The Pill Talisman Tower is the largest alchemist and talisman master material trading organization in the Zhenyang Sect's sphere of influence. Even the small branch in Yunling Town handles a staggering amount of transactions daily.
So Qin Gengyun expected this situation before he came.
It's not that the shopkeeper looks down on people or deliberately makes things difficult.
Because of their scale, even when collecting low-grade pills, it's done in bulk, not sporadic acquisitions.
Qin Gengyun was prepared for this, taking out a bag of Clear Wind Powder and saying to the Beard Shopkeeper:
"Shopkeeper, my Clear Wind Powder is of a higher grade than the ordinary ones. Would you like to take a look?"
The shopkeeper glanced at him, eventually taking the bag of Clear Wind Powder, opening it, and looking inside.
Subsequently, the shopkeeper's eyes flickered, looking at Qin Gengyun again, his smile becoming somewhat more sincere:
"Taoist Friend, how many bags of this quality Clear Wind Powder do you have?"
Qin Gengyun replied, "Two bags."
The shopkeeper returned the bag to Qin Gengyun, pondered for a moment, and said:
"Three spirit stones per bag, how about it?"
Qin Gengyun was taken aback, not expecting the other party to be so straightforward.
Moreover, the price was about what he estimated. It seems the Pill Talisman Tower, with its large business, isn't interested in calculating against a little loose cultivator like him.
He immediately agreed.
The shopkeeper didn't dilly-dally, promptly taking out six spirit stones.
Qin Gengyun handed over the two bags of Clear Wind Powder to the shopkeeper and accepted the spirit stones.
The Beard Shopkeeper said, "Taoist Friend, if you have more Clear Wind Powder of this quality, feel free to come over anytime."
"Alright, thank you, Shopkeeper!"
Qin Gengyun left the Pill Talisman Tower, touched the spirit stones in his arms, feeling unprecedentedly secure.
He had earned six spirit stones in one evening.
This was equivalent to two whole months' income at the Spirit Pill Workshop!
No wonder everyone wants to be an alchemist; this trade is really too lucrative!
Walking down the bustling Caifeng Street, Qin Gengyun felt lighter all over.
Thinking it over, he first went to the Spirit Rice Shop to buy ten pounds of spirit rice and hesitated a moment as he passed by the Rouge Pavilion, but eventually went in.
"Taoist Friend, are you here to buy grooming supplies?"
A woman with delicate makeup swayed over, her enthusiastic smile frozen the moment she saw Qin Gengyun.
Qin Gengyun also recognized her; she was his first matchmaking partner at the Marriage Pavilion that day.
The very one who earned two spirit stones a month but demanded a daoist partner earn ten spirit stones a month, along with three hundred spirit stones and a Spirit Vein Immortal Mansion as a dowry.
Meeting again was somewhat awkward for both, and Qin Gengyun could only smile and say:
"Taoist Friend, I want to buy a jade hairpin."
"Alright, this way, please." The female cultivator resumed her business-like smile and showed Qin Gengyun several jade hairpins.
The items in Rouge Pavilion were indeed beautiful, but also pricey.
The cheapest jade hairpin cost a whole spirit stone.
From what Qin Gengyun knew, the female cultivators living in Narrow Rain Lane rarely visited Rouge Pavilion, as the items here were too expensive.
The female cultivator dutifully introduced the products to Qin Gengyun. After a pause, she suddenly asked:
"Taoist Friend Qin, who are you planning to buy the hairpin for?"
Qin Gengyun said, "It's for my wife."
The female cultivator was slightly surprised, then resumed her smile, picking up a hairpin with a white jade lotus flower:
"This is a White Jade Lotus Hairpin, perfect for a married female cultivator to wear, elegant and dignified, gentle and virtuous."
Upon seeing it, Qin Gengyun realized this hairpin was indeed much more beautiful than the wooden hairpin that Qiu Zhihe usually wore.
He immediately nodded, "I'll buy this one."
He paid 1 spirit stone and 50 spirit coins for the lotus hairpin. Just as he was about to leave Rouge Pavilion, the female cultivator called after him:
"Taoist Friend Qin, how much dowry did your wife ask for when she married you?"
Qin Gengyun turned around, laughed, and said, "My wife didn't ask for a dowry."
Having said that, he walked out the door.
The female cultivator watched his figure quickly disappear, muttering:
"No dowry? Could his wife be a fool? Or is her appearance too lacking?"
