"City Lord, that's how the situation unfolded," the Steward embellished the account of meeting Zhang Yang. "They showed us no respect whatsoever and even threatened to hold a public... auction at Hongqing Pavilion, which likely means they intend to sell openly."

The City Lord of Anqing City sneered, "Does the Azurecloud Sect still think it's the old days when they could disregard me just because of their high cultivation? If that's the case, let's show them what we're made of."

The Steward was startled and quickly advised, "City Lord, it might not be wise to offend them right now, especially since they have a master we might not be able to handle."

The City Lord of Anqing City smiled faintly, "Who said anything about using force? Those sect members have cultivated their brains into mush. Do we need to resort to violence to deal with them? Go and inform all the merchant guilds and family powers in Anqing City that they are forbidden from participating in this... auction at Hongqing Pavilion. Anyone who defies this order will be expelled from Anqing City and won't be able to establish themselves in the empire."

"I want to see who the Azurecloud Sect sells their talismans to. Immortal cultivation depends on talent, but doing business requires brains. High cultivation is useless here. Eventually, they'll have to come to my City Lord's Mansion and sell to me at a low price!"

The Steward's eyes lit up, "City Lord, you're brilliant!"

He quickly sent someone to deliver the orders.

The news that Zhang Yang intended to sell talismans had already reached the ears of those interested in Anqing City. Especially when they heard that the Azurecloud Sect planned to assist in selling the talismans, everyone was excited, realizing the immense profit potential.

So, each family sent decision-makers to Hongqing Pavilion, determined to secure the talisman collaboration.

As these people set off, the smaller merchant guilds and powers in Anqing City also noticed something was afoot and headed to Hongqing Pavilion.

In a quiet courtyard in the southern part of the city, a middle-aged man in green hurriedly pushed open a door and spoke urgently, "Miss, our opportunity has come."

"What opportunity?" A woman with a captivating presence stepped out.

"I just found out that the Azurecloud Sect plans to sell talismans in Anqing City. This is our best chance. If we want to establish ourselves in Anqing City, we need something unique, and the Azurecloud Sect's talismans are exactly what we need. Moreover, the Azurecloud Sect is not simple, and collaborating with them would be highly beneficial for us right now," the middle-aged man in green said excitedly.

The captivating woman nodded slightly, asking in doubt, "If this news is true, it's certainly great. But the Azurecloud Sect hasn't been heard from in a long time. Could this be false information?"

The middle-aged man in green smiled, "It can't be false! Everyone in Anqing City is heading to Hongqing Pavilion, supposedly for an... auction?"

"An auction? Interesting!" The woman smiled, "Then let's go too."

She wiped her face with her hand, instantly changing her appearance to look "plain and unremarkable."

Then, she took her maid along, with the middle-aged man in green following, and headed to Hongqing Pavilion.

At Hongqing Pavilion, after Zhang Yang presented spirit stones and revealed his identity, the Shopkeeper dared not neglect them and directly invited Zhang Yang to the top floor.

The five-story Hongqing Pavilion, though not the tallest building, was among the top. Sitting on the top floor allowed for a panoramic view of the entire city.

"Honored immortals, we have excellent spirit tea. Would you like a pot?" The Shopkeeper cautiously asked Zhang Yang and Lingyunzi, "It costs a hundred spirit stones, which might be a bit pricey, but it should be nothing for you. Moreover, spirit tea has calming and focusing effects, which are most beneficial for cultivation."

Lingyunzi, upon hearing the price of a hundred spirit stones per pot, wanted to refuse immediately.

This was part of the Azurecloud Sect's recent savings; how could it be squandered on a pot of tea?

"Bring it up!" Zhang Yang waved his hand, "If you have good spirit wine, bring that too."

The Shopkeeper was momentarily stunned but then delighted, "We have Hundred-Spirit Wine, said to be brewed with over a hundred spirit herbs, which can accelerate the gathering of spiritual qi. A pot of Hundred-Spirit Wine costs five hundred spirit stones. Shall I bring a pot for you, honored immortals?"

Though the Shopkeeper wasn't a cultivator, he seemed quite knowledgeable about spiritual items.

