Chapter 37: Trial

Lin Zixi is confident in her plan, believing that the mysterious Symbol Master is highly likely to be moved by her, and after careful deliberation she chose to cooperate with her.

After all, since this mysterious Symbol Master chose to set up a stall at the market, he must have unavoidable reasons and cannot go to Lingfu Pavilion or the major shops to sell directly.

Her sales channels aren't that important; what matters is that she can act as a middleman and has the courage to step forward! But the next day, Lin Zixi discovered that the mysterious Symbol Master not only didn't take the initiative to cooperate with her, but also didn't return to the market to set up a stall, disappearing altogether.

Lin Zixi comforted herself, saying the other party might have an urgent matter to handle and couldn't come today.

But the next day, the day after that…

A full week passed, and the mysterious Symbol Master still didn't appear at the market, as if he had simply vanished from the mortal world!

Lin Zixi felt lost and bewildered, unable to understand why the plan had failed.

Moreover, a failure is a failure; it's one thing if you don't cooperate with me.

What does it mean to just disappear? Could a tiny third-tier Qi Refining Realm Scattered Cultivator like me possibly scare a first-tier mid-grade Symbol Master into cowardice? Lin Zixi was extremely frustrated, ready to abandon the path she had finally found, which she thought was the easiest way to get rich.

But at that moment, Xiao Zhangqing once again changed his disguise and appeared at the market.

Moreover, he deliberately chose a spot not far from her stall.

"I knew he couldn't stay unmoved!"

The moment Lin Zixi saw him, her eyes lit up, and she was thrilled to the extreme.

This mysterious cultivator reappeared at the market, and seemingly intentionally chose a position very close to her…

What does this indicate? It's no longer a case of feigned rejection and acceptance; it's essentially a direct invitation: "I won't close the stall tonight; come find me!" "Should I say it or not, this mysterious Symbol Master is truly extremely cautious—he even vanished for a whole week…"

While Lin Zixi was excited and agitated, she couldn't help but mutter a scornful remark in her heart.

It made her think her plan had failed, and she was ready to give up!

However, now that she knows the other party is so cautious, Lin Zixi understands that this matter cannot be rushed, she must not be as reckless as before, but instead settle her mind and be patient.

Otherwise, she'll end up with nothing to show for it.

So even though Xiao Zhangqing was clearly nearby, after a brief eye contact she forced herself not to look his way again and focused on her own business.

In this way she stayed like that until evening; as the market was about to close, Xiao Zhangqing packed up his stall.

She immediately followed suit, packing up at once, and, just like last time, left together with Xiao Zhangqing.

However, last time she had stalked on her own accord, nearly causing a disaster and being mistakenly killed; this time she had his permission, so it can't be called stalking.

The two were practically traveling together.

After about half a stick of incense's worth of time, the two, one ahead of the other, moved away from the market into a secluded corner.

Xiao Zhangqing, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped, his mind flooded with thoughts; Lin Zixi, both excited and uneasy, almost didn't notice and nearly bumped into him.

Xiao Zhangqing turned around, simply staring at her without speaking.

Lin Zixi, of course, couldn't be restrained; she quickly put on a smiling face, her attitude very pleasant, her seemingly youthful and naive girl-like appearance now giving off a sly, ordinary‑fox vibe.

"Senior, regarding the cooperation I proposed last time, are you interested in trying it? Rest assured, I'm very reliable; I wouldn't approach you without absolute confidence! I can help you ship large quantities, and my selling price will only be higher than what you sell at the market! If the price is lower than the market, I take nothing… Only if my price is higher than the market, then senior you can just give me a bit of hardship money!" Lin Zixi said with solemn oath, presenting herself as an honest, trustworthy person.

If Xiao Zhangqing hadn't bought a Wudao Meditation Mat from her last time, he probably wouldn't have realized how shrewd she is.

The last time they met they were just Dao Companions; this time, he directly called her "senior."

It seems that, for the sake of making money, she rehearsed repeatedly and prepared her pitch.

"I can't trust you," Xiao Zhangqing said coldly, unfazed by her façade.

"Um…" Lin Zixi thought for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Then senior, could you first give me three or five Talisman Scripts? I'll try selling them for you tomorrow. If I succeed and the price isn't low, we can formalize the cooperation?"

