Chapter 157: Flying Talisman Alternative Uses, Disciple of Taibai

Guiyue Pavilion is the name of the tower ship Chen Ci is currently standing on. Although this ship is not particularly large, its layout is quite exquisite; not only does it feature winding corridors and parlors, but the deck is also decorated with rockeries, water features, flowers, and trees, making it very elegant. If one were to find a friend or two to enjoy the moon at night, taste tea, arrange flowers, play music, or seek tranquility, it would be excellent indeed.

Sigh.

Once upon a time, Master Chen was also an honest man.

Chen Ci is currently in a side chamber with a low table and an incense burner. Though simple, it is not crude. A maid in cool attire stands properly to the side brewing tea for him. While not exceptionally beautiful, she has a pleasant appearance under light makeup. She is at most twenty years old, draped in a thin gauze outer garment that reveals her inner attire, yet it covers all the necessary places tightly without exposing a single bit, only highlighting some truly astonishing curves that make one's gaze pause out of politeness.

Chen Ci takes the teacup and says politely, "I must thank your side for the favor of your assistance."

The woman purses her lips and smiles, saying, "It is only right. In the Sea Market, there are often immortal guests practicing flight techniques by the sea, and those who encounter accidents are not few. The Pavilion Master has ordered that if we encounter them, we must do our utmost to help. Our 'Guiyue Pavilion' has a small reputation in the Sea Market; we could hardly watch an immortal guest soak in the sea."

Chen Ci smiles speechlessly, though he understands.

Cloud Riding and Mist Driving, the method of flight, is not common even among cultivators. Those who can practice flight techniques are either disciples of major sects or have proper inheritances; they would certainly not be the likes of poor, miscellaneous rogue cultivators. This 'Guiyue Pavilion' speaks nicely, but in reality, they are just judging people by their appearance to build a favorable connection.

After lighting the incense burner for Chen Ci again, the woman asks in a low voice with a hint of shyness, "Does the immortal guest require this servant to serve you in any other way?"

Vulgar.

Chen Ci nods, indicating he understands.

But talisman methods are slightly different from pill methods. The market for low-level Spirit Pills is much broader than that for low-level talismans. For cultivators, improving one's cultivation is always a rigid demand. Even if an alchemist has not yet made a name for themselves, as long as the price is lower, they can always sell their goods.

Qiao Niang presses her collar against her ample bosom, returns the salute, and chuckles, "When traveling abroad, one should help one another. Besides, the immortal guest gracing our ship is also Qiao Niang's good fortune. It is just that our hospitality today was lacking; please accept this jade plaque, immortal guest. If you visit Guiyue Pavilion again, all consumption will be ten percent off. It is not much, but it is a small token of Qiao Niang's heart."

Probably the kind that everyone gets one of.

But talisman methods won't do. Talisman methods focus on support rather than the main path; there is only a market if there is a demand. Except for some low-level talismans with huge demand, such as the Jiamashinxing Talisman, slightly more profound talismans are only custom-ordered from a talisman master when there is a need. Therefore, although talisman masters can also make money, to be honest, they are still quite a bit worse off than alchemists.

"For long-distance travel, or for sending letters and goods, these flying talismans might have a market."

Since he is a stranger boarding the ship, no matter how this Guiyue Pavilion does business, it is impossible for them to truly ignore him. Chen Ci knew someone would come. With a thought, the five little ones opened the door and then hid back into the void.

No matter how good the White Cloud Talisman Method is, it is just an ordinary spirit talisman. Although it can be used for flight, to be honest, it has little benefit for cultivation, and it is not even as important to a He Mountain cultivator as a Soul Fixing Talisman.

After the woman quietly retreated, Chen Ci sat cross-legged to regulate his breath for a while before sighing with satisfaction.

Suddenly, a light knocking sound came from outside the room's partition, and a familiar, soft female voice sounded from outside: "Is the immortal guest present? This servant is Qiao Niang, the manager here. May I pay a visit to the immortal guest?"

"You are too polite, please come in and speak."

Although this Sole Ascending Cloud Talisman let him satisfy his craving for being an immortal and fulfilled his dream of flying, after the satisfaction, there was inexplicably a sense of emptiness after achieving a goal.

More importantly, this beautiful woman actually has cultivation herself. Although it is only at the level of just entering the Dao, and it looks like it was not achieved through self-cultivation, Chen Ci still stood up, raised his hand, and saluted: "I must thank you, Daoist, for the favor of your assistance today."

