Chapter 25 : A Profitable Alchemy Discovery

For instance, the Spirit Herb Energy-Nurturing Grass [a spiritual herb used to refine the Energy Absorption Pill] required to refine the Energy Absorption Pill [a pill that aids in absorbing spiritual energy] would cost fifteen Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy] for one portion at the Sunward Market, but here it only required thirteen pieces.

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

Seizing this opportunity, Eldrin Chen decisively purchased five portions of Energy-Absorbing Herb to further advance his alchemical arts.

After gathering the spiritual herbs and browsing the market a while longer, he discovered that demon beast flesh was the most cost-effective commodity here.

Compared to Yu County, the price for demon beast flesh here was more than forty percent cheaper. The Azure Verdant Spirit Fish [a type of spiritual fish] from the Chen Clan could fetch five Spirit Stones at the Sunward Market, but here, flesh from a demon beast of equivalent quality sold for only three pieces per fish.

"Heavenly Ruins Mountain borders the Vast and Misty Marsh; demon beasts are far too common here, so it's no wonder the prices are so low," he mused.

"In contrast, Yu County lies within the borders of the Chu Nation. Over the centuries, demon beasts have been mostly cleared out, making them a much rarer commodity there."

The flesh of demon beasts and spiritual fowl is rich in spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things]. Consuming it can slightly enhance one's cultivation, strengthen sinews and bones, and replenish a cultivator's Vitality [the foundational life force and stamina of a living being], making it a precious and hard-to-come-by ingredient.

Seeing the favorable prices for demon beast flesh here, Eldrin Chen simply bought several Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms] of it, planning to roast it later for a taste.

Truth be told, although Spirit Isle Lake was home to two prized spiritual delicacies—the Violet-Striped Goose and the Azure Verdant Spirit Fish—he had always been too frugal to indulge, going many years without savoring the flavor of demon beast flesh. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel.com.

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

"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 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, a kindly smile spreading across his face.

Eldrin Chen remained expressionless, his eyes sweeping over the items on the stall. There weren't many: a mid-grade first-rank flying sword, a mid-grade first-rank 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 flicker of avarice appearing in his eyes. He lowered his voice, sending a secret message.

"Fellow Daoist, that is precisely what you do not know."

"Although my map is tattered, its origins are truly Extraordinary. Legend has it that it marks the location of a Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a Violet Palace core] senior's secluded cultivation abode."

"It is said this map was split in two long ago. Once the other fragment is found, the two can be rejoined, revealing the location of the senior's hidden abode [a secluded dwelling used by powerful cultivators for meditation and training]."

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

"Enough. It's just a map fragment," Eldrin Chen cut him off abruptly. "Five Spirit Stones. 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 abode! Its value is beyond measure. How can you treat it so cheaply?"

As he spoke, seeing Eldrin Chen turn to leave, he hastily shoved the tattered map into his hands.

"Fine, fine, I'll sell it! Just as you said, five Spirit Stones."

After the exchange was made, Eldrin Chen departed. Not long after, he circled back. From a distance, he glanced at the man's stall and saw an identical map fragment had been laid out once more.

Giving the man a deep, lingering look, Eldrin Chen returned to his inn. He took out both 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 advance their cultivation].

Studying the map intently, his gaze sharpened. The location marked for the abode was actually south of Heavenly Ruins Mountain, within the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland [a vast, desolate wilderness spanning hundreds of thousands of Li-lengths], near the direction of Yu County.

"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 gained a deeper understanding of the Heavenly Ruins Pavilion.

Through inquiries from various sources, he discovered that the Heavenly Ruins Pavilion had an excellent reputation for trustworthiness. It was said that Path Master Jiang 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 the Path Master himself. For more chapters, visit *audio-novel.com* for the complete novel.

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

To uphold the integrity of his establishment, Path Master Jiang decisively administered justice, executing his own disciple and even compensating the victim's family threefold the value of the stolen goods.

Since that incident, no negative news had ever emerged about the Heavenly Ruins Pavilion, and over a century of operation had cultivated a high degree of trust.

"No wonder, before I left, the Third Elder said that Patriarch Jiang was a fair and honorable man and would surely sell the Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that nourishes and strengthens the body's energy channels] to us."

"I fear that this accumulated reputation and trust built 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 Heavenly Ruins Pavilion. A young maiden at the Vital Essence Refinement Stage [the first major stage of cultivation, focusing on refining the body's vital energy] who was manning the front counter saw him and promptly greeted him with a smile.

"Fellow Daoist, what brings you to our Heavenly Ruins Pavilion? What is it you wish to purchase?"

Eldrin Chen glanced around, confirming they were alone, before transmitting his voice directly to her: "I wish to buy a single Second Rank Pill [a high-grade medicinal pill, significantly more potent than first-rank pills]."

The maiden's eyes widened momentarily in surprise, but she quickly composed herself. She guided Eldrin Chen to a private side chamber, seated him, poured him a cup of tea, and then spoke.

"Transactions involving Second Rank Pill are beyond my authority to handle."

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

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

After only a brief moment, a woman entered. She was dressed in a gown of pale violet and possessed a graceful, elegant beauty.

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

"You flatter me, Senior."

Eldrin Chen rose to his feet, his words tinged with nervousness.

He sensed, however faintly, that this woman's seemingly gentle appearance belied an aura of profound and unfathomable depth. It felt even more formidable than that of the Old Patriarch, indicating she was at least a cultivator of the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

As if sensing his tension, the woman smiled softly and took a seat nearby.

"I am Elara Lin, the humble manager of the Heavenly Ruins Pavilion."

"You are our guest. There is no need for 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 again, finally turning to the matter at hand.

"I heard you wish to purchase Second Rank Pills. May I inquire which type you seek?"

She spoke, then glanced once more at the private booth and added, "Rest assured, young friend. This place is shielded by a barrier that isolates spiritual senses [a cultivator's ability to perceive their surroundings with their mind]. Any cultivator below the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a core of spiritual energy within their body] would find it utterly impossible to eavesdrop."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod. After a moment of thoughtful silence, he spoke directly, "This junior has come with the hope of purchasing a single Meridian Nourishing Pill [an elixir that cleanses and strengthens the body's energy channels, a foundational cultivation resource]." Find this and other novels at audio-novel*com.