Before Yu Lin could say anything, a rude voice echoed in his ears. It made him turn to its owner: a young woman with long black hair and dark green eyes. Her face was beautiful, yet it was twisted into a deep frown, as if she hated him to the bone.
"I haven't even said anything yet. Is this how you treat a customer?" Yu Lin stared at her with a displeased expression.
The young woman didn't care; her face remained unchanged. "If you're going to buy, hurry up. My time is precious."
"Convince me. I'm not lacking money, but why should I buy yellow-grade pills for such an outrageous price?" Yu Lin crossed his arms, eyeing the bottles of white pills on the stall. Each cost ten spirit stones—the equivalent of ten thousand gold coins.
"Because they're the best. Isn't that reason enough?" The young woman boasted with disdain.
"This is a joke. At the Blazing Heaven Chamber of Commerce, a perfect yellow-grade pill costs five thousand gold coins. Yours cost double. Explain why. And if you just say 'because they're better,' I'll leave immediately." Yu Lin's face darkened. If not for his selfish motives, he wouldn't waste time with that brat.
"Idiot..." the young woman muttered, picking up a bottle and turning it in a half-moon motion. "Look at the cloud pattern on the pill. It's beyond perfection."
She spoke proudly, pointing at the yellowish cloud imprinted on the pill's surface.
Yu Lin's eyes widened in surprise. "Let me see?"
"No." The young woman refused instantly, putting the bottle away. "I don't trust you. What if you steal it?"
"Irritating woman." Yu Lin didn't hold back his insult. A second later, he pulled a purple card from his pocket. "You think too highly of yourself... If I want, I can buy everything here! In fact, this entire market!"
Unable to endure it anymore, he revealed his hand.
The young woman, who had been arrogant moments before, widened her eyes. "A purple card?"
"Yes. A card that only nobles with more than a million gold coins can use. Impressive, isn't it?" Yu Lin whispered with a devilish grin.
"Here, take it." The young woman returned to normal and handed him the bottle. Yu Lin's grin grew even more sinister. The vendor involuntarily shivered.
"Can you stop with that creepy expression?"
"No." Yu Lin replied immediately. "It's fun to slap someone in the face, isn't it? It makes the blood boil."
"..."
The young woman fell silent.
"Enough joking. Let's check if the pill's pattern is real." Yu Lin stopped smiling, uncorked the bottle, and was instantly overwhelmed by the fragrance of herbs. Feeling it, he poured the pill into his hand, lifted it to his eyes, and sniffed it.
"This is real. The ingredients were refined perfectly and received the baptism of heaven and earth," he diagnosed.
For an alchemist to refine a pill with a cloud pattern, all impurities had to be extracted. If everything was done correctly, perfection was achieved. To go beyond, however, required precise Qi control, talent, and a powerful spiritual flame capable of evolving the ingredients and forming patterns on the pills.
"See? I wasn't lying. Enjoyed that slap in the face? And just so you know, you owe me ten spirit stones. Once you opened the bottle, its energy dissipated, causing me a loss." The young woman regained her arrogance.
"..."
"Fine, I'll pay. But I can offer much more if you become my personal alchemist—" Yu Lin began, only to be interrupted by her shock.
"What?" The young alchemist was stunned by the proposal.
"You want to grow stronger, don't you? That's why you're here, selling these pills. But I'm sorry to say, mortals don't understand alchemy. To them, all pills are the same. Your price will drive them away. And disciples of the Limitless Sect? They might recognize the value, but they'll bargain for the price of a perfected pill, making you lose money." Yu Lin explained, his devilish grin returning.
"Instead of wasting time here, wouldn't it be better to find a strong supporter? Allow me to introduce myself: this young master is the heir of the Blazing Heaven Chamber of Commerce, one of the most powerful in the Azure River Empire."
The young woman, listening in silence, blinked rapidly and opened her mouth in shock. Each word seemed to hit her weak point. "You're... Yu Lin?"
"Yes. Do you know me?"
"Who doesn't? The useless heir who was stuck at the Qi Condensation Realm for three years." The young woman blurted out, then immediately covered her mouth, regretful. "I'm sorry."
"Why apologize? It's the truth. I'm not childish enough to argue over nonsense." Yu Lin shook his head and shrugged. "So, will you accept my proposal? If you do, I'll tell you a secret that will make your alchemy skills soar to the heavens. I guarantee no one will be able to compete with you."
Yu Lin grew excited, his voice rising. The young alchemist, however, frowned, placed a hand on her chin, and fell into deep thought. After a while, she looked at him.
"Is this true? I don't care if you're useless or not, but tell me... are your words true?"
"I swear to the heavens: if I'm lying, may lightning strike me down." Yu Lin pointed upward with a serious expression.
"I accept. From today on, I'll be your personal alchemist." Seeing him swear, the young woman agreed. Truthfully, she had no reason to refuse. Everything the handsome young man before her had said was true. She desperately needed money. She needed to improve her skills to qualify for the Pill Pavilion's examination.
"Young master, fulfill your promise." She spoke anxiously.
"Calm down. Before I explain, lend me a drop of your blood. If you don't, I'll never reveal the secret." Yu Lin's gaze turned serious.
The new alchemist frowned, doubt flashing in her eyes, but it quickly faded. Yu Lin had sworn to the heavens—a taboo among cultivators. Because of that, she was willing to trust him.
With a determined expression, she summoned a small flame in her hand, glowing orange. She used it to lightly burn her skin, making blood flow.
Biting her lip, she collected the liquid in a vial, placing it on the table. Then she began tending to her wound.
Yu Lin watched, joy swelling inside him. Smiling, he picked up the vial and, after glancing around to ensure no one was watching, moved it discreetly below his navel. He then willed the blood to be absorbed by the Timeless Pagoda.
In an instant, the liquid vanished as if it had never existed.
"Our contract is formed. May I know your name?" Yu Lin handed back the empty vial.
The young woman, upon receiving it, froze. She stared at Yu Lin as if he were a monster. "How did you make my blood disappear?"
"I can't say here—too many eyes. How about you follow me? As for your stall... I'll buy all the bottles of pills. Twelve in total, right? I'll pay one hundred and twenty spirit stones once we're alone."
Yu Lin smiled. He had secured a talent. Even if she refused dual cultivation, the tenfold faster time would help her sharpen her skills. And if she improved, he could use her to craft unique pills.
"A true win-win relationship."