Although he had only known Fu Qingyang for three months, Zhang Yuanqing was already quite familiar with his immediate superior. Fu Qingyang's every smile, every frown—no, every subtle movement—revealed his mood to Zhang Yuanqing.
*He's already displeased. Tsk, what a temper...* Zhang Yuanqing muttered inwardly. He retrieved the thin stack of Evil-Breaking Talismans and got straight to the point:
"These are talismans left behind by Lady Sandao, an ultimate art of the Pure Yang Sect. They require an infusion of the divine power of the sun to refine and are Dominator-grade consumables. Of course, they possess little offensive punch; their primary function is purification, making them exceptionally potent against vengeful spirits. While they aren't exceptionally high-grade talismans, I believe—"
Before he could suggest that the Evil-Breaking Talismans might prove miraculously effective in guarding against and countering the Pure Yang Sect Master, Fu Qingyang cut him off at rapid speed:
"How many do you have? What does it cost to produce them? Can they be mass-produced?"
The sharp glint that suddenly flared in Fu Qingyang's eyes, the slight forward lean of his posture, and the palpable urgency in his tone caught Zhang Yuanqing off guard. While the elder still hadn't exhibited any exaggerated shift in expression, for the customarily aloof "Money Prince," this was remarkably rare.
Zhang Yuanqing said, "For now, only ten. But I know how to craft them. Hmm, I probably need a day or two of practice. As for mass production, it depends on the number. The divine power of the sun needed for each talisman isn't excessive, so making forty or fifty shouldn't be a problem. Any more than that, and I'd have to summon the great Lady to ask."
Fu Qingyang pondered for a few seconds before saying, "Given headquarters' usual style, the price per talisman would be around one million. If you can mass-produce them, the price will drop even lower..."
Zhang Yuanqing said in utter anguish, "Boss, you're practically forcing me to defect from the organization!"
Fu Qingyang replied coldly, "Spineless!"
Picking up the Evil-Breaking Talismans from the edge of the desk, Fu Qingyang stood up and headed for the door, saying, "I will fight for a better price on your behalf. But remember, you belong to the official faction. You must understand how the officials operate. The honor of a medal is always worth more than money. Offering a steep discount is the right way to do things; you need higher political awareness. Wait for my feedback on the final outcome!"
Returning to his study, Fu Qingyang spread the Evil-Breaking Talismans in his hand and paused slightly.
There were eleven talismans in total.
One of them was not an Evil-Breaking Talisman, but a Peace Talisman.
Simple, flowing spiritual runes occupied half of the paper talisman, while the other half bore a neat line of small characters:
*Save for the three feet of snow upon your form, who under heaven is worthy of plain white robes!*
Fu Qingyang stared at the Peace Talisman, lost in thought for quite a while.
***
In the conference room, Fu Qingyang's 3D projection reappeared.
By this time, the elders seated around the conference table were frantically piecing together countermeasures against the Pure Yang Sect Master to distribute to low-level Night Walkers. Yet to their frustration, they found that while items specifically targeting vengeful spirits were abundant—scraped together across domestic and overseas sources, with plenty of consumables matching those capabilities—getting one into the hands of every single low-level Night Walker in the Taiyi Sect was virtually impossible.
The reason they were debating this topic at all was that some elders believed waiting by the tree for the hare might be wiser than searching for a needle in a haystack.
Seeing Fu Qingyang return, the elders paid little attention and carried on arguing.
"Admittedly, this is indeed the golden opportunity to bring down the Pure Yang Sect Master. Kick him while he's down, right? But the cost is simply too high. Worse, even if we spare no expense, we still might not pull it off."
"I disagree. A combination of Day Wanderer and Illusionist, unshackled by Morality Points—once he grows, even we will find him a handful."
"That's straying off topic. Perhaps the Taiyi Sect can glean revelation from the corpse."
"Astromancy is primarily used to discern broad trends. When it comes to locating a specific individual, I don't place much faith in it; I have higher hopes for divination. How about this: the Taiyi Sect could temporarily recall its dispatched Night Walkers."
"Impossible! Night Walkers play a crucial role in handling Spirit Realm walker incidents. We cannot give up eating for fear of choking."
