Chapter 25 : A Profitable Alchemy Opportunity

For instance, a batch of Qi Nurturing Grass [a common spiritual herb used in low-level pill refinement], the Spirit Herb [a plant imbued with spiritual energy] required to refine the Qi Absorption Pill [a basic pill that aids in absorbing ambient spiritual energy], would cost fifteen Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] at the Yuyang Market, but here it only required thirteen.

At these prices, succeeding in refining just three pills from a single batch would yield a profit of two Spirit Stones.

Seizing this opportunity, Eldrin Chen decisively purchased five batches of the Qi Nurturing Grass, intending to use them to further advance his alchemical skills.

After procuring 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 Azure Spirit Fish [a type of spiritual fish prized for its energy-rich flesh] from the Chen Family could fetch five Spirit Stones at the Yuyang Market, but here, flesh of comparable quality from a demonic beast sold for only three Spirit Stones per fish.

"The Heavenly Ruins Mountain borders the Vast and Misty Marsh [a vast, fog-shrouded wetland teeming with life and danger]; demonic beasts are far too common here, which explains the remarkably low prices," he mused.

"In contrast, Yu County lies deep within the State of Chu. Over countless centuries, the demonic beasts there have been purged almost entirely, making them a far rarer commodity."

The flesh and blood of demonic beasts and spiritual fowl 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 Vitality [the fundamental life force and physical resilience of a living being]. They are precious, hard-to-come-by ingredients.

Seeing the favorable prices for demonic beast meat here, Eldrin Chen simply bought several Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms] of it, planning to roast and savor it later.

Truth be told, although Spirit Isle Lake produced two spiritual delicacies—the Violet-Striped Goose [a spiritual goose with distinctive purple markings] 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.

He stowed away the demon beast meat and casually moved to the next stall, but his gaze momentarily stilled.

"This item..."

"Young brother, have you taken a fancy to any treasure here?"

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

Seeing a potential customer, he immediately stood up and looked at Eldrin Chen, revealing an amiable smile.

Eldrin Chen remained expressionless, his eyes sweeping over the items on the stall. There weren't many: a first-rank mid-grade flying sword, a first-rank mid-grade defensive magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] in the form of a small bell, and a tattered map.

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

Upon hearing this, the man immediately stroked his long beard, a glint of avarice flashing in his eyes. He lowered his voice, transmitting a secret message.

"Fellow Daoist [a respectful term used among cultivators], you are unaware of its true nature."

"Although my map is tattered, its origins are truly Baelon. Legend has it that it records the location of a Violet Sanctum senior's secluded cultivation abode."

"It is said that this map was split into two halves in the past. Once you find the other fragment, you can combine them into one and locate the cave abode [a secluded dwelling place for cultivation, often hidden and protected by formations] left behind by that senior."

"Such a precious opportunity, for just five hundred Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], it can be yours."

"Enough, it's just a map fragment." Eldrin Chen suddenly cut him off. "Five Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. Will you sell it or not?"

The man's words died in his throat. Flushing with anger and shame, he retorted, "This item concerns a senior's cave abode [a secluded dwelling place for cultivation, often hidden and protected by formations]. Its value is immeasurable. How can you treat it so cheaply?"

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

"Fine, fine, I'll sell it! Just as you said, five Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]."

After the exchange was made, Eldrin Chen walked away. Not long after, he circled back. From a distance, he glanced at the man's stall and saw that another identical map fragment had been placed upon it.

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

The other fragment turned out to be the very one he had obtained from the Storage Bag [a spatial artifact used by cultivators to store items] of the Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who uses unorthodox, often malevolent methods to cultivate power].

Studying the map intently, his gaze sharpened. The location of the cave abode [a secluded dwelling place for cultivation, often hidden and protected by formations] marked on the map was actually south of Heavenly Ruins Mountain, near the direction of Yu County, deep within the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wilderness [a vast, untamed, and perilous wilderness spanning hundreds of thousands of Li-lengths].

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

"It seems I can investigate it on the return journey."

...

In the blink of an eye, another ten days passed. During this time, he made numerous attempts and gained a deeper understanding of the Celestial Ruins Pavilion.

Through extensive inquiries, he discovered that the Celestial Ruins Pavilion's reputation was impeccable. It was said that Jiang the Daoist 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 Heavenly Ruins Mountain, to being personally executed by him.

This was no empty threat. Over a century ago, a disciple of Jiang the Daoist, coveting a customer's precious treasure, secretly ambushed and killed them to seize the treasure. When the victim's family later came searching, Jiang the Daoist personally used a Soul-Searching Talisman [a talisman that can search a person's soul for memories] to identify the culprit.

To uphold the sect's integrity, Jiang the Daoist decisively executed his own disciple and even compensated the family threefold.

Since that incident, no negative news about the Celestial Ruins Pavilion has ever surfaced. Over a century, it has cultivated and accumulated immense trust.

"No wonder, before I left, the Third Elder said that Lyra the Ancient Ancestor was fair and just, and would surely sell the Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that nourishes and strengthens a cultivator's meridians] to us."

"I fear that this reputation and trust accumulated over centuries is worth more than a hundred times the value of the Meridian Nourishing Pill alone."

As Eldrin Chen gained a deeper understanding of the situation at Heavenly Ruins Mountain, his confidence grew. He decided to waste no more time and to purchase the Meridian Nourishing Pill as soon as possible to take back and heal the clan patriarch.

Early one morning, he arrived at the Celestial Ruins Pavilion. A young maiden at the Vital Essence Refinement Stage behind the front counter spotted him and promptly greeted him with a smile.

"Fellow Daoist, what brings you to our Celestial Ruins Pavilion?"

Eldrin Chen glanced around, ensuring no one was nearby, before transmitting his voice [a method of private communication used by cultivators]. "I wish to purchase a Second-Rank Pill."

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

"Transactions involving Second-Rank Pill are beyond my authority."

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

"Very well," Eldrin Chen nodded slightly.

After only a brief moment, a woman of elegant beauty, clad in a gown of pale violet, entered the room.

She cast a glance at Eldrin Chen, her eyes narrowing slightly before a gentle smile graced her lips. "For one so young to possess such cultivation, you are truly remarkable," she said.

"You flatter me, Senior,"

Eldrin Chen replied, rising to his feet with a hint of nervousness.

He had a vague sense that this woman, for all her delicate beauty, possessed an aura of profound and unfathomable depth. It felt even more formidable than that of Old Patriarch Chen, indicating she was at least a cultivator of the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

As if sensing his tension, the woman offered a reassuring smile and took a seat nearby.

"I am Elara Lin, the humble manager of the Celestial Ruins Pavilion," she introduced herself.

"You are our guest; there is no need for such formality."

Her words caused the pressure in Eldrin Chen's heart to inexplicably ease, and he let out a soft sigh of relief.

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

"I heard you wish to purchase Second-Rank Pill [a type of cultivation-enhancing elixir]. May I inquire which specific kind you seek?"

As she spoke, she glanced once more at the private booth and added, "Rest assured, young friend. This place is shielded by a barrier that isolates spiritual senses. Cultivators below the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core within the body] realm are utterly incapable of eavesdropping."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod. After a moment of contemplation, he decided to speak directly. "This junior has come to request the purchase of a Meridian Nourishing Pill [a medicinal pill that strengthens and repairs the body's spiritual pathways]."