Chapter 333 Black Talisman
Room Interior.
Qin Ming then checked several other Level Information Jade Slips.
It must be said that the Thousand Secrets Pavilion's information gathering ability is truly quite something.
"Just these few then."
Qin Ming chose a few pieces of information that interested him, and didn't take too many at once, which was perfectly in line with his current Late Foundation Establishment Stage status.
In order to avoid revealing too much wealth, causing unnecessary suspicion.
Shopkeeper Wei initially thought that this External Cultivator before him might not have a very high spending level.
After all, for things like High-Level Information, very few Cultivators are willing to spend a lot of money, wasting it on such things.
Unexpectedly, the other party bought several pieces at once, which made him look at Qin Ming with greater respect.
Shopkeeper Wei, with a composed expression, finally put on a smile and said, "Three First Grade information reports, and one each of Second Grade, Third Grade, and Fourth Grade information reports, totaling two thousand six hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones."
"Since Fellow cultivator is purchasing a larger Quantity of information at once, I can offer, as a bonus, one additional piece each of Third Grade and Fourth Grade information."
"If Fellow cultivator has any further needs in the future, please feel free to visit our Shop, we guarantee your satisfaction."
As an experienced veteran who has been operating here for many years, Shopkeeper Wei knew how to handle things.
Qin Ming took out the full amount of Spirit Stones and handed them to Shopkeeper Wei, then put away the Jade Slips.
Trade concluded.
Qin Ming left the Shop.
...
Next, following the map's directions, he arrived at the Mirror Snow Pavilion in Spirit Ruins Market.
It was still the iconic nine-story building, simple and elegant.
This Shop, being a Branch Store of the Mirror Snow Pavilion in Great Jin, had also dispatched some Resident Cultivators to maintain operations and manage the Shop.
The status Gu Qingzhao had arranged for Qin Ming was that of the new Shopkeeper.
Qin Ming stepped inside the Shop, and immediately attendants came forward to greet him.
"Welcome, Senior, to our Shop. We have all kinds of Cultivation Resources available. May I ask what you require?"
"Summon your manager," Qin Ming said nonchalantly.
The attendant was taken aback, but dared not disobey the Foundation Establishment Senior before him.
After a short while.
A brown-robed Old Man came down from upstairs, with Early Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivation, a capable-looking face, and a short beard.
"This humble one is Jia Heyi. May I ask what matter Fellow cultivator seeks me for?"
"Please come upstairs for detailed discussion."
"Lu is sent by Pavilion Lord Gu," Qin Ming said directly, then handed over the Identity Token and letter.
After Jia Heyi took the items and inspected them, he quickly bowed to Qin Ming and greeted him, "Greetings, Shopkeeper Lu!"
Then, he gathered all the subordinates within the Mirror Snow Pavilion.
"This is Shopkeeper Lu, newly appointed by the Pavilion Lord. Come quickly and pay your respects."
"From now on, all affairs within the Pavilion will be under Shopkeeper Lu's authority."
Inside the Shop, there were about twenty or thirty people, standing in the Courtyard, who neatly and respectfully performed a deep bow to Qin Ming.
"Greetings, Shopkeeper Lu!"
Qin Ming, expressionless, waved his hand composedly and said indifferently, "You may dispense with the formalities."
"You may all return to your duties."
Then, he said to Jia Heyi, "Old Jia, bring the ledgers and come with me."
Jia Heyi promptly agreed.
...
After half a joss stick of incense.
Inside the Private Room on the fourth floor of the Mirror Snow Pavilion, Qin Ming sipped Spirit Tea, pretending to examine the ledgers.
Through a brief conversation with Jia Heyi, he had also gained a general understanding of the Mirror Snow Pavilion's current situation.
Not to mention within the Great Jin Range, even within Spirit Ruins Market, it was only a Low-Tier Trading Company, unranked.
Compared to a Large Merchant House like the Thousand Secrets Pavilion, which had the Fire Palace as its Background, the gap was even more apparent.
Currently, the Mirror Snow Pavilion's development in Spirit Ruins Market was considered mediocre.
Apart from the Restaurant business, the trade in Cultivation Resources was still ongoing, but because it was an External Power, its advantage in procuring Resources was far inferior to the local Trading Companies.
Of course, Qin Ming's main purpose in coming here was not to manage the Shop, so he cleared his throat and said meaningfully to Jia Heyi, "Old Jia, my appointment as Shopkeeper here is only temporary."
"Being unfamiliar with this place, the specific affairs Inside the Shop should still be managed by you as usual."
