The talisman paper was no larger than a palm, yet remarkably thick. Otherwise, paper made from ordinary spirit plants would never withstand much spiritual power; the talisman's strength would be compromised from the start.
Ji An sorted through the smooth, resilient sheets, the smile on his lips never fading.
After seven or eight days of effort, all of the talisman grass had been turned into talisman paper.
The improvement in the grass's quality directly increased both the output and the number of mid-grade sheets.
In the past, one mu of talisman grass could produce about two hundred sheets of talisman paper, with fewer than thirty percent reaching mid-grade quality.
Now, one mu yielded around two hundred and fifty sheets, with sixty percent being mid-grade.
This result far surpassed the level of other spirit farmers, raising his craft to an entirely new tier.
At this moment, Ji An finally confirmed it: just through talisman-making alone, he could quickly accumulate enough spirit stones to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Setting aside the sheets in his hands, Ji An began calculating.
Roughly two thousand one hundred sheets of mid-grade paper. Without delaying his cultivation or farming, he could at most inscribe forty talismans a day.
To consume all that paper, he would need over fifty days.
At a sixty percent success rate, he could complete more than twelve hundred talismans.
But then, a very practical problem struck him: he could only inscribe Geng Metal Talismans and Water-Curtain Talismans. While their quality was high, neither was among the top-selling varieties.
Many cultivators bought them only because the talismans they truly wanted were sold out, just like Chen Moxuan's squad, whose purchase had only come after witnessing their power firsthand.
When he had produced only a small quantity, demand wasn't an issue. But now, with so many talismans flooding the market, how much could Wei Songnian's single sales channel realistically absorb?
The thought gave Ji An a headache.
With all the talisman grass already processed and nothing pressing left to do, he left his spirit-seeking rat to guard the courtyard, mounted his talisman bird, and flew toward the Bihai Market.
Wei Songnian, upon seeing him, carefully sensed the faint spiritual pressure leaking from Ji An's body. His brows lifted, and joy spread across his face.
"In just a few dozen days apart, Junior Brother has already reached the ninth layer of Qi Refining. Truly worth congratulating!
Ah… seeing you advance so fiercely and swiftly really leaves me feeling ashamed."
A high-quality customer cultivation rise was certainly something to celebrate. After all, greater cultivation meant faster detoxification from pill impurities, and that meant more pills sold.
"Senior Brother reached the ninth layer of Qi Refining two years ago. I can only look up at your back from afar."
Ji An did not take pride in his accomplishment. He knew that reaching this stage had cost him far more spirit stones than Wei Songnian had ever needed.
After a round of mutual flattery, Ji An asked,
"Senior Brother, in the next two months, how many Geng Metal and Water-Curtain Talismans can you take off my hands?"
Wei Songnian wasn't sure why the question was posed, but calculated seriously before answering:
"Water-Curtain Talismans sell a bit faster, about two hundred over two months. Geng Metal Talismans, one hundred and thirty at most."
He paused, then added:
"Now that Junior Brother has reached the ninth layer of Qi Refining, with even greater reserves of spiritual power, are you planning to increase your talisman production?"
This was, in truth, a good thing. Ji An's talismans now had a base of steady customers, and his previous supply had never reached saturation.
Yet his heart immediately sank, and he gave a wry smile.
"Yes. I'm preparing to draw several dozen talismans every day."
Wei Songnian's eyelids twitched. In an instant, he understood what Ji An meant, and his expression turned apologetic.
"If Junior Brother were inscribing talismans like the Golden Armor Talisman or the Explosive Flame Talisman, and if their quality matched that of your Water-Curtain Talismans, then selling five hundred a month wouldn't be a problem.
But Geng Metal and Water-Curtain Talismans simply aren't mainstream."
Ji An pondered for a moment before asking in a low voice:
"Senior Brother, do you have connections with all of the sect's markets?"
Besides its original trading points, the sect had opened four more outposts among the surrounding mountains.
If Wei Songnian had dealings at all these locations, then it meant the sect's sphere of influence could not absorb Ji An's entire supply. He would have no choice but to look outward.
"I wouldn't dare say all of them," Wei replied. "But I exchange goods with several acquaintances, and your talismans are already being sold in most of the sect's markets.
That said, I have less business with the official shops. Even then, their purchases of Geng Metal and Water-Curtain Talismans are limited."
"If Junior Brother wants to sell such talismans in bulk, you'll need to open a market beyond the sect. Azure Cloud Immortal City is the best choice.
In fact, in a few days, the sect will be sending a flying boat there to deliver goods. If you have the time, you might go along. Otherwise, you'll have to wait another month."
Ji An asked,
"How long does the sect's flying boat take for a round trip? And can one actually buy passage?"
"Only three days. It departs at dawn and arrives that same evening, stays one day, then returns. The schedule is tight.
A one-way trip costs three spirit stones. Round trip, five spirit stones will suffice."
Wei Songnian smiled as he explained the details.
The truth was that the fare went straight into the pocket of the steward who managed the flying boat. As long as one paid, there would always be a place. At most, when the boat was crowded, one simply had to squeeze.
Most of the passengers were disciples like Wei Songnian, engaged in business.
They took the sect's flying boat outbound, and on the return, if they missed the departure, they would travel together through smaller markets along the way.
Three days later, at the very beginning of the Yin hour, Ji An left his courtyard. Using the faint starlight to find his bearings, he flew southeast.
The distant ridges vanished into the night, his thin figure swallowed by the vast darkness.
As dawn approached, rosy light spread across the horizon. Vast bronze-colored clouds unfurled across the heavens like a silent sea. Far-off peaks etched dark silhouettes against the sky, and the outlines of temples and sweeping eaves could be faintly seen along the mountainsides.
Moments later, a golden sun leapt above the horizon, gilding countless valleys and ravines as though the world itself had been cast in gold.
The brilliance washed over all, chasing away the last shadows like a retreating tide.
Bathed in light and wind, Ji An could not hold back a long, soaring cry to the sky; the mountains echoed back in resonance.
Another half-hour of flying brought him to the departure site just as the Mao hour approached.
Ji An shook his head lightly. Once he had enough spirit stones, he swore he would buy a flying boat or tame a flying beast.
No, when the time came, with enough stones, why choose? He would have both.
Before him, a flying boat over twenty zhang long, its hull etched with cloud patterns, rested across the mountainside platform. Dozens of people stood scattered across its deck.
Ji An slowly descended near the leading Foundation Establishment cultivator. Stepping forward, he bowed respectfully and presented a gray cloth pouch.
"Martial Uncle, I would like to accompany the sect's flying boat to Azure Cloud Immortal City."
The cultivator wore a black Daoist robe. His face was lean and aged, hair as white as snow, yet his back was straight as a silver pine upon the mountain.
Taking the pouch, he felt the weight of five spirit stones. His stern features softened slightly.
With practiced ease, he slipped the stones into his storage pouch and handed Ji An a jade token.
"Three days hence, at the start of the Chen hour, the flying boat will depart from the eastern platform of Azure Cloud Immortal City. Do not miss the time."
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