Chapter 258: The Pitiable Pair of Sisters (3)

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Li Xingruo dragged her weary body toward her family’s shop.

“Without a Second Rank Alchemist presiding, not only has business dwindled greatly, but we also can’t pass the triennial shop assessment.”

“Dad, Mom, what should I do?”

Li Xingruo looked at her deserted ‘Treasure Elixir Pavilion’ and heaved a deep sigh.

She was born into a cultivation family.

Her father was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and a Second Rank Alchemist.

Her mother was also a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Under these circumstances, she could be considered to have been born with a silver spoon in her mouth.

Thus, she was like a star cherished by all from a young age.

But a year ago, everything changed.

Her parents encountered a heretic cultivator during a trip and both perished.

Leaving behind her and her younger sister.

Confronted with such a situation, their family did not offer concern or aid, but even tried to snatch the properties under her parents’ names and force her sister into marriage.

Luckily, thanks to her parents’ connections, the family did not push them too hard.

So she abandoned many of the family assets, took her sister, and came to Jiuxiao Immortal City, relying on this ‘Treasure Elixir Pavilion’ for a living.

Originally, after being run by her parents for so many years, the elixir shop had already established a solid customer base and reputation in Jiuxiao Immortal City.

As long as they could hire a Second Rank Alchemist, even if business couldn’t return to its former glory, it wouldn’t be too bad.

But the family outright cast them out as renegades.

Not only did they stop supplying spiritual medicine, they also recalled the apprenticeships of the alchemy from their shop to the family, and forbade any other alchemists from collaborating with their shop.

As time passed, their ‘Treasure Elixir Pavilion’ business got worse and worse.

Many corporate partners also gradually ceased their cooperation.

Half a month ago, she heard that a Second Rank Alchemist appeared in BaisHan Workshop.

Without stopping to rest, she rushed over, hoping to offer a high price to invite the person to her shop to become the presiding alchemist.

Just promoted to Second Rank Alchemist, he readily agreed to the terms and was ready to sign a Spiritual Contract.

But upon finding out about her situation, he immediately chose to renege, sending her home defeated and disheartened.

“Sister, you’re back.”

Inside the shop, Li Xingyu, dressed in a pale yellow gown and with a lovely countenance, saw her sister return and immediately brightened up, her small face beaming with a smile as she called out.

“Xingyu.”

Li Xingruo, looking at her sister’s cheerful demeanor, squeezed out a smile on her somewhat weary face.

A year ago, she was just like her sister, carefree, happily helping their parents manage the business every day.

But since the death of their parents, a series of incidents taught her the coldness of the secular world.

“Sister, how did it go with the alchemist from BaisHan Workshop? Is he willing to come to our place and be our presiding alchemist?”

Seeing her sister’s fatigue, Li Xingyu brewed a cup of Spiritual Tea for her and spoke up.

“He’s not willing.”

Li Xingruo picked up the Spiritual Tea, took a sip, and gently shook her head.

“It’s alright, Sister.”

“If it really comes down to it, we could sell the ‘Treasure Elixir Pavilion’. That way, you wouldn’t have to be so busy every day,”

Li Xingyu pursed her lips, holding her sister’s hand in comfort.

Despite her young age, she was very sensible.

She knew the ‘Treasure Elixir Pavilion’ was the hard-earned business left to them by their parents, so her sister was reluctant to give up.

Yet over the past year, she watched her sister tirelessly toil for the ‘Treasure Elixir Pavilion’.

Now altogether worn out, there was no time left for cultivation.

“Xingyu, I’m okay.”

Li Xingruo responded with a smile.

Selling the shop was indeed the best choice.

But this shop was not just their parents’ hard work,

it also held beautiful memories of her and her parents.

Once, her father taught her alchemy here, while her mother tutored her in techniques.

“By the way, Sister, a few days ago a Senior Ye came to our shop asking if there was a Pill Furnace and an Alchemy Chamber for rent.”

“I thought Senior Ye seemed trustworthy and he is a Second Rank Alchemist, so I rented them to him.”

“We could talk to him later, maybe he would be willing to be our shop’s presiding alchemist.”

At this, Li Xingyu spoke up.

She had agreed to rent out the Alchemy Chamber, with a lease period of ten days, thinking to wait for her sister to come back from her trip.

If her sister had not secured a Second Rank Alchemist, then they would try to convince this Senior Ye to become their shop’s presiding alchemist.

“Senior Ye? A Second Rank Alchemist? Renting the Pill Furnace and Alchemy Chamber?”

Li Xingruo was immediately startled upon hearing this.

It was not a pleasant surprise,

but one of alarm.

Because upon hearing her younger sister’s words, her first thought was of swindlers.

A Second Rank Alchemist, what need would they have to rent an Alchemy Chamber from someone else?

Even if they did need to rent an Alchemy Chamber, who would need to rent a Pill Furnace?

What kind of Second Rank Alchemist doesn’t own his own Pill Furnace?

Only alchemy apprentices, who can’t afford Pill Furnaces, use cast iron pots to concoct Elixir Medicines.

“Which Second Rank Alchemist needs to rent a Pill Furnace from someone?”

“Xingyu, where is this alchemist? Still in the Alchemy Chamber?”

Li Xingruo immediately stood up and asked anxiously.

This Pill Furnace was one of her father’s heirlooms.

It was also the most precious item in the shop at the moment.

Thus, she normally kept the Pill Furnace put away, stored in the third-floor depository.

She didn’t expect her younger sister to actually rent it out to someone else.

If this Senior Ye turned out to be a con artist and either blew up the furnace through reckless alchemy,

or swapped it with a fake and ran off with their actual pill furnace, the loss would be tremendous.

“Ah, surely not. I thought Senior Ye was quite amiable; he didn’t seem like a swindler.”

Li Xingyu began to feel nervous after hearing her sister’s words.

It didn’t occur to her that her goodwill might have backfired.

She was also aware of the dire situation at home.

Her sister had been out trying to recruit a Second Rank Alchemist.