Producing Blank Talisman Paper was simple using common materials, and Jia Ren easily acquired everything he needed. Unlike Talisman Masters, who operated at a relatively high end, Talisman Crafting could generate considerable profits; even those with Skilled Level proficiency could reap decent gains. Talisman Paper production followed a path of low profit but high volume. The profit margin for Talisman Paper was roughly 20 to 30 percent, not including stall fees and sales time.

Poor quality Talisman Paper? Even if the price was lowered, it wouldn't sell well, and it would be easy to lose money. The root cause was also the scarcity of Talisman Makers. There was no shortage of good quality, reasonably priced Talisman Paper, offering plenty of choices. Why would Talisman Makers try to save on insignificant Fragmented Spirit Stones, only to risk failing their Talisman Crafting?

Jia Ren didn't need to worry about selling, as he could use the Talisman Paper he produced himself. In two days, he made over a thousand Blank Talisman Papers with a good success rate. After the Talisman Papers dried, Jia Ren picked them up one by one for appraisal. Apart from the first few Blank Talisman Papers that were of poor quality, the rest were quite good. After his proficiency level rose to Master Level, the quality of his Talisman Paper improved significantly, each piece a fine product. Even specialty Talisman Paper stores didn't stock Talisman Paper of such high quality. Fine Blank Talisman Paper could significantly enhance the effects of Evil Warding Talismans. Unfortunately, he didn't have Evil-warding Spirit Ink at hand and couldn't experiment with its effects just yet.

Jia Ren then began crafting Featherweight Talismans. He wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but the process of making talismans seemed to flow more smoothly. When the talisman was activated, one felt as light as a swallow, able to leap several zhang in a single bound. The enhancement of the effects was good, about a 20 percent increase. Compared with the improvement of both Talisman Crafting techniques and Spirit Ink, the contribution of Blank Talisman Paper wasn't as significant. Its most important role was that of a container, representing the upper limit of a bucket of water. If the carrying container was inadequate, then no matter how advanced the Talisman Ink and Talisman Crafting skills were, their potential would be constrained.

If the production of Talisman Paper was elevated to Grandmaster Level, or even Great Grandmaster Level, crafting Evil Warding Talismans with it would yield even better effects. Obtaining Rhinoceros Horns is also an issue that must be resolved. Rhinoceros Horns were a headache. Aside from the Talisman Cultivators' Association and its affiliated Talisman Makers, he couldn't think of any other sources. Tianbao Pavilion? Jia Ren thought of Tianbao Pavilion, which Luo Yuzhu had mentioned when he traded with her; perhaps there was a chance to purchase them there.

After altering his appearance, he went to inquire with a glimmer of hope, but the result was disappointing.

"Daoist friend, Tianbao Pavilion does not have Rhinoceros Horns for sale. Any occasional Rhinoceros Horns we obtain are used to craft Evil Warding Artifacts and would not be sold."

Evil Warding Artifacts? Jia Ren didn't mind buying a few more Evil Warding Artifacts for self-defense.

"Does Tianbao Pavilion have any Evil Warding Artifacts for sale?"

"Evil Warding Artifacts are mostly custom-made and only available to Tianbao Pavilion's esteemed clients."

His hope of buying Rhinoceros Horns from Tianbao Pavilion was dashed. Jia Ren couldn't help thinking of Luo Yuzhu from the Yuding Sect; could he use her name to make the purchase? It was worth a try. If successful, he could buy Rhinoceros Horns; if he failed, there wasn't much to lose.

"I am acquainted with Daoist Luo Yuzhu of the Yuding Sect. She recommended that I come to Tianbao Pavilion to purchase Rhinoceros Horns."

"Please wait a moment, I will go ask the manager."

Shortly after, a manager hurried over, looking at Jia Ren with suspicion. "Are you Daoist Jia?"

Jia Ren, who had altered his appearance, felt his hair stand on end when he suddenly heard someone call out his surname. "The manager is mistaken, my surname is not Jia. I wonder if Tianbao Pavilion would be willing to sell Rhinoceros Horns?" he asked, still not having given up on the idea.

