Chapter 51: First Day of Setting Up the Stall

After leaving school, Chen Mobai arrived at the Evergreen Pharmacy.

He had originally intended to help, but Qing Nü stated that she wished to perform the final step of water-method alchemy, which involved harmonization, by herself. She explained that doing so would allow her to concentrate fully and work more efficiently.

Having no other choice, Chen Mobai wished her good luck and then took his leave.

Since he couldn't be of any assistance there, he decided to go to the Tianhe Realm to earn money.

Upon returning home, he first unwrapped the delivered package. As expected, it contained the talismans he had purchased from the Wood Spirit Talisman Shop. The shopkeeper had neatly bundled them by type and placed them in an exquisite wooden box.

Chen Mobai took out one of each type to inspect them, and after confirming everything was in order, he happily confirmed the receipt on his phone.

Tapping "teleport," he arrived at the Water Mansion again.

He hadn't meditated and cultivated energy here for some time, and he inexplicably felt that the spiritual energy seemed a bit denser.

However, now that he had mastered his spiritual sense, he could once again focus on cultivating the Five Elements Technique. He had also brought along another tube of Qi Replenishment Spiritual Water, which he had snatched up and not yet used.

But after checking the sky, he decided to first make a trip to Nanxi Market.

This was because markets typically closed at night; cultivators preferred to meditate and cultivate energy during this golden time rather than conducting business.

Upon arriving at the market again, Chen Mobai met Qi Er at the entrance. The latter immediately came over to greet him and, coincidentally, had something to ask him about setting up a stall.

"Senior, if you wish to set up a stall, you first need to apply to the market's administrators, pay a one-spirit-stone handling fee, and receive a mat. Then, you can find your designated spot by matching the mat's number and start your business."

After listening to Qi Er's explanation, Chen Mobai realized that even setting up a stall wasn't entirely unrestricted; it was still subject to market regulations.

Furthermore, one spirit stone only covered a month, and he would need to pay another spirit stone if he wished to extend his stall's operation after that period.

The only good thing was that no deposit was required. After all, most of the itinerant cultivators in Nanxi Market were penniless. Many acquired goods through unspoken channels, then sold them at stalls, usually selling most of their stock within a month.

After earning spirit stones, they would retreat to their rented cave dwellings to cultivate, only emerging to restock and set up stalls again once their spirit stones ran out.

Hearing Qi Er describe how most cultivators here operated, Chen Mobai couldn't help but sigh at the Tianhe Realm cultivators' take-it-as-it-comes and content-with-their-lot disposition.

The market's stall administrator was named Wu Hong, a cultivator from the Wu family, one of the four major local cultivating families, and he was at the ninth level of Qi Condensation.

For a figure of his stature, small stalls were of no concern. After Chen Mobai paid one spirit stone, the mat was issued to him.

"Senior Wu is among the six administrators of Nanxi Market; he dislikes troublemakers the most. However, if any trouble arises at a stall, his methods are the most ruthless and unforgiving, directly expelling the instigator from the market. Furthermore, those without backing will likely never see the light of day again after being expelled from the market."

In his speech, Qi Er completely failed to notice Chen Mobai's silent expression.

This Tianhe Realm truly lacked order.

Having grown up on Earth Star, a civilization brimming with order, Chen Mobai had always felt out of place in the cultivation environment of the Tianhe Realm.

However, he could only console himself that it was best to simply mind his own business, conduct his affairs honestly here, avoid trouble, and not meddle in others' matters.

"Senior, one more thing: are the talismans you're selling self-made, or did you acquire them elsewhere?"

Qi Er led Chen Mobai towards the stalls specializing in talismans, asking as they walked.

"A friend of mine asked me to sell them."

"Here's how it works: every trade in the market has a stall leader. The leader for the talisman business is named Jia Sui. He himself is an excellent talisman maker, so if you plan to sell first-tier high-grade talismans, it's best to greet him first."

Although Qi Er's words weren't overly explicit, Chen Mobai understood their implication after pondering them.

First-tier high-grade talismans were traded with spirit stones, and it was clear that someone already dominated this market. If Chen Mobai wanted to get a share, it was best to announce himself first to avoid misunderstandings.

"What's Jia Sui's background, I wonder?"

"He used to be an assistant at the Divine Wood Sect's talisman paper shop. After the shopkeeper who mentored him returned to the sect, he set up his own stall. Because of the connections he maintained, he can acquire talisman paper, talisman skins, and spiritual ink at cost price. Most cultivators who make their own talismans in the market purchase their supplies from him. It's said he gives a kickback to every new shopkeeper of the talisman paper shop, so we consider him a person of the Divine Wood Sect."

After listening, Chen Mobai fell silent again.

Were kickbacks something that could be openly discussed like this?

"Senior, we're here. This is it."

At this point, Qi Er pointed to a corner of the street on the market's east side.

Beside the blue-brick paved road was a rectangle outlined in white, with "East Nineteen" written in the center.

Chen Mobai took out the mat he had rented for one spirit stone and laid it precisely within the white-lined rectangle; it fit perfectly, without an inch to spare.

Beside him, there were three other stalls also displaying talismans, and the two male and one female cultivators running them all turned their gaze towards him.

"Ahem, I am Chen Guixian, new here and looking to make a living. I hope for much guidance from all of you in the future."

Chen Mobai used the alias he had prepared, raising his hand to greet his three fellow talisman vendors, which earned him three eye rolls.

"Senior, I'll be going now. If you need anything, find me at the market entrance."

After guiding him, Qi Er immediately took his leave. Seeing this, Chen Mobai promptly handed him 10 taels of gold.

From the money he earned selling hand crossbows, 400 taels had been converted into vouchers, and 50 taels were set aside for daily use. After spending 30 taels on books yesterday, he had 20 taels remaining.

Qi Er accepted it with a smile, not bothering with formalities.

Standing in the street, Chen Mobai displayed two of each of the five types of first-tier low-grade talismans he had bought from the Wood Spirit Talisman Shop, and then added a first-tier mid-grade Green Arrow Talisman.

He had also initially intended to display the Wood Armor Talisman but decided to hold off for now, planning to unveil such talismans once his business picked up.

Moreover, these were life-saving talismans, and he thought it best not to expose them for the time being.

However, it turned out he had overthought it.

By sunset, his three fellow vendors had packed up their stalls, but he still hadn't managed to sell a single talisman.

On his first day of selling, Chen Mobai earned nothing. He dejectedly packed up his talismans, rolled up his mat, and left the market with his head down.

However, upon returning to the Water Mansion, he quickly composed himself.

He consumed the Qi Replenishment Spiritual Water and began his long-awaited meditation and energy cultivation.

Under the control of his spiritual sense, the colorful, adaptive spiritual energy corrected subtle deviations and pathways, completing one grand circulation after another, following the techniques taught in Master Qingping's course materials.

A light blue spiritual energy, like water mist, enveloped Chen Mobai at the center of the Water Mansion's main hall, making him appear like an immortal who dines on rosy clouds and drinks morning dew.