Immortality begins with meditation puppets

Chapter 19 Shipping
With the monsters descending the mountain, cultivators flocked to capture them.

Most of them are not professional demon hunters. Even if the demon beasts are easier to deal with when they leave the deep mountains and forests, a first-tier demon beast can still kill a formation apprentice like Zhang Hai or a cultivator from another profession.

Everyone is afraid of taking risks and risking their lives, but with monsters practically begging to be brought to their doorsteps, and seeing others making tons of spirit crystals, they're itching to try their luck too!
At this point, it seems they wouldn't refuse to buy a few combat puppets that could both aid in hunting and act as shields against bullets!

Dude, this is really going to be a big hit!
Overjoyed, Su Qing wore a troubled expression on her face.

"Fellow Daoist, you may not know this, but these two lizard warriors are my trial works, and I cannot sell them to you, lest I jeopardize your plans!"

As soon as Su Qing opened his mouth, Zhang Hai understood what he meant.

Whether they are puppeteers, talisman masters, or array masters, there is a learning process when they come into contact with new skills. During this process, the success rate is extremely low, so they naturally dare not use too many materials.

These kinds of works, while not exactly crudely made, are definitely inferior.

But Zhang Hai was not disappointed; on the contrary, he was even more excited.

"Inferior goods are good! That's exactly what I want. Fellow Daoist, just name your price. I want one today!"

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, there's no need for that. There are plenty of combat puppets for sale in the market. Why insist on having mine?"

Su Qing asked in confusion, "Array masters are a delicate profession. Even if Zhang Hai is just a senior array apprentice, he still lives a more comfortable life than ordinary people. There's no reason why he can't afford a normal combat puppet!"

But the moment he asked, Zhang Hai flew into a rage, practically ready to jump up and curse.

"Those shops in the market are really awful. They know everyone is short of tools right now, so the prices of magic weapons, pills, and puppets have been changing every single day for the past ten days or so!"

"Since that monster came down the mountain, we haven't even earned a few spirit crystals, but those people selling goods in the market have already made a fortune!"

Zhang Hai cursed angrily. Su Qing knew that his anger was not only due to the people in the market raising prices at the first sign of trouble, but also because he did not yet have the ability to refine array plates and could not earn this money, which made him particularly angry.

However, he was honest enough to tell Su Qing the truth about the price increase of items that could be used for combat in the market. Otherwise, he might have been able to get a better deal from Su Qing.

He's someone I can befriend!
Su Qing muttered to himself, and after learning about the current situation in the market, he stopped insisting and prepared to sell a lizard warrior to Zhang Hai.

Although this lizard warrior was only coated with a single layer during its forging, it has less health and less strength compared to the heavily armored version.

But in other aspects, it is not compromised at all, and is much stronger than a first-tier low-grade combat puppet.

"Fellow Daoist, please note that although this puppet can be controlled as easily as an arm and fingers and used for attack and killing, it is quite sophisticated."

But you know, this is just a trial piece, so there will always be some shortcomings. I've written down how to use it in the booklet, so please take a good look and don't take any risks with it."

"That's right. I only help others repair formations and I rarely go into battle myself. I just don't know the price..." Zhang Hai asked awkwardly.

"Six hundred spirit crystals! If you think it's a good deal, then take it!"

Su Qing thought about it for a moment, but felt embarrassed to ask for too much. She also wanted to make friends with Zhang Hai.

"Only six hundred spirit crystals? That's too kind of you, fellow Daoist. Rest assured, I know what to do!"

Zhang Hai knew what was good for him. Even though it was a low-grade item, it would cost at least 800 spirit crystals to buy it at the current market price. Su Qing's price was a bargain for him.

Returning the favor, he went to the hunting area and naturally wanted to give Fellow Daoist Su a good talking-to. Su Qing simply smiled, cupped his hands in greeting, and responded.

After saying goodbye to Zhang Hai, Su Qing led the remaining lizard warrior towards the city center.

Under the observation of the released wood spirit servants, few calamity cultivators now linger in the dark corners of the alleyways along the blue stone road.

It seems that these cultivators may have temporarily changed their ways, but Su Qing felt that they were more likely to have simply changed their base and gone to the vicinity of the hunting area to look for prey. After all, it is easier to bully cultivators than to bully demonic beasts.

About half an hour later, Su Qing, riding his iron-legged horse, arrived safely inside the Treasure Pavilion.

Today, however, he was greeted by only a young waiter.

I heard that Manager Liu and the managers of various shops have been summoned by the Yunshan Sect. I wonder what important matter they are going to discuss.

"Fellow Daoist Su's skill in crafting witch puppets is truly unparalleled. In this White Cloud Market, Fellow Daoist Su's mastery of biomimetic runes is unmatched!"

The waiter's surname was Tong and his given name was Xin. He had been following Manager Liu for more than ten years. Although his experience and knowledge might not be as good as Manager Liu's, he was still good at saying nice things.

He wasn't just flattering Su Qing; judging from Su Qing's mastery of second-tier bionic runes, there wasn't a single puppeteer in Baiyun Market who could match him.

Su Qing smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist, you flatter me. I have delivered all the remaining witch puppets today. I wonder if the Hundred Treasures Pavilion still needs such puppets?"

"I hope Fellow Daoist Su will forgive me. The shopkeeper is not at home, so I cannot make the decision. However, according to the shopkeeper's previous statement, it seems that the business of witch puppets is coming to an end!" Tong Xin bowed and said apologetically.

Su Qing had anticipated this, and remained expressionless as she said:

"The witch puppet can only be sold for its novelty and popularity, which I had expected. Let's leave the witch puppet aside for now. Fellow Daoist Tong, take a look at the puppet behind me!"

Even without Su Qing saying anything, Tong Xin's gaze had been fixed on the lizard warrior ever since he entered the room.

Even though he had spent decades in the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and had seen countless puppets, he was still a very capable man.

But he had never seen this puppet before.

"Forgive my poor eyesight, but I cannot discern any intricacies in this puppet. I would be grateful if you could enlighten me!"

If he can't recognize it, he can't recognize it. There are countless artifacts in the world, and some cultivators can always come up with new tricks. What use is it for a mere shopkeeper to know so much!

Su Qing knew he wouldn't recognize it; it would be a miracle if he did. This was a puppet produced by the panel, and Su Qing was the only one in the Tianyuan Realm who knew how to make it!
He took out a booklet, which was the puppet's instruction manual, and handed it to Tong Xin while Tong Xin was looking at the booklet.

He strolled around the treasure trove, and despite being prepared, he was still shocked by the soaring prices.

"Flame Blade, a mid-grade first-tier magic weapon, priced at two thousand three hundred spirit crystals!"

"Chaotic Blade Formation, a low-grade first-tier formation, priced at 3,600 spirit crystals!"

"General Tiger, a first-tier high-grade puppet, priced at eight thousand eight hundred spirit crystals!"

"Beast Binding Rope, not even rank-level, priced at three hundred spirit crystals! That's outrageous, outrageous! How dare they ask for so many spirit crystals for something that's not even rank-level!"

(End of this chapter)