Chapter 73: Young Master, Are You Here for Leisure and Entertainment?

After leaving Southwest Street, Lu Changsheng did not go directly back.

Instead, he found an inn on a nearby street and spent a Spirit Stone to rent a room.

Once in the room, Lu Changsheng took out a mid-tier Purification Talisman from his Storage Bag and used it on himself.

Cultivators have many methods, among them ways to leave marks on others for tracking.

This Purification Talisman can dispel and purify such marks.

Seeing that the Purification Talisman had no effect on him, Lu Changsheng breathed a sigh of relief.

He knew he hadn’t been marked or followed.

After all, last time he sold some goods at Niutou Mountain and was targeted as soon as he descended.

It’s best to remain cautious.

Lu Changsheng could feel that his two years of comfortable life in the Lu Family had lessened his initial cautiousness.

So he constantly reminded himself to be vigilant and cautious.

Otherwise, unexpected danger could arise anytime.

After resting in the room for a quarter of an hour, Lu Changsheng left wearing a human skin mask.

His appearance remained ordinary with a dark complexion.

After all, looking ordinary makes it easier to be forgotten.

Lu Changsheng left the inn and returned to Southwest Street.

Having spent so many Spirit Stones today without making any, he naturally wasn’t ready to return yet and wanted to sell some things to earn Spirit Stones.

He continued browsing along the previous streets.

He had already bought enough materials for practicing the Hundred Refined Body Technique earlier.

It’s best to have some Spirit Stones on hand just in case.

He then noticed a stall selling books.

He spent two Spirit Stones on ‘Dragon Locking Secret Technique’ and ‘Jade Chamber Secrets’.

They teach how to enhance certain abilities, retaining energy during enjoyment to reduce depletion.

These are merely ordinary bedroom arts, not any cultivation secret techniques.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t be at that price.

Lu Changsheng thought these were just for fun.

For real Dual Cultivation techniques, he would rely on his system.

After strolling enough, Lu Changsheng went to the stall toll booth at the street entrance and paid a Spirit Stone to set up a stall.

The cultivator at the toll booth gave him a wooden token.

The token had a number corresponding to a stall spot available for three days.

Lu Changsheng took the token and found the corresponding stall.

He brought out a stack of talismans.

There were thirty lower-tier talismans and five mid-tier talismans.

While browsing, he also observed other talisman stalls.

He knew not to take out too many, or he might draw attention.

Then, he brought out the Flying Sword, Flying Dagger, and bell he obtained from the three robbers at Niutou Mountain.

He possessed the Qingyan Sword and plenty of talismans, so he had no use for these Artifacts and decided to sell them.

As for the three Storage Bags he got earlier, he used one for miscellaneous items and one for talismans, so he wouldn’t sell them yet.

He priced all items and awaited customers.

Yet, half an hour passed.

Occasional glances came his way, but most showed little interest; he sold only five or six talismans.

“My stall’s location is poor, too far back.”

“And in a place like Jiulong Market, many sell talismans and Artifacts. It’s competitive; most rely on amassed reputation and customers.”

“Though my prices are a bit lower than others, I lack competitiveness unless I reduce them further.”

“Lowering them slightly won’t help; I must drastically lower them, but that would disrupt the market and draw attention.”

Having sold so little, Lu Changsheng grew impatient, packed up, and left.

He planned to find a buyer for talismans and Artifacts.

Being slightly underpriced wouldn’t matter.

Otherwise, he wasn’t sure when he’d sell everything by simply setting up a stall.

“I have thirty lower-tier talismans and five mid-tier talismans; will you buy them?”

“No, not buying.”

“No, not buying.”

“No, not buying.”

“What’s your price?”

After asking four stalls, one stall owner responded.

“You’re now selling at ninety percent.”

Lu Changsheng responded.

“Too high, fifty percent; I’ll take them all.”

The stall owner replied.

“Forget it; I might as well sell them myself.”

Lu Changsheng turned to leave.

Damn, even for a black market, fifty percent was absurd.

“Brother, sixty percent.”

Seeing Lu Changsheng leave, the stall owner called out.

“Eighty percent,” Lu Changsheng paused.

“How about we meet in the middle at seventy percent?”

The stall owner suggested.

Lu Changsheng showed hesitation and finally nodded, “Alright.”

He brought out the stack of talismans for the other party to count.

Suddenly, he felt a bit guilty towards Hong Yi, for selling talismans at seventy percent here.

To Hong Yi, he only gave a twenty percent discount.

“At market price, that’s eighty Spirit Stones. At seventy percent, it’s fifty-six Spirit Stones.”

The stall owner counted the talismans and gave a price.

“Deal.”

After completing the transaction, Lu Changsheng immediately left Southwest Street.

He disguised himself again and visited four talisman shops to sell talismans.

