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Chapter 78: Market Opening
Chapter 78: Market Opening
Even on days when Yanji Square is closed, there are usually a few customers. But today was a market day, and the square was already bustling with activity, despite the early hour.
As cultivators and mortals wandered the streets, their conversations often revolved around the various shops that lined the square.
"The Qingxi Sect's store is open," someone remarked.
"Yes, I heard they're recruiting a new batch of disciples. That's why they've been closed for the last two market days. Finally, they're open again today," another replied.
"Those must be disciples of the Qingxi Sect. One of the seven major sects of Qingxia Mountain. It would be a dream to be accepted as a disciple there," a young man added, a hint of admiration in his voice.
...
Gu Xiaoqin, Luo Yipeng, Shen Zhengquan, and Lu Miaoying couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as they overheard these whispers of awe. The reputation of the Qingxi Sect, one of the seven major sects of Qingxia Mountain, preceded them.
Although they were only outer sect disciples, their status was still far superior to that of ordinary immortal families or solitary cultivators.
In fact, even the immortal families affiliated with the Qingxi Sect considered it a matter of great pride to have one of their members accepted as an outer sect disciple. And if one were to become an inner sect disciple, it would be an even more remarkable achievement.
So, as they walked through the streets, they couldn't help but notice the envious glances directed their way.
Amidst the bustling discussions, someone pointed out the two closed shops—one selling spirit talismans and the other, spirit plants.
"Hmm, why are there still two shops that haven't opened?"
"They're the Spirit Talisman Pavilion and the Spirit Plant House. Maybe they just haven't assigned staff yet," someone replied.
The conversation began with two middle-aged men, and soon a curious teenager, around seventeen or eighteen years old, joined in. "I wonder if the Qingxi Sect has stopped doing business in these two areas."
The taller of the two middle-aged men shook his head. "I doubt it. The Qingxi Sect is quite skilled in the art of spirit plants. As for the talisman business, it's true that they can't compete with Feng Canyon."
The shorter and stouter of the two men quickly added, "There's not much they can do about that. The Feng Canyon sect has more talisman-making disciples, and they're of a higher level. Even a small market town like Yanji Square can boast a second-rank talisman maker."
"Talisman maker?" The teenager's curiosity was piqued.
Noticing the boy's confusion, the middle-aged man explained, "In the cultivation world, those who can craft low-grade beginner talismans are known as first-rank talisman makers, while those who can create low-grade intermediate talismans are considered second-rank."
The boy immediately asked, "So, does the Qingxi Sect not have any second-rank talisman makers?"
Just as the stouter man was about to respond, the taller man pulled him back. "Let's go. No more speculating."
As the stouter man looked on in confusion, his gaze followed the taller man's, and he noticed a young man from a nearby shop staring directly at them. He quickly closed his mouth and fell silent.
At that moment, Luo Yipeng, who had been basking in the admiration of others, wore a slightly gloomy expression.
As the group walked away, Luo Yipeng couldn't contain his frustration any longer. "What is that Chu Ning up to? Is this what he calls being diligent? The market is already open, and we're about to hit peak hours, but he hasn't even shown up yet."
Shen Zhengquan frowned but remained silent. Lu Miaoying, as usual, didn't bother to refute Luo Yipeng.
Gu Xiaoqin opened her mouth as if to say something, but upon seeing the closed doors of the two shops managed by Chu Ning, she ultimately said nothing.
"Being grouped with someone like him is the worst luck. If he doesn't want to work, that's his business. But if he damages the reputation of the Qingxi Sect, it will eventually affect us as well," Luo Yipeng grumbled.
He continued to mutter under his breath until another group of people approached, and then he fell silent.
As time passed, the square gradually filled with more and more people.
So, when news spread that new representatives from the Qingxi Sect had arrived, a small crowd gathered on the nearby streets.
Some people visited other shops, and naturally, there were those who chatted about the two stores that Chu Ning had kept closed.
"We should go and ask around. They really haven't assigned anyone yet, have they? I still have seeds I want the sect to buy back."
"If the Qingxi Sect doesn't send a talisman maker, we'll have to buy our talismans from the Feng Canyon Talisman Shop from now on."
...
Among the immortal families affiliated with the Qingxi Sect, many cultivated spirit plants.
After all, cultivating spirit plants was relatively basic and did not require an extremely high level of cultivation.
And talismans were the most commonly used items for low-level cultivators, which was why everyone was so concerned.
For those who had been dealing with the Qingxi Sect all this time, if the sect didn't assign anyone to handle these two areas, they would undoubtedly be affected.
Just then, Chu Ning finally appeared on the street.
Standing at the back of the crowd, he overheard these conversations but didn't join in.
"Fellow daoists, please make way."
Chu Ning called out gently, but those at the front of the crowd who were watching the shops didn't react much.
Left with no choice, Chu Ning lightly tapped the shoulder of a young man standing in front of him.
"Fellow daoist, please make way so I can pass."
The young man turned around, glanced at Chu Ning's slightly delicate-looking face, and frowned at his plain cloth attire.
"What are you going over there for? The doors aren't even open yet."
"I'm going over to open them," Chu Ning replied with a smile.
He hadn't worn his sect robes that morning because he wanted to take a stroll through the market square and learn about Feng Canyon's talisman sales there.
The young man heard this and scoffed.
"You? Going to open the doors? You're a fourth-layer Qi Refinement cultivator and an outer sect disciple of the Qingxi Sect? Then I must be an inner sect disciple."
The young man's words caused the crowd to turn and look at Chu Ning.
Chu Ning was taken aback by this reaction, but he soon took out the restriction plaque from his storage bag and waved it slightly.
A sharp-eyed elderly man, who was around sixty years old, exclaimed softly, "A Qingxi Sect restriction plaque!"
Hearing the elder's words, the crowd, who had been about to join in the mockery, immediately closed their mouths.
"May I pass now?"
Chu Ning asked again, and the crowd quickly made way for him.
When they saw Chu Ning truly open both shops with the restriction plaque, the onlookers' gazes turned curious.
The young man's face turned red, and his eyes were filled with panic.
For someone from a small cultivator family like him, reaching the fourth layer of Qi Refinement was already an extraordinary achievement.
But he also knew very well what being an outer sect disciple of the Qingxi Sect meant to a family like his.
No one paid any further attention to the young man as they were all drawn to Chu Ning's actions.
They saw Chu Ning first hang up a sign at the Qingxi Spirit Plant Shop.
"Buying spirit rice and various high-quality spirit plants.
Prices are negotiable.
Please go to the Qingxi Spirit Talisman Shop."
Then, Chu Ning went to the spirit talisman shop and hung up another sign.
"High-quality Flame Talisman, Frost Talisman, Evergreen Talisman, and Rejuvenation Talismans: two low-grade spirit stones each
High-quality Earth Armor Talisman and Wood Escape Talisman: three low-grade spirit stones each."
After doing all this, Chu Ning took out some talismans from his storage bag and placed them on the shelves.
Then he sat down in the shopkeeper's seat.
This series of actions left the onlookers stunned.
"Looks like he's in charge of both shops?"
"No way, right? Is he just hanging up the signs for someone else? How can someone so young be in charge of two shops?"
...
(End of Chapter)
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