Make a Deal

Time passed quickly, and a year flew by.

During this year, Long Chen had a week of special training every month.

After these days of arduous and extraordinary special training, his progress was evident.

His physique became tougher, and his agility improved.

Mountain climbing was no longer a challenge for him; it was an enjoyment of the joy of self-transcendence during the ascent.

His steps were light and steady, and he could easily climb even steep mountain paths.

He could weave nimbly through branches, his speed as fast as a monkey in the forest.

Ye Tianming trained Long Chen's physical stamina in preparation for future combat with soul beasts.

Apart from the time spent training in the Soul Beast Forest, Long Chen dedicated the rest of his time to cultivation and studying medicinal herbs.

He made considerable progress in both his soul power cultivation and his theoretical knowledge of medicine.

During the special training in the Soul Beast Forest, Long Chen collected many rare medicinal herbs.

On this day, he came to a clinic on the street called "Guang'an Hall."

Guang'an Hall treated patients and had its own pharmacy.

It wasn't very large, but it had a good reputation, making it an ideal place for Long Chen to learn.

Long Chen walked into the pharmacy of Guang'an Hall.

The pharmacy was filled with the unique aroma of medicinal herbs.

Rows of wooden medicine cabinets were neatly arranged with all sorts of medicinal herbs, and several shop assistants were busy dispensing and packaging them.

Long Chen walked to the counter and said softly:

"Excuse me, is your shopkeeper here?"

A shop assistant looked up at Long Chen. Seeing that he was just a child, a hint of disdain appeared on his face. Thinking he was there to cause trouble, the shop assistant casually replied:

"You're looking for our shopkeeper, what's the matter?"

After speaking, he lowered his head and continued to sort the medicinal herbs in his hands.

Long Chen paid no mind to the shop assistant's attitude. He slowly took out a jade box from his embrace, and gently opened it. A Ghost Orchid Spiritual Grass, emitting a faint green light, came into view.

The shop assistant's peripheral vision caught this scene. He suddenly looked up, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

Ghost Orchid Spiritual Grass was an extremely rare medicinal herb, usually only growing in places frequented by soul beasts.

Moreover, this is a fresh Ghost Orchid Spiritual Grass, rarely seen by ordinary people.

"This... this is Ghost Orchid Spiritual Grass?"

The shop assistant's voice trembled slightly, he couldn't believe his eyes.

Long Chen nodded and said calmly:

"Yes, I want to use it to make a deal with your hall's manager."

Although Long Chen's voice was light, it revealed a composure that did not belong to his age.

Seeing this, the shop assistant's attitude immediately changed. He quickly put down what he was doing and said with a fawning smile:

"Young man, please wait a moment, I'll go invite the manager right away."

After speaking, he hurried towards the back hall, looking back as he walked, afraid that Long Chen would suddenly change his mind.

A moment later, an old man, about sixty years old, dressed in a long robe, walked out from the back hall.

The old man's footsteps were steady, and his eyes revealed a hint of wisdom.

He came before Long Chen and cupped his hands in greeting:

"I am Manager Wang of Guang'an Hall. I heard that young man has Ghost Orchid Spiritual Grass. May I have a look?"

"Of course."

Long Chen readily handed over the jade box.

The old man took the jade box and carefully examined the Ghost Orchid Spiritual Grass, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

"Young man, the quality of your Ghost Orchid Spiritual Grass is excellent, truly rare. What do you wish to exchange it for?"

Long Chen already had a plan in mind and said:

"I want to exchange it for the opportunity to learn Herbal Knowledge and practice Pill Refining in your hall."

"What?"

Manager Wang frowned, thinking he had misheard.

After all, this was a very rare medicinal herb, and Long Chen's condition was so simple.

Manager Wang sized up Long Chen carefully.

To keep the Ghost Orchid Spiritual Grass fresh, it needed to be stored in a jade container. This young man, at such a tender age, knew this, and was definitely not an ordinary person.

"Young man, who exactly are you? Did you sneak this Ghost Orchid Spiritual Grass from home? If your parents are Soul Masters, I can't afford to offend them."

Long Chen shook his head and smiled.

"Manager Wang, please rest assured. To tell you the truth, I am a Soul Master, and this Ghost Orchid Spiritual Grass was dug up by me in Sunset Forest."

Hearing this, Manager Wang became even more confused.

"Since you are a Soul Master, why waste your time learning about herbs and Alchemy?"

"It's purely a personal hobby. I've been studying medicinal herbs for over a year, and I hope to put my knowledge into practice."

Manager Wang was slightly stunned, then laughed heartily.

"Well said, ambitious young man! Although my Guang'an Hall is not large, it is quite well-known in Heaven Dou City. If you are willing, feel free to come and learn. I will personally teach you Herbal Knowledge and the art of Pill Refining."

Hearing this, Long Chen was overjoyed.

"Thank you, Manager, for fulfilling my wish. By the way, I have another rare medicinal herb here. Please take a look."

As Long Chen spoke, he took out a small Iron Box from his embrace and gently opened it.

This time, what lay inside was a medicinal herb that was Fire Red all over, shaped like a lotus flower, yet emitting a faint medicinal fragrance – the Fire Lotus Fruit.

This Fire Lotus Fruit was also an extremely rare Medicinal Herb, playing an irreplaceable role in the Pill Refining of certain specific pills.

Upon seeing this, Manager Wang's surprise deepened. He took the Iron Box and carefully examined the Fire Lotus Fruit, marveling, "Fire Lotus Fruit! This, this is simply an unexpected delight. Little brother, where did you obtain this?"

Long Chen smiled and explained.

"I accidentally found it on a sheer cliff in Sunset Forest."

After hearing this, Manager Wang secretly admired Long Chen's courage and strength.

"By the way, little brother, what is your name?"

"My name is Long Chen. You can call me Xiao Chen."

"Xiao Chen, can you sell this Fire Lotus Fruit to me?"

"Of course! I want to exchange it for something with you."

Manager Wang's face lit up with joy.

"Xiao Chen, what do you want to exchange it for?"

"I want two pieces of good quality Whale Rubber, at least thousand-year-old grade."

"What?"

Manager Wang was once again shocked by Long Chen's words.

Whale Rubber was an aphrodisiac, circulated and used only among nobles.

As an old physician, Manager Wang naturally knew its effects.

He just couldn't understand what a child wanted it for.

"Xiao Chen, what do you need Whale Rubber for?"

"Manager Wang, please rest assured, I know it's an aphrodisiac. I just want to research it with other medicines, nothing else."

Manager Wang nodded, half-believing.

This rare Fire Lotus Fruit was more than enough to exchange for two pieces of thousand-year-quality Whale Rubber.

Adding that Ghost Orchid Spiritual Grass, it was a massive profit.

"Xiao Chen, I have Whale Rubber in my apothecary, but the quality won't meet your requirements. How about this, I'll prepare it, and you can come back in two days to pick it up."

"No problem. I'll leave this Fire Lotus Fruit with you for now. If you have any rare medicinal herbs in the future, I'll sell them to you at a lower-than-market price."

"Good. In the future, whatever you want to learn, I will teach you without reservation."

Seeing how straightforward and eager to learn Long Chen was, Manager Wang was also very happy and expressed his willingness to teach him everything he knew.