Chapter 13: Pill Cauldron (Please collect)
Chapter 13: Pill Cauldron (Please collect)
South Barrens Cultivation World.
Green Bamboo Mountain.
In a secret underground chamber within the shack area.
The interior of the secret chamber branched out in all directions, seemingly with hidden passages leading to the outside world as well.
Fang Xi's figure quietly appeared, his expression slightly invigorated as he gazed at the packet of demonic beast meat beside him: "Indeed. . . if artifacts from this side can be taken over, then materials from that side can also be brought back, as long as I can carry them. . ."
The idea of cross-realm trade was still quite feasible.
"In the early stages, with small quantities, I can just carry it. Later on, it'll just be a matter of a storage bag. . . Alright, Fang Xi, you're getting ahead of yourself. Even the smallest storage bag on the market costs twenty low-grade Spirit Stones!"
As for the body of the martial artist bandit, Fang Xi searched him thoroughly, but alas. . . he was practically a pauper.
"Wait, if he really had money, why would he go out robbing?"
Fang Xi grumbled to himself, while also checking his own financial situation.
His cultivation was still at the third level of Qi Refinement, and he was currently solidifying his foundation.
This low-grade wood-aligned spiritual root indeed made cultivation somewhat arduous.
Beyond that, the most valuable item among his possessions was the low-grade artifact—the Green Reaping Sword.
Beneath the Green Reaping Sword was a manual for the 'Eternal Spring Art', which could be cultivated all the way to the tenth level of Qi Refinement Grand Completion. This was a common item in the market; after Foundation Establishment, one would have to seek out another cultivation method.
"There are also 22 Spirit Crystals, 60 jin of spirit bamboo rice, 1 mid-grade 'Little Thunder Talisman', 1 low-grade 'Goldlight Cover Talisman', 2 'Ice Talismans', 5 'Body Protection Talismans', and several other utility talismans such as 'Dust Removal Talismans', 'Fire Repelling Talismans', 'Water Repelling Talismans'. . ."
"I feel like even a bandit cultivator would weep if they came for me. . ."
Fang Xi let out a long breath, gazing at the demonic beast meat, muttering: "Perhaps, I should sell it. . . No, I can't risk it until I reach mid-stage Qi Refinement!"
He had inquired at the White Cloud Martial Arts Hall, and the demonic beast meat Han Pang Zi sold was called—'Taisui meat', which had this pale appearance and wasn't fishy to eat.
Moreover, it had the effect of invigorating blood and qi, so much so that Mu Piao Miao didn't dare to eat it during her 'special days'. . .
Although he already knew the specifics, Fang Xi still wasn't prepared to immediately consume the demonic beast meat.
"Cultivators often cook demonic beast meat to replenish spiritual energy, and for body cultivators, it's an unparalleled spiritual panacea. Naturally, there's a set of methods for identification. . ."
Fang Xi looked at the Taisui meat, pondered for a moment, and cast a spell seal.
Buzz!
A halo of light appeared above the Taisui meat, its color constantly shifting, finally settling on a dark green hue.
"Mostly harmless, but it might still cause some bodily harm. . ."
Fang Xi nodded slightly.
"Cultivators have many ways to identify poisons and even to treat them. . . To be safe, I should prepare an antidote pill and another Rejuvenation Talisman."
Thinking of the talismans, Fang Xi immediately decided to seek out his new neighbor, Chen Ping, for a solution.
This new Spirit Farmer seemed to have some skill in drawing talismans, which made him worth befriending.
Moreover, this could also expand the original owner's network.
The original Fang Xi had been solely dedicated to his cultivation, having no friends apart from his neighbors and no access to any circles.
But now, Fang Xi had decided to slightly expand his connections, which would also lay the groundwork for selling demonic beast meat and acquiring rare resources in the future.
No sooner said than done!
Early the next morning, Fang Xi waited by his door, and when Chen Ping emerged, he called out: "Fellow Daoist Chen. . . heading out?"
"Indeed."
Chen Ping looked just like any other Spirit Farmer, honest, meek, and timid. Hearing the question, he asked: "Fellow Daoist Fang. . . is something the matter?"
"Indeed. . . Fellow Daoist Chen, are you perhaps a Talisman Master? I'd like to purchase a Rejuvenation Talisman, I wonder. . ."
Fang Xi inquired tentatively.
Chen Ping's expression shifted slightly, then he gave a bitter smile and waved his hands repeatedly: "The Dao of Talismans is vast and profound; how dare I call myself a Talisman Master? I merely followed Talisman Master Zong's teachings for a few days; I'm still at the entry-level, finding even low-grade first-order talismans difficult to draw. . ."
The four arts of cultivators—pills, formations, talismans, and artifacts—each required immense effort.
Even if the Dao of Talismans was relatively simpler, it was still hard to master.
If drawing them was difficult, it meant the profit couldn't cover the cost, leading to losses.
“That's already quite good. Might Fellow Daoist happen to have a Rejuvenation Talisman? ”
Fang Xi added: "I'll purchase it at the market price."
"This. . . I do have one left."
At the mention of the average market price, Chen Ping immediately couldn't resist and pulled out a green talisman.
Taking this opportunity, the two exchanged a few more words before Chen Ping bid farewell and departed.
'Who knew, he's actually half an acquaintance, having studied with Talisman Master Zong for a few days? '
Watching Chen Ping's retreating back, Fang Xi suddenly thought of the husband-and-wife talisman stall owners, feeling how small the world truly was.
Of course, perhaps it was also because the Green Bamboo Mountain Market was inherently small, and there were only a few Talisman Masters there.
