After finishing their meal, the two headed straight for Heavenly Pill Valley’s spirit-herb market.
Wen Qiao loved buying spirit herbs more than anything. As long as it was a spirit herb, she would never disdain it regardless of its grade. She welcomed them all without exception.
Heavenly Pill Valley was indeed exactly as Qin Hongdao and the others had described. This was a world dominated by spirit pills and medicinal herbs, each occupying half the market. As for talismans, spiritual artefacts, formations, and related items, there were only a handful of scattered shops selling them for emergencies.
The two casually selected a spirit-herb shop and entered.
There were many customers inside. Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao blended into the crowd and attracted no attention whatsoever.
After looking around for a while, they quickly found nearly ten kinds of spirit herbs that were not present in their spatial realm. Wen Qiao bought them without hesitation, then continued to the next spirit-herb shop.
In that shop, Wen Qiao took a liking to an eighth-grade Heavenly Cicada Spirit Leaf. Its leaf was transparent like a cicada’s wing, but unfortunately, it was not old enough.
Because it had not matured sufficiently, its medicinal properties were lacking. High-ranking alchemists had no interest in it, which was why it had remained in the shop without being sold.
Wen Qiao sensed it briefly and discovered that the Heavenly Cicada Spirit Leaf had not yet completely lost its vitality. With sufficient care, it should still be possible to keep it alive.
She therefore asked the shop assistant serving them, “How much is this Heavenly Cicada Spirit Leaf?”
“Five thousand yuan crystals.”
Wen Qiao: “…”
Wen Qiao silently turned towards Ning Yuzhou, her expression somewhat hesitant.
Their entire fortune did not seem to amount to five thousand yuan crystals.
Ning Yuzhou smiled gently at the shop assistant and calmly said, “We didn’t bring enough yuan crystals with us. Would it be possible to reserve this Heavenly Cicada Spirit Leaf and return to collect it in an hour?”
He spoke so naturally that it truly seemed as though they simply had not brought enough yuan crystals, rather than not possessing five thousand yuan crystals at all. The shop assistant did not suspect anything and readily agreed.
From the shop assistant’s perspective, although the Heavenly Cicada Spirit Leaf was a high-grade spirit herb, its age was insufficient, so many high-ranking alchemists looked down on it. Meanwhile, the lower-ranking alchemists who did value it had no immediate use for it and were unwilling to waste so many yuan crystals purchasing it.
As a result, it had remained in the shop for quite some time.
The assistant believed no one besides this couple would want to buy it. Furthermore, Ning Yuzhou had even paid a deposit, proving that he genuinely intended to purchase it.
After leaving the spirit-herb shop, the couple headed towards another street that specialised in selling spirit pills.
Wen Qiao could not help looking at Ning Yuzhou.
“Yuzhou, are we really going to buy it?” she asked quietly.
Wen Qiao knew their financial situation extremely well.
Before leaving Cangwu Town, Ning Yuzhou had handed most of the yuan crystals and spirit pills they possessed to Qianshou so he could develop the Hidden Scale Guards. They had kept very little for themselves and could not even produce five thousand yuan crystals.
It could be said that they were extremely poor.
Ning Yuzhou remained calm.
“It’s fine. I refined many spirit pills during the journey here. We’ll have enough after selling another batch.”
He took the young woman’s hand and led her beneath the eaves, avoiding the cultivators walking down the middle of the street.
“Ah Suo, you don’t need to overthink it,” he said softly. “Refining pills is extremely easy for me. I’m also happy that I can earn yuan crystals through alchemy and allow you to buy the things you like. I’m willing to support you, just as my cultivation is inferior to yours and you’re willing to protect me. Isn’t it the same?”
“Of course!” Wen Qiao said. “You’re my husband. I’ll protect you.”
“Exactly. You’re my wife, so everything I possess also belongs to you. I’m willing to refine pills for you. It’s the same thing,” Ning Yuzhou said gently.
Wen Qiao immediately fell silent.
How could it be the same?
Ever since they had gotten together, he had always been the one giving. Apart from fighting demonic beasts, she did not seem to have helped him with anything.
Now that she wanted to buy a spirit herb, he even had to sell spirit pills to pay for it.
“Ah Suo has helped me enormously,” Ning Yuzhou continued. “Without you taking care of the spirit herbs for me, I wouldn’t be able to focus entirely on refining pills.”
Although the spatial realm belonged to Ning Yuzhou, ever since Wen Qiao had transformed, she had been responsible for caring for all the spirit herbs within it.