Just then, Fu Qingyang tapped his knuckles rhythmically on the tabletop, cutting through the elders' debate.
The Dominators, Grand Elder Dihong included, turned to look at him in unison.
Fu Qingyang said, "I have ten Dominator-grade talismans. Their primary function is purification. Their direct combat utility is low, but they counter all vengeful spirits and yin entities."
*Purification talismans?* Elder Zhao looked slightly startled.
The other elders, though pleasantly surprised, still felt it fell short. The red-haired young man shook his head. "Ten talismans won't solve much. Of course, arming even one more Night Walker provides an extra layer of security."
Fu Qingyang glanced at him and said evenly, "I can mass-produce them. Fifty or more."
As an authority on the subject, Elder Zhao couldn't help but frown. "I have never heard of such talismans."
No sooner had he spoken than a yellow paper talisman appeared in Fu Qingyang's hand. He unfolded it and displayed it for all to see.
Elder Zhao narrowed his eyes and scrutinized it for several seconds. An expression of sheer astonishment and disbelief spread visibly across his face. As a Day Wanderer, merely observing the brushstrokes of the spiritual runes and the talisman's overall Daoist charm was enough for him to confirm its capabilities.
Fu Qingyang had not lied.
"What exquisite brushwork! It infuses the divine power of the sun into the runes while delicately constraining it within an exceptionally faint threshold. Truly ingenious! If only I could see the energy circulation involved in drawing it... Whoever developed this talisman is an absolute genius." Elder Zhao stared deeply at the Evil-Breaking Talisman, thoroughly entranced like an old scholar.
Seeing his reaction, the other Dominators harbored no further doubts.
"If you had such a good thing, why didn't you bring it out earlier?"
"With this, recovering his power won't be easy for the Pure Yang Sect Master. At the very least, it will severely hinder his progress."
Smiles broke out across the elders' faces.
Elder Zhao took a deep breath, forcing himself out of his academic trance, and fixed Fu Qingyang with an intense gaze. "Where did you get these talismans? I have never seen them before. And mass-producing them... do you mean someone can actually make them? The Taiyi Sect is willing to pay any price to purchase the crafting method."
His last words were spoken with utmost sincerity and gravity.
Fu Qingyang said, "These are the Evil-Breaking Talismans of the Pure Yang Sect, passed down to Yuanshi Tianzun by Lady Sandao. The Pure Yang Sect fell early, and its supreme arts were long lost. They might not even have a legacy left inside the Spirit Realm, so it is only natural Elder Zhao has never seen them."
The entire conference room abruptly fell dead silent.
Though Yuanshi Tianzun wasn't present, it seemed as if he had been guiding the conference all along, commanding more screen time than any elder present.
And every time his name came up, it played a critical role.
*It's Yuanshi Tianzun again?* Elder Zhao smiled. "I must trouble Elder Fu to pass a message to Yuanshi Tianzun: the Taiyi Sect is willing to pay handsomely for the crafting method. As long as we master how to produce them, the Taiyi Sect can churn out vast numbers in no time. Furthermore, I can personally promise on behalf of the Taiyi Sect that the Five Elements Alliance will receive a seventy percent discount on all purchases of these talismans."
Since it came from an official member, things were much simpler.
Hearing this, the eyes of the Five Elements Alliance elders lit up. The deal was unquestionably lucrative; the alliance would essentially gain access to large quantities of high-grade purification talismans for next to nothing.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Fu Qingyang nodded.
"No problem!
"If the Taiyi Sect provides one Dominator-grade item, I will sell the crafting method of the Evil-Breaking Talisman to you."
Elder Zhao froze, wondering if Fu Qingyang was mocking him. "Elder Fu, do not jest."
Fu Qingyang offered a "sincere" explanation: "The supreme arts of the Pure Yang Sect cannot be sold without permission. If you wish to buy it, you must exchange a Dominator-grade item. Consider it carefully, Elder Zhao. As for the quantity of Evil-Breaking Talismans, there is no need to worry. Within three days, Yuanshi Tianzun will produce fifty of them. None of you need fret over a shortage."
