Chapter 108: Frost Blade

Zheng Fa followed Yuan Shijie through the marketplace, primarily to familiarize himself with the duties of the marketplace supervisor.

As they walked, Yuan Shijie explained:

“What we call the marketplace is actually divided into three parts—the square with the large shops, the marketplace with the small stalls, and the open-air market of individual vendors.”

“Our main task is maintaining order in all three areas: first, prevent bullying and monopolization; second, prevent rogues or high-cultivation cultivators from harassing shopkeepers.”

Yuan Shijie spoke of these matters with complete familiarity.

“The large shops don’t need our attention—they’re all run by major sects of the Hundred Immortal Alliance; hardly anyone dares cause trouble there,” Yuan Shijie said. “Even if their goods are exorbitantly priced, we can’t interfere.”

Zheng Fa fell silent.

These large shops had not only powerful backing but also scarce spiritual materials.

For the Jiushan Sect, they contributed the most rent.

A fist-sized god of wealth—no one dared provoke them, and no one wanted to.

“But this marketplace and open-air market require our attention.”

“The stalls in the marketplace are mostly honest—they’re mostly run by immortal clans, and only they have the capital. These people aren’t necessarily virtuous, but they definitely fear trouble from Zhang Shijie.”

“But the open-air market is a different story—mixed company, anyone and everyone. It’s the hardest to manage and the most prone to conflict.”

“Most of my disciples patrol this market,” Yuan Shijie said. “By the way, when will you meet them?”

Zheng Fa thought for a moment and replied: “Let’s wait a few more days.”

Meeting the disciples on duty here was necessary, but he could already sense this wouldn’t be simple.

He was low in cultivation, inexperienced, and had only joined the sect two months ago.

Even with Zhang Shijie backing him, taking charge of such a large marketplace wouldn’t be smooth sailing.

Not to mention others—just consider Zhang Shijie herself.

Was her talent poor?

She was the fastest Foundation Establishment in the Hundred Immortal Alliance, the universally recognized top talisman artist before Zheng Fa.

Was her background weak?

Her master was a Nascent Soul True Person.

Yet from Zhang Shijie’s own words, Zheng Fa understood she had faced no shortage of conflicts and doubts along the way.

Background and talent cannot solve everything in the immortal sects.

“Then it’s settled—in half a month!” Yuan Shijie seemed to sense his hesitation and patted his arm. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you!”

Zheng Fa bowed to Yuan Shijie in thanks.

After introducing him further, Yuan Shijie pulled him by the arm and wandered through the crowded market stalls.

“Come on, come on!”

“Shijie?”

“Don’t be fooled by how many shops there are—only a few actually have good goods!”

Zheng Fa felt a flicker of anticipation. He had spent almost nothing here during his long stay at Jiushan Sect—afraid of being fooled, of falling into traps.

Yuan Shijie clearly knew this place well—perhaps she could recommend some reliable shops, making future purchases of magic treasures or spiritual materials easier.

“This stall’s meat pies are a family recipe!” Yuan Shijie pointed to a stall. “Secret seasoning, generous meat, plenty of oil!”

“...Is this what you call a good find?”

“Of course. Walk a hundred steps forward, then turn right at the third stall—that’s the best pastry vendor. I’ll tell you a secret: Zhang Shijie adores their osmanthus cakes!”

“...”

“Oh, and at the market entrance, there’s a skewer stall that’s been around for over ten years—excellent reputation!” Yuan Shijie said, beaming at Zheng Fa. “I’ve spent years tracking down these hidden gems—and I’ve told you all of them!”

“...Thank you, Shijie,” Zheng Fa replied with difficulty.

“No problem—I promised Zhang Shijie I’d teach you well!” Yuan Shijie patted her chest, then leaned close to Zheng Fa’s ear and whispered: “There’s a grain shop in the marketplace—their spiritual rice is especially delicious! No one else knows about it—only I buy from them!”

She looked at him with earnest secrecy, as if sharing a sacred secret.

“Shijie... could it be that others don’t buy because their tastes differ from yours?”

Remembering Yuan Shijie’s true form, Zheng Fa paused, then asked.

Thirteen days later.

Zheng Fa’s courtyard.

He sat cross-legged on a mat, holding a blue jade vial in his right hand.

He tilted the vial over his left palm—a Yuan Yuan Dan rolled into his palm.

It was everything he had spent—his salary from Yuan Shijie, plus all income from selling talismans these past days.

Had he not advanced to Qi Refining Second Layer, gaining the ability to draw two extra talismans daily, he might not have saved enough for twenty spirit stones.

That was why he asked Yuan Shijie to wait a few more days before introducing him to the marketplace disciples—he wanted to first condense his second Yuan Fu.

His first Yuan Fu was the Upright Invisible Talisman, chosen primarily to ensure his safety in the modern world.

But in the Xuanwei Realm, the Upright Invisible Talisman had little use.

This time, Zheng Fa’s goal was clear—he wanted a powerful talisman, preferably one with a flashy effect.

Zhang Shijie called him a Xuan-grade talisman artist, equivalent to Foundation Establishment. Zheng Fa didn’t agree.

After all, anyone could buy talismans—did carrying a Xuan-grade talisman make one a Foundation Establishment cultivator?

The marketplace disciples probably wouldn’t accept it—everyone envied the gold-spending warriors, but many would secretly look down on them.

But the “Talisman Foundation Method” was different—it allowed Zheng Fa to transform talismans into spells.

If he could instantly cast a Foundation Establishment spell, calling himself half a Foundation Establishment cultivator wouldn’t be a stretch.

According to Zhang Shijie’s classification, the Upright Invisible Talisman was Yin and Earth-element.

