Qin Gengyun and Mo Xiaolan returned to the stall, and suddenly noticed that Mo Xiaolanâs stall had very few goods. He couldnât help but ask curiously:
"Taoist Friend Mo, havenât you restocked these days?"
Mo Xiaolan smiled: "Iâve been busy cultivating recently, so I forgot to restock."
In these few days, once she dealt with all her inventory, she was planning to leave Yunling Town, so naturally, she wouldnât be restocking anymore.
But she wouldnât tell Qin Gengyun about these things, it was better to leave quietly.
Qin Gengyun looked at Mo Xiaolan: "Taoist Friend Mo, do you have anything on your mind?"
"No, nothing." Mo Xiaolan quickly smiled: "You should head home, donât keep your wife waiting."
Qin Gengyun examined her carefully but didnât notice anything, so he said:
"Taoist Friend Mo, if you have any difficulties, you must tell me."
Mo Xiaolan clasped her hands behind her back, smiling like a blossoming flower: "What difficulties could I have? Donât worry!"
Seeing her looking as usual, Qin Gengyun didnât ask further and smiled: "By the way, weâve moved to that house at the end of the lane. You should come and visit when you have time."
"That big house at the end of the lane? Wonderful!" Mo Xiaolanâs face showed a genuine smile of happiness for Qin Gengyun:
"Taoist Friend Qin, youâre truly doing better and better, donât slack off, keep cultivating diligently, build your foundation soon!"
Qin Gengyun laughed: "Taoist Friend Mo, you too, donât forget our agreement!"
"I certainly wonât forget! Taoist Friend Qin, hurry and go back."
Mo Xiaolan urged again, and Qin Gengyun, missing his wife at home, left with a smile and a farewell.
As he walked farther and farther away, Mo Xiaolan stared at his back, her smile gradually freezing on her face.
Perhaps, this was the last time meeting him.
...
Qin Gengyun returned to Narrow Rain Lane, using the talisman key to swipe across the array on the main door. With a click, the spirit lock released, and Qin Gengyun pushed the door open and entered.
"Zhihe, Iâm back."
It felt like a husband coming home from work, the first thing being to loudly call for his wife.
If the wife could come to greet him with a radiant smile and a fragrant kiss, it would be perfect.
Qin Gengyun waited for a moment but couldnât get a kiss from Qiu Zhihe, so he walked inside. He saw there was minced meat porridge on the table but no sign of Qiu Zhihe.
He went over to take a look, the porridge was still hot, evidently just served not long ago.
Qiu Zhihe didnât know when he would come back, so it seemed the porridge had been reheated several times, otherwise, it couldnât still be warm at this time.
Warmth filled Qin Gengyunâs heart, and suddenly he heard the sound of water coming from the bath area. Walking outside the bathing area and through the curtain, he indeed saw a petite figure sitting in the bath barrel.
Her slender arms raised a ladle, slowly tilted it, and a curtain of water poured down, falling on the beautiful curves, splashing countless water droplets.
Qin Gengyun was momentarily dazed.
This curtain, under candlelight, seemed vaguely transparent.
Did the landlord do it deliberately?
He quickly averted his gaze.
Though the couple had worked together several times, they always extinguished the candles, working mechanically, without any intimacy.
Qiu Zhihe obviously didnât want Qin Gengyun to see her body.
At this moment, without her permission, peeking like this was indeed inappropriate.
Qin Gengyun went to the outer room, sat down, and quietly drank the porridge.
Inside the bathroom.
Qiu Zhihe sat in the bath barrel, water vapor lingering, exposing her fragrant shoulders and half of her mountain ridges above the water surface, dotted with droplets, resembling pearls flowing on a jade-white face.
She looked outside the bathroom, the frost in her eyes seemed to melt a little.
"This person is quite honest."
...
Midnight.
After the fifth set of one hundred breaths.
As usual, Qiu Zhihe turned her back, moved slightly, and distanced herself from Qin Gengyun.
"Zhihe, Iâve left information about recruiting a Spirit-Calling Fan Medicine Attendant in the night marketâs Flowing Text Array. Perhaps someone will come in these few days. If you donât like it, I wonât let them in."
