This matter was feasible, but for Wang Yu, it was unnecessary.
The trap was already set; he just needed to wait for the right time. Whenever True Disciple Su wanted to find him, Zhao Shang would naturally face consequences.
If he never came looking, it didn't matter; he could eventually take revenge himself!
On the other hand, although he had long heard of Su Qingshan's reputation, this was their first meeting. Directly discussing killing the manager of the Ice Snow Pavilion was a bit too audacious.
Speaking intimately despite shallow acquaintance was a major taboo; giving trust was even more foolish.
Su Qingshan was different from the reckless fool who ambushed him last time. This was a ruthless individual who had truly climbed from the bottom of the demonic path and had hopes of Foundation Establishment. Who knew what his real intentions were?
Keeping a respectful distance was Wang Yu's attitude.
After three rounds of drinks and finishing the food, Wang Yu stood up to take his leave. Su Qingshan watched his departing figure for a long time without getting up.
"To emerge from among the spirit slaves, he's indeed not an easy mark. Figuring out the second-grade spiritual pill Tantai Chan refined through him will probably be very difficult."
Muttering to himself, Su Qingshan felt a pang when settling the bill—over a hundred spirit stones spent. After leaving the Eight Treasures Restaurant, he didn't return to the Ice Snow Pavilion but went to the residence of a Foundation Establishment steward.
Rolling over the wall into the compound, a scented breeze accompanied a large shadow pressing down. Su Qingshan stiffened, not daring to dodge, forcing a strained smile.
"Darling..."
"Husband~"
Thick, meaty red lips forcefully pressed against the corner of his mouth. The stench that even rouge and powder couldn't掩盖 (yǎngài - cover, conceal) almost made Su Qingshan vomit. For the sake of the Foundation Establishment Pill, he could only endure his physiological instincts, spouting sweet nothings.
After a long while, he finally caught his breath.
"Darling, are you sure Steward Tantai refined a Foundation Establishment Pill?"
"Husband~
How can you not believe me? Father said it himself."
"I believe! Of course, I believe!"
Actually, a normal Foundation Establishment Pill wouldn't require such great effort to scheme for. For example, the second-grade low-tier Reverse Blood Pill was also a type of Foundation Establishment Pill.
What required scheming were usually high-grade Foundation Establishment Pills that could increase the success rate by fifty or sixty percent. Su Qingshan approached Wang Yu just to verify if the information was true.
During the six months Tantai Chan was refining pills, Wang Yu happened to be working there as a herb farmer, so the probability of him knowing some information was quite high.
If he were to plot to seize it, he would have to take great risks.
Therefore, he needed confirmation from multiple sources before daring to gamble, also as a way to bolster his own resolve.
"Let's not talk about that, darling. The spiritual pill your father gave you..."
"Here it is, husband. Quickly refine it. Once you break through to Foundation Establishment, we can be together forever."
"I, Su Qingshan, swear I will marry Xu Jiaojiao in this lifetime!"
"Don't speak. Kiss me—"
Tonight was destined to be sleepless.
...
...
Wang Yu didn't know what happened with Su Qingshan. By now, he had returned from the [Halls Market] and was in an ordinary cave residence in the Evil God Market.
It only had simple soundproofing and protective restrictions.
Among the first-grade pill formulas, he only exchanged three, costing fifty contribution points in total.
Fasting Pill and Spirit Restoration Pill formulas together cost only ten points. The most expensive was a popular wonder pill, in high demand.
It was called [Multitude Marvel Pill], specifically for use in the bedchamber, giving both parties, or even multiple parties, the pleasure of reaching the ultimate marvelous state.
The first two pills only required one month of placement to reach perfection, conveniently fitting his plan to apply at the Xu Family Pill Shop in two months. If he could refine these two first-grade spiritual pills, he might become the pill shop's alchemist.
After all, these were the two most widely sold pills, never lacking a market.
