80: Opening a store

Because Zhao Tiancheng had run too far, Lu Ming spent most of the day returning to Heavenly Star Immortal City.

However, as soon as he entered the city, Lu Ming noticed that the atmosphere was unusual, and even the patrolling guards in the city were twice as numerous as usual.

Lu Ming estimated that this was caused by Li Guanqi's injury, but he had no time to deal with these matters.

Returning to his Immortal Cave and activating the Formation, Lu Ming sat cross-legged on a futon.

Although he had gained a lot this time, there were even more things that needed to be comprehended.

The Alchemy Legacy, the Demonic Bloodspring Method, and the Demonic Soul Entangling Blood Silk Curse.

None of these could be fully comprehended in a short amount of time.

Even though he was already at Qi Refining eighth layer, it still couldn't change the fact of his poor Aptitude.

"I wonder if there are any Cultivation Techniques or spiritual items that can improve Aptitude."

No matter how many Legacy Spells he had, they couldn't be converted into actual strength.

Lu Ming thought this, then shook his head.

He was being a bit too greedy; he should just let fate decide.

Without any further wild thoughts, Lu Ming began to comprehend the Demonic Bloodspring Method.

Switching Cultivation Techniques sooner was also to prepare for Foundation Establishment.

Fortunately, the Demonic Bloodspring Method and the Devouring Spirit Blood Demon Art were from the same source, so switching Cultivation Techniques wouldn't take too long.

.....

Outside.

His Clone, disguised as the middle-aged man with the goatee, walked about outside.

The Corpse Puppet he refined, Zhao Tiancheng, had a great use.

He was already a Demonic Cultivator and had a vendetta against Heavenly Star Immortal City for killing his kin; if he caused some commotion in the city, the blame could be placed on him.

At the same time, he could also do some unsavory things for Lu Ming.

As for the name, whether it was Wu Daoren or Zhao Tiancheng, it didn't matter, as they were all just used to attract attention.

And the middle-aged man with the goatee, 'Han Feiyu,' although he had some grudges with the Poisonous Dragon Gang, at least his public identity had no issues.

At this moment, he was walking towards the Heavenly Star Immortal City's General Affairs Hall, with the aim of opening a Talismans shop in Heavenly Star Immortal City.

Firstly, it was to earn Spirit Stones, to prepare for the auction two years later.

The Foundation Establishment Pill was too valuable; although he was currently quite wealthy, compared to those major powers, he was still far behind.

Secondly, it was to gain an official identity, so he could consider moving into a Class A Immortal Cave, where his true body could then enjoy the benefits.

Thinking this, he soon arrived in front of the General Affairs Hall.

There were many Cultivators coming and going in the hall; Lu Ming saw some Cultivators wearing the standard Heavenly Star Immortal City robes moving around, and there were also many Loose Cultivators like himself.

After some effort and spending some Spirit Stones, he understood the specific process.

Finally, in a side hall, he found Jin Qian, the steward responsible for renting and selling shops, but at this time, he was surrounded by many people.

Jin Qian was dealing with various Cultivators with a professional fake smile.

"Serving all Fellow Daoists is my duty, but the decision to rent shops needs to be made by the Foundation Establishment adults."

"I, Jin, am just a steward; whatever the Foundation Establishment adults instruct, I, Jin, will do, so please, Fellow Daoists, do not make things difficult for me."

"We will make adjustments as soon as possible to provide suitable shops for all Fellow Daoists, please wait patiently."

After sending off all those Cultivators one by one, the fake smile on Jin Qian's face immediately vanished.

However, when his gaze caught sight of someone still standing not far away, his smile bloomed again.

Lu Ming cupped his fists in a salute and spoke first, getting straight to the point.

"Greetings, Steward Jin, I am Han Feiyu, here to rent a shop."

"Alas, Fellow Daoist, you don't know, currently shops are scarce and need to be allocated..."

Lu Ming didn't want to be brushed off, so he quietly slipped over a bulging cloth bag, while seriously saying,

"Steward Jin, how could you be so careless, your things have fallen to the ground..."

And when Jin Qian felt a cloth bag appear in his hand and heard Lu Ming's words, he immediately raised his eyebrows.

Only then did he properly size up the middle-aged Cultivator with the goatee in front of him.

He weighed the cloth bag in his hand, felt its weight, and then the fake smile on his face became a little more genuine.

Then he changed his tone: "Fellow Daoist Han, you've come at just the right time, I happen to have a few extra shops in my hand."

At this moment, Jin Qian was not hiding anything at all, which was completely different from what he had said in front of everyone earlier.

The person was generous; after all, it didn't matter who he rented the shop to.

Moreover, this person was clearly more understanding of the rules than the Cultivators just now; he offered Spirit Stones right away, and his goodwill instantly soared.

He invited Lu Ming to sit down, handed him a Jade Slip, and chattered away.

"Fellow Daoist Han, you are honest and upright, a truly righteous person; I feel like we are old friends at first sight, and from now on, we are friends."

Jin Qian continued.

"If it were anyone else asking, there definitely wouldn't be any, but for my friend, whenever you come, there will always be some."

"Then I truly thank Steward Jin; no wonder everyone says you are the most reliable, and there's no problem finding you."

Lu Ming echoed.

This kind of worldly conversation made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Human relations, exchanges of interest, these Immortal Cultivators were somewhat tainted with the smell of money.

Jin Qian's previous words were just for show; don't take them seriously.

"Recently, a batch of shops has become available in the southwest district of the outer city..."

......

Coming out of the General Affairs Hall, Lu Ming arrived at the shop's address.

Seeing many Cultivators coming and going around, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Giving money certainly makes things easier."

The shop was a three-story small pavilion, located at a street corner, with a relatively high flow of people, making it a good location.

However, in this area, his was not the only shop; a glance revealed two or three other Talismans shops.

Spirit Talisman Shop, Green Talisman Abode.

Competitors are rivals, ah...

If it were normal business competition, Lu Ming wouldn't do much, but if they dared to harbor malicious intentions, then he would just use them to test the power of his curse-killing Spell.

Lu Ming smiled faintly, not caring.

He took out his token, opened the Restriction outside the shop, and walked in.

Currently, the storefront still had no signboard, and the interior decoration was relatively simple.

The space wasn't too large; directly facing the main door was a counter about a zhang long.

To the right rear of the counter was a small door; Lu Ming opened it and looked inside, finding it was a lounge.

There were a few simple wooden beds, and several tables, chairs, and benches.

"Is this the staff dormitory?"

Making a joke, Lu Ming exited the lounge and returned to the main hall.

To the left of the door was the staircase leading to the upper floors.

Lu Ming walked up the stairs.

The second floor was the Talisman-making room and the Cultivation room, while the third floor was the bedroom.

The bedroom looked much better than the lounge downstairs.

Its furnishings were all-inclusive, requiring no additional items.

After a quick glance around, Lu Ming had a plan in mind.

The first floor would be used for selling Talismans, the second floor for making Talismans and Cultivating, and the third floor for resting.

Without further delay, Lu Ming began to set up his Talismans shop.

This was the first time in his two lives that he had his own business, and the experience was quite novel.

Not just playing around, Lu Ming still wanted to achieve something.