Alchemy Cauldron (Seeking Supporters)

Southern Barrens Cultivation World.

Green Bamboo Mountain.

Inside an underground secret chamber in the shack district.

The secret chamber extended in all directions, and there even seemed to be hidden passages leading to the Outer World.

Fang Xi's figure quietly materialized. Looking at the package of Demon Meat beside him, he was slightly invigorated. "As expected... the Magic Tools here can be brought over, and the supplies there can be brought back, as long as I can carry them..."

The idea of trading between the two worlds was indeed quite feasible.

"In the early stages, the quantities will be small enough for me to carry. Later, it'll just be a matter of getting a storage bag... All right, Fang Xi, you're getting carried away. The smallest storage bag on the market still costs twenty Low-grade Spirit Stones!"

As for the corpse of the Martial Artist who had tried to rob him, Fang Xi had searched it thoroughly as well. Unfortunately... the man had been dirt-poor.

He had carried only a hundred or so taels of silver with him, looking just like a beggar. He had not even brought along his Martial Arts manual. How had he had the nerve to go out robbing people?

"No, wait. If he really had money, why would he go out robbing people?"

After ranting for a while, Fang Xi checked his own assets as well.

His cultivation was still at the Qi Refining Third Layer, and he was currently consolidating his foundation.

This inferior Wood Attribute spiritual root was truly somewhat difficult to cultivate.

Apart from that, the most valuable thing he owned was the low-grade magic tool—the Green Grain Sword.

Below the Green Grain Sword was a copy of the Evergreen Art manual. It could be cultivated to the great completion of the tenth layer of Qi Refining. It was also a common commodity in the market, and after Foundation Establishment, he would have to find another cultivation method.

"I've also got twenty-two Spirit Crystals, sixty pounds of Spirit Bamboo Rice, one First-grade Mid-rank Minor Lightning Talisman, one First-grade Low-rank Golden Light Shield Talisman, two Ice Seal Talismans, five Protective Talismans, as well as some Dust Removal Talismans, Fire Repelling Talismans, Water Repelling Talismans, and other daily-use talismans..."

"I feel like even a rogue cultivator coming to rob me would burst into tears..."

Fang Xi exhaled slowly as he looked at the Demon Meat and murmured, "Perhaps I should sell it... No, I can't take the risk before reaching the mid-stage of Qi Refining!"

He had asked around at the White Cloud Martial Arts School. The Demon Meat Fatty Han sold was called "Taisui Meat." It had this pale, fresh appearance and did not taste fishy.

It also had the effect of invigorating the blood and replenishing qi. Even Mu Piaomiao did not dare eat it during those special days...

Although he had known the specifics for a long time, Fang Xi still did not intend to consume the Demon Meat immediately.

"Cultivators often cook Yao Beast Meat as well. It can replenish Spiritual Energy, and to body cultivators, it's an unrivaled panacea. Naturally, they have an entire set of methods for distinguishing it..."

Fang Xi looked at the Taisui Meat, thought for a moment, and struck out a spell.

Buzz!

A halo appeared above the Taisui Meat. Its color continuously shifted before finally stopping at a dark green.

"Generally harmless, but it might still damage the body..."

Fang Xi nodded slightly.

"Cultivators have many methods for identifying poisons, not to mention treating them... To be safe, I can prepare a Detoxification Pill as well as a Spring Talisman."

When he thought of the talisman issue, Fang Xi immediately decided to have his new neighbor, Chen Ping, deal with it.

This new Spirit Farmer seemed to possess some skill in drawing talismans, so it would not hurt to get closer to him.

It could also help expand the original owner's connections.

The original Fang Xi had devoted himself wholeheartedly to bitter cultivation. Apart from his neighbors, he had no friends and had never come into contact with any circles.

But the current Fang Xi had already decided to expand his connections a little. This would also create channels for selling Demon Meat and purchasing rare resources in the future.

Once he had the thought, he put it into action!

Early the next morning, Fang Xi waited outside his door and caught Chen Ping as he was leaving. "Fellow Daoist Chen... heading out?"

"Indeed."

Chen Ping looked just like the other Spirit Farmers—honest, timid, and afraid of trouble. Upon hearing this, he asked, "Fellow Daoist Fang... is something the matter?"

"Indeed... Could Fellow Daoist Chen be a Talisman Master? I'd like to purchase a Spring Talisman, if possible..."

Fang Xi asked tentatively.

Chen Ping's expression shifted slightly before he gave a bitter smile and waved his hands repeatedly. "The Dao of talismans is broad and profound. How could I dare call myself a Talisman Master? I merely studied under Master Zong for a few days. I'm still at the beginner stage, and even drawing a First-grade Low-rank talisman is difficult..."

The four arts of cultivators—alchemy, formations, talismans, and artifact-refining—each required an enormous amount of effort.

Although the Dao of talismans was relatively simple by comparison, it was still difficult to master.

If drawing them was difficult, it meant the income could not cover the costs. That meant losing money.

"That's already quite good. I wonder, do you have a Spring Talisman?"

Fang Xi added, "I'll buy it at the market price."

"Well... I do happen to have one."

Once the average market price was mentioned, Chen Ping could no longer resist and took out a green talisman.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, the two chatted for a few more sentences before Chen Ping took his leave.

I didn't expect him to count as half an acquaintance. He studied under Master Zong for several days?

Looking at Chen Ping's departing back, Fang Xi suddenly thought of the husband-and-wife talisman stall owners and felt that this world was truly small.

