Alchemist Trading Fair

"Teacher..."

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

"There's no need for that between teacher and student."

Ling You patted Ling Xi on the shoulder and smiled.

"You're exceptionally talented. One day, you're sure to become a powerful figure who'll astonish the continent."

"Teacher..."

Ling Xi started to speak again, but Ling You interrupted her once more.

"Though I may not amount to much, if one of my students becomes a powerful figure one day, then I'll have lived a worthwhile life."

"Teacher..."

Ling Xi spoke for the 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 expression understanding.

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

At last, Ling Xi managed to say what she'd been trying to say in one breath.

"How am I supposed to practice this Dou Technique without a weapon?"

"You kept trying to speak just to tell me that?"

Ling You asked, his eyes wide.

"What else? You're my teacher. You should help your student sort out the weapon problem."

Ling Xi said with an ingratiating smile.

Even Yao Chen had at least given Xiao Yan a Black Heavy Ruler.

"I don't have a weapon like that on hand. I'll go ask Xuan Kongzi to find one for you."

Ling You shot Ling Xi a glare, then immediately turned and strode angrily 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, her voice reached his ears.

"Thank you, Teacher."

"Hmph!"

Ling You snorted, then vanished from the spot.

Ling Xi slowly rose to her feet, her expression somewhat complicated.

"I just don't know what's wrong with Teacher. How is it that even someone like Senior Xuan Kongzi knows he doesn't have much time left?"

"Weren't you supposed to call my teacher Elder Xuan?"

A playful voice rang out. At some point, Cao Ying had appeared at the doorway, peeking cautiously into Ling Xi's room.

"Miss Cao Ying, isn't it rude to eavesdrop on people?"

Ling Xi frowned.

"Is this eavesdropping? I'm listening out in the open!"

Seeing Ling Xi frown, Cao Ying's eyes darted about as she replied.

"It's your first time in Sacred Pill City. My teacher asked me to show you around."

Before Ling Xi could refuse, Cao Ying continued.

"You and Elder Ling will be staying at the Pill Tower for a long time, so you should get to know Sacred Pill City."

"Besides, the Pill Tower is a sacred place for soul cultivators across the world. Sacred Pill City is full of Alchemists, and there are plenty of good things to be found here."

Ling Xi felt a little tempted, and it showed on her face.

She'd been born and raised in the Ling Domain. East Ling City was nothing more than a small town with just tens of thousands of households.

She really did want to look around Sacred Pill City, home of the Pill Tower in the Central Continent.

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

Ling Xi pressed her lips together, still a little embarrassed to admit it.

"That's easy. My Cao Family is quite wealthy. Anything you like today is on me."

Cao Ying patted her chest, which had begun to fill out, and spoke with a bold, generous air.

"Isn't that a little inappropriate?"

For some reason, Ling Xi felt as if she were living off someone else.

"What's inappropriate about it? Just consider it my treat."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Miss Cao Ying."

Now that they'd settled things, Ling Xi naturally followed Cao Ying and left the Pill Tower with her.

"Aunt Lin."

As soon as they left the Pill Tower, an elderly woman with snow-white hair suddenly appeared in front of them.

"Miss."

The old woman looked Ling Xi over before giving Cao Ying a slight bow, her manner showing considerable respect.

"She's one of my family's retainers. She's responsible for protecting me whenever I'm outside the Pill Tower."

Seeing the confusion on Ling Xi's face, Cao Ying casually explained.

The Cao Family truly lived up to its place among the Pill Tower's Five Great Clans. Even a junior like Cao Ying had a powerful guard accompanying her when she went out.

With the Pill Tower there, all of Sacred Pill City had become a sacred place for Alchemists across the world.

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

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

Ling Xi looked around as she asked Cao Ying.

"The inner district of Sacred Pill City is full of the Pill Tower's affiliated organizations and administrative offices. There's not much to see."

Cao Ying led Ling Xi straight into a carriage.

"We're both Alchemists, so naturally we should go to Sacred Pill City's Alchemist Trading Fair."

"There are all kinds of top-quality medicinal ingredients there, and you can find plenty of treasures as well."

Even across the whole continent, the Alchemist Trading Fair in Sacred Pill City had quite a reputation.

However, the Central Continent was full of hidden talents, and there were countless experts with a keen eye.

So finding a bargain at Sacred Pill City's Alchemist Trading Fair wasn't easy.

The carriage Cao Yi had ridden in was drawn by a Fifth-order magical beast, so it was naturally very fast.

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

A vast building came into view. Six large characters, written in sweeping strokes, adorned its pale green wooden signboard.

"Alchemist Trading Fair!"

People streamed past the entrance. Countless figures in Alchemist robes, or wearing Alchemist badges, strode inside beneath the envious gazes of those around them.

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

Looking at the astonishing number of Alchemists, Ling Xi couldn't help but marvel.

"Aren't you and I Alchemists too?"

"Besides, only Alchemists and those at the Dou Zong level or above are allowed inside."

"Though Alchemists can bring a few people in with them."

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

"Let's go."

After pinning on her badge, Cao Ying took Ling Xi by the hand, led her past the guards, and walked through the entrance of the Alchemist Trading Fair.

Beyond the entrance was a broad passageway. As they followed it inside, the first thing they noticed was the din.

"It's lively in here."

Ling Xi looked around at the enormous hall before her. Countless stone platforms filled the space.

Goods that stallholders wanted to sell or trade sat on the platforms, and quite a few Alchemists were haggling over prices.

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

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

Knowing it was Ling Xi's first time here, Cao Ying explained as they walked.

"Well, if it isn't little Cao Ying! What brings you to the Alchemist Trading Fair in Sacred Pill City today?"