External Alchemist of the Flowing Cloud Sect

After Zhang Gui fled in disgrace, Li's Pill Pavilion's reputation, bolstered by its high-quality pills, swiftly spread throughout the inner district. Customers crowded through its doors every day.

The pills Li Chengjie refined often sold out in less than half a day, filling his once-flat Storage Bag again. This gave him more resources to buy higher-grade medicinal ingredients and attempt more complex pills. Through the union of practice and theory, his attainments in the Dao of alchemy steadily solidified.

One day, just after Li Chengjie saw off a group of customers, he was taking stock of the medicinal ingredients in the shop when two cultivators dressed in Flowing Cloud Sect steward robes entered.

The leader had a square face and sharp eyes. He was Steward Zhou, the man who had once reprimanded the fallen guard in the outer district. A younger disciple followed behind him.

Steward Zhou swept his gaze over the shop's plain yet tidy surroundings before finally settling on Li Chengjie. With a trace of official solemnity in his voice, he went straight to the point:

"Are you the owner of Li's Pill Pavilion, Li Chengjie, Alchemist Li?"

Li Chengjie's heart stirred slightly. He set down the medicinal ingredients in his hand and cupped his fists with neither servility nor arrogance. "That would be me. May I ask why the two esteemed stewards have graced this humble shop with your presence?"

Steward Zhou nodded, and the sternness on his face eased somewhat as he stated his purpose directly:

"I would not presume to offer guidance. I am Zhou Wenwu. The Qi Condensation Pills and Harmony Qi Pills that Alchemist Li has sold recently are of superior quality and have already earned a reputation in the market. The Flowing Cloud Sect is presently in need of talent, particularly skilled alchemists. After verification, we have found that Alchemist Li's skill has reached the first-tier mid-grade level and that your background is clean. Therefore, the sect has specially sent Zhou here to sincerely invite Alchemist Li to join the Flowing Cloud Sect as an External Alchemist in Qingshi Market."

Zhou Wenwu paused, observing Li Chengjie's expression before continuing to explain the terms:

"As an External Alchemist, the sect will not place excessive restrictions on Alchemist Li's freedom. You may continue operating this shop.

However, you must promise to give priority to alchemy assignments issued by the sect. The sect will provide the materials, and Contribution Points or Spirit Stones will be settled according to the quality and quantity of Pill Formation. The prices will be absolutely fair.

At the same time, the sect will grant you the corresponding protection of status. Within Qingshi Market, you will enjoy certain conveniences. What does Alchemist Li think?"

Li Chengjie rapidly weighed the matter in his heart.

Although the Flowing Cloud Sect's situation was far from ideal, it was still the controller of Qingshi Market for now.

Obtaining this official status would undoubtedly provide him with an umbrella of protection, sparing him much needless trouble and making it easier to acquire resources.

As for the alchemy assignments, they would not be a burden to him. On the contrary, they were opportunities to hone his skills and steadily obtain resources.

The right amount of "surprise" and "honor" appeared on Li Chengjie's face as he cupped his fists. "I am deeply grateful for the Flowing Cloud Sect's and Steward Zhou's regard! It is this one's honor to be able to serve the sect. However, what exactly must an External Alchemist do? And what can Contribution Points be exchanged for?"

Seeing that he had not refused outright, Steward Zhou's tone became gentler.

"The specific rules are all explained in this jade slip.

Each month, you must complete a certain basic quota of assignments, mostly refining commonly used pills such as Qi Condensation Pills and Harmony Qi Pills. Should there be any special requirements, you will be notified separately.

Contribution Points may be exchanged at the Sect Treasury for cultivation techniques, Dharma Artifacts, pills, and even eligibility to enter certain special cultivation grounds. With Alchemist Li's skill, accumulating Contribution Points should not be difficult."

Zhou Wenwu took out a Green Jade Slip and handed it to Li Chengjie.

"Alchemist Li may first review the details. If you have no objections, simply leave a divine-sense imprint at the end of the jade slip to confirm. From then on, you will be a registered External Alchemist of the Flowing Cloud Sect."

Li Chengjie accepted the jade slip and sank his divine sense into it, quickly reading through it once. The terms were indeed as Steward Zhou had said, with nothing harsh or demanding.

Li Chengjie hesitated no longer and immediately left his divine-sense imprint at the end of the jade slip.

Steward Zhou took back the jade slip, and a rare smile appeared on his face.

"Good! From today onward, Alchemist Li is a member of the Flowing Cloud Sect.

This is your Identity Token. With it, you may enjoy many conveniences in the inner district and accept sect assignments.

