Before Bai Mo could even get back to his shop, the streets were already flooded with people.
The shouts of the law enforcement team occasionally cut through the noise, likely dealing with some reckless petty thief.
This was exactly why Bai Mo was so cautious.
Someone with his slight build was a favorite target for those who made a living in the shadows.
Carrying the snakeskin bag, Bai Mo struggled to push his way through the crowd, finally making it back to his shop.
He slipped into his living quarters at the back, stashed the snakeskin bag under his bed, then went into the storefront and quickly took down the door shutters.
He laid out all the Pills from his inventory, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
There were nine bottles of Qi Absorption Pills, and sixteen bottles each of Righteous Qi Pills and Condensed Dew Pills.
If he sold them all, he would earn a total of sixty-five Spirit Stones, giving him some working capital again.
Just a moment ago, Bai Mo had spent fifty-one Spirit Stones, leaving him with only two for emergencies.
Including the value of his Pills, his net worth was already considered quite impressive in Immortal Arrival City.
After a moment of thought, Bai Mo took half the stock back off the shelves, planning to restock them as they sold.
With no customers yet, Bai Mo sat in his shop, took out the Pill Book, and began to read and ponder.
'The refining process for the Evil Exorcism Pill is still too unstable. A lot of its medicinal power is being wasted.'
This was why he required a deposit from anyone who asked him to refine Evil Exorcism Pills.
If an accident really did happen, costing him time, effort, and resources, the deposit would ensure he had enough funds to keep his business afloat.
Thinking about it, Bai Mo rubbed the bridge of his nose.
'Without any similar failed Pills to study, my deductions on the Evil Exorcism Pill have pretty much hit a wall.'
'Not unless my comprehension can reach a whole new level!'
He pushed aside his thoughts on the Evil Exorcism Pill and turned his attention back to the Qi Blood Pill.
'I feel like this Pill can be improved even more…'
He was lost in thought when he suddenly heard a tapping sound on the shelf.
Bai Mo looked up and saw a familiar customer.
"What can I get for you today?"
The man was also from a Demon Hunting Team, but not the same one as Lanshan. He was a wiry, capable-looking fellow.
Bai Mo didn't know his name, but he had seen Lanshan nod a greeting to the man before, so he figured he must be someone of note within the Demon Hunting Teams.
"A bottle of Qi Absorption Pills and two bottles of Condensed Dew Pills."
After speaking, he hesitated for a moment, then added, "Actually, make that another bottle of Qi Absorption Pills."
Bai Mo quickly retrieved the Pills and handed them over, accepting the ten Spirit Stones the man offered.
This was a sizable sale. The Cultivators from the Demon Hunting Teams were all major consumers of Pills.
The wiry man took the Pills and turned to leave, just as he always did.
But before he could leave the shop, Bai Mo called out to him.
"Excuse me, Senior. Is it true that something big and terrible has happened on Celestial Barrier Mountain?"
The wiry man turned back, thought for a moment, and said:
"Not massive, but it's no small danger either. If you really run into it..."
"You just have to trust your fate. That's how it is for people like us."
He left as soon as he finished speaking.
"The demon hunting business never lacks for new blood. It won't affect your business, Shopkeeper."
Bai Mo was silent for a moment. He restocked the Pills on the shelf, then sat back down behind the counter, keeping most of his body hidden from view, with the Pill Book in his hands.
The Pill Book wasn't of much practical use to him anymore, but holding it like this made it easier for him to get into the right state of mind.
'I've spent a long time building up these connections. I really hope it doesn't all go down the drain.'
The Pill Formulas passed down through generations were designed to have the most optimal ratio of ingredients, ensuring not a single bit of medicinal property was wasted.
They were the most cost-effective ratios for achieving the maximum medicinal effect.
But Bai Mo's idea was different. He wanted to change some of the ingredients or their ratios, even if it meant increasing the cost, in order to enhance a specific medicinal property.
Bai Mo was quite proud of being able to do this. In all of Immortal Arrival City, his shop was the only one that could.
Altering the ratios was no small matter.
This was also why the Pills in his shop were more expensive.
The cost might be higher, but the increased price also meant he earned more Spirit Stones. At the very least, it could attract customers and boost sales.
The Qi Blood Pill was a different case. It was the result of Bai Mo refining and simplifying that failed pill he'd found.
Its various ratios and medicinal powers had yet to reach their optimal state.
If Bai Mo dared to be bolder, there was even more room for improvement...
The morning passed by uneventfully.
Likely due to the chaos on Celestial Barrier Mountain, sales for Condensed Dew Pills and Righteous Qi Pills—two Pills commonly used for mountain expeditions—were not great.
