Preparing to Refine Pills

Walking out of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but feel a pang of reluctance. Ten spirit stones—why not just rob someone? If it weren't for the door-to-door delivery, he wouldn't have come here at all.

"Fellow Daoist Chang'an."

Lin Chang'an turned his head and happened to run into Li Han and Murong Yue, who were also visiting the trade fair.

"You two?"

Seeing them, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but be startled. The two of them exuded an aura of killing intent.

Li Han scratched his head awkwardly. "Fellow Daoist Murong Yue and I met in the Cloud Ridge Mountain Range."

The Cloud Ridge Mountain Range connected the righteous and demonic factions from east to west, stretching thousands of miles in all directions. Not only were various wild beasts and fierce birds rampant, but it was also a primeval mountain forest rarely visited by humans. Even cultivators were reluctant to venture in easily.

This mountain range was also known as the Miasma Forest. Even Qi Condensation cultivators found it quite troublesome, but the wealth within the mountains stirred hearts, and many cultivators would go to search for it.

The Miaowa Kingdom was located in a basin within this mountain range. How could the major sects and powers let such a good opportunity slip by?

In just two months, Murong Yue, who had initially avoided his gaze after their wedding night, now greeted him with a calm, gentle smile. This showed her growth in character.

Perhaps this was what they meant by "when in Rome, do as the Romans do."

"Fellow Daoist Li Han's strength as a Martial Grandmaster, combined with my own, allows us to search the outer edges of the mountain range. These spirit herbs, spirit fruits, and some spirit meat are all things we obtained."

Murong Yue said with a smile. Although it was dangerous, it was at least a profitable channel. She couldn't have children and didn't want to just marry some random disciple of the Great Sword Sect. Relying solely on farming for cultivation resources was far from enough.

But Murong Yue truly lived up to her High-grade Spirit Root talent. In just two months, she had already stepped into the Qi Refining stage. On top of that, coming from a mortal martial arts aristocratic family, she was a genuine Innate Martial Artist.

The combat power of an Innate Martial Artist in close quarters was not inferior to an early Qi Condensation cultivator. The two of them working together were quite formidable. Within the Great Sword Sect, late Qi Condensation was already at the elder level, while mid Qi Refining was the main fighting force.

"Flowerless Fruit, Eight-petal Lotus Leaf..."

Lin Chang'an looked at their stall and couldn't help but smile, nodding. "It seems you two have had a good harvest."

Li Han rubbed his nose with a casual look and chuckled. "Fellow Daoist Chang'an, aren't you an alchemist? If you ever need any materials in the future, just tell us. We'll keep an eye out for you in the Cloud Ridge Mountain Range."

Having said that, Li Han muttered under his breath, "Everything in the sect costs thirty percent more than outside, but we can't go out at all."

Lin Chang'an saw through their little schemes but didn't expose them. After all, both sides stood to benefit. Just then, Murong Yue spoke solemnly, "May I ask, Fellow Daoist Chang'an, what exactly is this Spirit Contract?"

Hearing this, a glint flashed in Lin Chang'an's eyes. He sighed. "As I thought. I knew they wouldn't let you leave so easily."

"A Spirit Contract is a type of contract used by cultivators. Signing one leaves behind a mana imprint, which carries the unique soul aura of the cultivator. Its binding force is nearly equivalent to a Heart Demon Oath. At the same time, within a certain range, it adds effects like mana backlash and location tracking."

Having said this, Lin Chang'an gave Murong Yue a deep look. "Even if you manage to escape by luck, the mana fluctuations would make you equivalent to a branded criminal in the mortal world."

Hearing this, Murong Yue's face turned pale. It was clear the sect wouldn't let her off, because she had signed the Spirit Contract.

"Fellow Daoist Chang'an, is this Spirit Contract truly unbreakable?"

Looking at the persistent Murong Yue, Lin Chang'an shook his head. "Not exactly. A first-grade Spirit Contract is expensive and mainly binds Qi Refining cultivators. Once you break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, it becomes worthless."

Foundation Establishment! Murong Yue's face darkened at these words. Lin Chang'an smiled bitterly. "You have a High-grade Spirit Root, so naturally they'd have you sign early. As for me..."

