After distributing the tasks and preparing, Zhang Yong and Su Ming went outside.
Su Ming felt a little puzzled. "So Zhang Yong, do you have any experience in business?"
Zhang Yong shook his head with a smile. "No, I never had."
Su Ming's jaw dropped at this stupidity. "Then why did you claim you could handle it?"
Zhang Yong chuckled slightly. "There's not much difference. Business competition? I can deal with that. It can be done by normal means… or by ugly ones."
Zhang Yong walked ahead of Su Ming before Su Ming grabbed his hand. "Zhang Yong, I want you to promise me that you won't use dirty methods for success. I'm sure the master won't accept a cure obtained that way."
Zhang Yong looked into Su Ming's eyes. A spark of sharpness flashed within his own, then he sighed softly. "Fine, I'll promise under one condition. If I'm forced into a situation where I have no choice, I'll do it. But if I'm not forced, I won't. What do you think?"
Su Ming smiled in relief. "That's good enough at least."
"You're so childish. We're newcomers in this field. If we reveal that we can grow quickly, others in the same business will try dirty tricks to get rid of future competition. After all, the goal of merchants is profit, and two tigers cannot rule the same mountain."
Su Ming grinned foolishly. "Maybe, maybe not. You never know what the future holds. So, what do you plan to sell?"
Zhang Yong smiled confidently. He had been thinking of starting a business for a long time in order to obtain enough resources for his own cultivation. And what was the first thing he had to think about? The products he would sell.
However, even for someone inexperienced in business, he knew that if he tried to create and sell things that existed in his previous life, there was no such thing as intellectual property laws here—his products would inevitably be copied, or even resold as originals.
Then another idea came to his mind: the system itself. He could simply buy weapons from the system's shop and resell them. But the problem was that his emotional points would never keep up with the cost of those products, and he'd end up suffering huge losses.
That left one option—selling products already existing in this world. The most valuable would, of course, be pills, weapons, and talismans.
"We'll sell pills and weapons. But for now, let's focus on pills and talismans. Neither of us are blacksmiths. And another thing—we'll need a store to run our business. At least we have enough capital, then we'll buy the ingredients. I've got around two thousand spirit stones."
Su Ming pounded his chest confidently. "Zhang Yong, you gather the ingredients and I'll go find us a store."
Zhang Yong felt doubtful. Not that he didn't trust Su Ming, but with his kind of mind, he feared he might get scammed. "Are you sure about this?"
Su Ming nodded. "Yeah, trust me."
Zhang Yong decided to place his trust in Su Ming and handed him a pouch containing one thousand spirit stones. "Here are the stones. Just make sure to bargain."
Su Ming grabbed the pouch and raised his hand in a mock military salute. "Don't worry. I may not know business, but I'll make sure to haggle. See you later."
He turned and started running off.
'He's an idiot,' the Empress grumbled inside Zhang Yong's spiritual sea.
"Maybe, but at least he saved us one task. I'll get going now." Zhang Yong smiled gently.
He raised his hand and summoned Kuro from the void. "Kuro, I need a ride."
Kuro immediately turned her head. 'Of course, Father.'
Zhang Yong climbed onto her back, and she soared into the sky.
As he looked down at the sect's lands below, he asked, "Kuro, I just remembered—how far have you reached in your cultivation?"
'I'm nearing forty thousand years.'
Zhang Yong looked at her in admiration and astonishment. "So it's only a matter of time until you reach one hundred thousand years. Then you'll face your tribulation and decide whether to take human form , or continue cultivating as a beast."
Kuro hesitated thoughtfully. 'So Father, which choice should I make?'
Zhang Yong smiled and laid down on her back. "You can choose whatever you want. I'll support you no matter what. That's my duty as a father."
Kuro chuckled. 'Thank you, Father.'
Among the cities under the sect's control, Zhang Yong headed toward Little Star City, named so because it was the first city to submit to the sect.
He went straight to the herb market.
Inside a herb shop stood a man with a monocle behind the counter, with rows of drawers full of herbs along the wall. "Welcome to our humble store."
Zhang Yong smiled and thought, 'Hmm, yes—drawing customers in with polite words. That's useful.'
He pointed with his hand. "I want one kilo of every herb you have here."
"What?" the man was shocked. "Excuse me, young man, I don't mean to offend, but do you even have that kind of money?"
Zhang Yong lifted a pouch filled with two hundred spirit stones and set it on the counter. "Two hundred spirit stones should be enough, right?"
The man rubbed his hands together. "W-well, the price is higher than that…"
Zhang Yong was surprised, but given the sheer number of drawers behind him, of course the total would be higher.
He stroked his chin in thought. "Do you accept collateral?"
A strained smile appeared on the man's face. "Y-yes, of course."
Zhang Yong lifted his hand and a Mountain-Splitting Axe appeared in his grip. "I want to pawn this axe."
The man's eyes widened at the sight. He hurried to examine it, then gave his judgment. "This axe is finely crafted and clearly forged from rare metal. Are you sure you want to pawn it?"
