Chapter 109: The Foundation-Building Pill in Hand

This had long been an unspoken rule among the alchemists of the Spirit Medicine Sect: one could choose wealthy outsiders to deal with and ask for exorbitant prices, but they must also consider the feelings of others. Otherwise, if one only sought to take all the benefits without sharing even a drop of the broth, they would inevitably face exclusion by their fellow disciples.

Since arriving at the Spirit Medicine Sect, Chu Xing’er had never left the Guest Reception Hall and was unfamiliar with the specifics of the pill-forging process. However, seeing the joy on the faces of those summoned and the disappointment of those overlooked, she understood that this was undoubtedly a beneficial and harmless matter. Thus, she left the hall along with the others.

The six of them passed through a corridor and arrived at a separate room. The handsome young man in white, known as Senior Brother Zhao, gestured to the middle-aged man in the brocade robe at the front to enter with him, while the others remained outside to wait. This unremarkable room was likely sealed by a restriction array, as no sound escaped. Out of respect for the seniors at the Foundation Establishment stage, including Chu Xing’er, the four of them refrained from whispering or probing with their spiritual senses.

Fortunately, the wait was brief. The middle-aged man in brocade soon emerged, his face beaming with joy—clearly, a deal had been reached. At that moment, Senior Brother Zhao’s calm voice called out, “Next, please come in.”

“Yes, Senior,” the summoned young man replied respectfully and stepped inside.

So it was a one-on-one negotiation. Only now did Chu Xing’er fully grasp the situation. Though she was uncertain if it had always been this way, a wave of anxiety washed over her. After all, this was a powerful mid-stage Foundation Establishment expert. Her disguise and the presence of Xiao Wen hidden within the spirit beast pouch would hardly escape his scrutiny.

If he were an honorable man, that would be one thing; but what if he were not? Well, whether blessing or curse, there was no turning back now. She could only take things as they came.

Time passed slowly. Soon, the elder in front of Chu Xing’er exited, and it was her turn. Stepping into the room, she felt as if passing through a soft veil of light. The handsome young man in white, surnamed Zhao, sat cross-legged atop a jade platform ahead.

Not daring to be negligent, she hurriedly bowed and said, “Greetings, Senior!”

“No need for formality, please sit,” Zhao Zhiyun said.

Zhao Zhiyun was among the elite of the younger generation within the Spirit Medicine Sect. Though truly only in his thirties, both his talent and disposition were extraordinary. There was no way her disguise could fool him.

Though the girl before him was stunning, Zhao Zhiyun, who was single-mindedly devoted to alchemy and the path to immortality, had not chosen her out of lust or pity. The main reason was the mid-grade storage pouch at her waist, indicating her wealth far exceeded that of others.

As for Xiao Wenzi inside the spirit beast pouch, who had ceased cultivation and concealed his aura, Zhao Zhiyun paid little heed even if he discovered him. After all, the Spirit Medicine Sect focused primarily on pill forging and rarely dealt with pest control or beast taming techniques. Though a cultivatable demon mosquito was rare, unaware of its value, Zhao Zhiyun chose not to complicate matters.

With a gentle wave, he invited Chu Xing’er to sit. Then he said, “Speak, fellow cultivator. What pill do you wish to forge?”

“Respectfully, Senior, I need to manufacture Foundation Establishment Pills,” Chu Xing’er replied, producing a storage pouch containing materials for three pills. “May I ask the cost in spirit stones to forge three of these?”

Zhao Zhiyun’s attitude eased her anxious heart, but she was reluctant to linger. As she spoke, she took out the pouch with three sets of herbs.

In truth, Chu Xing’er carried materials for four Foundation Establishment Pills, but revealing them all at once might cause a stir. Besides, even if only two succeeded out of three, she would gain over ten pills—enough to break through her bottleneck. The remaining spirit flowers and herbs could be sold after her breakthrough; storing them longer posed no problem.

“Three, you say? This young lady truly has wealth... Hm, these are four-hundred-year-old Seven-Leaf Wisteria blossoms and four-hundred-year-old Green Sprout Dragon Beard grass... Not bad, not bad,” Zhao Zhiyun murmured with a knowing smile.

Indeed, the mid-grade storage pouch marked her wealth as far greater than that of the previous few candidates. This single transaction could yield as much as the combined earnings of two or three others.

As he pondered, Zhao Zhiyun took the pouch but soon his expression shifted oddly. He had found several spirit herbs and flowers aged four centuries—rare treasures that could enhance the quality of pills.

Not long ago, he had forged a mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pill himself. With these precious four-century-old herbs, he believed he might create an even higher-quality pill and advance his alchemical art further.

Though elated, Zhao Zhiyun quickly subdued his excitement, sitting upright as he spoke calmly, “Regarding the cost, fellow cultivator, by rule, forging one Foundation Establishment Pill requires leaving half the finished pills here and paying an additional five thousand spirit stones... However, since your materials contain several herbs beneficial to my alchemical skills, three pills will cost only ten thousand spirit stones. Moreover, if I successfully forge a mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, I shall reward you one.”

“Thank you, Senior!” Chu Xing’er eagerly extracted the best-quality herbs, hoping to obtain as many Foundation Establishment Pills as possible. Now, not only did she have a chance to obtain the coveted mid-grade pill, but the cost was also far less than expected. How could she refuse?

“All right, fellow cultivator, please return to the Guest Reception Hall. Once the pills are ready, I will dispatch a disciple to deliver them to you,” Zhao Zhiyun said with a smile after briefly scanning the spirit stones she had produced.

“Thank you, Senior,” Chu Xing’er replied softly, bowing again before turning to leave. A maid then escorted her back to the Guest Reception Hall.

She settled in to wait calmly, having resolved that once she received the Foundation Establishment Pills, she would leave the Spirit Medicine Sect immediately. Her only lingering worry was whether Senior Zhao would honor his promise or break it.

In truth, the Spirit Medicine Sect’s reputation was impeccable. All her concerns were unfounded.

More than ten days later, a female disciple at the peak of the Qi Refining stage came seeking her. Clad in pale green robes with ribbons fluttering, the young woman was a rare beauty, though not as striking as Chu Xing’er.

Upon meeting, the girl smiled warmly. “You must be Daoist Chu, who traded with Senior Uncle Zhiyun. This is what he asked me to bring you.”

As she spoke, the young woman produced a jade box sealed with a restriction talisman and handed it to Chu Xing’er.

“Yes, I am Chu Xing’er. Thank you for your efforts,” Chu Xing’er said gratefully.

The restriction talisman on the jade box served to block any probing, bearing Zhao Zhiyun’s mark as well. Its purpose was clear—to prevent theft during delivery.

Given such precautions, Chu Xing’er was certain the box was not empty. Her heart lifted with joy as she nodded and accepted the jade box.