CHAPTER 87: CHAPTER 85: A BUSTLING SHOP

The next day.

When the sky was just getting light.

Several cultivators had already arrived at the shop named "Earth Emotion Feed." They were all loose cultivators but were well-informed.

They had naturally heard of the uproar caused by several families some time ago. Apparently, cultivators from the Four Seasons Sect had researched spiritual feed suitable for livestock.

Those major families sent their livestock there, and with the Four Seasons Sect’s reputation, there couldn’t possibly be any issues.

So they came here early.

As soon as they entered the shop, the row of empty counters caught their attention:

"Mo Family’s mechanical counters."

"Hey, I thought I’d have the honor to meet a few captors from the Four Seasons Sect!"

"What are you thinking? They’re not going to sell you feed themselves!"

The group got along well, and after some friendly banter, they tacitly occupied separate counters and started buying feed.

"The price is quite cheap." One of them exclaimed, "A pound of this Earth Emotion Feed is only ten Spirit Stones!"

Another person had already purchased a pound. After the counter swallowed the Spirit Stones, it quickly delivered a large, black chicken leg.

"This feed really looks quite peculiar."

The cultivator looked at the chicken leg repeatedly, suddenly feeling a bizarre urge to take a bite.

But he suppressed this thought—after all, there were cultivators arriving one after another, waiting. It’s animal feed, after all; what would it mean for a cultivator like him to eat it?

So, he quickly bought a few more pounds, greeted his companions, and took the Earth Emotion Feed back home.

As an ordinary loose cultivator from the Huiya Marketplace, his most important assets were the three White Ink Water Buffalos he reared.

He had acquired these buffalos during an adventure; they were exceptionally rare variants.

They produced several dozen pounds of buffalo milk daily, which could sell for hundreds of Spirit Stones.

This was precisely why he came early to buy this Earth Emotion Feed.

One could say these guys ate better than he did.

However, due to some concerns, he decided to buy a small amount first to try, and buy more if it suited.

Arriving at the cattle pen, he gently stroked the White Ink Water Buffalo that nudged him with its horns, smiling: "Don’t worry, I brought you something good!"

"Moo~~~"

Having been raised for years, the White Ink Water Buffalos had long since become intelligent. Their clear, innocent eyes watched their owner’s movements eagerly, and when they saw the Earth Emotion Feed, their eyes lit up.

They shook their black-and-white patterned bodies and blocked the trough.

Before the others could gather, the buffalo began devouring the feed, like a whirlwind sweeping away clouds, finishing a full ten pounds clean.

"..."

The cultivator stood dumbfounded until the White Ink Water Buffalo nudged him with its horns, signaling for him to milk it. To his surprise, the milk yield was several pounds more than usual!

For someone who had nurtured these White Ink Water Buffalos for so many years, how could he not notice its current joy? And its milk yield was five pounds more!

"Seems like I bought too little." He felt a bit regretful.

Even more frustrating, the other White Ink Water Buffalos came over, sniffing the trough, and their previously docile, innocent eyes were now full of anger.

"Moo!!!"

The White Ink Water Buffalos that hadn’t eaten the Earth Emotion Feed started wrestling with the one that had. They were clearly angry.

This, they’re actually angry!

He hurriedly comforted each one and promised to go buy more immediately.

As a result, the buffalos, who had been wrestling, all looked at him together, nudging him with their horns, urging him to hurry.

This made him feel both delighted and helpless, as he quickly headed back to the Earth Emotion Feed shop.

But when he got there, a long line had already formed, with the shop filled to capacity and practitioners waiting outside to purchase the feed, making the place a hubbub.

There were even quite a few disciples from various families.

"So many people?"

Thinking of the buffaloes desperately waiting to be fed at home, he had no choice but to queue patiently, waiting under the scorching summer sun to buy more feed.

...

The situation was quickly noticed by Qian Fang and Li Ye.

"Why are there so many people?" Though Li Ye was confident there’d be buyers, he hadn’t expected such long queues!

"Those families, full of sharp individuals, knew we were opening, so they must have sent disciples to buy things. Although they couldn’t give us advantages during tasks, I bet they’re hoping to impress us here.

Spending some Spirit Stones to leave an impression is a good deal for them. They probably hope it’ll subside by tomorrow."

Qian Fang understood such matters well. He took a sip of honey water, put down the Luban Lock in his hand, and continued, "Additionally, Zhou Family’s Taoist Friend Zhou Qiumai didn’t hold back in promoting. With this turnout, it’s no surprise.

Look, check this out."

He pulled out a jade tablet and handed it to Li Ye, indicating for him to take a look.

Li Ye took the jade tablet and saw that it displayed the number of Spirit Stones sold through the mechanical counters, which was constantly changing.

Before noon, over ten thousand Spirit Stones’ worth of Earth Emotion Feed had been sold, with little more than the resentful thoughts harvested into the Flying Light Cyan Lotus being used up.

This is truly a highly lucrative business.

