Immortality begins with equipping a worn-out talisman pen.

Li Mufeng frowned slightly.

"What happened in the market?"

As he spoke, he invited Shen Yuan into the house.

The two sat down at the wooden table, and Li Mufeng casually brewed a pot of spiritual tea.

Shen Yuan first looked around, then lowered his voice and said:

"Fellow Daoist Li usually lives a secluded life, focusing solely on the study of talismans. He probably doesn't know about the major events that have recently occurred in the Black Stone Mountains, does he?"

Li Mufeng became somewhat interested upon hearing this.

"I would like to hear the details."

Shen Yuan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then slowly spoke.

"Half a month ago, disciples of the Qingxuan Sect went down the mountain for training and discovered a second-tier mineral vein deep in the Black Stone Mountains."

"A second-tier ore vein?"

Li Mufeng's expression shifted slightly. Although he didn't understand the value of mineral veins, he knew that second-tier spirit ore was definitely an important resource for Foundation Establishment forces.

Shen Yuan nodded.

"Discovering a mineral vein should have been a good thing, but who knew that a second-tier great demon was lurking nearby."

"It is said that the old demon has cultivated for hundreds of years, occupied the Black Stone Mountains for many years, and has countless demonic beasts under his command. Even ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators may not be willing to provoke him."

"Later, the Qingxuan Sect was furious and directly sent Xuanhuo Zhenren, the peak master of the weapon refining peak, to take action."

At this point, a hint of longing appeared in Shen Yuan's eyes.

"That's a powerful cultivator in the late Foundation Establishment stage."

"According to those who were there that day, the battle lasted for a full day and night."

"Mountains collapsed, rivers stopped flowing, and spiritual energy within a radius of dozens of miles became chaotic."

"Finally, True Master Xuanhuo unleashed his natal spiritual weapon, striking the old demon and pinning him to death in the valley."

Although Li Mufeng had not witnessed it firsthand, he could imagine the terror of such a Foundation Establishment expert just from the description.

Shen Yuan continued, "That's where the problem lies."

"With that old demon dead, the entire Black Stone Mountain Range has fallen into chaos."

"What do you mean?"

"Because that old demon is the demon king of the Black Rock Mountains."

Shen Yuan gave a wry smile.

"When it was alive, all kinds of demonic beasts were suppressed and dared not easily cross the boundary."

"Now that the Demon King has fallen, the demons have lost their restraint, and the struggle for territory is becoming increasingly fierce."

"The mountains have been in complete chaos lately."

"Every day, monsters fight each other, and new monsters constantly take over the mountains and become kings."

At this point, he added:

"In addition, the Qingxuan Sect has begun to organize manpower to develop the mineral veins."

"It is said that many affiliated families, independent cultivator groups, and even sect disciples will participate."

"At that time, the flow of people in the entire Blackstone City will at least double."

"Monster hunters, miners, treasure hunters, those trying their luck..."

"All sorts of people will come," Shen Yuan said with a smile, looking at Li Mufeng. "And what do these people need most before they go into the mountains?"

Li Mufeng seemed to be deep in thought.

"Spiritual Talisman".

"That's right."

Shen Yuan slapped his thigh.

"A talisman is needed for protection, for killing enemies, and even more so for escaping."

"At that time, the prices of commonly used talismans such as Water Arrow Talisman, Swift Travel Talisman, and Concealing Qi Talisman will most likely rise."

"If Fellow Daoist Li is so inclined, he might as well refine a little more in advance."

"Even if the price doesn't rise, the talisman itself is a hard currency, so there's no way we'll lose money."

After listening, Li Mufeng secretly made a mental note of it.

Although he was always cautious, he had to admit that Shen Yuan was right.

If a large number of cultivators were to flood into the market, then artisans like them would definitely be among the first to benefit.

With this in mind, he gradually developed new ideas for his plans for the next few months.

Seeing Li Mufeng deep in thought, Shen Yuan finally rubbed his hands together somewhat embarrassedly.