Whenever he needed a particular spirit herb, he only had to tell her. Not only could she accelerate its growth until it matured, she would also process it properly and deliver it to him, saving him a great deal of effort.
In truth, a subtle, complementary relationship existed between them.
This was true of alchemy, as well as their extraordinary bloodlines.
As Ning Yuzhou softly explained all this, the slight frown between Wen Qiao’s brows finally relaxed.
She turned towards him and said seriously, “You’re right! I’ll cultivate diligently in the future. I definitely won’t let anyone bully you.”
Her husband liked auxiliary cultivation arts and studied alchemy, talismans, artefact refinement, and formations. He had very little time left for cultivation. Furthermore, he had to support an entire spatial realm, making his cultivation progress even slower.
In that case, she would cultivate diligently and become stronger so she could protect him from being bullied by anyone.
Once she understood this, the tension in Wen Qiao’s heart eased. A subtle change took place within her, and the cultivation she had suppressed at the peak of the Primordial Brightness Realm naturally began to loosen.
Wen Qiao quickly suppressed it again.
The two then continued towards the spirit-pill market.
After reaching the market, they casually selected a shop and entered.
Half an hour later, they walked out of the market.
After clearing out a batch of spirit pills from their spatial realm, their storage bags had become full once more. They returned to the previous spirit-herb shop and purchased the Heavenly Cicada Spirit Leaf.
After obtaining it, they continued towards the next spirit-herb shop.
According to Ning Yuzhou, since they now possessed yuan crystals, they should simply buy whatever caught their interest. Once they spent everything, they could refine more spirit pills and sell them for additional yuan crystals.
As long as they gathered enough spirit herbs, what spirit pill could they not refine? At that point, they could obtain as many yuan crystals as they wanted.
For this reason, Ning Yuzhou strongly supported Wen Qiao’s efforts to collect spirit herbs.
There were a great many spirit-herb shops throughout Heavenly Pill Valley’s market.
The two spent an entire day shopping, yet they had not even visited a third of them.
Even so, they had gained a great deal.
When they entered another spirit-herb shop, they had not yet had time to examine the surrounding herbs when they heard an argument coming from inside.
They looked up and saw a crowd of cultivators gathered in the first-floor hall. The crowd obstructed the scene within, preventing those entering from seeing what had happened.
A slightly seductive female voice drifted out.
“…I offered a higher price than you, so this Departing Water Fruit naturally belongs to me. Since you don’t have enough yuan crystals, the fruit clearly isn’t destined for you. Why insist on forcing matters and making things embarrassing for everyone? Don’t you agree?”
An infuriated female voice immediately followed.
“Nonsense! I was clearly the one who saw it first, and we had already agreed on a price. Had you not interfered, how could this have happened? If anyone here should feel embarrassed, it’s only you. What does it have to do with anyone else? Wang Qirong, don’t assume everyone is as shameless as the people of your Wang family!”
“Oh my, how can you make personal attacks?” the seductive voice replied. “What use is arguing when you failed to win the competition? Little Sister Shang, you mustn’t be so discourteous.”
“You…”
Wen Qiao looked slightly surprised when she heard this.
Setting aside the content of the argument, she and Ning Yuzhou both recognised one of the voices.
It belonged to Shang Hongyue, whom they had briefly encountered in Cangwu Mountain.
Then they heard the name of the person arguing with Shang Hongyue. Her surname was Wang, which inevitably made them think of the Wang family of Anqiu City.
The couple did not rashly approach. They remained outside and listened to the argument.
Although Shang Hongyue possessed a fairly sharp tongue, the female cultivator named Wang Qirong was equally capable.
The two argued for a while without reaching any conclusion.
Several male cultivators nearby occasionally spoke up, but every one of them supported Wang Qirong. It was obvious that Wang Qirong was extremely popular here—although it seemed her popularity was primarily among men.
Finally, unable to endure it any longer, Shang Hongyue demanded of the cultivator selling the Departing Water Fruit, “I’m asking you directly. Who exactly are you selling this Departing Water Fruit to?”
“N-Naturally, it goes to whoever offers the highest price,” a male voice answered.
Shang Hongyue said, “Doing that violates Heavenly Pill Valley’s rules.”
“I-I…”
Wang Qirong’s smiling voice interrupted.
“Little Sister Shang, this has nothing to do with this young master. I was the one who offered a higher price. At worst, I’ll pay the penalty for him.”
“Miss Wang…” the male cultivator selling the fruit said emotionally.
