Alchemist Trading Fair

"Teacher..."

Ling Xi took the scroll, a flicker of emotion crossing his face.

"There's no need for that between master and disciple."

Ling You patted Ling Xi on the shoulder with a smile.

"Your talent is extraordinary; one day, you'll surely become a powerhouse that shakes the continent."

"Teacher..."

Ling Xi started again, only to be cut off by Ling You.

"I may not be gifted myself, but if the disciple I've trained becomes a great one, I'll have no regrets in this life."

"Teacher..."

Ling Xi tried a third time.

"Some things don't need explaining. Who in this world doesn't have secrets?"

Ling You clasped his hands behind his back, his face showing understanding.

"Teacher, actually, what I wanted to say is—I don't have a spear-type weapon!"

Ling Xi finally blurted out what he'd been holding back.

"Without a weapon, how am I supposed to practice this Dou Technique?"

"You kept interrupting just to tell me that?"

Ling You's eyes went wide.

"What else? You're my teacher—you've got to help your disciple solve the weapon problem."

Ling Xi put on a shameless grin.

After all, even Yao Chen had given Xiao Yan a Black Heavy Ruler.

"I don't have such a weapon on me. I'll go ask Xuan Kongzi."

Ling You shot Ling Xi a glare, then turned and stomped toward the door.

"Teacher."

Just as Ling You was about to leave the room, Ling Xi called out again.

But before Ling You could turn around, a voice reached his ears.

"Disciple thanks you, Teacher."

"Hmph!"

Ling You snorted, and his figure vanished on the spot.

Ling Xi slowly rose, his expression complicated.

"I just wonder what's really wrong with Teacher. Even someone like Senior Xuan Kongzi seems to know his lifespan is running short."

"Aren't you supposed to call my teacher Xuan Zi?"

A playful voice rang out. Cao Ying was standing at the door of Ling Xi's room, peeking in cautiously.

"Miss Cao Ying, isn't eavesdropping a bit improper?"

Ling Xi frowned.

"Eavesdropping? I'm clearly listening out in the open!"

Seeing Ling Xi's frown, Cao Ying rolled her eyes and shot back.

"This is your first time in Sacred Pill City. Teacher told me to show you around."

Before Ling Xi could refuse, she continued.

"You and Elder Ling are staying at Pill Tower long-term, so you need to know Sacred Pill City."

"Besides, Pill Tower is the holy land for soul masters everywhere. Sacred Pill City is packed with alchemists and plenty of good finds."

Ling Xi's heart stirred, a hint of interest showing on his face.

He'd grown up in the Ling Domain, and East Ling City was just a small town of a few tens of thousands of households.

Sacred Pill City, home of the Central Continent's Pill Tower—he really did want to explore it.

"I... I don't have any money."

Ling Xi pursed his lips, a bit embarrassed.

"That's easy. My Cao family has some wealth. Whatever you fancy today, it's on me."

Cao Ying patted her budding chest, putting on an air of lavish generosity.

"Isn't that a bit much?"

For some reason, Ling Xi felt like he was being kept.

"What's wrong with it? Just think of it as me treating you."

"Then I'll trouble Miss Cao Ying."

Since they had already agreed, Ling Xi naturally followed behind Cao Ying as they left the Pill Tower together.

"Aunt Lin."

But just as they stepped out of the Pill Tower, a white-haired old woman suddenly appeared before the two of them.

"Miss."

The old woman sized up Ling Xi for a moment before cupping her hands slightly toward Cao Ying, appearing quite respectful.

"She's our clan's guardian, responsible for my safety outside the Pill Tower."

Seeing Ling Xi's puzzled expression, Cao Ying explained casually.

It was clear that the Cao family lived up to its reputation as one of the Five Great Clans of the Pill Tower, with even a junior like Cao Ying having a strong protector by her side when traveling.

Thanks to the Pill Tower's presence, the entire Sacred Pill City had become a holy land for alchemists across the land.

Its prosperity far surpassed that of East Ling City in the Ling Domain, making it the most bustling city Ling Xi had seen since arriving in this world.

"Miss Cao Ying, where are you taking me?"

Ling Xi glanced around as he asked Cao Ying.

"The inner district of Sacred Pill City is just full of Pill Tower subsidiary organizations and administrative offices—nothing interesting."

Cao Ying led Ling Xi straight onto a carriage.

"Since we're both alchemists, we're naturally heading to the Sacred Pill City Alchemist Trading Fair."

"There, you'll find all kinds of top-tier medicinal ingredients and can also dig up some good finds."

Even across the entire continent, the Sacred Pill City Alchemist Trading Fair held a considerable reputation.

But the Central Continent was a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers lurked, with countless sharp-eyed experts among them.

So trying to snag a bargain at the Sacred Pill City Alchemist Trading Fair wasn't an easy task.

The carriage Cao Yi had taken was pulled by a Fifth-order magical beast, making it extremely fast.

In just a quarter of an hour, the three of them arrived at the boundary between Sacred Pill City's inner and outer districts.

A massive building appeared before Ling Xi, its light cyan wooden plaque bearing six bold, flowing characters.

"Alchemist Trading Fair!"

In front of the building, a constant stream of people flowed by—countless individuals in alchemist robes and badges strode confidently inside under the envious gazes of onlookers.

"This is the first time I've seen so many alchemists."

Ling Xi remarked with some amazement at the staggering number of alchemists.

"Aren't you and I alchemists too?"

"Besides, only alchemists and experts above the Dou Zong level are allowed in here."

"But alchemists can bring a few people along with them."

Cao Ying was clearly used to the scene before her. She took a Fifth-grade Alchemist badge from her Nakai Ring and pinned it to her chest.

"Let's go."

With her badge on, Cao Ying reached out, grabbed Ling Xi's hand, and led him past the guards through the entrance of the Alchemist Trading Fair.

Beyond the entrance was a wide corridor. Following it inside, the first thing that hit them was a wave of noise.

"It's lively in here."

Looking around, Ling Xi saw a vast hall filled with numerous stone platforms.

On each platform were goods for sale or trade by the stall owners, with quite a few alchemists haggling among them.

"This Alchemist Trading Fair has three floors. The first floor's goods are a mixed bag. To enter the second floor, you need to be at least a Sixth-grade Alchemist."

"As for the third floor, you need at least a Seventh-grade Alchemist rank or a Dou Venerate to get in."

Knowing this was Ling Xi's first time here, Cao Ying explained beside him.

"Oh, if it isn't Sister Cao? What brings you to the Sacred Pill City Alchemist Trading Fair today?"

Just as Ling Xi was about to speak, a voice suddenly rang out not far from the three of them.