Mountain Immortals Select Immortal Seedlings

The Chen family apothecary was known throughout Datian Town. Hunting in the mountains inevitably led to injuries or poisoning, but Old Man Chen could always cure any ailment, earning him a high reputation in town.

On North Street, a small, unremarkable shop hung a prominent "Medicine" sign. Old Man Chen's apprentices were busy chopping and preparing herbs, filling the surrounding area with a faint herbal aroma.

Despite the apothecary's good business, Old Man Chen, who left all the management to his apprentices, lived a very leisurely life. He often sat in a rattan chair in the inner courtyard, sipping tea and reading, perfectly at ease. He only intervened in difficult cases his apprentices couldn't handle or when medicinal herbs to be purchased were too valuable for them to decide, otherwise, he no longer concerned himself with daily affairs.

Qin Haoxuan arrived at the apothecary, surrounded by a group of young men, drawing considerable attention.

Everyone in town knew Qin Haoxuan must be here to sell medicinal herbs again. And with such a grand entrance, it was probably something valuable!

Besides the occasional injured hunter and scattered herb gatherers selling their finds, the Chen family apothecary only had two unfamiliar faces.

Seeing two strangers in Datian Town was rare. These two were being enthusiastically recommended rare medicinal herbs by Old Man Chen's arrogant apprentices. Judging by the apprentices' almost fawning smiles, they had already purchased quite a bit. They must be those two wealthy outsiders.

As Qin Haoxuan approached the entrance of the Chen family apothecary, the faint scent of Solomon's Seal stood out amidst the rich herbal aroma, immediately drawing the attention of the two strangers.

"Young man, are you here to sell medicine?" one of the men, dressed in a blue shirt and sporting a small goatee, walked up to Qin Haoxuan. "This small village actually has good Solomon's Seal?"

Before Qin Haoxuan could speak, one of the young men rushed to his side and said, "Whether it's Solomon's Seal or not, I don't know, but nothing Brother Qin offers is ever second-rate!"

The goatee-wearing man stared directly at Qin Haoxuan's face. Seeing Qin Haoxuan's noncommittal expression, he took it as confirmation of the Solomon's Seal. He continued, "Little brother, I'm currently preparing a prescription that specifically requires Solomon's Seal. Name your price for this piece today, and I'll buy it. How about it?"

Qin Haoxuan knew this man must have some background. He hadn't even revealed the Solomon's Seal yet, and the man had already identified it. It would be unwise to quote a price rashly to such a capable person.

Qin Haoxuan didn't name a price. The village youths who had come along to join the excitement started bidding wildly.

"Five taels..."

"How can it be five taels? It should be at least ten!"

"Have some ambition! Is Brother Qin's good stuff only worth ten taels? I think at least fifteen!"

The youths, unaware of what Solomon's Seal was, argued heatedly, their bids escalating from five taels all the way to fifty.

The two strangers exchanged a smile. The goatee-wearing man took out five gleaming silver ingots from his pouch and said, "Here are one hundred taels of silver. If you're willing to sell this piece of Solomon's Seal to me, this silver is yours."

The display of one hundred taels of silver stunned the group of mountain youths. Despite their enthusiastic bidding, except for Qin Haoxuan, none of them had ever seen ten taels of silver before, let alone one hundred taels at once.

Even Zhang Kuang's family, whose father was the most skilled hunter in Datian Town, only earned twenty to thirty taels a year, which was considered quite wealthy in Datian Town.

Seeing the drooling expressions of the youths, the two men assumed the deal was made.

Qin Haoxuan was also startled by the price, his heart pounding. After a long moment, he shook his head and said, "I really can't sell this to you two..."

Hearing Qin Haoxuan's words, the goatee-wearing man paused, then said, "Although Solomon's Seal is rare, you'd only get twenty to thirty taels if you sold it to the apothecary. I'm willing to offer one hundred taels..."

The other stranger, who had been silent, interrupted the goatee-wearing man. "If the price isn't satisfactory, I'll add another twenty taels. How about that?"

One hundred and twenty taels was the income of an ordinary family in Datian Town for over a decade. Even Qin Haoxuan would need three to four years to earn that much. Some youths' faces turned red, and they felt breathless looking at the six silver ingots glinting in the sunlight.

Qin Haoxuan took a deep breath, steadying his somewhat wavering spirit.

"Old Man Chen has been talking about wanting a piece of Solomon's Seal for years. If he finds out I sold it to you, he'll offer me less for my herbs in the future. One hundred taels is tempting, but I can't cut off my own path forward, can I?"

Qin Haoxuan stated his reasoning, earning nods of approval from everyone, including the two strangers. The adults in the shop buying medicine looked on with regret, wishing they had sons like him!

"Interesting, very interesting." The two strangers smiled faintly and left with great courtesy. As soon as they were gone, Old Man Chen, having heard the news, rushed out from the inner courtyard.

"Solomon's Seal, you found Solomon's Seal?" Old Man Chen's voice boomed before he appeared. Nearly eighty, he had a full of vigor, rosy complexion, and walked with a sprightly step. Upon seeing Qin Haoxuan, he anxiously shouted, "I heard someone was trying to outbid me for Solomon's Seal? Where is it? Did you sell it?"