Considering his identity issues and insufficient disguise skills, Lu Changsheng didn’t go to large talisman shops.

He chose small-looking ones instead.

The buying price for talismans was about seventy percent everywhere.

Thus, in five shops, Lu Changsheng sold one hundred and forty-five lower-tier talismans and sixty mid-tier talismans.

He collected a total of three hundred sixty-six Spirit Stones.

After exiting the last talisman shop, Lu Changsheng stopped selling.

Time was on his side; it was best to be cautious.

Having over four hundred Spirit Stones, he had enough for a long while.

He only had five human skin masks left.

He had used them all.

After leaving the last talisman shop, Lu Changsheng didn’t change his appearance and went to an Artifact shop to inquire about buying Artifacts.

Hearing they would buy them, Lu Changsheng took out three Artifacts.

“These three Artifacts look fine, but they’re clearly used and flawed; they might break under use.”

The shop owner evaluated the Artifacts and offered a price.

“Really underhanded!”

Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but think.

He had tested these three Artifacts.

The robbers at Niutou Mountain took good care of them; they weren’t damaged.

Claiming they’re ninety percent new wasn’t an exaggeration.

Yet, they offered only thirty Spirit Stones per piece.

“Forget it, the lowest I’ll go is one hundred twenty Spirit Stones for three.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head and named his price before leaving.

“That’s high; one hundred twenty is too high. A hundred for the three.”

The shop owner spoke, seeing Lu Changsheng about to leave.

One, two, three steps. Just as Lu Changsheng almost reached the door, the owner called, “A hundred ten, really the lowest. Other places will offer the same.”

Seeing Lu Changsheng truly leaving, the owner hurried out, shouting, “One hundred fifteen Spirit Stones!”

“Alright.”

Lu Changsheng accepted, finding the offer reasonable.

He exchanged three Artifacts for one hundred fifteen Spirit Stones.

“Hmm?”

At this moment, Lu Changsheng noticed a pair of blue boots in the shop matching his robe.

He couldn’t help but ask, “Shopkeeper, what level are these boots? What effects do they have?”

“These are mid-tier Artifacts made from the skin of the Spirit Beast Green Wind Wolf. They offer size adjustment, dust evasion, self-concealment, lightness, wave treading, and wind control effects.”

The shopkeeper introduced.

“Mid-tier Artifacts?”

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly, asking, “May I try them on?”

“Of course.”

The shopkeeper smiled.

He brought the boots from the cabinet for Lu Changsheng to try.

The boots were lightweight, thin, and soft, with fine fur inside.

Wearing them, Lu Changsheng felt comfortable, soft, and weightless, as if he became lighter.

This was the boots’ lightness effect.

They continuously offered the effect of Lightness Technique.

For wave treading and wind control, activating them allowed fast water travel and supported Wind Control Technique.

“How much for these boots?”

Lu Changsheng asked.

He was satisfied with the boots.

Not only stylish, they were comfortable.

If needing to escape, they could significantly enhance speed.

“This is the first transaction of the day. Though initially priced at two hundred ten Spirit Stones, I’ll give them to you for two hundred since we’ve already done business.”

The shopkeeper said.

“Too expensive; normal mid-tier Artifacts are around one hundred fifty Spirit Stones. How about one hundred forty?”

Lu Changsheng countered.

Earlier, he was offered thirty Spirit Stones per Artifact without chance for negotiation.

Clearly, there was room to bargain.

And buying things involves haggling.

“That’s too low. These boots not only have Green Wind Wolf skin but also spiritual silk. The weaving, dyeing, and array engraving are exquisite.”

“If interested, the lowest is one hundred ninety-five Spirit Stones.”

The shopkeeper explained and offered a new price.

Finally, after bargaining, Lu Changsheng bought the boots for one hundred sixty Spirit Stones.

After purchasing the boots, Lu Changsheng looked around the shop for suitable Artifacts.

He felt his current methods were too few; he needed more self-defense.

Later in the shop, he spent sixty-three Spirit Stones on a low-tier Artifact ‘Ever-changing Mask’ and two hundred ten Spirit Stones on a mid-tier Artifact ‘Cold Jade Amulet’.

The Ever-changing Mask adhered to the face, allowing transformation into a different face.

Unless a Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivator used Celestial Eye Technique, no one could tell.

With this Artifact mask, he wouldn’t need to buy ordinary human masks.

The Cold Jade Amulet, worn on the chest, provided calming, spiritual concealment, hidden breath, and protection against Divine Sense probing.

In danger, it automatically cast a protective technique against a mid-stage Qi refinement strike.

“Take care, Friend.”

The shopkeeper smiled as Lu Changsheng left.

“Sigh, money goes fast.”

Lu Changsheng sighed as he left.

Earlier, he thought he had a fortune to last.