He glanced at Li Han and shook his head. "Neither of us can escape. The Great Sword Sect just doesn't want to waste resources carelessly."

"I've been alchemy within the sect all along, so they naturally don't want to waste a precious Spirit Contract on me. As for you, once you break through to mid Qi Refining, you'll get one too."

This seeming peace and calm was nothing but an illusion. They had spirit roots, they had value. If they had no value, the atmosphere wouldn't be so harmonious.

Low-grade Spirit Roots had too little potential. Trying to leave by having children? The chances were too slim. Having children was easy, but the odds of bearing a child with spirit roots were minuscule.

This wasn't just about talent; there was also a touch of metaphysical luck.

"The Spirit Contract requires me to serve the sect for fifty years! Or I can pay ten times the resources the sect spent cultivating me to buy myself out."

What they were selling here was essentially an indenture contract.

"Heh, I wonder if Fellow Daoist Chang'an knows how to refine pills that increase mana. We'll keep an eye out for relevant spirit herbs for you in the Cloud Ridge Mountain Range."

Seeing the determination in Murong Yue's eyes, Lin Chang'an's mind turned. It seemed he could save quite a few spirit stones this way, but this woman was no pushover either.

Looking around to make sure no one was watching, Lin Chang'an discreetly cast a Soundproofing Spell and quietly told them the herbs he needed.

"What!"

Inside the soundproof barrier, Lin Chang'an cleared his throat and slowly listed the herbs he needed. Li Han's eyes went wide, while Murong Yue beside him remained expressionless, though her gaze kept drifting to his waist.

Lin Chang'an coughed twice, putting on a righteous air as he looked at the two and shook his head. "What kind of place is this? What are we? To put it bluntly, we're like people in a Flower Pavilion. At a time like this, what's the point of saving face? Only spirit stones are real."

"The Great Sword Sect's actions show no small ambition. They probably want to establish a foundation that lasts a hundred years. So now is the perfect opportunity. This kind of pill can help countless fellow daoists fulfill their long-cherished wishes sooner."

"We're indentured here. Based on our spirit root aptitudes, we've been allocated plenty of High Grade Spirit Fields. But these resources aren't even enough for cultivation. I'm just helping them complete their tasks faster."

Seeing Lin Chang'an's righteous expression, as if he were sacrificing himself for everyone's baby-making cause, Murong Yue and Li Han exchanged glances, feeling nothing but shamelessness.

Still, Li Han's expression turned serious. He nodded firmly. "Fellow Daoist Chang'an is truly noble. These are the three main ingredients!"

Looking at the two, Lin Chang'an teased, "You two are too unprofessional. To make the most of the Cloud Ridge Mountain Range's wealth, you should at least know most of the spirit herbs, which parts of the beasts are valuable and which aren't, and some precious ores. They're not just for alchemy and healing but have other uses too."

"I have a Spirit Herb Manual and a Miscellaneous Records of All Things here. I'll give them to you two."

Just as Li Han was about to gratefully take the jade slip, he found it wouldn't budge. Looking at Lin Chang'an's smile, he gave an awkward grin.

"Fellow Daoist, I can't let you give it away for free. Here's one liang of Spirit Sand."

Spirit Sand was a smaller unit of measurement than spirit stones. Seeing this small pouch of Spirit Sand, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but smile. "You're too kind."

Murong Yue, however, gave a gentle smile and also exchanged one liang of Spirit Sand for the jade slip.

Lin Chang'an's eyes were full of smiles, as if he could already see an endless stream of Spirit Stones. Let others go to the Cloud Ridge Mountain Range; he would kindly buy their finds and even teach them not to waste.

Tsk tsk, he was truly kind.

"Fellow Daoists, take your time browsing. I'll head back first."

"Fellow Daoist, go slowly."

Lin Chang'an walked home with a broad smile. The medicinal herbs he needed—he could also ask the cultivators heading to the Cloud Ridge Mountain Range to keep an eye out for them. Save as much as he could, and at the same time, advertise his pills. Worth it.

Thank you to the book friend: '20201108182608414' Fellow Daoist for the 2000 Qidian coins tip. Thank you to all the fellow Daoists who support Jinli.