When the clone arrived at Cheng Qian's residence, he was lounging on the platform before the cave, and watching the sunset.
He took the storage pouch without even looking. He already knew what was inside.
The clone pulled over a chair and sat beside him. It was time to review the plan and polish the next steps.
"Make some time to check the Scripture Pavilion for a good cultivation method suited to a four spiritual root. You also need to speed up the cultivation. Once you go back, absorb the spirit stones. Show off your talent and stir up everyone's desire for Xu Luoshui. Only then can we blend in and move freely," Cheng Qian said.
He already had a general plan in mind. First, he would use his clone's identity to start a small business. Then, he'd put together a fancy presentation, sell the concept, and trick the major families into investing.
Loose cultivators and outer sect disciples barely had a few spirit stones to spare.
"It's better to focus on perfumes and women's clothing. Easy to handle and quick to get results. With hunger marketing, we'll turn perfume and clothing into luxury items within Lingyun Sect. Give them unique value. Then, using influence, open official stores in the various marketplaces."
He had hesitated before between direct management and franchising. Franchising would allow him to cash in on fees and bulk orders at the end. But thinking ahead, he decided to invest and treat it as bait.
"Once all that's in place, we can package the numbers, wrap it all up, and scam spirit stones."
Playing the seductress and digging around in lovesick men's storage bags might also get a few spirit stones. Or maybe the clone could be sold off for a good price, marry into someone's family as a Dao Companion. That could bring in a hefty sum too.
With his previous life's experience, Cheng knew exactly how to accumulate capital fast.
Now, he had crafted a massive plan tailored for the cultivators of Lingyun Sect.
The key was to let the clone keep building influence. The more people he could reach, the more impact he'd have on the families behind those inner disciples.
When all those people got involved, it would be a feast of spirit stones.
Cheng Qian and his clone took turns going over the plan's outline, spotting loopholes and improving the details bit by bit.
All that was left was for Yu Dazhi and Xiao Wenchuan to start fighting. Then, Cheng Qian could launch the whole scheme.
******
"Did you hear? Chief Xiao is apparently involved with that newly joined female cultivator, Xu Luoshui."
"Huh? I heard Junior Sister Xu is actually entangled with that kid from the Yu family. Senior Brother Xiao even caught them red-handed."
"No way. Junior Sister Xu didn't look like that kind of person."
"Heh, who knows. I heard from another senior that he once caught Senior Brother Wan and Junior Sister Xu having a secret meeting too."
"Doesn't Senior Brother Wan already have a dao companion?"
"Indeed."
Groups of inner sect disciples were whispering in corners. The hottest gossip lately was all about Xu Luoshui and Xiao Wenchuan. Everyone else involved was barely mentioned.
The clone overheard some of it while she was on her way to visit Mu Qingling.
But she didn't care.
She understood public opinion well. The fastest, crudest way to tear down a girl's reputation was to start a sex rumor.
In her previous world, that might've come with consequences. Here, it cost nothing.
This kind of rumor spread easily, passed from mouth to mouth. It was nearly impossible to trace the origin. Completely hidden.
And rumors like this, by the time someone could clear their name, it was usually too late. Even if one had rock-solid proof, the damage was already done.
They spread too fast, drew too much attention, and sparked wild imaginations. People filled in the blanks themselves, and the image stuck.
Even if one slapped them with facts, most would still keep a sliver of doubt deep inside.
One's pure reputation would crack and crumble. There'd be no fixing it. But Xu Luoshui didn't mind. Being infamous was still being famous. A ruined name was still a loud one.
Even if the rumors painted her as shameless, flirtatious, and unrestrained. Would the very cultivators spreading that moral outrage still want a night with her?
There was no doubt about the answer.
******
Inside Mu Qingling's Residence.
"Senior Sister Qingling, come take a look. I made this perfume for you."
"This? Perfume? What's it for?"
Xu Luoshui helped Mu Qingling dab a little onto her clothing.
