Chapter 80: Diamond Talisman Flash Sale!

Wang Zhize, holding the jade bottles, felt as if he had a rabbit in his pocket, his heart up and down.

The Clan Leader this time actually pawned the treasure on him; if this deal goes bad, he'll have no face to see anyone.

He mulled over the Clan Leader's words—"be discreet", "sell in batches", "price slightly lower"—and noted them.

Heishi Town is a mix of dragons and snakes, home to people from the three teachings and the nine streams.

Wang Zhize dared not go to the big shops; he deliberately chose inconspicuous alleys, seeking those who usually run small trades or lone mercenaries.

"Fellow Daoist, you look hurried—are you heading to a dangerous trial?" Wang Zhize stopped a man bearing a massive sword, his face weathered.

The man glanced at him, a bit impatient: "What do you want?"

Wang Zhize quickly put on a smile, pulled a small jade bottle from his chest, and whispered, "Fellow Daoist, freshly baked Return Spring Pill, top quality, fair price. For a traveler like you, it's a life‑saving item."

The man took it skeptically, opened it, sniffed, his eyes flickered: "Oh? How much?"

"On the market, this quality would cost at least one Lower Grade spiritual stone. I'm in a hurry for cash—nine coins, no, eight silver coins, oh no, eighty big coins per piece. How does that sound?" Wang Zhize said deliberately haltingly, looking eager to offload it.

In fact, he meant eight Lower Grade spiritual stones, but recalling the Clan Leader's "about ten percent lower" and fearing a price too low would raise doubts about the pill's authenticity, he panicked and said "big coins" instead, then corrected himself, ultimately fixing the floor at eight Lower Grade spiritual stones, using the big‑coin figure just to test the waters.

The man raised an eyebrow at "eighty big coins", then heard the correction, seemed to understand, chuckled: "If this pill truly is Return Spring Pill, eight Lower Grade spiritual stones aren't pricey. But your source…"

"Fellow Daoist, rest assured, made by our own senior, no problem. Look, I still have a few more." Wang Zhize produced two more.

The man pondered briefly: "Fine, give me five."

"Got it!"

The first deal completed, Wang Zhize felt considerably more at ease.

He followed this method, targeting those who seemed in urgent need of pills yet not aligned with major forces.

He split the thirty Return Spring Pills into seven or eight batches, ran across most of Heishi Town, and finally cleared them before nightfall.

Returning to the dilapidated courtyard, Wang Zhize handed a heavy money sack to Wang Shan.

"Clan Leader, all… all sold. We exchanged for a total of 252 Lower Grade spiritual stones!" Wang Zhize's voice trembled with uncontainable excitement, his cheeks flushing.

"Oh? That fast?" Wang Shan took the sack, weighed it, his face expressionless, but he breathed a sigh of relief. Two hundred fifty‑two, a bit more than he expected. It seems Return Spring Pill is indeed hard currency in Heishi Town.

"Mainly because the price is ten to twenty percent cheaper than the market, mercenaries and lone cultivators are scrambling for it!" Wang Zhize chuckled, "A few even asked when the next batch will be available!"

In the courtyard, Wang Boyan, Wang Zhitao and several core clan members heard the figure and their eyes lit up. Over two hundred Lower Grade spiritual stones! In the old Wang Family, that was a sizable income. During the flight from disaster, they had nearly exhausted their assets.

"Good, good!" Wang Boyan stroked his beard, repeatedly saying it's good, "Finally we can catch our breath."

Wang Zhitao was even more excited: "Clan Leader, you're truly amazing! With these pills, what more could we worry about!"

"You're celebrating too early," Wang Shan said lightly, dousing the group with cold water, "What can this amount of spiritual stones do? Buy a few decent talismans? Or just enough for a few days of cultivation?"

The others heard this, and the excitement on their faces faded a bit.

Wang Shan continued, "This is only the beginning. Return Spring Pill sells well, but the profit margin is thin. We need something more valuable." He looked at Wang Zhize, "In the next couple of days, keep watching the market, see what's in high demand and high price."

