Lian Yueying agreed to the sparring match because she genuinely wished to gauge the true extent of her combat skills.
Ouyang Xiu, renowned for his foundational techniques, was among the sect’s foremost practitioners, and sparring with him would provide an an accurate assessment.
‘Though Ouyang Xiu might not necessarily defeat Wang Zhi, my narrow victory over Wang Zhi had relied entirely on prior preparations.’
‘Currently, I am unable to refine array flags, leaving only talismans for unforeseen circumstances, which is still too inadequate.’
Having changed into her everyday attire, Lian Yueying strolled through the Immortal Market, her presence invariably drawing gazes.
Each time, she would subtly check her dress, wondering if there was something peculiar about her appearance.
However, such self-consciousness usually stemmed from her own perception of oddity.
‘Wearing spring attire in deep winter truly wasn’t ideal.’
‘Cultivators often paid little heed to the trivial cost of clothing, as even a random piece of jade could fetch a substantial sum of silver.’
‘I really should acquire more outfits for myself; at least three sets for each season… no, five sets.’
The mere thought of various beautiful dresses inexplicably brightened Lian Yueying’s mood.
However, she dared not venture alone to Songcheng anytime soon, preferring to simply browse the Immortal Market.
Lian Yueying had visited the Immortal Market a total of three times.
The first was before joining the Tuoshan Sect, the second to gather supplies before the treasure hunt in the valley, and the third was for healing after her last injuries.
Essentially, each visit had been solely for purchasing medicinal pills, leaving her little opportunity to truly explore.
Now, with a desire to browse, she found the market overwhelmingly vast, unsure where to begin.
‘Perhaps I should seek out Huaxi first.’
‘Yes, Huaxi spends every day in the market; she must be quite familiar with it.’
With that thought, Lian Yueying headed straight for the familiar narrow alley.
Whenever she stood at its entrance, observing the sparse passersby outside, she invariably wished to place a sign at the alley mouth, pointing towards Xuandan Hall with directions, otherwise, no one would ever know a pill shop existed there.
‘It wouldn’t be a bad idea to simply change the shop’s name to “Pill Shop in the Alley”.’
Lian Yueying stepped into Xuandan Hall, where the shop owner, whom she hadn’t seen in quite some time, sat behind the counter engrossed in a book.
Despite one being an alchemist and the other a physician, his demeanor was strikingly similar to Yun Meng’s.
“Shop owner, it’s been a while.”
The shop owner, a man in his thirties dressed like a scholar, looked up from his book and recognized Lian Yueying instantly.
He smiled, “Fellow Daoist, welcome. It’s been nearly half a year since we last met.”
“You’re mistaken, shop owner; it’s been over half a year.”
“Oh, indeed, it seems I’m truly getting on in years, my memory not as sharp as yours young ones.”
The shop owner closed his book, tapping his temple as if in recollection.
“But I still remember you…”
Before his words could fully fade, a heavy metallic clang echoed from the shop’s back courtyard.
Moments later, a dust-streaked Huaxi burst through the back door, beaming.
“Teacher! How do you like this batch I just made?”
Truth be told, Lian Yueying had to look closely to confirm it was indeed Huaxi, and not merely because of the smudges of soot.
The person before her was remarkably different from the shy, quiet girl she remembered.
However, having only met Huaxi once before, and recalling her eager descriptions of experimenting with pills, it wasn’t difficult to imagine the depth of Huaxi’s interest in alchemy.
Now, Lian Yueying had a much clearer understanding.
Huaxi also noticed Lian Yueying, seemingly oblivious to her disheveled state, and greeted her with a smile.
“It’s Miss Liu! No, my teacher told me, I should call you Fellow Daoist Liu instead.”
Huaxi’s endearing yet clumsy manner brought a smile to Lian Yueying’s lips.
Seeing this, the shop owner instructed Huaxi to go clean herself up, then turned to Lian Yueying.
“Xi’er is a pitiful child; she was born with flawed meridians.
Not only is her cultivation talent poor, but her physical condition isn’t very optimistic either.
Fortunately, she does have something she excels at.”
