Agree to Her Invitation, Buy Fire Crows First

"Of course we could go together, it's just that the two of us..." Xu Changqing trailed off.

Yu Caiqing's willow-leaf brows furrowed slightly. "If you have something to say, say it. I don't like guessing."

Xu Changqing pointed at Hu Bugui. "He still has something to take care of."

Yu Caiqing said thoughtfully, "There is still half an hour before the Pill Appreciation Gathering begins. I can wait half an hour."

Hearing that the woman before him was an Advanced Alchemist, Hu Bugui felt rather nervous. He immediately promised, "Rest assured, Senior Sister Yu. It won't take half an hour to settle this. We definitely won't delay you and Old Xu from attending the Pill Appreciation Gathering."

Yu Caiqing nodded slightly. "In that case, go take care of it."

Xu Changqing and Hu Bugui exchanged a glance, then headed in another direction.

This time, Hu Bugui had asked an acquaintance to act as a go-between for buying Fire Crows. Everything had already been arranged. If they failed to show up again, it would not come to a falling-out, but the favor would be wasted.

No one in business particularly liked wasting favors.

After all, every favor used was one less to call upon, and it could easily breed resentment.

That was precisely why Xu Changqing had not immediately accepted Yu Caiqing's invitation.

Half an hour was equivalent to one hour. They were only buying five Fire Crows, so there should not be any problem.

Then, led by Hu Bugui, the two of them ventured deeper into the Earthfire Zone.

Yet they were not heading toward the Alchemy Tower at the deepest point, but toward a more desolate region on the other side.

There were no trees here, only cracked earth, dry air, and scorching heat.

As they continued onward, both