Chapter 63: Manage the Spirit Talisman Shop

“Hmm? Changsheng, did you break through to the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining?”

At this moment, the Fourth Elder noticed the change in Lu Changsheng’s spiritual power and showed a bit of surprise and joy.

Although Lu Changsheng used Qi Concealment Technique to restrain his spiritual power, his mastery of the technique was only at an entry-level stage.

After all, once he mastered the basics of these techniques, he did not spend much more time on them.

The Fourth Elder, being at the Ninth Level of Qi Refining, could easily see the changes in Lu Changsheng’s aura with a glance.

“Yes, Changsheng just broke through to the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining yesterday, so I came today to inform grandmother.”

Lu Changsheng nodded and replied.

“Not bad, not bad, I didn’t expect you to reach the Fourth Layer so quickly, faster than grandmother imagined.”

The Fourth Elder sat down by the chair, smiled, and said, “Now that you’ve reached the Fourth Layer, grandmother has something to hand over to you.”

“What is it, grandmother?”

Lu Changsheng asked, a bit puzzled.

What could he do as someone at the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining?

“Our Lu Family has a Spirit Talisman shop in Jiulong Market that grandmother wants you to manage.”

The Fourth Elder spoke and said.

“Manage the Spirit Talisman shop?”

Lu Changsheng was somewhat astonished upon hearing this.

As a family of cultivators, the Lu Family naturally has multiple sources of income.

For instance, the Blue Spirit Bamboo and Emerald Spirit Bamboo are one of the main sources of Lu Family’s income.

The spiritual rice, spiritual vegetables, and spiritual herbs they grow are used by themselves, and the surplus is sold at the market.

Therefore, the Lu Family also runs their own shops in several markets.

He knew of Jiulong Market—it’s a large market relatively close to Qingzhu Mountain.

It was established by the dominant force in this region, the Azure Cloud Sect.

After years in the Lu Family and entering the family’s core circle, he understood more about the Lu Family.

While the Qingzhu Mountain Lu Family is considered an independent faction,

it is essentially under the jurisdiction of the Azure Cloud Sect.

An annual tribute has to be paid to the Azure Cloud Sect.

That’s why Lu Yuanshan Ding could invite a Azure Cloud Sect disciple as a son-in-law.

This wouldn’t fly with a faction unrelated to the Azure Cloud Sect.

Back when the Qingzhu Mountain Lu Family and the Red Leaf Valley Chen Family fought for a Spirit Stone mine,

both sides’ Foundation Establishment ancestors got involved.

Ultimately, an elder from the Azure Cloud Sect had to mediate and call for a truce.

In the end, the Azure Cloud Sect took forty percent of the mine’s profits.

The remaining sixty percent was split between the Lu and Chen families, thirty percent each.

Hearing this back then, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but sigh—strength truly rules.

The Lu and Chen families fought hard over a few percent of profits from the mine.

And the Azure Cloud Sect came and took forty percent, without anyone daring to protest.

The fact that this Spirit Talisman shop can operate in Jiulong Market shows it’s quite a good shop among the Lu Family’s establishments.

Unexpectedly, the Fourth Elder wanted him to manage such a shop.

“Indeed, previously I left this Spirit Talisman shop under Miaoge’s management.

But as you know, Miaoge is now advancing to a High-Tier Talisman Master and preparing to reach the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, so she doesn’t have much time.”

“So I thought of letting you take on the management role.”

“Previously, grandmother wasn’t quite confident in you, but now that you’ve reached the Fourth Layer, grandmother is much more at ease, consider it a form of training.”

“Once you’re familiar with it, this shop will be handed over to you for management.”

“The daily tasks are quite simple, just watch over the shop, restock monthly, and occasionally teach apprentices.”

“During this time, grandmother will also give you an additional salary.”

The Fourth Elder took a sip of tea and continued.

In the Lu Family, excluding Lu Changsheng, there are only three Talisman Masters.

Her, Lu Miaoge, and a Lu Family diiciple who just became a beginner Talisman Master recently.

Now that Lu Miaoge needs to focus on ttlisman making and cultivation, she can’t manage the shop.

That Lu Family disciple, being newly initiated, is obviously unsuitable.

And Lu Changsheng, being not only an intermediate Talisman Master but also her grandson-in-law.

His performance over the past half a year has been satisfying, and she has basically accepted him as her own.

She plans to give the management to Lu Changsheng.

This saves the trouble of hiring a Talisman Master from outside to oversee the shop.

Plus, it gives Lu Changsheng a chance to get familiar with the Lu Family business and gain some experience.

After listening to the Fourth Elder, Lu Changsheng initially thought to refuse.

He just wanted to stay quietly and safely within the Lu Family.

But since the Fourth Elder put it this way, he had no reason to refuse.

After all, as a cultivator in a family like the Lu Family, one enjoys the benefits the family provides.

When of age and having the strength, everyone needs to contribute to the family.

Even someone like Lu Miaoge, with great talent n talisman making, as the family head’s daughter, has to do so.

Having married Lu Miaoyun, he’s now considere part of the Lu Family, so such responsibilities naturally fall to him as well.

Moreover,

the Fourth Elder wanting him to manage the shop is a kind gesture intended for his benefit.

Not only would he get additional income, having some business responsibilities would expose him to more learning opportunities, thus enhancing his standing in the Lu Family.

“Changsheng will follow grandmother’s arrangements.”

After a brief thought, Lu Changsheng nodded and agreed.

He realized that staying entirely secluded and inactive until Foundation Establishment was unrealistic.

Since that’s the case, he might as well agree.

Jiulong Market was established by the Azure Cloud Sect, a large market with Foundation Establishment cultivators overseeing it, ensuring no one would dare cause trouble.

Managing the Spirit Talisman shop there would not pose much danger.

Moreover, managing the shop would mean additional income.

He had over a thousand talismans that could be sold.

Buying materials for the Hundred Refined Body Technique would be much easier.

In the past six months, he engaged in trades with agents sent by Hong Yi to buy materials.

The process was time-consuming, and some materials weren’t always available, making the exchanges troublesome.

Being in Jiulong Market would make material purchases much more convenient.

The only downside would be the lack of current comforts.

He would miss the second-tier spiritual veins and having his wives around for childbearing.

However, in the market, he might meet some ‘fairies’ with Spirit Roots to take as concubines.

After all, to have many Spirit Root children, one needs concubines.

Maybe his lackluster Peach Blossom Gu could be of use.

Currently, he felt no luck with women because he never went out, keeping his doors closed.

“Alright, it’s decided then. When Miaoge returns, you will go with her.”

The Fourth Elder nodded and said with a smile.

“Yes, grandmother.”

Lu Changsheng agreed. He then took two boxes of spiritual fruit cakes home from the Fourth Elder’s house.