I Live Forever With My Proficiency

Chapter 10: Obtaining the Source of Animal Hides

"Chen Fellow Daoist, is this your first time learning how to make talisman skins? The questions you're asking are quite basic," Zhang Zheng chatted on the way home.

Zhang Zheng noticed that these past two days, Chen Ping had been actively inviting him to accompany him on their journeys, both in the morning and evening.

Even when they had to leave Qi Jianglun's house, they had to do so before it got dark, even if they hadn't finished asking all their questions. Chen Ping would proactively end the conversation.

Zhang Zheng found it amusing that this young Fellow Daoist was so afraid of death.

If he was so afraid of death, why bother cultivating as an immortal?

However, it was precisely these past two days of traveling together that made the two of them become more familiar with each other.

Chen Ping spoke honestly, "It's my first time. I don't have any other means of making a living, so I can only think of making talisman skins to earn some money."

Zhang Zheng nodded and sighed, "Making money from talisman skins is not easy. Losing spirit stones is always a possibility. This is my second time learning. I've wasted quite a few skins before."

Through their exchanges over the past two days, Chen Ping learned that Zhang Zheng had a five-year-old daughter at home. Her mother had passed away two years ago. Now, they had hired a mortal servant to take care of the child at home.

It was not easy for Zhang Zheng to be the sole breadwinner for the family.

No one in the Independent Cultivator district had it easy.

"By the way, as someone with experience, when you're making talisman skins now, you can start with the first rank of finished skins. The process at this stage is fixed, and there is no concept of failure. You won't suffer any losses, and there are people who will buy the finished skins. The second rank of talisman skins is too easy to fail, and it's easy to end up with more losses than gains," Zhang Zheng sighed.

Chen Ping shivered, "Does Zhang Fellow Daoist also sell finished skins?"

"To be honest, what I mainly sell now are finished skins. I still can't handle the skills required for the second rank," Zhang Zheng said, feeling a bit embarrassed and awkwardly smiled.

"If the price is right, I'll buy some," Chen Ping said openly.

The so-called finished skins referred to animal hides bought from the market, which had been degreased, depilated, soaked in medicine, air-dried, and sliced into pieces.

This was what they called the first rank.

The production process at this stage didn't require much technical skill; it was all a fixed process.

But it was time-consuming and troublesome.

Moreover, the smell of raw hides was really unpleasant, and after a long time, the whole room would probably be filled with the smell.

During his learning process, Chen Ping had tried making finished skins himself once, and at that time, he had even thought about skipping this stage and directly buying finished skins.

Of course, the price had to be right.

Hearing this, Zhang Zheng was puzzled. He didn't understand why Chen Ping, who had just started learning how to make skins, would directly buy finished skins.

Shouldn't he practice step by step?

After confirming multiple times, Zhang Zheng realized that Chen Ping really intended to buy them.

Chen Ping explained that he wanted to take advantage of still remembering the key points Master Qi had taught him and practice the crucial skills as soon as possible. So he didn't want to waste time on the first rank.

Zhang Zheng still didn't understand, but everyone had different choices, and he didn't want to say too much.

Then he suddenly realized that Chen Ping would become his esteemed guest.

If Chen Ping learned how to make skins in the future, he might even become his long-term esteemed guest.

Thinking of this, Zhang Zheng's confusion turned into delight.

This was a rare fixed customer.

Zhang Zheng suddenly became more enthusiastic, "Chen Fellow Daoist, my house is not far ahead. Come and have a look. The finished skins I make strictly follow the ancient records, without any shortcuts or compromises. The quality is impeccable. You'll see when you come."

Zhang Zheng seemed very excited.

He pulled Chen Ping towards his house.

When they arrived in the courtyard, he immediately called out to his servant, "We have an esteemed guest. Serve some tea."

"Oh, and the spirit tea."