Zhang Yong nodded with a smile. He had already realized—the old man immediately recognized the axe, showing he was an expert. Acknowledging its value also meant he wanted to build trust with a customer. But it also revealed doubt: pulling out such a powerful weapon so casually? He must be a hidden young master! That meant he shouldn't be offended. Yet another question bothered the shopkeeper—if he was really a young master, why was he buying herbs from him? The evidence contradicted itself in the man's mind , So out of caution, it should be treated with respect.
Zhang Yong nodded. "Yes. And give me some seeds and roots as well."
The man smiled happily, as if he had struck gold. "Of course. I'll need some time to gather the stock. Please have a seat."
He poured Zhang Yong a cup of tea before leaving to prepare the order.
Zhang Yong sipped it, thinking, 'Truly, business requires experience, connections, and winning customers.'
Soon the man returned with a ring in hand. He bowed slightly, holding it with both palms. "Here you are, young man. Everything you requested is inside this spatial ring. You may keep the ring as a gift from our store."
Zhang Yong was stunned. Spatial rings had larger capacity than storage pouches, and were much more expensive. "How much do all these cost?"
The man smiled calmly. "Twelve thousand spirit stones is the cost for these herbs and seeds."
Zhang Yong thought a moment. "Tell me, do you know a place that sells talisman paper and brushes?"
The man's heart skipped a beat. Other than martial artists, the most prestigious professions were alchemists, array masters, and talisman makers. For Zhang Yong to ask about these suggested he might be a talisman maker. But if so, how could he lack money? These were the wealthiest professions of all.
"I can handle that for you. May I ask what kind of brush you're looking for, and within what price range?"
Zhang Yong considered before replying. "I'll take a beginner's brush, preferably within four hundred spirit stones, along with fifty talisman papers."
The shopkeeper gestured to a young clerk in the back. "Go to Shu Kang and bring me a Wooden Crane brush and twenty sheets of Purple Gold paper."
The boy rushed out and returned about twenty minutes later with a red wooden box, opening it for the shopkeeper.
The man carried the box to Zhang Yong. "This brush is made from the feathers of the Wooden Crane—it's excellent for channeling mental energy for beginners. And these sheets are crafted from the golden leaves of the purple tree, the best for retaining spiritual energy within."
Zhang Yong felt pleased inwardly. In the book gifted by his master, it was written that high-level talisman masters didn't need brushes or paper at all—they could draw runes on anything, even in the air, and it would still work. But reaching that stage took time, and as this was his first attempt, he needed this kind of support.
He smiled at the explanation. "Good. As for the price—"
The shopkeeper interrupted immediately. "You may consider them a gift from us."
Zhang Yong took the box and stored it in his spatial ring. "Then I won't trouble you further. Thank you for these items."
The shopkeeper bowed eagerly. "Don't mention it—it was an honor to deal with you."
Zhang Yong left the store with a sigh. "Truly, everything needs money. I now have six hundred spirit stones left. Next I'll need ink, which is beast blood—the higher the beast's rank, the stronger the effect. Then I'll need formation flags… damn, with what I have I can only buy four flags."
He cursed in his heart. Beast blood determined the grade of the talisman itself, so a single talisman could vary in strength depending on the blood used. Still, this was an advantage—he wouldn't need to buy ink. He could just hunt spirit beasts for it.
The talismans didn't need spiritual energy to work , only a little mental energy and then the talisman will absorb the energy of heaven and earth from the outside, so even as someone as Zhang Yong, who's without spiritual energy, he can use it without a problem
He went to another market in Little Star City and bought four small formation flags, then sighed in frustration. "I'm broke again. Well, time to head to the hunting forest."
Zhang Yong summoned Kuro and flew to the beast forest. After half an hour of hunting, he obtained five vials of blood from beasts of ice, earth, fire, wind, and lightning.
Once he had what he needed, he returned to the sect.
He jumped off Kuro's back and stretched. "Kuro, you can go hunt in the forest and level up."
Kuro cried out and flew away toward the woods.
As Zhang Yong walked toward the disciples' quarters, he noticed how empty and quiet the peak was. Well, it was always quiet—but today especially so, since most disciples had gone out to search for herbs. The recipe required forty-one types of herbs, ranging from grade three to grade five—extremely rare in this world
Zhang Yong entered the disciples' hall and found Su Ming slumped over the table, looking like he was drowning in depression.
Zhang Yong smacked his back. "What's with you, man? You were cheerful this morning."
Su Ming lifted his head. "I got us a store."
Zhang Yong was puzzled. If he had completed his task, why the long face? "And? Didn't you bargain with the owner?"
Su Ming shook his head. "No, I did. It'd be better if you saw it yourself."
The two hurried out of the sect, and Su Ming led Zhang Yong to the location.
Zhang Yong couldn't help his shock. "What the h—? Couldn't you find another place?"
