Zhou Shu looked up at Hua Ruoan and smiled. "Hey, when did Shopkeeper Hua become interested in the petty business of low-ranking disciples?"
Hua Ruoan waved his hand. "Brother Zhou, you're joking. Sanyuanzhai has always been about low-ranking disciples. What's so small about it?"
Zhou Shu said calmly, "Shopkeeper Hua, I remember saying that the hydrotherapy talisman would only be given to the Yan family."
Hua Ruoan chuckled. "Brother Zhou did say that, but the situation is different now. Merchants are driven by profit. Who would want to miss out on such a huge profit? And that small family, the Yan family, has no business sense at all. They're selling such a fine talisman for only a single mid-grade spirit stone? It's infuriating to see. If you and I work together, I guarantee that you and the talisman master will make double the profit you've made before."
He looked at Zhou Shu and offered sincere advice.
Zhou Shu said calmly, "Shopkeeper Hua, this is wrong. We already agreed on this. Are you going back on your word?"
Hua Ruoan knew from the beginning that the hydrotherapy talisman had been created by Zhou Shu and then sold to the Yan family.
It wasn't that Zhou Shu didn't want to keep it secret; it was simply impossible. He and Yan Yue had already met at Sanyuanzhai, and any changes in the Yan family could easily be linked to him, who possessed the talismans. Furthermore, all his talisman materials also came from Sanyuanzhai. With these connections, it was impossible to hide the secret from the scheming Hua Ruoan.
So, Zhou Shu didn't try to hide it from Hua Ruoan from the start, but rather explained it to him generously. Hua Ruoan was kind enough to agree to continue supplying Zhou Shu with various talisman materials at a reduced price, requesting only that all of Zhou Shu's other talismans be sold at Sanyuanzhai.
Furthermore, Zhou Shu was confident that Hua Ruoan would never reveal his relationship with the Yan family. Doing so would have done nothing for Hua Ruoan, and would have cost him a valuable talisman supplier, harming both himself and others, something quite contrary to the moral principles of a businessman.
But who could have known that the spa talismans would prove so effective, and his business would have grown, bringing ever-increasing profits. Hua Ruoan regretted this.
Hua Ruoan touched his forehead and pretended to be confused, "Didn't we agree on this? I don't remember it for a moment. I don't think we signed a contract at that time?"
"Judging from the attitude of Shopkeeper Hua, I'm afraid he wouldn't recognize the contract even if there was one. Shopkeeper Hua, do you think the profit from other talismans is not enough?"
"Haha."
Hua Ruoan showed an embarrassed expression and smiled awkwardly, but then his face changed, "We businessmen, how can we complain about the profit? The more the better, the more the better. Brother Zhou, why don't you think about it again?"
"Don't think about it. Things that have been agreed upon cannot be changed."
"I advise you to think about it again."
Hua Ruoan asked again and again, but Zhou Shu kept shaking his head, "Don't think about it. The spa talisman will only be sold in the Yan family. This cannot be changed."
Hua Ruoan stood up suddenly, his face gloomy, and spiritual pressure quickly enveloped the entire room.
"Zhou Shu, don't be so decisive. I'm not saying anything harsh about you, but you're the one who makes the decision on this matter. After all, you're just a tool of a certain talisman master who doesn't want to show his face, a puppet helping him sell talismans. You're really taking yourself too seriously by talking to me like that. Just convey my words to that talisman master, and there's no need to discuss anything else."
Although Hua Ruoan always called Zhou Shu "Brother Zhou," he never took him seriously. If he hadn't been concerned about the talisman master behind Zhou Shu, he would have taken action long ago.
But seeing such a great benefit about to slip away, he couldn't help himself.
Zhou Shu looked at Hua Ruoan coldly, and said calmly, "The talisman master's answer is the same as mine. The hydrotherapy talisman will only be given to the Yan family."
"Haha."
Hua Ruoan laughed instead of getting angry, "It seems that you are really fearless. I want to see..."
Zhou Shu interrupted him, "The hydrotherapy talisman is not negotiable, but other talismans can be negotiated."
"Other talismans?"
Hua Ruoan was silent for a while, then shook his head and said, "Although the sales of talismans such as the Thunderstorm Talisman are very stable, the profit cannot be compared with the hydrotherapy talisman. If it were not for this, why would I make it difficult for you?"
Zhou Shu looked around and turned to say, "Shopkeeper, you only want a first-level talisman? Why not try a second-level? I see that there are very few second-level talismans in Sanyuanzhai. They should be very popular."
"Second-level talismans? Where can I find a talisman master who can make them these days? It's rare to find some, as they're just stockpiles. Sanyuanzhai in Qingxia Market has quite a few second-level talismans."
At this point, Hua Ruoan suddenly paused, as if realizing something, and hurriedly asked, "Second-level talismans? Is that talisman master willing to make second-level talismans?"
