Having confirmed the Spirit Medicine was correct, Gu Yuan glanced at the scant few Spirit Stones in his Storage Pouch and couldn't help but muse silently:

"It looks like I'll need to figure out a way to gather some more Spirit Stones next."

With support from his mentor, He Ling True Master, Gu Yuan used to be quite wealthy, but recently, between establishing his Dao Foundation and honing his Spirit Pill crafting, he has almost exhausted all his Spirit Stones.

If he wishes to continue with his Alchemy, he'll have to acquire more Spirit Stones.

Of course, the Jade Essence Pills, Qi Replenishing Pills, and even Spirit Storage Pills he has crafted can also be used as a hard currency akin to Spirit Stones.

However, Gu Yuan does not plan to reveal that he has become an Alchemy Master yet.

A tree standing out in the forest is sure to be toppled by the wind.

His progress in Alchemy has been too rapid, and if exposed, it could attract more attention and even spark further hostility within Medicine King Mountain.

Especially with He Ling True Master currently absent, it is better to keep it hidden as a trump card.

Therefore, Gu Yuan plans to use the Spirit Pills he crafted elsewhere.

"Nephew Gu, please wait."

Just as Gu Yuan was about to leave, a voice called out from behind him.

Turning around, he saw a middle-aged Taoist, thin and gaunt, wearing a cyan-gray robe.

The man had a broad frame, billowy wide sleeves, and was sporting a long beard, exuding an aura of an otherworldly sage.

"So it's Uncle Cyan Wood, this disciple greets you."

Gu Yuan saluted with a bow.

This was indeed Cyan Wood True Master, whom he had briefly met at Jade Cauldron Tower.

"Haha, no need for such formalities, Nephew."

Cyan Wood True Master smiled slightly, sizing up Gu Yuan, his gaze lingering on the Storage Pouch in Gu Yuan's hand as he spoke, "So? Did Nephew Gu come to Jade Cauldron Tower this time to buy some Spirit Medicine for Alchemy?"

"Uncle's eyes are sharp as always."

Gu Yuan nodded.

Cyan Wood True Master sighed as if unintentionally, "Practicing Alchemy is hefty on Spirit Medicine resources. To make progress, you essentially need to pile them on."

"As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Even if your enlightenment is lacking, just refining a few more times, and your Alchemy skills will naturally improve."

"It's good that you want to learn Alchemy, Nephew. However, I've heard you come from a modest background and may not have many Spirit Stones. If you're short, I could lend you some."

"This..."

Gu Yuan hesitated, feeling something was off and became vigilant. On the surface, he smiled and politely declined, "Thank you for Uncle's kindness, but I still have some savings, which will last for a while."

There's a saying, offering help without cause is either deceit or robbery.

He and Cyan Wood True Master were not acquainted. During their last meeting, Gu Yuan had sensed malice from him. Now, he seemed kind by offering to lend Spirit Stones; even without thinking deeply, there was clearly a problem.

"It's normal for young people to be reluctant to borrow money; I understand."

Cyan Wood True Master had a flicker of disappointment in his eyes, then quickly smiled, "If you're short on Spirit Stones and don't want to borrow, you could also take on some tasks within the tower."

"Our Jade Cauldron Tower often posts tasks with generous rewards. With your abilities, as long as you're diligent, completing a few tasks would be enough."

Gu Yuan showed a look of realization, responding, "I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Uncle."

"Hmm."

Cyan Wood True Master showed no further intention of speaking and soon left.

Ignoring the somewhat peculiar gazes from those around, Gu Yuan confidently stepped out of Jade Cauldron Tower.

"There's something off about this old fox, Cyan Wood True Master; he definitely harbors ill intentions!"

Gu Yuan pondered over the words Cyan Wood True Master had just spoken and soon noticed inconsistencies: "Borrowing Spirit Stones... taking on tasks... that's not right! That old fox was clearly leading me into wanting to take on tasks!"