Shang Hongyue’s pretty face turned cold.
She looked at Wang Qirong’s flower-like smile, then at the infatuated gaze of the male cultivator selling the Departing Water Fruit. Anger smouldered inside her, making her want to lash out violently, yet for some inexplicable reason, it remained trapped in her chest.
“Little Sister Shang, Elder Sister will take this Departing Water Fruit,” Wang Qirong said. “It is extremely important to me. If I manage to refine a Beauty-Congealing Pill in the future, I’ll certainly give you one.”
Her voice was soft and seductive, like a tiny brush gently stroking the heart.
Several male cultivators nearby smiled. They clearly held an excellent impression of Wang Qirong.
“Miss Wang understands the greater good. She truly is broad-minded.”
“Miss Wang is a Black-grade alchemist. The Departing Water Fruit is naturally more suitable for her.”
“That’s right…”
The surrounding male cultivators voiced their agreement one after another.
It was obvious they thought highly of Wang Qirong, whether because they admired her or because of her status as a Black-grade alchemist.
Shang Hongyue, who had lost the struggle over the Departing Water Fruit, looked extremely unpleasant.
Now that the dispute had reached a conclusion, the surrounding cultivators gradually dispersed, revealing the two women inside.
Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou could finally see the people who had been arguing.
Wang Qirong was a strikingly beautiful woman. Her appearance bore some resemblance to Wang Xiuyuan’s. Both possessed exceptionally attractive, affectionate-looking eyes.
On a man, such eyes made him appear charming and romantic, causing women to both love and hate him.
On a woman, they made her seem even more seductive and passionate, easily inspiring improper fantasies.
After seeing Wang Qirong’s true appearance, Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao understood that she was probably a close relative of Wang Xiuyuan’s.
Compared with Wang Qirong’s enchanting beauty, which could easily unsettle people’s hearts, Shang Hongyue’s bright and vivid appearance seemed somewhat less captivating.
At least to many male cultivators, Wang Qirong’s appearance had a greater visual impact and attracted their attention more strongly.
It was therefore unsurprising that the male cultivators had all sided with Wang Qirong.
Wang Qirong placed the Departing Water Fruit into a jade box. She smiled at the furious Shang Hongyue, then gracefully departed.
Several cultivators who appeared to be her followers accompanied her.
The cultivators in the shop soon dispersed as well. Apart from those who remained to examine spirit herbs, the others followed Wang Qirong outside.
Compared with Wang Qirong’s impressive group, Shang Hongyue stood alone without anyone assisting her. It was no wonder she had lost the struggle over the Departing Water Fruit.
Shang Hongyue stared at Wang Qirong’s departing back and pursed her lips. Just as she was about to leave, a voice suddenly called out.
“Miss Shang?”
Shang Hongyue instinctively looked up.
The coldness on her face was quickly replaced by delight. She hurried over and said excitedly, “Young Master Ning, Miss Ah Suo! When did you arrive in Heavenly Pill Valley? Why didn’t you come and find us?”
As one of the five great families of the Alchemist Alliance, the Shang family naturally possessed its own territory within Heavenly Pill Valley.
When Shang family disciples visited Heavenly Pill Valley, they did not need to squeeze into inns like ordinary cultivators, making things extremely convenient. They were also very easy to find.
Ning Yuzhou smiled faintly.
“We only arrived today. By the way, where is Brother Shang?”
“My brother is helping the elders arrange this year’s alchemy convention, so he’s still busy. Wait here. I’ll send him a message and have him come over immediately…”
“There’s no need to trouble him.”
“How could it be troublesome? You’re our lifesaving benefactors. Since you’ve finally come to Heavenly Pill Valley, we must properly fulfil our duties as hosts.”
Shang Hongyue had a straightforward personality and never dragged matters out.
By this point, she had completely forgotten her earlier argument with Wang Qirong. She only wanted to properly entertain the two people who had saved her life.
Fifteen minutes later, they were seated inside a restaurant.
This restaurant belonged to the Shang family.
Shang Hongyue ordered the staff to bring out all of the restaurant’s signature dishes and wines. Shang Honglang, who soon hurried over, also repeatedly encouraged the couple to drink and sample the Shang family’s spirit wine.
Ning Yuzhou took a sip.
“Not bad,” he said. “It is slightly sweet when it first enters the mouth, with a rich, mellow, and lingering aftertaste. Three parts of the spiritual energy are immediately apparent, while seven parts enter the abdomen and circulate through the spiritual apertures. It is a rare fine wine.”