"If you are Daoist Jia, purchasing Rhinoceros Horns would not be a problem. Moreover, the Yuding Sect is willing to make an exception to invite Daoist Jia to join them as an Alchemist." The manager kept sizing Jia Ren up, his gaze fervent. Not long ago, the Yuding Sect had sent an urgent message, trying to find a way to bring Jia Ren to them. Tianbao Pavilion had mobilized its network, but unfortunately, despite searching throughout the Great Wilderness Market, they hadn't found Jia Ren. They hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise today—the very person they were looking for had walked right in. Even if it meant using force, they had to bring him to the Yuding Sect; they absolutely could not let the Five Elements Sect benefit.

Rhinoceros Horns were not a problem, and there was also the chance to join the Yuding Sect and become an Alchemist? Jia Ren wasn't blinded by the potential benefits; instead, he became exceedingly calm. Was this an issue with the Tempting Bait? If ordinary bait could entice the Yuding Sect to invite him to become an Alchemist, its potential must be beyond imagination. Join the Yuding Sect? Although he didn't know much about the Yuding Sect, so far away, ever since he witnessed the methods of the Five Elements Sect, he didn't have high expectations for the Yuding Sect. Mistaking the Yuding Sect for a haven would most certainly lead to an ugly death. Rhinoceros Horns and the position of an Alchemist were tempting, but the risks were too great. He didn't want to be restricted by a Sect, nor did he want to expose the secret of his rapidly improving skills. Being a step ahead made one a genius, but ten steps ahead made one a monster. The Yuding Sect would probably have people coveting his secrets. Who knew, one day he might be targeted by the old monsters of the Sect for possession. In his previous life, the worst that could happen was being treated as a slave. The Cultivation World was different; it allowed not only for soul-searching but also for possession and rebirth. How many geniuses without backing actually managed to mature?

"You've mistaken me for someone else; my surname is not Jia." Jia Ren didn't hesitate and quickly made his escape.

However, fate was not on his side, as several figures silently began to follow him. Purchasing Formations worth thousands of Spirit Stones in the past hadn't attracted such attention. Yet this time, merely inquiring about Rhinoceros Horns had led to people guessing his identity as Jia Ren, bringing trouble upon him. Being too outstanding is also a mistake...

Jia Ren decisively activated his Wind Control Skill and a Featherweight Talisman. With a single leap, he covered over ten zhang, his figure disappearing in the blink of an eye. The cultivators covertly tracking him were taken aback, exchanging shocked looks. He runs so fast, how are we supposed to chase him...

Jia Ren fled from the Great Wilderness Market, heading directly for the Grand Wilderness Mountain. Today was the day he had arranged to meet Yang Bingzhi. Uncertain if any mishaps would occur, he sent out the Earth Corner Worm King as usual; they would act as his eyes and confirm if there were any problems. The Grand Wilderness Mountain was enveloped in tranquility, overgrown with weeds due to the lack of human care. The mountain's residents were nowhere to be found. The once bountiful Spirit Rice Mountain was now filled only with the mournful chirping of insects.

No problems.

Not a soul in sight.

Yang Bingzhi's dwelling was in ruins, the stone table covered with dust, untouched for a long time. Jia Ren wasn't in a hurry. He took out a teapot, ready to enjoy some tea. From dawn until dusk, he saw no sign of Yang Bingzhi. If he hadn't confirmed Yang Bingzhi's safety using a Sound Transmission Talisman, he might have suspected the man had met a grim fate. The Sound Transmission Talisman had been a test. To avoid exposing himself, Jia Ren had intercepted it beforehand. I wonder if Yang Bingzhi reported the Spirit Stone Vein? Given the shallow location of the Spirit Stone Vein, it wasn't unimaginable that someone else might have luckily stumbled upon it.

He waited for Yang Bingzhi for a long time, to no avail. Jia Ren couldn't help but shake his head. He probably wouldn't be meeting Yang Bingzhi anytime soon. He left the words "Don't worry" on the stone table and turned to leave.

Almost forgot something important, the Earth Dragon Worms. Jia Ren's visit to the Grand Wilderness Mountain wasn't just to meet with Yang Bingzhi—he also needed to collect Earth Dragon Worms. The Yuding Sect's desire to recruit him proved that his Bait Tempting Technique was extraordinary. This was an unmined gold mine, arousing eager anticipation. I have plenty of Breakthrough Points to spare, so I don't mind spending a bit to try. Jia Ren didn't hesitate. He promptly tapped the "+" sign behind the Tempting Bait (Fish).

