Winter passes and spring comes, and a new year begins.
Zhao Lin does not need to go back to Little World to visit relatives this year. During the Chinese New Year, he will reunite with his mother, brother and sister-in-law at their home in Cuiweifeng.
After staying at home for a few days, on the fifth day of the first lunar month, I left for Dongfu County.
There is a spiritual boat moored at a pass on the northern slope of Songyu Peak.
The ship was filled with dozens of kinds of cultivation materials such as spiritual tea, elixirs, spiritual rice, robes, talismans, magic weapons, etc.
Lu Yuanxiu specially allocated a sum of money for the start-up capital of opening the store, and the materials on the ship were purchased with this sum.
Zhou Hongfang transferred a spiritual boat from the county to transport goods to Zhao Lin.
As the sky dimmed, Zhao Lin and Li Sancai met at the agreed place and rushed to Songyu Peak together.
Gu Guzhao was already waiting at the pass, with three monks and several strong mortals standing beside him.
"Gu Gu, Zhao is late, please bear with me!"
Zhao Lin stepped forward and bowed.
"It's not too late, it's not too late. I'm here early."
Gude Zhao chuckled, beckoned the three monks to come over, and introduced them to Zhao Lin one by one.
The three monks were all Gude Zhao's team when he was the shopkeeper at Uehara Immortal Shop, and now they are the backbone of the new store.
The first person Gu Guzhao introduced was a middle-aged monk with a fair face and no beard named Tang Zhengquan, who was responsible for transportation and purchasing, and his position was Yun Cheng.
Next is a long-faced young man in his thirties named Gu An, who is Gudzhao's nephew.
The last monk is the youngest, his name is Zhuang Heng, and he is a monk with ordinary spiritual roots.
Gu An and Zhuang Heng were store clerks before, and it was the same in the new store.
Mortal Qingzhuang is the handyman of the new store, Gudzhao simply did not introduce him.
"I've met Shopkeeper Zhao."
Three monks came to see each other.
"You're welcome. From now on, you can call me the shopkeeper in the store, and I will address you as a Taoist friend on weekdays. I still need your support for the opening of the new store!"
Zhao Lin waved his hand casually and said.
The three of them couldn't help but secretly breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that Zhao Lin had no airs about him at all.
In the world of cultivating immortals, it is true that strength is respected, but monks of the same level are also divided into status classes. Although Zhao Lin's cultivation is only at the fifth level of Qi Refining, his position is that of shopkeeper, which is their superior.
Zhao Lin then introduced Li Sancai to Tang Zhengquan and others.
Seeing that Li Sancai was young and only at the third level of Qi Refining, the three of them didn't show anything, so they politely held their hands in greeting.
After exchanging a few words, Zhao Lin saw the sky was getting brighter and led everyone to board the spirit boat.
"Shopkeeper Zhao, are you ready to go?"
Tang Zhengquan sat down in front of Lingzhou's cloud platform and turned around to ask.
One of his duties is to escort, so he naturally controls the spirit boat.
"Set off!"
Zhao Lin looked around at everyone and said angrily.
"Okay, sit tight!"
Tang Zhengquan reminded him and placed his palms on the cloud platform. The spirit boat shook twice, causing a strong wind to rise up from the ground.
Zhao Lin was very interested in controlling the spirit boat. He had never had the opportunity before. Now that the spirit boat was full of his subordinates, he walked aside to watch with confidence.
There is an array disk with a diameter of more than a foot embedded in the cloud platform. In addition to the formation patterns, there are seven smaller formation disks in the array disk.
"It turns out to be a combined magic circle."
Zhao Lin had practiced the formation for two years and could see the clues at a glance.
The so-called combined magic circle is to merge the array disks of multiple magic circles into one, and use one formation disk to control all the magic circles at the same time. It is mostly used on large magic weapons such as spirit boats.
The spirit boat flew to the sky and gradually stabilized. Tang Zhengquan's expression gradually relaxed and he turned to Zhao Lin and said, "Shopkeeper Zhao, do you have any advice?"
Zhao Lin smiled and shook his head, "Speaking will not affect Brother Tang's control of the spirit boat, right?"
Tang Zhengquan said: "It doesn't matter. Shopkeeper Zhao, please tell me."
Zhao Lin asked assuredly: "Is the spirit boat easy to control?"
Tang Zhengquan said: "It depends on what kind of spirit boat it is. Generally speaking, new spirit boats and large spirit boats are difficult to control. Some require the cooperation of multiple people or even the practice of special spells."
"Our cargo-carrying spirit boat is relatively old, and there are not many magic circles, so it is not difficult to control."
Seeing Zhao Lin's expression of eagerness to try, he asked: "Shopkeeper Zhao wants to give it a try?"
Zhao Lin nodded, "Exactly, there won't be any danger, right?"
Tang Zhengquan shook his head and said: "There are very few demon birds in this area, and it is still early in the morning. There are not many spirit boats in the cloud layer. Shopkeeper Zhao can come over and give it a try."
After saying that, he stepped aside.
Zhao Lin was not polite. He walked in front of the cloud platform and sat down. His consciousness sank into the array and spread like a spider web.
