Book 2: Chapter 45: Investment |
Vol 2 Chapter 45: Investment
Zheng Fa held the Talisman Seal in his hand, examining it for a long time.
It was a stamp-like seal, entirely blood-red, square-shaped, and slightly worn. The Golden Armor Talisman engraved on its surface was somewhat faded.
“Senior Brother Li, why are you still standing? Have a seat!” Seeing how nervous Li Nuo was, Zheng Fa spoke warmly. “Tell me in detail—how does this Talisman Seal work?”
Li Nuo froze for a moment, seemingly surprised by Zheng Fa’s interest.
For a while, he struggled to find words. His lips moved, but nothing came out.
Zheng Fa misinterpreted his hesitation and said, “Is this a secret technique passed down in your family? If so, I may have been too presumptuous.”
“No, no, it’s not!” Li Nuo quickly waved his hands. “It’s not some secret technique… It’s just that no one in Jiushan Sect sees any value in it.”
He couldn’t hide the bitterness in his voice.
Li Nuo hesitated but nodded honestly. “Junior Brother, can you guess how this Talisman Seal is made?”
Zheng Fa examined its color and took a guess. “Blood?”
“Yes, it’s made using a mix of spirit beast blood,” Li Nuo admitted. “But the problem is, each talisman pattern requires a specific ratio of different spirit beast blood types. If the proportions are even slightly off, the talisman engraving process can result in… an explosion.”
“…”
Zheng Fa remained silent for a moment. “And what’s the output? How many talismans can one of these seals produce, and at what grade?”
“For a Qi Refining cultivator, this seal can produce thirty Yellow-grade Golden Armor Talismans per day.”
Zheng Fa finally understood.
He had considered the possibility of mass-producing talismans before.
But ultimately, creating talismans was inseparable from cultivators themselves. The process required a cultivator’s spiritual sense to capture the talisman inscription from the void, and their spiritual power to inscribe it onto talisman paper.
From Zheng Fa’s own experience, Qi Refining cultivators were limited by their spiritual power.
For example, when he was at Qi Refining Level One, he could only produce three talismans per day.
“So, this Talisman Seal essentially substitutes spiritual power with the spiritual energy contained in the blood of spirit beasts?”
Zheng Fa asked.
Li Nuo nodded. “That’s right, Junior Brother explained it perfectly.”
Zheng Fa gently placed the Talisman Seal on the table, feeling a bit disappointed—this technique was far less impressive than he had hoped.
Li Nuo watched him nervously.
“One more thing,” Zheng Fa continued. “How many talismans can a single Talisman Seal produce before it’s depleted?”
Li Nuo’s expression turned even more troubled.
“According to my father’s calculations, each Talisman Seal can produce around a thousand Yellow-grade talismans before losing its effectiveness.”
“And the cost to make one?”
“Six spirit stones.”
Li Nuo’s voice was barely audible.
Zheng Fa quickly did the math.
A Golden Armor Talisman was common in Jiushan Sect, and not particularly valuable.
A thousand Yellow-grade talismans could sell for about thirty-three spirit stones, maybe even less.
But if he factored in the cost of talisman paper and spiritual ink, that would eat up another thirty spirit stones.
The net profit wouldn’t even be three spirit stones…
This thing was a complete money pit!
Li Nuo must have realized that Zheng Fa had done the calculations because his face slowly filled with despair.
“…Senior Brother Li, what is it that you want from me?” Zheng Fa finally asked.
“I…” Li Nuo’s voice was barely above a whisper. “I want to ask Junior Brother to lend me some spirit stones…”
“To continue researching the Talisman Seal?”
“Yes.”
Li Nuo lowered his head as if he were ashamed to even make such a request.
“Junior Brother, I don’t need much—just ten… no, five spirit stones per month would be enough.”
“If I can create a new seal, maybe I can reduce the cost.”
“At that point, Junior Brother could use these seals to make money…”
But Li Nuo trailed off, unable to finish.
Because he suddenly realized—
Zheng Fa was the Sect Master’s disciple, deeply trusted by Senior Sister Zhang, and a renowned genius in the Talisman Dao.
How could someone of his status possibly care about such insignificant profits?
“Senior Brother Li, let me take a few days to think this over.”
