Chapter 39: Finalized

"Lin Dao Companion… you mean you know a first‑rank mid‑grade Talisman Master? You're negotiating on his behalf?" Cao Sheng's eyes widened, his mouth gaped so wide he almost forgot to close it.

At this moment his heart was already filled with immense elation.

Lin Zixi's meaning was obvious: she had many Talisman Scripts in her hand and could keep producing them endlessly! A long‑term partnership was possible!

Doesn't that mean she has a first‑rank Talisman Master behind her?

If that is indeed the case, the Cao family's long‑standing wish will finally be fulfilled! To develop the Cao family's Spirit Talisman Shop into a presence second only to the Lingfu Pavilion in Nanshan Fang! Because this is not only a first‑rank mid‑grade Talisman Master, but also one with an extraordinary lineage who knows many rare yet practical Talisman Scripts.

Apart from the handful of two or three exclusive Talisman Masters at Lingfu Pavilion, Nanshan Fang could not find a second one! "Cao the shopkeeper is indeed clever; he guessed it right away!" Lin Zixi smiled and nodded in agreement.

Bang! Cao Sheng immediately pounded the table, exclaiming excitedly: "Please, the Talisman Master behind Lin, you must cooperate with our Cao family! Our Cao family will certainly not shortchange him; the price can be kept exactly in line with Lingfu Pavilion! Of course, we won't shortchange you either, Lin; feel free to state any request…"

Hearing that, Lin Zixi almost couldn't contain herself and let out a sound.

Cao Sheng was very excited, and she was no less enthusiastic!

The plan succeeded, smoother than expected, meaning she could also reap great benefits! Tsk tsk, the Cao family said she could freely set conditions? Then she must think carefully.

So, thereafter Lin Zixi negotiated the transaction details with Cao Sheng regarding the stock Xiao Zhangqing had in his hands.

Today she'll buy these five sheets at Lingfu Pavilion's price, and bring the rest tomorrow to discuss the price.

As for how to cooperate on new Talisman Scripts after this batch, Lin Zixi honestly said she couldn't decide now; she must go back to ask, and can only negotiate with Cao the shopkeeper tomorrow.

……

……

"These are the 53 low‑grade Spirit Stones obtained from today's transaction."

Night.

A silent, deserted alley.

Two men and women, cowering, whispered to each other, as if conducting some clandestine deal.

Xiao Zhangqing verified the Spirit Stones without error, then returned the deposit collected yesterday together with the pouch.

Lin Zixi secured the pouch, without checking whether any Spirit Stones or Spirit Sand inside were missing.

Only her eyes, filled with excitement, stared at Xiao Zhangqing, as if the words "seeking reward" were written on her face.

Xiao Zhangqing found it amusing inside, but his face remained fierce; after a brief calculation, he handed over five low‑grade Spirit Stones to the other party.

Not a small cut—nearly ten percent commission!

The reason Xiao Zhangqing was so generous is that without Lin Zixi's help, his five sheets of Talisman Scripts would have to be set up at the market stall, requiring arduous sales for several days and at most fetching about forty low‑grade Spirit Stones! That means Lin Zixi effectively helped him earn an extra thirteen Spirit Stones!

Split into five portions, Xiao Zhangqing thought it reasonable.

Although he is also stingy and needs Spirit Stones in many places, he still adheres to principle and fairness in his dealings.

Primarily, selling the Talisman Scripts himself is not only laborious and troublesome but also carries great risk.

His disguise technique is decent, but before Foundation Establishment cultivators it is transparent and will be seen through directly!

At a street‑market stall, one rarely encounters Foundation Establishment cultivators. But if you sell in a shop, you might attract several high‑level Foundation Establishment families' cultivators.

This sales channel Lin Zixi provides can be used long‑term and also solves his future troubles.

"Thank you, senior!!"

Lin Zixi suppressed her voice, not daring to speak loudly, after all it was night.

Yet her immense excitement inside could not be hidden at all.

Five low‑grade Spirit Stones! A full five! And it's pure profit.

She works from dawn to dusk every day for a month, and it's highly unlikely to earn this much.

Most importantly, this is only the appetizer!

"There are forty‑two Talisman Scripts here; if the other party buys them all at Lingfu Pavilion's selling price, it should amount to 431 low‑grade Spirit Stones."

"Tomorrow at this same time, you only need to give me four hundred low‑grade Spirit Stones; any objections?" Xiao Zhangqing asked sternly, his voice deep.

"Of course not!"

Lin Zixi clenched her powdery circle, and her pretty face flushed with two pink hues from excitement, giving a drunken feeling.

In fact, she truly felt she was about to get drunk now.

It felt surreal.

Earned five low‑grade Spirit Stones tonight, and can earn thirty‑one tomorrow? She knew that hard work always yields rewards!

It wasn't in vain that she mustered courage, nearly risking her life, to follow that mysterious Talisman Master!

If she hadn't taken the risk, like her sister, timid and hesitant, how could she ever have a chance to shine?

Opportunities always belong to those who are prepared and daring.

"As for future cooperation, we will meet on the first and fifteenth of each month; I will give you the Talisman Scripts, and the next day you will give me the Spirit Stones you sold."

"As for the number of Talisman Scripts each time… about thirty sheets."

Xiao Zhangqing paused for a moment, then stated the number.

Roughly, after work each day, he would go home and draw two Talisman Scripts; the workload is light and won't affect his cultivation.

If more were required, overtime could still produce them, but it would squeeze his cultivation time, and overexertion would also slow his progress.

For Xiao Zhangqing, who strives to reach the ninth layer of Lian Qi Great Perfection before age fifty and break into the Foundation Establishment Realm, it would be a loss outweighing the gain.

"Alright… alright… okay!"

Lin Zixi no longer knew which words could express her inner ecstasy.

Thirty sheets at a time, sixty Talisman Scripts per month.

Based on tonight's situation, she could probably receive around sixty low‑grade Spirit Stones each month! And it's continuous!

What does that mean? Even a Basic Talisman Master at Lingfu Pavilion, with decent talisman skill, earns only about forty low‑grade Spirit Stones per month as salary! For a newcomer, the guaranteed base is only twenty per month!

Even a Scattered Cultivator without a special skill, even in the Late Stage of Lian Qi, cannot earn sixty low‑grade Spirit Stones a month.

"Alright, that's it."

Xiao Zhangqing thought for a moment, seeing nothing else to instruct, he prepared to turn and leave.

"Senior...... wait a moment!"

Lin Zixi suddenly spoke.

"What else is there?" Xiao Zhangqing asked coldly, also frowning.

"I... I still don't know how to address you, senior." Lin Zixi said embarrassedly.

"Bai Wují. Acting tyrannically, the Bai Wují of a hundred taboos!"

Xiao Zhangqing took advantage of his voice, as if this person had no feeling.

Having said that, he turned and left without looking back.

Watching that tall and domineering back disappear into the night, Lin Zixi looked again at the five dusty low-grade spirit stones in her hand, and for a moment she smiled foolishly.

"Senior Bai Wují...... truly has a manly charm!"

Lin Zixi muttered to herself.

I don't know if it's because she's happy, or the spirit stone changed her aesthetic.

Clearly this mysterious Symbol Master senior is quite rough, fierce and evil-looking.

But she finds him pleasing to look at no matter how she looks.

(End of chapter)