Setting up the stall was ultimately decided by Chi Changye. They couldn't be timid due to lack of understanding. Only by taking the first step could they know what response they'd get. If they encountered trouble, Chi Changye would handle it!
Thinking of Chi Changye's remarkable combat power, Tian Feirong was confident about earning spirit stones. If anyone dared to cause trouble, Chi Changye would deal with them!
For the next two days, Gu Yao and Chi Changye focused on alchemy and talisman crafting in their small courtyard. Luckily, they had procured a batch of supplies before leaving Shifang City; otherwise, they would have been unable to practice their skills.
Tian Feirong and Xiao Pangzi continued exploring various information outside and dealt with stall rental matters. They settled for a daily settlement method, although it was relatively more expensive. Once they earned enough spirit stones, they could rent as they pleased.
During this time, two students who had moved into the A-class area, Pei Yuchun and Hou Qiang, sent representatives to recruit them into their factions. They claimed that as new students, they should unite to face the oppression of older students. Similarly, new students in the B-class area tried to recruit them into their groups. In the C-class area, students proposed forming a mutual assistance group to help each other without distinctions. Tian Feirong and Xiao Pangzi handled these matters to avoid disruptions and interruptions in Gu Yao's alchemy.
After two days of preparation, Tian Feirong and Xiao Pangzi, armed with the pills provided by Gu Yao and the talismans from Chi Changye, were ready to set up their stall. Worried about potential issues on the first day, Gu Yao and Chi Changye decided to accompany them.
Chi Changye's role was to intimidate at the stall!
Hearing Gu Yao's explanation, Chi Changye twitched his mouth, feeling both amused and exasperated. In the past, who among his fellow disciples dared to use him like this? Even if someone wanted him dead, they feared his strength and potential and would eliminate their competitors in advance.
It had to be said that being with Gu Yao made him much more relaxed. Initially, besides the reason for his cultivation being damaged, he felt a responsibility towards Gu Yao. At first, responsibility was the main factor, but the more they interacted, the more he couldn't help but focus on him.
With Gu Yao and Chi Changye as support, Tian Feirong was eager to make a mark at Tianfu Academy. Now, this small stall was his starting point. The boards were already prepared, with the names and prices of the pills and talismans written on them.
As they arranged rows of jade bottles and stacks of talismans on the table, the owner of the neighboring stall arrived, and it happened to be someone they knew.
"Sister Bai? So, you rented the stall next to us. Are you going to sell... flower cakes?" Tian Feirong was delighted, thinking about the deliciousness of flower cakes.
Bai Xiuer, seeing them, was also pleasantly surprised. "Yes, I'm selling flower cakes. It's my only specialty. If I don't sell flower cakes, my spirit stones will be depleted. Meeting you all is great; now I have company."
Bai Xiuer, who was initially a bit uneasy, became much more relaxed. She took out a plate covered with a transparent lid from her storage bag and cut a piece of flower cake into small pieces on another small plate. She let the plate warm slightly, and the rich aroma instantly spread. The first to be captivated were Gu Yao and the others. Even Chi Changye, who usually had little interest in food, couldn't help but sniff.
Tian Feirong and Xiao Pangzi had seen Bai Xiuer these past few days in the C-class area. It was evident she wasn't someone wealthy.
Smelling the fragrance, Gu Yao swallowed and pitifully touched his stomach. Although he had eaten breakfast before coming out, he suddenly felt hungry again.
Thinking about whether to buy some flower cakes first to satisfy his cravings, Bai Xiuer had already taken out a beautifully packaged bag and placed it on their table. She smiled, "This is Sister's treat. Please take it. In the future, please take care of Senior Brothers."
Having received a free treat once before, Gu Yao handed over a bottle of pills and a talisman to Bai Xiuer. "Thank you for the treat. Please try our pills and talismans."
Initially not paying much attention, Bai Xiuer was surprised when she opened the jade bottle. It turned out to be a high-quality Qi-boosting pill, suitable for her current cultivation level. The talisman she received was an intermediate-level escape talisman. In critical moments, it could be used to flee. The value of these pills and talismans far exceeded that of her flower cakes. Bai Xiuer felt somewhat embarrassed.
Tian Feirong casually said, "Sister Bai, don't worry about it. These pills and talismans are ours. In the future, when Sister Bai sells us flower cakes, you can give us a discount. Of course, if you want to buy pills and talismans, we'll give Sister Bai a discount too."
Bai Xiuer looked at Gu Yao with surprise. Not to mention pills, which he clearly refined, she didn't expect his alchemy skills to be so good. They were no worse than the alchemists in the academy. She felt like she had taken advantage of him. Smiling, she said, "Sure, Sister won't be polite then. If Senior Brothers want to eat flower cakes, just come find me."
