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The second jade box contains the "True Explanation of Puppets" jade slip, which details the methods for creating puppet beasts and puppet men of various levels. It provides a highly detailed guide to puppet-making.
When combined with the Great Evolution Technique, the True Explanation of Puppets can unleash extraordinary power.
One person controlling multiple puppets not only allows for battles across different levels but also makes it possible to take on multiple enemies at once and suppress them.
The storage bags that were seized already contain numerous complete puppets. Practicing the Great Evolution Technique will save the trouble of crafting them from scratch.
Qi Yuan set aside the Puppet Master's Jade Slip and turned his attention to the third jade box. Instead of another jade slip or book, it contained a piece of incomplete animal skin with strange markings and a few words.
Because it was incomplete, he couldn't determine its exact purpose, but it resembled a treasure map.
Given the level of protection surrounding the jade box, its contents were surely valuable. He decided to keep it for now and see if fate would lead him to uncover its secrets.
After sorting through the confiscated storage bag, Qi Yuan discarded the useless items and burned them, keeping only the valuables. By the time he finished, it was already late at night. After eating the food brought by the servants, he closed his eyes and rested.
Although Qi Yunxiao was an outer disciple who was not taken seriously, he was still able to open a teahouse in Jinma City. With his earnings from weapon refining, hiring a few servants for his residence was not difficult.
Two days later, Qi Yuan used his time to explore Jinma City, getting familiar with its streets.
Although the city was close to the Tianxing Sect, both the Shenbing Sect and Wanmiao Temple had businesses there. Items related to formations, refining, and talismans were readily available, making purchases convenient.
For selling magic weapons, large stores were the best option since they valued their reputation. While top-tier magic weapons were precious, stores wouldn't risk their credibility just to seize them.
The best approach was to sell one or two pieces to different stores, minimizing attention.
Tianbing Baozhai was a well-known property of the Shenbing Sect.
Dressed in a simple brown linen robe, Qi Yuan stepped into the grand shop.
On the first floor, the counters displayed many high-quality low- and mid-grade magic tools, with a few high-grade ones mixed in. Additionally, there were talismans and formation tools, though their quality was average.
Despite being the section for lower-tier magic tools, the first floor was bustling with activity. Customers constantly came and went, making the space feel crowded.
There was no helping it—the Divine Weapon Sect dominated the field of magical instruments. For guaranteed quality, cultivators preferred buying from Tianbing Baozhai.
The next best option was purchasing from former Divine Weapon Sect disciples. While their craftsmanship remained reliable, their techniques couldn't keep up with the sect's advancements. Over time, their competitive edge would fade.
The final choice was relying on independent weapon refiners. However, the quality of their work was unpredictable and depended entirely on luck.
Jinma City wasn't large, and shop attendants quickly learned to recognize frequent customers. Their job was to maintain good relations with them.
Qi Yuan's attire, not native to Yuanwu Kingdom, made him stand out—like a torch in the darkness.
A beautiful maid in a green dress approached him, speaking in a gentle tone. "Senior, if you're looking for top-tier magic tools, please proceed to the second floor."
Their business strategy was well thought out.
Female customers were assisted by handsome male attendants, while male customers were served by beautiful maids.
While not a guaranteed sales tactic, this method significantly increased transaction rates. The principle of attraction was timeless.
Qi Yuan gave a calm response and confidently ascended to the second floor. The atmosphere was noticeably more comfortable—spacious, bright, and far less crowded.
Most importantly, the maids on this floor wore even more revealing outfits than those downstairs.
With such enticing service, cultivators likely made purchases with just a few words of persuasion.
Fortune-making was effortless. With high-quality magic tools and alluring sales attendants, male cultivators found it hard to resist spending their spirit stones.
A charming maid greeted him. "Senior, please come to this counter to choose a magic tool that suits you."
She leaned forward slightly as she spoke, revealing a tempting glimpse of skin.
Although Qi Yuan came to trade magic weapons, he didn't want to get straight to the point. Instead, he took the opportunity to observe the atmosphere while conversing with the maid.
A bad reputation would mean trouble, and even if no one openly caused problems, gossip among cultivators could provide useful insights.
Holding a top-tier magic tool, Qi Yuan examined it carefully before smiling and saying, "The Divine Weapon Sect's craftsmanship is indeed excellent. I heard that there's a magician named Qi in Jinma City whose magic tools are also highly regarded. How would you compare his work to yours?"
The maid was momentarily surprised before responding softly. "I didn't expect you to have heard of Qi Yunxiao. His magic tools are decent, but they are still three levels below our Tianbing Baozhai's quality."
"I heard his name along the way, so I was curious. I hope you don't mind my asking," Qi Yuan said with a polite smile.
The maid's face turned slightly red as she gazed at him. He was incredibly handsome—completely her type. It was unfortunate that he was already at the Foundation Establishment stage, far beyond her reach. Still, that didn't stop her from wanting to continue their conversation.
"Qi Yunxiao is well known in Jinma City because he frequently interacts with low-level cultivators. If you have any questions about him, I'd be happy to answer them."
So, Qi Yunxiao was a familiar name to nearly everyone in the city?
That wasn't surprising. With his business in tea and weapon refining, it was natural for his reputation to spread.
That made things easier.
"There's one thing. Does Tianbing Baozhai buy back magic tools?" Qi Yuan didn't lower his voice but spoke so only the two of them could hear.
The maid's friendly smile briefly froze, and a hint of disappointment appeared in her eyes.
Clearly, buying back magic tools wasn't as profitable for her as selling them.
"Yes, senior. Please follow me."
The maid turned and walked ahead, moving with graceful, enticing steps that naturally drew the attention of other cultivators.
Inside a quiet room, Qi Yuan sat down.
The maid stood across from him, separated by a round table.
"Senior, please take out the magic weapons. I will inspect their quality and condition before determining the recycling price."
Surprisingly, the maids had multiple responsibilities.
Qi Yuan immediately retrieved a red flying knife and a pink handkerchief from his storage bag. Both were looted from the demon Han Tianya.
The maid's eyes brightened at the sight of the top-tier magic weapons. She carefully picked them up and inspected them, nodding in approval.
Seeing her serious expression, Qi Yuan remained silent, allowing her to evaluate the weapons. Instead, he took the chance to admire her beauty.
She was truly stunning.
(End of this chapter)