Chapter 29: The Hardship of Earning Money

Two months slipped by in silence.

In her new residence, Jiang Min had deliberately set aside a secluded chamber for cultivation. Within this quiet room, after two months of diligent practice, she finally mastered the first level of the Scarlet Flame Body.

“Phew.”

Jiang Min finished her exercises, regulating her breath as she exhaled a stream of hot, white air that dissipated into the lingering chill of early spring.

Now, she felt her entire body brimming with strength, warmth spreading through her limbs. Despite the cold, she sensed no trace of discomfort.

“This body, steeped in so many spiritual herbs, is truly remarkable.”

Jiang Min was thoroughly satisfied. The first level merely laid the foundation, preparing her for the physical refinement of the second level with fire spiritual energy. Even so, she had consumed countless herbs for medicinal baths and ingestion, nearly exhausting all her spirit stones.

Yet the effects of the Scarlet Flame Body had not disappointed her. With the completion of the first level, she felt the backlash from the peach branch weakening noticeably. Coupled with her daily practice of the Treasure Affinity technique and refining the peach branch, the backlash was now nearly negligible. She could once again absorb demon core embryos without any adverse reaction.

Nevertheless,

Jiang Min dared not let her guard down. As long as she continued cultivating with the peach branch, it would grow stronger. She had to press on with the Scarlet Flame Body, for only upon reaching the third level’s perfection could she ensure the smooth progress of the dantian treasure refining method.

But before that, Jiang Min had to address a pressing issue.

She needed to earn money!

Not to mention the rare spiritual herbs required for the second level, such as the Jade Fruit—all of which were exorbitantly expensive—her remaining spirit stones were dwindling. Even daily living was becoming difficult.

“The Chivalry Hall is where commissions are posted. Let’s go have a look.”

Jiang Min promptly set out for the Chivalry Hall.

Inside the grand hall, she found it crowded, bustling with activity. Most were outer sect disciples clad in blue robes. Seeing so many people, Jiang Min felt an ominous premonition. She squeezed through the throng for quite a while before finally reaching the jade wall constructed from precious stones.

On the jade wall, spiritual light shimmered.

All the script was formed from condensed spiritual power.

“Assist in taming a young Silver Demon Tiger. Must know beast-taming techniques. Reward: thirty low-grade spirit stones.”

“Seeking second-tier Lava Python demon core. Reward: two thousand eight hundred low-grade spirit stones.”

“Find a century-old Nine-Colored Lotus. Reward: five middle-grade spirit stones.”

“Slay…”

Jiang Min reviewed all the commissions, but not a single one was suitable for her. Either they required considerable strength or specific skills—her cultivation at the fourth stage of Qi Refining simply wasn't enough.

At that moment,

A new line of spiritual script suddenly appeared at the very bottom of the jade wall.

“Care for two acres of spiritual herbs. Must understand various herb traits, know Rain Technique, Pest Expulsion, and Spirit Gathering. Reward: thirty low-grade spirit stones per year.”

No sooner had these words appeared than Jiang Min saw a dozen people rush toward the steward seated nearby, nearly knocking her over. They crowded around the long table, clamoring:

“I’ll take the herb field commission!”

“Me too! I’ve worked in the Pill Hall for years, know all kinds of herbs, I can handle it perfectly.”

“I also know array techniques, I can repair the spirit formations for the client!”

“I can do anything! Besides tending the herb fields, I’ll help with chores free of charge!”

“I…”

The scene left Jiang Min dumbfounded.

So it wasn’t just her who lacked spirit stones…

Dejected, Jiang Min slipped out of the Chivalry Hall. Her cultivation was too weak, she had no special skills, all she could do was farm and labor—clearly, she wouldn’t land any commission.

“This is worse than being a menial worker, earning some temporary wages from other halls.”

The more Jiang Min considered it, the more feasible it seemed. Her eyes brightened as she murmured, “Right, I’ll leave a message talisman for Senior Brother Zhong. If any such opportunity arises, I’ll trouble him to let me know.”

