Putting aside the chaotic thoughts brought by Wu Daniu's letter, Li Jizhou took out the Jade Talisman and carefully read the quarterly report.
"So that's how it is!"
The reason for the sudden increase in lower-level cultivators a month ago was finally revealed!
It turns out that an underground tunnel was discovered a hundred miles southwest of Inverted Mountain, leading directly to the bottom of Jade Moon Lake at the center of Inverted Mountain, and a large amount of Thunder Spirit Crystals were found in the tunnel.
It is initially suspected that this is the secret behind Thunder Flame Sect having numerous high-tier magical artifacts back in the day!
Thunder Spirit Crystal is an excellent primary material for refining top-class magical artifacts, and is hard to find in the world.
Many people speculate that perhaps Thunder Flame Sect was originally named because of the discovery of the Thunder Spirit Crystal Ore underground.
"What an earth-shattering secret!"
Who could have thought that beneath the ruins of Thunder Flame Sect, which have been gone for eight hundred years, there was actually a Thunder Spirit Crystal mine!
The secrecy of Thunder Flame Sect was indeed tight.
Only after two thousand years has the world come to know.
As a top-grade material for refining magical artifacts, it naturally aroused envy from everyone.
Initially, a true person from Central Dojo coveted the treasure vault of Thunder Flame Sect for years; two years ago, they accidentally discovered it but could not enter despite repeated probing,
and finally had to conspire with others, exposing the secret to the world.
By now, it's basically known nationwide.
Countless loose cultivators have flocked here.
Yet, the mine tunnel connects to the bottom of Central Jade Moon Lake, with a powerful restriction sealing it, and the Dao Charm of Daoist Venerable Mo Li threateningly hanging over it. The higher the cultivation, the more severe the targeting.
Finally, by an accident, someone discovered that if early-stage Qi Cultivation cultivators have Protective Talismans, they can barely enter!
This led to the opening scene of widely recruiting early-stage Qi Cultivation disciples.
"A sea of Thunder Spirit Crystals!" Li Jizhou couldn't help but feel tempted.
In the cultivation world, true bare fighting with magical power alone is rare, unless at a dead-end.
Magical artifacts can be powered by magical power, and the power they exert is much stronger than pure magical power, essentially acting as an amplifier for one's own magical power; moreover, some magical artifacts have bizarre and inexplicable effects, making them a primary means in fighting.
Next come puppets, talismans, and spirit beasts.
Li Jizhou's divine soul was already strong, his Eternal Spring Magical Power was thick and long-lasting, his aura enduring, perfect for controlling magical artifacts.
If he could have a top-grade magical artifact now, facing a middle stage of Qi Cultivation rival in a head-on confrontation wouldn't intimidate him.
Even when facing a late stage of Qi Cultivation expert without special magical artifacts, coupled with his concealed mid-level talisman, he could calmly retreat.
Then, leaving Inverted Mountain might not be impossible!
However... he decisively discarded such dangerous thoughts after mere consideration.
That Thunder Spirit Crystal mine is now like a hell's gate, snatching food from a tiger's mouth, seeking death!
Moreover, given Thunder Flame Sect's importance to setting roots there, it will definitely not be as simple as imagined.
"But, is this an opportunity for me?"
Now everyone's attention is drawn by the Thunder Spirit Crystal mine in the southwest corner, making assaults from the east side significantly fewer.
"With my current Tier One Middle Level Talisman Master's abilities, an income of twenty Spirit Stones a month should be guaranteed, allowing for settlement in a small marketplace!"
At this stage, Li Jizhou urgently needs to find a place with safety guarantees and stable spirit veins to reside.
Additionally, it's time to start practicing a fire attribute cultivation technique.
After reaching Qi Cultivation Third Level, a bottleneck at the first stage of breaking through will be faced.
He didn't wish to spend too much time during the initial period, preparation was necessary, just in case.
With his past life experiences as a Tier Two Middle Level Pill Master, combined with the current proficiency, the pill skill in this life started at Tier Three, aiming for Tier Four!
Having made the resolution, Li Jizhou immediately rose, carrying with him the Tier One Middle Level talismans drawn over the past two months to the marketplace.
Due to the Thunder Spirit Crystal mine in the southwest, the marketplace outside the eastern district of the outer city appeared visibly bleak.
