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Chapter 15: Gains
Chapter 15: Gains
Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Gains
Shen Mi felt mixed emotions upon hearing Lu An's words. He grew to respect him, not only for his deep knowledge of talismans but also for his sense of righteousness.
Solemnly, he bowed to Lu An and, without waiting for the elder's instructions, took out a jade slip and handed it over.
"Accepting the consequences of my loss, this is the Divine Talisman Pavilion's talisman pattern secret technique. Please keep it."
Lu An accepted the jade slip and placed it into his storage bag. This technique, which revealed the number of talisman patterns, provided a clearer understanding of a talisman's quality. Using it in conjunction with practice in the sea of consciousness would greatly aid in refining his talisman-making skills and deepening his comprehension of the path of talismans.
The elder's expression darkened slightly as he pondered the situation. After a moment, an idea struck him, and he said to Shen Mi, "Lu An's talisman skills are among the best of the younger generation. Even your seniors might not surpass him. You should interact with him more in the future; your talisman skills will surely improve quickly."
Shen Mi was surprised. The elder had never shown much concern for him before, so this sudden advice was unexpected. Nevertheless, having experienced Lu An's skill firsthand, Shen Mi nodded in agreement. There were key aspects of talisman-making that he had yet to grasp, and he believed Lu An could help clarify them. With that help, he might soon be able to create middle-tier talismans.
Lu An raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Why are the disciples of the Divine Talisman Pavilion being taught by me instead of learning here?
The elder, however, had his own thoughts. Since Lu An hadn't been recruited into the Divine Talisman Pavilion this time, there might still be chances in the future. It was best to keep him close for now.
"Lu An, the talisman selection process is approaching. If you train Shen Mi well enough to become a 'talisman seed,' it could be quite beneficial for you."
Lu An looked puzzled. "Talisman seed? I've never heard of that."
Shen Mi stepped in to explain. "A talisman seed is someone within the Divine Talisman Pavilion who has been selected for special training. If chosen, the sect will provide additional resources and guidance. You'll have access to cultivation materials, talisman knowledge, and insights from seniors."
Shen Mi had once aspired to become a talisman seed himself, but after witnessing Lu An's prowess, he had given up on that dream. Realizing this, he turned to the elder. "Elder, I used to believe I was skilled in talismans, but today I see how little I know. I'll withdraw from the competition for the talisman seed."
The elder inwardly cursed. Does he really think I value him that much? But aloud, he said, "In the past, you wouldn't have had a chance, but now, it's not impossible."
He then turned to Lu An and said, "Lu An, Shen Mi is in your care now. Treat him as you would your own disciple."
In the elder's mind, Lu An's talents were a valuable asset, and his relatively low cultivation level made him easy to manage. It was best to keep him close.
Li Ziyou, who had enjoyed the spectacle, approached, clapping his hands. "Well done. I knew I hadn't misjudged you, Lu An."
"Lu An, I've decided to befriend you. As you know, this marketplace belongs to my family. In a few days, I'll send you a gift. I hope you won't refuse."
Lu An smiled lightly and jested, "Brother Li, I appreciate your straightforwardness. But instead of a gift, why not just waive my stall's rent?"
Everyone chuckled at the joke, and the atmosphere lightened.
The next day, the southern city auction began. After yesterday's thrilling contest, Lu An's reputation had spread far and wide. In the marketplace, he had become a household name.
Even the Lin and Wang families—both powerful like the Li family—sought him out. These families were wealthy and purchased many of his middle-tier Clear Heart Talismans, each costing twenty spirit stones. The Lin family even offered one hundred spirit stones to buy the semi-top-tier Concealment Talisman he had made during the contest.
Normally, such a talisman wouldn't fetch that price; even if it were upgraded to top-tier, its market value would only be around fifty spirit stones. But the Lin family valued building a relationship with Lu An.
With no personal use for the talismans, Lu An sold them at these high prices. As more people saw this, a buying frenzy ensued, and all of his talismans were sold out. For the first time, Lu An had no talismans left to sell.
The profits rolled in.
The twenty-three inferior Concealment Talismans sold to Li Ziyou brought in two hundred thirty spirit stones. His Clear Heart Talismans, both inferior and middle-tier, were purchased by various families, netting over four hundred spirit stones. And with the high-priced Concealment Talisman bought by the Lin family, he earned nearly seven hundred spirit stones in a single day.
Previously, Lu An had over a hundred spirit stones left, so his total wealth now neared nine hundred spirit stones. He was delighted, and with such a large amount in hand, he felt confident about the upcoming auction.
Still, he couldn't yet repay the eight hundred spirit stones he owed to Uncle Zhao. He'd have to save up and pay him back later.
The busy scene at Lu An's stall caught the attention of the Ying couple. When Lu An approached, they exchanged glances, lips slightly parted as if wanting to say something, but they remained silent.
Noticing this, Lu An smiled and said, "Brother Ying, Sister Fang, if you're short on spirit stones for the Foundation Establishment Pills, don't hesitate to ask."
The Ying couple quickly expressed their gratitude. Though they weren't swayed by wealth, the Foundation Establishment Pills were crucial for their advancement, which was why they had borrowed money from Lu An in the first place.
Ying Chang glanced at Fang Ling and telepathically said, Lu An has helped us so much. If we both manage to advance to the Foundation Establishment stage, we must repay him somehow.
You're right. His kindness is undeniable. Even without helping us, we would have owed him nothing.
I recall your Fang family has a rare Qi Sea Beast's saliva. How about we give that to him?
That Qi Sea Beast is a Foundation Establishment stage demon beast. As long as we don't encounter a mature one, we should be able to handle it once we advance. Let's do that.
Having made up their minds, they stopped discussing and invited Lu An to head to the auction house with them.