"I will not regret it!"

These four words were practically ground out through Qin Meran's gritted teeth. Her tone was resolute, unwavering.

In her heart, she had already convinced herself. She merely wanted Gu Xiu to suffer the consequences of his own arrogance, to understand the harsh cruelty of this world. Perhaps her methods had been a bit extreme, but what was wrong with that?

What was there to regret?

Hearing Qin Meran's declaration, a layer of delight instantly surfaced in Lu Qingyao's wide, innocent eyes.

"I knew it! Fifth Senior Sister, you definitely wouldn't be shaken just by glancing a few times at Eldest Senior Sister's Heavenly Secrets Reincarnation Mirror."

"Fifth Senior Sister, you truly live up to your reputation as a scholar. This Junior Sister still has much to learn from you."

Qin Meran took a deep breath and changed the subject. "Has Eldest Senior Sister not returned yet?"

"She has, she has!" Lu Qingyao nodded quickly. "I heard from Master that Eldest Senior Sister seems to have used the communication token again and is on her way back. I believe she'll arrive in just a few days, just in time for Junior Brother Jiang's new Dao Sword to be completed."

Qin Meran nodded, though a trace of worry furrowed her brow. "It is unknown whether Eldest Senior Sister has truly reflected on herself this time. If she hasn't, Master will likely punish her."

"That is indeed true. Master's anger hasn't subsided yet. When Eldest Senior Sister returns, she will likely face punishment without fail," Lu Qingyao agreed.

Then, she immediately shifted to venting her spleen.

"It's all that Gu Xiu's fault! If he hadn't used some method to bewitch Eldest Senior Sister, how could someone like her possibly defy Master's orders?"

"If he were standing before me right now, I truly wish I could..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Lu Qingyao seemed to remember something terrifying. She abruptly clamped her mouth shut and secretly glanced up at the sky.

Seeing the bright sun shining high, with not a single dark cloud in sight, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. However, she didn't dare continue her cursing or utter any threats.

Qin Meran also looked at the sky, somewhat puzzled, unable to understand what her Junior Sister was so afraid of.

As the two were speaking, a group of disciples nearby began to voice their loud praises.

"Junior Martial Uncle truly lives up to his reputation! With just a slight effort, he immediately solved our talisman shortage."

"Junior Martial Uncle has worked hard!"

"This is the difference talent makes! As soon as Junior Martial Uncle took action, he resolved the crisis. So impressive! If we are talking about a future Talisman Dao Supreme, it must be Junior Martial Uncle!"

Turning their heads, Qin Meran and Lu Qingyao saw Jiang Xun.

Dressed in green robes, with a face as smooth as polished jade, he had already paused his talisman crafting. He was modestly conversing with the other disciples—neither arrogant nor overly humble.

A true gentleman, pure as jade!

Compared to Gu Xiu, who had been bullied by these very disciples back then and ultimately resorted to unleashing overwhelming killing intent, the difference was like heaven and earth!

"Two Senior Sisters, this Junior Brother can be considered fortunate not to have failed in his mission. I believe it won't be long before the talisman shortage of our Azure Mystic Sacred Land is completely resolved."

Jiang Xun approached the two women, bowed respectfully, and spoke with perfect courtesy.

This naturally earned him a round of praise. Lu Qingyao openly complimented her Junior Brother for being sensible and capable, while Qin Meran praised his gentlemanly demeanor.

However, right in the midst of this harmonious atmosphere, a Core Disciple of Ink Scroll Peak stepped forward.

"Peak Lord..."

"Hmm? What is it?" Qin Meran asked.

"Peak Lord, many people have come seeking talismans recently. What do you think? Should I take out a portion of our inventory to reassure them?"

recently, the success rate of talisman crafting at the Azure Mystic Sacred Land had dropped severely. They barely had enough for themselves, so all external sales had been halted.

But thanks to Jiang Xun's arrival, the situation had changed. Not only was his personal success rate extremely high, but his presence seemed to have accelerated the overall production of the sect.

Although they hadn't reached peak levels yet, after several days and nights of non-stop crafting, they had managed to fill the internal shortage. There was even a small surplus left to consider external partners.

"Many people have come seeking talismans these past few days, especially from the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion. They've had representatives visiting every single day," the disciple reported. "They seem very anxious."

"The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion?" Qin Meran pondered.

The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion had always been a pleasant partner for the Azure Mystic Sacred Land; they were generous spenders. She knew they were desperate for stock, but she hadn't had any surplus until now.

Since there was finally some inventory, it would be appropriate to offer them some support.

"Tell the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion we can spare three thousand talismans for them. That should help with their urgent needs."