He had only known the talisman master behind Zhou Shu to be quick and effective at making first-level talismans, and had only focused on those who could reach the first level, never having imagined they could also make second-level talismans.
Compared to first-level talismans, Sanyuanzhai had very few second-level talismans, but the demand for them was high.
"Okay,"
Zhou Shu nodded gently.
Given his current state, as long as he reached the third level of the Qi Refining Realm, he could barely draw a second-level talisman.
Now that he had completed the Flowing Water Sutra and the Escape Technique, his consciousness was free, and it was time to focus on other things.
Hua Ruoan's eyes glowed with greed, and his expression immediately changed. He spoke impatiently, "Brother Zhou, are you sure? Second-level talismans are much harder to obtain than first-level ones. Of course, the profit is also much greater. As long as you can bring enough second-level talismans, I guarantee that you and I will both make a fortune."
Upon hearing the mention of second-level talismans, he immediately tossed aside the hydrotherapy talismans, completely forgetting his previous threats.
No matter how many first-level talismans he sold, the profit from selling second-level talismans would not be as great. A single good second-level talisman could bring in as much profit as a dozen first-level ones, and there was no shortage of sales.
Compared to the Qi Refining Realm cultivators who frequently used first-level talismans, the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators who used second-level talismans were the mainstream in the Qingyuan Mountains.
A gleam flashed in Zhou Shu's eyes. "I'm sure. But Shopkeeper Hua needs to make some investment."
Hua Ruoan patted his chest. "What investment? Talisman materials and ink? If it's really a second-tier talisman, Brother Zhou will definitely be satisfied with this."
Zhou Shu sighed. "No, it's the jade slips with the drawing method. Although a talisman master can make second-tier talismans, it won't work without the drawing method. For this, Shopkeeper Hua will have to find a way."
He had the drawing method for the second-tier Thunder Spear Talisman, but the Thunder Spear Talisman was extremely rare and powerful, and could be used as a trump card. He didn't want to reveal it casually. And when he could get it from Hua Ruoan, why would he use his own?
Hua Ruoan had brought it to him himself.
Hua Ruoan pondered for a moment. "Brother Zhou, let me think about it."
Zhou Shu smiled and nodded. "It's okay, go ahead. But I have a warning for you, Shopkeeper Hua. If you want to maximize your profits, don't mess around with useless second-tier talisman drawing techniques. That won't do you any good. The better the talismans, the more money you'll make. I don't need to explain this further."
"Haha, I understand."
Hua Ruoan felt a surge of resentment. He had intended to threaten Zhou Shu to hand over the hydrotherapy talisman today, but his threat had failed, and instead
, Zhou Shu had become the master, leading him into a trap. It was no wonder he was a businessman. Once he found a greater profit—a second-tier talisman—he immediately changed his focus, discarding his previous plans and letting Zhou Shu lead the way.
Hua Ruoan pondered over the best talisman drawing technique to give Zhou Shu.
Zhou Shu remained impassive, his gaze fixed straight ahead, silent.
What had been a crisis had been quietly resolved by Zhou Shu, resulting in considerable benefits.
But Zhou Shu felt a little uncomfortable. After all, it was because his strength was too poor that he fell into this crisis.
The relationship between him and Hua Ruoan could be maintained by pure interests, but what about other cultivators?
This is the world of immortal cultivation, without too many rules and constraints. Only with sufficient strength can one protect oneself and win respect. He
must think of a way.
Hua Ruoan thought for a long time and said slowly, "I only have four or five jade slips for drawing second-level talismans. How about the swamp talisman?"
Zhou Shu smiled slightly, "It seems that Manager Hua still remembers the two bottles of talisman ink."
He had previously used the python marrow of the Golden Ring Kui Python to prepare the water and earth power talisman ink in Sanyuanzhai, which was just right for the swamp talisman.
Hua Ruoan admitted, "Haha, the ink for second-level talismans isn't that easy to find. One bottle is often worth ten mid-grade spirit stones. If it happens to be used, it can save some effort."
Zhou Shu nodded, "That's fine, but the jade slips for drawing the swamp talisman are not cheap."
"At least two hundred mid-grade spirit stones."
Hua Ruoan looked uncomfortable, as if his flesh had been cut, but his expression changed immediately, "Don't let me down. If you can't draw the talisman, you know the consequences."
Hua Ruoan's eyes were as sharp as a knife, and there was a hint of spiritual pressure, like frost, and the atmosphere suddenly became solemn.
But Zhou Shu looked calm, and he looked at him and said, "I will naturally give you the talismans you want, but the shopkeeper should not try to interfere in the matter of the hydrotherapy talisman."
Hua Ruoan stared at Zhou Shu for a long time, and nodded happily, "Since there is something better, I will naturally not do anything that will not please me."