The panel blurred, and a flood of information about bait and medicinal materials poured into his mind.

[Spirit Attracting Bait (Fish): Great Grandmaster (3200/3200)]

The Tempting Bait (Fish) had transformed into the Spirit Attracting Bait (Fish), with the ingredients undergoing significant changes. The core ingredient, the Earth Dragon Worm, remained unchanged, but most other materials had been replaced. The ratios were also adjusted and optimized for greater refinement. The cost had multiplied several times compared to before; he wondered how much the effect had increased. Truly something to look forward to.

Jia Ren first set out to find Earth Dragon Worms in the Grand Wilderness Mountain. Without the fishing craze, Earth Corner Worms were worthless. Leaving this place would make finding Earth Dragon Worms difficult. He didn't need to act personally. The Earth Corner Worm King went into action. After waiting for the time it took an incense stick to burn, they returned, laden with more than a dozen Earth Dragon Worms.

Deviating from his path, he passed through the Ming Family's territory and took the opportunity to buy some Spirit Fish. Since Bizarre Demons had appeared in Lake of Smoky Waves, Spirit Fish had become scarce. The Ming Family, who bred Spirit Fish, was now the only source.

"Green Scaled Carps for five Broken Spirits per jin?" Jia Ren inquired about the price and was startled. When he was fishing for Spirit Fish in Lake of Smoky Waves, the price was only one Fragmented Spirit Stone per jin. This increase was too steep.

"Spirit Fish are scarce. The price has been like this for a while."

The rising price of Monster Beast Meat had also driven up the price of Spirit Fish. A fivefold increase in price was quite exorbitant. He had explored Lake of Smoky Waves too early. Had he gone to Lake of Smoky Waves a year later, he might have made a fortune from fishing for Spirit Fish. Of course, without making bait, Jia Ren would not have met Yang Bingzhi, who knew when the Earth Corner Worm calamity would have been discovered, and the battle between the Five Elements Sect and the Thousand Beasts Mountain was even further off. Like a butterfly flapping its wings, his actions had triggered a chain of butterfly effects.

He spent one Spirit Stone to purchase two jin of Green Scaled Carps. Jia Ren carried the Spirit Fish and hurried back to his dwelling, eager to start crafting.

"Daoist Shi, Yuhong has found you a female cultivator. When will you meet her?" As soon as he returned to his dwelling, the neighboring male cultivator took the initiative to come over and talk, with a sullen Zhang Yuhong following him.

The male cultivator suspected his partner was having an affair with Shi Bai, which would bring shame upon him. Unfortunately, there was no evidence. This had forced him to be extremely vigilant lately, ensuring the two had no opportunity to meet. But this wasn't a sustainable solution. He couldn't just sit around and deplete his resources; he still needed to go out and hunt Magical Beasts. The dwelling had three months of rent paid. Moving would cost Spirit Stones, and it wouldn't completely solve the problem. If they were determined to continue their affair, moving further away would be useless unless they left the Great Wilderness entirely. The solution was simple, just as Zhang Yuhong and Shi Bai had suggested: find Shi Bai a Daoist companion to keep an eye on him.

A blind date? Jia Ren recalled how he had heard about the auction from the woman next door, which had attracted trouble. He had only responded that way to deflect further complications. He had long since put the matter out of his mind, never expecting trouble to come knocking again.

"This matter can be dropped for now. I'm focused on cultivation and have no interest in a companion."

"No interest in a companion? Are you lying, or do you two really have an affair!"

Jia Ren felt a headache coming on; it was always better to have one less problem. He could only offer a perfunctory reply, "Alright, I'll trouble you with this then."

"Don't worry, the woman I'm introducing you to is extraordinary. I'll bring her to meet you in a few days." Satisfied with the response, the man hurriedly left with Zhang Yuhong.

Just find an excuse to dismiss it casually. It wasn't a major issue. Jia Ren was anxious to test the new bait and couldn't be bothered with such trivialities. Thus, he had no intention of changing his appearance or moving. He couldn't wait to start making the new Spirit Attracting Bait.

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