Mortal: Starting with the Golden Jade Book

"I dare not lie, it is indeed that Uncle Yu Yi."

Lin Zui's expression was cold and stern. Recalling the situation that day, he had taken his Uncle Yu's disciple out of the coffin and controlled him. He had clearly been refined into something like a puppet. How could he possibly be alive again?

Although there are countless extraordinary skills and techniques in the world of cultivation, bringing the dead back to life is ultimately too defying the heavens.

"Where did you see him, and what was he doing?"

"It was in the Thunder Mountain area in the southern part of Yue Kingdom, which borders Zijin Kingdom. That day, I and more than a dozen other cultivators from several sects went to Zijin Kingdom to receive a batch of supplies. When we passed through Thunder Mountain, we were entangled by a group of low-level demonic beasts. At the critical moment, it was this Uncle Yu who saved us."

Senior Brother Wang recalled the events of that day, speaking eloquently about how Uncle Yu slew the demon beast and the care and advice he gave them afterward.

"Oh? I've heard that Uncle Yu Yi is a cold and aloof person who always treats lower-ranking disciples with indifference. Why is he being so enthusiastic towards you?"

"Well, this humble servant doesn't know either. Perhaps... the rumors are wrong."

Lin Zui neither agreed nor disagreed with Senior Brother Wang's words. After inquiring about the details, he nodded and took out five or six porcelain bottles from his storage bag, handing them to Senior Brother Wang.

"I've remembered this. It's kind of you to remember my instructions after all this time. These pills are useless to me. Since you're going back to the mortal world, I'll give them all to you."

These pills were what he and Yan Ruyan had obtained after robbing the Luo family cultivators. Most of them were low-level pills for healing, detoxification, and strengthening the body. They were useless to keep, so they simply gave them away.

"Thank you, Master. Thank you, Master."

Senior Brother Wang accepted the pill, kowtowed several times, and left with profuse thanks.

Lin Zui's face darkened. Based on Senior Brother Wang's description, Lin Zui was 70-80% certain that Yu Yi had most likely been possessed, because the man's style of doing things and tone of voice were exactly the same as Yu Feng's back then.

"But although he was seriously injured back then, he wasn't so badly injured that he had to possess another body to survive, right? Or did something else happen after that?"

"And what was he doing on the border of the Purple Gold Kingdom? Thunder Mountain..."

Lin Zui stood there frowning and thinking for a long time, but couldn't come up with any clues.

"Forget it, it's still far away from me anyway. We'll deal with it if we really run into each other later. In any case, I'll just be more careful."

……

Back at Wanfu Residence, Xiaomei was busy greeting guests.

Lin Zui glanced at her and figured she could handle it perfectly well, so he ignored her and went straight back to the back room.

"My husband, you're back."

Yan Ruyan greeted her with a smile.

"How's it outside?"

"It's alright, pretty much as you said, but there was an unexpected bonus."

"Ah, what unexpected gain?"

Yan Ruyan immediately became interested, but Lin Zui was in no hurry to speak. He would take a sip of tea or flip through a book, slowly whetting her appetite.

"Oh, my husband, please tell me!"

Yan Ruyan was caught in a dilemma by him, and she was very anxious. Seeing that he was still unhurried, she finally couldn't help but hug his arm and start to act coquettishly.

Feeling the familiar warmth on her arm, Lin Zui smiled and took out a jade pendant, placing it in front of her.

"What is this?"

"Certification Jade Plaque for Seven Star Tower Partner Merchants"

"Seven Star Tower?"

Yan Ruyan naturally knew about the shops that were considered top-tier in this market, but...

"What's the use of this?"

Yan Ruyan asked.

Lin Zui chuckled and recounted to her what he had seen and heard at the Seven Star Tower that day.

Yan Ruyan thought for a moment.

"So, as long as we follow the rules, even if the market changes hands in the future, Wanfu Residence can continue to operate?"

"If there are no surprises, it should be."

Lin Zui took a sip of tea. In fact, Wanfu Residence was not just for him to make money and collect rare talismans, but also an important channel for him to keep up with information from the outside world.

He wasn't a chosen one, so he didn't believe that opportunities would come to him on their own. How could he keep up with the times if he didn't pay attention to the outside world?

"That's great. In that case, I'm actually hoping those guys from the Heavenly Star Sect will leave soon, so that everyone's in a state of panic and business won't be good. Hehe."

