I Cultivate Longevity in the Cultivation Realm-Chapter 84: Only the Wealthy Can Afford

"Has my spiritual power really increased again?"

The next day.

The first moment Zhou Changwang awoke, he perceived the change in his spiritual power.

It truly had become stronger.

Compared to before his sleep, it had become slightly more formidable.

Even though the change was very small, if not deliberately ’observed’, it would be almost imperceptible.

Yet, even the slightest, it was still spiritual power.

One must know, for ordinary cultivators, how difficult is it to enhance their spiritual power? Besides diligent training, leading to an increase as one’s cultivation level rises, there is practically no way.

Spirit Pills? Earth Treasures? Special spiritual power cultivation methods?

These are not things that ordinary low-tier cultivators can touch.

Such treasures are priceless.

Even relatively cheap corresponding Spirit Pills cost dozens to hundreds of Lower-Grade Spirit Stones.

As for their efficacy, opinions vary from person to person.

Only the wealthy can afford them. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

But now, Zhou Changwang has the ability to slowly increase his spiritual power through the ’Taiyi Atlas’, how could he not be pleased?

"A slight increase in a single day, then what about two days, three days, a month, half a year, a year?

As time passes, small increments accumulate, by then how strong will my spiritual power be?"

Zhou Changwang sighed, then quickly recalled that his father had previously mentioned the powerful abilities of Zhang Fenghua, the former owner of Taiyi Atlas, and his mastery of the talisman array method.

The so-called talisman array method uses talismans to form arrays, harnessing the complementary power of each talisman to unleash far greater power than the talisman itself or even the cultivator’s original strength.

To achieve this is no simple task.

Not only does it require certain array knowledge, it also requires powerful spiritual strength.

Because only under the control of spiritual power can talismans cooperate, forming formations, and after the spirit talismans are activated, can they transform into powerful attack capability, achieving victory from weakness with few against many.

Previously, he hadn’t grasped the concept quite clearly.

He only held the view that Zhang Fenghua was strong, but ultimately a Qi Refining Fifth Layer Cultivator, he couldn’t escape his father, the Innate Realm Martial Artist’s schemes, hardly worth much.

Now, having gained preliminary understanding of arrays, plus some achievements in talisman making, he naturally realizes the difficulty within.

And that the opponent could achieve this was undoubtedly due to the Taiyi Atlas.

Only relying on the Taiyi Atlas, which could enhance spiritual power, he managed to grasp the array path, set up a talisman array, and with his Qi Refining Fifth Layer cultivation, demonstrate power comparable to a top-notch Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer Practitioner, repelling the Ice and Fire Two-headed Wolf.

"However, the only downside of this Taiyi Atlas is that when my spiritual power is exhausted, I will fall into hours of sleep."

Zhou Changwang shook his head helplessly but certainly wouldn’t forsake utilizing the Taiyi Atlas for this.

At most, it could only be a blissful nuisance, hardly anything significant.

At least the courtyard is relatively safe.

Stepping out of the Cultivation Secret Room, daylight was already bright outside, with the sun high in the sky.

Zhou Changwang performed two sets of Celestial Essence Eight Techniques routinely before hastening to the backyard.

Fertilization Technique, Spirit Rain Skill, Thousand Thunder Flashes...

One magic after another was cast in rotation, as each spirit plant thrived and prospered.

Then, he once again came to the pavilion by the pond, studying the path of arrays.

...

Time passed in the blink of an eye.

Zhou Changwang walked silently on the street, employing the Concealing Breath Technique, minimizing his presence.

Indeed, the basic trust between people had vanished.

Throughout the journey, everyone’s gaze appeared extremely vigilant, as if prepared to fend off an attack at any moment.

Luckily, almost everyone behaved this way, not specifically targeting him alone.

"Zhou Talisman Master, you’ve arrived."

Fortunately, he quickly reached his destination, Talisman Inn.

As soon as he stepped inside, the inn’s owner, Wei Xingyuan, greeted him with a smile, saying.

"Boss Wei.

What’s happening outside? Everyone’s on edge?"

Zhou Changwang couldn’t help but ask.

"What can it be? The Tiger Shark Gang and Rakshasa Gang started fighting.

At first, it wasn’t too bad, with skirmishes on the marketplace’s outskirts, causing minor damage.

Three days ago, two members from each gang couldn’t hold back and fought inside the marketplace, alerting the Market Guards, who detained them."

"But the next day, it’s said the leaders of both gangs visited the Guard Mansion, and those two were released.

Yesterday alone, five additional conflicts erupted within the marketplace, with fatalities and injuries too."

"Today, at the Independent Cultivator Marketplace, there was a direct brawl with countless casualties."

Thus, those outside have grown wary, overly cautious."

"It seems like chaos is about to erupt in the marketplace again."

Speaking, a trace of helplessness appeared on Wei Xingyuan’s face.

This marketplace turmoil is most detrimental to those like him, who run a small shop.

Once chaos erupts, someone will inevitably take advantage of the disorder to rob.

Last time, if he hadn’t been quick-witted and hid these things in advance, the loss would have been substantial.

"Is the Workshop Master just going to let it be?"

Zhou Changwang found it hard to believe.

"Not exactly, it’s just that the Workshop Master happens to be away recently.