"Yes, Clan Leader!" Wang Zhize promptly replied.

Late at night, when all was quiet, Wang Shan reentered the system space.

【Current Spirit Plant Points: 990 points.】

The spiritual stones earned from selling pills can't yet be directly converted into Spirit Plant Points; he must first address the clan's urgent need.

"System, how many Spirit Plant Points does the First Order Diamond Talisman blueprint require?"

【First Order Upper Grade Diamond Talisman Blueprint, defensive talisman, can block a late‑stage Body Refining cultivator's full‑power strike. Exchange requires 150 Spirit Plant Points.】

"Alright, exchange it." Wang Shan didn't hesitate. Defensive Talisman, in places like this, is more popular than offensive talismans.

【Remaining Spirit Plant Points: 840 points.】

The basic materials for drawing talismans—such as talisman paper, brush, cinnabar, etc. —are also in the system Mall, and their grade isn't high, so they're cheap. Wang Shan spent another 50 Spirit Plant Points to buy a batch capable of crafting over a hundred First Order talismans.

【Remaining Spirit Plant Points: 790 points.】

With experience in refining Return Spring Pill and the system's "Talisman Crafting Introduction" knowledge, Wang Shan found drawing Diamond Talismans fairly easy.

The first attempt, perhaps his Spiritual Power control wasn't refined enough; a talisman paper went in, a flash of Spiritual Light, and it failed.

"Tsk, there's still a difference," Wang Shan shook his head, not discouraged.

The second time, he was more careful, his mental power highly focused, the talisman brush wandering over the paper, Spiritual Power slowly infusing. Moments later, a talisman shimmering with faint golden light took shape.

【First Order Lower Grade Diamond Talisman, success.】

"Not bad."

The next half‑day, Wang Shan spent almost all his time in system space drawing talismans. From initial clumsiness to later proficiency, his success rate rose, and occasionally he produced a few Mid Grade Diamond Talismans.

When he paused, more than fifty Diamond Talismans were stacked before him.

"Huh…" Wang Shan rubbed his forehead; although mental drain in system space is low, prolonged intense focus left him a bit weary.

"Zhize." Wang Shan called out as he exited the space.

Wang Zhize rushed in: "Clan Leader, you commanded."

Wang Shan handed him a stack of Diamond Talismans: "These are Diamond Talismans, about fifty‑plus. Use the same method you used selling pills to get rid of them quickly. As for price, it's about one and a half to two percent lower than market Lower Grade Diamond Talismans."

"Diamond Talisman?" Wang Zhize took the talismans, feeling the faint Spiritual Energy Fluctuation, his eyes wide, "Clan Leader, you… you can also craft talismans?"

This is… a surprise after surprise, a mind‑blowing surprise!

"Rare and strange," Wang Shan hummed, "Remember, the old rules: be discreet, sell in batches. This stuff draws more attention than pills, so be careful."

"Yes! Clan Leader, rest assured, I guarantee everything will be handled perfectly!" Wang Zhize now bristled with confidence, patting his chest in assurance. Able to refine pills and craft talismans, how many more tricks does this Clan Leader hide? His admiration for Wang Shan now flows like a raging river.

In the following days, Wang Zhize buzzed like a diligent little bee, shuttling through the inconspicuous corners of Heishi Town.

"Fellow Daoist, freshly forged Diamond Talisman, a life‑saving tool, cheap for sale!"

"Brother, your forehead looks dark, you might be facing a blood‑light disaster soon; grab a Diamond Talisman for protection, at a floor‑jumping price!"

Because the price was truly low, and Diamond Talismans are, for cultivators constantly risking their lives on the wilderness's edge, essentially a second life; sales outpaced Return Spring Pill.

More than fifty Diamond Talismans sold out in under two days, bringing back over seven hundred Lower Grade spiritual stones.

