15: Low-level casual cultivators trade fair

Not far away, a black-robed figure stood in the shadows, quietly gazing at the departing Zhou Yang.

"Don't disappoint my expectations, otherwise..."

A faint voice came from under the black robe.

This person was Lu Ming!

As he spoke, he ended the Blood Burning Secret Technique; he had kept it active to enhance his Cultivation Aura and also to slightly alter his Qi.

When his Realm was insufficient, he used secret techniques to compensate; the gravitas of a Senior still needed to be maintained.

And this Zhou Yang was precisely the sales agent he had found.

However, he wasn't the first one he had approached; before this, he had already contacted several Loose Cultivators.

But unfortunately, those greedy fellows, upon seeing the Talismans for the first time, harbored improper thoughts.

Lu Ming was also quite helpless, 'It's my problem that I tempted you with Talismans, but it's your fault for becoming greedy.'

So, he could only send them into Reincarnation.

As for Zhou Yang, he had considered him extensively before making contact today.

His Cultivation was not high, making him easy to control.

His appearance was ordinary, his build average, making him unlikely to attract attention.

He had no power or influence, and his background was tragic, even being sold by his maternal uncle to Little Talisman Hall as an odd job worker.

In his daily work, he was diligent and conscientious, with almost no negative evaluations.

Most importantly, he was poor!

After a month of hard work, his salary was only two Spirit Stones, and saying it was barely enough to make ends meet was an exaggeration.

Now, by selling Talismans for him, he could earn ten to dozens of times his usual salary in Spirit Stones; he would know how to choose.

Lu Ming was clear on one point: people who can be tied down by profit are far more reliable than verbal loyalty.

As for the concern about him absconding with the money, Lu Ming was not worried.

As soon as the other party had that thought, it would instantly appear in the golden book, and at that time, Lu Ming would make him wish for death but be unable to achieve it.

There were already 'former colleagues' who had proven this for him.

Moreover, even if he really ran away with the money, Lu Ming would only lose Spirit Stones; he could now easily draw Low Grade first-order Talismans.

The reason for taking such a roundabout approach was that Lu Ming had his own considerations.

It wasn't impossible for him to sell Talismans himself, at most he would pay some membership fees, but he couldn't just sell a few or a dozen at a time forever.

Also, he couldn't always sell Low Grade first-order Talismans.

He didn't want to be exposed to too many people, even if the golden book could distinguish good from evil.

Furthermore, if everyone he contacted had problems, a careful investigation might eventually uncover him.

But with Zhou Yang as an intermediary, it was much simpler; no one knew Lu Ming's true identity, they would only know that Zhou Yang had a 'Wu Daoren' behind him.

The reason for using the name 'Wu Daoren' was also to provide a clear direction for those with malicious intentions.

Zhou Yang was someone he put out to attract attention, while also having him do things for him.

He himself could sit behind the scenes and quietly make a fortune; the golden book was currently in need of new recruits.

As for whether Zhou Yang would die, Lu Ming could only say he would try his best to protect him.

If he could win, Lu Ming would resolve the aftermath for him; if he couldn't, then there was nothing he could do.

And even if he really died, it would be fine; he would avenge Zhou Yang and then find the next one.

Zhou Yang was a smart person and naturally knew the risks involved.

But it was still the same saying: no pain, no gain!

...

The next day.

Zhou Yang, who had never taken a day off, requested leave for the first time.

Even though this would deduct half a month's salary and he suffered a scolding from his employer, he didn't care.

Life is about giving and taking, and he naturally knew what was more important.

He hurried towards his residence, feeling both nervous and excited.

Returning to the shantytown, he entered his cramped wooden hut.

Zhou Yang pushed aside his clothes and bedding, gently moved the bed board, revealing a wooden plank on the ground covered with mud and sand.

He carefully removed it, revealing a hole just large enough for one person to pass through.

Zhou Yang flipped inside; it was a small cellar, which he had spent several years digging, and it was also where he hid his savings.

But he didn't go to the savings storage area; instead, using the faint light of a night-luminescent pearl, he groped along the rock and soil above his head.

Finally, his hand touched a small bag; after taking it out and opening it, he confirmed that the Talismans were still inside.

Zhou Yang was delighted, and finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling at ease.

He hadn't carried the Talismans with him because he was worried they might trigger the Restrictions in Little Talisman Hall.

But he was also afraid that the cellar might be found if he hid them there.

So, he placed his savings as bait in plain sight, and instead hid the Talismans in an even more secluded spot.

After leaving the cellar and restoring everything to its original state, Zhou Yang began to disguise himself.

Makeup, shoulder pads, heightening, and finally, he took out a bamboo hat and mask to wear.

Looking at himself in a bronze mirror, Zhou Yang sighed.

It was a pity his Cultivation was too low, otherwise, it wouldn't be so troublesome.

But he touched the cloth bag in his embrace, and his eyes became more determined.

As long as he completed Senior Wu's task well, he would have a chance to turn his fortunes around!

Walking out of the small wooden hut, Zhou Yang did not go to the trading area but headed towards the west district of the market.

Having struggled at the bottom for so many years, he naturally had some channels of his own.

Even if these channels were of a very low level, they were enough.

Zhou Yang skillfully arrived at a small courtyard in the west district.

After showing a gray wooden token, he was led into one of the rooms.

The interior of the room was quite spacious, but there was no decoration or furnishings, only a dozen or so prayer mats placed within.

At this time, many people were already seated inside, men and women, old and young.

However, without exception, everyone's Cultivation was not high; no one's Cultivation exceeded the Early Stage of Qi Refining.

And those in the Middle Stage of Qi Refining would already look down on their small circle.

This was a trade fair for Low Grade Loose Cultivators, and it was something he had encountered after officially entering the Cultivation stage.

In the past, he was often short of money and rarely made purchases, mostly coming to gain experience.

But this time...

"Fellow Daoist Luo has arrived!"

"Brother Luo, sit here."

"..."

Over the years, through several gatherings, Zhou Yang, under the alias Luo Xiong, had made three or five friends.

Seeing him remove his mask and reveal his disguised face, they naturally recognized him and greeted him.

Zhou Yang responded to each of them and then took a seat.

After another quarter of an hour, seeing that most of the people had arrived.

Someone took the lead to speak.

"I have reached the Bottleneck of the second layer of Qi Refining and need to exchange for some Medicinal Pills that can increase my Cultivation speed. I am willing to trade the venom sac of a Green Scaled Snake."

Saying this, he took out a venom sac still stained with blood and began to display it to everyone.

"I'm sure everyone knows the reputation of the Green Scaled Snake. The venom in its sac is fatal to a Cultivator at the first layer of Qi Refining, and even a Cultivator at the third layer of Qi Refining could die if careless.

I'll exchange this item for Spirit Gathering Pill or Foundation Consolidating Pill!"

"I'll take it, three Spirit Gathering Pill!"

"No, at least five."

"Alright..."