"The Zhenyang Sect canceled the purchase of two hundred Ice Purity Pills?"
Qin Gengyun was startled, suddenly recalling the day Mo Xiaolan mentioned that after the Three Great Sects annihilated the Demon Sect, they suffered significant losses themselves.
To save costs, the Northern Wilderness Trial this year greatly reduced expenses, opting to use high-grade low-level pills instead of expensive high-grade Spirit Pills.
Two hundred Ice Purity Pills, two hundred bags of high-quality Clear Wind Powder.
The effectiveness isnât much different, but the price is worlds apart.
Could it be,
that I unknowingly ruined the Pavilion Masterâs big deal?
That would be... quite satisfying indeed.
But now I have to be even more low-key, lest the Pavilion Master finds out Iâm the one who spoiled his plans.
The Pill Talisman Tower has rules; one must not disclose the sources of goods. Shopkeeper Tong probably wonât mention me casually to others.
He only needs to be cautious now and observe the situation before making any plans.
"Qin Gengyun, come here!"
At this moment, Yang Fengshan came out from the Alchemy Room and called out to Qin Gengyun.
Qin Gengyun approached calmly, saying, "Steward Yang, whatâs the matter?"
Yang Fengshan pointed to the adjacent abandoned Alchemy Room: "Go inside and clean it up."
Qin Gengyun was surprised: "Steward Yang, didnât you say that room needed repairs and no one was allowed inside?"
Yang Fengshan glared at him: "I told you to go, so go. Why so much talk? Be careful, or Iâll deduct your Spirit Stones!"
Then he tossed the key to him.
Qin Gengyun said no more, took the key, unlocked the old Pill Room, grabbed a broom, and went inside, only to see it filled with dust, with the bronze furnace and Spirit Fan still in their original spots.
The surroundings and decorations were unchanged, not at all looking like they had been repaired.
Qin Gengyun suddenly remembered eavesdropping on a conversation between Yang Fengshan and the Pavilion Master that day.
Yang Fengshan complained to the Pavilion Master, saying Qin Gengyun often went to the abandoned Alchemy Room stealthily, seemingly scheming against the bronze furnace.
Qin Gengyunâs heart immediately grew wary.
This sudden call from Yang Fengshan to clean the old Pill Room and giving him the key.
If the bronze furnace suddenly disappeared one day, wouldnât the name "internal thief" be pinned on him?
Thinking of this, Qin Gengyun put down the broom and went to knock on the door of the Alchemy Room firmly.
A moment later, Yang Fengshan opened the door, his expression unfriendly as he glared at him:
"Didnât I tell you to clean the old Pill Room?!"
Qin Gengyun extended his hand, with the key to the old Pill Room lock lying in his palm, speaking loudly enough for everyone around to hear:
"Steward Yang, itâs inappropriate for the key to be handed to me. Iâm returning it to you now."
Yang Fengshan was startled, then waved his hand: "The Pavilion Master is alchemizing; donât disturb him. Discuss it tomorrow!"
Qin Gengyun still held the key out before Yang Fengshan:
"Steward Yang, youâre the steward; all room keys should be kept by you. Please take it."
Yang Fengshan was stunned, his expression changing, and inside came the Pavilion Masterâs voice:
"Fengshan, donât waste time."
"Yes." Yang Fengshan had no choice but to take the key from Qin Gengyunâs hand, giving him a fierce glare before slamming the door shut.
Qin Gengyun had already achieved his purpose, and without saying more, quickly cleaned the old Pill Room and went on with other tasks.
However, he had already made up his mind; once he reaches Second Tier Alchemist, heâll leave Spirit Pill Workshop.
Given the chance, opening a Pill Workshop is far better than living under someone elseâs roof.
...
Pill Talisman Tower.
On the second floor, in a special inner hall for receiving distinguished guests.
A male cultivator in a brocade robe, with a jade-like face, sat at the head, graceful as an immortal but with an arrogant demeanor.
Shopkeeper Tong had a smile all over his face, standing before this male cultivator, speaking respectfully:
"Steward sir, I am Tong Jinjin, the shopkeeper of this Pill Talisman Tower."
This brocade-robed cultivator was the steward of the Zhenyang Sect, sent by the Inner Sect Elder to investigate remnants of the Demon Sect, wielding great authority. Despite Tong Jinjin being the shopkeeper of the Pill Talisman Tower, he could only stand while speaking before this steward.