Turning to Grand Elder Dihong, he continued, "Grand Elder, the Evil-Breaking Talisman is extraordinarily precious. I have already promised Yuanshi Tianzun that we would purchase them at twenty million per talisman. Headquarters may begin preparing the funds."
"???"
A barrage of question marks drifted through the elders' minds.
"Twenty million each?" The red-haired young man stared at him in disbelief. "You foolish son of a capitalist, are you trying to empty headquarters' coffers?"
Dihong waved a hand. "Headquarters is willing to pay one million each. That is the limit."
Fu Qingyang knitted his brow.
"Yuanshi Tianzun is an official member, Fu Qingyang. You're not running a business," Elder Dog said in a deep voice, before pivoting smoothly: "I believe two million is the limit, not a penny more. If you don't agree, I'll go talk to Yuanshi Tianzun myself."
"Ten million!"
"Three million!"
"Five million per talisman, but only three million paid in cash. The remaining two million can be converted into a material requisition quota. Fifty Evil-Breaking Talismans would equate to a one-hundred-million quota," Fu Qingyang said.
Yuanshi was a Night Walker who constantly found himself short of materials. Converting money into a material quota suited his needs perfectly, while aligning with the official faction's established and recognized way of operating.
If an organization wished to foster loyalty and shared belief, it had to downplay sheer monetary reward. That was why immense contributions were often met solely with medals.
Yet downplaying money didn't mean denying benefits; they were simply granted in another form.
For instance, the material quota he was now securing for Yuanshi.
Elder Dog looked at Dihong and said, "Grand Elder, I think this works!"
The two had already haggled back and forth, with Elder Dog ruthlessly slicing the price from twenty million down to five million. The other elders had lost their appetite for bargaining; opposing it now would seem petty toward the newly appointed young elder.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Dihong looked at the poodle, then at Fu Qingyang, and said slowly, "Approved!"
As one of headquarters' principal shot-callers, he had the authority to make the final call.
Fu Qingyang turned back to Elder Zhao. "I will do my best to secure the crafting method of the Evil-Breaking Talisman for the Taiyi Sect."
Only then did Elder Zhao's expression soften slightly, and he nodded in agreement.
***
Zhang Yuanqing bowed deeply in reverence. "Thank you, Elder Fu! You are wise and valiant, destined for the position of Alliance Leader. Sooner or later, you will sweep away all the scum under the heavens and ascend to the pinnacle of the Spirit Realm!"
*I'm rich!*
*I'll never have to worry about lacking materials or funds again.*
Fu Qingyang gave a slight nod. "I have already boasted before the Grand Elder. If you cannot produce fifty Evil-Breaking Talismans within three days, the crafting method will be sold to the Taiyi Sect."
"I'll give it my all." Having struck a windfall, Zhang Yuanqing was practically beaming.
"Go back and cultivate in seclusion," Fu Qingyang said, issuing his dismissal.
Zhang Yuanqing nodded, his body dissolving into dreamlike starlight. As he faded, Fu Qingyang's faint voice reached his ears:
"Your Peace Talisman was well-drawn."
***
Jinshan City, Wuhen Hotel!
Wearing a courier uniform, Kou Beiyue stood beside the marble front desk, his back turned to the hotel entrance. He let out a soft sigh and spoke in a low, husky voice:
"So, you came after all."
"I came after all!" the fat young man at the door replied in an equally solemn tone.
"You shouldn't have come."
"I am already here."
Kou Beiyue turned slowly, gazing at the chubby youth in the doorway like an old wanderer looking back on half a lifetime after parting ways in the martial world. "Long time no see!"
Before the chubby youth could answer, Xiao Yuan spoke coldly from behind the counter: "It's only been two weeks."
Kou Beiyue instantly broke character, beaming as he rushed forward. "Looks like Yuanshi Tianzun's sowing discord really worked! You really couldn't stay in that evil organization any longer."
He had already informed Xiao Yuan of the chubby youth's request to meet, and Xiao Yuan had agreed, on the condition that the meeting take place at the Wuhen Hotel.