In the Wang family's small courtyard, the atmosphere grew hotter each day. With the spiritual stones, Wang Shan sent Wang Zhize to purchase enough food and basic cultivation resources. Though still modest, at least they no longer worried about the next meal, and the clan members could barely resume cultivation and restore their vigor.

Wang Shan also did not rest; by day he instructed his clan members in cultivation, and by night he entered the system space to continue forging Return Spring Pills and Vajra Talismans. Spiritual stones kept flowing in, and he poured them into buying materials and strengthening the family's power.

In just a few days, the Wang Family, using this "small profit, large sales" approach, not only partially solved its survival crisis but even generated a modest surplus. Wang Shan distributed a portion of the spiritual stones, allowing clan members to purchase cultivation supplies suited to them, and the entire Wang Family's morale was revitalized.

However, paper cannot ultimately contain fire.

In the tiny Heishi Town, a mysterious "supply source" that could stably and in bulk provide low‑price Return Spring Pills and Vajra Talismans suddenly emerged, quickly drawing the attention of all factions.

"Did you hear? Recently the market got a batch of cheap Return Spring Pills and Vajra Talismans, and the quality is still acceptable!"

"Who doesn't know! I grabbed three Vajra Talismans yesterday, hey, almost twenty percent cheaper than usual!"

"Who exactly is shipping them? Such a large volume and such a low price—could it be a mad alchemist or talisman‑maker gone bankrupt?"

"It doesn't seem so; it looks more like someone urgently needs money, or… perhaps it's intentional?"

In the market streets, taverns, and mercenary gathering spots, rumors swirled everywhere. People speculated about the identity of this mysterious alchemist‑talisman‑maker. Some said he was a scion of a fallen great clan; others claimed he was a wandering high‑level solitary cultivator.

Shi Clan manor.

Shi Tianlei listened to his subordinate's report, his brows tightly knit.

"Have you clarified it? From where exactly did these pills and talismans originate?"

A middle‑aged man looking like a Steward bowed and said, "Second Elder, we investigated, but the clues are tangled. The solitary cultivators and mercenaries who bought the items say they purchased them in different places from different people. The seller seems to deliberately conceal their identity, and the transactions are highly covert."

"Useless!" Shi Tianlei, irritated, said, "With such a huge stir, can we still fail to trace the source?"

The Steward wiped sweat from his forehead: "However… there is a pattern. Since that Old Wang from the Wang Family caused a scene at our gate a few days ago, these pills and talismans only began to appear. Moreover, according to some rumors, someone saw the kid named Wang Zhize from the Wang Family skulking in the market, apparently hawking something."

"Wang Family?" Shi Tianlei's eyes narrowed.

He recalled that old fellow who, facing him and several clan elites, remained unflinching and even turned to threaten them. Such brazen confidence was far beyond what a typical Body Refining Seventh Layer could muster.

If it really is that old fellow…

His power is already bizarre, and now he can produce so many pills and talismans?

A nephew of Shi Yong who could easily defeat Shi Yong (Body Refining Sixth Layer), holding his own against his own Body Refining Ninth Layer aura, now also displays techniques comparable to an alchemist and a talisman‑maker…

The more Shi Tianlei thought, the heavier his heart became.

This is not some fleeing old and weak crowd; it's clearly a lurking tiger!

He had previously thought to wait until the hype faded, then find a chance to harshly strike the Wang Family and vent that day's resentment. But now it seems the Wang Family is far tougher to bite into than he imagined.

A person who can stably produce pills and talismans holds obvious value and potential power in a place like Heishi Town. It would be fine if they could be won over; as an enemy…

Shi Tianlei suddenly felt relieved that he hadn't acted rashly that day and actually ordered a move. Otherwise, even if the Shi Clan seized the Wang Family, the Shi Clan would inevitably suffer a severe loss of vitality, and then the Li Family and the Mercenary Guild's hungry wolves would likely pounce without hesitation to claim a share.

"Second Elder, what should we do now…" the Steward asked cautiously.

