Qin Ming took the jade box and examined it carefully.

He saw that this Jade Marrow Mushroom had a crack in the middle, seemingly damaged by some tool.

The medicinal properties were leaking, almost entirely lost.

And this Jade Marrow Mushroom was less than a hundred years old.

Far from the three hundred year medicinal age required by the Foundation Establishment Pill Formula.

To others, this Jade Marrow Mushroom was hardly useful.

However, for Qin Ming, this wasn't a problem.

"I wonder, Elder Shen, what it would take for you to sell it?"

Qin Ming asked straightforwardly.

"Three thousand Spirit Stones, or equivalent items are acceptable." Shen Yuanxiong thought for a moment before speaking.

Qin Ming weighed the jade box, frowned, and said, "This price is a bit excessive, isn't it? After all, the medicinal properties are almost all gone."

"Uh... since that's the case, I'll take a step back: two thousand five hundred Spirit Stones will do." Shen Yuanxiong's face twitched slightly, realizing he asked for too much, and he changed his offer.

"Deal."

Qin Ming's face was calm, but inside he was overjoyed.

He thought it would cost him a hefty price to obtain a Jade Marrow Mushroom, but it turned out to be much lower than expected.

With this Jade Marrow Mushroom, he could revive it and ripen several more pieces.

Sufficient for his alchemy needs.

He unhurriedly took out Spirit Stones from his storage pouch and handed them to Shen Yuanxiong.

The transaction was completed.

"Now that Elder Shen has important matters at home, we shall not disturb you further and take our leave." Qin Ming's mood brightened as his goal was achieved.

Shen Yuanxiong courteously said, "Why not stay a bit longer? I could have someone treat you two well."

"No, Elder Shen, please tend to your business."

"Since that's the case, forgive the neglect. After my affairs are settled, I'll surely visit Mirror Snow Pavilion to drink with you both." Shen Yuanxiong then opened the door, politely escorting them out.

Just as they walked through the courtyard corridor.

A burly man with a black beard hurriedly approached, his skin dark, exuding early-stage Foundation Establishment mana fluctuations.

As soon as he saw Shen Yuanxiong, he started cursing, "Quick, Old Ghost Shen, I want that half-dead Jade Marrow Mushroom!"

"I have other uses for it."

As the burly man approached, he noticed the two people beside Shen Yuanxiong, one of whom was Guu Qingzhao from Mirror Snow Pavilion.

Immediately, he adjusted his demeanor and bowed, "Pavilion Master Guu is here too."

Guu Qingzhao nodded slightly in response.

And Qin Ming, this Qi Cultivation Junior, was directly ignored by him.

Shen Yuanxiong frowned and glared at the burly man, saying, "Luo Rong, why are you fussing? You're late, I've already sold the Jade Marrow Mushroom to Fellow Daoist Qin."

"Ah?! Fellow Daoist Qin?" The man named Luo Rong said incredulously.

Shen Yuanxiong looked at Fellow Daoist Qin and introduced, "This is Fellow Daoist Qin, an Honorary Guest Elder of Mirror Snow Pavilion."

"A genuine Tier Two Alchemist Master."

Luo Rong was shocked and then addressed Qin Ming, "So it's Master Qin, such talent at a young age!"

However, he still asked stiffly, "I wonder if Fellow Daoist Qin could part with that Jade Marrow Mushroom and sell it to me."

"I'm willing to pay double the Spirit Stones."

"This item is of great use to me; I'm afraid I cannot sell it." Qin Ming refused directly.

Luo Rong was taken aback as the Qi Cultivation Junior in front of him seemed unfazed by his Tier Two Alchemist status.

Seeing Guu Qingzhao beside him, he dared not speak more and his expression changed several times, ending with a sigh, "Well, it seems this item is not destined for me."

After speaking, he bade farewell and left awkwardly.

"Uh... hehe, Luo Rong's personality is just like that, please don't mind him." Shen Yuanxiong laughed.

He had just left.

A commotion arose at the courtyard gate.

An impressive elderly man with golden hair, wearing a yellow robe, slowly entered the courtyard with his hands behind his back.

Seeing him arrive, Shen Yuanxiong greeted the two and quickly went to receive him.

"Master Sunx, please rest in the side hall; everyone's here, and it'll start shortly."

Guu Qingzhao introduced to Qin Ming, "This is Alchemist Sunx Jinnian from Vast Sea Immortal City."

Qin Ming nodded.

Sunx Jinnian saw Guu Qingzhao and Qin Ming too and walked over to exchange lukewarm greetings with Guu Qingzhao.

Then he entered the side hall.

Alchemist Sunx's position in Vast Sea Immortal City was second only to Golden Core Masters.

After Qin Ming and the two left.

Sunx Jinnian sat down in a chair, leisurely drank tea, and asked Shen Yuanxiong, "What's Guu Qingzhao doing here?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuanxiong immediately explained everything that had happened.

Upon hearing that the Qi Cultivation Junior beside Guu Qingzhao was not only a Tier Two Alchemist but also had crafted a Youthful Appearance Pill.

An indescribable change flickered across his face.

Sunx Jinnian commented blandly, "That Friend Qin must have an extraordinary talent in alchemy, to have crafted a Youthful Appearance Pill."

"Aside from that, he likely has an exceptional alchemist inheritance."

"If not, old me would be considering him as a disciple."

Shen Yuanxiong didn't expect Alchemist Sunx to rate him so highly.

Being clueless about the alchemy path, he asked, "Can he craft Foundation Establishment Pills?"

"Of course, the difficulty of crafting the Youthful Appearance Pill even slightly surpasses that of the Foundation Establishment Pill."

"In alchemy, mastering one method often translates to mastering many methods."

"Since he can craft the Youthful Appearance Pill, he can certainly craft the Foundation Establishment Pill." Sunx Jinnian explained slowly.

Shen Yuanxiong was stunned, "Huh?!"

He felt like he had missed something.

"But... he took that defective Jade Marrow Mushroom, I don't think he can craft it, can he?"

Hearing this, Sunx Jinnian seemed amused, "Heh, alchemy secret techniques are countless; perhaps he has a way to replenish the medicinal properties?"

At that moment, Shen Yuanxiong remembered Luo Rong's words.

"How does it feel that selling that Jade Marrow Mushroom was a loss?"

Sunx Jinnian said, "Alright, you go prepare, I'll wait here; I've made some progress in alchemy recently and guarantee to successfully craft a batch this time."

With these words, he reassured Shen Yuanxiong.

He was overjoyed and went out to busy himself.

...

Elsewhere, Qin Ming got a crucial primary ingredient, relieved.

Currently, he only lacked two rare auxiliary ingredients, though not as hard to find as Spirit Marrow Mushroom.

By keeping an eye out, he believed he could gather them quickly.

Qin Ming remained in Vast Sea Immortal City for another day, seeking the whereabouts of these auxiliary ingredients.

But with little success.

That day.

He was in a Spirit Medicine Shop searching for clues about auxiliary materials.

Behind him came a familiar voice.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, what a coincidence!"

Qin Ming turned to look back, finding a bearded cultivator smiling and greeting him.

It was the Foundation Establishment cultivator, Luo Rong.

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