Yan Ruyan smiled.

Lin Zui was speechless for a moment after hearing what she said. This woman was too fickle!

"Alright, I'll stay at the shop for the next few days. You go back to your cave and cultivate."

Although they had the jade token from the Seven Star Tower, things were still somewhat chaotic for a while. Lin Zui decided to personally oversee things for a period of time and also make another batch of talismans, since they had already consumed quite a bit.

As for cultivation, Lin Zui has already constructed a new operating array for the spiritual root vortex in his dantian, so it can operate automatically even without cultivation.

"No, I'm not leaving. Ruyan will stay with my husband too, so we'll have one more helper if anything happens."

Yan Ruyan took Lin Zui's arm and looked at him with gentle eyes.

Feeling her sincerity, Lin Zui felt a warmth in his heart and did not insist.

"Alright then, but our Miss Yan'er doesn't need to stand guard at the counter. Otherwise, I'm afraid customers will only be looking at you and won't be interested in buying anything."

Lin Zui teased her, and Yan Ruyan's cheeks flushed slightly, but she was secretly delighted.

"Okay, whatever you say."

……

The chaos in the market lasted for two days. As major forces such as the Tianxing Sect withdrew, the market became deserted.

Even the guards who usually maintain order have left.

Apart from a few shops like Qixinglou that remained open as usual, most businesses chose to close their doors and wait for the situation to develop.

Wanfu Residence.

"Young lady, these talismans aren't worth that many spirit stones. Don't make wild guesses about the price."

"That's right, sell it to us for a maximum of one hundred spirit stones. We'll just come back to patronize your business more often in the future."

"No, no, that would be a huge loss for us, we can't accept that."

"What do you mean no? If I say yes, then yes..."

Lin Zui sat behind the counter, watching Xiao Mei being surrounded by several cultivators, who were talking to each other and she couldn't get away. He couldn't help but shake his head.

"The world is going to the dogs. Even a few Qi Refining cultivators are trying to force people to buy and sell."

Lin Zui sighed, got up and walked over.

"Fellow Daoists, these talismans cost a total of one hundred and fifty spirit stones. If you wish to purchase them, please take out the spirit stones. If not, please leave."

The three cultivators at the eleventh or twelfth level of Qi Refining glanced at Lin Zui and revealed a disdainful smile.

"I'm not leaving, what can you do about it..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lin Zui was too lazy to listen to him anymore. His talisman armor flashed with spiritual light, and several afterimages appeared on the spot. By the time the others reacted, Lin Zui was already in front of them.

"not good!"

The three were greatly shocked. Just as they were about to take out their magical artifacts to defend themselves, a crimson sword light flashed past, and they all groaned as they were struck by the sword.

Fortunately, Lin Zui did not kill them. The group was about to retaliate when they saw him make a few hand seals, and a hazy, restrictive light suddenly appeared around them.

"Gentlemen, our shop dares to open for business at this time, which shows we have some confidence. If you're going to try to force a sale, you'd better consider whether you have the right to do so!"

The three exchanged glances, realizing they had bitten off more than they could chew. They immediately stopped being defiant and quickly took out a pile of spirit stones, obediently admitting defeat.

Seeing the group flee in disarray, Lin Zui smiled and comforted Xiao Mei, who was somewhat frightened.

"Didn't I teach you how to control the array in the shop? Next time you encounter something like this, just use the array to destroy it."

"Young master, is there no need for this? Harmony brings wealth, harmony brings wealth."

Xiao Mei was startled by Lin Zui's cold tone, but then realized that he was just joking, and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Young master, another 150 spirit stones have come in. All the other shops are closed, but business here is picking up."

Xiao Mei chuckled, put away the spirit stone, and then said with some regret.

"It's a pity that not many people have ordered rare talismans in a long time. It seems that there aren't many people who actually have them."

Lin Zui nodded, and was about to say something when a voice suddenly came in.

"I have rare talismans, but... do you guys have the ability to catch them?"

Lin Zui looked up and saw a tall, strong middle-aged man walk in with a chilling aura.

Lin Zui was stunned for a moment, but he was completely unaware of it, because the moment he saw the other person's face, he had already recognized who it was.

While I was shocked, a hint of surprise also flashed through my mind.

Damn, this opportunity... it really came right to my doorstep.