“This wine should have been aged for ten years. During brewing, Heavenly Star Ginseng, Sandwood Root, Pink Cherry Pearl Fruit, and nearly a hundred varieties of spirit herbs were used. There are eight primary spirit medicines…”
As Ning Yuzhou continued explaining with confidence, Shang Honglang and Shang Hongyue stared at him in astonishment.
Wen Qiao calmly drank her wine while occasionally feeding some to Wen Tutu.
The girl and the rabbit were practically a pair of drunkards, refusing nothing offered to them.
“So Young Master Ning also understands the art of brewing wine,” Shang Honglang said.
“Only slightly,” Ning Yuzhou replied unhurriedly. “The spirit wines of Heavenly Pill Valley are excellent, and Ah Suo likes them very much. When I have time, I would like to brew some for us to drink.”
Shang Honglang laughed.
“Young Master Ning, if you don’t mind, our Shang family’s restaurant has several other excellent spirit wines. We’ll give you some to sample.”
As he spoke, he instructed his younger sister to retrieve wine from the restaurant’s underground cellar.
The siblings seemed worried that Ning Yuzhou might refuse. They quickly made the decision themselves and brought over several different kinds of spirit wine.
Ning Yuzhou attempted to decline, but when he saw that Wen Qiao genuinely liked them, he eventually accepted.
After they finished catching up, the conversation finally turned to what had happened earlier in the spirit-herb shop. Ning Yuzhou asked about the dispute.
Shang Hongyue was somewhat unwilling to mention it, but since her lifesaving benefactors had asked, she had nothing to conceal and briefly explained the matter.
The situation was actually very simple.
While visiting that spirit-herb shop earlier that day, Shang Hongyue happened to see someone attempting to sell a Departing Water Fruit.
The Departing Water Fruit was a spirit medicine used to refine Earth-grade pills, so Shang Hongyue naturally would not give up the opportunity.
Unexpectedly, after she had already negotiated the terms with the seller, Wang Qirong somehow received the news and rushed over to interfere, purchasing it at a higher price.
After hearing this, Shang Honglang also became angry.
“That’s going too far. The person selling the Departing Water Fruit clearly broke the rules!”
Shang Hongyue said helplessly, “The seller is one of Wang Qirong’s admirers.”
Shang Honglang made a sound of understanding and was left speechless.
The seller naturally knew that he had broken the rules.
However, he admired Wang Qirong. When the goddess of his dreams asked to purchase the Departing Water Fruit and even offered a higher price than Shang Hongyue, he naturally wanted to sell it to her.
As for the punishment for violating the rules, it was nothing serious. At worst, he would be fined some yuan crystals.
Besides, Wang Qirong had offered to pay the penalty for him.
Not everyone respected Heavenly Pill Valley’s rules. Otherwise, there would not be so many injustices in the world.
Seeing the Shang siblings fall silent, Ning Yuzhou changed the subject at an appropriate moment and asked about the alchemy convention.
Shang Honglang smiled at him gratefully, thinking that Young Master Ning truly was gentle and considerate.
“Our Shang family also has someone participating in the convention this year,” he explained. “It’s our Third Uncle. He originally planned to refine an Earth-grade Baleful-Transformation Pill, but unfortunately, he has been unable to find any Seven-Leaf Tongue Lingzhi.”
“My sister and I originally heard that Seven-Leaf Tongue Lingzhi had appeared in Cangwu Mountain, so we went there to try our luck. Who could have expected…”
Wen Qiao’s expression shifted slightly when she heard this.
They possessed Seven-Leaf Tongue Lingzhi.
The White-Bellied Wolf Spider had stolen it from somewhere and traded it to them for Jade Spirit Pills.
After Wen Qiao transplanted it into the spatial realm, she had already accelerated the growth of several more plants.
The Shang siblings were not people who indulged in self-pity. Since the matter had already happened, there was no use discussing it further. They quickly changed the subject again.
They continued talking about the alchemy convention.
Shang Honglang invited the couple to watch the convention from the Shang family’s private viewing room when it began, saving them from having to squeeze into the crowd with the other cultivators.
Ning Yuzhou smiled.
“If we attend, then we’ll have to trouble you.”
The Shang siblings hurriedly assured him that it would not be any trouble.
They were people who remembered and repaid kindness. Since Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao had saved their lives that day, the siblings had already begun regarding the couple as close friends.
It was not until the sky darkened that they exchanged voice-transmission talismans and left the restaurant.
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