The first thing I came into contact with was the warning array. It was like adding a power amplifier to my spiritual consciousness, which suddenly expanded from dozens of feet to hundreds of feet away, giving me a clear view of the surrounding scenery.
The second magic circle is the magic circle that controls the direction of the spirit boat. As soon as his spiritual consciousness moves, the spirit boat will move up, down, left and right according to Zhao Lin's will.
Then comes the acceleration array, defense array, attack array...
Perhaps because of his driving experience in his previous life, Zhao Lin fumbled for a while and quickly figured out several magic circles.
Although he is not yet proficient, he can already control it with style.
"Shopkeeper Zhao is extremely smart and is indeed a young talent!"
Tang Zhengquan extended his thumb and praised sincerely.
"Brother Tang, don't say that. Zhao is still a teenager."
Zhao Lin laughed and stood up from his seat.
The spirit boat flew for half a day and arrived at Changzhi County, the capital of Nanhe Prefecture.
The destination of this trip is Dongfu County, but we must first visit Changzhi County.
Zhao Lin knew in his heart why he, a disciple who had just graduated from the Lingdao Academy, became the shopkeeper.
Lu Yuanxiu is his noble person, and he must visit him both emotionally and rationally.
It would be unethical to go directly to the market without saying hello.
When the spirit boat stopped, Zhao Lin stepped on the side of the boat and said to Gu Guzhao: "Please go with Gu Gu."
Gudzhao didn't expect Zhao Lin to invite him, and was startled for a moment, "I don't know Senior Lu."
Zhao Lin said with a smile: "You are also a storekeeper in Gu. You are well-informed. I still have to rely on you to support my appearance."
As soon as Gudzhao thought it made sense, he followed him off the spirit boat.
Although Changzhi County is not big, as the capital of Nanhe Province, its spiritual level is one level higher than that of Hanchi County.
Zhao Lin and Gude Zhao passed through the mountain gate and immediately felt the rich spiritual energy rushing towards their faces.
"It is indeed the state capital."
Gude Zhao said with an envious look on his face. He had practiced Taoism for many years and this was his first time coming to Changzhi County.
It was afternoon at this time, and Lu Yuanxiu was probably not in the political palace. The two discussed it and decided to visit the residence.
Lu Yuanxiu held a high position and was known to everyone in Changzhi County, so it was easy to find out where his cave was.
Not long after, the two came to a valley.
The valley is covered with green grass and beautiful scenery. Several mountain springs wind down from the mountain stream and flow into a green lake.
There is a natural cave next to the lake, with a huge "Lu" carved on the top of the cave.
The Zifu monks all have their own caves, where spiritual energy is introduced from the underground spiritual veins for cultivation.
"I hope that one day I can reach the Purple Mansion realm and have my own cave."
Zhao Lin thought secretly.
Guarding the gate of the cave were two monks with mortal roots. Zhao Lin stepped forward and cupped his hands and said, "Is Elder Lu at the house?"
The monk on the left raised his hand and returned the greeting, "Elder Lu is here, what do you call me?"
"I'm Zhao Lin."
Zhao Lin said, handing over his famous assassination.
Mingshi is a business card, also known as "ye". Names are carved on bamboo pieces and are mostly used for visits or self-introductions.
The gatekeeper monk took the famous thorn with both hands, nodded and said: "The elder practices for two hours at noon every day, and is free in the afternoon. Can you two wait in the side hall first?"
Zhao Lin said: "Thank you very much."
"please!"
The gatekeeper took two steps back, turned around and led the way.
Zhao Lin and Gude Zhao followed this person through the lobby and came to a side hall.
What surprised the two of them was that there were seven or eight monks sitting in the side hall, sitting in various places. They seemed to be waiting to meet Lu Yuanxiu, and there were two foundation-building monks among them.
The two found an empty seat and sat down, and an attendant immediately served them spiritual tea.
"Brother Zhao, do you think any of these people, like us, also open a shop in Fangshi, Dongfu County?"
Gudzhao asked with a look of enjoyment as he took a sip of tea.
"I can't tell. What's wrong with my colleagues?"
Zhao Lin also took a sip, but his mouth was full of bitterness and he almost spit it out. He swallowed it hard and put down the cup quickly.
"Peers are enemies. Our family sells too many things and faces many opponents."
Gudzhao didn't pay attention to Zhao Lin's expression and continued: "How is your relationship with Senior Lu? Can you get a shop with a good location?"
"This is not easy to mention."
Zhao Lin refused, thinking that Lu Yuanxiu had put himself in this position and was probably also responsible. If he opened his mouth to raise conditions again, it would be too ungrateful.
The purpose of Gu Guzhao's words was actually to test the relationship between Zhao Lin and Lu Yuanxiu. Seeing this situation, he frowned slightly and kept silent.
After waiting for nearly half an hour, an attendant walked into the side hall and came directly to Zhao Lin.
"Master Zhao Xian, please come over, elder."
Everyone in the hall looked surprised. Lu Yuanxiu was the first to receive a low-level monk.
Gu Guzhao was also slightly moved and glanced at Zhao Lingao in his heart.
