Chapter 35: Seeking Cooperation

Xiao Zhangqing, when setting up his stall, naturally wouldn't dump all fifty‑plus first‑grade middle‑quality Talisman Scripts at once.

Doing so would only be trouble for himself, fearing that nothing would happen.

Those fifty‑plus first‑grade middle‑quality Talisman Scripts are worth more than four hundred low‑grade Spirit Stones, and across the whole market no other stall matches that specification.

So Xiao Zhangqing only took six different kinds of Talisman Scripts to sell.

There are offensive ones, defensive ones, and also escape‑assistance scripts.

Xiao Zhangqing thought selling six scripts a day would be decent.

At that rate, the stock would be gone in about ten days.

In fact, Xiao Zhangqing soon realized he had vastly overestimated the purchasing power of Scattered Cultivators buying at market stalls.

He also underestimated how stingy these Scattered Cultivators were and their bargaining skill.

He considered his pricing fair: his first‑grade middle‑quality Talisman Scripts were of excellent quality. In a shop like Lingfu Pavilion that sells items for ten low‑grade Spirit Stones, he priced his at nine; when Lingfu Pavilion sold for nine, he sold for eight.

Moreover, he was prepared for haggling; his bottom line could tolerate a further reduction of one low‑grade Spirit Stone.

In other words, as long as his price was within 20% of Lingfu Pavilion's, he would accept and ship.

Result.

These Scattered Cultivators, however, kept asking for prices in endless streams.

After hearing the price, they would immediately cut it by half; some were even worse, slashing a ten‑low‑grade Spirit Stone script down to three! Xiao Zhangqing was too lazy to bother and simply refused to sell.

Although… when he was a customer before, he could haggle the stall owners hard at the market.

But what he sold wasn't a scam or empty fluff; each Talisman Script reveals its power as soon as one senses it.

A penny's worth of goods, how dare they? At first Xiao Zhangqing thought it was an isolated case and paid no mind. As time passed, he realized this was a common stall phenomenon! These market‑going Scattered Cultivators, besides being stingy and haggling wildly, mainly either can't spare the money or simply can't afford it…

Come to think of it, most market stall customers are lower‑tier Lian Qi Scattered Cultivators; mid‑stage Lian Qi cultivators are a minority.

Just as two and a half years ago Xiao Zhangqing was still fretting over rent that cost a single low‑grade Spirit Stone, wondering how to afford a first‑grade middle‑quality Talisman Script. As for Late Stage of Lian Qi cultivators and some local rich second‑generation heirs, they simply disdain market stalls.

Back then Hu Yuan looked down on market stalls with deep contempt, adopting an aloof, superior attitude.

So after half an hour of setting up, finally selling a script that costs at least ten low‑grade Spirit Stones in a shop for eight low‑grade Spirit Stones, Xiao Zhangqing had an epiphany.

The Talisman Scripts he now sells are somewhat high‑end for market stalls! Encountering two or three buyers with purchasing power in a day is already lucky; bad luck could mean returning empty‑handed.

Even if his price is low, buying it is a profit, but most cultivators don't even have the capital to make a profit.

On the first day he set up for an hour and a half, staying until the market closed before packing up, and only sold two scripts!

He thought the first day was just bad luck, plus he was a new stall with no reputation, so sales would gradually rise.

Result…

Second day, one! Third day, luckier, three! Fourth day, two!

Fifth day, two!

Sales fell far short of expectations! This was only because Nanshan Fang has been turbulent lately, improving the Talisman Script market a bit.

Otherwise, Xiao Zhangqing suspects his luck is so bad that daily sales could be zero!

Of course.

During these days on the stall, many cultivators kept asking for prices, and Xiao Zhangqing could see that most genuinely desired his scripts and sincerely wanted to buy.

If he broke his bottom line and cut his profit by more than thirty percent, sales would easily double or more, no problem.

But then Xiao Zhangqing would feel terribly shortchanged.

"If this continues, it's not a solution!"

"I originally planned to work harder later, draw two more scripts each day, earn more Spirit Stones. Doing that, even if I draw more, they still won't sell!"

Expressionless, Xiao Zhangqing slipped the remaining scripts from his stall into his bosom, preparing to pack up and go home.

