Su Rumei was indeed a person skilled in management. From the very first time Gu Xiu met her, this manager of the Wanbao Pavilion, who carried little of the usual airs of a Golden Core expert, had always treated Gu Xiu with courtesy.

The gifts she presented this time, while not particularly valuable, clearly demonstrated her thoughtfulness. Cultivation techniques, garden scenery, and talismans for cultivation—these items precisely hit what Gu Xiu cared about.

Gu Xiu naturally expressed his thanks repeatedly and once again stated that if Wanbao Pavilion ever needed any help, they could come to him at any time.

“Haha, speaking of needing help, there is indeed one matter.”

“Oh?”

“It’s like this. Two of our Wanbao Pavilion’s formations often have minor issues. Fellow Daoist Feng is proficient in formations. If you have some free time, we hope you can take a look.”

The art of human relationships is a field of study. Simply giving gifts without expecting anything in return doesn’t easily bring the two parties closer; sometimes it might even bring pressure and suspicion. Appropriate mutual assistance, fostering a habit of mutual benefit—that’s how relationships can last long-term.

Su Rumei understood this point, and Gu Xiu understood it as well. The so-called formation issues were just trivial matters, so he didn’t decline. “In that case, why not go now?”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

“Then… I’ll trouble Fellow Daoist Feng!”

Gu Xiu and Su Rumei then walked out of the courtyard gate together and boarded her carriage. Before getting on, Gu Xiu noticed many probing spiritual senses sweeping towards him. However, as soon as these senses approached, Su Rumei coldly snorted from the side, blocking the prying eyes from the surroundings.

This was telling those who were spying: Feng Bugui was a guest of Wanbao Pavilion and also someone Su Rumei valued!

On the way to Wanbao Pavilion, Gu Xiu picked up a Spirit Gathering Talisman that Su Rumei had given him and examined it carefully.

Su Rumei was curious. “Senior Feng has some understanding of the path of talismans?”

“I know a little,” Gu Xiu replied.

This statement made Su Rumei unable to hold back her surprise.

Good heavens! Just who is this Feng Bugui? He can enter the Dao, is proficient in formations, can defeat enemies above his level, and is even acquainted with Nascent Soul experts. And now… he even understands talismans???

Although formations and talismans are related fields, they only share some common points; their essence is fundamentally different. It doesn’t mean that knowing one automatically means knowing the other!

“The breadth of Fellow Daoist Feng’s knowledge is truly astonishing,” Su Rumei said with emotion. However, to avoid making Gu Xiu think she was probing his past, she added, “Speaking of which, our Wanbao Pavilion has quite a few talisman masters here in Yunxiao City, including even fifth-grade masters. If Fellow Daoist Feng has any questions, I can help introduce you.”

These words were quite sincere. It wasn’t that she looked down on Gu Xiu; mainly because during their previous journey, Gu Xiu hadn’t used a single talisman. When he said he knew a little, Su Rumei thought he really only knew a little—perhaps just having recently started.

However… with the existence of the Nameless Ancient Tome and having fully mastered it, Gu Xiu naturally didn’t need to learn from a fifth-grade master.

After briefly acknowledging it, he asked, “Manager Su, does Wanbao Pavilion purchase talismans?”

“Of course we do,” Su Rumei smiled. “To be honest, Yunxiao City is a city of rogue cultivators; there is great demand for talismans. Selling talismans is one of our main businesses.”

“Besides having our own talisman masters, we also purchase talismans from outside sources in significant quantities. Many rogue cultivator talisman masters in the city also cooperate with us.”

“What? Is Fellow Daoist Feng interested in this?”

“I am indeed interested,” Gu Xiu nodded.

He then asked about which categories of talismans had high demand and about purchase prices.

Any powerful cultivator is built upon a massive accumulation of resources. The reasons for Gu Xiu’s relatively slow cultivation speed were: first, his Dantian Qi Sea was too vast; second, his technique’s grade wasn’t high enough; and third—the most pressing issue—was that his resources had never been abundant.

Previously, he had skimmed resources from Ye Hongling, looted enemies, received offerings from Mou Xingsheng, and found a lost Wanbao Box… On the surface, it seemed he had accumulated quite a lot—enough for an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator to advance to Foundation Establishment with plenty to spare.

But for Gu Xiu… it really wasn’t much. His Dantian Qi Sea was countless times larger than an ordinary person’s; the resources he required were massive. Therefore, if he wanted to maintain a fast cultivation speed, the issue of spirit stones needed to be resolved as soon as possible!

Su Rumei didn’t know any of this but could see Gu Xiu was interested. She smiled and said, “If Fellow Daoist Feng can craft talismans, that would naturally be good. How about this: I’ll inform my subordinates that if Fellow Daoist Feng crafts any talismans, we will accept them all at fair prices!”

“There’s no need for special consideration regarding price,” Gu Xiu shook his head but seemed somewhat concerned. “It’s just…”

“Just what?”

“It’s just that… when I write talismans later… the quantity might be relatively large.”

“Large quantity?” Su Rumei was stunned but then smiled. “Let me put it this way.”

“Not to mention just you alone, Fellow Daoist Feng—even if you found several dozen or over a hundred talisman masters writing day and night—whether it would be enough for our Wanbao Pavilion to sell is uncertain.”

Su Rumei spoke with full confidence. Wanbao Pavilion covered hundreds of cities, and talismans were a market with huge consumption. No matter how many there were… she could handle them all!

