Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Money-Making Methods

The town's market was bustling early in the morning. This was the only market town for miles around, and besides the shops, nearby cultivators could set up stalls in designated areas for a fee.

Geared up with enthusiasm, Gu Yao compared items from the two worlds, especially the differences in spiritual herbs. As a diligent individual, he utilized every resource available in the Gu family. The family's collection room was a frequent visit, and he had read almost all the books there. For instance, when it came to identifying spiritual herbs, he could recognize most of them at a glance and explain their effects.

After walking down half the street, Gu Yao realized he had already spent over a thousand silver coins on a pile of herbs, including spiritual herbs and those not yet categorized as such. Even though these were the lowest-grade spiritual herbs, he had inadvertently overspent. To his surprise, when he came to his senses, he found that his companion, Chi Changye, had hands full of items, taken from him at some point. Gu Yao felt a bit uneasy; as an alchemist, he preferred researching plants and minerals with unique properties. Without restraint, he had spent a considerable amount of money, despite reminding himself before leaving.

Gu Yao scratched his head, "Uh, do you have anything you want to buy?"

Apart from helping Gu Yao carry things, Chi Changye was also looking around for ways to earn spirit stones. Unable to go out and hunt demonic beasts, alchemy and talisman crafting seemed like the best options. However, he lacked talent in those areas and needed numerous resources to produce results, except for talisman crafting, which might be worth a try. With his past cultivation level, making some basic spirit talismans should be manageable.

"How about buying some talisman-making tools? I'll see if I can craft some," Chi Changye suggested.

Gu Yao quickly understood that Chi Changye was trying to find a way to earn money. Considering Chi Changye's possible noble background, Gu Yao gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, let's go buy them! There's a shop ahead; let's check it out."

To make money, one had to invest; without investment, there would be no return. Reflecting on his initial entry into the alchemy profession, Gu Yao recalled the substantial material costs required before his master accepted him as a disciple.
Do not allow oneself to regret. Gu Yao took the lead, rushing to the nearest shop. Following behind, Chi Changye's lips curled slightly, but unfortunately, his current face was not appreciated by anyone.

"Welcome, what would you like to buy? I can introduce you to our products," the shop assistant greeted them warmly. Although he couldn't appreciate Chi Changye's face, he didn't react with shock; injuries to cultivators outside were a common occurrence.

"Where can we find tools for making talismans? Can you show us?" Gu Yao asked.

"Right this way."

The assistant led them to a corner where various tools for making talismans were displayed on the counter: talisman brushes, talisman blood, and blank talisman paper. Even the talisman brushes were considered spiritual tools. A low-grade talisman brush cost at least a hundred spirit pearls, and Gu Yao didn't dare to look at the prices of the higher-grade ones. It pained him to see the expenditure, hoping that Chi Changye could successfully make talismans and recover the investment soon.

"Which one do you like?" Gu Yao turned to ask Chi Changye.

Chi Changye had never used such inferior spiritual tools, but given his current situation, he had no room to be picky. Thinking about Gu Yao's background, he pointed to the one with the lowest price, saying, "Just this one. Also, a vial of talisman blood and a hundred sheets of blank talisman paper."

"Alright, one talisman brush for a hundred spirit pearls, and we'll round down the cost for talisman blood and paper. In total, it's five hundred silver coins."

With a total of a thousand spirit pearls, they had discounted ten percent. Gu Yao gritted his teeth, enduring the pain, and paid the bill. He didn't want to stay any longer. If only he had asked the old man from the Gu family for more money. This money was spent too easily. He hoped Chi Changye could succeed in making talismans and recover the investment soon.

As they stepped out of the shop, they bumped into familiar faces—twins from the Gu family and Lu Minzhu. Seeing Gu Yao with bags in hand, Gu Xing immediately accused him, "Gu Yao, where did you get the money? Did you steal from the family? After doing such shameless things, you were kicked out of the Gu family, and you still have dirty hands. Hand over the stolen money!"

Lu Minzhu, recalling the disgusting scene from yesterday upon seeing Gu Yao and Chi Changye, disdainfully took a few steps back, subconsciously wanting to distance herself from the two. She didn't expect Gu Yao to have the audacity to be with this man; truly shameless to the extreme.