Chu Xuan smiled and nodded. "That is indeed excellent."

In the end, it all came down to strength. Had he been a Deity Transformation cultivator, he would have simply seized several stone houses without hesitation. Who knew, perhaps even Moon True Master would personally come to discuss matters with him. This was the power of true strength.

Moments later, the contract was signed.

Chu Xuan did not opt for a long-term lease, but a short one instead. After all, he could not be certain of the day he might decide to leave the Blue Star. Thus, a short-term lease suited him well.

Though he possessed numerous spirit stones, he knew better than to waste them. As a cultivator of the demonic path, he was accustomed to hardship and frugality.

Tie Jun eyed Chu Xuan curiously, then suddenly spoke, "Fellow Daoist, you seem somewhat familiar. Have we met before?"

Chu Xuan smiled. "I am merely a loose cultivator. I once sold a few Demon Soul Talismans here."

Tie Jun immediately recalled the previous encounter and was taken aback. "If I remember correctly, Fellow Daoist's name is Liu Zhenxiong? How is it possible that Daoist Liu is still alive?"

Chu Xuan only smiled without responding.

Tie Jun, embarrassed, realized his mistake. He quickly cupped his hands in apology and excused himself. "Please, Fellow Daoist, this stone house is yours now."

Chu Xuan nodded and placed over a hundred Demon Soul Talismans down. He then casually stepped outside the stone house to hang a sign for selling magical talismans and elixirs.

Just as he finished carving the wooden sign, a figure descended nearby, walking into a stone house that dealt in demonic beast materials.

The cultivator was a robust man with a lion-like nose and broad mouth, a mighty presence exuding from him. He was accompanied by a strong golden lion. Truly, he was an imposing figure.

From the aura he emanated, it was clear he was a Nascent Soul cultivator, seemingly at the seventh level, though he concealed at least one more level of cultivation.

As someone who had long mastered the art of hiding his own cultivation, Chu Xuan could easily estimate the hidden strength of others. It was a skill that had become second nature to him.

The cultivator strode into the stone house, and after a while, he emerged.

Just as he was about to leave, his gaze fell upon Chu Xuan. He paused, a curious look on his face. "Fellow Daoist seems familiar. Have we met?"

Upon noticing the sign Chu Xuan had hung, the cultivator's expression changed as realization dawned. "Ah, it's you! Liu Zhenxiong, is it? I bought some of your Demon Soul Talismans over a year ago."

With a cheerful laugh, he continued, "Those two talismans were a great help to me!"

Chu Xuan also smiled and nodded.

Although he had sold many Demon Soul Talismans in the past, he remembered the faces of the cultivators who had purchased them very clearly. After a brief moment of recollection, he recognized this man.

The burly cultivator grinned heartily. "My name is Zhao Kongming, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. I was originally a loose cultivator, but now I serve under the Moon Society. Since Fellow Daoist has returned, I assume you have more talismans for sale?"

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Chu Xuan nodded. "Indeed."

Zhao Kongming laughed heartily. "I'll take two! Same price as before—six great spirit stones for a low-grade Nascent Soul Demon Soul Talisman, right?"

Typically, low-grade Nascent Soul talismans were priced at fifty thousand small spirit stones, equivalent to five great spirit stones. Demon talismans were more sought after than regular ones, which justified the higher price.

Chu Xuan had priced them at six great spirit stones per talisman during his last sale. He also accepted equivalent treasures in exchange.

Jade marrow, light spirit crystals, and other such treasures had been acquired this way.

Chu Xuan smiled and shook his head. "This time, I not only have low-grade Nascent Soul talismans, but also middle-grade ones. The middle-grade Nascent Soul talismans are priced at eleven great spirit stones."

Zhao Kongming's eyes brightened. "Good! I'll take two of the middle-grade ones! To think that after more than a year, Fellow Daoist can craft middle-grade Nascent Soul talismans now."

Once their transaction was complete, Zhao Kongming suddenly asked, "Fellow Daoist, do you happen to have any blood suitable for reviving the heritage of a Blaze Mane Lion for sale? If you do, I am willing to pay double the price for it!"

Chu Xuan took a moment to observe the golden lion by his side, a little surprised.

The Blaze Mane Lion, with its golden fur and imposing presence, certainly drew attention. However, this demonic beast had limited potential.

At birth, its strength was that of a Qi Refining stage demonic beast. Only after over a hundred years of growth could it reach the Foundation Establishment stage.

Only a select few Blaze Mane Lions could ascend to the Golden Core stage, and even then, that was the peak of their potential.

Such beasts did not possess strong bloodlines and could never reach the Nascent Soul stage in their lifetimes.

The golden lion beside Zhao Kongming was clearly at the Golden Core stage.

Zhao Kongming lovingly stroked the lion's head, his eyes filled with affection. "Back when I was just a Qi Refining cultivator, it saved my life. I swore to help it break through as far as it could. I came to the Desolate Island because I heard someone had found ancient demonic blood preserved in amber, but I have yet to find it. I wonder, Fellow Daoist…"

Chu Xuan shook his head. "I don't have it either. If I ever come across it, I will be sure to save it for you, Fellow Daoist Zhao."

Zhao Kongming intrigued him. To forcibly cultivate a demonic beast with such limited potential to the Nascent Soul stage was an act of defiance against nature. It must have consumed vast resources.

All these resources could have been used to elevate his own cultivation. Yet, Zhao Kongming, bound by his oath, showed no sign of giving up.

Zhao Kongming nodded with a smile. "In that case, I shall take my leave. If I run out of these talismans, I'll be sure to come find you again."

He cupped his hands toward Chu Xuan, then mounted the golden lion and swiftly left.

As he stroked his chin thoughtfully, Zhao Kongming muttered, "This Liu Zhenxiong is impressive. To survive the pursuit of the Black Wind Island and return to the Desolate Island unscathed is no small feat. His strength seems to have grown. Despite I am at the ninth level of Nascent Soul, he manages to make me feel a deep sense of threat. This person is worth befriending. If that's not possible, he must certainly not be provoked…"

A few days later, the news of the return of the talisman master Liu Zhenxiong spread within a small circle.

In the vast Southern Third Ring, there were many talisman masters. In fact, it could be said that nearly everyone could draw some common talismans. However, the output was not high.

Rather than buying talisman paper, brushes, and ink to draw talismans themselves, enduring repeated failures until their success rate improved, most cultivators found it easier to simply purchase ready-made talismans with spirit stones.

Yet, there were not many who knew how to craft Demon Soul Talismans. And those who could produce such a large quantity were even rarer.

Thus, as soon as the news of Chu Xuan's reappearance spread, it quickly attracted a large number of cultivators.

Chen Huozhao and Chen Xin even paid him a visit, bringing a small gift to show their appreciation. However, they stayed for only a short while before claiming urgent matters and leaving in a hurry. Whether it was a genuine emergency or an excuse, no one could say.

Chu Xuan's small business had earned a good reputation. Within less than two hours, all the Demon Soul Talismans he had put out were snapped up.

Of course, not everyone came with the intent to pay. Some tried to take advantage of the situation.

Chu Xuan's solution was simple. Their bodies were concealed within the Heavenly Corpse Tower, while their head were placed at the entrance of the stone house. A slight reminder to some, and the rest of the cultivators quickly understood what was expected of them.

Especially after witnessing how Chu Xuan had casually slain a Nascent Soul cultivator at the seventh level, who had caused trouble.

Those who came to buy talismans soon became well-behaved. Each of them practically rushed to hand over their spirit stones, eager to avoid giving Chu Xuan the impression that they were here to take advantage and end up casually disposed of.