Guan Sheng's Request

Han Yi did not know that after he left the market, a figure had been following him from the shadows. After watching him enter the Mystic Fire Pill Shop and waiting a while longer, the figure finally returned to the market.

"If my guess is correct, that kid should be an alchemist from the Mystic Fire Pill Shop."

"But it's rather strange. How could an alchemist capable of refining Evil Warding Pills close to Standard Quality be working at the Mystic Fire Pill Shop?"

"According to what I know, young alchemists with such skill usually live within the Mystic Pill Sect and rarely come down the mountain."

Guxi Shopkeeper, who had completed his transaction with Han Yi only a quarter-hour ago, sat in a Meditation Chamber wreathed in sandalwood incense, deeply puzzled.

"Forget it. You may withdraw for now. Since that kid belongs to the Mystic Fire Pill Shop, don't act rashly."

With a light wave of his hand, the figure standing before him—a person entirely cloaked in black, so silent it seemed as though even breathing did not exist—slightly cupped his hands. Then, with a flicker, he vanished from the room without a trace.

"The most likely possibility is that he is a disciple who came down the mountain for experience."

"The Mystic Pill Sect is not to be provoked. Let it go for now."

Guxi Shopkeeper rose to his feet and cast aside certain thoughts he had harbored toward Han Yi.

If Han Yi had been a Rogue Cultivator, he had many ways to make Han Yi serve him. Even if he could not command him directly, he could still quietly turn every pill and treasure Han Yi possessed into his own.

Unfortunately, Han Yi's backing was greater, making the Lei Family unwilling to act rashly.

Han Yi had no idea that, by sheer accident, he had evaded one of the Lei Family's "side businesses."

Only after stepping into the Mystic Fire Pill Shop did he finally let out a breath of relief.

Along the way, the killing intent that had appeared more than four months ago had not surfaced again.

When Guan Sheng saw Han Yi appear at the counter, an unreadable look flashed through his eyes.

"Congratulations on breaking through to Qi Refining Layer 3, Junior Brother Han. A truly joyous occasion."

Guan Sheng spotted at a glance the still-not-fully-stabilized fluctuations of Qi Refining Layer 3 around Han Yi.

After offering a few modest words, Han Yi got straight to the point.

"My apologies, Senior Guan. By our agreement, I should have come to report some time ago. But I happened to have a sudden insight, and in order to break through, I delayed your affairs. It was this junior brother's fault."

With Han Yi lowering his stance, Guan Sheng did not pursue the matter.

Han Yi then brought out his pills and Evil Warding Pills to begin the transaction. As before, he sold the Qi Nourishing Pills for spirit stones, while the Evil Warding Pills, divided on a twenty-eighty basis, earned him roughly ten spirit stones as well.

This time, Han Yi obtained a total of one hundred and sixty-seven spirit stones.

He only spent fifty spirit stones on Qi Nourishing Pill ingredients. It was not that he did not want to buy more; the Mystic Fire Pill Shop simply had only that much raw material for Qi Nourishing Pills.

As for other pills, he had no intention of getting involved with them for the time being.

Specializing in one field yielded better results.

"Junior Brother Han, your pill-refining skills have become increasingly refined, and your success rate has remained at a certain level. At your current standard, you will definitely pass the Return-to-Sect Assessment in half a year."

"Allow me to congratulate you in advance."

Guan Sheng spoke with a smile, and Han Yi cupped his hands in thanks.

Then, Guan Sheng once again handed Han Yi twenty sets of Evil Warding Pill ingredients.

This time, however, Guan Sheng did not stop there. After hesitating, he said, "Junior Brother Han, to be honest, there is something I need your help with."

"Oh? What exactly is it? Please give your instructions, Senior Guan," Han Yi asked, puzzled.

What could Guan Sheng possibly be unable to handle that he himself had the ability to help with?

But if he truly could help, then given Guan Sheng's care for him, he certainly would not refuse.