The marketplace that used to be crowded now seemed deserted.
He skillfully went to the back room of the Ten Thousand Talisman Pavilion's recovery business.
"Talisman Master Li, welcome, welcome, please have a seat." Steward Lu, who was always in charge of the recovery business, smiled and greeted him from afar.
In Steward Lu's eyes, Li Jizhou was a genius!
He recalled their first meeting two and a half years ago.
Young and naive, enquiring about the sales and recovery prices of talismans.
Moreover, he was primarily cultivating the Evergreen Skill.
At that time, Steward Lu already noticed that Li Jizhou was preparing to learn talisman crafting.
And sure enough, a year later, Li Jizhou came with over fifty talismans.
He meticulously examined each one back then.
The aura was completely uniform,
allowing one to clearly see the progression of Li Jizhou's talisman crafting skill from entry-level to proficiency.
Within a year's time, to go from entry-level to proficiency in talisman crafting was quite commendable.
That time, he thoughtfully gave Li Jizhou a five percent higher recovery price.
Subsequently, having nothing better to do, he casually inquired about Li Jizhou's circumstances.
Indigenous to Inverted Mountain, an orphan, rejected by Golden Sun Sect.
Without support, with only the Lin Chaobei family somewhat close.
Lin Chaobei was known as a Tier One Advanced Level Talisman Master, naturally familiar.
At once, he concluded that Li Jizhou was learning his talisman crafting skills from Lin Chaobei.
This explained the progress in Li Jizhou's talisman skills.
During the subsequent year and a half, Li Jizhou would regularly bring talismans that were ever improving in quality and grade.
Three months ago, he even sold over a hundred pieces of Tier One Junior Level top-grade talismans at once, and they were among the most in-demand and high-priced in the market.
Moreover, ten days later, the prices of those high-demand talismans abruptly returned to normal, making Li Jizhou regarded as having the best timing in the last talisman fluctuation event.
This made Steward Lu even more impressed by the extraordinary young man Li Jizhou.
"Steward Lu, you're too kind. I'm here to sell some talismans." Li Jizhou cupped his hands and exchanged pleasantries.
"Ling'e, bring the tea!" Steward Lu instructed a female cultivator serving on the side.
"Talisman Master Li, with the Thunder Spirit Crystal mine situation escalating recently, many predict that prices for junior level talismans will continue to rise. Are you selling now because you don't favor the market?" Steward Lu asked with significant implications.
Currently, even he was unable to decide, uncertain about whether to stockpile a batch,
Previously, the shopkeeper of their branch in Inverted Mountain stocked piled a lot, leading to heavy losses overnight, resulting in headquarters being very dissatisfied with the old shopkeeper and relieving him of his duties a month ago.
He is now the acting shopkeeper of the Inverted Mountain branch.
His qualifications are a bit shallow, and to go further, he must achieve some accomplishments.
Given the old shopkeeper's stockpiling losses, if he could earn a substantial profit, perhaps headquarters wouldn't appoint a new shopkeeper.
Once he becomes the shopkeeper, Foundation Establishment resources would be stable!
After Foundation Establishment, there would be a chance to be transferred to various Immortal Cities, paving the way for the path of immortality!
Li Jizhou looked at the expression of Lu Zhenhua, pondered lightly, and said calmly, "I favor the market for mid-level talismans more."
"Oh? Please enlighten me, Talisman Master Li." Lu Zhenhua appeared very sincere, feeling somewhat like a seeker of knowledge in the face of this young talent.
Li Jizhou smiled slightly and took out a stack of Tier One Middle Level talismans from his storage bag: "Because I'm currently only crafting mid-level talismans!"
Lu Zhenhua: "..."
After a brief moment of absent-mindedness, Lu Zhenhua carefully looked at the dozens of Tier One Middle Level talismans placed on the table by Li Jizhou.
The technique, magical power aura, attention to detail... completely aligned!
"Congratulations, Talisman Master Li, you have so quickly advanced to a Tier One Middle Level Talisman Master! How delightful!"
"Talisman Master Li, please take the seat!"
"Ling'e, serve the best tea!"
Lu Zhenhua solemnly stood and invited Li Jizhou into the private room.