In recent days, whenever Bai Yu went out, he felt that everyone was looking at him strangely.

Even when he bought a bowl of noodles, Aunt Wang would sprinkle an extra handful of green onions for him.

After he left, the other customers eating noodles would whisper among themselves.

"Did you see? That's Little Bai who slept with the Sha Corpse. He looks so refined, who would've thought he's such a tough guy."

Bai Yu, with his keen ears, couldn't help but feel amused and helpless after hearing this.

How did the rumors get so twisted?

However, it wasn't without its benefits.

Immoral Wu, who had previously swindled five taels of silver from Bai Yu, returned the full amount this time.

After all, who wouldn't be intimidated by a Stage Two Martial Artist who dared to sleep with a Sha Corpse?

Bai Yu didn't mind much about this.

At least the news that he was a Stage Two Martial Artist had spread.

The biggest issue now was that River City might not be peaceful, with an inexplicable heavy presence of Sha energy.

For this reason, he needed to prepare some contingencies, at least to protect himself.

"It seems I should draw more Blood Talismans, just in case."

To deal with Sha energy, Blood Talismans were naturally the most effective.

Bai Yu secretly began accumulating Blood Talismans, drawing a few each day for practice, though the success rate wasn't very high.

However, after just a week, he couldn't keep up.

These Blood Talismans were truly exhausting to his Qi and Blood.

"No way, I'm completely drained."

"I, a dignified Stage Four Martial Artist, have become anemic."

After pondering for a while, Bai Yu decided to visit the Black Market again to exchange some silver for refining Essence-Nourishing Powder.

That evening, he went out as usual and arrived at the Black Market.

In the Black Market, Old Diao was still selling last week's antiques, occasionally selling a couple of very serious books.

With a gap-toothed grin, he would start with:

"I'm not asking for much, a flat price, ten thousand."

After greeting him, Bai Yu began setting up his stall.

"Come and see, fresh Yellow Talismans, Sha-Subduing Talismans, Sha-Transforming Talismans, Sha-Resolving Talismans, three for a treatment, guaranteed to rid you of your woes."

Surprisingly, his shout drew quite a crowd.

A young man in white squeezed through the crowd and said:

"Master, thanks to your talismans last time, I managed to rid myself of the Sha energy."

"Please give me another set of your talismans."

Without another word, he took out a tael of silver and bought three talismans.

Besides him, many others who had used the talismans before also came to purchase.

"I'll take a set too, I've been feeling uneasy lately."

"Hey, I must say, this master's Yellow Talismans are no joke, truly effective."

"I'll buy two sets to keep on hand, things have been quite unstable lately."

In no time, the stall was bustling with activity.

Twenty sets of talismans sold out in a flash.

Some even wanted to pre-order future talismans, while others suggested Bai Yu increase production.

To this, he explained that drawing talismans was very taxing, and he could only manage ten sets a month at most, and these twenty sets were accumulated over a long time.

Although Yellow Talismans were in high demand now, Bai Yu didn't forget to remain cautious.

A Stage Two Martial Artist with too much wealth was bound to attract attention.

After selling out the talismans, Bai Yu casually browsed through the books on Old Diao's stall, critically appraising them.

Unfortunately, there wasn't a single genuine item this time, not even a Fragmented Tome.

Unexpectedly, Old Diao didn't bicker with Bai Yu this time, instead asking:

"Kun Kun, your Yellow Talismans are selling well, could you spare me a set?"

Bai Yu glanced at Old Diao, guessing he might be moonlighting as a tomb raider, and replied:

"Since you asked so sincerely, I won't ask for much, ten thousand!"

Old Diao's face darkened, not expecting Bai Yu to have learned his trick.

But Bai Yu was just joking, taking out a Sha-Subduing Talisman, he said:

"This is the last one, really no more left, if you really want it, I'll give you a friendly price of two hundred coins."

Without another word, Old Diao bought the Sha-Subduing Talisman.

As he felt the talisman, he couldn't help but praise:

"Such skill, a young Yin-Yang Master like you is rare."

Bai Yu took the money and didn't linger, buying some herbs before leaving the Black Market.

Not long after he left, a scar-faced man hurriedly departed as well.

In the darkness, he released a carrier pigeon into the sky.

Meanwhile, Bai Yu left the Black Market, walking along a small path.

After walking for half an hour, he suddenly saw a masked man standing on a small hill ahead.

The man seemed to have been waiting for some time:

"Please hold, brother."

It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

Bai Yu squinted his eyes, quickly assessing the situation.

The masked man appeared to be a Stage Three Martial Artist, but it was unclear if he had any accomplices nearby.

His mind raced, instantly coming up with several backup plans.

Bai Yu asked:

"Are you waiting for me?"

The masked man nodded:

"That's right, I want to discuss a business deal with you."

Bai Yu looked around, confirming there was only one person, and felt slightly relieved.

"Discussing business is fine, but intercepting someone like this could easily lead to misunderstandings."

The masked man replied apologetically:

"I'm truly sorry, but this business can't be known to a third person."

"Do you have any Sha-Gathering Talismans?"

"If you're willing to sell Sha-Gathering Talismans, I can buy them for five taels of silver each."

Five taels of silver per talisman, the price was indeed tempting.

Even Bai Yu was a bit moved, but he quickly suppressed the feeling.

Greed could lead to unknown dangers.

His apparent Stage Two Martial Artist strength couldn't handle a business deal of five taels per talisman.

Moreover, Sha-Gathering Talismans weren't good things, likely used for nefarious purposes, and Bai Yu didn't want to get involved in any trouble.

He smiled calmly:

"You overestimate me, Sha-Gathering Talismans are Blood Talismans, with very mysterious origins, I don't have that skill."

"In the entire River City, there aren't many who can draw Blood Talismans."

The masked man seemed a bit disappointed, then said:

"Your talent in talisman crafting is truly exceptional, it's a pity you don't know Blood Talismans."

"Are you interested in learning Blood Talismans? Join us, and you can learn them."

"Then you'll have a business of five taels each, prosperity is just around the corner."

Bai Yu firmly refused:

"I have no such talent, I just sell talismans for others."

"I just want to live quietly, eat and dress in peace, I don't want to join any groups."

"Farewell!"

He sidestepped the masked man and walked in another direction.

However, the masked man leaped, blocking Bai Yu's path:

"Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit! Do you think you can just leave?"

Bai Yu squinted his eyes:

"What do you mean by this?"

The masked man snorted coldly:

"You have no choice but to agree, whether you want to or not!"

"Knowing about the Sha-Gathering Talismans, you either join us or die!"

Bai Yu was also secretly angered.

He didn't seek trouble, but trouble found him.

"Then let's see how much weight you carry."