The mortal maid was teaching her five-year-old daughter how to recognize characters in the courtyard. When she saw Chen Ping, who was knowledgeable and well-mannered, she greeted him. Chen Ping returned the greeting and followed Zhang Zheng to visit his room where he made talisman skins.

The room was filled with raw skins waiting to dry, some of which were still dripping with medicine.

On one side of the wooden shelf hung some raw skins that had not yet been soaked in medicine, some of which still had bloodstains and hair.

In the corner of the room, there was a large barrel filled with pitch-black liquid, and it was impossible to tell if there were any soaked skins inside.

The air was filled with a strong sour and fishy smell.

After smelling it for a long time, it became nauseating.

This was a common problem in the tanning room.

"The tanning room is a bit crude, please forgive me, Fellow Daoist Chen. I have been studying the ice-making spell recently, and I should be able to improve it a lot." Zhang Zheng smiled awkwardly and said, "These are the skins I have cut, take a look."

Chen Ping took the skins and looked at them, but couldn't find any major flaws.

In short, as long as there was no cutting corners, the skins made by everyone at this stage were more or less the same.

"There is no skill in making skins, everyone knows how to do it, the key is to follow the process. Touch my skin and see if it feels smooth?" Zhang Zheng said again.

Chen Ping: "It feels smooth."

"It feels comfortable to touch, right?" Zhang Zheng said proudly.

Chen Ping: "It's alright."

"I'm not bragging, many tanners like to skimp on the materials used in soaking herbs just to save a little cost. Some tanners even shorten the soaking time, resulting in dull and lifeless skins. Look at the luster of my skins, are they shiny or not? Take a look."

Chen Ping: "They're shiny."

At this moment, Zhang Zheng's servant came in and poured tea for Chen Ping.

"Master Chen, please have some tea."

Chen Ping thanked him, took the tea, took a sip, and put it down. He took the opportunity to interrupt Zhang Zheng's self-praise.

"I have seen the skins and I am quite satisfied. What about the price?"

"Let's make it clear, if it's too expensive, I can't afford it, I might as well make it myself."

Zhang Zheng also put down his teacup and said seriously, "Don't worry, it won't be expensive for you. The price is 80 skins for one Low Grade Spirit Stone. We can directly trade, saving me the trouble of setting up a stall in the market, and I'll give you a discount. 100 skins for one Low Grade Spirit Stone. How about it?"

The price Zhang Zheng offered was fair, so Chen Ping didn't negotiate further.

This price is quite cheap.

Since Chen Ping's purpose was to make talisman skins, he had naturally inquired about the relevant prices.

Market price:

Skin: 80 skins = 1 Low Grade Spirit Stone.

Talisman skin: 10 skins = 1 Low Grade Spirit Stone.

On average, one skin can be made into 1-2 talisman skins.

The highest number of talisman skins that can be made from one skin is 5, not to mention the best condition. If the average number can be increased to 4, it would be a considerable profit, even 3 is good.

"Based on the price Zhang Zheng offered, if the average number is 3, the profit multiplier would be 30 times, turning one Spirit Stone investment into 30 Spirit Stones, not bad." Chen Ping silently calculated in his mind.

Chen Ping accepted the price.

"Alright, give me 200 skins for now. If I use them well, I'll come back for more."

"Sure, please wait a moment. I'll help you pick out 200 skins." Zhang Zheng busily and excitedly started selecting the skins. In his eyes, Chen Ping now appeared golden.

The two houses were only a few buildings apart, so it was convenient to move around.

This kind of transaction was a win-win situation.

Chen Ping gained convenience and affordability.

Zhang Zheng also gained convenience and safety, without worrying about the risk of being targeted in the market.

Chen Ping declined Zhang Zheng's invitation to have a meal at his house. After greeting Zhang Zheng's little daughter, he carried the 200 skins and returned to his own home.

He needed to practice the technique of making talisman skins as soon as possible to become proficient.

Only then could he start making money.

No time to waste!

(End of this chapter)