Alright, Alright, So That's How You're Playing It, Bro

After casually putting away the prescription, Lin Ran finally turned his attention to the Storage Ring Green Yi had presented. A sweep of soul power gave him a clear grasp of everything inside.

The medicinal ingredients within should be enough to refine three Demon Transformation Pills. Clearly, Green Yi had already accounted for the possibility of failed refinement.

Besides the medicinal ingredients, Lin Ran also noticed several special items.

His soul power probed them, revealing that the jade bottles contained the essence blood of several high-tier Monster Beasts. Most were from Fifth-tier Monster Beasts, while only two came from Sixth-tier Monster Beasts.

Clearly, this was the price Green Yi had chosen to pay for the refinement of the Demon Transformation Pill.

Two bottles of Sixth-tier Monster Beast essence blood naturally were not enough to persuade a Sixth-Rank Alchemist to act even once. However, Lin Ran also knew that his two Spirit Dou Pills were not actually worth the price they had previously commanded.

Five million gold coins, the Magic Core of a Sixth-tier Monster Beast, and the essence blood of a Seventh-tier Monster Beast.

That was Green Yi's true sincerity!

After putting away the Storage Ring in his hand, Lin Ran revealed a gentle smile. "Three sets of ingredients should be enough to refine one Demon Transformation Pill. When would you like me to begin?"

"Whenever you are ready!"

Upon hearing this, Green Yi immediately revealed an excited expression and respectfully replied.

"In that case, let's do it now. I'll be leaving Black Rock City tomorrow, so it's best not to delay." Lin Ran spoke calmly, then looked toward Otto, Frank, and Gute. "Since you came to observe the refinement process, I'll leave the choice of location to you. How does that sound?"

"No problem!"

Gute waved a hand. "Please rest assured, sir. My residence is quiet and elegant, with absolutely no outsiders to disturb you. You can refine pills directly at my place!"

"Nonsense! The Alchemist Guild has dedicated refinement chambers. If sir refines at our guild, he will certainly be able to refine his medicine without trouble!" Otto immediately rejected the suggestion.

"Indeed. Sir is a Sixth-Rank Alchemist personally certified by the Pill Tower, and the Alchemist Guild has specialized refinement facilities. It truly would be better to go to our side."

Frank stroked his white beard as he spoke solemnly.

"You two old bastards, stop spouting nonsense! Sir is refining a sixth-rank pill and needs a quiet environment. Your Alchemist Guild is crowded and full of distractions. If you disturb sir's refinement, can you bear the consequences?!"

Gute angrily snapped, "Besides, my younger brother Gu He is also a Sixth-Rank Alchemist. I have extensive experience with the refinement of high-rank pills. Sir, just come refine at my place. I'll handle every other matter for you!"

As soon as those words were spoken, Otto and Frank wanted to argue further, yet neither knew what to say. They could only glare furiously at Gute, blowing their beards and widening their eyes.

There was no helping it. The man had a Sixth-Rank Alchemist for a younger brother. He really did have more grounds to act arrogant!

"Since that's the case, let's go."

Lin Ran spoke calmly. Gute flashed Otto, Frank, and the others a smug smile before quickly leading the way.

The group made its way grandly toward Gute's residence. Along the way, people constantly greeted them with respect. There was no helping it—for the people of Black Rock City, this group was simply too terrifying.

The Black Rock City Lord, Black Rock City's only two fourth-rank alchemists, and the elder brother of the legendary Pill King Gu He.

Such a lineup was actually walking together. How could they not be curious?

Amid countless astonished gazes, Lin Ran led Xiao Yi Xian through more than a dozen dizzying streets within Black Rock City alongside the others before they finally stopped before a strange building tucked away in a secluded corner near the southern part of the city.

Looking up at the strange building before them, Gute revealed an awkward yet polite smile. He cupped his hands toward Lin Ran and said, "Please come in, sir."

"Mm."

Lin Ran nodded calmly and stepped inside. Xiao Yi Xian and Green Yi followed closely behind. However, just as Otto, Frank, and the others were about to enter, Gute stopped them.

"What do you mean by this?!"

Otto's expression darkened, his eyes fixed fiercely upon Gute as though saying, If you dare stop me, I'll fight you to the death today!

"I know you have sir's permission, but you all know what I keep inside this house. Watch yourselves!"

