Crimson Sun Mountain was a precious workplace to him.
But now, if he climbed the mountain, countless demon beasts would come rushing at him. It was hard to believe.
'...Fang Yi has no reason to lie to me.'
He didn't want to believe it, but it was probably true.
Also, in a way, this was lucky.
If he hadn't met Fang Yi and had gone to Crimson Sun Mountain knowing nothing, he might have encountered a 1st-rank demon beast and died.
His chest felt stuffy at the suddenly difficult reality, but he stopped thinking about it for now.
He clasped his hands respectfully and bowed.
"Thank you for telling me, Senior."
"Hmm? Your income source for three years just got cut off. Aren't you disappointed?"
"I am disappointed, but... what can I do? I need to face reality and find another way."
A look of admiration crossed Fang Yi's face.
"Indeed. You've already pulled yourself together. The kid's got a good mindset. If only your talent was better... tsk."
The rest was too quiet to hear clearly. Fang Yi clicked his tongue regretfully and said.
"Well, if you want to go to Crimson Sun Mountain, there is a way."
"What?"
Like he was building suspense.
He played coy, then grinned and pulled a talisman from his sleeve.
"This is a 1st-rank low-grade talisman called a Breath Concealment Talisman. It has the effect of hiding the user's presence. Of course, it works on 1st-rank demon beasts too."
"A Breath Concealment Talisman! With that, I can climb Crimson Sun Mountain?"
"Right. Our Spirit Elixir Pavilion specializes in selling pills, but we also sell talismans. Of course, we sell Breath Concealment Talismans too."
He finally understood why Fang Yi had given him advice. Like a merchant, he was trying to make a sale.
If he had no ulterior motive, that was actually reassuring.
"...How much are they?"
"Not too expensive. Three Breath Concealment Talismans for one spirit stone."
He'd hoped, but as expected.
For poor Chen Xiaoming, it was a price that just made him sigh.
"Unfortunately, that's too expensive for me."
"Haha! Do you think I don't know you're a broke kid without a single spirit stone? I'm just telling you to buy them when you get spirit stones later."
"Um... Senior. Since we're talking about spirit stones, is there any suitable work for Qi Refining Level 1 cultivators like me?"
"Work? Actually, the best thing is to get hired at a shop like our Spirit Elixir Pavilion and work as a clerk. You could earn one or two spirit stones a month. But..."
Fang Yi made a slightly troubled expression and said.
"Finding an opening won't be easy. Since it's safe and good work, the competition's fierce. Sorry, but I recently took on a disciple, so I don't have room to hire you."
"Oh, no. I didn't mean to impose on you like that. I was just asking how ordinary rogue cultivators make a living."
Fang Yi nodded and spoke with a pitying expression.
About the reality of rogue cultivators without proper backing.
"First, you can become a demon beast hunter. You risk your life climbing mountains and fighting demon beasts. It's dangerous, so the income's high, and you're free."
"Second, you can make and sell things that help with cultivation, like talismans or pills. It's not dangerous and the income's very high, but I recommend not even thinking about this path."
He'd tried to listen quietly but couldn't help asking.
"Senior. I heard that both talisman masters who make talismans and pill masters who make pills have very high status in the cultivation world. They must earn good spirit stones, so why are you telling me not to even consider it?"
"Hehe. Kid. You only know half the story. Why do you think they're respected?"
"That's..."
"Of course, it's because it's hard to become one. Becoming a talisman master or pill master without systematic education is nearly impossible. Remember the Breath Concealment Talisman I showed you earlier?"
"Yes. You said it was a 1st-rank low-grade talisman."
"The Breath Concealment Talisman is one of the most basic talismans, but it's not easy to draw. Even someone with genius-level talent needs to practice at least 100 times before they can barely get started. That means you need to prepare enough materials to draw at least 100 talismans before you can even start practicing."
"...What if you don't have talent?"
"Of course, it'll be hard to get started even after drawing a thousand or ten thousand talismans. The materials to draw a thousand Breath Concealment Talismans would cost at least 100 spirit stones. Even after investing such massive capital to practice, the success rate will be less than 10%."
Chen Xiaoming listened blankly and instinctively calculated.
Materials for Breath Concealment Talismans you could buy with 1 spirit stone: 10 total.
Price of Breath Concealment Talismans: three for one spirit stone.
'...You need at least a 30% success rate to break even. Everything before that is a loss.'
To become a talisman master and make money, you needed initial capital of hundreds or thousands of spirit stones.
This was just for practicing one basic talisman, the Breath Concealment Talisman.
Without genius-level talent and support, becoming a talisman master was nearly impossible.
"By the way, being a talisman master is much easier compared to being a pill master. To become a 1st-rank pill master like me, you need tremendous spirit stones and talent. Hehe."
"Ah..."
Fang Yi's grinning expression was full of pride.
Like he was showing off, he continued with great fanfare.
"If you understand, give up any thoughts of becoming a talisman master. Honestly, even I couldn't have become a pill master without support."
"Senior. Then in my case, do I have no choice but to climb Crimson Sun Mountain and risk my life fighting demon beasts?"
"Hmm... that's not it. There is a third option."
He clasped his hands respectfully. He perked up his ears in a listening posture, but the explanation didn't continue.
"Senior?"
Fang Yi, who seemed to be hesitating about something, spoke with an expression like he had no choice.
"Sigh, the third option is to join Crimson Sun Sect. Crimson Sun Sect is a sect formed by rogue cultivators like you, and they don't really have requirements. If you apply, they accept anyone."
Come to think of it, he'd heard of them before. One of the most powerful forces in Crimson Sun Market.
As he recalled rumors about Crimson Sun Sect, Fang Yi's explanation continued.
"Plus, they teach basic spells when you join, so it'll be a big help to you. However..."
"...Is there a problem?"
"To join Crimson Sun Sect, you have to sign a contract. The minimum work period is a bit long, so you can't work for one or two years and quit. Of course, this is also an advantage in a way."
"A long work period is an advantage?"
"Right. Other places don't even have work periods. Orthodox sects that value master-disciple relationships require you to share life and death from the moment you join. If you say you want to leave the sect, you'll be treated as a traitor."
"...Once you join a sect, there's no turning back."
"Of course. Actually, this condition is the same for most sects in the cultivation world. If you try to quit, your cultivation will be crippled and your limbs' meridians will be severed, right? Well, compared to that, Crimson Sun Sect is mild."
* * *
Chen Xiaoming left Spirit Elixir Pavilion and set out.
He headed for the inner city, the core area of Crimson Sun Market.
Recalling Fang Yi's explanation, he moved diligently and soon arrived in front of a massive gate three stories high.
'It's huge.'
The mysterious patterns carved on the grand gate caught his eye. They were in the form of a mountain range wrapped in flames, and he could feel intense heat.
Even though it was just a picture carved on the gate, it felt vivid, like it was alive.
Chen Xiaoming nodded, impressed by the imposing presence befitting an immortal sect. This was Crimson Sun Sect.
"Whew."
He took a light breath and approached the gatekeeper. He planned to verify whether the information Fang Yi had given him was true.