Chapter 63: Managing the Spiritual Talisman Shop_1

Translator: 549690339

“Hm? Changsheng, have you broken through to the Fourth Level Energy Refinement?”

At this moment, Fourth Elder noticed the change in Spiritual Power emanating from Lu Changsheng’s body, her face revealing a surprised yet delighted expression.

Although Lu Changsheng had used the Aura Concealment Technique to hide his internal Spiritual Power, his mastery of the technique was not profound, merely at the stage of basic proficiency.

After all, once he had learned the basics of these fundamental spells, he did not spend too much time or thought on them.

As Fourth Elder possessed the strength of the Ninth Level Energy Refinement, with careful observation, she could easily discern the changes in Lu Changsheng’s cultivation level.

“Yes, Changsheng just broke through to the Fourth Level Energy Refinement yesterday, so I came today to inform grandmother,” Lu Changsheng nodded and responded aloud.

“Good, good, I didn’t expect you to break through to the Fourth Level Energy Refinement so quickly, much faster than grandmother had anticipated,” Fourth Elder said as she sat down next to the chair, smiling.

“Tell me, grandmother,” said Lu Changsheng, somewhat puzzled.

What could someone at his level of Fourth Level Energy Refinement do?

“Our Lu Family has a Spiritual Talisman Shop in Nine Dragons Market, and I’ve been thinking of having you manage it,” Fourth Elder stated.

“Manage the Spiritual Talisman Shop?” Lu Changsheng was somewhat astonished upon hearing this.

Being a cultivation family, the Lu Family naturally had various sources of income.

For instance, the mountainous green Spiritual Bamboo and Biyu Spiritual Bamboo were among the family’s main sources of income.

The Spirit Rice, spirit vegetables, and Spiritual Medicine that they usually cultivated were also sold in the marketplaces in excess of their personal needs.

That’s why the Lu Family also had their own shops in some marketplaces.

He knew Nine Dragons Market was a large marketplace relatively close to Qingzhu Mountain, established by the dominant power in the area, the Qingyun Sect.

Having been with the Lu Family for so many years and entering its core circles, he had come to understand much more about the family’s affairs.

Families like the Lu Family of Qingzhu Mountain, although they claimed to be independent powers, were actually under the rule of the Qingyun Sect.

Every year, they were obliged to offer a tribute to the Qingyun Sect.

This was also why Lu Yuanding had been able to go to the Qingyun Sect’s mountains and recruit discarded disciples for marriage alliances.

If you were a power with no connections to the Qingyun Sect, would you dare to do such a thing?

Back when the Lu Family of Qingzhu Mountain and the Chen Family of Red Leaf Valley fought over the ownership of a Spirit Stone mine, both families’ Foundation Establishment Ancestors had taken action.

In the end, it was an elder of Qingyun Sect who intervened to mediate and called a halt to the conflict, telling both families to cease their fight.

Of course, the final verdict was that the Qingyun Sect took forty percent of the mine’s profits, leaving the remaining sixty percent to be evenly split between the Lu Family and the Chen Family, at thirty percent each.

When Lu Changsheng first heard about this, he couldn’t help but sigh, truly, power was the supreme rule.

The Lu and Chen families fought to the death over the Spirit Stone mine’s profits, and then the Qingyun Sect simply came and took away forty percent, with the two families daring not say a word.

The fact that this Spiritual Talisman Shop was located in Nine Dragons Market also indicated that among the Lu Family’s numerous shops, it was quite a decent one.

Unexpectedly, Fourth Elder was actually suggesting to put such a shop under his management.

“Yes, I had previously left Miaoge in charge of the Spiritual Talisman Shop,” Fourth Elder confirmed.

“But as you know, Miaoge has now been promoted to Middle Grade Talisman Master and is preparing to charge at the Seventh Level Energy Refinement, so she really doesn’t have the time or energy to spare.”

“That’s why I thought of letting you learn to manage it,” she continued.

“Your grandmother was somewhat apprehensive about you before, but now that you’ve broken through to the Fourth Level Energy Refinement, she feels much more at ease. Consider it a form of practice.”

“Once you’re familiar with it, grandmother will hand over the management of the Spiritual Talisman Shop to you directly.”