That’s why such things are happening.

But don’t worry, though there will surely be some minor disturbances in the marketplace, something like the last major chaos shouldn’t happen.

Just wait and see. Shops like mine might be fine, but those big stores within the marketplace all have powerful backers.

Some even belong to sect influences. The chaos of the previous night already displeased these powerhouses, and now seeing unrest rise again, someone is bound to step in."

Wei Xingyuan’s voice naturally quieted down a bit as he spoke.

He clearly had some insider information.

Zhou Changwang nodded, saying nothing but thinking of Shuiyun Pavilion, which he knew was an enterprise of the Shuiyun Immortal Sect, and Spirit Plant Hall and Beast Taming Workshop, which were Qingyuan Sect’s private properties. These two major sects certainly wouldn’t let their interests be harmed.

In front of these giants, the conflict between two cultivation clans must be carefully measured.

Minor disturbances are acceptable, but major chaos isn’t.

"Let’s hope it doesn’t affect us."

Zhou Changwang mused.

"Indeed."

Wei Xingyuan nodded. He had the same worries but soon changed the subject, asking, "What brings Zhou Talisman Master here this time?"

"Didn’t we agree last time for me to sell a batch of spirit talismans?

This is my harvest from the past half a month.

Fellow Daoist Wei, give it a valuation."

Zhou Changwang said with a smile.

He then took several stacks of spirit talismans out of his small bag. As before, the ratio of high-quality to regular talismans was maintained at one to two.

"Zhou Talisman Master’s talisman-making skills truly didn’t disappoint me, every spirit talisman is of very high quality.

Here are your spirit stones, a total of sixty-five lower-grade spirit stones, please accept them."

Wei Xingyuan made a quick count and then hurriedly handed over sixty-five lower-grade spirit stones.

"Why does the price seem a bit higher than last time?"

Zhou Changwang asked puzzledly.

The number of spirit talismans he provided was not much different from last time, but the spirit stones were noticeably more, which caused his confusion.

"Isn’t it because of the frequent chaos in the marketplace, the price of these spirit talismans has risen again.

As we are in a collaborative relationship, naturally I’m giving you a slightly higher price."

Wei Xingyuan said with a smile, then hesitated a bit before continuing, "However, seeing as the chaos in the marketplace isn’t likely to settle soon, if Zhou Talisman Master wants to earn more, I suggest refining more attack-type spirit talismans, like Thunder Talismans, Earth Arrow Talismans, which are relatively high-priced. Even normal quality ones sell for two lower-grade spirit stones, and high-quality talismans disappear as soon as they are priced at five lower-grade spirit stones.

Of course, most popular are still the first-tier middle-grade defense spirit talismans, Golden Shield Talismans, and Green Wood Shield Talismans, which are much easier to refine than attack-type talismans, but are priced above ten lower-grade spirit stones."

"How much for the method of refining the Golden Shield Talisman?"

Zhou Changwang hesitated slightly before asking.

He recalled buying a Golden Shield Talisman at the Hexagonal Pavilion before, which was priced at just five lower-grade spirit stones and played a great role in his battle with Wang Chang.

Now it’s actually over ten lower-grade spirit stones, and he was moved.

Not to mention, he wanted to improve his ’talisman-making’ skills, and refining more spirit talismans indeed required trying.

He believed that with his current talisman-making abilities, entering the first-tier middle-grade spirit talisman level wouldn’t be difficult.

"Fifteen lower-grade spirit stones, Zhou Talisman Master, do you want to buy it?"

Wei Xingyuan asked.

Zhou Changwang nodded and said, "I’ll also take a talisman pen, that first-grade middle-tier Golden Hero Talisman Pen you mentioned last time, which is priced exactly at forty lower-grade spirit stones."

The talisman pen he used before was a second-hand low-tier talisman pen exchanged by a loose cultivator, with frayed spirit-guiding hairs at the tip. Although it didn’t affect the success rate of his talisman-making, it somewhat reduced the probability of making high-quality talismans.

Therefore, he decided to switch to a first-grade middle-tier talisman pen, believing it would be more efficient.

As for the first-grade high-tier... he felt it was something he didn’t need yet, mainly since it was expensive as well.

...

After leaving the Talisman Inn, Zhou Changwang quickly arrived at another shop.

Shuiyun Pavilion.

He had heard from Qian Xiaoyue that she was about to start working at Shuiyun Pavilion while preparing for the sect’s admission test a year later.

Moreover, if nothing unexpected happened, his mother was originally supposed to join the Shuiyun Immortal Sect and become an inner disciple, which gave him a natural fondness for this sect.

However, his trip this time wasn’t to see Qian Xiaoyue.

He came to buy Eye-clearing Spiritual Liquid.

It’s worth mentioning that this Eye-clearing Spiritual Liquid is one of Shuiyun Pavilion’s specialties.

Other shops might sell it, but the quantity and price would surely be higher than at Shuiyun Pavilion, so he wouldn’t go out of his way to buy from elsewhere.

Upon entering Shuiyun Pavilion.

As expected, Qian Xiaoyue was not there. Her expertise lay in making talisman paper and the Fire-Control Fan, clearly not suitable for shop work.

He didn’t mind and directly approached a servant to inquire about the Eye-clearing Spiritual Liquid.