"Fire Crows?"
Su Shuangjiang paused for a moment, then nodded. "That Demon Beast is often seen at the Wilderness Border. Their bloodline is mixed, their young don't reach Entry Tier, and only adults reach the Tier One Early Stage. Their aggression is limited, but they have wings, which makes them somewhat difficult to catch."
Hearing this, Lin Changheng couldn't help but nod. His understanding of Fire Crows had deepened.
Su Shuangjiang continued, "I've heard that Fire Crow meat is tender and edible, and their Essence Blood can be used in Alchemy. Since Brother Lin is an Alchemist, could it be that you're asking about Fire Crow Essence Blood to refine a certain Pill?"
Lin Changheng looked at Su Shuangjiang in surprise. 'She's so perceptive! To think she guessed my purpose.'
The reasoning was wrong, but the conclusion was right.
However, dealing with intelligent people was simpler and more convenient; it saved him the effort of wasting his breath on deception. He immediately praised her directly, "Fairy Su is truly insightful. I do indeed have such an intention."
"Fire Crow Essence Blood is one of the main ingredients for refining the Red Flame Pill."
He revealed a few details to build a reasonable pretext, gain her trust, and simultaneously conceal his true objective.
A flash of understanding passed through Su Shuangjiang's eyes. She considered for a moment before asking, "How much do you need, Brother Lin? And when?"
"I'll need it for the next four to five months. The more, the better."
"Heh, after that, I'll probably start refining other Elixirs, and my need for Essence Blood will change. I might still have to trouble Fairy Su then."
Lin Changheng added another layer of misdirection, mixing truth with lies to completely obscure his real goal.
"There's no need for thanks, Brother Lin. Just as you said earlier, as long-term neighbors, we should naturally help and support each other."
Su Shuangjiang replied with a smile of her own.
"Of course."
Lin Changheng nodded, affirming their relationship.
The two chatted for a little longer. Seeing that it was getting late, Su Shuangjiang took her leave, and Lin Changheng saw her out with a smile.
As he watched her figure disappear,
Lin Changheng couldn't help but smile. 'Pill Masters truly have a different status and reputation. But she came at the perfect time, solving two major problems for me.'
First was the problem of finding another channel to sell his Elixirs.
Lin Changheng couldn't sell any more Elixirs at the Xu Family's Alchemy Shop. It would be too conspicuous and attract unwanted attention.
Selling them in large quantities in the Marketplace himself wasn't realistic either; he'd be exposed sooner or later.
Selling them at the Black Market outside the Marketplace was an option, but it was too dangerous. Lin Changheng ruled it out immediately.
As a Middle Stage Cultivator at the Sixth Layer of Qi Cultivation, Su Shuangjiang had her own network and channels. She could handle the sales perfectly, allowing him to remain hidden in the background. So what if she took a small cut?
Second was acquiring Essence Blood.
Through personal channels, it was difficult to directly purchase large quantities of Demon Beast Essence Blood. Such transactions were usually handled between factions.
Even if he did manage to buy it, it would be too strange and would arouse suspicion.
It wasn't a safe approach.
Therefore, it was much better to go through Su Shuangjiang, who could then use Loose Cultivators to acquire it, thereby diverting attention.
That way, the Spirit Stealing for his Fire Crow Treasure Seed would be supported by two channels simultaneously, and its growth would surely be rapid.
...
Lin Changheng was in an excellent mood. Back in his room, he looked at the two Spirit Stones and two Talismans in the gift basket on his table.
With a thought, he took them out and inspected them several times with his naked eye, then used the Spirit Detecting Skill to examine them closely.
After confirming they hadn't been tampered with, he put them away. He planned to spend the Spirit Stones soon.
As for the Talismans.
One was a Lower Grade Divine Movement Talisman. After activating it with Magical Power and slapping it onto his leg, he could burst into high speed and run for over ten li without feeling tired.
The other was a Lower Grade Golden Shield Talisman. Once activated, it would form a shield in front of him capable of blocking one full-power attack from a Lower Grade Magical Artifact.
They were both life-saving Talismans, perfectly suited for his needs.
'But this also reminds me, the Marketplace is about to fall into chaos. I should take the Spirit Stones I have on hand and buy a few more Talismans for protection. It'll give me more peace of mind.'
'Spirit Stones don't lay eggs. Hoarding them is useless. Converting them into strength and skills is the only true way.'
