Chapter 64: Setting Up a Stall

Legend has it that over a thousand years ago, a third-tier evil dragon emerged in the Baiyun Mountain Range, killing many low-level cultivators. Golden Core cultivators from the Five Sects of Wei Nation then intervened and slew the dragon.

To prevent similar incidents from recurring, the Five Sects of Wei Nation established a market in the depths of the Baiyun Mountain Range, naming it White Dragon Valley. Consequently, the Baiyun Mountain Range was renamed White Dragon Mountain Range.

White Dragon Valley is a market jointly run by the Five Sects of Wei Nation. It often offers exclusive spiritual items from these sects. Additionally, the White Dragon Mountain Range is rich in monster beast resources, attracting numerous cultivators to White Dragon Valley, either to open businesses or hunt monster beasts.

After more than a thousand years of development, White Dragon Valley has become the largest market in Wei Nation and is highly valued by the Five Sects of Wei Nation.

The rent from its shops alone brings in over a hundred thousand spirit stones annually for the Five Sects of Wei Nation, not to mention other revenues. Therefore, the Five Sects dispatched three Golden Core cultivators to White Dragon Valley to maintain order and deter troublemakers. Furthermore, patrol disciples, composed of members from the Five Sects of Wei Nation, continuously patrol the vicinity of White Dragon Valley day and night.

Consequently, White Dragon Valley naturally became the most prosperous and largest market in Wei Nation.

Inside White Dragon Valley, roads crisscross.

On a wide and clean street, Wang Mingzhan slowly walked forward with Wang Changsheng and Wang Changxue.

At this point, they had been away from Qinglian Mountain for over four months.

After entering Wei Nation's territory, Wang Mingzhan and the two continuously traveled day and night straight for White Dragon Valley, finally reaching it.

As Wang Changsheng walked, he surveyed the shops lining both sides of the street, his eyes filled with shock.

White Dragon Valley truly deserved its reputation as the largest market in Wei Nation. Its sheer size was equivalent to dozens of Tianhe Markets. The shops offered a wide variety of goods, with most specializing in the sale of monster beast materials.

Wang Changxue gazed at the pedestrians on the street, a faint worry in her beautiful eyes.

She had never traveled far from home, nor had she ever visited White Dragon Valley. Living here alone for several years would certainly be an adjustment at first.

Along the way, Wang Changsheng saw several strangely dressed cultivators. Even more remarkably, some rode wolves, tigers, or leopards as mounts, while passersby appeared completely unfazed.

After more than an hour of wandering, the three found the cheapest inn, where they rented two standard rooms for two spirit stones per month.

The inn was conveniently located near eateries, clothing stores, rice shops, and medicine stores, making it easy to purchase daily necessities.

After securing their lodging, Wang Mingzhan found a noodle shop and ordered three bowls of chicken noodle soup.

Soon, the waiter brought out the three bowls of chicken noodle soup.

Chicken noodle soup was the cheapest dish on the menu at one spirit stone per bowl, while beef noodles cost two spirit stones.

"Changxue, you will be living here for the next few years," Wang Mingzhan advised with a hint of concern. "Besides cultivators from Wei Nation, there are also those from Great Song and Beitang, making it a mixed bag of people. Be cautious in everything you do, and don't leave the market. If I have time, Sixth Uncle will come to visit you."

"I understand, Sixth Uncle," Wang Changxue nodded. After a moment of hesitation, she said, "Sixth Uncle, Ninth Brother, I want to open a pastry shop. If I just rely on my existing resources, my spirit stones will eventually run out. I've already left the family, so I can't keep asking them for cultivation resources, especially since this place is so far from Qinglian Mountain. I can't expect family members to travel such long distances to bring me cultivation resources! I wouldn't feel right about it. I want to be self-reliant and open a pastry shop."

Wang Changxue had over a thousand spirit stones on her. She didn't know how long she would stay in White Dragon Valley, but she knew her spirit stones would eventually run out. It was unrealistic to ask family members to travel long distances to bring her cultivation resources, and she wouldn't feel right about it. After much consideration, she decided to become self-reliant.

