Chapter 48: Without Yulou Even Making a Move, Gao Jian Bowed His Arrogant Head! |
At the Hundred Treasures Pavilion's counter, Yulou was introducing the Wang Clan's special talismans and unique pills to several customers.
Wang Xianmao had the confidence to open a shop in the highly competitive Clear Stream Market for a reason.
Having Yulou and Yu'an study the Fire Method Metal-Stone Artificing Way under Hongmei was to fill the Wang Clan's gap in that area, but this did not mean the clan was lacking in other fields.
As a cultivation family with a legacy spanning a thousand years, the Wang Clan certainly had quite a few tricks up its sleeve.
"Fellow Daoists and seniors, you all know the benefits of the Donkey-Hide Thousand Li Talisman. We absolutely cannot lower this price any further.
Furthermore, you cannot buy in bulk. Each person is limited to two at most. After all, offering a ten percent discount means we are already taking a loss.
Aside from the Donkey-Hide Thousand Li Talisman, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion's Spiritual Wood Talismans are also exceptionally good, especially the Spiritual Wood Stone Armor Art, Spiritual Wood Wave Mist Art, and Spiritual Wood Swift Vine Art...
These talismans are drawn on spiritual wood, crafted by talisman grandmasters. In magical combat, they are far superior to ordinary talismans."
Yulou enthusiastically promoted his family's specially made spiritual talismans.
Apart from the eighth-grade spiritual area Dumb Donkey Plain, the clan possessed multiple other spiritual resource points, three of which contained ninth-grade wood-attribute spiritual objects.
Relying on these resources, along with the family's legacy in talisman crafting and alchemy, the Wang Clan's specialized products were highly competitive.
"Young Daoist, I don't want to buy talismans. Do you have any Qi Transformation Powder here?" a middle Qi Condensation cultivator asked.
This cultivator knew the reputation of the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom. He could tell that Yulou was only at the fifth layer of Qi Induction, yet he still politely addressed him as 'Fellow Daoist'.
Qi Transformation Powder was a low-quality spiritual powder produced as a byproduct during the refinement of Qi Transformation Pills. It could also accelerate a Qi Refining cultivator's cultivation speed, though the effects were weaker.
Hearing that the man wanted to buy Qi Transformation Powder, Yulou replied with a hint of nervousness.
"Senior, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion does not sell spiritual powders, only spiritual pills. We have all kinds of common spiritual pills in stock.
If you have any other specific needs, Fellow Daoists, you can take a look at the custom pill list behind me.
The Wang Clan can help refine any of the pills listed there. In terms of efficacy, they are not lacking in the slightest compared to those used by the disciples of major sects like Red Lantern Illumination Sect!"
Yulou was nervous because he was afraid this cultivator might mistakenly think the Hundred Treasures Pavilion was looking down on him.
Every visitor was a guest. Naturally, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion wouldn't look down on anyone. It was just that the Wang Clan temporarily had no intention of fighting over mere scraps in this shop.
Currently, the positioning of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion was very straightforward: it only sold premium talismans and pills.
They planned to build up the shop's reputation first by relying on these two commonly used cultivation goods, and then look for an opportunity to expand their inventory later.
Therefore, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion did not sell spiritual powders, which were cheaper and less effective.
The Wang Clan would use other distribution channels to dispose of the defective byproducts generated from alchemy.
There were many such channels, such as the merchant caravans passing through Twin Dragon Mountain or certain illegal markets.
Selling goods through these methods avoided the exploitation of the Immortal Alliance's system, allowing them to earn slightly more from the defective spiritual powders, making the profit a bit more substantial than mere scraps.
The customer who had asked about the Qi Transformation Powder didn't mind Yulou's answer. Instead, he looked at the custom pill list behind him.
Various specialized antidote pills, a variety of rare body-tempering pills, multiple high-value divine sense pills... Reading to the end, the Qi Refining cultivator noticed an inconspicuous line of small text.
What? Foundation Establishment auxiliary pills?
The customer's mind reeled in shock, and he asked in pleasant surprise.
"You have pills that aid in reaching the Foundation Establishment realm?"
He was so excited that his voice boomed, drawing the attention of every customer in the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
Yulou smiled and calmly replied.
"The Wang Clan's ancestors include many Foundation Establishment Ancestors, and several ancestors even studied under the tutelage of Purple Palace experts. Naturally, we do not lack legacies for Foundation Establishment auxiliary pills.
But these pills are extremely precious. If you want to know their specific details, types, and effects, there is a fee. Why, is Fellow Daoist interested?"