Su Ming lowered his shoulders. "I searched, but no."
Zhang Yong immediately asked. "And the price?"
"Eighteen hundred stones."
Zhang Yong slapped his forehead. "No wonder you got it for that price. This is going to be a headache."
The problem wasn't the store's size—about twenty square meters, not too small, not too large. The issue was its location: right in front of a luxurious two-story building.
Opening a shop directly in front of it was a direct challenge, sure to spark fierce commercial rivalry.
They entered their store, where dust and cobwebs filled every corner.
"How long has this place gone uncleaned?"Su Ming grumbled as he walked through.
"Then we'd better start cleaning." Zhang Yong tossed him an old broom.
Su Ming scowled. "What a joke. I used to wield a sword, and now I'm holding a broom."
Still, the two had no choice but to clean. After all, they had bought the place already, and couldn't just change it quickly.
But one thought weighed on Zhang Yong's mind—how to deal with competitors, especially the owner of the store across the street. Even if customers came, of course they'd choose the more attractive store.
His instinct suggested price wars: selling the same pills at better quality and lower prices. But that would only work short-term. Eventually, demand would outweigh supply, and he'd ruin himself.
There was a rule in business: sacrifices must be made to succeed. But if one proceeded cautiously, perhaps that rule could be avoided.
Zhang Yong knew nothing about business—but when it came to playing dirty, that was what he was best at.
After finishing the cleaning, they both rested.
Su Ming asked, "So what now?"
"Of course, we start making pills. Take this ring—it contains herbs. Refine them into pills." Zhang Yong tossed him the ring, which Su Ming caught.
Su Ming was stunned when he checked its contents. "This amount of herbs is huge. Making grade one and two pills isn't a problem, but grade three? I haven't reached that level yet. And the time… it'll take three days to refine all this. And the success rate—"
Zhang Yong smiled. "Don't worry. There's a talisman that can raise the success rate. As long as I can craft it, production will increase."
Zhang Yong went to the store's backyard, where several side rooms surrounded an open courtyard. Those rooms were for alchemists refining pills.
He entered one, placed a yellow talisman paper on the floor, beside it a vial of beast blood from a fire-type beast, and set the brush next to it.
He smiled confidently. "Alright, let's begin. This is my first time, so I must be careful."
He dipped the brush in blood and began drawing. As he infused mental energy, a strange numbness tingled in his mind. When he finished, the talisman suddenly exploded into pieces.
Zhang Yong frowned in confusion. "Did I do something wrong? I drew it exactly as in the book. Or is it because my mastery is too low? Let's try again. I can't expect success on the first attempt."
He tried again with another yellow paper. Once finished—it exploded again. He repeated three more times, each one shattering.
"What the hell is going on?"
Suddenly, he heard Ling Xi's laughter. "I knew it would end like this, kukuku."
Zhang Yong immediately asked, "Ling Xi, do you know what's happening?"
Ling Xi cleared her throat. "It's simple—the problem lies in you, not the tools."
Zhang Yong frowned. "Then what is it?"
Ling Xi sighed. "Let me use your body for a moment."
Her spirit took over Zhang Yong's body. His golden eyes were replaced with abyssal black eyes. Holding the brush, Ling Xi smiled. "It's simple. You're using too much mental energy for this paper. If it were high-grade, it'd be fine. But it isn't. You must precisely control how much energy you channel."
She drew the talisman—and this time, it didn't tear apart. Proof of success. She then returned Zhang Yong's body to him.
Zhang Yong thought deeply. "Alright, at least I know the problem now. Time to work hard."
He continued crafting talismans. But by the tenth one, his mind felt parched, his mental energy drained severely. He staggered, carrying the five talismans in hand.
He left the room and went to Su Ming, who sat before a large bronze cauldron.
Zhang Yong lifted his hand, showing the talismans. "Done."
Su Ming looked surprised. "Good, but… you look pale, are you ok?"
Zhang Yong stepped forward and began attaching the talismans to the cauldron. "This should raise the success rate by 10%. I'm just a little drained from overusing my mental energy."
Su Ming pulled out a blue pill from his storage pouch and handed it to him. "Take this, a Soul Recovery Pill. It'll help restore mental energy."
Zhang Yong swallowed it. A refreshing sensation spread through his body. "Mmm, good. So, how many pills can you refine now with this boost?"
Su Ming stroked his chin, calculating. "I'd say… with the herbs you brought, I'm confident I can refine at least forty pills from fifteen different types."
Zhang Yong exclaimed. "That's great. Keep working hard. I'll go back to talisman crafting. By the way, do you have more of those pills?"
Su Ming frowned. "Don't tell me you're planning to push yourself to the brink—making talismans, draining your mind, then taking a pill each time. I advise against it. Your body will collapse before your mind does."
Zhang Yong stretched out his hand, ignoring the warning. "Don't worry. Just five pills will do."
Su Ming sighed helplessly and handed him a bottle with five pills. "Take them. But don't say I didn't warn you."