Although the Marketplace was relatively safe for now, it wasn't like a safe zone in a game's main city from his previous life, where targeting was disabled by game rules. If some maniac decided to risk their life to break the rules and kill you, what good would it be to have "The other party was entirely at fault" carved on your tombstone?
Lin Changheng understood this very clearly.
...
「The next day.」
Lin Changheng began his Alchemy again. After performing the hand seals for the Pill Formula, he had his apprentice watch the fire while he left the shop.
He changed into a long robe in a street corner, put on a bamboo hat, and walked to the Profound Talisman Hall in the central area of the Marketplace.
This Profound Talisman Hall was run by the Talisman-Making Song Family, one of the Cultivation Families.
Their reputation, credibility, and quality were all guaranteed.
In this region, the Upper Sect Purple Extreme Sect was the leader, with the Noble Families following close behind.
They had a long inheritance, a Fake Core Ancestor presiding over them, and several Foundation Establishment cultivators for support.
"Fellow Daoist, what a rare guest! I wonder what kind of Talismans you're looking for? Or perhaps Talisman Materials? Our hall has everything you could possibly need. I guarantee you'll arrive full of expectation and leave completely satisfied."
A young woman fanning herself with a round silk fan walked out. Her eyebrows were like willow leaves in early spring, and her waist swayed as she moved. Her voluptuous figure was like a ripe peach, so succulent it seemed a single touch would release its juices.
The young woman showed no hint of surprise at Lin Changheng's concealed attire; she was clearly used to it.
"I'd like to see your Lower Grade and Middle Grade Talismans, primarily defense and control types."
A gruff voice emerged from under the bamboo hat.
"Of course. This way please, Fellow Daoist."
Soon, a dozen or so types of Talismans were laid out on the counter. With Lin Changheng's silent consent, the young woman began to introduce them one by one in a soft, sweet voice.
From time to time, she would lift her charming, almond-shaped eyes to observe Lin Changheng's reaction. If he showed interest in a certain Talisman, she would focus her description on it, her words weaving an eloquent tapestry.
But the result disappointed her. The man standing opposite her was like a wooden block, showing no reaction whatsoever.
"Give me one Lower Grade Ice Talisman, one Lower Grade Wood Vine Talisman, and one Middle Grade Wind-controlling Talisman and Golden Light Talisman… Hmm, just those four!"
The Lower Grade Ice Talisman and Wood Vine Talisman were both for control; the former was a Water Element freezing effect, the latter a Wood Element Entanglement effect.
As for the Middle Grade Wind-controlling Talisman, its purpose was just as the name implied: to ride the wind and lighten the body. Placed on oneself, it allowed for rapid travel a foot off the ground, far surpassing the Lower Grade Divine Movement Talisman. It was perfect for making a quick escape.
The Middle Grade Golden Light Talisman was similar. Compared to the Lower Grade Golden Shield Talisman, it could protect the entire body without any gaps.
A moment later, the voice spoke from under the bamboo hat again, causing the young woman's face to blossom into a smile. The magnificent pair before her trembled without end,
This sale had clearly pleased her greatly.
"Would you like to upgrade to Masterpiece Talismans?"
the young woman asked with another smile.
"I would love to, but Masterpiece Talismans cost nearly double. I don't have that many Spirit Stones!"
Lin Changheng's voice was cold as he added with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "Unless this Fairy is willing to give me a discount?"
"Well… Heh, it's a small business, a small business. We can't haggle on the price."
The young woman said no more. She took out four Talismans from the counter and handed them over. "Lower Grade Talismans are one Spirit Stone each, Middle Grade are three each. That will be a total of eight Spirit Stones."
Lin Changheng glanced over them. The Talismans shimmered with Spiritual Light, and the brushwork was powerful. They were of much better quality than the ones Su Shuangjiang had gifted him, likely made by an experienced Talisman Master.
'The Talisman-Making Song Family truly lives up to its reputation.'
He thought to himself, then handed the Spirit Stones to the young woman to count. Without another word, he put away the Talismans and left.
Behind the counter, the young woman watched his cautious figure and couldn't help but cover her mouth with her hand and chuckle lightly.
...
After changing back into his original clothes and returning to the Xu Family's Alchemy Shop, an apprentice greeted him with a smile.
"Alchemist Lin, there's a letter for you."