159: Chapter 159 Discussing the Opening

After Ye Jing upgraded the Spiritual Artifacts and Magic Treasures for his two daughters-in-law, they were finally able to Cultivate.

The Ye family remained safe and sound over the next few days, and soon, it was time for the Qingyun Sect and other Sects to begin recruiting Disciples.

Ye Jing realized that when a Sect began recruiting Disciples, the surrounding Loose Cultivators would surely flock there, and the shop's business would become exceptionally good.

Naturally, Ye Jing was not about to let this golden opportunity slip by. He immediately prepared to organize the family's assets, packing a significant amount of golden spirit rice, crimson blood fruits, qi condensing grass, as well as Mountain Delicacy Chicken and other Spiritual Qi-infused blood food into his Storage Pouch.

He planned to open a shop in Tiangong Market to expand the Ye family's business.

This time, Ye Jing brought along his third son, Ye Tianhui, to help. The reason was simple: Ye Tianhui was intelligent and often helped manage the family business; having been immersed in it for so long, he had learned much of the Dao of business and was meticulous in his thinking.

He thought that bringing him along would allow him to help look after the goods and deal with all sorts of people, while also providing an opportunity to interact more with external Cultivators to broaden his horizons and further lay the Foundation for the Ye family's industry.

Once the grandfather and grandson were ready, Ye Jing instructed the women at home to Cultivate well and look after the residence, and then they set off together toward Tiangong Market.

Tiangong Market was incredibly bustling at this moment. Not only was the Qingyun Sect recruiting Disciples, but several surrounding Sects were also doing the same.

Some Loose Cultivators had arrived at Tiangong Market ahead of time, making the surrounding area more lively than ever before.

Ye Tianhui had never seen so many Cultivators before, and his eyes were wide with wonder.

However, Ye Jing knew there were still six months before the Qingyun Sect's recruitment, so there was plenty of time—enough for him to establish a shop here.

After asking around, Ye Jing discovered that to open a shop in Tiangong Market, one needed to report to the owner of the market for approval—namely, the Market Master, Bai Qian.

Following the directions of passersby, the grandfather and grandson threaded through the bustling crowds and headed toward the pavilion in the center of the market.

That pavilion was built with blue bricks, and strings of translucent Spiritual Jade Lamps hung from its eaves. It was tall and magnificent, exuding a sense of inviolable majesty; this was the residence of the Market Master and the administrative center of Tiangong Market.

Just as they reached the pavilion, two Cultivators with condensed auras stepped forward to block them: "Please stop. The Market Master is busy with affairs. Without a prior appointment, you may not enter."

Unflustered, Ye Jing raised his hand and produced a qi condensing pill of decent quality, handing it over with a calm yet firm tone.

"I am Ye Jing, a Loose Cultivator from the surrounding area. I have brought my young grandson to the market to request the lease of a storefront. I trouble you two to inform the Market Master. Tell him a Cultivator wishes to deal in spirit rice, spirit fruits, and other goods in the market to assist with the Sects' recruitment."

He knew well that as the person in charge of such a large market, the Market Master valued its vitality and revenue above all else.

With the major Sects' recruitment imminent and Loose Cultivators gathering, spirit food and Spirit Medicine were exactly what was in high demand.

Upon hearing this, the two Cultivators took the qi condensing pill. Seeing its good quality, they exchanged a glance and cupped their hands, saying, "Please wait a moment, I shall go and report this."

Seeing this, Ye Tianhui pulled on Ye Jing's sleeve and used Spiritual Qi to transmit his voice: "Grandfather, will this Market Master be difficult to talk to? Are the supplies we brought enough to rent a shop?"

Although he was intelligent, he was currently only a twelve-year-old boy.

This was Ye Tianhui's first time in a place where so many Cultivators gathered, and he had never interacted with people of such status. He was inevitably a bit nervous, his eyes hiding both curiosity and restraint.

Ye Jing patted his shoulder and comforted him softly, "It's fine. The Market Master is in the business of opening his doors. The golden spirit rice and crimson blood fruits we brought are genuine high-quality goods; they will also benefit his market."

Before long, the Cultivator walked out quickly, his expression a few degrees more respectful than before: "Old Fellow Daoist, the Market Master invites you both inside."

The grandfather and grandson followed the Cultivator into the pavilion. The interior was simply yet elegantly furnished, with a Spiritual Wood Table placed in the center, separated by a screen.