The Wang Clan certainly didn't lack the legacy of Foundation Establishment auxiliary pills, but if you wanted this information, you had to pay first.
Once a cultivator aiming for Foundation Establishment knew these details, they would have a clear path forward for their breakthrough.
There was no such thing as free knowledge in this world.
You had to pay for valuable information.
"How much does it cost?"
Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, the middle Qi Condensation cultivator asked nervously.
Naturally, he wasn't nervous because of Yulou; he was nervous because of his awe for such a well-known immortal clan like the Wang family.
The underlying logic behind why Wang Xianmao could remain calm and collected in front of Foundation Establishment cultivators backed by Purple Palace experts—like Jiang Baobian, Guo Baichi, and Mu Changze—was that the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom was extraordinary, and he himself was equally remarkable.
To Qi Refining cultivators, the Wang Clan, which had long been a vassal of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, was indeed a renowned cultivation clan.
"A mere one hundred spirit stones. After paying this sum, you can visit the Wang Clan's estate for a detailed consultation.
After all, the information on these pills is far too precious, and those of us working here at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion aren't privy to it.
Furthermore, you can all rest assured, fellow Daoists and seniors. The Wang Clan belongs to the lineage of Patriarch Mangxiang of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect. We would never ruin our own reputation by swindling you."
The customer who had asked the question fell silent.
One hundred spirit stones just to buy information about the pills—and it was only information, not the pill recipe itself.
It was too expensive.
But it was actually quite normal. These were pills that aided in Foundation Establishment, after all. Their recipes were more than just expensive.
Even if the Wang Clan dared to sell them, few could afford them.
As the customers discussed animatedly among themselves, Gao Jian from the Clearbrook Market Security Patrol walked into the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, leading his lackeys.
Resting his hand on the Spirit-Binding Rope at his waist, he arrogantly shoved aside the customers near the entrance and spotted Yulou behind the counter.
Since the Hundred Treasures Pavilion was newly opened, he naturally gave the Wang Clan some face, but as for Wang Yulou, he didn't think much of him.
A smile squeezed onto Gao Jian's face as he spoke in a deceptively warm tone.
"Yulou, your Wang Clan opened this Hundred Treasures Pavilion at quite a perfect time. Right after I took a concubine, your shop opened its doors.
A few days ago, you didn't even show up to drink my wedding wine. What's the matter, do you have an issue with me?"
Arrogant.
Though Gao Jian sounded gentle, his words were incredibly arrogant. After all, he was the Town Guardian Cultivator's personal enforcer. Representing the Town Guardian Cultivator gave him every right to be arrogant.
A honeyed tongue hiding a dagger described someone who spoke sweetly but harbored malice in their heart.
A beast like Gao Jian, however, spared no one with his tongue and spared no one in his heart—he was openly and thoroughly wicked.
In his view, he could give the Wang Clan face, but the rules of Clear Stream Market could not be disrupted, and even the Wang Clan had to obey them.
There were plenty of shops opened by vassals of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect in Clear Stream Market. If everyone tried to cut corners like the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, how was he, Gao Jian, supposed to collect money for the Town Guardian Cultivator?
The customers inside the Hundred Treasures Pavilion were startled by Gao Jian's sudden appearance, and they all fled the shop in a hurry.
Everyone knew exactly how wicked this beast was. Although he wouldn't kill anyone outright, if you got bitten by him, you wouldn't escape without losing a heavy chunk of blood.
Faced with Gao Jian's intimidation, Yulou did not panic. He quickly stepped out from behind the counter, stood to Gao Jian's left, and bowed deeply.
"Senior Gao, I truly had some urgent matters to attend to the other day, but the Wang Clan will certainly not withhold your wedding money.
Yu'an, quick, go upstairs and call Clan Uncle Rongsen. Tell him Senior Gao is here."
Hearing his brother's words, Yu'an quickly ran upstairs to invite their clan uncle down.
However, when Gao Jian looked askance at Yulou, he was suddenly startled, and his whole body froze in place.
What was that behind him?
Longevity Plaques?
Patriarch Mangxiang.
True Person Danri.
True Person Xuanzhuan.
This...
Gao Jian's eyes darted around, and the expression on his face split open like a dry piece of donkey dung as a wide smile cracked across his features. He laughed and said, "Haha, Yulou, I was just joking with you.
Between the two of us, whether you showed up for the wedding wine or not doesn't matter at all, it really doesn't matter."
Without Yulou even needing to make a move, Gao Jian bowed his arrogant head.
Positioning oneself was an art.
A very profound art.
