The Elixir Formula

A disheveled old man with messy hair, passing by, suddenly stopped. His gaze landed precisely on the cloth bundle in Cui Hao's hand, and he twitched his nose twice. "Is this... aged Dragon Saliva Grass?"

"Scram! Scram!" Shopkeeper Xu immediately knew he'd met an expert. "Nothing to do with you, move along!"

"This old man is just a traveler. I need to prepare a batch of Wound Healing Medicine, please be accommodating."

Cui Hao looked at Xu Ren.

"Junior Brother, we haven't made a deal yet. You can sell it to whoever you want."

Cui Hao opened the cloth bundle, showing the herbs to the old man. "What price will you offer?"

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

"Then there's nothing to discuss." Cui Hao put the bundle away and prepared to leave.

"Wait!" The old man blocked his path. A glint flashed in his cloudy eyes. "You bear the marks of blood quenching. You have potential for martial arts, but your foundation is still shallow... This old man has an item that might be useful to you."

As he spoke, the old man pulled out a crumpled piece of beast hide from his old clothes and, with his dirty hands, handed it to Cui Hao. "I'll trade this."

Shopkeeper Xu scoffed from the side. "A tattered piece of paper to exchange for Dragon Saliva Grass? Has the old fellow gone mad?"

Cui Hao, however, felt a stir in his heart. Although this old man was disheveled, the way he blocked him just now, his steps light and swift, showed he was no ordinary person. He took the beast hide, unfolded it, and smoothed it out to look.

[Item Name]: Startling Thunder Pill

[Grade]: Mortal Rank, Low Tier

[Effect]: Contains a trace of heavenly lightning. After consumption, it can temporarily stimulate the acupoints throughout the body, unlocking the body's potential. Within a quarter of an hour, it will increase a martial artist's movement speed and strength by thirty percent.

[Contraindications]: The medicinal power is potent. Afterwards, the meridians will ache for more than a day. Martial artists below the Great Accomplishment of Clear Force risk their meridians shattering.

[Detailed Formula]

[Main Ingredients]: Thunderstruck Wood three qian, Crimson Blood Vine two liang, century-old Cinnabar one qian...

[Secondary Ingredients]: ...

Cui Hao's heart pounded. This pill formula was incredibly powerful and valuable. He took a deep breath, suppressed his greed, and respectfully returned the beast hide with both hands. "Senior, this formula is too precious, and my cultivation is low, so I cannot use it... Could you... exchange it for something I can use right now?"

For the first time, the old man looked closely at Cui Hao and smiled, revealing a row of yellow teeth. "Interesting. Not greedy, knows when to advance and retreat. A sensible person."

Taking back the refining secret of the [Startling Thunder Pill], he took out another piece of beast hide from his bosom and handed it to Cui Hao. "This one, perhaps, will be useful to you."

Taking it with both hands, he was about to unfold it when he noticed Xu Ren peeking over. Cui Hao took a step back, avoiding others' gazes, and unfolded the beast hide.

[Item Name]: Qi and Blood Powder

[Grade]: Mortal Rank, Low Tier

[Effect]: Replenishes Qi and blood, strengthens the foundation. Can accelerate the accumulation of Qi and blood for martial artists in the Mortal Martial Realm, aiding cultivation.

[Contraindications]: Take as instructed, do not consume excessively, or Qi and blood may become agitated, easily damaging the meridians. For those at the Clear Force realm and above, the effect is negligible.

[Detailed Formula]

[Main Ingredients]: Blood Ginseng Whisker three qian, Angelica Sinensis one liang, Prepared Rehmannia Root eight qian...

[Secondary Ingredients]: ...(Detailed proportions and refining methods)

Cui Hao's hands trembled slightly. This was exactly what he needed most right now! A pack of Qi and Blood Powder cost one tael of silver. If he could refine it himself, the cost would be less than a hundred copper coins, and he could adjust the potency according to his needs!

More importantly, he could level up his [Alchemy] skill!

"Senior..." Cui Hao looked up, only to find the disheveled old man already ten steps away, his pace seemingly slow but actually very fast.

Cui Hao quickly called out, "This junior is poor and only has this much..." He took out two hundred copper coins and, along with two stalks of Dragon Saliva Grass, wrapped them in cloth and chased after the old man, holding them with both hands.

The old man didn't look back, but it was as if he had eyes in the back of his head. He reached out and the bundle landed in his hand. He weighed it, and his voice drifted from ahead, "Little brat, this formula is worth more than this, but this old man is in a good mood today, so consider it a favor you owe me. If there's a chance in the future... we'll talk."

Before his voice faded, the old man had already turned the street corner and disappeared.

Cui Hao stood there stunned, tightly clutching the beast hide in his hand.

"Junior Brother Cui," Xu Ren walked over, his face filled with unconcealed curiosity. "What was written on the beast hide the old... Senior gave you?"

Cui Hao steadied himself, carefully put the beast hide into his clothes, close to his body, and turned to Xu Ren with a calm expression. "Senior Brother Xu, it's just an ordinary medicinal cuisine recipe. You definitely won't be interested."

Saying this, he took out twelve stalks of Qingming Grass. "I'll sell these to you, at the price we discussed earlier, plus ten percent."

Xu Ren stared at Cui Hao for a long time, knowing he wouldn't get any more information. He could only nod. "Alright, Uncle Xu, settle the bill for Junior Brother Cui."

Shopkeeper Xu, reluctantly, handed four taels of silver to Cui Hao.

Cui Hao took the silver, cupped his fists, and said, "Farewell."

Turning to leave the Pharmacy, Cui Hao's steps were much lighter than when he arrived. The beast hide felt warm against his chest, as if radiating heat.

He knew he had stumbled upon a great opportunity today.