"Fellow Daoist Li, the reason I've said so much is actually because I have some selfish motives."

"The mountains have become increasingly dangerous lately, and we demon hunters are living on the edge of death every day."

"If Fellow Daoist Li has any extra talismans, could you sell me some?"

Li Mufeng chuckled upon hearing this; it turned out that after all that, he was still trying to buy a talisman.

However, Shen Yuan had a good relationship with him and provided such important information.

He was naturally generous and quickly took out a stack of talismans from his storage bag.

They have water arrow talismans, speed talismans, and energy-gathering talismans.

Shen Yuan took the talisman and immediately beamed with joy.

"Fellow Daoist Li is indeed a hidden master. I knew it. Those talisman masters at Jubao Pavilion are nothing. If you really want to buy Water Arrow Talismans, you have to look to Talisman Master Li."

As he spoke, he reached into his storage bag, but after touching it a few times, Shen Yuan's expression turned somewhat awkward. He touched his nose and said cautiously.

"Fellow Daoist Li..."

"What's wrong?"

"Um... I might not have enough spirit stones."

Li Mufeng raised an eyebrow. Could it be that this kid wants to get an IOU from me?

Shen Yuan took out a jade box from his storage bag and opened the lid.

A demon beast's inner core, shimmering with a faint spiritual light, was immediately revealed.

Shen Yuan waved his hand repeatedly.

"Fellow Daoist Li has misunderstood."

As he spoke, he carefully took out a jade box from his storage bag.

The lid of the box slowly opened.

A pure aura of water immediately spread out.

In the center of the jade box lay a fist-sized demon beast core.

The inner core was a deep blue color, with faint ripples on its surface, and inside, one could even see the illusory image of a small black python swimming.

"This is what I obtained from a mid-grade first-tier demonic beast—the Frost Pool Ink Python—that I hunted some time ago."

"Although demon beast cores are not as easy to sell as pills and talismans, this one is of excellent quality. If it were taken to the Treasure Pavilion, it would be no problem to sell it for a hundred or so spirit stones."

Shen Yuan rubbed his hands together.

"If Fellow Daoist Li doesn't mind, how about we use this item to settle the debt?"

Li Mufeng took the jade box and examined it.

The inner core was filled with spiritual light, and the demonic energy was contained within, indicating that it was well preserved.

An ordinary cultivator might not be willing to accept such a thing.

After all, the uses of demon beast cores are limited, and they are far less convenient to sell than spirit stones.

However, after a moment's thought, Li Mufeng nodded.

On the one hand, the information Shen Yuan brought today was quite valuable, so he was naturally willing to give him face.

On the other hand, he has now broken through the Stone Skin Realm and will soon begin to advance towards the Iron Bone Realm. The Iron Bone Realm requires a large number of demon beast inner cores as body-refining elixirs, so this can be considered as making some preparations in advance.

"Alright, since it is Fellow Daoist Shen who has spoken, then this inner core will be priced at one hundred spirit stones."

Shen Yuan was overjoyed upon hearing this.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Li!"

Just as Li Mufeng reached out and took the jade box, a screen of light suddenly appeared in his field of vision.

[A mid-grade Tier 1 demon beast inner core—the Ink Python Inner Core—has been detected. Equip it?]

Li Mufeng was slightly taken aback, then spoke decisively.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, if you have any more demon beast cores in the future, you can come to me to exchange them for talismans."

The biggest headache for demon hunters is the difficulty in selling demon beast materials.

Especially things like the inner cores of demonic beasts.

There aren't many cultivators who can actually use them, and the prices are often driven down by shops.

Now that we have Li Mufeng as a long-term buyer, things will be much more convenient in the future.

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Li, from now on, whenever there are demon beast cores, you will be the first person I think of."

The two chatted for a few more minutes before Shen Yuan took his leave.

Li Mufeng quickly returned to the quiet room and took out the inner core of the black python again.

The familiar light screen reappeared the next moment.

Li Mufeng stared at the words before him, his breathing quickening.

"equipment."