Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

He looked at the time.

It was still some time before dawn.

Zhang Jing got off the bed, stretched a little and turned towards the quiet room.

He had converted this place into a Talisman Making Room, on the table were Spiritual Paper and Spirit Ink.

Although he wasn't sure about the future of his business, preparing more talismans would never go wrong.

After a while.

The candlelight on the table in front of him suddenly dimmed.

A red spiritual light slowly rose from Zhang Jing's body, forming a faint red cloud phantom above his head.

Deep in his mind.

An imaginary eye slightly opened.

Scribe! Shape the Dao Pattern! Spiritual Power follows your heart!

Time slowly passed.

Zhang Jing unexpectedly ended up with seven successfully made Star Attraction Talismans on his table, and only two were ruined.

...

The next day.

Double Phoenix Street.

A group of weary Loose Cultivators slowly walked through the archway and entered the market.

Among them were two men and two women, all looked around their thirties.

Their weather-beaten faces revealed a hint of excitement.

"Such good luck to have stumbled upon an injured devil. This time we might be able to exchange it for many valuable items. Any thoughts?"

The leader, a man, quietly asked the few behind him.

"Why not exchange it for some Purple Spirit Pills? You are about to break through to the third level of Qi Refinement." One of the women in purple looked at the leader man, "Once you make the breakthrough, our devil hunt will be safer."

"I think we should use it to pay for a consultation with a cultivator from the Dao Institute." Another woman suggested.

Upon hearing this.

The last man in the group laughed and retorted, "Don't you think it's a bit extravagant for cultivators of our level to ask for guidance from the Dao Institute? In my opinion, we should just exchange it for something that can save our lives."

After a pause, he added:

"We can't always be as lucky as yesterday, right? What if next time it's an uninjured devil at the third level of Qi Refinement?"

Just then.

"Look, this place seems to have a newly opened talisman shop, should we go check it out?"

While conversing, the woman in purple glanced around and suddenly noticed a new shop in the area. She lightly shouted:

"This is a talisman shop, the shop owner seems a bit..."

The other three followed her finger and showed a hint of astonishment on their faces.

"Should we go check it out?"

"Let's check it out!"

Once they got closer.

They discovered a wooden sign hanging by the door.

Demon Cores be exchanged for talismans at a discounted price?

The four of them looked thrilled.

...

"Welcome, welcome, Junior Brother, what do you need?"

Behind the counter.

Zhang Jing greeted the man in blue robe with a warm smile. He was his first customer!

The man's cultivation was only at the second level of Qi Refinement. According to Dao Institute's rules, calling him a 'Junior Brother' was completely appropriate.

"Senior Brother, I would like to take a look first." The man responded cautiously.

"Sure, Junior Brother."

While speaking, the man moved lightly towards the counter, lowering his head to inspect the talismans.

Just one glance, and he was deeply attracted.

"Star Attraction Talisman, Scorching Sun Charm, Spirit Healing Charm... all of them are of high quality?! Plus the price–"

His breath unconsciously grew heavy.

He had been on a mission in Langya county for more than half a month, but it was his first time seeing high-quality talismans in Linshi Market, and the price was surprisingly the same as the ordinary talismans sold in the other shops!

Although it was still more expensive than the high-quality talismans from the Thousand Law Pavilion of Dao Institute.

But... this was after all Langya county, not the Dao Institute!

Such generosity, Senior Brother?

The man glanced at Zhang Jing stealthily and had a sudden impulse. He had originally planned to save his Tao Merits and only buy one or two talismans for emergencies. But now, he wanted to purchase several more.

What if others discovered this and bought all the talismans?

It was a real possibility.

After a few moments of pondering.

A firm look appeared on his face.

He lifted his head, looked at Zhang Jing, and spelled out, "Senior Brother, I'd like three, no, four Star Attraction Talismans, as well as one Scorching Sun Charm and one Concealment Charm."

"Four Star Attraction Talismans, one Scorching Sun Charm, one Concealment Charm - that comes to eleven and a half Tao Merits. Are you sure, Junior Brother?"

The man across the counter gritted his teeth and nodded.

"By the way, Junior Brother, if you have a Demon Core, the talismans can be discounted by 20%." Zhang Jing reminded kindly.

"If I had a Demon Core, I would've traded it already."

The man replied with a forced smile upon hearing this.

Zhang Jing should not have mentioned that.

After he did, the man felt the sting of his wallet immediately.

20% off... the saved Tao Merits could be used to buy two Purple Spirit Pills.

After he got the talismans.

The man hastily thanked Zhang Jing and left in a hurry.

Shortly after he left.

A group of four people appeared at the entrance of Zhang Jing's shop. They peeked inside carefully before walking in with curiosity on their faces.

"Feel free to browse. Just tell me if you want to buy any talisman."

Zhang Jing greeted.

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior."

As soon as the four entered and saw Zhang Jing's robe, they became cautious and spoke politely.

Then.

They gathered around the counter to view the talismans.

After carefully inspecting each talisman on display.

The four of them looked at each other, excitement evident in their eyes.

"Senior," the leading man turned to Zhang Jing and asked cautiously, "You mentioned on the sign outside that talismans can be traded for Demon Cores at a 20% discount. Does that still apply?"

"Of course, it does."

Zhang Jing's gaze swept over the four men as he asked, "Do you have any Demon Cores?"

As soon as he finished speaking.

The leading man took out a jade box from his storage bag and opened it. He then handed it to Zhang Jing, saying, "Senior, this is a Demon Core we acquired by chance. It's from a third-layer devil. Please have a look."

Zhang Jing took the jade box and sensed the Demon Core inside.

It didn't take long before he said with satisfaction,

"This is indeed a Demon Core from a third-layer devil. Do you know its value?"

"Senior, we've made inquiries before. This Demon Core can be exchanged for about thirteen Tao Merits worth of resources here in your Dao Institute."

The leading man answered carefully.

"That's correct," Zhang Jing nodded, pocketed the Demon Core, and said concurrently, "You can select the talismans you want now. The actual price will be 80% of the marked price, and the total value should not exceed thirteen Tao Merits."

"Thank you, Senior!"

The leading man bowed excitedly to Zhang Jing.

The four of them then squeezed around the counter, discussing and picking out talismans.

Zhang Jing stood watching this scene silently.

The faces of the four men grew increasingly adorable in his eyes.

With this single Demon Core, he could make a profit of over thirty Tao Merits.

Not long after.

The four men left in high spirits and the shop was quiet once again.

Hidden in a corner outside.

The leading man checked if anyone was around before excitedly telling the others:

"We've struck gold! The talismans in this shop are of superior quality!"

"What do you mean, boss?" another man asked.

"Quick, go and ask around to see if anyone has Demon Cores. Try to buy them over. Then, we'll come back here to exchange the Demon Cores for talismans. As the sign clearly stated, this offer only lasts for three days. We can't lose any time!"

"Everyone split up and be quick!"

"Understood!"