Earth generates Metal, so the talisman he chose must be Yin and Metal-element.

There weren’t many options.

Zhang Shijie had only tested a few talisman patterns, and Zheng Fa could only condense Yuan Fu—complex patterns, she said, required more than one Yuan Yuan Dan.

Among the available Yuan Fu, his best choice was the Frost Blade Talisman.

This talisman was not only powerful and deadly.

It could freeze an opponent’s body, slowing their movements.

It was also popular among talisman artists.

Zheng Fa tilted back his head and swallowed the Yuan Yuan Dan, then effortlessly channeled his spiritual power to form the Frost Blade Talisman’s pattern in his dantian.

With his spiritual strength and prior experience condensing Yuan Fu, this was no longer difficult for him.

But as he condensed the Frost Blade Talisman, he noticed the pill’s potency seemed slightly weaker—perhaps one or two percent less than last time.

This was likely the drug tolerance Zhang Shijie mentioned in the “Talisman Foundation Method.”

Once the Frost Blade Talisman was formed, it settled beside the Upright Invisible Talisman, fitting together like two halves of a single pattern, forming a slightly complex design.

Zheng Fa tested it—after condensing the Frost Blade Talisman, his spiritual energy absorption rate during cultivation increased slightly.

Marketplace.

Six disciples in blue robes patrolled the aisles between stalls.

The other five clustered around an older-looking senior brother, clearly deferring to him.

The vendors on either side watched them with reverence; as they passed, even their hawking voices grew quieter.

Clearly, these men enjoyed considerable prestige in the market.

But today, they had no interest in showing off. As they walked, their lips moved silently, whispering to each other.

“Did you hear? That Zheng Fa?”

“It’s all over—the marketplace is being handed to him.”

“Qi Refining Second Layer, only two months in the sect—Zhang Shijie really favors him...”

The three were discussing Zheng Fa’s upcoming appointment as marketplace supervisor.

Zhang Shijie hadn’t tried to hide it—this news had reached not only the well-informed marketplace disciples but also many shopkeepers.

“...In my opinion, he’s talented in talisman arts, but promoting him this fast is excessive,” muttered a short, stocky disciple.

“It’s Zhang Shijie’s decision.”

“Is Zhang Shijie always right?” the disciple grumbled. “Forget everything else—a Qi Refining Second Layer cultivator? Who will respect him?”

“If trouble breaks out in the marketplace, can he control it?”

“He’s a talisman genius—fine, let him draw talismans. But a marketplace isn’t governed by drawing a few talismans. He’s only been here two months—he doesn’t even understand Jiushan Sect yet. Can he manage the marketplace?”

The others exchanged glances—they found his words reasonable.

“If that’s your view, who should manage it? You?”

The short, stocky disciple glanced at the silent senior brother in the center. “If Yuan Shijie had stayed, fine. But if not, I think Brother Yang is best.”

The others froze, turning to look at Brother Yang.

“Brother Yang is at the late Foundation Establishment stage, has decades of connections in Jiushan Sect, and has worked in the marketplace for years. Isn’t he far better than Zheng Fa?”

The others were visibly moved.

On one hand, they agreed his logic made sense.

On the other, they were close to Brother Yang—if he advanced, they’d benefit too.

But Brother Yang waved his hand. “I have no interest in power. Zhang Shijie has spoken—our duty is to obey.”

“Brother Yang, the spiritual stones flowing through the marketplace supervisor’s hands each month exceed what we’ll see in our entire lives,” the short, stocky disciple urged.

Yang Ju fell silent for a moment, looking at him. “What you said makes sense. Here’s the plan: when you meet Zheng Fa in a couple days, tell him exactly this—don’t mention my name. I support you becoming the market supervisor!”

“...How would I dare oppose Zhang Shijie?”

“Do you think I would?” Yang Ju let out a cold laugh.

The others didn’t know what to say.

Among the market disciples, many—indeed, most—disapproved of Zheng Fa taking charge of the market.

The reasons were complex.

Senior disciples resented being placed beneath a new disciple at Qi Refining Stage Two.

On the other hand, they distrusted Zheng Fa’s abilities.

But mostly, it was about profit—they all wanted to take his place. The position meant too many spirit stones.

Yet no one dared openly oppose Zhang Shijie; they all waited for someone else to step forward.

“I’m not accepting this. Besides, Zheng Fa is too young,” the short, stocky disciple growled.

The others fell silent. Zheng Fa’s youth meant one grim truth for them—he could hold the supervisor position for years, shutting them all out. If it were someone like Yuan Shijie, a Golden Core cultivator, they’d never dare object. But Zheng Fa’s cultivation was so low.

“Why not go to Yuan Shijie? Let her take the lead!” The short, stocky disciple snapped, seeing their silence.

“Hmm?” Yang Ju lifted his head to look at him.

“Yuan Shijie cares most about this supervisor position,” the disciple reasoned. “Now that Zhang Shijie wants to hand it to Zheng Fa, who’s angrier than Yuan Shijie?”

“I heard Yuan Shijie and Zheng Fa get along well.”

“Do you believe that?” the short, stocky disciple shot back. “With this much profit, even husband and wife turn against each other!”

“Besides, if they really got along, why wouldn’t she just hand him the position outright?” He grew more convinced as he spoke. “Is Zheng Fa stupid? Does he want another senior sister looming over him?”

“What are you suggesting?”

“Yuan Shijie won’t give up the position. Zhang Shijie can’t favor Zheng Fa too openly, so she made this compromise. Eventually, these two will clash—and when they do, that’s when our chance comes.”

The short, stocky disciple lifted his chin, wearing an air of supreme confidence, almost ready to pull out a fan and wave it across his chest.