Immortality and cultivation: Heaven rewards diligence, and success is inevitable.

A month later, Jiang Shi, by transforming himself into a cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining, was making a name for himself in the market for rogue cultivators.

"Senior Li, you've finally arrived!" a Qi Refining Stage 7 cultivator called out to Jiang Shi.

"You brat, you're eyeing my mid-grade first-rank spirit talisman again, aren't you?" Jiang Shi said with a smile to the cultivator on the street, pretending to be a senior.

"Alas, senior, this time it was Lord Liu who ordered me to see you. You must help me!" the cultivator pleaded with Jiang Shi.

After Jiang Shi changed his form, he appeared to outsiders to have the cultivation level of the ninth level of the Qi Refining stage. Apart from Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, no one could see through his cultivation level.

Naturally, he became bolder and spent the entire month setting up a stall to sell talismans.

Occasionally, he would take out some mid-grade first-level spirit talismans, which would be snatched up instantly.

After several transactions, he got to know Zhou Ping, a patrol guard in the Sanxiu Market.

"The market manager you mentioned, Liu Yue, I heard he has the cultivation of the tenth level of Qi Refining, the Great Perfection stage," Jiang Shi asked tentatively.

If it's just Qi Refining stage cultivation, that's fine. As long as it's not Foundation Establishment stage, even if it's the tenth level of Qi Refining stage, he's not afraid.

"Of course, Lord Liu is only one Foundation Establishment Pill away from reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. Only with this level of cultivation can he manage this market for rogue cultivators!"

"Senior Li, Lord Liu must have something important to discuss with you. Could you please help me and go see him?" Zhou Ping said urgently.

Jiang Shi thought it wouldn't hurt to go and take a look. Since he was in this market town for independent cultivators, he would definitely have some contact with the market's management in the future.

Getting in touch sooner might be helpful in the future.

Jiang Shi wasn't worried about whether his identity would be discovered.

This "Hundred Illusions and Thousand Faces Technique" is a supreme skill of a Golden Core cultivator; even the first level is a high-grade Xuan-level technique.

It's not something a Qi Refining stage cultivator can see through.

"Since you've said so, there's no harm in going to take a look. But next time, if there's any good wine..." Jiang Shi stroked his beard, pretending to be an old drunkard.

"Don't worry, I'll definitely save the best wine for you." Zhou Ping was immediately relieved when he heard Jiang Shi say this, and assured Jiang Shi.

It's not that Jiang Shi likes to drink; it's just that this market for rogue cultivators often sells some spirit wine.

That spirit wine has the miraculous effect of clearing the meridians and enhancing cultivation, and it is always in short supply.

Jiang Shi established a relationship with Zhou Ping through a mid-grade first-rank spirit talisman, and bought it from him several times with very good results.

He is about to break through to the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage.

If I drink it again, I'll be able to break through.

Zhou Ping led Jiang Shi to the door of the most luxurious house in the Sanxiufang market.

Liu Yue had been waiting there for a long time.

"Master Li, I have long admired your name, and seeing you today, I can confirm that your reputation is well-deserved." Upon their first meeting, Liu Yue was very respectful to Jiang Shi.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, you flatter me. I haven't yet mastered second-grade spirit talismans, so I dare not call myself a talisman-making master," Jiang Shi said, shaking his head with slight regret.

"Master Li, you can consistently produce mid-grade first-rank spirit talismans, so making low-grade second-rank spirit talismans should be a piece of cake for you. It's just that you don't have the inheritance for second-rank spirit talismans."

"And I have this second-grade spirit talisman inheritance here."

Liu Yue's words delighted Jiang Shi, but he quickly calmed down, realizing that there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Liu Yue's actions must have a purpose.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, let's get straight to the point. What do you mean by that?" Jiang Shi said calmly, his tone revealing no emotion whatsoever.

"As expected of Master Li, so direct and straightforward. Come in, please come in. I've already prepared food and wine; let's eat and chat."

Jiang Shi followed Liu Yue inside, where a table laden with food and wine came into view.

What surprised Jiang Shi most about this dish and wine was that this whole table was actually made of spiritual food and wine.

It's clear that this table holds at least three spirit stones.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, this is truly a fine touch," Jiang Shi exclaimed.

He had never tasted such food and wine at Qingyun Sect. As expected of a rogue cultivator managing the market, he was truly generous.

"Only spiritual food and spiritual wine are worthy of Master Li," Liu Yue said generously with a smile.

Jiang Shi dared not eat or drink for a moment, as he was somewhat wary.

Having managed the market for decades, Liu Yue naturally knew what Jiang Shi was thinking.

He clapped his hands gently, and two beautiful young women walked in from outside, standing on either side of Jiang Shi, adding water and pouring wine for him.

"Master Li, I won't keep you in suspense any longer. The reason I've come to recruit you is to have you join our Liu family and help us create talismans."

"Of course, the reward is this second-grade spirit talisman inheritance." Liu Yue took out a stone slip and gently placed it on the table.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shi remained silent for a moment before asking:

"I wonder how many spirit talismans need to be submitted each month?"

Jiang Shi was in charge of making talismans at Qingyun Sect, so he naturally did not object to making talismans for others.

It's nice to rest in the shade of a big tree.

Moreover, the other party also offered a second-grade talisman-making inheritance, which was exactly what he needed.

"Not many, just three low-grade second-rank spirit talismans and ten mid-grade first-rank spirit talismans per month will suffice."

"I can buy it at market price."

A second-grade low-level spirit talisman possesses the power of an early Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, something that a small power like the Liu family, which lacks a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, would dream of.

In the market, second-grade spirit talismans are things that are expensive but unavailable.

Even if a family has it, they would keep it as a trump card and wouldn't sell it.

Jiang Shi thought to himself that this matter was very promising. Second-grade spirit talisman inheritances were hard to obtain, but now they could be obtained almost for free.

"Twenty years ago, I, being proud and arrogant, would not have given up my freedom to agree to this. But now I am old and frail, so be it. I will have to trouble Fellow Daoist Liu from now on."

Jiang Shi picked up his wine glass, took a sip of the spirit wine, and drank it all in one go.

Upon seeing this, Liu Yue burst into laughter.

The two began to chat, clinking glasses and exchanging toasts.

After drinking, a beautiful young woman walked in holding a spirit contract.

It stated that Jiang Shi needed to make talismans for the Liu family for ten years, and that the inheritance of second-grade spirit talismans could not be passed on to outsiders.

Jiang Shi accepted the spiritual contract, signed his name without changing his expression, and left behind the completed spiritual contract.

Liu Yue's smile widened when he saw Jiang Shi sign the spiritual contract.

He pointed enthusiastically to the two beautiful young women beside Jiang Shi and said to Jiang Shi.

"Master Li, these two are my Liu family daughters. Today, I will give them to you as maids to serve you in your daily life."

This is a common practice in the cultivation world, where people use their children to win over retainers.

The head of the talisman-making hall of Qingyun Sect is an example of this; he married into the Lu family and obtained a second-grade low-level spirit talisman.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shi shook his head and resolutely refused.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, I am devoted to the Dao and have no interest in women. I appreciate your kindness."

With other people around, his true colors might be exposed.

He certainly wouldn't make that mistake.

Although Jiang Shi refused, Liu Yue still forced one of the maids to stay.

Liu Yue's attitude was firm, and Jiang Shi couldn't refuse.