Chapter 436 - 399: Preparations

Chapter 436: Chapter 399: Preparations

"A Manager isn’t a clerk."

Although Zhao Lin had never been a Shopkeeper, he had gone on two missions and spent plenty of time in various market squares, so he had a decent understanding of how shops were staffed.

Besides the Shopkeeper and clerks, there was also an accountant to manage the books and record income and expenses;

a Manager responsible for taking inventory and sorting goods; a transport supervisor for purchasing and escorting shipments; and errand boys and handymen, who were usually mortals, among others.

These were just the most basic positions. If a shop reached a certain size, it would need to expand its staff even further.

After listening to Zhao Lin’s explanation, Li Sancai thought for a moment and asked, "Which market square? Is it far?"

"Not far."

Zhao Lin waved his hand. "It’s in Dongfu County, right here in this province. A round trip by Spiritual Vessel can be made within a day."

Li Sancai hesitated. "But I don’t know how."

Zhao Lin said seriously, "No one is born knowing everything. You can learn as you go. Don’t worry, this kind of work is much simpler than cultivation."

Li Sancai was tempted, but he still had reservations. "If I go work as a Manager in a shop, won’t the two years I’ve spent on the Talisman Dao go to waste?"

Hearing this, Zhao Lin smiled faintly. "Brother Li, you worry too much. A Manager’s salary is higher than an apprentice’s, and you’ll have more free time. It won’t get in the way of your cultivation."

"Think about it. With so many cultivators in the market squares, surely they haven’t all abandoned their path of cultivation, right?"

"To tell you the truth, I hold a position at this very shop myself."

When Li Sancai heard that last sentence, his eyes lit up. "As long as you’re there, Senior Brother Zhao, I’ll have someone to look out for me. In that case, I accept!"

Zhao Lin clapped his hands. "Excellent, it’s settled! Brother Sancai, I must ask you to keep this a secret. For the time being, please don’t tell anyone else. All right?"

"I understand."

Li Sancai nodded in agreement repeatedly.

After giving a few more instructions, Zhao Lin took his leave.

A few more days passed, and it was time for the tri-institute Dharma Assembly.

The Dharma Assembly was hosted by the three provinces in rotation. This year, it was the Western Ox Continent Spirit Dao Institute’s turn.

At the crack of dawn, the disciples, led by the dean and elders, boarded a Spiritual Vessel bound for the Western Ox Continent.

To broaden the first-year disciples’ horizons, Zhou Hongfang had the Spiritual Vessel dock for two hours when they passed the Shangyuan Immortal Market.

Previously, Zhao Lin had only visited market squares to buy things he needed. This time, however, he observed everything from the perspective of a business operator.

The infrastructure at Shangyuan Immortal Market was remarkably complete. The shop layouts were logical, each with its own unique character, and the streets were clean and tidy. It had everything from docks, inns, and restaurants to clinics. There was even a dedicated place to board Spirit Beasts.

Cultivator guards patrolled all the major thoroughfares, ensuring that other cultivators could come and go without worry.

Zhao Lin couldn’t help but nod to himself, thinking, ’The reason Shangyuan Immortal Market is famous far and wide isn’t just its prime location; the planning of its leadership is also a critical factor.’

Before sunset, the group arrived at the Western Ox Continent Spirit Dao Institute.

After resting for a night, they spent the next day touring the campus under the guidance of the Western Ox Continent’s dean, observing beast taming, insect charming, Alchemy, wine brewing, puppet making, and more.

Elders and instructor disciples demonstrated various Dao arts for the visitors.

Zhao Lin was already very familiar with all of this and couldn’t muster much interest.

He gave everything a cursory glance as he followed the group, only paying closer attention during the Array demonstration.

"The Yin Yang Four Symbols Array is composed of eighteen Array Patterns. It can be used for defense as well as for trapping enemies. Furthermore, it’s convenient to set up, so many cultivators who camp in the wild deploy this Array before they rest."

The instructor elder from the Western Ox Continent explained as he carved the Array Patterns.

’This Array seems pretty good,’ Zhao Lin thought as he noticed the five words "Yin Yang Four Symbols Array" appear in the ninth grid of his Spirit Cultivation Map.

Ever since absorbing the sixteen Array Patterns of the Sealing Spirit Array, Zhao Lin had been contemplating how to use the ninth grid.

Zhao Lin was being extremely cautious with this last grid.

After a moment of consideration, Zhao Lin decided against choosing this Array for now. He would soon be venturing into the market squares, and as his horizons broadened, a better option might present itself.

...

Another night passed, and the day of the martial competition arrived.

The Demonstration Pavilion was packed to the gills. Between the disciples from the three institutes and the cultivators who had come to watch the spectacle, there were well over a thousand people.

The rules for the competition were the same as in previous years. Each province would put forward two disciples for a series of cross-matches, and the three victors would advance to the second round.

Those three would then face each other to contend for the final championship.

The contestants from Nanhe Province were Zhao Lin and Lin Chaoran.

Lin Chaoran had already reached the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, and his proficiency in Magic was considerable.

As for Zhao Lin, he was the two-time defending champion, now aiming for a three-peat.

"For each match won, the reward is ten merit points."

"The ultimate champion will be awarded one Essence Enhancing Pill..."

Before the elder from the Western Ox Continent could even finish announcing the rewards, the crowd was in an uproar.

Not because the rewards were generous, but because they were far too meager.

The merit point reward had been halved, and the champion’s prize was a measly single Essence Enhancing Pill, worth only a few dozen Spirit Stones.

"This is way too stingy! The prizes at our own institute’s internal competitions are more substantial."

"No kidding. Has the Western Ox Continent really fallen on such hard times?"

"You guys just don’t get it. Nanhe Province is guaranteed to win this competition. That being the case, why would the Western Ox Continent put up generous rewards just to let someone else walk away with them?"

"Nanhe Province is guaranteed to win? Brother Dong, what do you mean?" a first-year disciple from the Western Ox Continent asked curiously.

"You’re new, so you wouldn’t know. Zhao Lin, who’s competing for Nanhe Province, is a prodigy of the Dao. He’s already taken first place in this competition twice in a row. He’s only gotten stronger this year, so there’s no question who the champion will be."

That "Brother Dong" explained.

"Really? I’d only heard that their Spirit Dao Institute has a disciple with an Earth Spirit Root who’s already at the peak of the Qi Refining Sixth Layer. I never thought there’d be someone even stronger."

"Lin Chaoran’s talent for cultivation is undeniable, but when it comes to actual combat, he’s a far cry from Zhao Lin."

"I see. So Nanhe Province is really that powerful..."