Of course, it might also be because Green Bamboo Mountain Market was small to begin with, and there were only those few Talisman Masters.

Regardless, he had gained quite a bit from this trip.

I've got the Spring Talisman now. All that's left is a Detoxification Pill...

Fang Xi murmured to himself and entered Green Bamboo Mountain Market.

Pill Cauldron Pavilion!

The six-story wooden building was exquisitely constructed, with a faint herbal fragrance drifting from between the eaves.

When it came to pills that had to be swallowed, Fang Xi had always been very careful.

The pills on Rogue Cultivator stalls were somewhat cheaper, but there was no guarantee that they were entirely harmless.

The pill shops of major forces, on the other hand, were much more reliable.

The Pill Cauldron Pavilion had enjoyed several hundred years of reputation and credibility. The force behind it was even more powerful than the Situ Family.

To them, preserving their signboard and reputation was the greatest benefit of all. Thus, the quality of their pills was fairly trustworthy.

Of course, they were merely trustworthy. After buying them, he still had to inspect them carefully.

"This fellow Daoist, what kind of pill would you like to purchase?"

While Fang Xi was admiring the Pill Cauldron Pavilion, a young woman in a green robe approached him. "I'm Zhuo Luting. I know a little about ordinary pills."

She had peach-colored cheeks and almond-shaped eyes, with an extremely beautiful appearance. She did not even conceal her cultivation aura, allowing Fang Xi to immediately see that she was a cultivator in the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

Damn, the Pill Cauldron Pavilion's pills must be something else. Even a sales clerk is in the mid-stage of Qi Refining...

All right, of course they're something else.

Feeling somewhat sour inside, Fang Xi gave a bitter smile. "I need a Detoxification Pill."

"For detoxification pills, our pavilion has a First-grade Low-rank Clear Spirit Pill, which is effective against many kinds of poison. If you find its effects insufficient, we also have a First-grade Mid-rank Detoxification Removal Pill, and even a First-grade High-rank 'Myriad Spirit Pill.' It's just that the prices..." Zhuo Luting replied with a charming smile.

"I have a friend who accidentally ate some unfamiliar Yao Beast Meat..."

Fang Xi began "making up a friend."

Zhuo Luting thought for a moment. "Generally speaking, Yao Beasts won't poison their own blood or flesh. Unless the poison sac was accidentally eaten, the poisoning won't be too severe. The Clear Spirit Pill is highly effective for alleviating beast poison. Fellow Daoist, you could buy one to try. If it doesn't work, you can also bring that fellow Daoist here and have our alchemist take a look..."

"All right, then. How much is one Clear Spirit Pill?"

Fang Xi nodded.

"One Low-grade Spirit Stone," Zhuo Luting answered with a beaming smile.

So expensive!

The stalls outside only charge seven or eight Spirit Crystals at most!

Many thoughts passed through Fang Xi's mind, but he still handed over the Spirit Crystal without changing expression and received a small jade bottle.

"Does fellow Daoist have any other needs?" Zhuo Luting asked in a good mood after making a sale.

"Let me see..."

With his hands behind his back, Fang Xi took a good look around the first floor of the Pill Cauldron Pavilion.

Soon, he stopped in front of a counter.

On the wooden shelves of this counter stood bottle after bottle of spirit wine. Some were stored in jars, while others were sealed in bottles.

"This is spirit wine, brewed from Spirit Rice mixed with various spirit herbs and aged in cellars..."

Zhuo Luting explained to Fang Xi, "Many of us cultivators enjoy a cup of this. Not only that, but many spirit wines have multiple effects. For example, this Grain Abstinence Wine can be consumed as Spirit Food. One drink can keep you from needing food or fresh water for three days... And this Hundred Flower Brew not only tastes excellent, it also benefits female cultivators' Qi Refining... If your friend was poisoned by a snake, then this Hundred Snake Wine is highly effective at detoxifying snake venom!"

"I see..."

Fang Xi maintained an expressionless face, carrying himself with the air of a great expert.

In the Cultivation World, apart from the four arts of cultivation, there were other side professions as well.

For example, there were physicians who treated injuries, Spirit Chefs who prepared all kinds of Spirit Food, as well as brewers, Spirit Vein Masters, prospectors, and so on...

This minor art of brewing could be considered a small unorthodox path, or it could be considered a branch of alchemy.

Fang Xi glanced at the prices and then left directly.

Even if he put up his entire fortune, he might not be able to buy a single jar of spirit wine.

"As for the brewing recipes, I don't even need to think about them. I definitely can't afford them..."

Fang Xi secretly lamented. As a Spirit Farmer, brewing wine actually suited him quite well.

"Or perhaps... if the Pill Cauldron Pavilion won't work, I could browse the stalls and gamble on my luck?"

With this thought, he began wandering among the various mobile stalls.

Since transmigrating, Fang Xi had not escaped the brainwashing of novels. He had come to browse this market of street stalls, hoping to stumble upon an opportunity.

The result went without saying.

The novels were all lies!

Forget about stumbling upon some heaven-defying opportunity—even a small bargain had never come his way!

And it was not just him. Even after observing for an entire year, he had never seen a single Rogue Cultivator find a bargain at the stalls.

Instead, he had seen plenty of cultivators who felt they had lost out, or who had been swindled until they lost everything.

Several of them had even tried to cause a disturbance in the market, only to be thrown out by the Situ Family's Enforcement Team... How miserable could it get?

Thanks to the Alliance Leader of Night of Cramps for the reward. The extra chapters will be added after the book goes premium. My thanks!