"That's great!"
"Selling pills! Selling talismans! High-quality pills and talismans!"
"Selling flower cakes! Delicious flower cakes for sale!"
The two stalls were located in a somewhat remote area, given their inability to afford high prices and being newcomers. However, the reputation of high-quality pills, talismans, and the enticing aroma of flower cakes attracted quite a few people.
Tian Feirong and Xiao Pangzi were calling out in front, while Gu Yao and Chi Changye were on the side, unpacking and eating flower cakes. They didn't forget to pass some to the two in the front, who were working hard.
While examining the bag, which was soft like cotton but had a texture like paper, Gu Yao was interrupted by Chi Changye. "It's made from the leaves of a spiritual flower. After a special treatment, these leaves can also be used as paper for writing."
"No wonder. I felt the patterns on it looked like leaves. It's quite clever to use it for packing flower cakes; it won't affect the taste, and it's lightweight and attractive," praised Gu Yao.
The fragrance of Bai Xiuer's flower cakes attracted several female students who, after inquiring about the price, found them slightly more expensive than other pastries. However, after trying a small piece, they didn't hesitate to purchase. Surprisingly, no one touched the adjacent pills and talismans. Some students observed from a distance, perhaps waiting for them to face difficulties.
After two female students bought the flower cakes, they turned to the bottles, asking, "High-quality pills? Are they really high-quality? High-quality Vitality Pills? High-quality Revitalization Pills?"
"Sister, please don't be deceived. Look at these people; they just entered the academy. Do you think they can produce intermediate high-quality pills? Do they consider the academy people the same as those ignorant fools outside?" A male student walked over to stop the female students.
Before Tian Feirong got annoyed, Xiao Pangzi got angry first, clenching his fists and saying, "You haven't even looked at the pills and dare confidently say we're selling fake ones? Is this how students of Tianfu Academy talk? Is everyone as brazen as you?"
Tian Feirong looked at Xiao Pangzi in surprise, not expecting him to take the lead. Gu Yao and Chi Changye exchanged glances, feeling there was a reason for this.
The male student became angrier. New students dared to confront him? Did they not want to stay in the academy? "Just because you're new students, don't say you're already mid-level ninth-grade alchemists since entering the academy. If your pills are genuine, I'll eat this table!"
Xiao Pangzi wanted to retort, but Tian Feirong stopped him. There was nothing to argue about because their pills were genuine, and their alchemy skills were real. This put them in an invulnerable position. Looking around at the new and old students attracted by the dispute, Tian Feirong felt secretly delighted. It was a great opportunity to build a reputation. They should thank this fool for helping them.
"Alright! As Senior Brother said, the pills are genuine. Senior Brother will eat this table!" Tian Feirong shouted loudly, and people from afar could hear him.
Someone nearby chuckled, "I seem to hear a familiar voice. Who is making a ruckus over there?"
Immediately, someone ran over and informed him, "It's the new and old students arguing over a pill stall. They're disputing whether the pills are real or fake, claiming to sell mid-level high-quality pills. Old students say they're fake, not believing the new students could produce them."
The person patted his forehead, understanding now. "I see. This kid is quickly going to watch the excitement. Which one is the old student?"
"It's that guy Wu Feng, trying to impress two female disciples."
"Oh, it's him. This kid is doing such tasteless things. The new students have only been here for a few days, and he's already causing trouble. Isn't he afraid of losing face?"
When these two arrived, Wu Feng was proclaiming, "Alright, if the pills are fake, you four will serve as my attendants for a month, doing whatever I command."
"Wu Senior Brother, you..." The female student beside him was about to speak up to stop him. If it were someone else, it might have been tolerable, but Wu Feng's behavior here was absolutely the most humiliating. Being called attendants might sound good, but in reality, it meant becoming his servants and slaves, enduring beatings and scoldings.
"Sister, don't stop me. These new students don't know their place. They dared to deceive us, the old students. They need to be taught a lesson and learn from it." Wu Feng assumed an attitude of an old student instructing new students, which sounded good but, in reality, meant treating them as submissive servants and allowing him to order them around, including abuse.
There were people in the background cheering and waiting to watch the show. When they heard someone shout "make way," they were about to angrily rebuke, but when they turned to see who it was, they quickly cleared the path.
"I didn't expect Senior Brother Zhou to be attracted here. Senior Brother Zhou, what do you think of this matter?"
Senior Brother Zhou? Gu Yao lifted his head to look. Indeed, it was Zhou Li bringing someone over. His face was filled with a mocking smile, and it was unclear at whom it was directed. He raised a finger and made a hushing gesture toward Gu Yao's group. In response, they kept silent and didn't acknowledge him.