"Bring two pots!" Zhang Yang indicated.

Lingyunzi felt a toothache and had the urge to slap this spendthrift.

He couldn't help but communicate telepathically, "Even though we have some spirit stones now, we need to use them sparingly. Have you forgotten we took in over eighty disciples, and their cultivation resources aren't prepared yet?"

"Uncle Master, we're not indulging; we're negotiating business!" Zhang Yang said earnestly.

Lingyunzi didn't understand these social customs; why did negotiating business require such expensive items?

However, after observing Zhang Yang for a few days, Lingyunzi noticed that Zhang Yang handled everything methodically, so he refrained from commenting for the time being.

Moments later, the Shopkeeper, with a face beaming like a chrysanthemum, brought in two pots of wine and a pot of tea.

To read the uncut version, go to [p𝘢wread.com].

"Honored immortals, your spirit tea and spirit wine, please enjoy."

Zhang Yang gestured for the Shopkeeper to leave, then poured a cup of spirit tea for himself and Lingyunzi, indicating, "Uncle Master, please!"

Lingyunzi blinked, wasn't this about negotiating business?

Zhang Yang ignored Lingyunzi, raised his cup of spirit tea, and drank it all in one go, feeling a wave of comfort spreading throughout his body. The Golden Core in his Spirit Sea even fluctuated slightly, showing a bit of change.

Zhang Yang was overjoyed; this was what immortal cultivation was about!

Why not cultivate immortality through eating and drinking? Why endure the elements and meditate until dawn?

Lingyunzi looked at the misty vapor in his teacup, glanced at Zhang Yang, and drank it all in one go.

"These days, I've troubled Uncle Master to follow me around, all for my protection. Uncle Master, you've worked hard." Zhang Yang opened the Hundred-Spirit Wine and began pouring, "I toast you, Uncle Master!"

"I'm your Uncle Master; it's my duty to protect you."

This time, Lingyunzi didn't hesitate. He picked up the wine cup and drank it all in one go.

It was truly delicious!

Without waiting for Zhang Yang, Lingyunzi picked up the wine pot and poured himself another cup.

Zhang Yang chuckled inwardly, raised his cup to Lingyunzi, and drank it all in one go.

As the Hundred-Spirit Wine went down, he immediately felt a surge of spiritual power rushing through his meridians. He quickly used his cultivation technique to guide the chaotic spiritual power to his Spirit Sea, nourishing the Golden Core.

The spiritual power from one cup of wine would have taken him at least a month to cultivate on his own.

This money was well spent!

Just as he poured a second cup, the door opened, and a thin Elderly Man walked in.

As soon as he entered, he smelled the rich aroma of spirit wine and spirit tea. The Elderly Man couldn't help but quicken his pace, smiling as he introduced himself, "I am Huang Qiao, the manager of Hongfu Merchant Guild, the largest in Anqing City. I've come sincerely to discuss the talisman trade with you, honored immortals."

Zhang Yang nodded, "Please sit! Let's wait for half an hour until everyone else arrives, and then we'll discuss in detail."

Huang Qiao nodded repeatedly and sat down.

As the manager of a merchant guild, he wasn't unfamiliar with spirit tea and spirit wine, but given his salary, they were still rare treats.

Now, getting to drink them for free, why not?

Huang Qiao had just sat down, and before he could pour himself a drink, the second person arrived, followed closely by the third...

In less than a quarter of an hour, decision-makers from seven or eight powers were already seated together.

The decision-makers from various powers exchanged glances, their eyes filled with hostility, though they all smiled at each other.

"Since almost everyone is here, let's share a cup of Hongqing Pavilion's Hundred-Spirit Wine before we start discussing the exclusive talisman trade," Zhang Yang began pouring the wine.

Just as the wine was poured, hurried footsteps approached, and a young man rushed in, whispering a few words into Huang Qiao's ear.

Huang Qiao's face changed dramatically, and he quickly stood up, saying, "Gentlemen, my concubine has just given birth, I must take my leave!"

As he spoke, he hurried out, looking genuinely anxious.