Chapter 20: Jade Altar Temple, Temple Master's Direct Lineage

He stepped into the shop. Just like before, no one paid him any attention. Only the female shopkeeper, who was sitting behind the counter flipping through an Array Map, looked up at him.

The shopkeeper appeared to be only twenty-five or twenty-six. Her skin was as white as snow, and her neck was slender. Her beautiful, clear face was devoid of makeup and completely expressionless.

"Ms. Shopkeeper, I've come to—" Li Yinsheng began, cupping his hands in greeting.

"If you want to buy an Array, go to the shelves on the left," the female shopkeeper interrupted unceremoniously. "We have all the common Arrays. The prices are uniformly twenty to thirty percent higher than those at the Seven Stars Temple, but they're worth the cost. Buy it or leave it."

Beneath his Conical Hat, Li Yinsheng furrowed his brow slightly. He thought, "No matter how skilled they are, how can they do business with such an attitude?"

"For the identical Array, our effects are at least fifty percent stronger than those of the Seven Stars Temple. If it fails to exceed that fifty percent threshold, we will refund the talismanic coins spent. We only refund the money; you keep the Array.

"If you discover that the Array's materials are not the finest available for that specific grade on the market, or if there is any use of substandard components, we will replace the Array for free and compensate you with double the talismanic coins.

"Within twenty years, if the Array malfunctions without sustaining damage from Magical Combat, we will replace it with a new one for free and compensate you with five times the talismanic coins.

"If any undisclosed flaws are discovered in the Array itself, we will compensate you with ten times the talismanic coins, and you may choose any three Arrays from our shelves for free."

With a cold face, the female shopkeeper rattled off the rest of her speech like a machine gun.

Li Yinsheng's furrowed brow quietly relaxed. Now this was how business should be done!

"Ahem. Shopkeeper," Li Yinsheng said, taking a few steps closer. "I'm not here to buy an Array. I want to commission a small-scale Spirit Refining Array."

Hearing that he was here to commission an Array, the female shopkeeper's persistently indifferent expression finally softened a fraction.

"Customizing a small-scale Spirit Refining Array varies in price depending on the specific type of Spirit Charm you wish to refine. What kind of special Spirit Charm do you want?"

"One that can accelerate cultivation, preferably suited for a balanced and harmonious Cultivation Technique," Li Yinsheng replied.

"Then you need the Bright Spirit Refining Array," she said without hesitation. "The Spirit Charm refined by this Array is called the 'Bright Spirit Charm.' It is most suitable for assisting the cultivation of balanced and harmonious Cultivation Techniques. It can also clear the mind, slightly reducing the drain on one's Heart and Spirit during cultivation."

Li Yinsheng nodded. "And the price and the time required for the Array Formation..."

"It will take seven days. Including the cost of materials and the Array Master's fee, the total is one hundred and twenty thousand talismanic coins. If you wish to buy on credit, the interest is one thousand talismanic coins for every month you delay payment," the female shopkeeper stated.

"One hundred and twenty thousand... Given the reputation of the Jade Altar Temple, that is indeed quite fair," Li Yinsheng agreed, nodding.

"Mhm," the female shopkeeper nodded noncommittally, accepting his assessment. "Credit or full payment? When do you want it built? And where?"

"If I buy on credit, do I need to pay a deposit? How much is it?" Li Yinsheng asked.

"Thirty thousand talismanic coins," she replied.

Stepping up to the counter, Li Yinsheng tried to make his voice sound as sincere as possible. "Shopkeeper, I don't have that much for a deposit on hand right now. Could you perhaps lower the deposit a bit? Of course, the total price will remain exactly the same."

"No," the female shopkeeper refused coldly. "If you don't have the money, come back when you've scraped it together."

Li Yinsheng sighed. Judging by her attitude, negotiating with her was going to be difficult. This Jade Altar Temple shop didn't seem like it was running a business at all. Furthermore, when dealing with someone this aloof, relying on his sincerity to appeal to emotion and logic—as he had done with the shopkeeper at the Zulu Temple—would probably be utterly ineffective.

Fortunately, he was only short twenty thousand talismanic coins for the deposit. It wouldn't be too hard to gather, nor would it take much time. Thinking of this, Li Yinsheng decided not to waste any more time. "Then I shall take my leave."

