"Nothing significant," Gu Qingxi replied, tucking the ceramic vials away safely. "He gifted me these. I wished to reciprocate, but he declined."
"Treasure them," Lu Tianyu advised earnestly. "Brother Hundred Li's concoctions might lack... aesthetic appeal, but their efficacy is unparalleled. Truly potent." He then sighed, the sound heavy with the familiar weight of financial despair. "As for me... I just returned from the Commission Hall. Utterly fruitless. Those vultures! Any remotely profitable, straightforward commissions vanish faster than morning mist. Everyone's desperate."
"Shixiong," Gu Qingxi began gently, choosing her words with care to avoid bruising his pride, "your expenditures... particularly for your sword... they consistently outpace your earnings, don't they?"
"Outpace?" Lu Tianyu's voice cracked, a sheen of genuine moisture glistening in his eyes. He carefully unslung the massive sword strapped to his back – Blazeheart – and laid it reverently on the stone table between them. Its sheer size dominated the space. "Shimei, observe. Blazeheart dwarfs a standard blade by threefold, correct?"
Gu Qingxi nodded silently.
"Thus," Lu Tianyu continued, his voice thick with a mixture of devotion and financial agony, "its upkeep costs triple! See here?" He pointed to a section near the hilt where faintly glowing runes seemed slightly dimmer than elsewhere. "The reinforcement arrays are fraying! Re-etching them demands specialized materials – costly spirit stones! And I yearn to temper Blazeheart further... but acquiring the final two Fire Rhino Stones..." He trailed off, his fingers tracing the worn leather grip with profound tenderness, the gesture speaking volumes of his bond with the weapon. "The expense... it's crippling."
Gu Qingxi understood implicitly. For a Sword Cultivator, their blade was more than a tool; it was an extension of their soul, a lifelong partner demanding constant, costly nurturing. Lu Tianyu's existence mirrored a poignant, almost tragic cycle: laboring tirelessly in perilous mines or remote beast lairs, only to pour every hard-earned spirit stone back into maintaining Blazeheart's formidable edge and resilience. It was the cultivator's equivalent of a husband toiling day and night, his earnings vanishing entirely into his wife's relentless pursuit of beauty and adornment.
"And lately... utter destitution," Lu Tianyu groaned, slumping slightly. "The last skirmish took its toll on Blazeheart too. She needs care..."
"The talismans I gifted you," Gu Qingxi suggested softly. "Couldn't you sell some? Temporarily alleviate the strain?"
"Absolutely not!" Lu Tianyu straightened instantly, his expression fierce with protectiveness. "Those are Shimei's gifts! Sacred tokens! I guard them meticulously!" He patted his spatial pouch firmly.
Gu Qingxi stared at him, momentarily speechless. A complex warmth bloomed in her chest, unexpected and profound. She knew Lu Tianyu's poverty was bone-deep, etched into the very fabric of his being since their first encounter. She had fully expected him to liquidate the valuable talismans immediately, converting them into the spirit stones he so desperately needed. Yet here he was, clinging to them with fierce loyalty, prioritizing the sentimental value of her gift over his own dire financial straits. His integrity, his simple, unwavering appreciation, struck a deep chord.
"Shixiong," Gu Qingxi said, her voice gaining a new, determined resonance. A radiant, almost dazzling smile spread across her face, carrying a spark of audacious ambition. "Let us become partners in prosperity."
"Eh?" Lu Tianyu blinked, momentarily bewildered by the sudden shift.
The cultivation world's wealth hierarchy was clear: Alchemists reigned supreme, followed by Talisman Masters, Array Masters, and finally, Artifact Crafters bringing up the rear. High-level mastery in any of these paths commanded immense respect and riches, but the journey was fraught – costly materials, high failure rates, and intense competition. True wealth belonged to the Grandmasters.
Talisman Masters, while potentially lucrative, faced their own hurdles. Crafting demanded intense focus and precise Qi control; a single lapse could ruin hours of work. Mass production was a pipe dream for most.
"I craft the talismans," Gu Qingxi outlined, her eyes gleaming with strategic fire. "You handle sales and promotion. Profits split fifty-fifty."
Lu Tianyu waved his hands frantically. "Impossible! The labor is entirely yours! I'll gladly sell them for you, but taking half the profit? Unthinkable!"
