Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 106 - 104: Master Zhang Opens His Shop

One year later.

Zhang Yao had thoroughly integrated his knowledge of Spirit Patterns, Talismans, and Arrays, greatly advancing his skills, and was preparing to open a shop.

In the Mang Mountain Marketplace, the annual rental for a fixed shop was thirty Spirit Stones, or it could be purchased directly for two thousand Spirit Stones, with a validity period of one hundred years.

Zhang Yao assumed the pseudonym "Zhang Qing," fabricated a place of origin, and then chose to rent for five years at the marketplace management office, spending a considerable amount of Spirit Stones to purchase materials for making Talismans.

The next day, Zhang Yao’s shop opened for business.

The demand for High grade Talismans was significant. Upon hearing about the new shop’s opening, quite a number of Cultivators showed up in the initial wave.

Zhang Yao’s skills were reliable, and the quality of the High grade Spirit Talismans he crafted was dependable. He quickly gained fame and established a reputation at the Mang Mountain Marketplace.

Within just a few months, Zhang Yao’s small shop had amassed a group of regular customers. The steady stream of customers each day allowed him to earn substantial profits.

"Every month, after deducting the rent for the marketplace and the commission to be paid, I can net over thirty Spirit Stones."

"Over a year, that’s nearly four hundred Spirit Stones in revenue."

In the back of the shop, Zhang Yao counted his Spirit Stones with a satisfied expression.

Running a store, selling High grade Spirit Talismans, the speed at which he earned Spirit Stones far exceeded his previous experiences as a struggling lower-tier Talisman Master in Qingyunfang City.

As for being an Array Master, it’s a profession where opportunities don’t come often, but when they do, they are very rewarding. Up to this point, he hadn’t taken any jobs.

"The only pity is that there’s still no news about Celestial One Gold Water."

Zhang Yao felt a hint of regret at this thought.

He openly hung a purchase request outside his shop, stating his willingness to spend a significant amount to acquire Celestial One Gold Water, Thousand Year Jade Marrow, and several other rare Spiritual Objects.

His shop was located in the Mang Mountain Marketplace, where many Cultivators passed through, making it likely for them to see the notice. This method of purchase was far better than other channels like the Wei Kingdom’s Ruins Marketplace.

However, several months went by without any results.

"Thousand Year Jade Marrow was only put up there as a stroke of luck, not much hope was placed in acquiring it."

"The other rare Spiritual Objects, like the Thousand Year Jade Marrow, are nearly impossible to obtain from the Li Kingdom. They were listed to create some confusion, just in case."

"As for Celestial One Gold Water, it seems the Li Kingdom might not have any in stock currently; it’s a matter of waiting for new production..."

Zhang Yao pondered silently:

The best material for constructing the ’Vajra Mora Secret Spell Array’ is actually relics from Buddhist Cultivators, and only a small amount of powder is needed.

However, those who leave behind relics are at least Golden Core Realm Buddhist Cultivators, and he currently didn’t dare to hope for obtaining such precious Treasures. He could only settle for Celestial One Gold Water as an alternative.

Celestial One Gold Water, one of the Five Elements Essences, is a Spiritual Object generally required by those practicing Gold Element Techniques.

Celestial One Gold Water can occasionally be found deep within some Spirit Gold Ore Veins like Profound Iron, Wujin, and Refined Silver. While its tier isn’t high, demand is substantial, and stock is usually scarce.

"The Li Kingdom has Spirit Gold Ore Veins and produces Celestial One Gold Water, and my asking price isn’t low."

"If luck is on my side, I could acquire some in a few years; even if less fortunate, it shouldn’t take more than ten years."

Upon reaching this thought, Zhang Yao felt calmer and at ease.

The path is right ahead, just waiting for the right opportunity, and what he lacked the least was time and patience.

......

Eight years later.

One evening, a short, stout elder in rich clothing arrived at the Mang Mountain Marketplace.

Accompanying him were two young Cultivators, whose faces bore some resemblance to him, showing considerable respect towards him.

"Are you sure you haven’t made a mistake?"

The short and stout elder scrutinized the unassuming small shop in front of him, hesitating:

"Is the shopkeeper here really capable of setting up a Small Spirit Gathering Array?"

"Of course."

The young Cultivator on the left spoke up:

"The shopkeeper here, Master Zhang, has high proficiency in Talismans and Arrays, and some even regard him as the top Array Master below the Foundation Establishment in the Li Kingdom." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"He’s run his shop here for many years and has arranged Mountain Gate Arrays for several Noble Families and Sects, including the Small Spirit Gathering Array of course."

The stout elder, upon hearing this, relaxed his expression slightly, but then spoke with concern:

"But our family has just relocated, and the resources needed for the future are overwhelming."

"Requesting the help of an Array Master of this caliber could easily cost at least a thousand Spirit Stones..."

Sects, Noble Families, Alliances, and other collective organizations, despite their extensive operations, also consume resources significantly.

Just as late-stage Qi Refining Shopkeepers, although adept at earning money, also incur substantial expenses. The Spirit Stones and Spirit Pills consumed daily in cultivation are considerable.

"Fourth Granduncle need not worry."

The young Cultivator on the right chuckled and said:

"This Shopkeeper Zhang has been purchasing Celestial One Gold Water and Thousand Year Jade Marrow for years."

"If we use Celestial One Gold Water as compensation, I’m confident it won’t be difficult to engage his services, nor would it require many Spirit Stones."

"Oh?"

The stout elder’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he said:

"Then let’s go and meet Master Zhang."

"We still have quite a bit of Celestial One Gold Water in our treasury."

With that, he led the two young Cultivators to the shop.

Inside the shop, Zhang Yao greeted them and, after some conversation, learned the purpose of their visit, which brought him a sense of joy.

"After nearly ten years, there’s finally news of Celestial One Gold Water..."

Though pleased at heart, he maintained a difficult expression on his face:

"The market price of Celestial One Gold Water is only about one tael for fifty to sixty Spirit Stones."

"Offering fifteen taels of Celestial One Gold Water for me to set up a Grand Array is a bit low in price."

The stout elder, hearing this, couldn’t help but show a hint of embarrassment.

He knew that the Mountain Gate Array, this complex multi-component Array, often took months to complete and naturally demanded a high price.

He initially intended to take advantage of Zhang’s desire for Celestial One Gold Water to push the price lower.

But now... The stout elder steadied himself and said:

"Let’s do it this way then."

"How about twenty taels of Celestial One Gold Water?"

Zhang Yao, upon hearing this, was slightly surprised, unable to resist sizing up the stout elder a few times.

For the other party to offer as much as twenty taels of Celestial One Gold Water outright, they obviously held even more in their possession.

Yet, their family clearly had just moved to the Li Kingdom and didn’t seem to control a Spirit Gold Ore Vein, so this was evidently stockpiled, which was quite astonishing in quantity.

"Hmm..."

Zhang Yao pretended to ponder for a moment before finally speaking slowly:

"Twenty taels of Celestial One Gold Water, plus one hundred Spirit Stones, and it’s a deal."

"...Very well then."

The stout elder hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.

"Good, then it’s settled."

Zhang Yao subtly relaxed and revealed a slight smile.

Shortly after, Zhang Yao and the stout elder left the shop together, went to the management office of Mang Mountain Marketplace, and signed a notarized Magic Contract, formally establishing the transaction.

Upon returning to the shop, the atmosphere grew more harmonious. After finalizing the details of the cooperation, the stout elder and the two young Cultivators bid farewell and left.

After seeing them out, Zhang Yao turned to start preparing his things to arrange the Array.