39: Chapter 39 Chai Jie of Tianyun Tower

Li Qing clutched the receipt for the three-month residence fee he had just paid and slowly walked out of the administrative office of the Xiuchun Market.

After paying the residence fee, Li Qing did not delay and headed straight for the application window for temporary stalls in the market.

He was already well-versed in the procedures here; from submitting the application and paying the stall fee to receiving the stall number, it took less than half an incense stick of time to complete everything.

Following the number to find his temporary stall, Li Qing began to busy himself with familiar ease.

He first brushed the dust off the stall, then, from his Immortal Cave, he continuously took out heavy bags of Spirit Rice and stacked them neatly on the stall.

Finally, he set up a wooden sign: "One Spirit Stone for two jin."

After finishing all this, Li Qing sat cross-legged on the futon in front of the stall and closed his eyes to rest his mind.

This time, coming to the Xiuchun Market, he followed the old rule and first sold five hundred jin of Spirit Rice.

He planned to visit a few more places with the remaining Spirit Rice, hoping to find other sales channels if possible.

He would not need to go to so much trouble.

As expected, before long, Li Qing's stall was surrounded by Cultivators, many of whom were regular customers.

"Fellow Daoist Li, it's been a long time since I've seen you out. Give me ten jin! This Spirit Rice makes the most potent porridge; it's ten times better than what I bought before!"

"I want twenty jin! My Disciple at home is just in need of this to Cultivate!"

The customers came in an endless stream, speaking one after another and spending generously. The five hundred jin of Spirit Rice sold out half a day earlier than last time.

Afterward, Li Qing took a flying ship to Pingjiang City.

He first went to the East District Market and rented a stall.

Once another five hundred jin of Spirit Rice was sold out, Li Qing prepared to go to the South District Market to continue setting up his stall.

Just as he finished packing up his things, a Middle-aged Cultivator with a steady figure slowly walked up to him.

This person was dressed in a cyan brocade robe made of exquisite fabric, with a composed demeanor and a Face full of arrogance.

At a glance, he looked like a manager of a major shop, with the spiritual energy fluctuations of the Qi Refining Peak radiating from his body.

Especially on his chest, where a "Tian" character was embroidered.

The Middle-aged Cultivator had a smile on his Face, and with a polite tone, he cupped his hands toward Li Qing and said:

"Fellow Daoist, could we step aside to talk?"

Li Qing felt a slight sense of vigilance in his heart, but his expression remained calm. He stood up to return the salute and asked cautiously:

"Does Fellow Daoist have something to discuss?"

In this market where dragons and snakes mingled, being stopped suddenly by a strange Cultivator would make anyone wary, especially since he was holding a large amount of Spirit Rice, which would inevitably attract covetous eyes.

"I am Manager Chai Jie of Tianyun Tower. I have come today because I wish to do business with you, Fellow Daoist."

The Middle-aged Cultivator introduced himself, his tone filled with an indescribable sense of superiority.

After all, the Chai Family was one of the three major Families within the Tianyun Chamber of Commerce and had a Nascent Soul Old Ancestor overseeing them.

As a direct lineage Disciple of the Chai Family, Manager Chai Jie was naturally proud of it.

"Tianyun Tower?"

Li Qing felt a sudden jolt in his heart.

Tianyun Tower was no small force. It belonged to the Tianyun Chamber of Commerce, one of the four major chambers of commerce in the Yunling Mountain Range. Its sphere of influence covered the entire Yunling Mountain Range, with shops spread across all major markets. Its financial resources were immense, and its connections were vast; even the Houtu Sect would not dare to easily underestimate the strength of Tianyun Tower.

After realizing this, Li Qing immediately restrained his inner wariness, adopted a more respectful posture, and cupped his hands:

"So it is Manager Chai. I am Li Qing, greetings."

Although Manager Chai Jie only had the cultivation of the Qi Refining Peak, which Li Qing might not care about, he could not help but be wary of the status of being a manager of Tianyun Tower.