"Wait." The female shopkeeper called out, stopping Li Yinsheng just as he was about to turn around. She brought out a plate of foxnut cakes, a pot of tea, and an empty cup from beneath the counter.

She filled the cup with tea and pushed it toward Li Yinsheng along with the plate of pastries. "Please, enjoy."

Li Yinsheng froze. "Shopkeeper, what is this for? I don't have the money to place an order today."

"It's a new store policy to serve tea and refreshments to all visiting customers, regardless of whether they place an order or not," the female shopkeeper explained with a strictly business-like attitude.

"Then why didn't you give them to me when I first arrived? I'm about to leave!" Li Yinsheng exclaimed.

"I forgot," she replied flatly.

Li Yinsheng fell silent for a long moment. He figured he might as well enjoy the free tea and pastries. Taking off his Conical Hat, he placed it on the counter, picked up a plain-looking foxnut cake, and tossed it into his mouth.

A crisp, refreshing fragrance instantly filled his nose. A natural sweetness, seemingly blooming right from the tip of his tongue, diffused through his mouth without the slightest hint of cloying sugariness.

He thought in disbelief, "Are you kidding me? Do these people really use premium ingredients even for their complimentary refreshments?

"This single plate must be worth nearly ten talismanic coins!

"I should have brought Junior Sister Mu along."

Tearing his gaze away from the seemingly ordinary plate of foxnut cakes, Li Yinsheng looked at the female shopkeeper, intending to ask if he could pack up the leftovers to take home.

That was when he noticed she was staring intently at him.

"Shopkeeper? Shopkeeper?" Li Yinsheng called out.

Jolted awake by his voice, the female shopkeeper abruptly averted her gaze from his face. "Wh-what is it?"

"These foxnut cakes are quite good. Can I pack the rest up to take with me?" Li Yinsheng asked.

"Y-yes, you can," the female shopkeeper said, taking a soft breath and brushing a hand against her earlobe. "I have more here. Do you want them?"

"No need," Li Yinsheng shook his head. "I didn't even place an order. Just taking this one plate is enough."

The female shopkeeper's eyes darted around the shop. Dropping her voice a few pitches, she murmured, "If you place an order, the deposit... could be a little lower..."

"A little lower won't help. I only have ten thousand talismanic coins right now. Even if you cut it in half, I still couldn't afford it." Li Yinsheng stowed the foxnut cakes into his Qiankun Bag. "But I'll be able to gather the rest of the talismanic coins very soon—"

"A ten thousand deposit. That works too." The female shopkeeper picked up a calligraphy brush, her slender fingers caressing the shaft as she spoke.

"Huh?" Li Yinsheng was stunned.

"However... there is a condition," she continued, taking another light breath. "You must let me personally take this commission. I can waive the deposit completely..."

"That... doesn't seem right," Li Yinsheng hesitated.

Now, he was genuinely worried that she was trying to skim a kickback. A properly skilled Array Master should have taken this order. What if her skills were subpar and she was just trying to snatch commissions by offering discounts? He had specifically chosen the Jade Altar Temple because quality was his top priority! Sacrificing that quality just to save a little money would be completely putting the cart before the horse.

He paused. "Wait. That's not right. If the quality here at the Jade Altar Temple is poor, they actually pay out compensation..."

"If you specifically designate me for the Array Formation, the total price can also be discounted," the female shopkeeper spoke up again, interrupting his thoughts. Her eyes remained fixed on his face the entire time.

Li Yinsheng felt even more uncertain. After a moment of hesitation, he tactfully replied, "Shopkeeper, I'm just temporarily short on funds. The cost of the Array Formation isn't actually that much for me. Therefore, compared to saving money, I care far more about the quality of the Array once it's completed."

The female shopkeeper pursed her lips and spoke once more.

"Stewards only accept commissions within the temple itself. The Array Masters stationed in the shops are all Direct Disciples and True Disciples of the Stewards."

She pulled out a green jade Daoist Certificate that shimmered with a precious luster and pointed a finger at herself.

"I am the Direct Disciple of the Temple Master."

"I'll place the order," Li Yinsheng said without a second's hesitation.