Chapter 92: Screwing on the Assembly Line!

“Hmm, there really is?”

Lu Changsheng felt a burst of joy in his heart upon hearing the system prompt.

In his monotonous and dull life, only having children and the system lottery could stir him.

“So, does this mean that every time I have ten children, the system will give me a monetary gift?”

Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but wonder.

“System, I want to draw!”

He didn’t overthink it.

After all, overthinking leads to expectations.

And expectations often lead to disappointment.

Watching the prize wheel appear, Lu Changsheng felt a little thrill: “Start the draw!”

Instantly, the wheel started to spin with golden light.

Under Lu Changsheng’s gaze, the light finally stopped at ‘Artistry’.

[Ding, congratulations to the host for acquiring Second-Tier Puppetry!]

[Reward has been distributed to system space, the host can check anytime.]

A puppet-shaped light orb emerged from the Prize Wheel as the system sound played.

“Second-Tier Puppetry?”

Seeing his prize, Lu Changsheng raised his eyebrow.

In the myriad skills of cultivation, puppetry was relatively niche.

Although it couldn’t compare to Formation Arrays, Alchemy, Equipment Refining, or Talisman Making,

it was still a decent craft.

Once mastered, life wouldn’t be hard.

Or rather, in the myriad skills of cultivation, mastering any one of them would ensure a good life.

Even the most menial skills like spirit planting, butchery, gastronomy, or breeding would lead to a prosperous life if done well.

Lu Changsheng was stirred and glanced at the light orb in the system space.

[Second-Tier Puppetry: Using this, you can comprehend the full extent of Second-Tier Puppetry and receive a comprehensive puppet guide.]

“As expected, just like when I got the Talisman Making skill, it’s a direct acquisition of Second-Tier full-level puppetry, meaning I can craft puppets rivaling the peak of Foundation Establishment.”

“With this puppetry skill, I can not only apply a sea of talismans strategy but also implement a sea of puppets strategy!”

“If I have several Second-Tier puppets on hand, I’ll be ensured safety in the future!”

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly, very satisfied with the description above.

He thought this craft was pretty good, quite likable, and suited him well.

Actually, regarding the myriad skills of cultivation, Lu Changsheng found them all satisfactory.

After all, having more skills never weighs one down!

Knowing a few more crafts is never a bad thing.

Even if I don’t use them now, in the future when I establish a family, I can teach them to my children and pass them on.

Lu Changsheng had thought it all through.

If he were to establish a cultivation family, it would still be the same as now.

Avoid conflict, build good relationships, and earn wealth through harmony.

The entire family would rely on various crafts to earn a steady living while cultivating.

Immediately,

Lu Changsheng used the puppetry skill from the system space.

In an instant, a rush of knowledge filled his mind.

“Understanding Puppetry Basics”

“Basic Puppet Encyclopedia”

“First-Tier Puppet Encyclopedia”

“Second-Tier Puppet Encyclopedia”

“My Bare-handed Puppet Making”

“How Puppets are Made”

“My Stories with Puppets”

After a long time,

Lu Changsheng’s mind was filled with knowledge related to puppetry.

Recognizing materials for making puppets.

How to turn the skeletons of spirit beasts and ferocious creatures into puppets.

Engraving formations in puppets, as well as spiritual control and other techniques.

“Whew!”

“As expected of the system, no matter how many times I’ve experienced it, it still feels unbelievably profound.”

Lu Changsheng exhaled deeply, gazing at his hands.

Not only did his mind become filled with puppetry knowledge,

but he also felt as though his hands had been crafting, assembling, and refining puppets for decades.

If he had a bunch of materials now, he could demonstrate crafting a puppet bare-handed on the spot.

“However, this puppetry skill isn’t as great as I imagined.”

Lu Changsheng frowned slightly after absorbing the Second-Tier Puppetry skill.

Based on his understanding of puppetry,

he discovered several major issues with puppet making.

It’s time-consuming!

It’s expensive!

Even with Second-Tier Puppetry, making him a Second-Tier Puppet Master,

with ready materials, crafting an ordinary First-Tier lower puppet would take two to three days, maybe more.

A First-Tier middle puppet would take at least seven or eight days, possibly half a month.

And a First-Tier upper puppet would take even longer, typically starting at ten days.

Considering he needed to practice cultivation, make talismans, accompany his wives, and have children, Lu Changsheng knew he didn’t have enough time and energy for mass puppet creation.

