The King of Black Fog

Early the next day, the three gathered in front of the stele.

Xu Ni bumped Xian'er with her shoulder, Xian'er's face blushed instantly as if a switch had been flipped.

"Hehe~" Xu Ni let out a wicked laugh.

Jiang Xiaoyue knew something mischievous had happened between them again, but she ignored it and said:

"We are three sisters, but while staying at Ni's house, we had to divide chores like fetching water and cooking. Now that the market is just starting, we also need a division of labor to avoid conflicts, and possibly even parting ways in the future."

Xu Ni nodded seriously and said, "I agree."

"Xian'er?" Jiang Xiaoyue inquired, looking at Xian'er.

"I have no objection," Xian'er quickly said.

"Good." Jiang Xiaoyue nodded, "In that case, let's all speak freely and share what we think, so we can solve issues together and set the rules."

Xu Ni was the first to speak: "Each month, how many talismans Xian'er draws, how many elixirs you refine, how many trade trips I make, how many people go on the trades, how the gains are shared, and also, how many times we go fishing each month and how many people participate."

Jiang Xiaoyue asked Xian'er: "Xian'er, how many talismans do you plan to draw each month?"

Xian'er thought about it. The story she read last night was quite good, with blush-inducing parts rooted in a solid narrative, which involved business dealings.

Under Li Changzhou's guidance, she had become accustomed to drawing experience and knowledge from books.

With these thoughts, she formed some logic in her mind.

She lifted her face and softly said:

"How many talismans exactly, and which talismans to draw, it's hard to say right now. It depends on what talismans Lake Sound Square needs the most, then based on how many Spirit Stones I must earn for 'Three Sisters Market' each month.

"For example, a hundred bucks, no matter what I draw, as long as I turn in a hundred Spirit Stones, it's enough.

"Besides, when I sell talismans for money, a portion must be for myself, or exchanged for equivalent cultivation resources."

She blushed and hurriedly added, "I'm not trying to split up, it's just—"

"That's quite alright." Jiang Xiaoyue laughed.

Xu Ni patted Xian'er's slender shoulder and agreed, "Contribute enough to the market's needs, and of course, keep the rest for yourself. I think it's great!"

She then looked at Jiang Xiaoyue and said, "Then I won't set a specific number of trade trips per month either. Each time, give me 10 Spirit Stones. The more I work, the more I earn, how about that?"

"Sounds good." Jiang Xiaoyue nodded.

10 Spirit Stones used to be a lot, but now on a single trade trip, one can earn at least 400 Spirit Stones.

"Then how much share do I get?" Xian'er couldn't resist asking.

Who doesn't want money?

"Fifty percent?" Jiang Xiaoyue offered.

"That's too much!" Xian'er exclaimed in surprise.

"Xian'er, if you don't take a bigger share, you'll be unhappy later," Xu Ni couldn't help but say, "Even if you won't be, other Talisman Masters will— Cultivation Hundred Arts is the most profitable. Think about it, earning 1000 Spirit Stones a month and only keeping 100, would you be happy? Taking 500 is considered very little already."

Xian'er slowly nodded: "Alright, but besides talismans for trading, I must also draw talismans for you guys to ensure your safety."

"You still don't understand." Jiang Xiaoyue and Xu Ni both laughed.

"Huh?" Xian'er was puzzled.

Jiang Xiaoyue didn't explain, just directly said: "Xian'er, no matter who in the Three Sisters Market wants to get talismans from you, they have to at least pay the cost price."

"This is for the future, too. No rules, no standards." Xu Ni said.

Xian'er thought for a moment and understood.

For example, Jiang Xiaoyue couldn't always receive elixirs for free or demand a Qi Nourishing Pill from her once she learned alchemy, could she?

Jiang Xiaoyue also needed to cultivate, and her time was valuable, not to mention that alchemy required materials too, right?

She nodded: "But I want to be able to give my talismans to whoever I choose for free."

They both laughed again.

Xu Ni cunningly rubbed her fingers together: "Xian'er, Sister Xian'er, can you first give me a few hundred Golden Light Talismans, please~"

Xian'er was grossed out and quickly pushed her away.

Jiang Xiaoyue pondered: "Additionally, there's training in various arts. Using myself as an example, if I learn alchemy using the market's money, after mastering it, for fifty years, I can only take one or two layers of profit."

"Also, based on the level, the amount of Spirit Stones that must be earned for the market each year should be increased, or you can apply for further market investment to enhance skills."

"Mm." The two nodded.

After some discussion, the three roughly established their plans for making money.

Jiang Xiaoyue—

Initial alchemy needs will be provided by the market. Within six months, Qi Gathering Pills must be refined. If not, half of the training investment must be repaid—the training quota must be decided by the three of them.

Once alchemy is successful, and the First Level elixir can be refined, every month she must earn 100 Spirit Stones for the market, with materials provided by the market, and so on.

For each new elixir concocted, a market training quota can be applied for; if not successful in six months, half of the investment must be returned.

Xu Ni—

Trading trip rewards are 10 Spirit Stones.

Before every trade trip, specific personnel—now only the three of them—must determine the approximate value of each cargo in Spirit Stones.

If the Spirit Stones earned from the trip are below the estimated value, the trader (now Xu Ni) must make up the shortfall unless the market prices fluctuate.

Moreover, if the trader turns a cargo worth 10 Spirit Stones into 100 Spirit Stones, the extra 90 Spirit Stones are kept by the trader, untouched by the market.

The trader also has a special privilege. Each month, they can purchase a Golden Light Talisman, a Fire Spirit Talisman, a bottle of Spirit Revitalizing Pill—restoring Spiritual Power, and a bottle of Life Origin Pill—healing, at cost price from within the Three Sisters Market.

"Lots of perks." Xu Ni's eyes narrowed with her smile.

The 10 Spirit Stones for trading trips seemed insignificant.

Each month, just selling the Golden Light Talismans and Fire Spirit Talismans bought at cost can earn a large amount of Spirit Stones.