After sending Zhou Shu off through the back door, Yan Yue walked toward the front hall alone. The shopkeeper and the clerk were puzzled when they saw Yan Yue's short hair.
Yan Yue blushed slightly, "What are you looking at? Go about your business."
"Yes, Miss."
"Wait," Yan Yue paused, "Shopkeeper Zhang, starting tomorrow, eight hydrotherapy talismans will be sold every day. The price of the first one will remain the same, but the price of the last three will increase by 50% each, selling for 150 low-grade spirit stones." Shopkeeper
Zhang was startled when he heard the voice, then his face lit up with joy, "Okay, okay, I'll go post the notice now."
Just as he turned around, he seemed to remember something and turned back to say, "By the way, the second master came here today. I said that the young lady was settling accounts and disappeared, so he left. He seemed a little angry."
Yan Yue shook her head, "You're right, don't worry about him. What's happening here has nothing to do with him. Say the same thing next time you come."
"Got it, Miss."
She turned back, but she felt a little uneasy in her heart. Why did this restless second master come here?
The second patriarch of the Yan family, Yan Mengchu, was originally the head of the Yan clan.
Twenty years ago, aside from a Foundation Establishment ancestor, he was the family's sole cultivator. His aptitude was average, and the Yan family dedicated all their resources to him, hoping to revitalize the clan.
However, he found cultivation arduous, pursuing only philandering and pleasure. Over a decade later, he was still only at the fifth level of the Qi Refining Realm, when he should have reached the Foundation Establishment stage long ago.
This dissolute and prodigal son infuriated the Yan clan's patriarch, who stripped him of his position as patriarch and gave it to the third son, Yan Mengyuan, a mortal and the father of Yan Yue,
who had just become a cultivator.
Naturally, the Yan family's resources shifted towards Yan Yue, a source of discontent and occasional trouble. However, with the patriarch keeping him in check, he dared not act rashly.
But the ancestor passed away soon after. Yan Mengchu, relying on his superior cultivation to Yan Yue, disregarded family rules and seized much of the Yan family's assets, even selling them off for his own personal gain.
This further weakened the already struggling Yan family. The situation only began to improve when Yan Yue was accepted into the Heyin Sect.
As Yan Yue's cultivation advanced, Yan Mengchu dared not act rashly, earning a modest monthly payment of spirit stones and keeping a low profile.
"Yan Mengchu, I don't know what you're thinking, but if you try to harm this shop, I will never let you go," Yan Yue
thought to herself.
This shop held the hopes of her and the Yan family; she couldn't afford to lose it.
"Looks like this is it,"
Zhou Shu said, approaching an extremely tall building. He glanced at the resplendent golden gate, then, after a moment's hesitation, stepped inside with a bitter expression.
Standing fifty feet tall and covering nearly ten acres, the building, adorned with ornate décor, seemed completely out of place in the down-to-earth Qingxia Market.
Ruyi Tower was the largest and most expansive merchant in Qingxia Market.
In fact, within the world of immortal cultivation, it was considered one of the largest businesses, with branches throughout Dongsheng Province. The one in Qingxia Market was just a small branch.
Rumor had it that as long as a cultivator entered Ruyi Tower, no matter what they needed—materials, magical tools, or elixirs—Ruyi Tower would provide them with what they desired, provided they had a sufficient supply of spirit stones.
Zhou Shu wasn't particularly interested in visiting such a prestigious place. Just by looking at the facade, he could already imagine the prices within, a price a casual cultivator like him would likely not be able to afford. Although he had two hundred and twenty mid-grade pills on him, representing two months' worth of income and a considerable sum for a Qi Refining Realm cultivator, he still felt uncertain. He had no other
options. The Golden Ring Kui Python Demon Pill he sought wasn't available at Tianbao Market, nor in the free stalls. He had asked Yan Yue, but the Heyin Sect had no information on any related quests. He had no choice but to come to a place like this and be exploited.
He hoped the rip-off wouldn't be too harsh.