He had only sold a little over thirty percent of his stock.
However, the Qi Absorption Pills were completely sold out.
The afternoon market crowd wasn't as large, so Bai Mo gave up on his hope of clearing out his inventory.
After eating a dry flatbread and drinking a bowl of water, Bai Mo devoted his full attention to analyzing the Qi Blood Pill.
'If I can add more medicinal herbs that replenish vital essence and blood to the Qi Blood Pill, it could eliminate more of the side effects and maybe even produce some miraculous new ones.'
'If only someone would use the Qi Blood Pill a few times and give me some feedback, it would give me a better idea of how to proceed…'
During this time, only a couple of customers interrupted Bai Mo's deep thoughts, buying two bottles of Condensed Dew Pills.
As a result, Bai Mo felt he had gained a great deal from his afternoon of analysis.
Before dusk, the stall owners on the street outside began packing up one by one, leaving in groups with those they knew.
The Law Enforcement Team had been active all day, their weapons even having drawn blood, but this clearly didn't give the stall owners a complete sense of security.
Bai Mo put up one half of the door shutters, barricaded the entrance with a shelf, and sat by the doorway watching people hurry by.
In truth, he wanted to glean some news from the other stall owners.
After a full day of business, these people had heard all sorts of rumors and would often exchange them at this time.
"Sigh, I don't dare go into the mountains these days. With parents to support and children to feed, I can't afford for anything to happen..."
"If you don't go into the mountains, how will you eat?!"
"We'll just have to tighten our belts and get through it. It's not the end of the world. If something happens to me, my kids will have it even worse. Haven't you seen? Even the Demon Hunting Teams don't dare go into the mountains anymore!"
RUMBLE!
A dull clap of thunder rolled across the darkening sky. Seeing this, everyone began to walk even faster.
"I heard a few Demon Hunting Teams managed to escape, but barely one in ten survived. Tsk, tsk."
"Damn it all, that big family is making a move again. And of all times, right when the Miaofa Sect is about to get involved!"
"Shhh..."
A few members of the Law Enforcement Team walked over and let out a heavy grunt, and the crowd immediately dispersed.
Suddenly, one of the law enforcement members let out a soft "Huh?" and noticed Bai Mo, who was getting up to put on the other door shutter.
He exchanged a few quiet words with his companions, then sized Bai Mo up for a few moments, not bothering to hide his stare.
Bai Mo's heart skipped a beat, but he pretended not to notice. He secured the door shutter, blocking the gazes from outside.
He didn't know what the Law Enforcement Team was thinking, but being noticed was always unsettling.
His mind racing with various thoughts, Bai Mo hurried back to his living quarters. He set a bronze pot on the fire, added some medicinal herbs and mutton, stir-fried them for a bit, then put the lid on to let it simmer.
This was a cooking skill he had picked up while practicing how to process medicinal herbs.
The concoction in the pot could be called a medicinal stew.
Night had fallen. Raindrops pattered against the ground and the roof, the start of a heavy downpour.
The firelight flickered, bringing a sense of warmth. Bai Mo waited quietly, his expression shifting from time to time.
'I need to find a way to protect myself.'
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The forceful pounding on the door startled Bai Mo, but he recognized it as the work of a regular customer.
He casually pulled a log from the fire to reduce the flames and quickly walked out.
The moment he removed the door shutter, the overwhelming stench of blood hit him, forcing him to take half a step back.
"Shopkeeper Bai, it's me!"
Bai Mo focused his eyes and saw it was Lanshan!
The burly man was carrying one person on his back and had two more tucked under his arms. His head and face were covered in blood, which streamed down his cheeks.
This strapping man was panting heavily, steam rising from his body. It was a shocking sight, but Bai Mo could tell from his expression that he was on the verge of collapse.
"Quick, get inside."
Bai Mo was horrified. He recognized the aura of his own Qi Blood Pill coming from the man.
'He used a Qi Blood Pill, and it had this kind of effect!?'
Lanshan dropped the two men from under his arms and then swung the one on his back into the shop.
He was about to step inside when he suddenly froze, whipped around, and roared furiously.
"You damn lackeys! What are you looking at!?"
"Believe it or not, I'll carve you up and feed you to the wolves in the mountains!"
His voice boomed like thunder, scaring away several servants from a prominent family who had been peeking furtively.
Seeing them flee, Lanshan finally entered the shop.
Bai Mo had just put the door shutter back up when he saw Lanshan slump against the wall.
"Shopkeeper Bai, help me!"