"Damn it, it really was that scoundrel!" Little Fatty cursed under his breath. He cast a cautious glance at Xiao Yuan before explaining, "Things have been terrifying lately. I constantly feel like everyone wants to kill me. Even though the veteran Saints and elders in the organization protect me, my heart was never at peace. That's why I missed you more and more, Boss. I couldn't sleep at night. Now that I see you, I finally feel safe."
Kou Beiyue felt a swell of pride.
Standing behind the desk, Xiao Yuan suddenly asked, "You feel unsafe without your boss—is that your obsession?"
Little Fatty fell silent, seemingly reluctant to discuss the subject.
Xiao Yuan said coldly, "I'm not interested in your past. Did you come here for Kou Beiyue, or for Yuanshi Tianzun?"
Little Fatty countered, "What difference does it make?"
Xiao Yuan offered a chilly, striking smile. "If it's for Kou Beiyue, do as you please. If it's for Yuanshi Tianzun, you can prepare to return to the Spirit Realm."
Little Fatty went silent for a few seconds. Ultimately lacking the nerve to clash with this glamorous, formidable woman, he said in a deep voice, "I came for my boss. It has nothing to do with Yuanshi Tianzun."
Xiao Yuan gave an uncommitted response. "If you want to follow Beiyue, you must pass a test."
"I can try. But I want to know what the test is."
"I will take you upstairs shortly. Before that, I have a question for you." Xiao Yuan stared at the chubby young man, enunciating each word carefully: "Are you willing to make peace with this world?"
Little Fatty froze. After a long pause, he whispered, "I... I don't know..."
Xiao Yuan nodded. Her flat leather shoes clicked softly against the polished floor tiles as she walked toward the interior of the hotel.
Kou Beiyue nudged the chubby youth eagerly, signaling him to follow.
Relying entirely on his trust in his boss, Little Fatty followed Xiao Yuan without hesitation into the elevator and arrived outside Room 404.
"Go on in!"
As Little Fatty looked around, wondering what she intended, the mature, beautiful, yet icy woman gestured toward the door with her eyes.
He walked up, turned the doorknob with a click, and vanished into the hallway of the hotel.
Xiao Yuan waited quietly outside. Over ten minutes later, the door to Room 404 opened, and the chubby youth emerged into the corridor.
His expression was dazed, his eyes hollow. He mumbled softly, "I want an empty room. I... I want some quiet to think things over..."
At that moment, Master Wuhen's ethereal, low voice resonated beside Xiao Yuan's ear:
"Lead him in his cultivation!"
"Understood!"
Xiao Yuan knew that from this day forward, the team had gained a new member.
***
Dusk!
Fujia Bay Villa District, small villa.
In his bedroom, Zhang Yuanqing glanced at the failed talisman papers littering the floor and gently rubbed his throbbing temples.
"Sigh, drawing talismans is damn hard. I'm exhausted. Let it all burn."
Drawing talismans was merely a fundamental skill for a Night Walker, yet the difficulty was already daunting. Anyone lacking perseverance and drive would have given up right here.
"I can't just draw Evil-Breaking Talismans. Let's find something else for entertainment."
Putting away the Demon-Subduing Pestle and the prepared "ink," Zhang Yuanqing took out a ten-centimeter-long red thread, ten milliliters of cinnabar ground with clear water, three flakes of succubus incense, tears of an Arbiter of Fate, Joyous Union Bead powder, and other materials.
He tossed them all into a mortar, ground them thoroughly, and poured in ten milliliters of fresh water.
The "ink" used for drawing the Peach Talisman was complete.
He laid out a blank yellow paper talisman on the desk, opened the *Lunar Spirit Refining Chapter* to the page detailing the Peach Talisman, and began tracing the spiritual runes according to the text's instructions.
Each stroke, curve, and turn required a different infusion of lunar energy. By the time the intricate, winding talisman was finished, over a hundred subtle shifts in spiritual power had taken place.
Yet despite such difficulty, Zhang Yuanqing managed to successfully craft a Peach Talisman in just half an hour, after discarding merely ten failed sheets.
"I actually have such talent?" He was stunned.
*Well, let's test the effects!*
Zhang Yuanqing channeled his spiritual energy. The Peach Talisman in his hand ignited with a quiet, profound black flame, swiftly burning away to ashes.
Chapter 330