Moreover, the material costs for making puppets are high.

Lu Changsheng estimated roughly.

A simple First-Tier lower puppet cost about 20 to 30 Spirit Stones in materials.

Although he wasn’t sure about the exact price of a lower puppet,

he knew that a lower puppet price wouldn’t exceed 100 Spirit Stones.

Thus, making a puppet over three to four days would yield only a three to four-fold profit.

Compared to talisman crafting, it was laughable!

“No wonder a hierarchy of disdain exists among artisans, with mainstream skills like Formation Arrays, Alchemy, Equipment Refining, and Talisman Making looking down upon others.”

“Though puppetry is respectable among cultivation’s myriad skills, it pales in comparison to the relatively easy and lucrative Talisman Making.”

“Moreover, among the mainstream skills, talisman making ranks the lowest.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head in reflection.

He immediately felt that the Second-Tier Puppetry skill was somewhat useless to him at this point.

Firstly, the skill couldn’t be used for money.

Earning through puppet crafting wasn’t as easy as making money from talismans.

Moreover, the manufacturing time and material costs were too high.

He immediately gave up on his imagined sea of puppets strategy.

Even an ordinary First-Tier lower puppet was out of reach.

As for making Second-Tier puppets, it was unthinkable.

Not that he couldn’t make them, he simply couldn’t afford it.

Lu Changsheng wasn’t clear about the material costs of a Second-Tier puppet.

But he estimated it would cost at least several thousand Spirit Stones.

“Too difficult!”

Lu Changsheng sighed deeply.

He felt that everything along the cultivation path required money.

He needed money to rescue those unfortunate female cultivators trapped in the White Jade Tower.

Money was also required to buy a top-grade Talisman Pen and have Second-Tier talisman materials to craft higher-tier talismans.

Given his already insufficient funds, and his dire need for finances, there was no extra money to buy materials for making Second-Tier puppets.

“Sigh, one person truly is limited.”

“To do everything personally, and to have everything depend on oneself, is too tough.”

“There’s simply not enough time and energy, no wonder many artisans choose to join a faction.”

Lu Changsheng nodded in reflection.

He also understood why many people choose to join a faction.

Joining a faction brings many benefits.

For instance, he had enjoyed a lot of benefits from the Lu Family.

But the problem was, the Second-Tier talismans and now the Second-Tier puppetry he possessed couldn’t be demonstrated.

They couldn’t be quickly converted into resources.

And since his strength wasn’t enough now, he didn’t dare to show his Second-Tier skills.

Otherwise, what if he were forced to become a tool crafting talismans eight hours a day.

“Hmm, wait a minute, though puppetry is difficult, it’s mainly because of its complexity.”

“It’s not just about polishing materials, crafting parts, refining components, assembling them, and engraving spirit patterns and formations.”

“For one person to master all these is naturally difficult, but the steps can be divided and handled by different people.”

Digesting the puppetry knowledge in his mind,

Lu Changsheng suddenly felt that puppet manufacturing was akin to the assembly line work of screwing on a production line in his past life, sprouting an idea.

“If a person only has to master one aspect, then it becomes simple.”

“I can completely find a batch of apprentice candidates and teach different people the assembly and crafting of puppet parts and components.”

“Then, the core part of engraving spirit patterns and formations can be taught to trusted individuals, achieving a puppetry assembly line.”

“Once puppetry is streamlined, with quantity comes easy earnings.”

“After all, crafting talismans, despite high profit, relies solely on individual effort, not comparable to assembly line products.”

Lu Changsheng thought to himself.

The more he thought about this idea, the more feasible it seemed.

Crafting talismans solely relied on his own drawings.

But with Second-Tier Puppetry skills, becoming a Second-Tier Puppetry Master, he realized that puppets could be made collaboratively.

Puppetry craftsmanship is complicated.

It involves creating and refining each puppet part, assembling them, and engraving the spirit patterns and formations.

It even requires knowledge in mechanics, biomechanics, physics, mechanical construction, and so on.

But breaking these down, industrializing them, and having various people involved, lowers the entry barrier significantly.

There’s real potential to develop this into an assembly line industry.

“If I can think of this, others probably can too, right?”

“Never mind, for now, this idea remains distant. Better to consider when I have the capability later.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head and put aside this newly emerging thought.

