97: income

“So, you found that Cultivation Technique in a cave in the Cloud Mist Mountain Range?”

“Yes, to be precise, it was on a corpse. Although it was already decayed when I found it, the manner of death felt very strange. He had no external injuries, as if he had died a natural death.

Moreover, this person seemed to have died extremely unwillingly. In that cave, there were curses he had carved with his own blood.

I rummaged through his Storage Pouch, and this person… this person seemed to be called Meng Yang!”

Zhou Yang honestly confessed.

Lu Ming looked at Zhou Yang with a strange expression.

Fate, truly wondrous.

So, it really was Meng Yang. As for whether he died willingly or not, Lu Ming knew better than anyone!

However, Zhou Yang’s ability was somewhat like a treasure-hunting rat.

“Senior, do you need me to tell you those curses?”

“Absolutely not.”

Interrupting Zhou Yang’s rambling, Lu Ming began to explain the follow-up matters.

“Next, you will go to a Talismans shop of mine in the city to recover from your injuries. If possible, learn a Talismans skill to protect yourself.

Once you’re mostly recovered, continue to work for me. However, your current Cultivation is too low; you must raise your Cultivation as soon as possible.

Take these resources first. If it’s not enough, come back to me for more!”

Saying that, Lu Ming threw over a Storage Pouch.

Zhou Yang reached out to catch it, but a sharp pain shot through the Meridians in his arm, making him grimace in pain.

However, he didn’t pay too much attention to these things; his heart was extremely excited right now.

Hearing Senior Wu’s words just now finally put his anxious mind at ease.

In fact, he could have chosen a Market not affected by the beast tide to settle down, choosing to live out his remaining life in mediocrity, or drifting with the current towards death.

Why did he come to Heavenly Star Immortal City? Was it not to continue following Wu Daoren, hoping for a bright future?

Now, judging by Wu Daoren’s intentions, he at least hadn’t given up on him yet.

And it seemed… it seemed… perhaps he even had plans to Cultivate him?

Focusing his attention on the Storage Pouch, there was no magical imprint, so Zhou Yang’s spiritual sense directly probed inside.

But when he saw what was inside, his face changed.

“Senior, this… this!”

A rough glance at the Spirit Stones revealed several hundred.

There were even more Spirit Pills, such as Spirit Gathering Pill and Foundation Consolidating Pill suitable for Early Stage Qi Refining.

There were Essence Augmenting Pill and Yellow Ginseng Pill for Middle Stage Qi Refining, and Purple Ginseng Spirit Pill for Late-Stage Qi Refining.

As for Magical Artifacts, there was a complete set for attack, defense, and escape. Although they looked a bit eerie, they were at least Medium Grade First-tier Magical Artifacts!

Don’t blame him for being unknowledgeable; the most Spirit Stones he had ever encountered were those he earned selling Talismans for Wu Daoren.

Now, a pouch full of resources almost gave Zhou Yang a heart attack.

“Take it. You deserve it.”

“But this is too much!”

Zhou Yang felt it was a bit hot to handle. The resources here were enough to push him to Late-Stage Qi Refining.

He had thought that coming to Heavenly Star Immortal City to seek refuge with Wu Daoren would be very comfortable, as things were already quite good in Green Bamboo Market.

After the Poisonous Dragon Gang incident, his ambition had faded a lot; he just wanted to honestly Cultivate and do things for Wu Daoren.

But so many resources suddenly dropping on him made him feel a bit unreal.

What made him feel even more uneasy was that since Wu Daoren could produce so many resources, it proved that Wu Daoren was doing very well in the Immortal City.

His own value had also greatly decreased.

Lu Ming didn’t know what Zhou Yang was thinking, nor did he feel that the resources were too much.

The Second-tier "Yin Lotus Mother-Child Twin Birth Method" alone far exceeded the value of the resources he had given out.

Moreover, such a loyal person, who had traveled so far to seek refuge with him, there was no need to treat him unfairly.

Given that he wasn’t lacking resources, taking some out to properly Cultivate him was also a good choice.

Furthermore, Lu Ming had his own thoughts. No matter how honest Old Zhou’s family was, they were still outsiders.

Although there was some friendship, entrusting a shop to them to manage was ultimately not a good choice.

Before, he had no choice, but now Lu Ming intended to let Zhou Yang get involved, slowly learning first, and then taking over when he was capable.

Lu Ming was too lazy to play any balancing acts; if there was a better option, it was naturally safest to let someone familiar handle things.

Moreover, Zhou Yang was more familiar with his methods and work style, so some matters didn’t need to be too guarded from Zhou Yang.

“Take it. Heal your injuries quickly; I still have things I need you to do.”

Hearing Wu Daoren say he had things for him to do, Zhou Yang immediately became excited.

He quickly agreed.

......

On the other side.

Inside Ink Talisman Pavilion.

At this time, it no longer looked deserted as it used to be.

As the news of discounted Talismans purchases here gradually spread, more and more Cultivators came and went.

Old Zhou’s family was busy all day, hardly having a moment to rest.

Although they were tired, they felt very happy, and their lives became more hopeful.

Another day passed, and as the sun set, it was time for the shop to close.

After seeing off some Cultivators who complained about not being able to buy Talismans, Zhou Kang closed the main door.

In the main hall, several people gathered around the counter, looking at the piles of sparkling Spirit Stones on the table, smiling so widely their mouths couldn't close.

“Shopkeeper Han is truly amazing! Just by using a small trick, the customer traffic surged. In just half a month, the net profit reached eight hundred Spirit Stones. At this rate, there will be over a thousand Spirit Stones in income per month.”

Zhou Kang said with admiration.

“That brain, he deserves to get rich! You should learn more. Didn’t Shopkeeper Han teach you many sales techniques? Don’t just stand there foolishly every day!

I never thought our Old Zhou family, who have been farmers for generations, could also experience a taste of wealth.”

Old Zhou also sighed with emotion.

At first, when he heard his son say that Fellow Daoist Han wanted to sell at a reduced price, he couldn't quite understand.

But he didn’t object, after all, the shop belonged to someone else, and they could sell however they wanted.

However, once the grand opening promotion sign was put up, the customer traffic on that very day was so much that it startled him. The few of them had never encountered such a scene before and were in a frantic rush.

Fortunately, after a few days of adaptation, they gradually got the hang of it.

Zhou Kang listened to his father’s lecture without refuting, instead nodding in agreement.

However, he then thought of the bustling business scene and couldn't help but mutter.

“The Shopkeeper did teach a lot, but our business is already so good, I don’t think it’s necessary to do more.”

“Foolish!”

Old Zhou scolded him, feeling disappointed.

“Don’t look at the Cultivators bustling in Ink Talisman Pavilion now. It’s undeniable that Shopkeeper Han’s advertising slogan did a great job, but that’s also because something big happened in the Immortal City recently.

Those Cultivators are being vigilant in times of peace, which is why they are making such impulsive purchases. But once this trend passes, the spending power will greatly decrease.

Moreover, our method of selling Talismans is too easy to replicate. Other shops will probably adopt it soon, and then business won’t be so ideal.

We also need to prepare for a rainy day and not be complacent or lazy.

Even though Shopkeeper Han takes the largest share of the profits, we also get a good amount of Spirit Stones.”

Zhou Kang scratched his head sheepishly and quickly admitted his mistake.

“Father is right; I will think of a way. Shopkeeper Han taught me many techniques; I’ll pick one to try tomorrow.”