"Please lead the way."
Zhao Lin said politely.
Although the seventh-rank official and attendant in front of the prime minister's door are just mortals, they might be relatives of one of Lu Yuanxiu's clansmen.
If a monk dares to be rude to his family, Zhao Lin will definitely cause trouble for him.
The two followed the attendants into an antique room and met Lu Yuanxiu, the elder of the Zi Mansion.
"Disciple Zhao Lin, meet Elder Lu."
"Junior Gude Zhao, pay homage to Elder Lu."
Zhao Lin and Gude Zhao saluted together.
"No need to be polite, get up."
Lu Yuanxiu waved his hand and said to Zhao Lin with a smile: "I was still thinking this morning that you should arrive in the next two days. I don't want to see you in the afternoon."
After speaking, he looked at Gudzhao.
"Junior Gude Zhao,"
Gudzhao met again.
"Gu Gu used to be the shopkeeper at Uehara Immortal House. He has been in the business for many years. The younger generation's talents are limited, so I asked Gu Gu to help."
Zhao Lin also introduced.
"very good."
Lu Yuanxiu seemed to be very satisfied with Zhao Lin's approach. He nodded and said, "Since we are talking about the store, what are you going to do?"
Zhao Lin knew that this was a test for himself, so he looked calm and replied: "This disciple has never run a shop before, so I dare not make false claims. I plan to follow the same strategy as Uehara Senbo."
"Observe for a period of time, and then make further adjustments based on whether various types of goods sell well."
Lu Yuanxiu nodded while listening. Zhao Lin's approach seemed quite satisfactory at first glance, but it was the safest way.
If Zhao Lin comes up with all kinds of novel ideas and puts them into practice, Lu Yuanxiu may consider replacing him.
"The idea is good. All businesses in the city are waiting to flourish. It may be difficult at the beginning, but the state government has made up its mind and will provide full support."
"I'll give you two years. I hope you won't disappoint me."
Zhao Lin felt a chill in his heart and said loudly: "Junior must do his best and live up to Senior Lu's respect!"
"good."
Lu Yuanxiu laughed and suddenly changed the subject: "As a martial arts cultivator, you have actually reached the fifth level of Qi Refining in three years, which is even better than I did back then!"
"Your qualifications are really extraordinary!"
Zhao Linxin said that she had no qualifications at all, and she only managed to break through by relying on the forbidden drug Chongqing Dan. However, she couldn't talk about it, so she said: "This disciple is where he is today, thanks to the gift of his seniors."
"oh?"
Lu Yuan raised his eyebrows, "Where do you start talking about this?"
Zhao Lin said seriously: "When I first entered the sect, I was at a loss about how to practice. It was under the guidance of Senior Lu that I found a suitable way of practice."
Hearing this, Lu Yuanxiu couldn't help but smile.
When he showed the body-reflecting stone to Zhao Lin, he didn't expect that Zhao Lin actually went out to perform a mission, accumulated enough training resources, and then made a breakthrough at a rapid rate.
As a senior, I felt very proud when I saw someone practicing following my footsteps.
It is human nature to like to be a teacher, and the monks of Zifu are no exception.
Although Gudzhao didn't understand what the two were talking about, he was greatly shocked. It turned out that the two had known each other for a long time, and their relationship was not ordinary!
Seeing that the time had come, Zhao Lin took out a knife-shaped magic weapon from his locked bag, stepped forward and offered it with both hands.
"The younger generation has never known how to repay the kindness of the seniors for their guidance. It just so happened that I recently made a magic weapon. There are some novelties. Please appreciate it, seniors!"
Before coming to the door, Zhao Lin was thinking about giving Lu Yuanxiu a gift.
But the other party was a cultivator from the Zi Mansion, and ordinary elixirs and magic weapons were not attractive to him at all, and even Zhao Lin, who was interested in him, couldn't afford to give him away.
After thinking about it, I still have no clue.
Until one day, he suddenly had an idea and asked Zheng Tu to make an identical Zhanyue Sword.
Lu Yuanxiu was trained in martial arts, and martial artists all have one characteristic: an almost instinctive love for weapons.
The Gurkha scimitar is a strange weapon. Zhao Lin has never seen it in the small world or Xuanyuan Continent.
Lu Yuanxiu must be interested in such a rare weapon.
"Good knife!"
Lu Yuanxiu was a true martial arts genius with sharp eyes. He could see the extraordinary quality of this knife at a glance and couldn't help but praise it.
Then with a flick of his finger, the scimitar quickly circled around the room, extremely agile.
For monks in the Purple Mansion realm, low-level magic weapons can be used without blood sacrifice.
After a moment, Lu Yuanxiu took back his scimitar and said with a hint of regret: "This sword must reach a certain weight in order to exert its power, but in this case, it will be difficult for those with insufficient spiritual consciousness and spiritual power to use it."
"So it's a pity that it can't be generalized."
After speaking, he looked at Zhao Lin and said with a smile: "This sword is unique. I like it very much, so you're welcome!"
Zhao Lin's eyes flashed and he said: "What an honor!" (End of this chapter)