???
"I've reviewed the Revenue from recent years, and you're quite capable, managing things quite well!"
These words surprised even the cautious Jia Heyi at his side.
In his shrewd mind, an idea instantly popped up: 'Could this newly appointed Shopkeeper Lu be trying to set a trap for me?'
'Who becomes a hands-off Shopkeeper as soon as they arrive?'
Jia Heyi chuckled drily, respectfully pouring Tea for Qin Ming, "Shopkeeper Lu, please Rest Assured. With this Old Man watching over things for you, I will certainly report anything to you!"
"Mm, good," Qin Ming nodded, a satisfied Expression appearing on his face.
Then, he chatted with him for a while, gaining a general understanding of the specific situation within Spirit Ruins Market.
"By the way, are there any Large-Scale Trade Fairs scheduled to be held recently?" Qin Ming suddenly asked.
Hearing this, Jia Heyi pondered for a moment and replied, "Now that you mention it, it does remind me of something."
"It's said that the Myriad Paths Merchant Alliance's 'Five Blessings Auction House', located in Five Elements Mountain, will hold a Large-Scale Auction in three months. However, entry Qualification is limited to the Large Trading Companies under its banner, who have a Quota."
"Otherwise, one needs Core Formation Stage Cultivation to participate in the Auction."
Qin Ming asked this question because he wanted to take this opportunity to dispose of the Demonic Cultivators' items, as they were useless to him anyway.
In addition to that, he also wanted to acquire some Spirit Materials and Pill Recipes, such as High-Level Pill Formulas for refining Green-Faced Poisonous Dragon Monster Cores.
Having chatted enough, Qin Ming dismissed Jia Heyi.
'Shopkeeper Lu', as the new Shopkeeper assigned by the Mirror Snow Pavilion, had an independent Courtyard arranged for him in Spirit Ruins Market.
This made Qin Ming's Cultivation very convenient.
Because he always entered the Small Spirit Realm for Cultivation, his daily Farming and Cultivation were completely unaffected.
After arriving in Great Jin, the Devouring Heaven Rat clamored to him all day, wanting to go out, see the world, and breathe the air here.
Qin Ming told it to be patient and wait a little longer.
"What's the panic for? The Spirit Vein Environment outside isn't even as good as it is here. Aren't you satisfied yet?"
"Looks like your hide is getting itchy again."
...
On this day.
Qin Ming was in the House within the Small Spirit Realm, concentrating on crafting an item.
A black wooden seal, its entire body surging with Demonic energy, was constantly absorbing rich Death energy from several Core Formation Stage Cultivator Corpses on the ground.
As Qin Ming continuously cast Magic Arts from his palm, one after another mysterious Runes were outlined on the black seal, intertwining and emitting a strange Aura.
Finally, a wisp of azure-green Four Seasons Divine Light appeared in Qin Ming's hand and was injected into the black seal.
In an instant.
The black seal shattered, and a jet-black Rune flew out from within!
Qin Ming's gaze sharpened. He reached out, beckoned, and drew the Rune into his hand, then it vanished.
But with a thought, the black Rune, emitting an evil Aura, reappeared.
This Black Talisman was refined by him using the crafting techniques for the 'Life-Death Talisman' from the Treasure Refinement Art, combined with a Secret Technique from the "Primordial Fiend Seed Demon Scripture" called the 'Human Puppet Technique'.
The greatest function of this Black Talisman was that once it was planted in a Cultivator's body, the other party would completely become his Puppet.
Furthermore, he could discern the other party's every action, and even their thoughts were within his grasp; their life and death were truly at his whim.
After Qin Ming came to Great Jin and understood the situation firsthand, he felt that this place was still fraught with danger. He decided to cultivate a Puppet to act as his public face, entrusting it with more dangerous tasks.
After refining the Life-Death Talisman, Qin Ming left the Small Spirit Realm and went to the Shop to drink Tea.
He looked out the window. On the Street of Spirit Ruins Market, crowds thronged, and the Vendors' Cries of the Common People echoed endlessly.
Suddenly, a chaotic clamor erupted.
Pedestrians on the Street quickly moved aside, and even nearby Stalls suffered considerable Damage from the Impact.
He saw a Golden Luan Treasure Carriage, pulled by two handsome and extraordinary Sea Beasts, driving down the Main Street.
Inside the Treasure Carriage sat a Cultivator in luxurious robes, making no attempt to conceal himself, but rather acting in a very High-Profile manner.
Qin Ming focused his gaze and instantly recognized the person.
End of Chapter