Seeing that Han Yi had not rejected him outright, Guan Sheng's expression brightened as he continued, "This is not something that needs to be done immediately."

"By custom, a sect steward will come to inspect the shop in three months. I happen to have an important matter then and will need to leave for a trip.

I do not trust the others. When the time comes, I hope you can lend a hand and help out in the shop for half a month.

Rest assured, Junior Brother. I will arrange everything properly beforehand and ensure that you can take over smoothly.

And since it will delay you for half a month, I will compensate you with spirit stones. I will not have you help for nothing."

Hearing this, Han Yi gave a bitter smile.

"Senior Guan, the Mystic Fire Pill Shop is so large, and it deals in so much pill business."

"The responsibility is far too great. I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it when the time comes."

"Besides, when the sect steward comes down, I wouldn't even know how to receive him."

Han Yi spread his hands.

To be honest, he only wanted to keep a low profile, grind proficiency, and enjoy the feeling of growing stronger every day.

He had even planned to live that way after returning to the sect in the future.

As for becoming a shopkeeper or anything of the sort, he had never considered it in the slightest.

Guan Sheng let out a soft sigh and said helplessly, "Precisely because the responsibility is so great, I do not trust anyone else."

"This year's sect inspection concerns my evaluation. There cannot be the slightest mistake."

"And it just so happens that I truly have something extremely important to attend to—I have no choice but to leave."

"That's why I considered asking Junior Brother Han to help."

"After our several interactions, Junior Brother Han has given me the impression of being steady and dependable. I trust you, and I trust my own judgment."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't have made such a rash request."

"As for receiving the sect steward, that won't be a problem either. There is already a fixed procedure, and I will make the necessary preparations. You needn't worry too much."

Hearing this, Han Yi thought it over again before finally nodding.

"All right, then."

"Since Senior Guan thinks so highly of me, if I keep refusing, I'll seem rather cold-hearted."

Han Yi finally agreed, and Guan Sheng's face lit up with delight.

"Good, excellent. With Junior Brother Han's assistance, there will surely be no oversights in this inspection."

Next, Han Yi asked for more detailed points concerning the matter, and Guan Sheng explained them one by one.

Half an hour later.

Han Yi left the Mystic Fire Pill Shop.

Inside the pill shop, the smile at the corner of Guan Sheng's lips did not fade.

"The final piece of the puzzle is complete. My long preparations have not been in vain."

"The chick has entered the cage. Great things lie ahead."

Guan Sheng's smile suddenly vanished, because a tall, skinny young man was coming down from the second floor.

That tall, skinny young man was none other than Jiang De.

Jiang De withdrew his gaze from Han Yi's departing figure and fixed it on Guan Sheng's face, speaking in a low voice.

"Old Guan, are you planning to make that kid take the fall during the sect steward's inspection?"

"This plan is riddled with holes. Once the matter is exposed, we'll all die."

"My suggestion remains unchanged: get rid of the kid as soon as possible and forge the evidence directly."

"Besides, that kid has just broken through to Qi Refining Layer 3. That gives him an even more convincing reason to have embezzled materials."

Jiang De still wanted to continue persuading him, but Guan Sheng cut him off.

"Jiang De, you need not interfere with my plan."

"I'm warning you: don't cause trouble during this period. If you ruin my affairs, you'll be unable to bear the consequences."

Guan Sheng's expression was unusually grim.

Jiang De stared hard at him once, said no more, and turned to head up to the second floor. A moment later, he came back down and headed outside.

"Where are you going?" Guan Sheng asked without raising his head.

"To collect the goods." Jiang De waved the invoice in his hand and walked out of the pill shop expressionlessly.

Guan Sheng lowered his head and ignored him.

Today was indeed the day to receive the spirit herbs and medicinal grasses.

Meanwhile, Han Yi, who had left the Mystic Fire Pill Shop, did not think much of it either.

He simply took it as an ordinary request from Senior Guan. He had no greedy intentions himself, so even if there were any issues, he could explain them clearly.

He would just consider it repaying a favor.