To develop puppet manufacturing into an industry, he needs significant power before implementation.

Now, without money and power, it’s better to stick to talisman crafting, make money, and grow stronger.

Seeing that it’s getting close to evening outside, Lu Changsheng left the Talisman Shop.

He planned to buy some puppet-making materials.

Though the costs were high, having the craft deserved at least giving it a try.

If nothing else, he could make them into toys for his children.

Lu Changsheng didn’t go to the nearby rogue cultivator market for materials.

A trip there would have him trekking until dark before finishing.

After half a quarter of an hour,

Lu Changsheng reached the Cloud Peak Trading Company.

This shop, opened by the Azure Cloud Sect itself, had seven floors and was extremely luxurious.

They sold pills, Artifacts, techniques, Natural Treasures, and many other items, with quality assurance.

Lu Changsheng entered the Cloud Peak Trading Company and purchased materials for crafting both a First-Tier lower puppet and a First-Tier middle puppet.

He also bought some materials for practicing the Hundred Refined Body Technique.

Although refining with the Black Dragon Pearl made progress swift,

he still devoted half an hour each day to practicing the Hundred Refined Body Technique.

Ultimately, Lu Changsheng bought everything he needed, spending 236 Spirit Stones.

This only worsened his already not well-off situation.

His trip to the White Jade Tower would be postponed yet again.

Leaving the Cloud Peak Trading Company, Lu Changsheng passed by the ‘Thousand Mechanism Pavilion’, a shop selling puppets.

He went in to inquire about the prices of puppets.

The shopkeeper told him that different puppets had different functionalities and effects, leading to price variations even among the same tier.

Then he shared a rough estimate of puppet prices.

A First-Tier lower puppet cost about 70 to 80 Spirit Stones.

A First-Tier middle puppet priced around 300 Spirit Stones.

A First-Tier upper puppet approximated 1,100 Spirit Stones.

A First-Tier top puppet was roughly around 3,000 Spirit Stones.

After hearing the prices, Lu Changsheng took his leave.

It wasn’t that the prices were too high; he wanted to gauge what the puppets could sell for.

For such prices, Lu Changsheng could only say that puppetry certainly made money,

yet compared to talisman crafting, it was meager earnings.

Of course, if achieved with the concept of an assembly line, it would be another matter entirely.

Having purchased the materials, Lu Changsheng didn’t return to the Talisman Shop but went straight home.

After all, today a child was being born at home, so it’d be best to return early to see him.

Upon reaching home, Lu Changsheng checked on his newborn, holding him while sitting leisurely in the courtyard.

Being able to hold the child and sit peacefully in the courtyard was a form of relaxation for Lu Changsheng.

Of course, as long as the child didn’t cry.

After meditating for a while, Baihe came over to report that Xia Long next door was visiting.

Hearing this, Lu Changsheng immediately got up, handing the child over to Baihe and went to greet him with a smile.

This neighbor was a major customer of his.

Every few months, he came to buy talismans, specifically High-Grade ones.

This was a rather stable source for talisman sales.

“Daoist Xia, are you preparing to go exploring again?”

Lu Changsheng entered the hall, seeing Xia Long, and spoke.

He remembered that Xia Long had returned not too long ago.

“Yes, I’m already fifty years old. If I don’t strive now, there won’t be any chance left.”

“Besides, I have a son and a daughter at home, just starting their cultivation journey.”

Xia Long sighed as he spoke.

Lu Changsheng understood that when Xia Long mentioned striving now, he meant attempting Foundation Establishment.

There’s a saying in the cultivation world.

The last chance for a cultivator to attempt Foundation Establishment is at sixty.

After sixty, the body begins to decline.

The probability of success decreases, and the risks increase.

For Foundation Establishment is no trivial matter.

Failure could lead to injuries or regression of cultivation.

At worst, damaged meridians could result in becoming a cripple or even death.

“What kind of talismans does Daoist Xia need this time?”

Lu Changsheng chose not to dwell on the topic but asked instead.

“Does Daoist Lu have Thunder Summoning Talismans, Golden Light Shield Talismans, Willow Dew Talismans, and Hundred Mile Escape Talismans?”

Xia Long inquired.

“I have a few of each kind. How many of each does Daoist Xia need?”

Lu Changsheng inquired calmly.

“Do you have two or three Thunder Summoning Talismans?”

Xia Long asked.