‘Poor health… cultivation can improve one’s physique, so it shouldn’t be too problematic.’
‘However, why is he speaking to me in the tone of an elder, as if we are peers?’
‘Do I appear very old?’
Of course, fading beauty was the least likely thing to happen to someone with a Grand Yin Physique.
The continuous flow of pure Yin Qi could make her appear eternally youthful, though sadly, it wouldn’t extend her lifespan.
The shop owner’s words struck Lian Yueying as peculiar.
She glanced over, seeing him smile.
“Fellow Daoist, though you and Xi’er are similar in age, your dispositions are worlds apart.
I unconsciously treat you as a contemporary.”
“Shop owner, you jest. At our tender age, what complex thoughts could we possess, other than dedicating ourselves to self-cultivation?”
Lian Yueying didn’t fully grasp the shop owner’s meaning, but sensing no ill intent, she changed the subject.
“Last time I visited, you weren’t here; Huaxi mentioned you were out collecting spirit plants.”
“Collecting a sufficient amount is enough.
As you can see, my humble shop’s business is only moderate, so not many medicinal ingredients are required.”
“Even fragrant wine fears a deep alley, as the saying goes.
Shop owner, why don’t you place a sign at the alley’s entrance to guide customers?”
Lian Yueying had previously compared Xuandan Hall’s pills with those of several larger pill shops in the market.
Xuandan Hall’s elixirs were undeniably both excellent in quality and affordable, priced at little more than the cost of the spirit plants themselves, plus a small crafting fee.
The shop owner sighed, speaking wistfully.
“Competitors are rivals, you see.
I’ve only been here for three short years, unable to secure a better location, and my peers, believing I sell my pills too cheaply, actively suppress me.
I’m forced to solicit customers out of necessity.”
‘Then just raise the prices, why insist on selling them so cheaply?’
However, Lian Yueying couldn’t bring herself to ask this aloud, for she, too, desired cost-effective pills.
Before long, Huaxi emerged, having tidied herself up.
As the shop owner went to the back courtyard to inspect the newly concocted pills, Huaxi immediately scurried over to Lian Yueying.
“So, how is it, how is it? How effective are my pills?”
Noticing her eager demeanor, Lian Yueying didn’t answer directly, instead asking in return, “Have you tried them yourself?”
At this, Huaxi seemed to sense Lian Yueying’s dissatisfaction, and her tone softened considerably.
“I have tried them, but I’m truly terrified of pain.
After taking the pill, the moment I tried to circulate my qi, it hurt so much I couldn’t concentrate.
I tried several times, and eventually, even breathing became painful, so I didn’t dare use them anymore.”
‘Hiss, I’m starting to feel a bit bad for her.’
Lian Yueying hadn’t answered directly because she still wished to consume these pills, but she harbored a hidden agenda, hoping Huaxi wouldn’t price them too exorbitantly.
“I’ll improve them later, will you still be willing to help me test the medicine… right?”
Huaxi spoke cautiously, her almond eyes blinking pitifully, making her truly difficult to refuse.
‘Given Huaxi’s simple nature, the price should be negotiable.’
‘Moreover, Huaxi possesses talent in this area, and having an alchemist friend in the future would be incredibly convenient.’
‘It’s best not to play any tricks.’
“When did I ever say your pills were bad?
A little pain is tolerable, so long as it causes no harm to the body.”
“Really! That’s wonderful!”
A smile reappeared on Huaxi’s pretty face, and she clapped her hands together excitedly.
Lian Yueying, too, found herself smiling, infected by her joy.
‘The feeling of being acknowledged by others is indeed wonderful; I… everyone is like this.’
Amidst their laughter, the shop owner returned from the back courtyard.
Seeing their cheerful atmosphere, he refrained from interrupting.
Lian Yueying, ever perceptive, turned to Huaxi.
“I’d like to buy some more of your pills, perhaps a three-month supply.
Name your price.”
Upon hearing this, Huaxi clearly looked unprepared, still needing to adjust.
The shop owner, standing nearby, chuckled.
“Xi’er is already trying to steal her teacher’s business right after becoming a master!”