No shame in making money.

At worst, she’d dig out her old gray robe and wear it to work, blending in.

So saying, Jiang Min really did make a trip to Floating Cloud Peak, asking Zhong Qu to keep an eye out. Zhong Qu could only smile wryly—when had an outer sect disciple ever competed with menial workers for jobs?

Next, Jiang Min headed to the Purple Mist Mountain market, hoping to find a lucrative trade. She wandered about for a long while, but in the end, found herself most interested in spiritual talismans.

“Hmm? Isn’t that the senior sister who sold me the Evil Dispelling Talisman years ago?”

Jiang Min spotted a familiar face among the scattered stalls. She hurried over, smiling warmly, and greeted her, “Senior sister, do you remember me?”

The senior sister was startled at first, sizing her up for a moment before recognizing the young woman before her as the same girl from years past. She exclaimed, “Is it you? You’ve become an outer sect disciple?”

Jiang Min nodded, “Yes, it’s me.”

“Well done!” The senior sister praised her sincerely, then asked, “Looking for any particular talisman?”

“Oh, it’s just been ages since I’ve seen you, thought I’d chat a bit and make your stall look lively,” Jiang Min replied with an innocent smile.

“No need to pretend if you’re not buying.” The senior sister wasn’t fooled at all. “I’m free anyway. What brings you here?”

Jiang Min leaned in, blinking, and asked quietly, “I wanted to ask—how do you learn to make spiritual talismans?”

The senior sister laughed, “Interested? Just pay the fee at the Teaching Hall and you can learn.”

“How long does it take?”

The senior sister chuckled with meaning, “It takes many, many years. This isn’t easy money. Look at the business—it’s so quiet. If I didn’t cut prices and sell at a loss, nothing would move.”

Jiang Min didn’t believe her. If it weren’t profitable, why keep a stall here for so many years? Clearly, the senior sister feared she’d become a competitor.

Thanking her, Jiang Min hurried to the Teaching Hall.

“Spiritual Talisman Course: fifty low-grade spirit stones, three years’ duration. The current course is already halfway through. Come back in two years.”

So said the attendant disciple.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Min abandoned the idea of learning talismans.

She couldn’t afford the tuition, nor could she catch up. Even if she wanted to learn, it would have to wait two years.

“Is there really no way to make money?”

Jiang Min turned away, discouraged.

She had also inquired about the attendant disciple’s duties and learned those were highly sought after—either she’d have to queue and wait her turn, or have connections.

At that moment,

She recalled Xue Yiniang’s advice:

“Outer sect disciples have more freedom. If you’re willing to take risks, learn some self-defense skills and venture outside. With luck, you might stumble upon opportunities far better than staying within the sect.”

Her bright eyes turned, musing, “Should I go outside? Surely there are ways to earn spirit stones out there. Maybe I’ll get lucky and strike it rich overnight, then I can afford the Wind and Thunder Body worth five hundred spirit stones.”

Jiang Min could not let go of her desire for the Wind and Thunder Body. If she mastered it, she could wield wind and thunder, swift as lightning and storm—how exhilarating that would be.

Lost in thought, she turned around—

And nearly collided with someone.

Despite keeping her senses alert at all times, she hadn’t noticed anyone approaching from behind. This person’s cultivation must far surpass her own.

She quickly withdrew and looked up to see a man in a blue robe, embroidered with intricate patterns, signifying a Foundation Establishment steward. He was young, tall, gentle in demeanor, and wore a faint smile that felt like a spring breeze.

“Uncle Lin, you’re here.”

The attendant disciple immediately stood and bowed to the man.

He lifted his sleeve, using spiritual power to support the disciple, and spoke warmly, “No need for formalities. I’m here to check on the mid-term trial. And this is…?”

“She’s here to inquire about the spiritual talisman course,” the attendant replied.

“Oh?”

The man turned to Jiang Min, smiling gently. “I am the steward in charge of the talisman course, Lin Mingyue.”