“I happen to have three. If you need them, I can sell them all to you, as my inventory will resupply them next month.”

Lu Changsheng replied.

This was naturally a lie.

The talismans sold to Xia Long were drawn for his own protection.

He had more than a hundred High-Grade Talismans.

And almost fifty Top-Tier Talismans.

The reason for not creating more talismans was that time was limited.

Additionally, except for self-defense, there was currently no secure sales channel.

With material costs in mind, stockpiling wasn’t practical.

“Thanks, Daoist Lu. Besides the three Thunder Summoning Talismans, I’ll need one of each of the other three talismans.”

Xia Long said.

“You’re buying an impressive amount of talismans this time, Daoist Xia. Is your destination particularly dangerous?”

“I also have my defensive Thunder Light Talisman. If you need, I can sell it to you.”

Since he was short on cash, and Xia Long was a longstanding neighbor, Lu Changsheng felt he could sell him a couple of Top-Tier Talismans.

Besides, he did possess a Thunder Light Talisman given by the Fourth Elder, so it made sense.

“Oh? Daoist Lu has a Top-Tier Talisman? How much would it cost?”

Xia Long’s face lit up hearing this.

“This was for my personal protection, courtesy of an elder. If Daoist Xia needs it, consider it an early sale of next month’s store offerings.”

“The price is the same as the store’s, 220 Spirit Stones.”

Lu Changsheng said.

“Great, many thanks, Daoist Lu.”

Xia Long agreed immediately with a cupped fist.

Top-Tier Talismans were not easy to buy in Jiulong Market.

Hearing one was available, naturally, he wanted to purchase it.

“Daoist Xia, you’re too kind.”

Lu Changsheng took out seven talismans from his storage bag and said: “In total, 490 Spirit Stones, but just give me 450.”

He always offered Xia Long a discounted price.

This was partly why Xia Long consistently sought him for talismans.

Not only was the source stable, but the talismans were assured to be of quality at a favorable price.

“Alright, thank you, Daoist Lu.”

Xia Long responded promptly.

He took out 450 Spirit Stones from his storage bag and then left.

Lu Changsheng saw him to the door, humming cheerfully: “As expected, talismans are the real deal! Forget being a puppeteer, even a dog wouldn’t do it, ptooey!”

The seven talismans: six High-Grade talismans, with costs around 15 Spirit Stones.

And a Top-Tier Thunder Light Talisman costing about 7 Spirit Stones.

A total cost of 22 Spirit Stones, yet sold for 450 Spirit Stones, yielding over 20 times profit!

Not something puppetry could compete with.

“I can hit the White Jade Tower tomorrow.”

Lu Changsheng thought, satisfied with his earnings.

He still had over 200 Spirit Stones, plus these 450, allowing him to seek one or two high-quality female cultivators.

All the while hoping, in his heart, that Daoist Xia returned safely.

Otherwise, he’d lose a stable customer.

The next day, Lu Changsheng carried Spirit Stones to the White Jade Tower.

Familiar with the path, he spent 580 Spirit Stones to purchase two maidservants.

One with a Ninth-Tier Spirit Root, the other with an Eighth-Tier Spirit Root.

Both were pitiful individuals with excellent appearances and figures.

Lu Changsheng detested seeing such pitiful people.

Originally, his Spirit Stones could’ve purchased someone with a Seventh-Tier Spirit Root.

But he decided to buy two instead.

For both quality and quantity!

Just like before, he needed to wait for notice from the White Jade Tower.

“Sigh, the White Jade Tower truly is a money sink, next time I have money, I should first buy Second-Tier talisman materials.”

Lu Changsheng sighed as he exited the White Jade Tower, shaking his head.

In a blink, more than half a month passed.

Lu Changsheng’s forty-first child was born.

And at this point, Lu Changsheng prepared to return home.

Because the Lu Family’s Spiritual Measurement Ceremony would start in around ten days.

Lu Ping’an, Lu Wuyou, Lu Wuyu, and Lu Xile were to participate.

Though he knew the results, these four attending had no Spirit Roots.

Nonetheless, it was their first Spiritual Measurement Ceremony.

As their father, he had to return to see for himself.

“Will I encounter trouble going home alone this time?”

Lu Changsheng wondered on his way.

Avoiding unwanted attention for his leisurely activities at the market.

Disguised, he transformed into an unremarkable dark-skinned young man.

“