang Xiang has a vast faction and profound strength—even if he leaves only bones for others, he has nothing to fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Wang clan doesn’t have such a big mouth; eating too much invites disaster!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Yulou’s suggestion, Wang Rongsheng felt deep emotion and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yulou, I finally understand why the clan chief appointed you as shopkeeper of Baibao Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re right, but leave these matters to me—those old devils aren’t easy to deal with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luckily, I’m an old hand and can still lend you some help, hahaha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a spirit crane raised by the Wang clan flew to the window of the second floor of Baibao Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked impatient, pecking repeatedly at the window, signaling the two inside to open the door quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Rongsheng raised his hand in surprise, and the window opened; the spirit crane flew in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dropping a bundle, it stepped to the table and drank the spiritual tea there—still the one Wang Rongsheng had prepared for Yulou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this Elder Crane Two or Elder Crane Three?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Crane Two and Elder Crane Three looked too much alike; Yulou couldn’t tell them apart at first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spirit crane pecked Yulou twice more, then proudly opened its beak—Master is hungry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Rongsheng picked up the bundle, inspected it, and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the seven-stringed qin custom-ordered by Mu Yingxi; the clan chief made it himself and specifically instructed you to deliver it to the garrison officer’s residence in Mu Chunze.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou, who was feeding Elder Crane Three with snacks, was surprised—me? Deliver the qin?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he finally realized something was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, every Foundation Establishment cultivator deemed worthy enough by the Purple Mansion to become a true disciple is no fool.\u003C\u002Fp>",1926,"2026-06-20T15:48:26.995Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","00f2a4b16e36a21383dc605a0ef0c96fcb4869866d30009f5c5f2d0b3e0ca00a","ascending-to-the-jade-palace-chapter-58","ascending-to-the-jade-palace-chapter-56",243,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-the-jade-palace-cover.jpg"]