"Three thousand... isn't that too few?" The disciple hesitated.

"Three thousand is too few? If they think it's too little, let them go find them elsewhere!" Lu Qingyao interjected sharply.

"Many of these talismans were personally made by my Junior Brother and Fifth Senior Sister; they are extremely precious! Giving them three thousand is already act of benevolence. How dare they think it's too little?"

"This..." The disciple stammered and looked toward Qin Meran.

Seeing Qin Meran remain silent, giving her tacit consent, he could only nod. "Then... then this disciple will go notify the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion now..."

"Wait!" Lu Qingyao spoke up again. "Don't notify them."

"Huh?" The disciple was stunned.

Even Qin Meran couldn't help but intervene. "Qingyao, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion has always cooperated very well with our Azure Mystic Sacred Land. We can't simply refuse to give them any talismans."

"I didn't say we wouldn't give them any," Lu Qingyao smiled slyly.

"Then you mean..."

"I just don't want the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion to look down on the talismans personally refined by Senior Sister and Junior Brother."

Everyone looked puzzled until Lu Qingyao explained.

"Hasn't the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion been urgently lacking talismans lately? Then shouldn't we treat our goods as rare commodities?"

Treat goods as rare commodities?

"Junior Sister, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion has always been sincere. There's no need for these games, right?" Qin Meran said.

But Lu Qingyao shook her head, adopting a lecturing tone. "Senior Sister... you are just too kind-hearted. No matter what, we are a Sacred Land. The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion is just a merchant association. Isn't it only right that they show sincerity?"

"But..."

"Senior Sister, you may understand many principles, but you don't understand human nature," Lu Qingyao smiled confidently.

"Right now, it is the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion who is anxious. They've been seeking help from us continuously, coming every day to beg for stock. Clearly, something big has happened, and they need talismans urgently."

"Then shouldn't we hurry up and help them?"

"Why should we rush to help?"

"..."

"We are a Sacred Land. Why should we lower ourselves to rush?"

"But..."

"Besides, if we call the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion over now and tell them we'll give them three thousand talismans, what would they think?"

Qin Meran was somewhat unclear, but Lu Qingyao answered for her. "They would definitely think our three thousand are too few."

"But if we wait until they come begging again—pleading pitifully—and then take out these three thousand talismans... at that time, not only won’t they think it’s too little, they’ll feel immense gratitude toward us!"

Lu Qingyao tapped her temple. "This is called understanding human nature!"

These words left Qin Meran astonished. She felt this approach wasn't quite right, but she couldn't think of a way to refute it.

"Little Senior Sister, this is my first time crafting talismans on a large scale. The quality isn't too high. Pulling such a stunt... wouldn't it be bad if they inspect the goods closely?" Jiang Xun asked worriedly from the side.

Lu Qingyao smiled reassuringly. "Junior Brother... you are too modest. Your talismans, even if made hastily, still surpass most ordinary ones on the market."

"Really?" Jiang Xun's eyes showed anticipation.

"Of course, really!" Lu Qingyao nodded repeatedly. "If we follow my plan, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion won't dare to dislike the slightly poor quality. They will definitely praise your talismans as excellent!"

Hearing this, Jiang Xun immediately beamed, his eyes full of confidence.

Only Qin Meran felt a lingering unease.

But thinking carefully... Lu Qingyao's words made some twisted sense. Besides, it could boost Jiang Xun's confidence.

Moreover, they only needed to wait one day. Given the recent urgency of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, they would surely climb the mountain again tomorrow. It would only be a delay of half a day.

Not a big problem!

Just wait.

Holding onto this thought, the three of them waited a full day.

Yet, they never saw the people from the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion arrive.

"Don't panic. Wait for tomorrow!"

The next day passed. Another long wait. The three even discussed how to display the prestige of the Sacred Land before the merchants when they finally arrived.

But...

When the sky darkened again, no one from the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion came.

"Hey, I think the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion is deliberately showing their temper. Our patience will win. Wait three days, they definitely can't hold out!"

Holding onto this thought... the three began a new round of waiting.

But by the third day, they couldn't hold steady anymore.

Especially Qin Meran.

The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion was indeed just a merchant association, but they were generous spenders. Over years of cooperation, the Azure Mystic Sacred Land had received massive resource support from them.

They couldn't really delay the cooperation over a petty power play.

But Qin Meran couldn't bring herself to yield and reach out first, so she sent someone to investigate the situation down the mountain.

However...

It would have been better if she hadn't investigated.

The news shocked Qin Meran on the spot.

"The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion has already found a new partner! Their talisman inventory is currently overflowing—they have so much stock they can't even sell it all!"