Only then did Huaxi react, turning to Lian Yueying with a somewhat flustered expression.
She tentatively raised a single finger, asking, “Five spirit stones per pill?”
“Five?”
This time, it was Lian Yueying’s turn to be astonished, for that price was precisely the cost of the spirit plants required to refine a Meridian Rectifying Pill.
It was important to note that even Xuandan Hall’s relatively inexpensive pills cost a full eight spirit stones, and those sold outside would be even pricier.
However, Huaxi clearly didn’t share this view.
She shook her head vehemently, waving her hand innocently.
“Three, three! Or even just one would be fine!”
‘Was I too fierce?’
‘But I was clearly smiling.’
‘Could it be that my usual expressionless demeanor has made my current smile seem insufficiently gentle?’
A touch of confusion flickered across Lian Yueying’s face.
She turned to glance at the shop owner, who stood behind Huaxi, observing his somewhat helpless smile, yet he remained silent.
‘Since the guardian has offered no opinion, I’ll proceed according to my own way of interacting with Huaxi.’
“Then five it is.”
Saying this, Lian Yueying took out two storage bags, swapped their contents, and handed one to Huaxi.
“Here are four hundred and fifty spirit stones.
You have enough stock for that, right?”
Huaxi was overjoyed, nodding repeatedly.
Without even taking the storage bag first, she immediately turned and rushed to her room to retrieve the pills.
‘She truly is a pure-hearted individual; such innocence is rare in the cultivation world.’
‘However, without protection, she would likely be devoured, leaving not even bones, in a matter of minutes.’
Pondering this, Lian Yueying looked towards the shop owner, only to find him already gazing at her.
“Fellow Daoist, you are a kind-hearted person.
Xi’er has found a rare confidante, someone who can utilize the pills she refines.”
“If Huaxi can modify pill formulas, can she not refine normal pills?”
The shop owner looked at Huaxi’s back as she rummaged, speaking as if she were a precious treasure.
“As an apprentice, Xi’er is exceptionally dedicated to the path of alchemy.
Once she fully comprehends the medicinal properties of various spirit plants, she can naturally refine the original formulas.
However, strictly adhering to routine isn’t always beneficial.
As a teacher, one should guide her on what is correct, but there’s no need to stifle her unique and imaginative ideas.”
“The shop owner clearly values Huaxi greatly.”
“Indeed.”
The shop owner smiled, saying nothing, as he watched Huaxi return happily, clutching three large gourds.
“Miss Liu! This is a three-month supply.”
Lian Yueying accepted the large gourds and handed over the storage bag, then proceeded to count the number of pills.
This action made Huaxi somewhat self-conscious, prompting the shop owner to step forward and pat her shoulder.
“Xi’er, counting goods face-to-face demonstrates responsibility for both parties.
This isn’t because Fellow Daoist Liu distrusts you; you should also behave in the same manner.”
Upon hearing this, Huaxi nodded in dawning understanding.
She checked the spirit stones inside the bag to confirm they were correct before looking up, just as Lian Yueying finished counting.
“Regarding the pills, that settles it for now.
I have another matter: Huaxi, are you familiar with the market?”
“Um… I don’t really dare to wander around alone; my teacher always accompanies me.
So, I haven’t been to too many places, only understanding the general layout.”
“That’s sufficient.
Huaxi, do you have time to guide me?”
That sounded a bit too stiff.
Lian Yueying felt Huaxi might prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, so she rephrased her question.
“Or rather, would you like to stroll around with me?”
“Of course I can!”
Saying this, Huaxi seemed to recall something, turning to the shop owner to ask, “I can, right?”
“With Fellow Daoist Liu protecting you, there’s naturally no harm.”
It was evident that the market was not as peaceful as it appeared on the surface, a fact Lian Yueying had already learned firsthand.
Receiving an affirmative reply, Huaxi finally smiled and responded to Lian Yueying.
“Let’s go, Miss Liu… oh no, Fellow Daoist Liu.”
“No need to be so formal.
My name is Liu Sheng; it’s fine if you call me something more affectionate.”
“Then, Big Sister Liu, let’s go shopping together!”