In any case, this venture had yielded decent results.
'I have the Rejuvenation Talisman now; all that's left is an antidote pill. . . '
Fang Xi muttered to himself as he entered the Green Bamboo Mountain Market.
Pill Cauldron Pavilion!
The six-story wooden building was intricately constructed, and a faint fragrance of herbs wafted from its eaves.
Fang Xi had always been cautious about pills, items that needed to be ingested.
Although pills at rogue cultivator stalls were cheaper, there was no guarantee they were entirely harmless.
Pill shops run by major powers, however, were much better.
The Pill Cauldron Pavilion had centuries of reputation and trustworthiness, and its backing force was even more powerful than the Situ Clan.
For them, maintaining their brand and reputation was the greatest profit, so the quality of their pills was still quite reliable.
Of course, it was only "reliable"; after acquiring them, he still had to inspect them carefully.
“Fellow Daoist, what kind of pill are you looking to purchase? ”
As Fang Xi was admiring the Pill Cauldron Pavilion, a young woman in a rice-green dress approached him: “This humble one is Zhuo Lu Ting. I know a thing or two about common pills. ”
She had peach-blossom cheeks and almond-shaped eyes, and her appearance was exceptionally good. She didn't even conceal her cultivation aura, allowing Fang Xi to immediately perceive that she was a mid-stage Qi Refinement cultivator.
'Damn, how impressive are the pills at Pill Cauldron Pavilion if even a saleswoman is at mid-stage Qi Refinement. . . '
'Alright, they really *are* impressive. '
Feeling a little sour, Fang Xi gave a wry smile: "I need an antidote pill."
“For antidotes, our pavilion offers the low-grade first-order 'Clear Spirit Pill', which is quite effective against various toxins. If you find its effects insufficient, we also have mid-grade first-order 'Detoxification Pills', and even superior-grade first-order 'Myriad Spirit Pills', though the price. . . ” Zhuo Lu Ting replied with a charming smile.
“I have a friend who accidentally consumed some unfamiliar demonic beast meat. . . ”
Fang Xi began his 'inventing a friend out of thin air' routine.
Zhuo Lu Ting considered for a moment: "Generally, demonic beasts do not poison their own blood or flesh. As long as a poisonous sac isn't accidentally ingested, the poisoning won't be too severe. The Clear Spirit Pill has remarkable efficacy in alleviating beast venom. Fellow Daoist can purchase one to try. If it doesn't work, you can invite your friend here and let our pavilion's alchemist take a look. . ."
"Alright then, how much does one Clear Spirit Pill cost?"
Fang Xi nodded.
“One low-grade Spirit Stone. ” Zhuo Lu Ting replied with a beaming smile.
'So expensive! '
'At the stalls outside, it would only cost seven or eight Spirit Crystals at most! '
Many thoughts churned in Fang Xi's mind, but he maintained a poker face as he handed over the Spirit Crystals and received a small jade bottle in return.
“Does Fellow Daoist have any other needs? ” Zhuo Lu Ting was in a good mood, having completed a transaction.
“Let me see. . . ”
Fang Xi strolled around the first floor of the Pill Cauldron Pavilion with his hands clasped behind his back.
Soon, he stopped before a counter.
On the wooden shelves of this counter, bottles of spirit wine were conspicuously displayed, some in jars, others sealed in bottles.
"This is spirit wine, primarily made from spirit rice, blended with various spirit herbs, and aged in cellars. . ."
Zhuo Lu Ting explained to Fang Xi: "Among us cultivators, many have a fondness for the contents of this cup. Not only that, many spirit wines have multiple effects. For instance, this 'Grain Abstinence Wine' can be consumed entirely as spirit food; a single sip can keep one from needing food or water for three days. . . And there's this 'Hundred Flower Brew', which not only tastes exquisite but also greatly aids female cultivators in their Qi Refinement. . . If your friend's poisoning is from snake venom, then this 'Hundred Snake Wine' has considerable detoxifying properties!"
"I see. . ."
Fang Xi maintained a placid expression, exuding the demeanor of a major figure.
In the cultivation world, besides the four arts of cultivation, there were other subsidiary professions.
For example, physicians who treated injuries, spirit chefs who prepared various spirit foods, as well as vintners, spirit vein masters, ore prospectors, and so on. . .
This minor art of winemaking could be considered a side path, or even a branch of alchemy.
Fang Xi glanced at the prices, then directly took his leave.
Even if he put all his assets together now, he might not be able to afford a single jar of spirit wine.
"As for winemaking recipes, there's no need to even think about it; they're definitely unaffordable. . ."
Fang Xi secretly regretted it. As a Spirit Farmer, winemaking would actually suit him quite well.
“Or. . . if Pill Cauldron Pavilion doesn't have it, I could try my luck by browsing the stalls? ”
With that thought, he began to wander among the various mobile stalls.
Ever since his transmigration, Fang Xi hadn't been immune to the influence of novels, coming to browse these street markets hoping for a fortuitous encounter.
The result, naturally, was self-evident.
Novels were all lies!
Forget finding heaven-defying opportunities; he hadn't even stumbled upon a minor bargain!
Not to mention himself, even in a year of observation, not a single rogue cultivator had found a bargain at these stalls.
Instead, he had seen many cultivators who felt ripped off, even those who had lost everything.
Several of them even tried to cause a ruckus in the market, only to be thrown out by the Situ Clan's enforcement team. . . The word "miserable" barely covered it!
Many thanks to the sect master 'Night of Cramps' for the reward. The extra chapter will be added after the novel goes on sale. My humble thanks!
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