"Bang, bang, bang."

Besides, with his level of productivity, it's not as profitable as honestly selling Peiyuan Health-Nurturing Wine.

Chen Ci rubs his chin: "But this market probably won't be very large, nor will it be very stable. However, there must be many low-level cultivators willing to experience the flight technique, but the price is probably uncertain. Sigh, the heart has ten thousand ambitions, but making money is like moving a mountain."

Unless it can be sold for money, being able to fly can't be eaten as a meal.

Chen Ci is devoted to the Dao, so he naturally waves his hand to refuse. The woman shows no change in expression, only bowing slightly: "There is a refined gathering in the hall next door, with lingering immortal music, immortal maidens performing dances, and other immortal guests exchanging rare items. The Pavilion Master will also bring out some items to join in the fun. If the immortal guest is interested, you only need to call this servant."

Chen Ci glances at the doorway. Standing there is a beautiful woman, about thirty years old, quite tall, but where she should be plump, she is very plump, and where she shouldn't be, she is slightly plump. Her makeup is slightly heavy, and she wears a goose-yellow chest-high dress that highlights the key points. In short, she is even more succulent than 'succulent', a very distinctive and lovely person.

A VIP card.

"I dare not accept, the immortal guest is too polite."

Chen Ci does not stand on ceremony either, taking the jade plaque and smiling: "Then I shall accept it."

This Qiao Niang is clearly a clever person, otherwise she could not be the manager of a tower ship. Seeing that Chen Ci is quite easy to talk to, she leans over to pour him a cup of fragrant tea and asks with a chuckle: "Qiao Niang is presumptuous, may I ask, is the immortal guest a Master of Talismans?"

As a person like her, her beautiful eyes have seen countless high-level cultivators. Although Chen Ci's cultivation is much higher than hers, Qiao Niang can also feel a rough estimate; it certainly isn't very high. Observing that although Chen Ci's appearance is extraordinary, the decorations on his Daoist robe are not treasures, he is likely not from a wealthy family. Thinking this way, the possibility that he was practicing flight techniques by the sea because of the talisman path is greater.

Although her Pavilion Master has some assets, 'Guiyue Pavilion' cannot climb up to truly high-level experts. Instead, ordinary cultivators like Chen Ci, who have low cultivation but possess skills, are the targets the Pavilion Master here prefers to recruit.

Chen Ci is slightly stunned, his brows furrowing slightly, but he still opens his mouth to answer: "I dare not claim that, I only have a slight involvement in talisman methods."

"Immortal guest, please do not misunderstand, it is actually that this servant has a request."

Qiao Niang's eyes brighten slightly: "May I ask what kind of flying talisman the immortal guest studies? Is it a Cloud Talisman, a Golden Light Talisman, or some other talisman method?"

The full name of the Golden Light Talisman is the Vertical Ground Golden Light Talisman, which is also a flying talisman. It takes the meaning of 'gold' and 'magnetism', yet it is far more profound than the Sole Ascending Cloud Talisman. Even the "Heaven River Wonderful Transformation Miscellaneous Collection Talisman Scripture" does not record it, and Chen Ci has only heard of it in passing in the Sea Market.

This beautiful woman's cultivation is not high, but she has a discerning eye. Chen Ci ponders for a moment and says: "I have recently been studying the Sole Ascending Cloud Talisman, and have had some occasional insights, though I am not yet proficient."

Chen Ci does not know what this woman intends, so he does not dare to speak too fully, but hearing her words, it seems there is business coming, so he naturally will not hide it.

"To be able to obtain the Sole Ascending Cloud Talisman Method, the immortal guest is already worthy of the name of Master."

Qiao Niang's face is full of admiration, which makes Chen Ci feel slightly dazed, but upon second thought, he guesses it is mostly an act, and he quickly regains his composure, treating it purely as tempering his Dao Heart.

"I dare not, I dare not."

Chen Ci waves his hand and smiles slightly. In business, one speaks of business. There is no need to pay attention to such a succubus trying to corrupt his Dao Heart: "Daoist Qiao, if you have something to say, just say it directly."

"I have let the immortal guest see a joke. Actually, the young ladies in the pavilion need to purchase some White Cloud Talisman Methods long-term, three to four hundred per month at most, and one to two hundred at least. Although we can seek some in the Sea Market, the quantity is always insufficient, which gives the Pavilion Master a headache."

