Evil-Repelling Pill Formula

Xia Qingyi and Xiao Yi each took out two jade bottles and handed them to Guan Sheng.

Guan Sheng opened the jade bottles, poured out the pills, examined them closely, then brought them to his nose and sniffed them. Only then did he reveal a satisfied expression. "Good. The quality is acceptable."

"Junior Brother Xia's are Spirit Eye Pills, while Junior Brother Xiao's are Mind Gathering Pills. In terms of quality, they both fall within the category of standard-grade pills."

"As per the usual rule, we'll calculate them at eighty percent of market price. The spirit stones will be settled later. If you buy pill formulas and alchemy materials here, you can enjoy a ten percent discount."

Han Yi was not surprised by the scene before him.

Seven days ago, Guan Sheng had already explained it to him.

For disciples assigned outside the sect, they were nominally required to complete assignments after being sent out. Such assignments were arranged by managers of sect-owned businesses like Guan Sheng.

It was essentially a channel that allowed externally assigned disciples an opportunity to continue cultivating on their own.

Of course, there were many details involved, and Han Yi had already understood them clearly before descending the mountain.

In truth, when the higher-ups of the Mystic Pill Sect first devised this policy, their intention was for those externally assigned disciples whose Outer Peak residences had been confiscated to still serve some final purpose for the sect's businesses after leaving the mountain.

At the same time, the externally assigned disciples could obtain a cultivation environment somewhat more stable than that of Rogue Cultivators.

It was a win-win arrangement.

Of course, externally assigned disciples could also refuse the pill shop's assignments, purchase their own materials, refine pills themselves, and carve out their own sales channels.

In that case, aside from possessing the identity of an outer disciple of the Mystic Pill Sect, they would be no different from Rogue Cultivators.

Most importantly, they would have to bear the risks themselves.

In the world of cultivation, Rogue Cultivators did not have it easy. Murdering for treasure was as commonplace in the shadows as could be.

While Han Yi's thoughts turned, Guan Sheng had already put away the Spirit Eye Pills and spoke again.

"As usual, I'll first go over the shop's best-selling pills. The ones that sold the most last quarter were: Evil-Repelling Pills, Breakthrough Pills, Spirit Nourishing Pills, Qi Nourishing Pills, Spirit Eye Pills, Mind Gathering Pills..."

"You may choose to refine popular pills, or you may choose pills you are skilled at refining."

Han Yi was delighted inwardly.

Qi Nourishing Pills were also among the best-selling pills, and he had three bottles on him.

The four of them chatted for a while longer. The other three did most of the talking, while Han Yi listened.

After this conversation, his understanding of the relationship between externally assigned disciples and sect-owned businesses deepened further.

A moment later, Xiao Yi and Xia Qingyi purchased some spirit herbs and medicinal plants, then left in satisfaction.

After the two departed, Guan Sheng looked at Han Yi, a glint flashing through his eyes.

"Junior Brother Han, there is no need to hurry. You've only been down the mountain for a few days, so I imagine you've only just begun to adapt."

"Besides, with your connection to Guan Di, I don't consider you an outsider."

Hearing this, Han Yi felt even more at ease.

The cultivation world was also a society made up of people. Connections and relationships worked here just as well.

"Thank you, Senior Guan."

"Senior Guan, I refined three bottles of Qi Nourishing Pills here and would like to sell them directly to the pill shop."

As he spoke, Han Yi took out three transparent jade bottles. Within them rested white pills the size of fingernails.

Guan Sheng raised a brow. "Junior Brother Han, has your alchemy improved?"

Han Yi cupped his hands. "It was merely a stroke of luck. After descending the mountain, I gained a little insight and was fortunate enough to refine these three batches of Qi Nourishing Pills."

Guan Sheng's gaze flickered, and the smile on his lips deepened.

"Good, excellent. In that case, your chances of passing the Return-to-Sect Assessment when you apply in a year will be greater."

As he spoke, Guan Sheng took the Qi Nourishing Pills, removed the cap, and sniffed the pill fragrance. His eyes lit up. "Good. Though their quality is still standard-grade, they are somewhat better than Junior Brother Xia's and Junior Brother Xiao's."

"Three bottles, twenty-six pills. How about this? Since it's your first time, I'll buy them at ninety percent of market price. I'll give you forty spirit stones. What do you think?"

Han Yi was overjoyed at this.

The price Guan Sheng offered was extremely generous—four spirit stones more than he had expected.

A huge profit.

Seeing the delight plainly written across Han Yi's face, Guan Sheng considered for a moment before continuing.

"Junior Brother Han, now that your alchemy has improved, you can try refining Evil-Repelling Pills."

"Evil-Repelling Pills?" Han Yi did not react at once.

