Bluffing

It was common knowledge that Spirit Wandering Talismans were notoriously difficult to craft. Though they were only Tier-2 spirit talismans, even a Tier-3 talisman master might not succeed in making one.

The cultivators entertained no doubts about Shi Yu's words. Their minds were already consumed with thoughts of how to purchase one for themselves.

As for those harboring ill intentions and covert desires, the moment they heard Shi Yu mention her “master,” expressions of wariness washed over their faces, extinguishing any malicious schemes.

Anyone who could craft a Spirit Wandering Talisman was surely not a figure to be underestimated.

Moreover, since she claimed she would ask her master for more, it implied her master was likely nearby.

To lay a hand on Shi Yu under such a master's very nose—wouldn't that be seeking death?

Catching the varied expressions of the crowd out of the corner of her eye, Shi Yu lowered her eyelashes.

By bringing up a fictional master, her subtle message was twofold: first, that she hadn't crafted these Spirit Wandering Talismans herself; second, that she possessed a formidable backing, warning others not to cross her lightly.

When crafting talismans or refining artifacts, she had a habit of leaving her personal mark—not only as an authentication mark, but also to build momentum for her future reputation.

Whether one was a talisman master or a weapon refiner, the better their creations, the more sought-after they became, naturally attracting broader networks and greater resources.

Hence, capable talisman masters and weapon refiners would inevitably sign their crowning achievements to make a name for themselves.

However, standing out too much at this moment would be unwise.

Thus, before handing the Spirit Wandering Talismans to the masked man, Shi Yu had erased her embedded mark. Attributing them now to her non-existent master would arouse no suspicion.

Someone nearby asked impatiently, “Miss Shi, once you obtain more Spirit Wandering Talismans from your master, how will we know so we can come buy them?”

“That's right, that's right!”

Shi Yu looked toward Jiang Qihe and offered a slight smile. “Fellow Daoists, please keep an eye on the news from Tongyi Pavilion. If there are more Spirit Wandering Talismans, I will trouble Manager Jiang to inform you all.”

Only then did the crowd calm down. Ceasing their eager badgering, they resolved to drop by Tongyi Pavilion every single day to inquire.

Jiang Qihe beamed with sheer joy. He no longer dwelled on whether she was Fellow Daoist Shi or Miss Yu; after all, as a merchant, his main focus was business itself.

Watching the crowd gradually disperse, Jiang Qihe proposed to Shi Yu, “If you can secure a slightly larger quantity of Spirit Wandering Talismans—say, around ten or so—we could organize a small-scale auction specifically for them.”

“Spirit Wandering Talismans are rare treasures to begin with. Even in the main city, only a few ever appear at auction houses. If we sell to one person and turn away another, someone is bound to feel aggrieved.”

“Holding a temporary small auction would be ideal. Everyone can let their wallets do the talking.”

Shi Yu hummed in agreement. “I understand. Manager Jiang, you may proceed with promoting it accordingly.”

Selling the talismans through an auction would maximize her profits.

She would be heading to the main city of Lingtai Prefecture before long. She was determined to acquire the Heavenly Tone Lotus—the core ingredient for concocting Foundation Establishment Pills—and to that end, she had to prepare an ample supply of spirit stones.

Seeing her agree, Jiang Qihe was overjoyed.

With Duize Tower's manager dead, it would be ideal for Tongyi Pavilion to seize this opportunity to firmly establish its dominance.

What he needed most right now was to generate hype, and using highly coveted items like Spirit Wandering Talismans for a small auction was perfect.

He expressed his gratitude to Shi Yu: “Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Shi. Since Tongyi Pavilion is leveraging your name to generate momentum, our pavilion will cover all expenses for organizing the auction. Furthermore, we won't take a single coin in commission from the proceeds—everything will belong entirely to you.”

Shi Yu smiled and nodded. “Whatever you arrange is fine, Manager.”

As they spoke, several shop hands behind them dutifully carried Chen Er, and the group set off toward Shi Yu's residence.

Before they had gone many steps, Shi Yu caught sight of a soul-shaken, despondent figure through the dispersing crowd.

It was none other than Lu Yujiao.

She must have been standing there for a while, though it was unclear how much of the commotion she had witnessed. Her gaze was dull and lifeless.