"Here, I saved it for you, old man." Qin Haoxuan opened the hand that had been tightly clutching the Solomon's Seal. A piece of yellow stone, the size of a fingernail, appeared in his palm. A faint but rich fragrance immediately spread, overpowering the scent of the numerous herbs in the apothecary.

"Solomon's Seal, it really is Solomon's Seal..." Old Man Chen, despite his age, could no longer suppress his emotions upon seeing the Solomon's Seal. He rushed forward, took the Solomon's Seal from Qin Haoxuan's hand, and examined it closely, tears of excitement welling up in his eyes.

"Qin boy, how much do you want for this Solomon's Seal?" After a while, Old Man Chen calmed his excitement and asked seriously, "I heard someone offered one hundred and twenty taels just now?"

Qin Haoxuan nodded. "How much do you think it's worth?"

"There's no fixed price for medicinal herbs. If it's for saving a life in urgent need, this Solomon's Seal could be worth a thousand taels, but right now, I can only offer thirty taels." Old Man Chen gently rubbed the Solomon's Seal between his fingers, exclaiming, "What a treasure, what a treasure!"

The price was vastly different from the previous one hundred and twenty taels. Before Qin Haoxuan could respond, the youths behind him started to complain.

"He offered a high price, but you're offering so little! Brother Qin saved it for you!"

"Yeah, it's outrageous, such a huge difference..."

"I won't force you. If you can't sell it, you can take it back!" Old Man Chen sped up his rubbing, looking reluctant to part with it. Although Solomon's Seal was extremely rare and priceless, the thirty taels he offered was a fair price.

Qin Haoxuan smiled slightly and blocked Old Man Chen's hand as he offered the Solomon's Seal back. "Thirty taels it is. If it weren't for you, where would I be today! I picked it up anyway, it doesn't matter if I sell it for a little more or less. Consider it fulfilling one of your wishes!"

Moved and overjoyed, Old Man Chen tightly grasped the Solomon's Seal in his hand, as if afraid it would be snatched away at any second.

After receiving thirty taels of silver from Old Man Chen, Qin Haoxuan gathered his friends and led the group of youths to a restaurant in town for a celebratory feast. They all enjoyed themselves before dispersing.

While drinking at the restaurant, the youths heard some exciting news: "There's news that tomorrow is the big day for the Immortals from the mountain to open their sect and select disciples!"

Upon returning home, Qin Haoxuan slept soundly. By evening, the town mayor sent someone to gather all the sixteen-year-old youths in town. He announced the exhilarating news in the town square.

"Tomorrow, on Pozi Ridge, the Immortals from the mountain will select the most outstanding disciples among you to take as apprentices. This is a rare opportunity, so you all must be attentive and take it seriously. Once chosen by the Immortals, you will also receive a settling allowance of two hundred taels of silver annually from them!"

Two hundred taels of silver! And every year!

Two hundred taels of silver was a huge sum even for Qin Haoxuan, let alone these youths who hadn't seen much money. They were completely stunned by the astronomical figure of two hundred taels annually.

"If you wish to register, come to me. We will depart for Pozi Ridge at dawn tomorrow."

Even without the lure of two hundred taels of silver annually, being chosen by mountain Immortals as an apprentice was enough to make these youths flock to the opportunity. Qin Haoxuan also wished to become an Immortal, but he was more worried about his aging parents' livelihood after he left. How could he run off to become an Immortal, leaving his parents to fend for themselves?

But with a settling allowance of two hundred taels of silver each year, things were different. Once selected by the Immortals, this annual allowance would ensure his parents had no worries about food or clothing and could live out their remaining years in peace. He could then wholeheartedly pursue the Immortals to learn the secrets of immortality. He was sure his parents would support his decision!

Qin Haoxuan, along with the excited youths, registered at the town mayor's office. Zhang Kuang, also registering, was brimming with confidence amidst the flattery of his lackeys. He thought about how he would soon be chosen by the Immortals and no longer be an ordinary mortal. Because of this, he no longer feared Qin Haoxuan as he had before.

"Qin Haoxuan, I will definitely be chosen by the Immortals tomorrow. We'll settle some scores then."

As Qin Haoxuan wrote his name on the registration list, Zhang Kuang's almost arrogant voice came from behind him. He turned around, his eyes fixed on the self-assured Zhang Kuang, a sharp glint flashing in his gaze, but he remained silent.

Zhang Kuang felt Qin Haoxuan's gaze pierce straight into his heart, as if seeing through his soul. He couldn't help but shiver, goosebumps rising all over him.

After being glared at by Qin Haoxuan, Zhang Kuang quickly calmed down. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he inwardly chided himself for getting carried away in his excitement and acting too impulsively. He shot Qin Haoxuan a resentful look and quietly turned to leave in front of the many onlookers, drawing a burst of laughter. He had truly brought it upon himself.

Watching Zhang Kuang's retreating back, even Qin Haoxuan couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart. If this cunning man, who knew when to advance and when to retreat, were actually chosen alongside him, he would have to be doubly careful.