Chapter 25 : A Profitable Alchemy Discovery

For instance, the Spirit Medicine required to refine the Qi Gathering Pill, the Qi Nurturing Grass, would cost fifteen Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] per portion if purchased at the Yuyang Market, but here, it only required thirteen Spirit Stone.

At these prices, succeeding with just three pills from a single alchemical batch would yield a profit of two Spirit Stone.

Seizing this opportunity, Eldrin Chen decisively purchased five portions of Qi Absorption Herb [a common herb used in basic cultivation pills], intending to use them to further hone his Alchemy [the art of refining spiritual pills and elixirs].

After acquiring several batches of spiritual herbs and browsing the market a while longer, he discovered that the most cost-effective items here were the flesh and blood of demonic beasts.

Compared to Yu County, the price for demonic beast flesh here was more than forty percent cheaper. The Chen Clan's Azure Spirit Fish [a fish imbued with spiritual energy] could fetch five Spirit Stone at the Yuyang Market, but here, an equivalent amount of demonic beast flesh sold for only three Spirit Stone.

"Celestial Ruins Mountain [a mountain range bordering a vast marshland] borders the Vast and Boundless Marsh [an immense and perilous wetland], where demonic beasts are far too common," he mused. "No wonder the prices are so low here."

"In contrast, Yu County lies within the Chu Kingdom [a human kingdom]. Over countless centuries, the demonic beasts there have been purged almost entirely, making their remains far more scarce."

The flesh and blood of demonic beasts and Spirit Fowl [spiritually-enhanced birds] are rich in spiritual energy. Consuming them not only slightly increases one's cultivation base but also strengthens sinews and bones, replenishing a cultivator's vital Qi and blood. They are rare and precious ingredients.

Seeing the low price of demonic beast flesh here, Eldrin Chen bought several Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms] on the spot, planning to roast and savor it later.

Truth be told, although Spirit Isle Lake [the spiritual lake managed by the Chen Clan] produced two prized spiritual delicacies—the Purple-Striped Wild Goose [a type of spirit goose] and the Azure Spirit Fish—he had always been too frugal to indulge, going many years without tasting the savory flavor of demonic beast flesh. Original English translation available at audio-novel dot com.

He stowed the demonic beast meat and casually moved to the next stall, but his gaze faltered slightly.

"This item…"

"Young brother, has a particular treasure caught your eye?"

The stall owner was a tall, lean middle-aged cultivator who appeared to be in his forties or fifties, with a beard about a Cun-length [one-tenth of a Chi, approximately zero point zero three three meters] long.

Seeing a potential customer, he immediately rose and looked toward Eldrin Chen, a kindly smile spreading across his face.

Eldrin Chen remained impassive, his eyes sweeping over the stall's wares. There weren't many items: a flying sword of First Rank Middle Grade quality, a small bell-shaped defensive magical tool also of First Rank Middle Grade quality, and a tattered map.

"This map is so badly damaged, what use could it possibly be?"

Upon hearing this, the man immediately stroked his long beard, a flicker of avarice appearing in his eyes. He lowered his voice, transmitting his words secretly.

"Fellow Daoist [a term used by cultivators to address each other respectfully], that is where you are mistaken."

"Although my map is tattered, its origins are anything but ordinary. Legend has it, it marks the location of a hermitage left behind by a senior who attained the Purple Mansion [a major cultivation realm where one forms a spiritual core within the body] realm."

"It is said this map was split into two halves long ago. Once the other fragment is found, the two can be joined to reveal the location of a senior's secluded abode [the hidden dwelling place of an ancient and powerful cultivator]."

"Such a precious opportunity—for just five hundred Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], it can be yours."

"Enough, it's merely a torn map fragment," Eldrin Chen interrupted abruptly. "Five Spirit Stones. Will you sell it or not?"

The man's words cut off. Flushing with anger, he retorted, "This item concerns the abode of a senior; its value is beyond measure. How can you treat it so contemptuously?"

As he spoke, seeing Eldrin Chen turn to leave, he hastily thrust the map fragment into Eldrin's hand.

"Sold, sold, sold! As you said, five Spirit Stones."

After the exchange, Eldrin Chen departed. Not long after, he circled back and observed from a distance. To his discovery, the man's stall now displayed another, identical map fragment.

Giving the man a deep, lingering look, Eldrin Chen returned to his inn. He took out both map fragments and pieced them together, forming a complete map.

The other fragment turned out to be the very one he had obtained from the Storage Bag [a spatial pouch used by cultivators to store items] of a Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who uses sinister, often blood-based or soul-consuming methods to cultivate].

