From midnight to morning and then back to midnight again, Lan Rui remained in his room, either meticulously drawing talismans or meditating to recover his spiritual energy and improve his cultivation.
As the first light of dawn illuminated the sky, a young man clad in a light blue robe stepped out of a modest wooden house. He inhaled the crisp morning air before striding toward the gate at the edge of his courtyard.
"After a full day of crafting talismans, today is finally the day I sell them. Time to make some money."
Muttering to himself, he raised his hand, and a panel flickered into existence before him. His sharp black eyes skimmed over the information displayed.
[Name]: Lan Rui
[Lifespan]: 21 / 85
[Spirit Roots]: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth
[Realm]: Forth Layer Qi Refining Realm (5/100)
[Cultivation Technique]: Five Elements Cultivation (Beginner Level 138/200)
[Techniques]: Cleaning Technique (Beginner Level 79/200), Earth Pillowing Technique (Minor Achievement 12/300), Cloud Rain Technique (Minor Achievement 45/300), Entanglement Technique (Beginner Level 1/200), Geng Metal Finger (Beginner Level 32/200)
[Skills]:First Order Talisman Master: Cleaning Talisman (Minor Achievement 10/200), Light Shield Talisman (Beginner Level 27/200), Evil-Repelling Talisman (Beginner Level (8/100)
[Comprehension Points (CP)]: 0
"I've managed to craft 8 Evil-Repelling Talismans and 11 Light Shield Talismans. Along with the 19 Cleaning Talismans I have, this should be the perfect amount to distribute a few for free and attract more customers."
His expression darkened slightly as he glanced at the nearly empty ink bottle and the dwindling stack of talisman papers on his desk.
"My supplies are running low. I need to sell everything today so I can restock."
After ensuring everything was packed properly, he left the courtyard and set off for the market. Just a few steps from his house, a familiar voice called out to him.
Not far from his courtyard, another wooden house of similar size stood quietly. In front of it, a woman with long black hair and striking features stood by the entrance. She wore a flowing green robe that, despite its looseness, failed to completely conceal her voluptuous figure.
"Little Lan, heading to the market to sell your talismans?"
Her name was Wei Xin, a widow who had lived next door for several years. She appeared to be around forty, though Lan Rui had never dared to ask her real age, and neither had the previous owner of his body.
Even in the cultivation world, women is the same. It's was a dangerous game to ask a woman about her age. Of course If you want to be strangled to death feel free to ask, but don't involve me.
Her cultivation level was at least mid-tier Qi Refining Realm and probably higher than me. Otherwise, she wouldn't have dared to live alone in this area. From what Lan Rui remembered, she wasn't originally from Cloud Market. After her husband's passing, she had moved here.
"Wei Jiě," (Jie means Older Sister) he greeted respectfully. "Yes, I'm heading to the market to sell my talismans. How are you today?"
The previous owner had always regarded her as an older sister, and her attitude toward him was affectionate, treating him like a younger brother.
"I'm doing well," Wei Xin replied with a smile. "My shift at the market is a bit later today. But Xiao Lan, did you hear about Qi Wan at the end of the street? I heard that.."
Oh no.
Lan Rui felt his scalp go numb. He could already see where this was going. Women were the same no matter the world, once they started gossiping, there was no stopping them.
"Wei Jiě, I'd love to chat, but if I don't hurry, all the good spots will be taken!" He quickly interjected, feigning urgency.
Wei Xin blinked before laughing softly. "Oh, that's right! Go, go. Make some spirit stones today!"
"See you later, Wei Jiě!"
Without wasting another second, Lan Rui walked away at a slightly faster pace than normal, afraid she might suddenly remember another juicy piece of gossip and call him back.
After a few breaths, he vanished from her sight.
Wei Xin watched his retreating figure with a faint smile. "That boy is improving fast. He's already broken through to mid-tier Qi Refining Realm."
She sighed, her gaze lingering for a moment before she turned back toward her house. No one knew why she chose to stay in this remote area when she could have easily moved to a more prosperous part of the market.
The towering gates of Cloud Market loomed ahead, bustling with cultivators and merchants. Lan Rui retrieved a wooden token from his sleeve and flashed it at the guards before slipping inside.
The streets were already beginning to stir with activity. Vendors were setting up their stalls, merchants were unloading goods, and the aroma of roasted meat and fragrant herbs filled the air.
"Still early. Good. I should be able to claim my usual spot," Lan Rui muttered as he weaved through the crowd.
After several minutes, he arrived at the stall area, where many vendors had yet to fully set up their shops.
With swift movements, he claimed his previous spot, spread a gray cloth on the ground, and carefully arranged his talismans in neat rows.
The market would soon be in full swing.
Now, all that was left was to wait for his first customer.
.....