The Use of Acid

Three Origins Sect dominates eight hundred li of the Southern Border in Shengkang, the undisputed sect leader of this region. When its disciples venture out for training, they often plunge deep into wild and dangerous lands, journeys ranging from tens to over a hundred li.

Back in Chen Yu's old life, just racking up steps would leave ordinary people in the dust. These cultivators had stamina so fierce it was almost inhuman.

And he was one of these non-humans.

But while cultivators were merely like non-humans, he truly wasn't human.

Whether he was human or a slime, he himself could barely tell anymore.

When those weary disciples trudged back to the mountain gate, dust-covered and exhausted, most would dive straight into Nanqiao Market's most famous tavern—the Treasures Pavilion.

Ordering a few plates of monster meat braised in sauce and a pot of warm wine, they'd wash away their fatigue amidst the clamor of voices and the aroma of spirit food.

Chen Yu's stall was set up behind the Treasures Pavilion, right next to an alley that carried a faint stench of swill.

Just one wall apart.

Inside the building, the scent of dishes was mouthwatering, but outside... the smell was even more indescribable than the rot of the Swamp Forest.

No wonder no one set up a stall in this spot.

He waved away the faint sour odor lingering at his nose, his gaze sweeping over the sleeves and robes of passing cultivators.

Though most cultivators only glanced briefly at the wooden token in front of his stall before walking straight past, from their loud discussions or low murmurs, Chen Yu caught fragments of news from beyond the mountains.

For instance, vicious demonic birds were causing chaos at Black Wind Ravine, a new Yin Marrow Vein had been discovered beneath White Bone Mountain, and deep within the dreaded Ten Thousand Poisons Cave, another Inner Sect Elite Squad had reportedly met their end...

Chen Yu listened with great interest, only snapping back to reality when he realized no cultivator had come to ask about prices.

Just as he was wondering about this, a young cultivator with a hint of gloom between his brows pretended to pass by casually.

He asked offhandedly, "What can this medicine liquid of yours be used for? Can it corrode hard things like bones?"

"If that monster is about as tall and heavy as a person, would three bottles be enough?"

Chen Yu, thinking he finally had a customer, tried to sound as friendly as possible.

"It should work, maybe it could even corrode a person."

But the cultivator's expression stiffened at that, and he directly waved his sleeve and turned to leave, leaving only one sentence behind.

"Junior Brother misunderstands, I'm not that kind of person."

Huh?

What kind of person aren't you?

Chen Yu was a bit puzzled; he felt like this cultivator had misunderstood something.

But a moment later, another cultivator came to the stall, dressed in black robes, his face unclear.

Yet Chen Yu felt this person looked somewhat familiar.

The black-robed cultivator got straight to the point, speaking hoarsely, "I'll take all these bottles of Corpse Dissolving Water. Is sixty Spirit Shards enough?"

Chen Yu heard this and chuckled.

Wasn't this the same young cultivator from before? Why had he changed his outfit?

Wait, Corpse Dissolving Water?

He suddenly realized.

No wonder no one had come to his stall all day—they all thought the Slime Acid was Corpse Dissolving Water and didn't dare buy it openly.

The Righteous Path cared about reputation; Corpse Dissolving Water, a must-have potion for murder and robbery, couldn't be sold openly. Three Origins Sect disciples usually traded in secret.

Ordinary disciples without connections might not even be able to buy Corpse Dissolving Water.

It was lucky he'd only set up his stall recently; otherwise, if the sect's Enforcement Team saw it, they'd inevitably drag him off for a lecture.

But then again... being dragged into the Little Black Room didn't sound so bad—at least they served meals.

If they let him stay a few days, he'd probably eat the Enforcement Hall out of business.

Pulling his wandering thoughts back, Chen Yu said, "Senior Brother misunderstands. I don't have Corpse Dissolving Water here; it's just a corrosive liquid."

The black-robed youth was briefly stunned, then gave a light laugh.

"Right, right, this Senior Brother was confused."

"Then let me ask again, would you be satisfied with twenty Spirit Shards per bottle of this liquid?"

There weren't many cultivators in the sect who could refine Corpse Dissolving Water, and most had their own underground channels. As an Outer Sect Disciple, he had little access.

He'd only planned to browse Nanqiao Market and buy some Spirit Rice, never expecting to run into a cultivator selling Corpse Dissolving Water under the guise of medicine liquid.

He saw it at once—an apothecary recruiting partners to expand sales channels. If he bargained down to ten Spirit Shards a bottle with such insincerity, he might miss this good opportunity.