The steward glanced at Shopkeeper Tong and said indifferently:
"The Pill Talisman Tower is well-informed. Has there been anything unusual in Yunling Town lately?"
Shopkeeper Tong thought for a moment and said: "Recently, there was a Ghost Cultivator robbing at night, even killing a Talisman Master, but things have quieted down these past few days."
The steward waved his hand: "I didnât come to catch a few Ghost Cultivators. Anything else?"
Shopkeeper Tong pondered for a moment but shook his head: "Indeed, nothing else, steward sir. Yunling Town is remote and barren; the Demon Sect remnants likely wouldnât come here."
The steward tapped his fingers on the table, suddenly saying: "I heard that most of the high-quality Clear Wind Powder purchased for this Northern Wilderness Trial came from you?"
Shopkeeper Tong was startled, finally understanding the reason for the stewardâs visit, and hurriedly said:
"Yes, steward sir, that is true. Those high-quality Clear Wind Powder were sold to us by an Independent Cultivator Alchemist."
The stewardâs eyes sharpened: "An Independent Cultivator? What cultivation level?"
Shopkeeper Tong answered respectfully: "Likely at the Third-Layer of Qi Cultivation, a First Tier Alchemist."
"Such low cultivation can actually refine Clear Wind Powder comparable to Second Grade Spirit Pills..."
The steward further asked: "Does this person have any other peculiarities?"
Shopkeeper Tong thought for a moment and said: "Steward sir, when I observed this person, they seemed quite ordinary, becoming a First Tier Alchemist nearing forty. The ability to refine high-grade Clear Wind Powder is likely due to accumulated knowledge, but they seem to lack endurance afterward."
The steward looked at him: "Why do you say so?"
Shopkeeper Tong said: "That day, I asked him if he could refine high-grade Blood Coagulation Pills within seven days, and he said he couldnât, likely because he just became an Alchemist and can only refine Spirit Powder."
"In that case, heâs not much different from a regular Loose Cultivator." The coldness in the stewardâs eyes gradually faded, seeming to lose interest in Yunling Town, and he got up to leave.
Shopkeeper Tong quickly bowed: "Safe travels, steward sir."
The steward walked straight out of the Pill Talisman Tower, glanced at the Loose Cultivators coming and going, and shook his head in disdain:
"My senior sister is really overly cautious; what Demon Sect remnants could be hidden in such a small Yunling Town? Never mind, Iâll report back to the sect."
With that, a beckoning gesture with his right hand produced a colorful Flying Sword.
Immediately drawing the astonishment of the passers-by.
"Middle Grade Flying Sword?!"
"Purple Sun Brocade Robe! An Inner Sect disciple of Zhenyang Sect!"
"Oh my!"
"Ants." The steward sneered as he gracefully stepped on the Flying Sword, shooting up instantly, carrying the sharp sound of breaking through the air as he quickly soared away.
Leaving only a radiant glow and a crowd of exclamations behind.
...
Itâs 5:45 PM.
Qin Gengyun returned to Narrow Rain Lane, now carrying five Vitality Fruits.
He bought these while coming back after scattering value.
Refining Blood Coagulation Pills requires Blood Coagulation Grass and Vitality Fruit. Last night, Qiu Zhihe promised to help him cultivate Blood Coagulation Grass. Vitality Fruit is a common herb; one Spirit Stone can buy five, so thereâs no need to bother Qiu Zhihe with it.
Entering Narrow Rain Lane, he was about to return to his rented room when he saw Meng Yu still sitting at Mo Xiaolanâs doorstep, seemingly waiting all day.
Qin Gengyun thought for a moment, then went forward and asked:
"Taoist Friend Meng, what are you doing here?"
Meng Yu looked up, face bruised, grinning:
"Iâm waiting for Taoist Friend Mo to return; I want to apologize with a kowtow."
"Uh, then take your time waiting."
Qin Gengyun smirked briefly, forcing a smile. This Meng Yu seemed to have some sudden fit of madness, as if heâd become a different person.
Itâs best to keep an eye out later, in case he intends any harm to Taoist Friend Mo.
Returning home, Qiu Zhihe had already cooked porridge and handed him a bowl upon seeing him enter.
"Dinnerâs ready."
"Alright."
Qin Gengyun smiled and nodded, sitting down to have dinner with Qiu Zhihe.
"You mentioned yesterday wanting to send Taoist Friend Mo a gift to show gratitude."
Qiu Zhihe suddenly spoke:
"I thought of what to send."