A swirl of terror, regret, and hatred surged within Lu Yujiao. She bit her lower lip, her mouth moving slightly, yet she lacked the courage to utter a word.

Previously, after falsely claiming credit for the spirit talismans Shi Yu had made and nearly framing Chen Er for theft, her reputation within the sect had plummeted. Whenever she went out, she often overheard others gossiping and mocking her behind her back.

And with Manager Yan now dead, the plot she had hatched with him this time was bound to come to light as well...

She had never expected that someone she considered a mere petty rogue cultivator—someone to be bullied and dismissed at will—would stomp her underfoot time and time again.

She had originally assumed Shi Yu was merely lucky enough to stumble upon a bit of opportunity to enter the Talisman Dao, believing she would soon leave Shi Yu far behind.

Yet looking at it now, whether in talent or background, she could not compare in any aspect.

Spirit Wandering Talismans... To produce so many at once, could Shi Yu's master be an ordinary person? Were they a Tier-3 talisman master, or perhaps... Tier-4?

Against such a figure, even if the Sect Master of the Yuxu Sect were present, he would likely have to weigh carefully whether he could afford to offend them.

Lu Yujiao dug her fingernails into her palms, utterly distracted. As she raised her eyes and met Shi Yu's cold gaze, catching the intent to kill within, her face turned pale instantly.

She had no doubt that Shi Yu would deal with her in the exact same manner she had dealt with Manager Yan.

Lu Yujiao's mind buzzed with terror. Her knees buckled, and she slumped onto the ground, stammering out a plea for mercy, “Don't... don't kill me...”

Passing cultivators wore strange expressions as they cast glances at Lu Yujiao and began whispering among themselves.

“Isn't that Eldest Miss Lu?”

“Ho! Looks like those rumors were true. Repeatedly harming her fellow disciples—how truly...”

“Sects are crawling with filthy, underhanded deeds. If you ask me, they're not nearly as open and upright as us rogue cultivators!”

For such a haughty young lady to display such a humiliating posture in public, once she regained her senses, it would likely feel far worse than death.

Shi Yu shifted her gaze away from Lu Yujiao and walked right past her, leaving behind a cool remark: “Save those words for Chen Er when he wakes up.”

Lu Yujiao bit her lip tightly, fully understanding Shi Yu's implicit meaning: if Chen Er remained unsatisfied, her life would still be forfeit.

It all depended on the sincerity of her apology.

...

After Shi Yu departed, Lu Yujiao forced herself to stand up. She clutched the storage bag in her sleeve tightly, knowing she was about to suffer a heavy loss.

“The sect won't risk offending a Tier-3 or even Tier-4 talisman master just to stick their neck out for me... I have to settle this matter myself.”

“What should I do? This brat—no, this woman—has an extraordinary background, so her standards must be absurdly high. If I offer ordinary items, I won't be able to fool her.” Lu Yujiao squeezed her storage bag in heart-wrenching distress.

Her thoughts churned with bitter regret, yet not a single shred of suspicion arose as to whether Shi Yu was merely bluffing.

To be able to produce so many rare Spirit Wandering Talismans all at once was more than enough proof of the deep foundation behind her.

...

Meanwhile, Jiang Qihe and his men escorted Shi Yu and Chen Er to her courtyard entrance. Seeing the place trashed and in disarray, Jiang Qihe jerked his chin toward his shop hands, who immediately set to work tidying up with nimble hands and feet.

“By the way,” Shi Yu stood waiting outside the door. Remembering something, she pulled seven or eight storage bags from her sleeve and handed them to Jiang Qihe. “Manager Jiang, could you help me liquidate these as well?”

These were spoils harvested from Wu Hao. She had kept the higher-quality items she could use for herself, while the rest were miscellaneous goods useless to keep around. It was better to sell them off for spirit stones.

Jiang Qihe took them, and after a quick scan with his spiritual sense, he was startled inwardly.

Without asking where the items had come from, he simply nodded. “No problem. Once I head back and complete an inventory and valuation, I'll convert them into spirit stones and deliver them to you.”

The two chatted briefly. Once the shop hands finished cleaning the house, Jiang Qihe excused himself and led his men away.

After they left, Shi Yu glanced at the still-unconscious Chen Er, then sat down in the courtyard with a trace of fatigue. “Finally, I can catch a break.”