The youth, confident he'd seen through Chen Yu's test, awaited his answer.

Chen Yu had never met a customer who counter-offered upward before, and he found it amusing.

"Twenty Spirit Shards is fine."

Just fine.

The youth thought Chen Yu was dissatisfied with the price and cupped his hands. "Twenty-five Spirit Shards a bottle, Junior Brother, are you satisfied?"

"Hmm?"

How was it getting taller the more he cut?

"Satisfied? Of course I'm satisfied."

Chen Yu couldn't help but remark, "If all the cultivators under heaven were as generous as you, Senior Brother, doing business would be a breeze."

Hearing this, a flicker of joy flashed in the young man's eyes. He reached into the pouch on his chest, took out some Spirit Shards, and pressed them into Chen Yu's hand.

"Junior Brother, say no more. Here are seventy-five Spirit Shards. Take them."

"You're too kind, Senior Brother."

Chen Yu tucked away the Spirit Shards and said tactfully, "But this medicinal liquid of mine is highly corrosive. Be careful not to splash it on yourself."

The young man nodded, put away the porcelain bottle, and wore an expression that said, I understand what you mean.

"Rest assured, Junior Brother. I'll only use this liquid on demonic beasts."

As for what counted as a demonic beast?

Heh. He had his own judgment.

Chen Yu had no idea if the man truly understood, but either way, the Slime Acid was sold, and his next meal was secured.

"I come to Nanqiao Market every day. If you want to buy more corrosive liquid, you can find me here..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a faint, sour stench wafted over.

"No, better you come find me near Qiaopai Gate instead."

The young man was overjoyed. This apothecary was clearly giving him a chance—it seemed his sincerity had moved him.

He immediately cupped his hands and said, "This Humble One is Shao Qingsong. May I ask your name, Junior Brother?"

"Chen Yu."

Selling Corpse Dissolving Water wasn't some earth-shattering crime. As long as he didn't flaunt it in front of the Enforcement Team, the worst he'd get was a few whispers from other cultivators. No need to hide it.

"Chen Junior Brother, see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

Chen Yu packed away the Coarse Cloth and Wooden Token, tucked them under his sleeve, and squeezed through the jostling crowd with effort.

His hand instinctively pressed against the old cloth pouch on his chest. Inside, seventy-five Spirit Shards clinked together. The heavy weight lifted his spirits.

He turned and plunged into the market's bustling haze. Before long, he bought a catty of Spirit Rice from a grain shop and, from a meat vendor, picked up a string of fresh pork tied tightly with straw rope.

Seventy-five Spirit Shards, spent down to the last one.

When it came to filling his stomach, he rarely held back. Maybe it was the Slime body's influence—this form had turned into a glutton too.

With his appetite, a catty of Spirit Rice, eaten sparingly, should keep the "black hole" in his stomach quiet for two or three days.

But eating Spirit Rice as a staple? He'd never been this extravagant before. Most of the time, he'd just eaten ordinary polished rice.

Chen Yu looked down at the lines on his palm. The Slime Acid that was useless in Zeyarilla could sell for a good price as Corpse Dissolving Water in Xuxuantian.

Monster Talents—truly wondrous.

He wondered what the Stinger Bee's talent was...

His thoughts wandered as he passed a stall selling Daoist Artifacts. His purse was too light, so he only glanced a few times before moving on, following the winding stone path back to the Green Bamboo Forest.

As for dealing with the Stinger Bees, that would take careful planning. At the very least, he'd have to wait until the pouch on his chest was filled with Spirit Stones.

That night, he finally stuffed something decent into his stomach—a bowl of rice, each grain shimmering with faint spiritual light, paired with a large, glistening piece of Braised Pork, stewed until tender and falling apart. The thick grease and satisfaction oddly reminded him of the delicious Moss Worms in the Swamp Forest.

Under the effect of Devour and Digest, his stalled cultivation base steadily improved. A breakthrough was in sight.

The next day, in the Swamp Forest, Chen Yu took advantage of the Stinger Bee's absence to sneak up to the surface. He secreted acid and washed the venom off the stingers the bee had left embedded in the tree roots.

Only after confirming no venom remained did he dare retract the stingers into his gel body.

With that, the Slime Equipment upgraded. The Toothpick Flying Sword was replaced by three pitch-black Stinger Swords, radiating a dangerous aura.

Three whole stingers.

A glint flickered in Chen Yu's bean-sized eyes as he fixed his gaze on a few breakfast targets moving across the mossy ground.