"However, these pills are extremely precious. If you wish to know their specific details, types, and effects, there is a fee. What do you say? Are you interested, Fellow Daoist?"
The Wang Clan certainly didn't lack the heritage for Foundation Establishment auxiliary pills, but if you wanted that information, you had to pay.
Knowing this information would give cultivators aspiring to reach Foundation Establishment a clear path to prepare.
There was no such thing as free knowledge in this world!
Didn't they understand the concept of paying for knowledge?
"What is the price?"
Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, the middle Qi Condensation cultivator asked nervously.
Naturally, he wasn't nervous because of Yulou, but out of awe and reverence for a renowned immortal clan like the Wang Clan.
Wang Xianmao could remain composed in front of Foundation Establishment cultivators backed by Purple Palace masters like Jiang Baobian, Guo Baichi, and Mu Changze. The underlying logic was that the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom was extraordinary, and he himself was quite extraordinary as well.
To Qi Refining cultivators, the Wang Clan, a long-term vassal of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, was undoubtedly a prestigious cultivation family.
"That will be exactly one hundred spirit stones. After paying this sum, you can go to the Wang Clan's estate for a detailed consultation.
"After all, information about these spiritual pills is far too precious. Even those of us working here at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion don't know the details.
"Furthermore, Fellow Daoists and seniors, you can rest assured. The Wang Clan is a family belonging to the lineage of Patriarch Mangxiang of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect. We would absolutely never do anything to deceive you and ruin our own reputation."
The customer who had asked the question fell silent.
One hundred spirit stones could only buy information about the pills—just information, not the pill recipes themselves.
It was far too expensive.
In truth, this was perfectly normal. These were Foundation Establishment auxiliary pills! Their recipes could hardly be described with just the word 'expensive'.
Even if the Wang Clan dared to sell them, not many people could afford to buy them.
While the customers were engaged in animated discussion, Gao Jian of the Clearbrook Market Security Patrol walked into the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, followed by his lackeys.
Pressing his hand against the Spirit-Binding Rope at his waist, this scoundrel arrogantly shoved aside the customers at the door and laid his eyes on Yulou behind the counter.
Since the Hundred Treasures Pavilion was newly opened, he naturally gave face to the Wang Clan. But as for Wang Yulou himself... he was nothing special.
A sliver of a smile squeezed onto Gao Jian's lips as he spoke in a warm tone.
"Yulou, your Wang Clan really chose the perfect time to open this Hundred Treasures Pavilion. It opened right after I took in a new concubine.
"You refused to come drink my wedding money toast a few days ago. Why, do you have a problem with me?"
Arrogant.
The seemingly gentle Gao Jian spoke with unparalleled arrogance. After all, he was the official vicious dog of the Town Guardian Cultivator, representing the town guard himself. He had the right to be arrogant.
He was the epitome of honeyed words hiding a dagger—speaking nicely while harboring malicious intent.
This animal, Gao Jian, was unforgiving with both his words and his heart. His wickedness was plain for all to see.
In his eyes, he could give the Wang Clan face, but the rules of Clear Stream Market couldn't be broken. Even the Wang Clan had to obey them.
There were many shops opened by vassal factions of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect in the market. If every single one of them tried to pull sneaky tricks like the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, how was Gao Jian supposed to collect money for the Town Guardian Cultivator?
The customers inside the shop were startled by Gao Jian's sudden appearance and fled as if running for their lives.
Everyone knew exactly how wicked this animal was. Although he wouldn't kill anyone, if he clamped his jaws onto you, bleeding a little wealth was inevitable.
Facing Gao Jian's intimidation, Yulou did not panic. He stepped out from behind the counter, stood to Gao Jian's left, and bowed respectfully.
"Senior Gao, I truly had matters to attend to the past two days. The Wang Clan certainly won't leave out your wedding money.
"Yu'an, go quickly and call Clan Uncle Rongsheng. Tell him Senior Gao has arrived."
Hearing his older brother's words, Yu'an quickly ran upstairs to invite their clan uncle.
However, when Gao Jian glanced sideways at Yulou, he was startled and froze in his tracks.
What was that behind him?
A Longevity Plaque?
Patriarch Mangxiang.
True Person Danri.
True Person Xuanzhuan.
This...
Gao Jian's eyes darted around, and the expression on his face split open like a dried, cracked piece of donkey dung as he smiled and said, "Ah, Yulou, I was just making a joke with you.
"Between brothers like us, wedding toasts or no wedding toasts, it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter at all."
Without Yulou even needing to make a move, Gao Jian bowed his arrogant head.
Positioning was an art.
A highly profound art.
Comments 1