Wang Mingzhan frowned slightly. "Open a pastry shop? The rent for a shop isn't cheap. If business isn't good, the invested spirit stones could be wasted."

"I just observed that there aren't many pastry shops in White Dragon Valley," she explained. "When I was home, I learned to make pastries from Second Aunt and Third Aunt. I also bought a book on pastry making in Tianhe Market, which I can now use. Things in White Dragon Valley are quite expensive; even a bowl of chicken noodle soup with some fat costs one spirit stone, and a catty of first-grade mid-quality spirit grain costs three spirit stones. I haven't reached the stage of 'Bigu' yet, so my food alone will consume a lot of spirit stones each year. If I don't do some small business to supplement my income, what will I do when my spirit stones run out?"

Wang Mingzhan felt that Wang Changxue made a valid point. It was his first time in White Dragon Valley, and indeed, prices were high. Just living expenses alone would be a substantial outlay each year. Qinglian Mountain was too far from White Dragon Valley, and sending someone to deliver cultivation resources to Wang Changxue would be costly in terms of manpower. If something happened to the family members transporting the resources, by the time the Wang family reacted, Wang Changxue might have already starved.

Wang Changxue becoming self-reliant was the best option. Firstly, it would alleviate the family's worries. Secondly, the Wang family would effectively gain a new foothold, allowing them to sell the spiritual artifacts they refined in White Dragon Valley in the future.

"How about this?" Wang Mingzhan suggested. "After we finish our noodles, let's explore properly and inquire about pastry prices and shop rents. It won't be too late to decide then."

Wang Changxue agreed, recognizing the wisdom in Wang Mingzhan's words.

After eating their fill, the three began to stroll along the street.

As they passed a shop called Heavenly Soldier Tower, Wang Changsheng went inside to look. The main hall was very spacious, with shelves full of weapons. There were only about a dozen low-grade spiritual artifacts, but mid-grade and higher spiritual artifacts were abundant.

On the second floor, shelves were lined with glittering magic artifacts, an array so diverse it was dazzling.

The third floor was where spiritual and magic artifacts could be custom-ordered. Naturally, the prices were not cheap; commissioning a low-grade spiritual artifact started at one hundred spirit stones, and magic artifacts were even more expensive.

As dusk fell, Wang Changsheng and the two returned to their lodging.

After a day of exploring, the three had gathered much useful information.

Their findings revealed that there were currently only seventeen pastry shops in White Dragon Valley, with prices and flavors being largely similar. Shop rents were quite high: a simple stone room roughly three zhang square cost three hundred spirit stones per year, while larger shops started at five hundred spirit stones.

After discussing, the three decided to first try selling at the plaza designated for rogue cultivators' stalls.

White Dragon Valley had specifically allocated an area for rogue cultivators who couldn't afford storefronts to set up stalls. A stall, one zhang in length and width, cost two spirit stones per month. If the spirit cakes didn't sell, they wouldn't lose much.

To save spirit stones, Wang Changsheng shared a room with Wang Mingzhan.

Early the next morning, Wang Mingzhan went to the management office to rent a small stall. Wang Changsheng accompanied Wang Changxue to purchase ingredients. To conserve spirit stones, they visited several shops, comparing prices before spending fifty spirit stones on a large batch of materials.

Upon returning to their lodging, Wang Changxue eagerly took out her tools and began making pastries.

At dusk, Wang Mingzhan and the two arrived at the plaza and set up their stall to sell pastries.

They had made ten jin of pastries, consisting of eleven different types, each with a distinct flavor.

The pastries were not easy to sell; by the next morning, only half a jin had been sold.

Wang Changxue was not discouraged. During her second time setting up the stall, she loudly called out:"Step right up, everyone, come take a look! These freshly made Hundred Blossom Cakes not only fill your stomach but also benefit your cultivation. And they taste much better than dry, bland medicinal pills!"