Qiao Niang smiles lightly, covering her cherry lips with her hand, her brows and eyes revealing a bit of charm: "Today, Qiao Niang is also lucky to have met a Master of Talismans."

Chen Ci: "."

No, you ladies, are you planning to go to heaven?

Seeming to know Chen Ci's confusion, this beautiful woman has a request, so she naturally will not hide anything.

This Guiyue Pavilion is clearly a high-end seafood restaurant.

Since it is high-end, there must naturally be talent performances of singing and dancing. In order to distinguish the grade from other red boats, the young ladies here have several sets of White Cloud Rainbow Garment Flying Heaven Dances. Once they start dancing, that figure, that dance posture, those long sleeves fluttering, it is truly as if immortal maidens have descended to the mortal world, as if heavenly beings have come down to earth.

Low-end restaurant: Master, come in and play.

High-end restaurant: Master, I can fly.

Immortal dances are good, but they are relatively wasteful of talismans—White Cloud Flying Talismans.

And after the Sole Ascending Cloud Talisman is formed, it is best to use it on the same day. If two or three days pass, the White Cloud Ascending Cloud Seal begins to dissipate, and it is easy to have accidents when performing the White Cloud Talisman Method. Therefore, this talisman seeks freshness. As the young ladies' talents have become more competitive, there is often a shortage of supply, and it requires multiple talisman masters to pool their efforts to make up the number.

"The Master might not know, but some immortal guests pursue excitement and also like this talisman."

A blush flashes across Qiao Niang's face, and she laughs in a low voice: "After all, the joys of the boudoir have things that surpass painting eyebrows."

Chen Ci: "."

City people really know how to play.

Cloud-Rising Talisman for the soles of the feet: "."

It felt like it would have been better if it had just rotted away in the Talisman Sutra.

It was just that Chen Ci felt a faint sense of melancholy; alas, bowing to the needs of life, he feared he would have to charge more for this talisman.

"Master, our Guiyue Pavilion truly has a long-term need for White Cloud Flying Talismans; I wonder if the price could..."

Qiao Niang was about to speak when Chen Ci stopped her with a raised finger and said softly, "Qiao Niang, I will leave it all to you. In this time and place, let us not speak of such vulgar things. Do you know of the Myriad Affairs Tower? You know it, right? Send someone to find a courier named He Cheng, and you will be able to find me. However, I only produce about six White Cloud Talismans a day, so you must keep that in mind."

Master Chen hadn't even inquired about the market price; how could this business be discussed? No, he wouldn't discuss it.

"This servant understands."

Qiao Niang was sharp-eyed and perceptive; for women like them, whether they had some cultivation or none at all, the truly big figures wouldn't look twice at them. Instead, it was people like alchemists and talisman masters who were of greater use to them, as there were always times when they would be needed.

"To let the Immortal Guest know, the Guiyue ship will only dock around the hour of the dragon. The voyage is long; would the Immortal Guest like to sit in the elegant gathering for a while, listen to music, enjoy the dancing, and watch the excitement? That would be excellent."

Qiao Niang thought for a moment and said, "Does the Immortal Guest have any need for the Four Seas Ruyi Treasure Money that has been quite the buzz in the Sea Market recently? The Pavilion Master obtained a thousand of them from a high-ranking manager at the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce and is preparing to offer them for exchange in batches of one hundred at the elegant gathering. If the Immortal Guest is interested, this servant will..."

Chen Ci was just about to refuse; given the prices on this pleasure boat, these treasure coins were likely not cheap, and he couldn't be bothered to join in the excitement.

But suddenly, a whistling sound seemed to ring out inside the cabin, followed by a slight tremor, and some noise seemed to erupt outside. A high-pitched and jaunty voice seemed to ring out: "I am Xu Zhen of the Taibai Sword Sect. One of my senior brothers currently needs a large amount of this currency to purchase a treasure, so I shall exchange fifteen hundred Spirit Pearls for these thousand coins. Does anyone have any objections?"

"Where did this barbarian come from? Don't you know the rules of the elegant gathering? Get lost!"

A very rough voice rang out, seemingly scolding the newcomer.

But immediately, there were a few sharp whistles, the sound of metal clashing, and the noise outside seemed to be mixed with screams and shrieks.

"You dare curse again?"

That jaunty male voice snorted and cursed: "I'd like to see if your mouth is harder, or if my sword is sharper!"

(End of chapter)