Upon hearing this, Li Nuo’s heart sank.
He assumed this was a polite way of rejecting him.
“I won’t bother you any longer,” he said with a heavy heart, standing up.
“Senior Brother, you’ve misunderstood me,” Zheng Fa interjected. “I meant that it’s not appropriate for me to fund this personally—but it would be best for the Administrative Hall or the Talisman Hall to finance it.”
“Ah?”
Li Nuo didn’t fully grasp the distinction, but there was one thing he did understand:
“You mean… you’re agreeing to fund it?”
“I wouldn’t call it lending you money, but I am willing to invest in it,” Zheng Fa clarified. “The sect will provide the funding, and you will contribute your Talisman Seal research. If it eventually turns profitable, we can discuss profit-sharing later.”
Li Nuo somewhat understood.
He had heard that some shops in the market operated this way—they would hire a skilled cultivator, like an alchemist, and grant them a small percentage of ownership.
But there was one major difference—those alchemists were guaranteed to make money.
Whereas his project…
“What if it fails?” he asked hesitantly. “Would the sect even agree to this?”
“Investments always come with risks,” Zheng Fa said with a smile. “But let’s be clear—if it succeeds, the sect will take the lion’s share of the profits. You’ll receive only a small portion.”
Zheng Fa’s words didn’t discourage Li Nuo at all.
“As long as you can get me the funds to continue my research, I don’t even need to take a profit!”
His voice trembled with excitement, and his eyes reddened slightly.
—
After seeing off Li Nuo and Han Qi, Zheng Fa thought for a moment before making his way toward Senior Sister Zhang’s courtyard.
It had been a few days since Zheng Fa last saw Senior Sister Zhang, aside from the day he officially became a lecturer at the Talisman Hall. The absence felt odd—he wasn’t used to going so long without seeing her.
He had no idea what she had been busy with lately.
Arriving at her residence, he soon discovered that Senior Sister Zhang… wasn’t busy at all.
Or rather, she was busy enjoying herself.
—
In the backyard pavilion of her home, Senior Sister Zhang and Senior Sister Yuan were lounging against the wooden railings in a completely relaxed manner.
The stone table before them was covered with all sorts of food—plump, glistening spirit fruits, chewy dried meat, steaming hot pastries, and small white ceramic jars filled with preserved fruits.
The two of them were eating and chatting, laughing as if they were just ordinary friends having a casual gathering.
Zheng Fa had seen Senior Sister Yuan like this before.
But seeing Senior Sister Zhang like this…
It completely shattered his previous impressions of her.
Something felt off.
“…Senior Sister Zhang, you…”
As soon as he stepped in, neither of them seemed surprised. Senior Sister Yuan even waved him over.
Before he could say anything else, she stuffed a spirit fruit into his hand.
“Try it.”
Zheng Fa took a bite. The moment the fruit’s flesh slid down his throat, he could clearly feel it transform into pure spiritual energy, enriching his dantian.
It was delicious.
“Good, right?” Senior Sister Yuan asked with a sly smile.
“Very good,” Zheng Fa nodded sincerely.
“This one bite costs five spirit stones,” Senior Sister Zhang suddenly added. “Remember to pay me back.”
“…”
Zheng Fa froze mid-chew.
He instinctively glanced at his stomach—
As if considering whether he could vomit it back out.
When he looked back at Senior Sister Zhang, she was smirking. It was obvious she had been joking.
But still…
Is this what life as a Golden Core cultivator is like?!
Thinking back to how Li Nuo had nearly knelt before him for a mere five spirit stones per month, Zheng Fa’s emotions became… complicated.
“What are you thinking about?”
Zheng Fa didn’t hide it—he had come here precisely to discuss Li Nuo’s research.
In his view, funding the research itself was a minor matter.
What really needed to be established was a system—
How to encourage Jiushan Sect disciples to pursue research,
Who should provide the funding,
And how profits should be distributed in the end.
It all needed structure.
However, Senior Sister Zhang refused immediately.
“Li Nuo won’t do.”
“…Huh?” Zheng Fa was caught off guard. “Is there some history between you two?”
“No. His father was actually part of my faction—there’s no bad blood between us.”
“Then why—”
“It’s the Talisman Seal itself that won’t work.”
Zheng Fa fell silent.
