Mount Zeyang was a precious workplace for him.
Now, to hear that countless demon beasts would rush at him if he went up the mountain—it was hard to believe.
'...Fang Yi has no reason to lie to me.'
Though he didn't want to believe it, it was likely true.
And in a way, it was fortunate.
If he had gone to Mount Zeyang without meeting Fang Yi and without knowing anything, he might have died upon encountering a 1st-rank demon beast.
His chest felt tight at the suddenly difficult reality, but he temporarily stopped thinking about it.
He clasped his hands respectfully and bowed.
"Thank you for telling me, Senior."
"Hmm? Your source of income for the past three years has been cut off. Aren't you disappointed?"
"I am disappointed, but... what can I do? I should face reality and find another way."
A look of admiration flashed across Fang Yi's face.
"Indeed. You've already come to terms with it. You have a commendable character for such a young child. If only your talent was better... Tsk."
The latter part was too quiet to hear clearly. Fang Yi, who seemed somewhat regretful as he smacked his lips, said:
"Well, if you want to go to Mount Zeyang, there is a way."
"What?"
As if deliberately building suspense...
After feigning indifference, he grinned and pulled out a talisman from his sleeve.
"This is a 1st-rank low-grade talisman called a Concealment Talisman. It has the effect of hiding the user's presence. Naturally, it works on 1st-rank demon beasts too."
"Concealment Talisman! With just that, I can climb Mount Zeyang?"
"Yes. Our Spirit Elixir Pavilion specializes in selling elixirs, but we also sell talismans. Of course, we sell Concealment Talismans too."
Finally, he understood why Fang Yi had given him advice. Like a true merchant, he was trying to make a sale.
If there was no ulterior motive, that was actually reassuring.
"...How much is it?"
"It's not very expensive. Three Concealment Talismans for one spirit stone."
He had suspected as much, and his suspicions were confirmed.
For the poor Qin Zhaoming, it was a price that only made him sigh.
"Unfortunately, that's too expensive for me."
"Haha! Do you think I don't know you're a poor soul without a single spirit stone? I'm just letting you know so you can buy it when you get a spirit stone later."
"Hmm... Senior, since we're talking about spirit stones, is there any suitable work for a Qi Refinement level 1 practitioner like me?"
"Work? Actually, the best thing would be to get a job as a clerk in a shop like our Spirit Elixir Pavilion. You could earn one or two spirit stones a month. But..."
With a slightly troubled expression, Fang Yi said:
"Finding a vacancy won't be easy. Being a safe and good job, competition is fierce. I'm sorry, but I recently took in a disciple, so I don't have the capacity to hire you."
"Ah, no. I didn't intend to burden you that much, Senior. I was just asking how ordinary mountain gatherers make a living."
Nodding, Fang Yi explained with a regretful expression about the reality of mountain gatherers without proper backing:
"First, you can become a demon beast hunter. You risk your life climbing the mountain to fight demon beasts. As dangerous as it is, the income is large and you're free."
"Second, you can make and sell things that aid in cultivation, like talismans or elixirs. It's not dangerous, and the income is very high, but I recommend not even casting an eye in this direction."
Though he tried to listen quietly, he couldn't hold back his question.
"Senior, I've heard that talisman makers and elixir makers both hold very high positions in the cultivation world. They should earn a lot of spirit stones, so why do you say not to even consider it?"
"Hoho. Kid, you know one thing but not two. Why do you think they are respected?"
"That's..."
"Of course, it's because it's difficult to become one. It's nearly impossible to become a talisman maker or elixir maker without systematic education. Do you remember the Concealment Talisman I showed you earlier?"
"Yes. You said it was a 1st-rank low-grade talisman."
"The Concealment Talisman is one of the most basic talismans, but it's not easy to draw. Even someone with genius talent would need to practice drawing over 100 talismans just to barely enter the field. This means you need to prepare enough materials to draw at least 100 talismans before you can start practicing."
"...What happens if you don't have talent?"
"Naturally, it would be difficult to enter the field even after drawing a thousand or ten thousand talismans. The material cost for drawing a thousand Concealment Talismans would be around 100 spirit stones. Even after investing such enormous capital for practice, the success rate would obviously be less than 10%."
Qin Zhaoming, who had been listening in a daze, calculated instinctively.
The materials for Concealment Talismans that could be bought with 1 spirit stone were enough for 10 talismans.
The price of Concealment Talismans was 3 talismans for 1 spirit stone.
'...The production success rate needs to be at least 30% to break even. Until then, it's all loss.'
To make money as a talisman maker, one needed an initial capital of hundreds or thousands of spirit stones.
Even practicing drawing a single basic talisman like the Concealment Talisman was this difficult.
Without genius talent and support, becoming a talisman maker was nearly impossible.
"By the way, becoming a talisman maker is much easier compared to becoming an elixir maker. To become a 1st-rank elixir maker like me, you need tremendous spirit stones and talent. Huhu."
"Ah..."
Fang Yi's expression was full of pride as he grinned.
As if showing off, he continued with an air of importance:
"If you understand, give up the thought of becoming a talisman maker. Honestly, even I wouldn't have become an elixir maker without support."
"Senior, then in my case, do I have no choice but to risk my life fighting demon beasts on Mount Zeyang?"
"Hmm... Not necessarily. There is a third option."
He respectfully clasped his hands together. He perked up his ears in a listening posture, but no explanation followed.
"Senior?"
For some reason, Fang Yi seemed to hesitate before speaking with a resigned expression:
"Sigh, the third option is to join the Zeyang Sect. The Zeyang Sect is a sect formed by mountain gatherers like you, and they don't particularly screen for qualifications. They accept anyone who applies."
Now that he mentioned it, he remembered hearing about it. It was one of the most powerful forces in Zeyang City.
Just as he was recalling rumors about the Zeyang Sect, Fang Yi continued his explanation:
"Moreover, when you join, they'll teach you basic spells, which would be of great help to you. However..."
"...Is there a problem?"
"To join the Zeyang Sect, you have to sign a contract. The minimum service period is a bit long, so you can't quit after working for just a year or two. Of course, in a way, this is also an advantage."
"A long service period is an advantage?"
"Yes. Other places don't even have such a concept as a service period. Traditional sects that emphasize the master-disciple relationship require you to share life and death from the moment you join. If you say you want to leave the sect, you'll be treated as a traitor."
"...So once you join a sect, there's no turning back?"
"Of course. In fact, this condition is the same for most sects in the cultivation world. If you say you want to quit, your cultivation will be ruined and your limbs and meridians will be severed. Well, compared to that, the Zeyang Sect is quite decent."
※※※
Qin Zhaoming left the Spirit Elixir Pavilion and set out.
He headed toward the inner city, the core area of Zeyang City.
Recalling Fang Yi's explanation, he moved diligently and soon arrived in front of a massive gate three stories high.
'It's huge.'
The mysterious patterns engraved on the majestic gate caught his attention. It was in the form of a mountain range engulfed in flames, and a hot heat could be felt.
Even though it was just a carving on the gate, it felt alive and vivid.
Impressed by the grandeur befitting an immortal sect, Qin Zhaoming nodded. This was the Zeyang Sect.
"Whew."
After taking a light breath, he approached the gatekeeper. He intended to verify if the information Fang Yi had provided was true.