But after selling talismans and Artifacts, he was left with just over a hundred Spirit Stones.

He couldn’t afford talisman pens.

“Money’s for spending. Updating gear shouldn’t be skimped.”

“In ten days or so, I’ll sell another wave of talismans to earn more.”

Lu Changsheng exhaled and rented an inn room again.

Using a Purification Talisman, he checked for tracking marks.

Finding none, Lu Changsheng donned the Ever-changing Mask and changed his face to resemble Li Feiyu.

“As expected of an Artifact, no need for makeup.”

Looking in the mirror, his face constantly changing, he nodded.

Unfortunately, the mask was a low-tier Artifact.

A Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivator would see through it using Celestial Eye Technique.

But it didn’t matter. He’d add a layer of human skin mask if needed.

As long as his true face remained hidden.

What more could he ask for from a low-tier Artifact?

Lu Changsheng used the Ever-changing Mask to create a generic face and left the inn.

He then turned left and right, recovering his appearance in a nearby alley.

Dressed in a blue bamboo-embroidered robe, wearing blue boots, and with a handsome face, he looked impressive.

Just as Lu Changsheng was about to leave the alley.

A woman in a scant pink gauze revealing ample curves stepped out from a nearby courtyard.

Seeing Lu Changsheng, her eyes brightened, and she smiled, “Young Master, are you here for pleasure?”

Lu Changsheng was full of questions.

“Since you’re here, why not come in and experience?”

“For five Spirit Stones, I can give you ultimate joy.”

The woman seductively invited, reaching out to touch Lu Changsheng.

Lu Changsheng felt a slight electric sensation.

Especially the enticing fragrance on her that made one feel hot and tempted, wanting to indulge.

Simultaneously, the Cold Jade Amulet on his chest sent calming energy to suppress these feelings.

“Charm Technique!”

Lu Changsheng immediately grew alert, knowing she was using a charm technique.

He quickly stepped back, shaking his head, “Sorry, I’m just passing by.”

“I’m fond of you today; two Spirit Stones will do.”

She continued, with a pleading look on her charming face.

One couldn’t help but feel compassion, wanting to pamper her.

Reciting scriptures in his mind, Lu Changsheng clasped hands and quickly left.

“Young Master, I won’t charge you today~”

Still, she called out.

But Lu Changsheng left the alley head straight, leaving her looking annoyed.

“Hmph, ungrateful! So what if you’re handsome!”

She turned back to the courtyard.

“Phew!”

Lu Changsheng exhaled upon leaving the alley.

He felt no romantic thoughts, just relief.

“I thought I’d be immune to seduction; my will should be strong, but the charm technique was powerful.”

“That woman was mid-to-late Qi Refining at best, yet she affected me.”

“If faced with an adept charm user, it’d be hard to resist.”

Lu Changsheng couldn’t help ponder.

Though she was attractive, he wasn’t swayed initially.

Yet, her close proximity and actions stirred temptation.

“Power, strength are key!”

Lu Changsheng concluded.

In the face of potent charm or unexpected methods.

Even with numerous talismans and treasures, he might not react in time.

“I should avoid alleys; danger could lurk there.”

Heading to a talisman shop, he planned to avoid deserted alleys.

While Jiulong Market’s security seemed okay, no place was free of danger.

Occasional incidents occurred; hidden dangers might exist in secluded alleys.

On the route back to the talisman shop, Lu Changsheng paused outside ‘White Jade Tower’.

Gazing at it, his eyes narrowed, and he strode in.

After all, marrying, taking concubines, and having children were his goals.

This was how he’d secure a place in this world.

If a price could yield a Spirit Root-bearing concubine, that’d be ideal.

Otherwise, finding them individually was challenging.

Finding wife and concubines wasn’t the hard part.

Lu Changsheng knew he could easily marry multiple ‘fairies’ with Spirit Roots.

But having them give him children required effort, time, and emotion.

With so many wives, Lu Changsheng already felt limited in attention.

If money solved it, less emotion would be needed.

Inside the White Jade Tower, it was spacious and elegantly decorated.

Simple seating areas stood, occupied by seven or eight young women in red dresses.

In the hall, two red-dressed women spoke to cultivators, explaining something.

“What does this Young Master wish to know? Marrying or taking a concubine? Buying maids? Let me introduce.”

A red-dressed young woman, seeing Lu Changsheng, approached with a gleaming smile.

“Do you have concubines or maids with Spirit Roots?”

Lu Changsheng asked.

Slightly surprised, the red-dressed woman scrutinized his aura, confirming his seriousness.

Seeing he was a big client, she invited him upstairs.

The arrangement upstairs differed from the lobby; multiple small rooms lined the area.

Leading Lu Changsheng to a room, the woman knocked.

“Enter!”

A languid, seductive voice replied, arousing one’s senses.