Heaven Cauldron Cave Abode.
"Haha—Junior Brother Fang, I simply can't refine this batch of Longevity Pills without your help."
Elder Tianding's voice rang like a great bell as he took out a jade box.
When he opened it, a dusky green spirit fruit lay inside. Just one breath of its fragrance sent a surge of vitality through Fang Qing's body.
"Excellent, excellent. Though this Longevity Fruit is only Second-Order High Grade, it has nearly vanished from the Lesser Vast Sea. It couldn't have been easy for you to find one, Senior Brother."
Fang Qing smiled faintly. He knew a Second-Order Longevity Fruit had next to no effect on Core Formation cultivators. That was why it had ended up in Heaven Cauldron's hands.
If it had been a Third-Order Longevity Fruit that could extend a Core Formation cultivator's life by decades, would Heaven Cauldron even have gotten close enough to smell it?
"Haha! Only you and I will be refining this batch. Once it's done, how about I give you one Longevity Pill?"
Elder Tianding's eyes gleamed.
"That... is awfully generous of you."
Fang Qing grew wary. When someone lavished attention on you for no reason, they were either a swindler or a thief!
"Come to think of it, I have you to thank for obtaining this fruit."
Heaven Cauldron's words left Fang Qing puzzled. Then he barked, "Get out here!"
Another Qi Refinement disciple emerged from within the cave abode. It was Miao Yifan.
The moment he saw Fang Qing, he dropped to his knees. "Martial Uncle, forgive me. I gave in to greed and offered the Longevity Fruit to Martial Uncle Tianding..."
Inside, he was groaning bitterly. I thought I'd found myself a powerful backer. Who knew he and Martial Uncle Fang were on the same side?
Miao Yifan