This was exactly the method Xiao Zhangqing had in mind. Talisman Scripts have a market anywhere in the Cultivation World.

In fact, as long as one has Talisman Scripts of sufficient variety and quality, one normally wouldn't worry about sales.

The same applies to Nanshan Fang.

Xiao Zhangqing, due to his status as a Symbol Master of Lingfu Pavilion, is restricted from selling openly and is absolutely prohibited from selling to other shops.

His disguise technique, though strong at the Qi Refining Realm, is not 100% foolproof and still carries the risk of being seen through.

If he sells directly in shops, a single gamble is manageable. But maintaining a long‑term partnership would inevitably attract Foundation Establishment cultivators, and his disguise technique would lose its effect, exposing his true identity.

Therefore, he needs to find a trustworthy partner.

Lin Zixi isn't actually the ideal partner he envisions, but he currently has no other suitable candidates. Since this woman stepped forward voluntarily, it shows she has plans and channels, saving Xiao Zhangqing much trouble, and he doesn't mind giving her a chance.

Moreover, the Lin family sisters, based on his prior knowledge and recent investigations, are relatively easier to control.

As long as Lin Zixi passes the test, Xiao Zhangqing will let her act as the middleman.

"Here are five first‑tier mid‑grade Talisman Scripts, all relatively rare yet precious and practical types. At Lingfu Pavilion, each is worth ten Low‑grade Spirit Stones, and they're often out of stock… Deposit thirty Low‑grade Spirit Stones with me first, then take them to sell; I'll see your capability," Xiao Zhangqing said.

Hearing this, Lin Zixi became anxious and hurriedly said, "I can sell them tomorrow, senior, it's reasonable for you to test my ability. However… I can't produce a thirty Low‑grade Spirit Stone deposit right now!"

Thirty Low‑grade Spirit Stones aren't a large amount for Xiao Zhangqing at present.

For any Local Second Generation Cultivator at Nanshan Fang, it's a piece of cake.

But for an outsider low‑level Scattered Cultivator, it's a hefty sum.

"If you lack enough Spirit Stones, you can go home and ask your sister to contribute; I'll wait here," Xiao Zhangqing said, hinting.

Lin Zixi was momentarily stunned, catching the subtext in Xiao Zhangqing's words: essentially, he was telling her he had already figured out her background and not to try any tricks.

Lin Zixi truly hadn't considered any tricks, like swindling money or Talisman Scripts, so she wasn't angry about Xiao Zhangqing's investigation of her.

"Even combined, my sister's Spirit Stones aren't enough…" Lin Zixi explained helplessly, then quickly opened her pouch and poured out all the Spirit Stones and Spirit Sand inside.

"I currently have only twelve Low‑grade Spirit Stones and over a hundred Spirit Sand grains on me… My sister doesn't have many Spirit Stones because I run the business, and most of the Spirit Stones are with me. Oh, and also…" Lin Zixi opened the bundle beside her, revealing some goods: refining materials, second‑hand commonly used items from the Cultivation World, Magic Treasure fragments, and the like.

Those are the items she usually sells at her stall.

"Senior, these goods are roughly worth a dozen Low‑grade Spirit Stones; could I use them as a deposit?" Lin Zixi asked somewhat sheepishly.

Xiao Zhangqing was speechless.

"What the heck are these?"

"They're supposedly worth a dozen Low‑grade Spirit Stones, but that's only after pulling a con, right? Their actual value probably doesn't exceed five."

Xiao Zhangqing let out a cold snort, rolled his magical energy, seized Lin Zixi's pouch, and collected all the Spirit Stones and Spirit Sand.

Then he said, "I'll only take these deposits for now. You keep these five talisman scripts; go sell them tomorrow. Same time, same place tonight—we'll meet. If you dare to cheat me and run off with these five talisman scripts, I'll make you know what regret is, Lin Zixi!"

"Senior, rest assured, junior would never have the thought of running away!" Hearing her own name, Lin Zixi felt no fear or displeasure, only excitement.

Her plan finally succeeded! Although this mysterious cultivator still didn't trust her, he was merely testing.

But as long as she handles things well tomorrow, that young lady will surely rise to great heights in the future!

……

(End of chapter)