“The tasks are quite simple: keep an eye on the shop, replenish stock every month, and guide the apprentices occasionally.”

“During this period, your grandmother will also provide you with an additional stipend.”

The Fourth Elder picked up the tea, took a gentle sip, and spoke slowly.

“In the Lu Family, apart from Lu Changsheng, there are a total of three Talisman Masters.”

“Her, Lu Miaoge, and a Lu Family disciple who had recently advanced to an Elementary Talisman Master.”

“Now Lu Miaoge needs to concentrate on Talisman Making and spend time cultivating; she simply doesn’t have much leisure time to manage the shop.”

“That Lu Family disciple has only just become an Elementary Talisman Master, clearly not suitable.”

“And Lu Changsheng is not only a Middle Grade Talisman Master but also her grandson-in-law.”

“She has been quite satisfied with his performance over the past six months, essentially recognizing Lu Changsheng as one of her own.”

“So she thought of entrusting the shop to Lu Changsheng.”

“That would spare them the trouble of hiring a Talisman Master to preside over the shop.”

“And it would also give Lu Changsheng a chance to get involved with the Lu Family business, to gain experience and to have a look around outside.”

“After hearing the Fourth Elder’s words, Lu Changsheng’s first impulse was to refuse.”

“He just wanted to live a stable and low-key life in the Lu Family.”

“But with the Fourth Elder putting it that way, it would be hard for him to refuse when he had no good reason to do so.”

“After all, in a Cultivation Family like the Lu Family, members enjoy the benefits and treatment the Family provides.”

“At a certain age and level of power, they all have to contribute to the Family.”

“People like Lu Miaoge, who are talented and also possess an aptitude for Talisman Making, and who is the daughter of the Family Head, are no exception.”

“Since he married Lu Miaoyun, he was now considered a member of the Lu Family and naturally could not avoid such matters.”

“Moreover.”

“The Fourth Elder intended to entrust him with managing the Spiritual Talisman Shop, which was a kind gesture for his benefit.”

“It would not only bring him an additional income but also put him in charge of some business. He would get to know more things, and his status within the Lu Family would also rise significantly.”

“Changsheng will abide by grandmother’s arrangements,”

Lu Changsheng said after a moment of thought, bowing in response.

“He also understood that it was unrealistic for him to expect to stay in the Lu Family indefinitely without stepping outside or doing anything and still advance to Foundation Establishment.”

“Since that was the case, he might as well agree.”

“Nine Dragons Market, established by Qingyun Sect, was a large marketplace with Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators standing guard. Inside the market, few dared to cause trouble.”

“If he were to manage the Spiritual Talisman Shop, he wouldn’t need to worry too much about danger.”

“Furthermore, taking care of the shop would mean an extra source of income.”

“And with the thousands of talismans he had stored, he would find it easier to sell them.”

“When it came to buying materials for Cultivating the Hundred Refinements Treasure Body Art, it would be much more convenient.”

“In the past six months, during his talisman trade with Hong Yi’s appointed persons, he also asked Hong Yi to purchase materials on his behalf.”

“But it was not only time-consuming, the materials he needed were not always available, and the back-and-forth communications were extremely inconvenient.”

“If he went to Nine Dragons Market himself, buying whatever materials he wanted in the future would become very convenient.”

“The only downside was that life in Nine Dragons Market wouldn’t be as comfortable as it was now.”

“Without the benefits of a Second Grade Spiritual Vein and his wives not by his side, he would fall behind in childbearing.”

“However, if he went to the market, he could also look into taking a few ‘fairies’ with Spiritual Roots as concubines.”

“After all, when it comes to having children, especially those with Spiritual Roots, taking concubines is necessary.”

“Perhaps his useless Peach Blossom Gu might prove to be somewhat effective.”

“At the moment, Lu Changsheng felt that he hadn’t encountered any romantic luck simply because he never left the house, thus the ‘peach blossoms’ couldn’t find their way to him.”

“Alright, then it’s settled. When Miaoge returns in a few days, you’ll go with her,”

the Fourth Elder agreed with a smile.

“Yes, grandmother,”

Lu Changsheng nodded in agreement.

Afterwards, he took two boxes of Spirit Fruit pastries back home from the Fourth Elder’s house.