It was the Bone-Discarding Yin Ape, a creature possessing a special sensitivity to Heavenly Dao Rhyme.

In its eyes, the old drunkard—who walked with unsteady steps and reeked of cheap wine—was enveloped by five strands of resplendent Dao Rhyme, each brimming with supreme majesty.

If any other Talisman Master could witness this scene, they would cry out in astonishment. The Dao Rhyme swirling around the old man required Divine Invocation—the mark of a genuine, top-tier Grandmaster.

However… moments later, the little black monkey withdrew its gaze.

This person seemed formidable, but definitely not as formidable as its own Master.

Gu Xiu remained calm and composed. The probability of encountering Talisman Masters in Cloud Firmament City was high, especially after the Homage of Ten Thousand Rhymes phenomenon. Figures of Talisman Masters could be seen daily, prowling the streets. Among them, high-level masters capable of Divine Invocation were rare, but not nonexistent.

This old drunkard was likely the strongest among those he had seen so far.

But there was no need to panic. He had already altered the residual traces of the Homage of Ten Thousand Rhymes. Coupled with the Three-Body Mask, as long as Gu Xiu kept the truth hidden, these masters were destined to fail in their search.

Returning to the Listening-to-Rain Pavilion, Gu Xiu settled the little black monkey. Xiao He was surprised to see the new pet, clicking her tongue in wonder at its well-behaved demeanor.

After instructing Xiao He to care for the creature, Gu Xiu changed his face again and returned to the tavern.

As usual, he produced eighty thousand talismans. Cheng Fushou followed the routine perfectly; after confirming the goods, he promptly handed over the Spirit Stones. Before parting, he even pleaded with Gu Xiu to increase the supply.

There was no helping it; Gu Xiu’s talismans sold too well.

Originally, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion sold a few thousand talismans a day. When Gu Xiu first offered eighty thousand daily, the pavilion assumed they would have to distribute the surplus to other cities.

The result?

Once Gu Xiu’s Perfect Dao Talismans hit the shelves, the Cloud Firmament City branch alone sold them out effortlessly. The branch was now raking in money hand over fist, its business booming beyond imagination.

Even when they implemented purchase limits—selling only fifty thousand to the general public—the stock would vanish within two hours.

As for where the extra thirty thousand went? Don’t ask. It was all about social connections and favors.

Gu Xiu understood this game well. The fact that the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion could flood the market with Perfect Dao Talismans without being investigated or attacked was due precisely to those thirty thousand “favor” talismans greasing the right palms.

This was why Gu Xiu liked cooperating with them. The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion had vision and foresight. Their ability to stand for centuries without declining spoke volumes about their capability.

However… while most forces were happy to take their cut and look the other way, there were still a few who felt threatened.

Just like now.

As Cheng Fushou and Gu Xiu were about to part ways, several figures clad in Lingbao Pavilion attire suddenly surrounded them.

“Kuang Jingming, what are you doing?”

Cheng Fushou instinctively stepped in front of Gu Xiu, shielding his mysterious supplier.

“This is Cloud Firmament City! Does your Lingbao Pavilion plan to resort to force just because you can’t compete with our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion in business?”

The man addressed as Kuang Jingming ignored Cheng Fushou. Instead, he looked directly at Gu Xiu.

“Esteemed Fellow Daoist, our Lingbao Pavilion’s Shopkeeper wishes to meet with you. I wonder if it would be convenient?”

“Inconvenient!” Cheng Fushou snapped. “This esteemed guest is a customer of our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion! Your Lingbao Pavilion shouldn’t overreach!”

He turned to Gu Xiu, his voice reassuring. “Fellow Daoist, rest assured. Our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion isn’t afraid of them. They wouldn’t dare act rashly here.”

“Although our Lingbao Pavilion may not be as large as your Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion,” Kuang Jingming said, his eyes still locked on Gu Xiu, “we have deep roots in Cloud Firmament City. And now…”

His voice dropped an octave. “Fellow Daoists like you attempt to shake our foundation? You should know that even a cornered rabbit will bite.”

These words caused Cheng Fushou’s expression to change.

As Kuang Jingming spoke, a figure appeared silently behind him.

That person faintly exuded the aura of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

They had actually mobilized such a powerful expert! Their intention was clear: if they couldn’t have the supplier, they would destroy him.

It made sense. Not long ago, the Lingbao Pavilion had launched a massive offensive against the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, confident they could drive their rival out of the city. They had even prepared a victory banquet.

But then, Gu Xiu appeared.