As he entered the building, a female cultivator in a light yellow gauze dress hurriedly approached. A gentle smile graced her pretty face as she softly said, "Young Master, welcome to Ruyi Tower. Your servant, Xiaoyu, will do her best to satisfy any needs you may have. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
Even this ordinary waitress was a cultivator of the fifth level of the Qi Refining Realm!
Yet, facing Zhou Shu, whose cultivation level was significantly lower than hers, she showed no disrespect. Her gentle voice was warm and courteous,
making him feel right at home.
Zhou Shu nodded and said, "I'm Zhou Shu. I'm looking for a demon pill."
Xiaoyu bowed slightly, offering a gesture of invitation. "Young Master Zhou, the demon pills are in the materials section on the third floor. Please follow me."
"Then I'll trouble you, Miss Xiaoyu," Zhou Shu returned the greeting.
Although Xiaoyu was only a waitress, her cultivation level surpassed his, so she couldn't afford to be impolite.
With delicate lotus steps, Xiaoyu walked ahead, keeping a distance of three feet from Zhou Shu, neither too far nor too close.
"Excuse me, sir, what kind of demon beast's demon pill do you need?"
"Golden Ring Kui Python."
"Golden Ring Kui Python, a second-level demon beast, is rare in the Qingyuan Mountains and considered a rare beast. Especially since it's not peak demon hunting season yet, its materials are scarce, and demon pills are even harder to come by. You're not looking for ordinary stuff, sir."
Xiaoyu recounted her details with a familiarity that made Zhou Shu's heart tighten.
But then Xiaoyu glanced back and smiled. "But rest assured, sir, Ruyi Tower will definitely satisfy you."
Zhou Shu breathed a sigh of relief and said calmly, "That's good, but I'm wondering about the price?"
Xiaoyu whispered, "Each Golden Ring Kui Python demon pill has a slightly different price depending on the quality. Make your selection and we'll discuss the price once you're satisfied, okay?"
Zhou Shu nodded. "Very well, thank you, Miss Xiaoyu."
Ruyi Tower truly had a rich and abundant supply of goods, and their energy was extraordinary. Even Golden Ring Kui Python demon pills, so rare elsewhere, were available in abundance. It seemed they had made the right choice.
After passing two corridors carved with flowers, birds, insects, and fish, they approached a rather spacious hall.
Dozens of tall jade cabinets were placed in the hall, like an exhibition hall. Mist billowed over the cabinets, making them invisible. Various intricate formations were set up to block out spiritual energy and prevent prying eyes.
"Young Master, please wait here. Xiaoyu will go get the demon pill."
Xiaoyu led Zhou Shu to an elegant seat, where a maid soon served him spiritual tea.
The tea was fragrant, overflowing with spiritual energy, and had a lingering aftertaste, clearly more than just a cup of low-grade spirit stone.
Zhou Shu glanced around. Several guests were already seated, sipping their tea and waiting. Nearby, between the jade cabinets, several maids in goose-yellow gowns flitted about, selecting items for the guests like butterflies.
"It's a grand shop indeed! Just browsing without buying is a real treat, but it seems the prices must be incredibly high... There's nothing I can do about it. For the sake of the demon pill, I have to bear it no matter how expensive it is."
Zhou Shu squeezed his storage bag, feeling a pang of pain.
A moment later, Xiaoyu approached, carrying a lacquer tray.
Half-crouching, she placed the tray flat in front of Zhou Shu, smiling, "Young Master, please look."
The tray was divided into four compartments, each holding a fresh demon pill, still tinged with the energy of life.
Xiaoyu pointed to a demon pill with a smile. "These four are all Golden Ring Kui Python demon pills. This one comes from a Golden Ring Kui Python that's about to advance. It's very rare, young master, don't miss it."
Zhou Shu looked closely. The demon pill she pointed to was almost identical to the one he had obtained before. He
wanted it.
He nodded and was about to speak when he saw a smaller demon pill next to it. Suddenly, he remembered something and was startled.
"Miss Xiaoyu, can I pick it up and take a look?"
"Of course, young master, please." Xiaoyu smiled and handed the tray forward.