"Master Liu, please take a look—these are all top-grade medicinal ingredients, their potency perfectly preserved!"
"This way, Master Liu, look at this White Spirit Leaf—it's still so fresh, with dew glistening on its surface…"
"Master Liu, and this Violet Rhythmic Ganoderma, carefully roasted by a special method to expel moisture and seal its medicinal power inside…"
Wherever Liu Xi walked, countless alchemists eagerly introduced their herbs, throwing away all pride and composure, shouting like vendors in a bustling market. It wasn't only because of the 7th Tier Alchemist badge gleaming on his chest—it was because whenever Liu Xi showed interest, his spending was generous and decisive, rarely haggling.
Hands clasped behind his back, Liu Xi strolled past the stone platforms, sometimes shaking his head, sometimes nodding, occasionally tossing out a fortune without hesitation. By the time he had circled half the square, his harvest was already quite impressive.
Then suddenly, he stopped. His gaze fixed on a gray stone the size of a clenched fist, displayed upon a nearby stall. A small chip on one edge revealed a crimson, crystal-like texture within—liquid shimmered faintly inside it, as if blood flowed within the gem, and bound within was an astonishing surge of medicinal energy.
Liu Xi's eyes flickered as he glanced over the other surrounding herbs, noting that each was of high value and quality.
"Master Liu," a calm voice spoke, "among these materials, is there anything that catches your eye?"
Looking up, Liu Xi saw that the stall belonged to none other than the 7th Tier Alchemist Zhao Yan, who now smiled kindly, his eyes filled with faint admiration—partly for Liu Xi's age, and partly for his evident talent.
Liu Xi pointed at the gray stone and asked with a light smile, "How much for this stone?"
Zhao Yan turned toward it and said with sudden realization, "Ah, you mean the Earth Vein Blood Essence. It nourishes the meridians and strengthens blood vitality. Many 8th Tier Pills require this essence as one of their main ingredients. Since fate allows us to meet today, I'll let it go for just one 7th Tier Pill that's useful to me."
Liu Xi blinked, genuinely surprised—Zhao Yan was unexpectedly forthright. That was a fair price, without any sign of greed. After a brief thought, Liu Xi flicked his wrist, and a jade bottle appeared in his hand. He unsealed it, revealing a faintly glowing pill the size of a longan.
"This is a mid-level 7th Tier Pill—Life Returning Pill. As long as one's head isn't severed or their heart destroyed, this pill can preserve life. Using it to trade for the Earth Vein Blood Essence, I'd say that's fair to both sides."
Zhao Yan's eyes lit up. He rose to his feet, took the bottle with a dry but steady hand, and removed the stopper. A rich medicinal fragrance filled the air. After examining the pill and confirming its authenticity, Zhao Yan carefully stored it away and smiled contentedly. "Excellent! I'm quite satisfied. Then this Earth Vein Blood Essence belongs to Master Liu."
With a wave of his sleeve, Liu Xi drew the gray stone into his storage ring. "Then I won't stand on ceremony."
Fortune truly favored him today—two main materials for the Zun Shi Pill in a single day. Combined with the herbs he had gathered over months of travel, he finally possessed all the ingredients for at least one complete refinement.
'Once I refine the Zun Shi Pill and my name spreads,' Liu Xi mused, 'strong experts will come to me of their own accord, bringing treasures and materials in hopes I'll help them. That'll save me the trouble of hunting for herbs myself.'
Zhao Yan, meanwhile, smiled as he tucked the pill away. To him, owning a Life Returning Pill meant holding another life in reserve. Even if he didn't need it, it could one day save a friend or loved one. He couldn't be more satisfied.
"Haha… Master Liu, feel free to look around. I've plenty of rare materials here—perhaps you'll spot something else of interest."
Liu Xi checked the stall again, then shook his head slightly. "Not for now, but I appreciate your generosity, Master Zhao." He clasped his hands in thanks before moving to the next row.
Nearby, a 5th Tier Alchemist who had been watching the exchange gaped in disbelief. To trade away a 7th Tier Pill so casually—his heart burned with envy. 'A 7th Tier Pill! Those are priceless even on the open market!'
When Liu Xi approached, the man hurriedly stepped forward, voice trembling with excitement.
"Master Liu, please—take a look! Every herb here is of the finest quality…"
…
By the time night fell and a crescent moon rose over the city, Liu Xi and Xiao Yixian had finished their trades. Under the respectful farewell of Zhou Wei, the pair walked down the dimly lit street, their shadows long and overlapping beneath the moonlight.
Compared to the daytime bustle, the streets were now quiet and serene. Xiao Yixian's lips curved slightly, her eyes glimmering with contentment, her steps light and lively.
Liu Xi chuckled. "You look rather happy. I take it today's harvest was good?"
Xiao Yixian nodded, her voice soft and sweet. "I managed to trade for quite a few rare herbs. With proper preparation, I can craft some new venoms to strengthen my Poison Pill's potency. That alone is worth the trip. But it seems you're smiling even wider, Young Master—surely your gains were greater than mine?"
Liu Xi's grin deepened. "You could say that. With today's finds, I've gathered every material needed for the Zun Shi Pill. Tomorrow, I'll begin refining it. Once I succeed, I'll officially be an 8th Tier Alchemist. When that happens, even Dou Zun experts will line up to work for me—no more scouring the lands for ingredients myself."
Laughing together, they returned to their inn. After a brief wash, Liu Xi said calmly, "Rest well. We'll need a full night's focus. Tomorrow—we open the cauldron."
Xiao Yixian smiled softly. "Yes, Young Master. I'll be right here."
After some bedtime "exercise" they fell asleep.
The next morning, within that same inn room, Liu Xi prepared to refine the Zun Shi Pill. If he was going to shock the world in one move, there was no point in doing it quietly—he would make sure there were witnesses.
He instructed Xiao Yixian to guard the room and let no one approach. With her power as a peak 5-Star Dou Zun, Liu Xi had nothing to fear.
Once fully rested, he waved his hand. A massive cauldron—the Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron, ranked among the Heavenly Cauldrons—descended before him, settling gently on the floor.
Then, one by one, jade boxes floated out from his ring, hovering before him in a neat row. Within them lay dozens of rare main and auxiliary ingredients—the Snow Region Cold Lotus, the Earth Vein Blood Essence, and many more. Refining an 8th Tier Pill was a colossal endeavor.
After a final review, Liu Xi closed his eyes, recalling every step and detail of the Zun Shi Pill's refinement sequence. Though this would be his first real attempt, he had already rehearsed it countless times within his mind over the past half year.
When he opened his deep, starry eyes again, his voice was steady and calm.
"Let's begin."
At that moment, Liu Xi was utterly confident.
(End of Chapter)
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