He could tell she wasn’t rejecting the idea without reason.
“I know how the Talisman Seal works—it requires spirit beast blood,” Senior Sister Zhang stated bluntly. “And right now, spirit beast blood is getting more and more expensive… It’s actually cheaper to just hire ten Qi Refining disciples to draw talismans manually.”
Wow.
So, spirit beast blood is costly… but the blood and sweat of Jiushan Sect disciples isn’t?
A classic "human labor is the cheapest resource" situation.
But Zheng Fa knew she wasn’t wrong.
“If the Talisman Seal remains at its current efficiency, then of course it’s useless,” Zheng Fa admitted. “But technology improves over time. The investment required isn’t even that much—if we can lower costs and increase output in the future, it’ll be worth it.”
Zheng Fa had a relaxed attitude about this.
He wasn’t funding the research because he expected guaranteed success—he just found the mindset behind it valuable.
The idea of improving production methods was far too rare in Xuanwei Realm.
But as for whether the Talisman Seal could actually revolutionize the industry?
He had no way of guaranteeing that.
After all, not all research led to breakthroughs.
“If it works the way you imagine, that would actually be worse,” Senior Sister Zhang shook her head. “Do you know why Li Nuo is unpopular in the market district?”
“No.”
“If Talisman Seals become widespread, the sect’s talisman makers will lose their jobs.”
“…”
Zheng Fa finally understood why she was so opposed to Li Nuo.
Every new technology disrupts an old system.
And the group that suffers the most from the Talisman Seal… is the talisman makers of Jiushan Sect.
More than half of the sect’s Qi Refining disciples made a living by drawing talismans.
The supply of spiritual materials wasn’t infinite, and the demand for talismans wasn’t limitless.
If Talisman Seals became popular, there was a high chance that many talisman makers would be forced into unemployment.**
“If it were someone else, I wouldn’t object to funding them,” Senior Sister Zhang said. “But if it’s Li Nuo… The Administrative Hall definitely won’t invest in him.”
Zheng Fa silently nodded.
The Administrative Hall had close ties with the sect’s talisman makers—it was obligated to protect their interests.
Ultimately, cultivators in Xuanwei Realm weren’t that different from farmers and craftsmen.
They had a deep attachment to traditional methods.
Unlike Zheng Fa, who welcomed innovation, these people saw new technology as a direct threat to their survival.
And in this world, they weren’t just craftsmen—they were craftsmen with the power to fight back.
Even Senior Sister Zhang, someone who had never feared anyone in her generation, still advised Zheng Fa to think carefully.
Seeing that he understood, she offered some words of comfort.
“It’s good that you have this mindset, but this—”
“I still want to try.”
“…Hm?”
“Senior Sister Zhang, just like Master Pang said… Xuanwei Realm is on the verge of chaos.”
Senior Sister Zhang’s gaze deepened.
“In the past, this wouldn’t have mattered,” Zheng Fa continued. “But if war breaks out… technology that allows rapid talisman production could change everything.”
“This thing? It only makes Yellow-grade talismans,” Senior Sister Yuan muttered.
“Maybe it won’t work,” Zheng Fa admitted. “But like you said, the old roads have been walked to their limits. We need to try new paths.”
Senior Sister Zhang was silent for a moment.
Then she shook her head.
Zheng Fa felt a twinge of disappointment.
He understood why she refused.
The issue wasn’t about cost anymore—funding Li Nuo meant directly offending nearly all the talisman makers in Jiushan Sect.
And the outcome was uncertain at best.
“You don’t have to handle it—I will.”
“…Huh?”
“Your cultivation is still too low,” Senior Sister Zhang said softly. “Making enemies out of all those disciples isn’t in your best interest. If I fund it, they’ll have no choice but to keep their mouths shut.”
Senior Sister Yuan looked back and forth between them, mouth agape.
Then, a lightbulb seemed to go off in her head.
“Senior Sister Zhang, I have an idea too! But I’m short on some spirit stones—”
Senior Sister Zhang simply stared at her.
“…”
Senior Sister Yuan silently stuffed a piece of dried fruit into her mouth.
Zheng Fa looked at Senior Sister Zhang.
He suddenly had a bad feeling—
If things kept going like this…
He might have to repay her by offering himself.
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