Ye Jing could vaguely see a middle-aged man in a Brocade Robe sitting by the table, his face steady and his brow carrying a hint of laziness.

However, the aura surrounding him made Ye Jing feel a deep sense of pressure; this Market Master must certainly be at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

The man in the Brocade Robe looked up, his gaze sweeping over Ye Jing before glancing indifferently at Ye Tianhui beside him, a flicker of surprise appearing in his eyes.

He was surprised that the young boy beside Ye Jing appeared to be no more than twelve years old, yet already possessed a cultivation at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer.

But he quickly masked his surprise and simply asked, "Speak. What kind of storefront do you want to rent, and what will you be dealing in?"

Ye Jing cupped his hands in a polite but neither humble nor arrogant manner: "In response to the Market Master, I wish to rent a street-facing storefront. The area doesn't need to be too large, just enough to display goods.

I will mainly deal in golden spirit rice, crimson blood fruits, qi condensing grass, and other Spirit Medicines, as well as Mountain Delicacy Chicken and other Spiritual Qi-infused blood food. They are all suitable for low-level Cultivators, and the quality is absolutely top-tier!"

As he spoke, Ye Jing opened his Storage Pouch and took out a small bag of golden spirit rice and a crimson blood fruit marked with Golden Patterns.

Seeing this, Market Master Bai Qian's eyes showed interest, for he saw that the grains of golden spirit rice were plump and shimmering with a faint golden light, surrounded by Spiritual Qi.

Not to mention the crimson blood fruit, which even had Golden Patterns. Whether used for refining medicine or consumed directly, it would be of great benefit to a Cultivator; one could tell at a glance it was a high-grade spiritual item.

Bai Qian withdrew his gaze and said slowly, "These two types of goods are indeed not bad. With the Sect recruitment imminent and low-level Cultivators gathering, spirit food and Spirit Medicine are precisely what's in short supply.

My market has two types of street-facing storefronts. One type is on the edge of the market, with a monthly rent of two hundred Spirit Stones and no other fees.

The other is on the main street where the foot traffic is densest, with a monthly rent of five hundred Spirit Stones. An additional qi condensing pill is required as a deposit, and the lease must be for at least half a year."

Hearing this, Ye Jing began to calculate in his mind: "Although the edge storefront is cheap, the foot traffic is sparse, which isn't good for business.

Although the main street storefront is more expensive, it allows contact with more Cultivators. After half a year, we will surely break even and even make a significant profit."

Having made up his mind, he looked up at the Market Master: "I choose the main street storefront. Five hundred Spirit Stones a month, for a six-month lease."

"Good, quite straightforward." The Market Master smiled slightly, took out a Jade Contract, and used his fingertips to condense Spiritual Qi, carving characters onto it.

"Take a look. If there are no objections, drop a bead of Essence Blood, and the contract will take effect.

Once the contract is in effect, the storefront is yours. Remember, you must not cause trouble within the market or deal in prohibited items. Otherwise, I will reclaim the storefront, confiscate the deposit, and even expel you from the market."

Ye Jing took the contract and read it carefully. Seeing that the terms were fair and there were no tricks, he did not hesitate to bite his fingertip and drop a bead of Essence Blood.

The blood landed on the Jade Contract and instantly merged into it.

The Jade Contract emitted a faint red glow and then returned to a state of calm.

"The contract is in effect."

Bai Qian put away the Jade Contract and took out a Wooden Tablet engraved with the storefront details, handing it to Ye Jing.

"This is the Command Token for the storefront. It's on the main street. You can follow my subordinates to the main street to make your selection, but before that, pay the deposit and the first month's rent."

Ye Jing nodded and took out five hundred Spirit Stones and one qi condensing pill from his Storage Pouch.

He had already inquired about the rent in Tiangong Market before coming, so he was well-prepared.

Bai Qian took the Spirit Stones, did a rough count of them and the qi condensing pill, then gave the Command Token to Ye Jing and waved his hand, saying, "Go now. Manage it well, and do not waste this good opportunity."

Ye Jing and Ye Tianhui cupped their hands in farewell, and Ye Jing walked out of the pavilion holding the Command Token.

The restraint on Ye Tianhui's face had long since vanished, replaced by excitement. He quickly caught up with Ye Jing and said with a smile, "Grandfather, we really rented a storefront! Our business is definitely going to do well now!"