"Itâs fine."
Qiu Zhihe wasnât interested in any Spirit Fan Medicine Attendant, as long as it didnât disturb her cultivation and the nighttime dual cultivation.
Qin Gengyun added all the 15 points tonight to his cultivation when he saw Qiu Zhihe wasnât saying more.
[Cultivation: Qi Cultivation Fourth-Layer, 16/1000]
[Skills: Second Tier Alchemist, 1/500]
[Spirit Root: Fire Series Middle Grade Spirit Root (200/1000), Ice Series Middle Grade Spirit Root (207/1000)]
That Zhou Kun is returning to Yunling Town in half a year at the fastest, a year at the latest. Itâs best to reach Qi Cultivation Fifth-Layer in half a year, so Mo Xiaolan wonât be pressured by him anymore.
If itâs like before, absorbing Spirit Marrow for cultivation daily, increasing by 12 points, and double cultivation five times at night, raising 15 points, then gaining 27 points a day.
Only thirty-seven days are needed to reach it.
But needing six pieces of Spirit Marrow daily means spending 60 Spirit Stones.
Thirty-seven days is 2200 Spirit Stones, now Qin Gengyun has a total of 300 Spirit Stones, which means excluding daily expenses, Qin Gengyun has to earn at least 1900 Spirit Stones in a little over a month!
Depending on utility, a regular Second Grade Spirit Pill costs 30-60 Spirit Stones.
A Second Grade Spirit Pill refined from high-quality Spirit Grass cultivated by Qiu Zhihe should sell for 40-70 Spirit Stones.
To satisfy the Spirit Marrow consumption, Qin Gengyun must at least refine two Spirit Pills daily.
Now he can refine one pill in about two hours, meaning he has to spend four hours daily in alchemy.
Then cultivating for six hours.
One hour for dual cultivation and one hour for sleep to recover his energy.
This schedule is truly packed.
Thinking it over, it is fortunate that Qiu Zhiheâs unique constitution, Ice and Fire Two Layers of Heaven, means his time doesnât have to be so long; otherwise, one hour might not suffice for five times!
Thinking of this, Qin Gengyun fell into a deep sleep.
Knock knock!
Knock knock knock!
The next day.
Qin Gengyun was awakened by a series of knocking at the door.
Getting up and checking, Qiu Zhihe was no longer in bed, evidently out buying groceries.
Could it be that she forgot her talisman key?
Qin Gengyun quickly dressed, got up, and opened the door.
"Greetings, senior! This one greets you respectfully!"
"Senior indeed carries profound authority, worthy of being a Second Tier Alchemist!"
"Senior, can I please enter first?"
"Senior, I came first; let me enter first!"
Seven or eight female cultivators stood at the door, each dressed dazzlingly, a feast for the eyes.
Qin Gengyun was startled and then reacted: "Are you all here to apply for the Spirit Fan Medicine Attendant?"
"Seniorâs discerning vision is like a torch!"
"Master, Iâve waited for an entire night, please let me in first!"
"Master, choose me, you wonât regret it!"
These female cultivators clamored, eager to squeeze inside.
"Donât rush, one at a time!"
Qin Gengyun hurriedly maintained order, preventing them from rushing in.
He realized heâd still underestimated the allure of a Second Tier Alchemist to lower-level female cultivators.
These female cultivators are low in cultivation and lack means of livelihood; if they can lean on a Second Tier Alchemist, they might not ascend into Phoenix, but can significantly improve their situation.
To them, a Second Tier Alchemist is like a sturdy leg they want to grab.
Yet Qin Gengyun found this a headache, as he just wanted to recruit a compliant and reliable Spirit Fan Medicine Attendant.
But these women with heavy makeup and revealing outfits, what do you actually want to do?
"What are you all doing?"
Suddenly, a cold voice rang out.
Qiu Zhihe carried a basket of groceries, her icy gaze sweeping across the beautiful female cultivators standing at her door.
Finally landing on Qin Gengyunâs face.