Qin Gengyun returned to Narrow Rain Lane, entering his home, he immediately called out:
"Taoist Friend Qiu, I bought spirit rice; let's cook spirit rice porridge tonight."
Qiu Zhihe emerged from the kitchen, glanced at the spirit rice in his hand, and nodded indifferently.
Qin Gengyun scratched his cheek, feeling a bit awkward.
Usually, they ate mortal rice, so it should be a great joy to have spirit rice for once.
But seeing Qiu Zhihe's cold reaction, it seemed like she had long had her fill of it.
But upon reflection, it made sense. After all, she had practiced in a proper sect and even brought a pill furnace as dowry, suggesting she'd experienced quite a bit in the past.
Qiu Zhihe took the spirit rice bag from his hand, holding it in one hand as she entered the kitchen.
Today, Qiu Zhihe wore a black plum blossom-patterned gauze robe that fit snugly, swaying and undulating as she walked, accentuating her curves.
Qin Gengyun followed her in, standing behind her, watching her skillfully chop meat, start the fire, and cook porridge.
The bronze stove stood beside them, and Qiu Zhihe, cooking while slightly turned sideways, seemed encumbered. Qin Gengyun said:
"Taoist Friend Qiu, I sold those two bags of Clear Spirit Grass for six spirit stones. I'll continue refining pills for sale and, once we earn enough spirit stones, we can rent a bigger house."
Qiu Zhihe said nothing, but Qin Gengyun was used to this. Suddenly, he stepped forward two steps, and Qiu Zhihe turned back, her almond eyes flashing coldly:
"What are you doing?"
Qin Gengyun hurriedly stopped, taking out the White Jade Lotus Hairpin from his arms:
"This is for you. I meant to put it on for you just now."
Qiu Zhihe looked at the white jade lotus on the hairpin, her cold eyes momentarily frozen.
"Taoist Friend Qiu, you don't like it?"
Seeing her unusual expression, Qin Gengyun quickly asked.
Qiu Zhihe coldly looked at him, "I don't like lotus."
"Ah?" Qin Gengyun was taken aback, "Then... should I go exchange it at Rouge Pavilion tomorrow?"
Qiu Zhihe turned back to continue cooking porridge, ignoring him.
Qin Gengyun could only leave the kitchen with a sense of helplessness.
He had bought the hairpin for Qiu Zhihe partly to thank her for giving him the pill furnace and Clear Spirit Grass, and partly to cultivate some affection between husband and wife.
Usually, when a husband gives his wife a gift, the wife would be pleased.
But seeing Qiu Zhihe's demeanor, there was absolutely no delight.
His efforts were all in vain.
After Qiu Zhihe finished cooking the porridge, they silently ate their meal.
Qin Gengyun washed the dishes, then came out to see Qiu Zhihe already sitting by the bed. He coughed lightly and said:
"Taoist Friend Qiu, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."
Qiu Zhihe looked up at him, and Qin Gengyun continued, "Can you cultivate more of the high-quality Clear Spirit Grass like last night? It seems Pill Talisman Tower has a significant demand for high-quality Clear Wind Powder, and I'd like to refine more to sell."
Qiu Zhihe placed her hands on her knees; the black plum blossoms embroidered on her gauze robe tightly embraced her curves, yet her gaze remained cold:
"So that's why you bought me the hairpin today, to exchange for Clear Spirit Grass?"
Qin Gengyun quickly said, "Taoist Friend Qiu, you've misunderstood. If you feel disadvantaged, I can buy from you on credit at 1 spirit stone and 50 spirit coins, and as soon as I sell the Clear Wind Powder and earn spirit stones, I'll repay you immediately."
"It's time to sleep."
As he finished speaking, Qiu Zhihe raised her hand and extinguished the candle.
"Taoist Friend Qiu? Ah..."
Thirty-five breaths later.
Qin Gengyun lay in bed, incredulous, feeling joyous.
Did I actually surpass thirty breaths?
Oh my, I've made progress!
Qiu Zhihe had already turned her back, then suddenly said, "Tomorrow, I'll give you the Clear Spirit Grass... no need for spirit stones."
Qin Gengyun was momentarily stunned, then saw ethereal text appear before him:
[Husband and Wife Affection: 15/100. Stage of Relationship: Strangers, needing further understanding. Bonus: 1]
[Received 3 Cultivation Points]