Today marked the opening of Moonshadow Pavilion, with two mid-grade talisman masters sharing the hall.
The position of lead talisman master naturally sparked speculation.
The talisman display shelves were limited, as was the time for promoting goods to customers—priority had to be given to one of them.
The one who received this emphasis would be the lead, typically the most skilled, reliable, and renowned talisman master in the shop.
Lu Chi thought to himself that in terms of seniority and reputation, Liu Qing—who had come from the Mysterious Moon Market with prior experience and was personally recruited by Qin Suniang—seemed the natural choice for the position.
Yet the number of talismans sold directly impacted spirit stone earnings, and he couldn't help but feel a stir of desire for the lead role.
"Brother Liu Qing, Master Lu, you are both mid-grade talisman masters. From now on, you will oversee talisman affairs together. I hope there will be no discord between you."
Qin Suniang adjusted her gauzy sleeve, casually brushing back a stray lock of hair at her temple. Her gaze lingered on both men, soft yet sharp:
"The title of lead talisman master is not yet decided for our pavilion. Moonshadow Pavilion has just opened. For now, let the quality of the talismans and the favor of our guests be the judge. Whoever's talismans are more popular among fellow Daoists will become the lead."
Her words seemed perfectly fair, yet they concealed a hidden edge.
It was clear she intended for Lu Chi and Liu Qing to compete on the same stage, with sales determining the lead position.
Knowing that their own talismans were directly tied to spirit stone income and status, both would naturally strive to improve and produce diligently, adding more luster to Moonshadow Pavilion.
Lu Chi felt a slight stir within, even faintly guessing that the sect's invitation to him held an element of using the new to spur the old.
Otherwise, having only stepped onto the talisman master's path a little over a month ago, with only the Spirit-Gathering Talisman to show for it, how could she so readily believe he could shoulder the responsibility of mid-grade talismans?
Leveraging people's efforts to extract maximum benefit—but she was only at the fifth layer of Qi Refinement. Wasn't she afraid of backlash…
Just then, a disciple came to report that several talismans had already been sold. Qin Suniang felt a trace of relief and offered a faint smile:
"Master Lu, Brother Liu Qing, allow me to outline our strategy going forward."
"In the Azure Sparrow Mountain Market, the Luo Family Talisman Shop reigns supreme. Their talisman quality is superior, but their prices are steep. Many cultivators admire their reputation but are deterred by empty pouches."
"For our newly opened shop to surpass the Luo Family in one move would be sheer fantasy. However, no matter how strong the Luo Family Talisman Shop is, it is not without gaps."
"They mostly sell mid-to-high-grade talismans. While they do offer lower-grade, commonly used talismans, they are expensive and limited in quantity, leaving a significant gap in the market."
"Moonshadow Pavilion now has two mid-grade talisman masters. We can start with lower-grade talismans, selling commonly used ones like Spirit-Gathering, Golden Light, Ice Arrow, and Aura-Concealing talismans at a twenty or even thirty percent discount compared to market prices."
"Thin profits are acceptable. First, gather popularity and establish a firm foothold. Once customer flow becomes steady, we can gradually raise prices and slowly encroach on the Luo Family's market share."
She paused, looking at Lu Chi and Liu Qing, her voice gentle:
"Master Lu, Brother Liu Qing, you two are the foundation of Moonshadow Pavilion. Low profit margins but high volume—first capture the lower-grade market. Once our foundation is solid, we can aim for mid-to-high-grade profits."
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"This is the strategy I have devised. What are your thoughts?"
Liu Qing immediately put on a smiling face: "Sister's insight is brilliant! This younger brother will certainly strive with all his might!"
"The Sect Master's words are most reasonable. Lu will naturally comply."
Lu Chi's voice was calm.
Lower-grade talismans, thin profits to attract customers, building reputation first before planning for the long term—wasn't this exactly the path he had been on before?
Moonshadow Pavilion had a fixed shopfront and the backing of the Dusk-Mist Sect. Implementing this would naturally be twice as effective with half the effort.
However, the Luo Family ultimately had a Foundation Establishment clan behind them. If it were just open competition in business, they could contend on price and reputation. But if their market share was significantly eroded, touching their fundamental interests, they might not strictly adhere to business rules.
He suddenly noticed Qin Suniang's gaze resting on him seemed somewhat unusual—soft yet probing, its deep meaning hard to fathom.
She likely already knew about his past as a mere talisman-mender at the Luo Family Talisman Shop, yet she showed no ripple of reaction.
The reporting disciple bowed again and said, "Sect Master, a fellow Daoist at the front has asked to speak with Talisman Master Liu in detail, wishing to commission several talismans."
"Brother Liu Qing, it seems your craftsmanship has already spread. Go on, don't keep the customer waiting."
"Thank you for your esteem, Sister. A minor matter—this younger brother will go attend to it now."
Liu Qing's face instantly wore a humble smile. His gaze swept over Lu Chi, intentional or not, the corners of his lips curling into a meaningful, teasing smirk.
"Brother Lu, no need to hurry. I'll be back shortly. We'll find an opportunity later to discuss talisman techniques together."
Lu Chi did not respond, only lowering his eyes to look at the teacup on the table. The tea had cooled slightly, reflecting his calm expression, yet a thread of coldness passed through his heart.