I hope Alchemist Li will diligently refine pills and weather these difficult times alongside the sect."

He handed Li Chengjie an Ironwood Token engraved with a flowing-cloud pattern and the character "Hired."

"I will certainly not fail the sect's and Steward Zhou's expectations." Li Chengjie accepted the token and solemnly tucked it into his robes.

Not long after seeing Steward Zhou and the other man off, Li Chengjie was preparing to continue tidying the shop when another familiar figure hurried in, wearing an enthusiastic—indeed, somewhat fawning—smile. It was none other than the Leasing Steward who had once demanded rent from him and extorted "labor fees."

All traces of his former indifference and impatience were gone, replaced by almost exaggerated enthusiasm. The moment he entered, he cupped his fists and laughed. "Oh! Alchemist Li! I am Han Li—this Han Li is not that Han Li! Congratulations, congratulations! Congratulations on Alchemist Li's glorious appointment as an External Alchemist of the Flowing Cloud Sect! This is a tremendous joyous occasion! I always said that, at first glance, Alchemist Li was no creature of a mere pond and would surely have a day of soaring to greatness!"

Looking at his face, once arrogant and now deferential, Li Chengjie understood everything. Yet his expression remained unchanged as he answered mildly, "So it is Steward Han. A trifling title, not worth mentioning. May I ask what business brings Steward Han here today?"

It was as though Steward Han had completely forgotten their previous unpleasantness. Rubbing his hands together, he piled his face with smiles, his tone deliberately intimate and carrying a hint of "regret."

"Alchemist Li, what are you saying? How could this be an empty title? An External Alchemist of the Flowing Cloud Sect—what an exalted status!" Han Li abruptly changed his tone, a look of "complaint" appearing on his face.

"Alchemist Li, you have not been quite fair here! You should have told me sooner that you were an alchemist the Flowing Cloud Sect intended to hire! If you had revealed this connection earlier, then that little matter of renting the house back then—how could it possibly... possibly have made you spend those sixty Spirit Stones? Wouldn't that make me, Han Li, seem terribly thoughtless and utterly incapable of conducting myself properly?"

As he spoke, Han Li swiftly took a bag of Spirit Stones from his Storage Bag. Holding it in both hands, he respectfully placed it on the counter before Li Chengjie and said in a sincere—or rather, fawning—tone:

"Han has come today for two reasons. First, to congratulate Alchemist Li. Second, to specially return the full sixty Spirit Stones from that previous house rental! This is called turning a clash into an acquaintance! If Alchemist Li has any needs in the inner district from now on, just say the word. I, Han Li, will certainly handle everything properly for you! You must accept these Spirit Stones, or else it means you are still blaming Han for failing to recognize Mount Tai back then!"

Li Chengjie looked at the bag of Spirit Stones on the counter, then at Han Li's cautious appearance, as though he feared Li Chengjie would refuse to accept it. He found it somewhat laughable.

Back then, he had nearly emptied his entire fortune to scrape together those sixty Spirit Stones, all to preserve this place on which his livelihood depended. Yet now, they had been returned to him in this manner.

Li Chengjie did not decline. Though he no longer lacked a few dozen Spirit Stones, they had been his to begin with. Taking them back was only proper.

With a calm expression, Li Chengjie picked up the bag of Spirit Stones, weighed it in his hand, and casually slipped it into his sleeve. His tone remained even. "Steward Han is too courteous. Let bygones be bygones. Li has only just arrived here; perhaps in the inner district going forward, there may indeed be times when I need Steward Han to make things convenient."

Seeing Li Chengjie accept the Spirit Stones, Han Li seemed to have cast off a thousand-pound burden. The smile on his face grew even brighter as he hurriedly patted his chest and promised:

"Rest assured, Alchemist Li! Absolutely no problem! From now on, in this inner district, if anything comes up, just give the word! I, Han Li, dare not boast about much else, but I do have this much authority! I definitely won't let you trouble yourself over such trifles again!"

Han Li went on with quite a few more flattering remarks. Seeing that Li Chengjie seemed to have no intention of talking further, he finally left in satisfaction, bowing and scraping as he bade farewell.

The shop returned to silence.

Li Chengjie fingered the Flowing Cloud Sect token in his sleeve and the pouch of Spirit Stones he had recovered, his gaze passing through the shop door toward the market street outside.

Becoming an External Alchemist of the Flowing Cloud Sect meant that, for the time being, he had gained a layer of protection in this peril-ridden market—but it also meant he was bound more deeply to the Qingshi Market stronghold.