Studying the map carefully, his gaze sharpened. The location of the abode marked was actually in the vast, untamed wilderness south of Celestial Ruins Mountain, near the direction of Yu County, a distance of one hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

"Look at this location, it's actually along the way."

"It seems I can make a detour to investigate on the return journey."

In the blink of an eye, another ten days passed. During this time, he made numerous attempts and thoroughly familiarized himself with the Heaven's Ruin Pavilion [a major trading establishment within the Heaven's Ruin Mountain market].

Through inquiries from various sources, he discovered that the Heaven's Ruin Pavilion enjoyed an impeccable reputation. It was said that Jiang the Daoist [the founder and master of the Heaven's Ruin Pavilion] had established strict rules, forbidding anyone from targeting customers or leaking any client information.

Violators faced severe consequences, ranging from having their cultivation crippled and being expelled from Celestial Ruins Mountain [a major mountain range and cultivation hub], to being personally executed by the master himself.

This was no empty threat. Legend had it that over a century ago, a disciple of Jiang the Daoist coveted a customer's precious treasure, ambushed them in secret, and committed murder for the spoils. When the victim's family later came searching, Jiang the Daoist personally intervened. Original English translation available at audio-novel[dot]com.

To uphold the integrity of his establishment, Jiang the Daoist used a Soul-Seizing Talisman [a talisman used to track souls or divine truth] to identify the culprit. He then decisively administered justice, not only executing his own disciple but also compensating the victim's family threefold.

Since that day, no negative rumors about the Heaven's Ruin Pavilion had ever surfaced. Over a century, it had cultivated and accumulated immense trust.

"No wonder, before I left, the Third Elder said that Jiang the Ancient Ancestor [a respectful title for Jiang the Daoist] was a man of principle and would surely sell the Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that nourishes and repairs a cultivator's meridians] to us."

"The value of this reputation and trust, built over centuries, likely exceeds the Meridian Nourishing Pill a hundredfold."

As Eldrin Chen grew more familiar with the situation at Celestial Ruins Mountain, his confidence solidified. He resolved to waste no more time and to purchase the Meridian Nourishing Pill as soon as possible to bring back for Clan Patriarch's recovery.

Early one morning, he arrived at the Heaven's Ruin Pavilion. A young maiden at the reception, herself at the Qi Refinement stage, spotted him and promptly greeted him with a welcoming smile.

"Fellow Daoist, what brings you to our Heaven's Ruin Pavilion? What is it you wish to purchase?"

Eldrin Chen glanced around, ensuring no one was within earshot, then transmitted his voice directly to her. "I wish to buy a single Second Rank pill."

The maiden's eyes widened briefly before she composed herself. She guided Eldrin Chen to a private chamber, served him a cup of tea, and explained.

"Transactions involving Second Rank pills are beyond my authority."

"Please wait a moment, honored guest. I shall fetch the shopkeeper."

"Very well," Eldrin Chen replied with a slight nod.

After only the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a woman entered. She wore a gown of pale violet and possessed a graceful, elegant beauty.

Her gaze swept over Eldrin Chen, a flicker of surprise passing through her eyes before she offered a gentle smile. "To possess such cultivation at such a tender age, young friend, is truly remarkable."

"You flatter me, Senior."

Eldrin Chen rose to his feet, speaking with a hint of nervousness.

He vaguely sensed that while this woman appeared gentle and beautiful, her aura was unfathomably deep, even surpassing that of the old Clan Patriarch by a significant margin. This indicated that the person before him was at least a Foundation Establishment, Late Stage cultivator [a practitioner who has solidified their spiritual foundation and is approaching the next major realm].

Seeming to perceive his tension, the woman offered a gentle smile and took a seat nearby.

"My name is Elara Lin," she said, "and I humbly serve as the shopkeeper of the Heaven's Ruin Pavilion."

"You are a guest, young friend. There is no need for such formality."

Hearing her words, Eldrin Chen felt an inexplicable easing of the pressure, allowing him to relax slightly.

At this moment, Elara Lin smiled once more, finally turning to the matter at hand.

"I heard you wish to purchase a second-rank elixir [a high-grade spiritual pill]. May I inquire which type you seek?"

As she spoke, she glanced around the private booth and added, "Rest assured, young friend. This room is shielded by a formation that blocks spiritual sense [the extended perception of a cultivator]. No cultivator below the Purple Mansion [the realm where one opens a spiritual palace within their dantian] could possibly eavesdrop."

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a young cultivator from the Chen Clan] gave a slight nod. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke directly, "This junior has come with the purpose of requesting to purchase a single Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill used to nourish and repair a cultivator's energy channels]." Visit audio-novel.com (official site) to enjoy the complete series.