The spacious square of the Spirit Medicine Pavilion bustled with excitement. At its center stood a high platform paved with green stone, upon which a middle-aged man in ornate robes stood proudly. A badge with 5th Tier Alchemist insignia gleamed on his chest.
Standing before the crowd, the middle-aged alchemist swept his sharp gaze across the gathered figures, a genial smile curling at his lips. "Today, I welcome all my fellow alchemists and friends to participate in the Medicine Exchange Gathering organized by our Spirit Medicine Pavilion. This time, the event will be hosted by me, Zhou Wei. As always, the purpose of the gathering is to promote communication among us alchemists and to help each other obtain the medicinal ingredients we need. I hope everyone will leave satisfied and rewarded!"
He paused, his voice steady and confident. "As usual, our Spirit Medicine Pavilion will take the lead. Everyone, please take a look!"
With a wave of his hand, Zhou Wei's palms faced upward, and a pristine jade box materialized before him. He opened the lid with care, and at once, a wave of chilling mist spilled out, laced with a faint, refreshing fragrance that permeated the entire plaza. The eyes of the surrounding alchemists immediately lit up.
"Snow Region Cold Lotus, gathered from the peak of the Extreme Northern Heavenly Mountain," Zhou Wei announced proudly. "It is born from the purest cold energy between heaven and earth — a perfect treasure for enhancing Dou Qi. Its value speaks for itself, so I'll let everyone bid freely!"
The words had barely fallen when a white-haired old man raised his hand. From the badge pinned to his chest, it was clear he was a 6th Tier High-Level Alchemist.
"I'll offer two 6th Tier Qi Overflowing Pills and three 5th Tier Blood Dissolving Pills in exchange for the Snow Region Cold Lotus."
The plaza fell silent for a moment — that was an extremely generous offer.
"As expected of the Thousand Profound Sect's consecrated elder," someone whispered. "He really is loaded. Handing out 6th Tier pills like they're nothing."
"Who can compare? With an entire sect supplying him with ingredients, of course he can afford it. But even so, who knows who'll win the Cold Lotus today?"
Up on the platform, Zhou Wei maintained his calm, polite smile as he closed the jade box again. "Master Ma bids two Qi Overflowing Pills and three Blood Dissolving Pills. Does anyone wish to offer higher? The Snow Region Cold Lotus is right here before your eyes — don't miss your chance!"
"Three Zong Breaking Pills!"
A calm voice sounded through the crowd, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
All who had come to the exchange were alchemists — most of them 4th or 5th Tier, a handful 6th Tier, and only two among them were 7th Tier Alchemists.
The speaker was one of those two. Tall and refined in appearance, his expression tranquil and confident. Beside him stood a graceful young woman — none other than Liu Xi and Xiao Yixian, who, after half a year of wandering through the northern regions, had happened upon this exchange gathering.
"Three Zong Breaking Pills! Such extravagance! As expected of a 7th Tier Alchemist."
"Indeed, even a 6th Tier Alchemist with a great sect behind him can't match that. Master Ma won't dare raise the bid."
As murmurs filled the crowd, Zhou Wei's smile grew brighter. "Master Liu bids three Zong Breaking Pills! Any other offers?"
All eyes turned toward the other 7th Tier Alchemist, a man in a black robe. But the man merely smiled faintly at Liu Xi and made no attempt to compete.
Liu Xi returned the smile, then looked to Zhou Wei, signaling that he could finalize the exchange.
Understanding immediately, Zhou Wei raised his voice, "Then this Snow Region Cold Lotus shall belong to Master Liu!"
Stepping down from the platform, Zhou Wei approached Liu Xi with a polite bow. "Master Liu, the Snow Region Cold Lotus is yours."
Liu Xi took out three jade bottles, each containing a Zong Breaking Pill. For him, such pills no longer held much value. Zhou Wei carefully verified the pills' authenticity before exchanging them for the jade box, smiling apologetically as he returned to the stage.
Liu Xi chuckled softly and stored the Snow Region Cold Lotus in his ring — this was one of the key ingredients for refining the Zun Shi Pill, and obtaining it made this trip worthwhile.
Zhou Wei returned to the stage and produced a second jade box. When he opened it, a vibrant green fruit gleamed under the sunlight.
"This is a Cangqing Fruit, a rare fruit that takes a hundred years to mature on the ancient Cangqing Tree. It greatly strengthens vitality and blood essence. Everyone, please make your offers!"
Liu Xi showed no interest in this one. After a brief round of bidding, it was bought by Master Ma with two Mighty Huang Pills and two Qi Overflowing Pills.
Next, Zhou Wei opened the third jade box, revealing a radiant orchid with eight vividly colored petals.
"Eight-Petal Spirit Orchid," Zhou Wei announced. "It absorbs the faint purple glow of the newborn sun. It can slightly enhance soul growth — and as fellow alchemists, I need not remind you how vital the soul is to our craft!"
This caught Liu Xi's attention for a moment. He examined the orchid thoughtfully under the light. "It can indeed slightly activate the soul. Similar to the Seven Illusion Green Spirit Saliva, but since my soul is already at the Spirit Realm, it's of no use to me."
Liu Xi passed on it, but others didn't. The black-robed 7th Tier Alchemist, Zhao Yan, showed visible excitement. In the end, the Eight-Petal Spirit Orchid was his — traded for a 7th Tier Cloud Spirit Pill.
Zhao Yan's eyes gleamed with gratitude as he glanced at Liu Xi, aware that if not for Liu Xi's restraint, this treasure would never have been his.
Once the trade concluded, Zhou Wei returned to the stage and spread his arms wide. "Now, everyone may disperse and freely exchange your own materials or items. May all of you gain something fruitful from today's gathering!"
Instantly, the crowd scattered, each alchemist occupying a stone platform and laying out their spare materials — herbs, spirit fruits, and even old scrolls.
Xiao Yixian's bright eyes sparkled as she gazed over the countless rare herbs on display. Her voice carried a hint of longing.
After all, refining poisons required herbs too — especially toxic ones — and the more diverse, the stronger her concoctions could become.
"Young Master, I want to…"
Liu Xi smiled faintly, removing a spare storage ring and handing it to her. "There are plenty of 4th Tier and higher pills inside. Trade for whatever you need — don't worry about saving them for me."
Xiao Yixian's eyes curved in delight as she accepted the ring. "Thank you, Young Master!"
Beaming with joy, she turned and headed toward the stalls that piqued her interest.
Meanwhile, Liu Xi strolled leisurely across the plaza, his Spiritual Power quietly spreading out, scanning the surrounding stalls and herbs — selecting those that caught his attention.
(End of Chapter)
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