Chapter Forty-Five: Is the Robber Cultivator Beside Me Again?

"Alright."

Qian Xiaoyue didn’t overthink it. After a brief pause, she agreed.

Soon after, Zhou Changwang once again entered her room.

Unlike last time, when he had been tense, this time Zhou Changwang was much more at ease, even taking the time to look around her room. It appeared much the same as before, except for the new scratches on the walls.

These marks were unevenly scattered, the incisions sharp and of varying depth, as if left behind by the passage of a magical artifact.

"I just acquired a new artifact and was testing it out," Qian Xiaoyue explained with a smile, showing no embarrassment. Then she asked, "What brings you here?"

Hearing this, Zhou Changwang cast her a meaningful glance. He himself owned a flying sword artifact and understood that low-level cultivators could barely manage straightforward maneuvers with such tools—unless one advanced to the fourth stage of Qi Refinement, where the mind evolved into spiritual awareness.

Alternatively, one could master techniques such as Object Manipulation or Artifact Control, which would allow the use of spell power to direct magical artifacts, making them turn and spin at will.

It was obvious Qian Xiaoyue had not yet reached the fourth stage of Qi Refinement. For her to leave so many marks on the walls, she must have learned one of those artifact-controlling spells, which were notoriously expensive.

Of course, that was her secret, and he didn’t press the matter. Instead, he said, "Fellow Daoist Qian, if I recall, you know how to make talisman paper, correct? I’ve recently begun dabbling in talisman crafting techniques. Since we’re neighbors and on friendly terms, I thought I’d purchase some talisman paper from you—keep the benefits within the circle, so to speak."

"I do make talisman paper," Qian Xiaoyue nodded, but she still offered some advice. "But as a friend, I’d suggest you not attempt talisman crafting lightly. The initial investment is high, and success is rare."

Having made talisman paper for years, she had naturally considered learning talisman crafting herself. After all, talisman paper was cheap, but finished talismans could be very valuable, especially the rare ones. But as expected, her first forays into talisman crafting consumed all the spirit stones she’d saved over a year, with nothing to show for it but a few low-grade talismans—most of which failed, losing money with every attempt.

She had no choice but to give up and focus on making talisman paper to earn spirit stones.

"I’m only going to try it out. If it doesn’t work, I won’t act rashly," Zhou Changwang replied with a laugh.

"Then I won’t try to dissuade you."

---

In the loose cultivator market, talisman paper generally sells for one low-grade spirit stone per stack of fifty sheets.

My talisman paper is considered quite good and sells for one low-grade spirit stone per forty-five sheets. Since we know each other, I’ll give you fifty-five sheets for one low-grade spirit stone. How does that sound?"

"That’s perfectly fine. Thank you, Fellow Daoist Qian, for your generosity."

Zhou Changwang didn’t doubt her words. He’d seen similar stalls himself—one low-grade spirit stone for forty-five sheets was the going rate, regardless of whether they actually sold. He didn’t bother to investigate further and agreed readily.

He reached into his robe and produced six low-grade spirit stones. "Here are six stones for an advance order."

"Alright. As it happens, I just finished a batch and was planning to set up shop in the market tomorrow. Your purchase saves me the trouble of getting up early," Qian Xiaoyue said cheerfully. She accepted the spirit stones, went to her room, and brought out a bundle of talisman paper.

"Here are seven stacks, three hundred and fifty sheets in all. You can count them if you like—the extras are a gift. If you ever manage to craft any powerful talismans and I want to buy some, you’ll have to give me a good price."

"Of course, that won’t be a problem." Zhou Changwang took one look at the bundles—seven stacks, three hundred fifty sheets, not one more or less. There was no need to count. After jokingly agreeing, his expression turned serious and he lowered his voice.

"Have you heard? There have been many mysterious cultivators around the outskirts lately."

"I’ve heard a bit," Qian Xiaoyue replied, her expression unchanged. To be safe, she quietly cast a soundproofing spell.

Seeing this, Zhou Changwang frowned. Her caution only confirmed the seriousness of those mysterious newcomers. He pressed on, "Do you know where they’re from? Especially the two new households nearby… Something feels off."

"You’re right, it is odd. That so-called couple aren’t actually husband and wife, but siblings. Because of the distance, I only overheard fragments—they’re from the Divine Wind Valley market, five hundred miles away. It seems they were hired for a high price to come here. I heard them mention a ‘plan’ several times, but I don’t know any details."

She paused, her expression growing strange. "As for the other pair—the ‘brothers’ who moved into the room once occupied by Fang Yu and his wife—I learned a bit more. They’re not brothers, but fellow disciples from the same sect—not a major sect, but a loose cultivator lineage. They too are from Divine Wind Valley, but came of their own accord after hearing some rumors, hoping for profit."

"Oh, and they have another identity."

"What identity?" Zhou Changwang was startled.

"Rogue cultivators—robbers," Qian Xiaoyue said quietly.

"What?" Zhou Changwang’s face changed. Was there something wrong with the feng shui here? Why were all the neighbors outlaws?

"Don’t worry, you’re not worth their time," Qian Xiaoyue chuckled. "One of them is at the fifth stage of Qi Refinement, the other at the sixth. Even if you stood right in front of them, they wouldn’t bother with you."

"Still, it pays to be careful," Zhou Changwang muttered, his vigilance undimmed. Then he asked in a low voice, "So why are so many cultivators coming here from all over?"

"Fengming Cove market nominally belongs to the Clear Source Sect, but in reality, it’s been under the control of the Bai family, a powerful cultivation clan. The Bai family’s strength is considerable—they have three Foundation Establishment cultivators, and the family patriarch is a powerful eighth-stage Foundation Establishment expert. Moreover, years ago, they sent their clan’s prodigy, Bai Yufeng, into the Clear Source Sect. Twenty years ago, Bai Yufeng successfully formed his Foundation and became a disciple of a Core Formation elder within the sect. With both personal power and a strong backing, the Bai family has held Fengming Cove firmly, reaping endless resources.

"But I’ve heard that recently, the Bai patriarch was ambushed and gravely wounded. He’s already over a hundred and eighty years old, and his lifespan is nearly exhausted. Naturally, there are those who see an opportunity…"

Qian Xiaoyue spoke softly.