Qin Suniang's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, a hint of a smile playing on her lips:
"Brother Liu Qing has a proud temperament, and his words may carry some sharpness. I know he is ambitious and arrogant. As you will oversee talisman affairs together from now on, I hope Master Lu will be tolerant and that you get along well."
"Moonshadow Pavilion's path ahead is not yet clear. If Talisman Master Lu has any doubts, please speak frankly. I will do my utmost."
Lu Chi’s expression remained unchanged as he cupped his hands and said, “Sect Master, you are too kind. Since Lu has joined the sect, I will naturally devote my utmost effort.”
Qin Suniang retrieved an unremarkable grey storage pouch from her sleeve and offered it to Lu Chi.
“These are the items I promised earlier. The Foundation Establishment Pill formula has been recorded on a jade slip, and the remaining talisman materials are all here as well.”
Lu Chi accepted it. His fingertips brushed the warm pouch, and he was just about to offer his thanks when a loud commotion suddenly erupted from the direction of the front hall.
Just as he was about to speak a few more words, noisy shouts suddenly came from outside the door.
First came several angry roars, followed by the dull thud of an overturned table, mixed with Liu Qing’s sharp, shrill rebuke:
“How dare you act so unreasonably! The quality of our talismans speaks for itself—the prices are clearly marked. If you’re not satisfied, you are free not to buy them. There’s no need to make a scene here!”
Lu Chi and Qin Suniang exchanged a glance, both feeling a sinking sensation in their hearts.
Qin Suniang flicked her gauzy sleeve and rose. “Let’s go and see.”
Lu Chi nodded and followed her quickly through the back hall, pushing open the screen door that connected to the front hall.
The front hall was already in chaos.
What had started as low murmurs of argument had gradually risen in volume, now mixed with several cold sneers and sharp reprimands.
Liu Qing stood behind the counter, his face pale with anger. Faint spiritual light flickered within his sleeve—clearly, he already had several talismans ready in hand.
Before the counter stood three rogue cultivators. The leader, at the fourth layer of Qi Refinement, was red in the face, pointing at a stack of Spirit Gathering Talismans on the display shelf and shouting loudly:
“This talisman paper is wrinkled, the lines blurred—clearly a defective product! Your Dusk Mist Sect has just opened shop, and you’re already trying to fool people with this kind of garbage?”
His two companions chimed in right on cue: “That’s right! The Spirit Gathering Talismans from the Luo Family Talisman Shop have stable spiritual efficacy. This one of yours, slapped onto a field ridge—I bet it couldn’t even gather spiritual energy!”
Several cultivators who had been browsing nearby stopped to watch. Some whispered among themselves, others observed coldly—the atmosphere was tense and hostile.
Liu Qing let out a cold laugh, his voice rising sharply:
“Defective? If fellow Daoists don’t believe it, test the talisman on the spot! If its spiritual efficacy is lacking, I, Liu, will pay tenfold compensation out of my own pocket!”
“But if the spiritual efficacy is sound, what will you three do then?”
The lead rogue cultivator stiffened his neck. “Pay tenfold? Hah, who knows if you’d even honor that! If you don’t give us a proper explanation today, we brothers won’t let this matter rest!”
Just as Qin Suniang and Lu Chi stepped through the screen door, the rogue cultivator’s gaze shifted and immediately recognized Qin Suniang, his voice growing even louder:
“Sect Master Qin, you’ve come at the right time! Didn’t your Dusk Mist Sect claim you’d operate with small profits and high volume, dealing fairly with all? With talisman quality like this, how are we supposed to trust you?”
Qin Suniang’s smile did not fade. She stepped forward gracefully and said in a gentle tone:
“Please, everyone, remain calm. The talismans of Moonshadow Pavilion are all personally drawn by our sect’s talisman masters. Their quality speaks for itself. If you have doubts, why not test them on the spot? If there truly is a problem, I will not evade responsibility.”
The lead rogue cultivator was taken aback for a moment, then forced a stiff laugh. “Compensate us? We’re only speaking the truth! If your talismans really are faulty, you have to pay us for our spiritual losses!”
Liu Qing snorted coldly. The talismans in his sleeve were now half revealed, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
Lu Chi stood at Qin Suniang’s side, his gaze calm, yet he had already swept his senses over the auras of the three men in the room.
Fourth layer of Qi Refinement, one at the third layer, one at the peak of the third layer… Their auras were impure and chaotic. Though their clothes were neat, they carried a deliberately feigned sloppiness.
Faint ink stains were visible on their hands—not the even marks left by talisman drawing, but more like something hastily smeared on.
A thought stirred in his heart: This isn’t ordinary troublemaking—someone clearly hired them to sabotage the shop. So soon… Could it be a competitor?
Qin Suniang also seemed to sense something unusual. Her smile remained, but a trace of coldness seeped into it:
“In that case, I invite the three of you to move to the testing platform and examine the talismans on the spot. If the talismans are faulty, Moonshadow Pavilion will pay tenfold in spirit stones. If they are not… would the three of you be willing to offer a public apology?”
“Fine! Let’s test them! If we’re wrong, we’ll apologize. But if you’rewrong… Hah, I’m afraid this shop of yours won’t be opening today!”
Qin Suniang nodded slightly and raised a delicate hand. “After you.”
She turned to look at Lu Chi and Liu Qing, her voice soft yet leaving no room for doubt: “Both Talisman Masters, come with me.”
Lu Chi gave a slight nod and followed.
