Chapter 21: Entering the Lian Lian Dan Tang

Leaving Tong'an Inn, Yu Zhangsheng let out a sigh.

Although having twenty spirit stones borrowed away was a bit heart-wrenching, compared to those other pitfall-ridden clan brothers, Eldest Uncle at least hadn't gone too far; if he had used them all up without leaving a single one, Yu Zhangsheng estimated he would have flipped out on the spot.

"Forget it, it's just twenty spirit stones anyway; selling one more Spirit Chicken King will earn it back."

Yu Zhangsheng thought to himself that in the future he should still try to trouble the clan less with matters, otherwise it would be difficult for his father too; as clan head he had to take all aspects into account.

"Since I'm here, I might as well sell this spirit chicken in hand first; it's been four or five days already, no one should be able to contact the little disciple of the Spirit Chicken Garden."

Thinking this, Yu Zhangsheng walked into a deserted lane and summoned the spirit chicken from his Spirit Beast Bag.

This spirit chicken was smaller in size than other spirit chickens, less than half a meter, with two pairs of little wings on its sides that looked very cute.

It landed on the ground, eyes wide and round, very obviously observing the outside world, and not knowing its fate of being sold was imminent.

"Come, eat one last meal of spirit rice."

Recently life had become well-off; Yu Zhangsheng did not eat spiritless grains or Bigu Pills like other poor disciples, but ate spirit rice every meal.

This spirit rice cost one low-grade spirit stone per catty; at his current realm each meal only needed a hundred grains, and eating it continuously for a month could increase a fair amount of magical power, making it a cost-effective supplementary food for Qi Refining cultivators.

After this spirit chicken finished eating the spirit rice, it happily rubbed against Yu Zhangsheng's palm.

【Spirit Beast Transformation】

【Spirit Chicken → Spirit Chicken King】

【Required Essence: 445】

"Transform!"

With a thought from Yu Zhangsheng, the essence was instantly deducted.

When the spirit chicken's feathers turned fiery red, the transformation succeeded; it let out an excited crow and circled around him a few times.

"Alright, go back."

Yu Zhangsheng smiled and put it back into the Spirit Beast Bag, then put on his hood and mask, activated the Disguise Pendant, and his cultivation base shot up to Qi Refining Peak.

"Hope I can sell it for a few more spirit stones."

His gaze sank, and he soon arrived at Wan Beast Tower.

Wan Beast Tower's layout was very simple, just like a pet shop; every meter there was a wooden fence enclosing a frame, inside which were placed iron cages and demonic beasts, labeled with the beast's race, realm, and price.

"Does this Immortal Master have any favored demonic beast?"

Just as he entered the shop, a female cultivator with delicate features, a sweet smile, and wearing a blue long dress noticed him and came up to greet him.

Yu Zhangsheng glanced sideways at her and said: "This poor Daoist has come to sell a beast; I wonder if your tower buys Spirit Chicken Kings?"

The blue-dressed female cultivator was stunned for a moment, then replied happily: "We do; Immortal Master, this way please."

Spirit chickens are common, but Spirit Chicken Kings are not; not only are they very popular among Qi Refining cultivators, even Foundation Establishment Powerhouses like this kind of blood food.

Arriving at a room, inside there was a specialized beast keeper who nurtured spirit beasts.

After Yu Zhangsheng released the Spirit Chicken King, the other party observed and assessed its feathers and comb, without reaching out to touch it.

Because it is universally known that spirit beasts like spirit chickens are picky eaters and have big tempers; a strange cultivator touching them on first meeting would inevitably get a slap.

"Dao Friend, this Spirit Chicken King has been nurtured very well; it's young enough, the meat quality can reach excellent; just looking at its appearance, it should have transformed not long ago."

The beast keeper tentatively quoted a price: "Forty-six low-grade spirit stones; what does Dao Friend think?"

"Too low; you should know the younger a Spirit Chicken King, the rarer it is." Yu Zhangsheng shook his head.

"But the spiritual qi contained in its flesh and blood is also low correspondingly." The beast keeper argued forcefully and reasonably.