Offending Tianyun Tower would likely make it difficult to move an inch in the Yunling Mountain Range in the future. If he could be on good terms with them, it might actually provide an additional reliable sales channel.

Seeing that Li Qing understood etiquette, the smile in Manager Chai Jie's eyes deepened. He glanced over the stall that Li Qing had just cleaned up and got straight to the point:

"Fellow Daoist Li, I have been observing you for a long time. Your Spirit Rice is round and plump in appearance, and the spiritual energy it contains far exceeds that of ordinary Spirit Rice on the market. It is of superior quality. I wonder if you still have any surplus Spirit Rice on hand? Our Tianyun Tower can purchase it all."

Upon hearing this, Li Qing immediately understood; so, he was here for the Spirit Rice.

A spark of interest arose in his heart. Tianyun Tower had always had a good reputation among Loose Cultivators; they never forced trades, and their prices were fair. If the price was right, selling the Spirit Rice to them in bulk would be much less troublesome than running to each market to sell it piecemeal.

Thinking of this, Li Qing stopped being polite and asked directly:

"How does Manager Chai plan to purchase it?"

Manager Chai Jie waved his hand and said straightforwardly: "Fellow Daoist Li, we are both practical people, so let's not talk nonsense. I genuinely want to do this long-term business with you. One Spirit Stone for five jin of Spirit Rice!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Li Qing couldn't help but reveal a slight smile. The price offered by Houtu Hall was also one Spirit Stone for five jin. Why would I not sell it to Houtu Hall at this price?

Before Li Qing could think it over, Manager Chai Jie added: "Of course, I also have requirements. After all, our Tianyun Tower has a large demand. For each transaction, the quantity of Spirit Rice must not be less than ten thousand jin; too little is not enough for our shops to sell."

While saying this, Manager Chai Jie's gaze landed on Li Qing, carrying a hint of deep meaning.

In fact, he had been eyeing this kind of high-quality Spirit Rice for a full half-year. He had seen it once in Pingjiang City half a year ago and had been searching for the source ever since, but there had been no news. Only today did he run into Li Qing again, so naturally, he did not want to miss this opportunity.

"I'm sorry, I don't have that much Spirit Rice, and besides... your price..."

Li Qing did not finish his sentence, thinking that Manager Chai Jie would understand his meaning.

Ten thousand jin each time, one Spirit Stone for five jin of Spirit Rice.

Unless I am a fool, I would agree to that!

"Won't you reconsider, Fellow Daoist? The sincerity of our Tianyun Tower is quite substantial."

Manager Chai Jie's tone was already starting to become a bit displeased.

As a dignified manager of Tianyun Tower, coming to find you, a mere Loose Cultivator, how dare you not give me Face?

"Manager Chai, I am really sorry, but I really cannot sell at this price."

Li Qing did not compromise because of Manager Chai Jie's displeasure.

"Why don't you name a price, Fellow Daoist?"

Although Manager Chai Jie was unhappy, he still did not want to give up on this business.

"One Spirit Stone for three jin; this is a price I can accept."

Li Qing said after hesitating for a moment.

He still did not want to offend Tianyun Tower. If Manager Chai Jie could really agree to this price, it would save him a lot of trouble.

"Impossible. At most, one Spirit Stone for four jin."

Manager Chai Jie said without a second thought.

"Manager Chai, then I am sorry."

After Li Qing finished speaking, he cupped his hands and left.

One Spirit Stone for four jin of Spirit Rice meant he would earn half as many Spirit Stones. Li Qing would never agree to this price.

"Are Loose Cultivators so bold nowadays?"

Watching Li Qing's departing figure, Manager Chai Jie said in a sinister tone.

...

Next, Li Qing sold nearly two thousand jin of Spirit Rice at three other markets in Pingjiang City. Then, Li Qing went to Potu City and Pingchuan City. After going around for five days, he finally sold the remaining Spirit Rice.

Returning to Pingjiang City again, Li Qing had 3880 Spirit Stones on him.