"Yes. Evil-Repelling Pills are very difficult to refine, but they are also the best-selling pills on the market and can fetch a high price."

All sorts of information regarding Evil-Repelling Pills surfaced in Han Yi's mind, and realization immediately dawned on him.

This cultivation world was different from the one Han Yi had imagined.

The greatest difference lay in the matter of "Heavenly Demons."

In this world, the dangers that posed the greatest threat to cultivators could be divided into two kinds: natural disasters and man-made calamities.

Man-made calamities needed no explanation, while natural disasters were Heavenly Demons.

Heavenly Demons dwelled beyond the world barrier, traceless and shadowless. Yet whenever a cultivator within the cultivation world broke through a realm, the Heavenly Demons beyond the realm would descend like sharks scenting blood.

Heavenly Demons corresponded to heavenly tribulations.

Evil-Repelling Pills were refined specifically to guard against Heavenly Demons.

Simply put, when preparing to break through, one took an Evil-Repelling Pill in advance. During the breakthrough, even if a Heavenly Demon descended, the Evil-Repelling Pill's aura on one's body would make it afraid to invade.

Once the breakthrough was over, the Heavenly Demon would naturally leave.

Of course, if the Heavenly Demon that came was too powerful—for instance, if someone breaking from Qi Refining Layer 3 to Layer 4 attracted a great Heavenly Demon equivalent to the Foundation Establishment stage—then no matter how high the quality of the Evil-Repelling Pill, they would still be finished.

Such a situation generally would not occur.

When breaking through at lower realms, such as from Qi Refining Layer 1 to Qi Refining Layer 2, taking a single Evil-Repelling Pill was enough. The higher one's realm, the more Evil-Repelling Pills one needed to take.

Above Qi Refining Layer 7, simply taking more Evil-Repelling Pills would no longer be effective. One had to take Evil-Repelling Pills of at least Standard Quality to remain safe and sound.

This was also one reason why Qi Refining Layer 7 was a dividing line in this world. Cultivators at Layer 7 were far more powerful than those at Layer 6.

"An Evil-Repelling Pill of ordinary quality generally sells for five spirit stones. If the price of raw materials rises, so will its price."

"If it is Standard Quality, the price of a single pill is at least ten times higher, reaching fifty spirit stones. It can truly be called expensive."

"It is rare for Junior Brother Han's alchemy skills to have broken through. You can try refining Evil-Repelling Pills—it will bring many benefits to your future development."

Seeing the thoughtful look on Han Yi's face, Guan Sheng continued.

Yet Han Yi felt that something was off, though he could not put his finger on it.

"But I don't have the Evil-Repelling Pill Formula."

"Besides, the materials for Evil-Repelling Pills are precious. I cannot afford them either."

When Guan Sheng heard this, inwardly delighted, he knew that the matter was basically ninety percent settled. He lowered his voice and said, "Rest assured, Junior Brother Han. Our relationship is not ordinary. I can give you the Evil-Repelling Pill Formula, and I can even provide the raw materials."

"Of course, I will not provide them for free. You know that your senior brother is a businessman."

"If you successfully refine the pills, we split the proceeds eighty-twenty. I take eighty, you take twenty. The arrangement lasts for one year. After a year, when you return to the sect, the deal ends."

"What do you think?"

"Over this year, not only will you not suffer any losses, you will also gain experience refining Evil-Repelling Pills and obtain the Evil-Repelling Pill Formula for free. This is a sure-profit deal."

After Guan Sheng's explanation, Han Yi was tempted as well.

Still, he had some doubts.

"I am indeed interested in this deal."

"But I have one question. Why do you want me to refine Evil-Repelling Pills?"

"Normally, such valuable pills should be supplied by the sect. The channels would be stable, and the risks much lower."

Guan Sheng sighed upon hearing this.

"To be honest with Junior Brother Han, things have been somewhat unsettled lately. The number of Evil-Repelling Pills the sect can supply to the Mengshan City pill shop has been dwindling, and with fewer goods coming in, my business has been affected as well."

"Furthermore, I have received word that beginning next month, the sect will no longer provide Evil-Repelling Pills. Each Mystic Fire Branch will have to find its own channels and figure something out."

"Your senior brother has his difficulties as well."

"Unsettled?" Han Yi's tone rose as he asked with concern.

"Yes. I only heard about it myself. As for the specifics, I do not know." Guan Sheng clearly did not wish to discuss it and brushed over the matter.

After thinking it over, Han Yi nodded heavily.

No matter what, he would get an Evil-Repelling Pill Formula for free. He would not lose out.

As for the eighty-twenty split, it was not outrageous. If Guan Sheng had offered him a greater share, he would instead have suspected Guan Sheng of harboring ill intent.

"Alright. I agree."