By then night was falling, most surrounding stall owners had gone home, and the bustling market began to grow quiet.

Following his usual practice, Xiao Zhangqing cautiously turned around and walked a circuit opposite to home, finding a deserted spot to restore his appearance before truly heading home. It's prudent to avoid anyone uncovering his true identity.

The past few days had been smooth.

But today, just after packing up and stepping out of the market, Xiao Zhangqing vaguely sensed something was off.

When he deliberately took a detour, changing direction on the fly, fully focusing on what was behind him, he indeed found himself being followed! "Who's that? A raider?"

Xiao Zhangqing's hair stood on end in an instant, his heart pounding wildly.

In a flash, Xiao Zhangqing drew two Talisman Scripts from his hand.

One defensive, one offensive.

They weren't his own; they were first‑grade supreme Talisman Scripts gifted by shopkeeper Hong Jiantao.

As long as the raider isn't at the Foundation Establishment Realm, he can guarantee his safety and counter‑kill the opponent!

He has been transmigrated into the cultivation world for two and a half years.

Relatively speaking, he's been living fairly smoothly.

Even during the toughest early period, his cautious routine—clocking in and out at two points, never venturing out, exploring, or provoking anyone—kept him from danger.

As for the recent turmoil in Nanshan Fang, it hasn't affected him.

On the surface, he's merely a Basic Talisman Master at Lingfu Pavilion, at most a middle‑rank in Nanshan Fang, with no real perks.

Even a random local cultivator in Nanshan Fang is far wealthier than him.

Even if a hostile raider harbored ill intent, they wouldn't loot him.

Who would have thought that, short on Spirit Stones, he'd resort to side gigs for extra cash, using disguise to set up a stall at the market.

As a result, after only a few scripts sold and little Spirit Stone earned, a raider set his sights on him first?

"Stop right there!"

Xiao Zhangqing whirled around sharply and shouted loudly.

At the same time, his dual‑hand Qi was already bristling, ready to strike; if the pursuer showed any aggressive intent, he could deliver a killing blow instantly.

But unexpectedly, the one tailing him was a female cultivator, and he actually knew her.

Or perhaps it's not accurate to say he knew her; they had merely met once.

His most important equipment at present, the Enlightenment Dao Meditation Mat, was bought from her…… Lin Ziyu's younger sister, Lin Zixi! 'Dao Companion, I mean no harm!'

Lin Zixi was startled by Xiao Zhangqing's sudden turn and explosive shout, feeling a great ominous presence, an invisible killing intent locking onto her, as if needles pricked her body, as if she would die on the spot the next moment.

Her pretty face turned deathly pale, her legs almost went weak, and she hastily raised both hands and waved them.

Xiao Zhangqing was slightly surprised, but his vigilance did not relax in the slightest; the talisman script in his hands had not been put away, and could be activated with magical power at any moment.

'What do you intend by following me?' Xiao Zhangqing still wore his disguise, originally fierce and evil-looking, now with an added touch of terrifying aura.

'I... I... I want to help you sell talismans, Dao Companion.'

Lin Zixi had been observing Xiao Zhangqing for several days, and had also mentally rehearsed countless times the scene of meeting him.

Therefore, although she was frightened badly at this moment, she still accurately stated her purpose.

'Help me sell talismans?' Xiao Zhangqing's long, thick eyebrows rose.

Lin Zixi knew the opportunity was rare and time was short, so she took a deep breath, barely suppressing her inner fear, and said tremblingly: 'I guess you, Dao Companion, should have many high-quality first-rank medium-grade talisman scripts, but at the market stall sales are poor and it's hard to sell at a high price…… I have channels that can help you ship in large batches…… and the price won't be lower than what you'd buy at the market, and may even be higher.'

After quickly explaining her purpose, Lin Zixi raised both hands again to indicate she meant no harm.

Xiao Zhangqing's eyes flickered uncertainly, and he quickly made a decision: 'I don't have many talisman scripts left; I've almost sold them all. You've mistaken the person! Don't follow me anymore, or don't blame me for being impolite!'

Having said that, he swiftly turned and left.

(End of chapter)