With thoughts racing in his mind, Gu Yuan surmised, "The problem lies within the tasks! If I really agreed, I would certainly fall into their trap!"

"It's possible this old fox is colluding with Lv Kun as well..."

Upon returning to his lodging, he waited until nighttime.

Gu Yuan transformed into an inconspicuous young man, donned a black robe, and stepped out.

He headed straight to a shop called the Hundred Treasures Pavilion located on the long street.

This shop was no smaller in scale than the Jade Cauldron Tower and dealt not only in Spirit Medicine and Elixirs but also acquired and sold Magical Artifacts, Daoist Scriptures, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, Demon Beast cubs, Spirit Talismans, Array Discs, covering nearly every aspect of the Cultivation Realm.

As for its background, Gu Yuan wasn't too sure.

However, to run such a shop in the Jade Bright Immortal Pavilion, there must be something behind it; even a ghost wouldn't believe otherwise.

Although it was already nighttime, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion remained quite lively, with many people wandering in the hall.

Seeing Gu Yuan enter, the shop assistant hurriedly approached, showing a smile: "Welcome, honored guest. How can I assist you? Please feel free to tell me."

"I'm not exaggerating, but our shop rarely lacks anything that's found on the market."

Having likely seen all sorts of customers, upon seeing Gu Yuan in a mysterious black robe, this shop assistant wasn't even slightly surprised.

"Is that so?"

A deep, raspy voice emerged from under the black robe: "Do you have something like the Mirage Dragon Pearl here?"

"Mirage Dragon Pearl..."

The shop assistant's smile briefly froze, cautiously responded, "Are you referring to the one with the True Dragon Bloodline that exhales Mirage Qi, capable of transforming into a grand city?"

"Such Mirage Dragons are on par with the great powers of the Dragon Gate, even the Primordial Spirit True Immortals—I can't afford them. Just an ordinary Mirage Dragon Pearl will do."

Gu Yuan replied.

The shop assistant immediately sighed in relief: "What a coincidence! Just days ago, our shop acquired a Mirage Dragon Pearl from an overseas guest, and it's of quite high quality. We just hope it meets the guest's standards."

"This is not urgent."

Gu Yuan glanced around, noticing the crowd, and said, "There are too many people here. Let's find a quieter place. I also have other things I wish to sell."

"Please follow me, honored guest."

The shop assistant was delighted, sensing a big deal coming, and quickly led Gu Yuan to a private room, ordering them to serve Spirit Tea, and after a simple inquiry, excused himself hastily.

Gu Yuan sat down calmly on the seat, uninterested in the fragrant Spirit Tea beside him.

Shortly after, the shop assistant returned with an elderly man, white-haired and bowed: "Old I am called Shi, greetings to the guest. I heard you have a batch of Spirit Pills that you wish to sell. Might I..."

Gu Yuan wasted no words, flicking his sleeve, causing a pile of bottles and jars to appear on the table.

The shop assistant's eyes widened at the sight of the tableful of Jade Bottles, his eyes almost popping out.

Having heard that Gu Yuan had pills, he initially thought it meant one or two bottles but didn't expect it to be dozens.

The white-haired old man, however, was experienced. Although surprised, he managed to maintain composure.

Opening one of the Jade Bottles, a glossy yellow pill was revealed within.

The white-haired elder poured one out, examined it closely, and nodded slightly:

"Hmm, this is a Qi Replenishing Pill. This pill can replenish True Qi and also enhance cultivation, though it's only effective below the Golden Core Realm and slightly hinders the refinement of True Qi. However, it's still rather rare."

The white-haired elder stroked his beard, nodding repeatedly:

"The best Qi Replenishing Pills have pure yellow color and are perfectly round and full, with yellow jade being the most superior."

"Common Qi Replenishing Pills have certain defects, so the price is around six Spirit Stones per pill, while this entire bottle's pills are almost all of top quality, seemingly crafted by an Alchemy Dao master, and basically free of impurities. In my opinion, each pill can sell for twenty Spirit Stones!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.