I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Vol 2 Chapter 14: Frost Blade

Zheng Fa followed Senior Sister Yuan through the market district, familiarizing himself with the responsibilities of the market overseer.

As they walked, Senior Sister Yuan explained,

“What we call the market district is actually divided into three parts—the plaza where the large storefronts are, the market street where the smaller shops are, and then the open market with all the individual stalls.”

“Our main job is to maintain order in these three areas. First, we need to prevent any monopolization or coercion. Second, we must stop troublemakers or high-level cultivators from bullying the merchants.”

She spoke with the confidence of someone who truly knew her field.

“The large storefronts don’t need much oversight—they belong to the major sects of the Hundred Immortals Alliance. No one dares cause trouble there,” she added. “Besides, no matter how outrageously they price their goods, we can’t do anything about it.”

Zheng Fa remained silent.

Not only did these major stores have powerful backing, but they also sold rare and valuable materials.

They were like wealthy patrons—too big to offend.

“But the smaller shops and the open market? That’s where we have to be vigilant.”

“The smaller shops are usually run by cultivator families. They may not be the kindest people, but they definitely don’t want trouble with Senior Sister Zhang.”

“But the stalls? That’s a different story. You’ll find all sorts of people there. It’s the hardest to manage and the most prone to conflict.”

“Most of my subordinates patrol the open market,” she added. “Speaking of which, when do you want to meet them?”

Zheng Fa thought for a moment. “Give me a few more days.”

Meeting the market disciples was necessary, but he knew it wouldn’t be simple.

His cultivation level was low, his seniority in the sect was nonexistent—he had only joined two months ago.

Even with Senior Sister Zhang’s backing, taking control of such a large market district wouldn’t be smooth.

Take Senior Sister Zhang, for example.

Was she lacking in talent?

She was the fastest to reach Foundation Establishment in the history of the Hundred Immortals Alliance.

Did she lack a strong background?

Her master was a Nascent Soul cultivator.

And yet, from her own account, she had faced endless challenges and opposition.

Talent and connections weren’t everything in an Immortal Sect.

“Alright! Let’s set it for two weeks from now,” Senior Sister Yuan said, patting his arm. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you!”

Zheng Fa cupped his hands in gratitude.

After explaining the basics, Senior Sister Yuan dragged him through the open market, darting between stalls.

“Come, come, come!”

“Senior Sister?”

“Don’t be fooled by the sheer number of stalls! Only a few of them actually sell good stuff.”

Zheng Fa felt a spark of excitement.

In all his time at Jiushan Sect, he had barely spent any money—mostly out of fear of being ripped off.

Senior Sister Yuan seemed to know the market inside out. Maybe she really could point him to some trustworthy shops where he could buy magical artifacts or spirit materials.

“This stall has the best meat pies! A family recipe passed down for generations!” she pointed. “The seasoning is a secret, and the meat is rich and juicy!”

“…This is what you meant by ‘good stuff’?”

“Of course! Walk a hundred steps ahead, turn right at the third stall—that’s the best pastry vendor. Oh! And let me tell you a secret—Senior Sister Zhang loves their osmanthus cake!”

“…”

“Oh, and at the market entrance, there’s a skewer vendor that’s been here for over ten years! Their reputation is excellent!”

She spoke with the pride of someone sharing classified information.

“These are all my personally vetted treasures, accumulated over years of experience!”

“…Thank you, Senior Sister.” Zheng Fa forced out his gratitude.

“No problem! I did promise Senior Sister Zhang I’d teach you well.”

She pounded her chest with confidence before leaning in and whispering,

“There’s a grain store in the market that sells the best spiritual rice! No one else knows about it—I’m the only customer!”

Her expression was full of sincerity, as if she were bestowing upon him a priceless secret.

“Senior Sister… is it possible that no one else buys it because their taste preferences are different from yours?”

Remembering her true form, Zheng Fa fell silent for a moment before cautiously asking.

Thirteen days later.

In his courtyard, Zheng Fa sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, holding a small jade bottle.

He tipped the bottle, letting a single Condensing Yuan Pill roll into his palm.

This pill had cost him everything he had—his wages from Senior Sister Yuan, his earnings from selling talismans.

Had he not reached the second level of Qi Refining and increased his daily talisman output, he wouldn’t have been able to save up the twenty spirit stones necessary to buy it.

This was why he had delayed meeting the market disciples—he wanted to condense his second Yuan Talisman first.

His first Yuan Talisman was the True Form Shadowless Talisman, chosen primarily for his safety in the modern world.

But in Xuanwei Realm, its utility was limited.

This time, Zheng Fa had a clear goal—he needed something powerful. Preferably, something flashy.

Senior Sister Zhang claimed he was equivalent to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but Zheng Fa disagreed.

Anyone could buy talismans.

Just because he owned Mysterious-Grade talismans didn’t mean he was at Foundation Establishment level.

The market disciples would never accept that.

People admired wealthy warriors, but they also looked down on those who relied solely on money.

However, the Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Technique was different.

It allowed him to internalize his talismans into real techniques.

If he could cast Foundation Establishment-level spells instantly, no one would argue against his status.

Since his first Yuan Talisman was Yin-aligned and Earth-elemental, he needed something Yin-aligned and Metal-elemental to complement it.

There weren’t many options.

Senior Sister Zhang had only tested a small fraction of talisman patterns.

And he could only afford to condense a Yuan Talisman—not a more complex True Talisman, which required more than one Condensing Yuan Pill.

Among his choices, the best was Frost Blade Talisman.

Not only was it highly destructive, but it could also freeze enemies, slowing their movements.

It was a popular choice among talisman masters.

Zheng Fa swallowed the Condensing Yuan Pill, skillfully channeling his spiritual energy to inscribe the Frost Blade Talisman within his dantian.

With his strong spiritual sense and prior experience, the process was smooth.

However, he noticed something—the medicinal effect felt slightly weaker than last time.

So this is what Senior Sister Zhang meant by resistance to alchemical pills…

Once the Frost Blade Talisman was complete, it settled next to the True Form Shadowless Talisman, the two forming a slightly intricate pattern.

Zheng Fa tested his cultivation.

With the second Yuan Talisman in place, his ability to absorb spiritual energy had increased slightly.

At the market district.

Six disciples in blue robes patrolled the aisles between the stalls.

Among them, five surrounded an older disciple, clearly their leader.

The nearby vendors eyed them with a mix of respect and wariness, quieting their sales pitches as the patrol passed.

It was clear these disciples held a certain authority in the market.

However, today, they weren’t concerned with maintaining order.

As they walked, they whispered among themselves.

“Have you heard? That Zheng Fa guy…”

“Yeah, word’s spread—he’s taking over the market district.”

“A second-level Qi Refiner, only been in the sect for two months… Senior Sister Zhang really favors him…”

The three disciples discussed Zheng Fa’s appointment.

Senior Sister Zhang hadn’t bothered to keep it a secret.

Even some of the shopkeepers had caught wind of it.

“Look, he’s a talisman genius, sure, but this is too much,” a burly disciple grumbled.

“This is Senior Sister Zhang’s decision.”

“Does that make it right? A second-level Qi Refiner? Who’s going to respect that?”

“If trouble breaks out in the market, can he handle it?”

“Talisman mastery doesn’t mean he can govern a market. He’s barely been here for two months—how much does he even know about Jiushan Sect?”

The others exchanged glances.

He wasn’t wrong.

Their leader, Senior Brother Yang, remained silent.

“Yang-shixiong, you’re Foundation Establishment late-stage and have years of experience. Wouldn’t you be a better choice?”

The others hesitated, then nodded in agreement.

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