The flood of Perfect Dao Talismans turned the Lingbao Pavilion’s scheme to ashes. Their business plummeted, and their very foundation in the city began to crumble.

They couldn’t wait any longer. They had to burn their boats and fight desperately.

Cheng Fushou understood the stakes instantly, but he didn’t know how to resolve the situation. If they attacked now, could he block a Nascent Soul expert? Would reinforcements arrive in time?

“Since they wish to meet… then let’s meet.”

Just as Cheng Fushou was sweating over countermeasures, Gu Xiu spoke up calmly.

“Fellow Daoist…” Cheng Fushou gaped at him.

“All under heaven hustle for profit.” Gu Xiu shook his head. “I have heard of the Lingbao Pavilion for a long time; meeting them is harmless. I believe Shopkeeper Shang of the Lingbao Pavilion is not someone so short-sighted.”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Fushou stared blankly.

But Kuang Jingming’s pupils contracted sharply.

Everyone knew the Lingbao Pavilion had a Shopkeeper… but few knew who it was. Even fewer knew their surname.

Yet Gu Xiu had casually named them.

Shopkeeper Shang.

Kuang Jingming took a deep look at Gu Xiu, reevaluating the man before him, before bowing slightly. “Please board the carriage.”

“I…” Cheng Fushou wanted to object, but Gu Xiu patted his shoulder.

“Let’s go, Manager Cheng.”

“My apologies, Fellow Daoist… I’ve implicated you,” Cheng Fushou said apologetically as they sat inside the carriage.

Gu Xiu merely shook his head, sitting cross-legged and closing his eyes, peaceful and composed.

Cheng Fushou continued to rack his brains, terrified of what awaited them. He didn’t notice the faint smile curling at the corner of Gu Xiu’s mouth.

In the dream spanning a millennium, Gu Xiu had seen many people and events. Although he couldn’t see everything clearly, he knew enough.

The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion was an interesting force. But their competitor, the Lingbao Pavilion… was actually quite interesting too.

From the moment he planned to sell talismans, Gu Xiu had anticipated this day.

He possessed one item that he still needed to obtain… and it was currently in the hands of the Lingbao Pavilion.

While Gu Xiu headed toward the Lingbao Pavilion’s headquarters, a different conversation was taking place at Ink Scroll Peak within the Azure Mystic Sacred Land.

“What did you say?”

“The Lingbao Pavilion called our talismans garbage?”

Qin Meran’s face was frosty as she looked at the disciple who delivered the news. Her beautiful eyes were as gloomy as dark water.

Facing Qin Meran’s gaze, the disciple felt cold sweat breaking out on his back. He swallowed hard.

“Yes… yes. That Lingbao Pavilion manager, Kuang Jingming, personally said it.”

“Of course, because we didn’t reveal our identity as the Azure Mystic Sacred Land, they didn’t know who we were. They just judged based on the quality of the talismans…”

Qin Meran frowned slightly. Although the Lingbao Pavilion didn’t know the origin of the goods, having her sect’s talismans called ‘garbage’ was unacceptable.

She was furious.

“Lingbao Pavilion? Kuang Jingming?”

Suddenly, someone to the side expressed surprise.

It wasn’t Little Junior Sister Lu Qingyao. She was currently recovering from a broken nose and shattered teeth, too ashamed to see anyone.

The speaker was another woman. Her appearance was in no way inferior to Qin Meran’s. Wearing a goose-yellow long dress, her features were clear and elegant, with a faint divine light shimmering around her. She appeared sacred, aloof.

This was Fourth Senior Sister, Shi Siling.

She had come to Ink Scroll Peak to collect talismans from Qin Meran. Upon hearing the name, she frowned.

“What is it, Fourth Senior Sister? Do you know him?” Qin Meran asked, surprised.

“I don’t know him personally,” Shi Siling shook her head. “Only, while traveling the world once, I visited a certain Divine Dynasty. I saw a person expelled from that dynasty… and that person had a loyal servant named Kuang Jingming.”

“Oh? A person expelled from a Divine Dynasty? Which one?” Another disciple, Jiang Ruochu, asked curiously.

Shi Siling pursed her lips and spoke softly.

“The Golden Feather Divine Dynasty. The expelled person’s surname was Shang.”

Hearing this, Qin Meran was stunned momentarily.

She knew of the Golden Feather Divine Dynasty. She knew their Imperial Clan’s surname was Shang.

But what truly stunned her was a memory of Gu Xiu.

Five hundred years ago, while traveling the jianghu, Gu Xiu had visited the Golden Feather Divine Dynasty.

And… he had befriended a Heaven’s Pride Prince within that very dynasty!