However… at this moment… Su Rumei did not know… words… sometimes… can be spoken too confidently…

For the next four hours, Gu Xiu and Su Rumei went to look at several formations. They were minor issues—any apprentice could fix them.

But Su Rumei had ulterior motives. Her main purpose was to show Gu Xiu around to display Wanbao Pavilion’s strength and let Yunxiao City’s shopkeeper and other managers get acquainted with him.

Both the shopkeeper and those managers had been briefed by Su Rumei. Regardless of their true thoughts, at least under her introduction, each maintained surface-level courtesy.

And it was also at this time that Gu Xiu learned… although Su Rumei was called a manager, her actual position was Chief Manager for one circuit within the Tianqi Mountain Range! Under her management were ten large cities! Her status was extremely lofty, even one level higher than Yunxiao City’s shopkeeper!

This discovery surprised even Gu Xiu. Wanbao Pavilion only had nine Chief Managers total; most were Nascent Soul experts. That Su Rumei could hold her position as a Golden Core cultivator revealed much about her ability!

But thinking carefully about her performance… her becoming Chief Manager seemed well-deserved.

“Since the formations have been repaired… I won’t disturb further.” After finishing with formations and meeting those he should meet, Gu Xiu took the initiative to bid farewell.

However, he declined Su Rumei seeing him off, nor did he leave directly, but instead found the Miscellaneous Affairs Manager intending to order some materials.

Su Rumei didn’t follow but drank tea with the shopkeeper instead.

“Shopkeeper Jin… what do you think about Feng Bugui?”

“Someone valued by Manager Su must certainly have unique qualities.”

“Really?”

“This…” Shopkeeper Jin gave an awkward laugh but answered honestly. “To tell the truth, this old man’s eyesight is dull. Apart from Fellow Daoist Feng possessing a rather ethereal aura, I haven’t noticed anything else.”

“Haven’t noticed? That’s right then.” Surprisingly, she wasn’t annoyed but smiled slightly, quite satisfied. Feng Bugui was a genuine pearl covered in dust! For her, a less conspicuous Feng Bugui was better! It gave her more time to win him over!

This made Shopkeeper Jin puzzled. “Manager Su views this Feng Bugui so highly?”

“Not just viewing highly…”

“Then…”

“I should say, not merely viewing highly, but rather I plan to recommend him personally to the Tower Master to appoint him an Eighth-Grade Retainer!”

Wh-what???

Shopkeeper Jin was shocked. Wanbao Pavilion retainers were ranked from First to Ninth Grade. Eighth-Grade Retainers? Total only thirty-plus within the entire pavilion. Among these, if based on strength, one required at least the Nascent Soul realm. If based on the Six Arts, one required at least the level of a Sixth-Grade Talisman Master.

Shopkeeper Jin knew Manager Su valued Feng Bugui, but he never expected her opening sentence would be so earth-shattering! Even if extraordinary, he was ultimately merely a Qi Refining cultivator. Recommending an Eighth-Grade Retainer was somewhat too hasty.

Instead, Manager Su shook her head. “Actually, if possible, I hope the Tower Master lists Feng Bugui as a Ninth-Grade Retainer to enjoy the highest courtesy treatment!”

Hiss——! Crazy???

Shopkeeper Jin drew a cold breath, feeling Manager Su was too outrageous. But before they could continue chatting, a portly middle-aged man rushed inside.

“Shopkeeper! Shopkeeper! Quickly notify to prepare materials shipped over from surrounding cities! Urgently needed now!”

“Cheng Fushou, you are the Miscellaneous Affairs Manager, what is lacking to make you such a hurry?” Shopkeeper Jin scolded, displeased.

But the manager responsible for miscellaneous affairs repeatedly said, “Lacking a lot of Spirit Awakening Talisman Paper, Silica-grade Cinnabar…”

“All lacking!”

Huh? Shopkeeper Jin was baffled. “Aren’t these materials used for crafting talismans? Should have plenty right? Not enough?”

“Not enough.” Cheng Fushou shook his head. “Just now Fellow Daoist Feng ordered eight thousand sets in one go!”

Fellow Daoist? Ordered eight thousand sets of talisman materials???

Crazy???

Shopkeeper Jin was dumbfounded. Manager Su was also full of astonishment. She knew Gu Xiu was interested in crafting talismans, but… never intended for him to take so many in one go???

An ordinary Talisman Master, even skilled, writing day and night, might write thirty to fifty sheets daily. Eight thousand sheets… writing nonstop daily would take half a year, even one or two years, right??? Who buys like that???

The Miscellaneous Affairs Manager didn’t mind their gazes, instead urgently said, “Shopkeeper Jin need quickly arrange delivery. Recently gang fights are frequent, demand for talismans is high, and many crafting materials are nearly in shortage.”

“Eight thousand shouldn’t cause shortage though? Our Yunxiao City is resource rich; can’t we even gather eight thousand sets?” Shopkeeper Jin didn’t understand.

But he heard the manager laugh bitterly. “Gather certainly can gather, but Fellow Daoist Feng not only wants eight thousand sets crafting materials.”

“He just now specially pre-ordered another fifty thousand sets!”

“This batch of materials truly cannot be provided now.”

Wh-what???

…

While Manager Su and the others were bewildered, on the other side, already holding eight thousand sets of crafting materials, Gu Xiu briskly walked towards his Listening Rain Residence.

Today he spent all his spirit stones; his pockets were completely empty. With these eight thousand sets of crafting materials, Gu Xiu intended to make a big move! Simultaneously, he also wanted to see how the things learned from the Nameless Ancient Tome actually performed…