He watched the Spirit Stones increase like flowing water, feeling very satisfied, yet he still felt somewhat uneasy.

The first concern was the capacity of the Earth Emotion Fungus.

Previously, the Earth Emotion Fungus naturally had such a large body, enabling it to supply tens of thousands of livestock to dine simultaneously, but now only a core remains, and the space for it to expand is limited.

Would using it like this be detrimental to it?

If the fungus gets worn out, the losses would be significant!

Secondly, as the quantity consumed increases, the resentment stored inside the Flying Light Cyan Lotus will also be rapidly depleted, and currently, there’s no way to replenish it.

Although the current reserves are still sufficient, if supply fails, problems will arise. This store is intended for long-term operations, aiming for enduring profits, not just a quick haul.

Finally, it’s for some strategic consideration—imposing a purchase limit. Restricted items might gain more prestige and fame.

After a brief contemplation, he said, "Senior Brother Qian, I want to make an adjustment. Sell at most twenty thousand Spirit Stones’ worth of Earth Emotion Feed each day, then close the shop and reopen the next day.

This is what I’m thinking..."

He shared his thoughts with Qian Fang, and while the earlier part was fine, when Qian Fang heard that Li Ye said limiting purchases could bring more profits, he couldn’t help but twitch his mouth slightly.

"Someone who doesn’t know might think I’m sitting opposite an executive of the Feiyuan Commerce Association, but let’s do it according to your plan. I’ll make the adjustments right away."

Qian Fang immediately began adjusting the Mechanical Array.

Soon, the twenty thousand Spirit Stones’ selling limit was completely sold out, and a chilly voice echoed in the shop:

"Dear cultivators, today’s selling limit has been reached. Please come back tomorrow!"

As soon as this announcement was made, it caused an uproar among the cultivators.

"What?!"

"I just got here!"

"My sheep are still waiting for their feed!"

The cultivators, of course, were not willing, after all, who among them doesn’t possess Spirit Stones, but after making their exclamations, the shop’s internal Mechanical Counter automatically closed, making it embarrassing to argue there.

They could only leave, each with a displeased expression.

Some even claimed they’d never come back to buy again, accusing the large store of bullying customers.

To this, Li Ye and Qian Fang remained calm.

The current buying frenzy was already a testament to the excellent quality of the Earth Emotion Feed, ensuring no worries about sales.

Li Ye even had the leisure to make a bet: "I bet someone will come to buy tonight after midnight. Senior Brother, do you want to place a wager with me?"

Qian Fang was curious: "Alright, what shall we bet on?"

"If Senior Brother loses, you owe three cups of Peach Blossom Wine. If I lose, I’ll owe three cups of honey water. What do you think?" Li Ye blinked.

"Hahaha," Qian Fang couldn’t help but laugh heartily, "Junior Brother Li, this is a good wager!"

"I think so too."

The two quietly waited.

Sure enough, as soon as the clock struck midnight.

A group of cultivators immediately entered the shop, starting to buy Earth Emotion Feed, with cultivators coming in an endless stream, finishing the sales even before morning.

As dawn broke, the cultivators who had hurried over were dismayed to see the Mechanic Counter inside tightly shut, almost spitting out old blood.

"Living in the Marketplace is truly impressive!"

"Who can’t find a place to live!"

Some cultivators who did not reside in Huiya Marketplace immediately decided to stay for a few days in local inns, hoping to purchase enough Earth Emotion Feed before returning.

The innkeepers were overjoyed; while they were not worried about having no guests, the difference between having guests and being fully booked was quite significant.

This matter even sparked a frenzy, with cultivators everywhere inquiring about the Earth Emotion Feed, clearly showing the effects of limiting purchases; if it were freely available, something would always be missing.

Time passed day by day like this, and after seven days, Qian Fang and Li Ye called Zhou Qiumai over, handing half of the week’s profits to him.

Even though it was only half the profit, it was an impressive seven thousand Spirit Stones!

Zhou Qiumai promptly thanked them, "Thank you both, fellow Taoists!"

"Don’t mention it," Li Ye smiled, "This is the share you deserve. Without your promotion outside, we probably wouldn’t have made so much."

That was, of course, just polite talk; the cultivators of Huiya Marketplace raising Spirit Beasts alone could consume the daily twenty thousand Spirit Stones quota.

After all, Spirit Beasts eat a lot.

Zhou Qiumai also understood this reasoning and waved his hand, "With feed of such quality from Taoist Friend Li, sales are certainly not a concern."

"In truth, it’s I who got the good deal."

Qian Fang frowned slightly, "Let’s not keep exchanging pleasantries. Since we’re already partners, let’s speak plainly."

He looked at Zhou Qiumai, "Now, there’s something I’d like to ask of Taoist Friend Zhou."

"You need to find a place that can stably supply resentment. The Zhou Family is familiar with these parts; you should have some leads?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qiumai immediately started pondering.

The two Taoists from Four Seasons Sect surely wouldn’t lack this kind of information, so they must be testing his capability, and he must succeed!