**[Slot 3: Multitude Marvel Pill]**
**[Multitude Marvel Pill (0/100): Twenty-four practices per day. Mastery achievable in seventy-two days.]**
One batch every two hours. This pill was relatively complex among first-grade pills, requiring higher skill.
After observing, Wang Yu still replaced it with the Fasting Pill, prioritizing preparations for the Xu Family Pill Shop's opening in two months. Building fame could come later.
Fasting Pills and Spirit Restoration Pills were both affordable pills and essential for out-of-sect missions.
A bottle sold for around one hundred spirit stones, up to two hundred depending on the grade—moderately priced.
One Fasting Pill could last three to six months. Spirit Restoration Pills restored thirty to sixty percent of spiritual power. Both had good practicality.
The Multitude Marvel Pill was different; it was an enjoyment-type spiritual pill. Those who could afford it had decent assets, costing three hundred to five hundred spirit stones per bottle.
Wang Yu estimated he only needed five hundred spirit stones as startup capital to get the cycle going, accumulating more over time.
Having set this goal, Wang Yu began a period of arduous cultivation: seated meditation to refine Qi, and studying alchemy.
In the blink of an eye, two months passed.
**Day 250 of outer disciple life.** The Xu Family Pill Shop opened yesterday. Wang Yu chose to come the day after to avoid the dense crowds of the grand opening.
The owner of the Xu Family Pill Shop was the cloud-crowned, white-templed cultivator he had seen at Tantai's herb garden—also a second-grade mid-tier alchemist, who seemed interested in pursuing Tantai Chan.
He was from the Reverse Blood Sect's First Peak, [Blood Nether Peak], also a Nascent Soul dao field. Establishing himself in the Evil God Market was actually a common choice among many Foundation Establishment stewards.
The market in one's own peak was hard to thrive in; the networks were too deep, requiring extensive connections and favors. Coming to the Evil God Market was more comfortable.
Newly opened shops generally had various discounts.
Even coming the next day, there was still considerable foot traffic. Entering this three-story pavilion with a backyard, Wang Yu was immediately attended to by a shop assistant.
"Fellow Daoist, are you interested in spiritual pills?"
"I wanted to ask if the Xu Family Pill Shop is recruiting alchemists."
"This—"
Before he could answer, a richly dressed young man came down from the pavilion, his expression disgusted. "No, we're not. Where did this third-layer Qi Refining cultivator come from? With that cultivation level, can he even refine pills?"
Wang Yu frowned, not expecting to fail before even starting.
He never liked conflict, and there were many pill shops in the Ten Reverse Blood Markets. At worst, he could try the Alchemy Hall. Changing his mind, he turned to leave.
"Wait, young friend."
At that moment, a somewhat aged voice stopped him. Turning around, he saw an old man with a white beard, at the late Qi Refining stage, probably around one hundred twenty or thirty—rare to live this long in the demonic path.
Wang Yu gave him face, cupping his hands. "May I ask why you stopped me, Elder?"
"The Xu Family Pill Shop does recruit alchemists. Which spiritual pills can you refine?"
"Fasting Pills, Spirit Restoration Pills."
"Good, good, good. Steward Xu is worried about insufficient energy and wants to focus on refining second-grade spiritual pills. He instructed me to find suitable first-grade alchemists for him. You, young friend, are just right."
The richly dressed young man approached at this point, his face full of disdain. "Grandfather, this kid is only at the third layer of Qi Refining and just an outer disciple. If he ruins the pill shop's reputation, we can't bear the responsibility."
Good heavens, Wang Yu thought he was the young master of the pill shop, speaking so rudely. Turns out he's just the grandson of a manager—what's there to be so arrogant about?!!
The white-bearded elder nodded and shook his head upon hearing this.
"Young friend, according to the rules, if you have a token from the Alchemy Hall, you can start directly. If not, you must pass an assessment to verify your skills before employment. What is your intention?"
(End of Chapter)