Shi Tianlei waved his hand: "For now, do not act rashly. Send people to keep watching the Wang Family, but don't stir the grass and scare the snakes. I want to see what this Old Wang is really up to."

He thought inwardly: this person's display of alchemy and talisman‑making abilities is first to acquire resources, and second likely a form of intimidation. He's telling everyone in Heishi Town that the Wang Family is valuable and not to be trifled with!

Meanwhile, the other two major forces in Heishi Town, the Li Family and the Mercenary Guild branch, naturally also noticed this sudden "pill‑talisman craze."

Inside the Li Family manor, clan leader Li Changqing listened to the Steward's briefing, his fingers lightly tapping the table.

"Oh? Such a figure? Able to forge pills, craft talismans, and with considerable output?" Li Changqing, in his early fifties, had a scholarly appearance but deep eyes.

"Yes, clan leader. According to our investigation, the source likely points to that group of Wang‑surname people who just arrived in Heishi Town and clashed with the Shi Clan. Their leader is an elder."

"Old Wang…" Li Changqing mused, "That fool Shi Tianlei has probably hit a wall this time. Interesting. Send someone to make contact, adopt a low posture, probe their background and intentions. If we can win them over, that would be best."

"Yes, clan leader."

At the Mercenary Guild branch, president Zhao Tiezhu, an eight‑foot, muscular hulker, was listening to a seductive woman's briefing.

"…That's the situation, president. This mysterious 'Old Wang' is now a prominent figure in Heishi Town!" the woman cooed.

Zhao Tiezhu spoke in a deep, resonant voice: "He can fight and can craft things; he's a character. You go, find a way to contact him, tell him I, Zhao Tiezhu, want to treat him to tea. See if he'll agree to put his name on our Mercenary Guild; the terms are generous!"

"Understood, president."

Wang Family courtyard.

Wang Shan sat cross‑legged on the stone bed; he was not oblivious to the swirling rumors of the Outside World. Wang Zhize reported the town's various happenings and gossip to him daily.

"Clan leader, word is spreading outside that our Wang Family has produced a mysterious master, unparalleled in both pills and talismans!" Wang Zhitao said with a hint of pride.

Wang Boyan remained worried: "Clan leader, won't this be too ostentatious? The Shi side…"

"Ostentatious?" Wang Shan opened his eyes, his gaze calm. "We need to be a bit ostentatious. If we don't show enough value, who will take notice? The Shi Clan doesn't dare act now because they can't gauge our depth yet see our usefulness."

He paused, then continued: "People from the Li Family and the Mercenary Guild have been probing in secret these past two days, even trying to reach us through Zhize. All of this was expected."

"So what should we…" Wang Zhize was uncertain.

"Observe and wait." Wang Shan said, "If they want contact, let them. But we must hold the bottom line. We're newcomers and need time to develop. Now they have something to ask of us, or rather some reservation, and that is the time we have gained."

That is exactly the effect he wants. By displaying value, he makes all factions tiptoe, unwilling to strike the Wang Family lightly.

Of course, Wang Shan also knows that these low‑grade pills and talismans can only solve immediate troubles, merely placating those inexperienced. To truly stand firm, especially when facing colossal powers like the Wan Family in the future, far more is needed.

His gaze turned again toward the system Mall.

The Blood‑Accumulating Pill is decent, but its target customers are still too few.

He needs higher‑grade pill formulas and more powerful talisman lineages.

More importantly, the clue about the Foundation Establishment Pill must be obtained quickly!

Only if a Foundation Establishment cultivator appears within the clan can the Wang Family claim even a slight chance of gaining a foothold in the cultivation world.

"Spiritual stones are still insufficient…" Wang Shan muttered. Whether exchanging for high‑grade items or buying clues to the Foundation Establishment Pill, massive spiritual stones—or rather Spirit Plant Points—are required.

It seems this 'clearance' business must continue, and perhaps the scale can be larger?

The waters of Heishi Town should become even murkier.