Aiding in Snow, Further Progress 「Seeking Follow-up Reads」

Those who can be swindlers are mostly smart people, understanding what to give up and what not to lose sight of the bigger picture.

Clearly, the cultivator named Pang Shan before them was such a smart person.

Knowing that this matter wouldn't be easily brushed aside, he very readily offered an apology.

Seeing that this guy actually produced a pill, Yang An, though he didn't know the pill's exact value, saw the pained expression on his face and didn't think it was fake. He then looked towards Pan Shi beside him.

After all, this matter involved Pan Shi and his junior sister almost being scammed, and he had only intervened to help them. Naturally, how to handle it was up to Pan Shi's decision.

"Is this truly a Substance Transformation Pill?"

Given that he had almost fallen for this guy's trick just now, Pan Shi appeared somewhat suspicious and clearly didn't trust the other party.

Pang Shan nodded repeatedly.

"It is indeed a genuine Substance Transformation Pill, I would never dare to deceive fellow Daoist again."

Pan Shi, half-believing, took the pill from his hand. Just as he was about to examine it closely, he suddenly remembered his own limitations. His companion was still a master.

So, he passed the pill to Yang An instead.

"Fellow Daoist Yang, take a look again, is this Substance Transformation Pill real or fake?"

Actually, Yang An already knew this pill was most likely real even without looking. But since Pan Shi wanted his help, he might as well take another look. He took the pill Pan Shi handed him.

The moment he received it, an information box immediately appeared before Yang An's eyes.

"[Substance Transformation Pill]: Produced by the Golden Wash Sect, refined from the essence of the Form-Shifting Tree and the blood of a hundred beasts. Upon consumption, it can temporarily transform one into the form of a hundred beasts or the state of a spiritual wood.

Cost of Use: After the transformation ends, any physical body part will develop irreversible residual effects from the transformation.

Status: Can be purified!"

This thing... is quite interesting.

Yang An looked at the pill in his hand. He hadn't expected this pill's effect to be for transformation. However, the cost of using it was indeed a bit severe.

"It is indeed a Substance Transformation Pill!"

He informed Pan Shi of the result. Only then did Pan Shi nod and throw the Exquisite Flower Illusion Jade he was holding back to Pang Shan, not making things difficult for him.

Just as he had said before, the Communal Feast Convention was a mixed bag, with cultivators from all sides having their own mountain origins, or at least their own affiliated forces if they were rogue cultivators.

If there wasn't a deep-seated hatred, there was no need to make an enemy of the other party.

Even the host of the Communal Feast Convention, the lineage of the Mother Diviner True Person, did not treat these people too harshly. As mere attendees joining the fun, they naturally had no reason to step forward.

In any case, they hadn't suffered any losses from beginning to end. Instead, they had gained a valuable Substance Transformation Pill, which was enough as compensation. There was no need to dwell on the matter and deliberately cause trouble for the other party.

"We still have a master beside us. We won't hold this against you this time, but next time, we advise you to keep your eyes open."

Although Pan Shi didn't intend to pursue the matter, he couldn't resist a verbal warning at the end.

"Fellow Daoist speaks the truth. Thank you all for your magnanimity! Thank you!"

Pang Shan was also sensible and didn't retort. Instead, he bowed gratefully to them.

Who would have thought that he would stumble in the gutter, make a fool of himself, and encounter a master? He had no choice but to accept it.

It was the best possible outcome for him that these people didn't escalate the matter.

Although losing a pill made him feel a pang of heartache, fortunately, his location was relatively secluded, with not many cultivators passing by. It didn't attract anyone's attention, which made him breathe a sigh of relief.

Indeed, as the person before him said, he needed to keep his eyes open from now on.

With this matter settled, Yang An and the other two acted as if nothing had happened and left, going to explore other places.

Yang An also highly agreed with Pan Shi's handling of the situation. No matter where you are, how you conduct yourself is a form of learning. It's better to have one less thing than one more. With fewer entanglements, one can have more freedom.

After leaving, Yang An handed the Substance Transformation Pill back to Pan Shi, but Pan Shi waved his hand.

"If it weren't for your help this time, my junior sister and I would have been scammed. This item rightfully belongs to you, so please don't be so polite with us anymore."

Pan Shi knew very well that rather than owing Yang An a favor, it was better to give him this item. Otherwise, the favor would only grow, and he might never be able to repay it in the future.

Seeing Pan Shi say this, Yang An didn't stand on ceremony. After a moment's hesitation, he accepted the pill.

Although he couldn't use this item, having an extra valuable item on him might allow him to exchange it for what he needed later. Who told him he was so poor?

"In that case, thank you, Fellow Daoist Pan."

"Haha, don't be so formal. Fellow Daoist Yang, don't be polite with us anymore. We'll still need your help later. Otherwise, relying on just my junior sister and me, we're afraid we'll be tricked by others again."

Pan Shi chuckled and, at the same time, made a decision in his heart.

"Of course, I won't let you help for nothing. If there's anything you fancy later, Fellow Daoist Yang, just tell me, and I'll make sure you're satisfied!"

When he and his junior sister left Three Pine Mountain, their master had given them quite a few good things, so Pan Shi appeared quite generous.

Of course, compared to these resources, he valued getting to know Yang An even more.

If his master found out about this, he would definitely approve of his actions.

Sometimes, equal mutual help and mutual benefit are the most respectful ways to treat each other, rather than blindly satisfying the other's needs and giving everything away to gain their approval.

That's not called making friends; it's called fawning.

Although Pan Shi didn't think his possessions were much to Yang An, as a disciple of a major sect, perhaps Yang An wouldn't even care about them.

But it's all about human effort. By letting fellow Daoist Yang see his attitude, their friendship could deepen further.

Hearing Pan Shi's words, Yang An was quite surprised, but he quickly understood Pan Shi's intentions.

The other party genuinely wanted to befriend him, thus placing them on equal footing, rather than solely trying to earn his approval through offerings.

Through their interactions over these past few days, Yang An had come to understand the personalities and conduct of this senior brother and junior sister. They were indeed people worth befriending, so Yang An didn't refuse.

"Alright, if fellow Daoist Pan can't discern something later, don't hesitate to ask, and I will certainly help you."

Yang An readily agreed without any hesitation, marking Pan Shi's kindness in his heart.

He knew that in Pan Shi's eyes, he might still be wearing the guise of a disciple from a major sect. Perhaps, in Pan Shi's view, these resources wouldn't be of much help to him.

But in reality, these things were a lifeline to him, solving an urgent problem, and their significance could not be overstated.

He needed this favor, so he would certainly remember it and repay it in the future.

"With fellow Daoist Yang's help, I can rest much easier. I'm sure I'll gain a lot this time."

Pan Shi laughed heartily, feeling very pleased.

Yang An's quick agreement meant that, in his eyes, he recognized the two of them as friends.

Their relationship had taken another step forward, which was exactly the outcome he desired.

"Let's go. More and more people are arriving, and it's the liveliest time right now. Let's go take a look over there."

Pan Shi called out, and the three of them soon moved on elsewhere.