Although Otto and Frank outranked him, and the Black Rock City Lord was even a Dou Ling expert, Gute gave them no face at all. He said irritably, "Otherwise, I'll throw you all out myself!"

"You old scoundrel! I understand!"

Otto snorted coldly, his face livid, and entered the house with Lin Fei. Frank shook his head and followed with Xue Mei.

"I won't be going in."

The Black Rock City Lord shook his head and said gravely, "Master Gute, this old man knows nothing about alchemy and will not disturb you. However, the appearance of a Sixth-Rank Alchemist in Black Rock City must be reported to the Imperial Capital. I'll need you to certify it with me."

"Mm, I understand."

Gute nodded. Though his heart was devoted to alchemy, he was still a citizen of the Jia Ma Empire. Since such a terrifying expert had appeared within the Jia Ma Empire, it naturally had to be reported.

Dou Qi surged as Gute took a specially made badge from his robes and handed it to the City Lord.

"Take it. It contains my personal mark. Once you submit it, my younger brother will know as well."

"Thank you for the trouble, Master Gute."

"Mm."

Gute nodded, then quickly turned and entered the house, catching up with Lin Ran and the others.

Gute's home was rather strange. Not only did it look peculiar from the outside, but the interior was the same.

His house did not resemble an ordinary residence at all. Instead, it looked more like a museum. Special crystal display stands were arranged throughout, each filled with various collectibles.

"Fire Heart Seven-Leaf Flower... Blood Crystal Grass... Is that Blue Rock Heart Stone?!"

Xiao Yi Xian let out occasional cries of surprise. Lin Fei, Xue Mei, and the others were also full of shock. Clearly, this was their first time coming to Gute's home as well.

"Master Gute truly deserves to be Pill King Gu He's elder brother. His collection is indeed astonishingly profound."

Green Yi looked around and could not help but praise him.

Though Gute's items were not particularly extraordinary, they were incredibly rare. Every single one was a seldom-seen treasure. In terms of rarity alone, the items here were no less valuable than the treasure vault of a major faction!

"Sir, these are all things I have collected over the years. If there is anything you fancy, please choose freely."

Gute hurriedly spoke as he caught up to Lin Ran and the others.

Lin Ran nodded and did not stand on ceremony. This was part of their transaction to begin with. "Xiao Yi Xian, choose three items."

"Got it, Young Master~!"

Xiao Yi Xian chuckled and instantly selected two highly poisonous items, making Gute's eyelids twitch.

He could not help but remind them, "Sir, the two items your maid has selected are both highly poisonous. It isn't that I refuse to give them to her, but I'm worried..."

"No need to worry."

Lin Ran spoke calmly and allowed Xiao Yi Xian to continue choosing. After selecting the two poisonous items, Xiao Yi Xian returned to Lin Ran's side, looking somewhat hesitant.

"What is it?"

"Young Master, I like cold things. The items here..."

Gute frowned, thought for a moment, then gritted his teeth. "Please wait."

The next moment, he turned and knocked randomly against one section of the wall. Then, with a faint muffled sound, an opening appeared behind the wall.

The appearance of this opening immediately stirred everyone's curiosity. Gute snorted lightly and crawled inside. After a short while, he emerged again, holding something in his hands.

After sealing the opening in the wall, Gute turned and placed the white jade box, large enough to fill a washbasin, into Xiao Yi Xian's arms.

The white jade box was sealed extremely tightly. Apart from the opening at the top, it did not have the slightest gap.

Though separated by a layer of white jade, Xiao Yi Xian could still sense the faint chill seeping from within.

Reluctantly patting the jade box, Gute carefully removed its sealed lid. The moment the lid came off, a wave of icy mist curled upward, and the temperature in the room instantly plummeted.

Everyone immediately cast curious looks toward it.

Around the jade bottle, cold air swirled with a bone-piercing chill. Looking at the small jade bottle that seeped with frosty air, Gute gritted his teeth and placed it in Xiao Yi Xian's hand.

"Take this as well!"

"This is... Ice Spirit Cold Spring?!"

Otto's pupils contracted as he gave Gute a deep look.

He was even willing to give away such a treasure. This old scoundrel truly wanted to befriend this young man.

"Sir, this item may be of use to you as well."

Before Otto could think further, Frank suddenly took a deep-blue crystal stone from his Storage Ring and offered it proactively.

Damn?!

Otto's eye twitched.

So you're playing it like this too, bro?!