The latter blushed slightly from her touch. Cultivators had strong control over their bodies, and the clone had 'accidentally' touched a rather sensitive spot.
After finishing up, she clapped her fair little hands.
"See? Just like that. Smell it. Isn't it nice?"
Mu Qingling raised her arm and gave it a sniff. "Mm, this scent is actually quite good. But applying it like this is a bit..."
"This is just temporary. Once I finalize the perfume, I'll have someone help me craft a spray device. That'll make things much easier."
"You added clarity incense in here too?"
"Yup. You're amazing for picking up on that."
"You should spend more time on your cultivation."
Though she said that, Mu Qingling wasn't too worried about Xu Luoshui's progress.
She herself had a high-grade single spiritual root, knowing well how terrifyingly fast that kind of cultivation could be. And her Junior Sister's talent was even greater than hers.
She only reminded her out of care.
"By the way, have you heard any bad rumors inside the sect?"
"What rumors?" Xu Luoshui put on a clueless expression.
"Oh, then never mind. Just make sure to focus on your cultivation for now. As for this... this thing you're working on..."
"Perfume."
"Right, perfume. Work on it after you reach the Qi Refining realm. Once you've got spiritual power, a lot of things will be much easier, won't they?"
"Mm-hmm. I'll listen to you, Senior Sister. I'll start cultivation as soon as I get back."
"And what about your cousin? How are you planning to deal with him?"
Xu Luoshui held up the porcelain bottle and gave it a little shake. "I made this perfume to earn spirit stones. I'll give him some to support his cultivation."
"That's not a bad idea."
They chatted a bit more about cultivation, then Xu Luoshui left the perfume with Mu Qingling and took her leave.
On her way back, various gazes followed her.
Some shook their heads. Some nodded in approval. Some looked like they wanted to devour her. Some were filled with disdain but still burned with desire.
The Yu family... really did put in the work. If the chance came, she'd have to thank them properly. Sincerely.
Back at her cave, she activated the formation and began cultivation. It was time. She had to enter the Qi Refining stage and finally show some of her talent. Let everyone see.
She needed to push those ambitious cultivators to make their bets. If they waited too long and she reached Foundation Establishment, it would be too late.
Sitting cross-legged in her cultivation chamber, she glanced at the small qi-gathering formation. Unfortunately, it didn't work for her.
She really wanted to rip it out and send it to her original body, but it was part of the main cave formation, so she had to give up the thought.
She poured out the spirit stones from her storage bag. The small mountain of stones was her earnings from the past stretch of time.
There were over 3,000 stones. That was almost everything a regular late-stage Qi Refining cultivator would own.
A single Foundation Establishment pill only cost a bit over 10,000.
Too bad this kind of income wasn't stable and was far too slow. Otherwise, she wouldn't bother with making perfume or sketching those clothing designs.
Once the perfume business got going, she'd have to find someone to make the clothes.
Perfume was easy. Even with her mortal body, she could produce it. She'd picked some lightly fragrant ornamental spiritual flowers, distilled and extracted their essential oils.
Then she took a large amount of common wine, distilled it into strong alcohol to use as a solvent, and mixed it well with the oils.
She added clarity incense and other energy-lifting ingredients, let the mixture sit, filtered it, adjusted the strength with spiritual spring water, and added a bit of spiritual honey to make the scent last longer. That was it.
Good enough for now. Once her cultivation improved, she'd hand the process off to others and use this world's magic to scale production.
For example, purifying essential oils—alchemists could probably do that easily.
The main goal right now was to let Mu Qingling spread the word that this perfume was her creation.
She just had to wait for things to unfold.
The spirit stones in her hand turned to ash one by one. The small mountain visibly shrank at a rapid pace.
******
While Xu Luoshui cultivated, Xiao Wenchuan appeared outside the cave. Seeing the formation active, he understood she must be in seclusion.
"Hmph. The Yu family really has their methods. Junior Sister Luoshui must have gone into seclusion to avoid all this. In that case, don't blame me for what comes next."