Mortal: Starting with the Golden Jade Book

Upon arriving at Wanfu Residence, Yan Ruyan quickly came to greet them.

"My husband, you've emerged from seclusion."

Yan Ruyan said happily.

"Hmm, you've broken through to the tenth level. How's the situation in the market?"

"The situation is alright. Although people are in a state of panic, at least it hasn't completely descended into chaos yet. But once these major sects have all withdrawn their forces in a few days, things will be hard to say."

As Yan Ruyan spoke, a hint of worry appeared on her face.

"My husband, what are we going to do now?"

"Don't worry, let's see how things change. Even if the demonic path takes over Yuanwu Kingdom, they can't really kill everyone. It's just that the market will change hands."

"However, if the situation becomes too chaotic, let's close the shop for now, go back to our cave and hide for a while, and come out again when things have calmed down outside."

"Well, that's the only way."

Lin Zui wandered around the shop for a while, replenished some of the out-of-stock talismans, and seeing that there wasn't much business for the time being, he said something to Yan Ruyan.

"I'm going out for a walk to check on the situation."

"Shall I go with you?"

"No need, you and Xiaomei stay in the shop and keep watch. I'll be back soon."

……

Lin Zui used the Returning Origin Technique to blend into his surroundings and observed the market.

There were quite a few people on the streets, even more than usual. Some of them were clearly not from Yuanwu Kingdom, judging from their clothes and attire. However, most of them were in a hurry, moving back and forth between the shops, and every now and then a quarrel would break out from somewhere.

"There's really a sense of unease among the people."

Lin Zui sighed.

Shaking his head, Lin Zui walked forward for a while and came to a tall pavilion. He looked up and saw the three large characters "Seven Star Pavilion".

Lin Zui didn't care. He had been running his shop here for more than half a year, so he naturally knew about this place. Years ago, he even attended a rare item auction at the Seven Star Tower in Qingfengfang, Yue Kingdom.

I admire the person behind the Seven Star Tower for being able to do business in the Yuanwu Kingdom, but I don't pay much attention to it.

Normally, the Seven Star Tower is open for business just like any other shop, but when the storm is brewing, it suddenly reveals its difference from other places.

Along the way, everyone Lin Zui saw was either in a hurry or had a serious and worried expression. Even the shop assistants were absent-minded when serving customers and would quarrel at the slightest disagreement.

However, the place was as usual. Whether it was the shopkeeper or the waiters, they all looked extremely relaxed and without any worry. They greeted people with smiles without any sign of reluctance, as if they didn't care at all about what might happen in the future.

"This place... seems interesting."

Lin Zui muttered something to himself, then walked into the building.

After entering the building, Lin Zui's feelings became even more pronounced. It was as if something inexplicable separated him from the uneasy atmosphere outside, bringing him peace.

However, Lin Zui was quite certain that this was not a formation, because he could not sense even the slightest fluctuation of a formation.

Lin Zui wandered around the building a few times, but because of the Guiyuan Technique, no one noticed him and naturally no one came up to greet him.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Zui stopped his cultivation technique. Not long after, a middle-aged man who looked like a shopkeeper in his fifties or sixties walked over.

"Greetings, fellow Daoist. I am Ye Changqing. Judging from your expression, you don't seem to be here to buy anything. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Lin Zui bowed.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Ye. My surname is Lin. I just noticed that the atmosphere in your building is quite different from others, and out of curiosity, I couldn't help but come in to take a look. I apologize for being so presumptuous."

"Oh, so what did Fellow Daoist Lin think after reading it?"

Ye Changqing did not show any dissatisfaction upon hearing this, and looked at Lin Zui with a smile and asked.

"The atmosphere is peaceful, as usual. Fellow Daoist and the other staff members in the shop also appear relaxed, seemingly unconcerned about the demonic invasion. I wonder why?"

Ye Changqing laughed heartily.

"It seems that Fellow Daoist Lin doesn't know much about our Seven Star Tower. But that's normal. If your cultivation were higher and you traveled more in the southern countries, you might understand the reasons behind it."

"Oh?"

Lin Zui seemed to be deep in thought.

"Actually, it's not like I haven't been to other countries before. I visited a Seven Star Pavilion in Qingfengfang, Taiyue Mountains, Yue Kingdom, and even participated in a rare item auction. From what you're saying, fellow Daoist, could it be that your pavilion is a powerful force spanning multiple countries in the southern region?"

"Hehe, we can't really be called a major power. Our Seven Star Tower is self-contained and does not participate in any power struggles. We just focus on doing business. So all the major powers will give us face. No matter whether this Tianxing Sect Market belongs to the Demonic Path or some other power in the future, our Seven Star Tower will eventually have a place."

Ye Changqing spoke calmly, but the confidence in his words truly surprised Lin Zui.

Although the other party did not say it explicitly, even a fool could tell that the Seven Star Tower must have an extremely powerful backer. Otherwise, if it could have expanded its business all over the south, it would have been swallowed up long ago without sufficient means of self-protection.

"I see. I was truly ignorant and had no idea before. My apologies."

"Hehe, you're too kind, fellow Daoist."

Ye Changqing smiled, quite pleased with Lin Zui's compliment.

"To be honest, Fellow Daoist Ye, my master also owns a property in this market, namely Wanfu Residence on the east side of the market. I never expected that it would encounter such a thing after only a little over a year of operation and before even breaking even. It is truly an unlucky year."

"Wanfu Residence? Is that the Wanfu Residence that supposedly makes custom talismans and refunds spirit stones tenfold if the creation fails?"

Ye Changqing thought about it and realized that there really was such a shop.

"It's just a small business, please excuse my poor performance, Fellow Daoist Ye."

"Fellow Daoist Lin is too modest. The fact that your master dares to display such a sign shows that your talisman-making skills are extraordinary. Our Seven Star Pavilion has a wide range of expertise. If your master does not intend to withdraw from this market, there may be opportunities for cooperation in the future."

Lin Zui's eyes lit up.

"I am honored by Fellow Daoist Ye's high regard. If there is anything I can do to be of service in the future, I will certainly do my best."

"Haha, very well. In that case, fellow Daoist, you may hang this jade plaque outside your shop. It is a form of identification only merchants who cooperate with my Seven Star Tower possess."

Ye Changqing handed over a palm-sized jade pendant with a prominent seven-star symbol on it.

Lin Zui was overjoyed, never expecting to gain such a reward from just going out for a stroll.

"However, our Seven Star Tower never participates in any power struggles. This jade token can only prove identity. If you offend any power, we will not lend a hand."

Seeing Lin Zui accept the jade token, Ye Changqing offered another reminder.

Lin Zui nodded.

"Mr. Lin understands. We're just doing business, so naturally we won't cause trouble."

The two chatted for a while longer, with Lin Zui offering plenty of flattery, which pleased Ye Changqing greatly. Only then did Ye Changqing leave the Seven Star Tower with Lin Zui's personal escort.

Walking down the street, Lin Zui ignored everyone else and headed towards Wanfu Residence. As long as the shop could stay open, he didn't really care who owned the market.

However, before he could return to Wanfu Residence, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure in the crowd ahead.

"Hey, it's him!"

Lin Zui was slightly surprised. After not seeing him for many years, he thought this person must have died somewhere in the great battle. He never expected to run into him here.

They quietly followed, turned a few corners, and came to a deserted corner where Lin Zui appeared.

"Senior Brother Wang, how have you been?"