"It's not that simple, Shixiong," Gu Qingxi countered patiently. "You'll need to market them. Demonstrate their efficacy. Perhaps... even test them yourself publicly."
"Test them?" Lu Tianyu looked utterly perplexed. Selling talismans, in his mind, involved setting up a stall outside the Commission Hall or in Tian Qing City's market square. What was this talk of demonstrations and personal testing?
Gu Qingxi knew her ease of talisman creation was abnormal. Flooding the market would attract dangerous scrutiny. She needed to mimic a standard Talisman Master's output. Her real profit engines wouldn't be combat seals, but niche products: Fortune's Bloom Talismans and Serenity Sigils.
Lu Tianyu understood the appeal of Serenity Sigils – cultivators constantly sought mental clarity. But Fortune's Bloom Talismans? For attracting romantic prospects? He eyed Gu Qingxi skeptically as she prepared her talisman crafting tools. "This talisman... it genuinely summons romantic fortune?"
"Not precisely," Gu Qingxi clarified, dipping her brush into potent cinnabar ink. "It subtly purges minor bodily impurities, enhances circulation. The effect is subtle – a clearer complexion, brighter eyes, a general aura of vitality. Think of it as... refining one's natural presentation." Like the difference between appearing washed-out and well-rested. It wouldn't conjure love, but it might make existing admirers take notice, or give a hesitant suitor that final nudge. Perception was key.
"Such a minor effect... will people truly buy it?" Lu Tianyu remained dubious.
"Hence, phase one: free samples," Gu Qingxi announced, her tone businesslike. "We distribute five Fortune's Bloom Talismans gratis. Recipients experience the effect, word spreads. Phase two: limited sales at an introductory discount – twenty percent off. Offer a further discount for verified testimonials or referrals. Phase three: once demand is established, we raise the price. Apply the same strategy to the Serenity Sigils."
Lu Tianyu's jaw dropped slightly. He stared at Gu Qingxi as if seeing her for the first time. This wasn't just selling; this was a calculated campaign! Layers of strategy! It sounded... brilliant!
"I have morning classes," Gu Qingxi continued, mapping out the schedule. "Afternoons are for reviewing lessons and personal cultivation. Evenings, I dedicate to talisman crafting. You collect the finished products each morning."
"Agreed!" Lu Tianyu nodded vigorously, relief washing over him. He'd been worried about encroaching on her vital cultivation time. This schedule was perfect. "This is excellent, Shimei! A sound plan!"
"Shixiong," Gu Qingxi shifted topics, "our Peak... surely we have our own Scriptorium, yes?" Every respectable Peak maintained a repository for foundational cultivation manuals and Peak-specific techniques. Accessing basic texts shouldn't be an issue.
Lu Tianyu's expression flattened. His voice emerged hollow, devoid of hope. "...No. Ours is the sole Peak lacking one."
Gu Qingxi blinked. "...Why?"
"Maintenance costs," Lu Tianyu stated, the words heavy with the crushing reality of Zi Lin's existence. "A Scriptorium requires custodians, protective arrays, climate control for delicate scrolls... all expenditures. We possess... insufficient funds."
Gu Qingxi: "..."
The depths of Zi Lin's poverty continually redefine my understanding.
"You can access the Sect Grand Scriptorium on Heaven's Chasm Peak," Lu Tianyu offered, a faint blush of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. "The first three tiers are free for Inner Sect disciples. Visiting other Peaks' Scriptoria grants free access only to their first tier; higher tiers require payment or Sect Contribution Points." He stood up, eager to move past the awkwardness. "Come, I'll escort you to the Grand Scriptorium."
"Very well." Gu Qingxi nodded, summoning Dodo with a soft call. She mounted the patiently waiting Shoebill.
Lu Tianyu watched the process, a flicker of longing in his eyes – the unfulfilled desire to ferry his Shimei himself, Blazeheart slicing through the clouds. Alas, practicality (and Shimei's evident preference for stable flight) prevailed.
They landed on the bustling plateau before Heaven's Chasm Peak's imposing Grand Scriptorium. Only after dismounting and watching Dodo waddle off to find shade did Lu Tianyu ask, curiosity piqued, "What texts are you seeking, Shimei?"