"Fifty-five low-grade spirit stones; less than this number, and I'll go set up a stall to sell it; someone will fancy it eventually." Yu Zhangsheng said calmly. If not for fear of trouble, a stall could squeeze out a few more spirit stones.

Sure enough, hearing this, the other party hesitated a moment then agreed.

One hand pays money, one hand delivers chicken.

That Spirit Chicken King struggled as it was shut into the iron cage, its eyes seemingly holding a kind of disbelief.

"If Dao Friend has more Spirit Chicken Kings for sale in the future, you can come again." The beast keeper said with a beaming smile.

Yu Zhangsheng nodded, didn't look at that Spirit Chicken King, turned and left Wan Beast Tower.

Raised it for over a month, there was inevitably a bit of affection, but for the sake of spirit stones he couldn't care about its feelings.

"Over three hundred seventy low-grade spirit stones; it should be enough!"

Yu Zhangsheng returned to the wooden hut, finished counting the spirit stones, and with a face full of smiles went to the Lian Lian Dan Tang.

The Lian Lian Dan Tang is located on the sect's Main Peak; it is the primary activity ground for sect disciples outside the Five Inheritance Peaks.

Here there are not only the four halls teaching the Four Arts of Immortal Cultivation, but also the Quest Pavilion for receiving quests, the Library Pavilion collecting various spells, the Arena where sect disciples usually duel and gamble, the Puppet Battle Tower for testing one's abilities, and many other places.

Yu Zhangsheng wore a gray disciple robe; walking here he was very conspicuous; some curious Outer Sect Disciples would glance at him from time to time.

After all, disciples have low status on the Main Peak and are easily bullied by Outer Sect Disciples; usually they stay on the Outer Peaks doing chores and have no time or energy to come here.

The Lian Lian Dan Tang is divided into two major parts: one part is the Outer Hall facing ordinary disciples for learning Alchemy and storing spirit herbs; the other part is the Inner Hall where some Alchemy Elders exchange, research, and teach Personal Disciples.

And Yu Zhangsheng came to the Alchemy Outer Hall; after stating his purpose, the Blue Robe Steward managing this place was obviously greatly surprised.

"Alchemy, you?"

That expression just stopped short of saying: You, a disciple, have spirit stones? Do you know how much alchemy costs? But when Yu Zhangsheng took out spirit stones, this Blue Robe Steward shut his mouth.

"These few spirit stones are a small token of this disciple's appreciation; please, Steward, take me to pick a good Alchemy Master." Yu Zhangsheng smiled gently.

The Blue Robe Steward saw him stuffing them hard into his own sleeve, coughed, conveniently took them, and said with beaming brows and eyes.

"Wonder if you have any requirements?"

Yu Zhangsheng thought for a moment and said: "This disciple doesn't understand the Dao of Alchemy; I leave it entirely to Steward's judgment."

"Hmm, let me think; next door's Gongsun Dan Shi excels at Three-Fire Refinement of pills, and has few disciples; recently he just broke through to Third Rank, and when he lectures it lasts a whole day."

"However, entering his tutelage requires patience, because he's old; he sometimes lectures and then dozes off for a while; as for spirit stones, three hundred thirty-three per month; how much you learn depends on talent; what do you think?" The Blue Robe Steward smiled.

Yu Zhangsheng felt that since the other party had taken his spirit stones, he wouldn't go so far as to cheat him, so he nodded in agreement.

Following the Blue Robe Steward, he walked further inside.

He came to an elegant room, where the scent of medicinal herbs was strong. An old man with white hair, sunken cheeks, and heavy eyelids sat on the futon in the center giving a lecture, with several young disciples of seventeen or eighteen sitting below him.

Yu Zhangsheng looked at him and did not dare to step forward rashly.

Seeing the Blue Robe Steward bring a Disciple in through the door, the old man immediately straightened his back in alarm, as if he did not want anyone to see him slacking off, and glared with flared beard and eyes, saying angrily:

"I am giving a lecture! Get out at once."

"Gongsun Dan Shi, please calm your anger. This is the new disciple Yu Zhangsheng, who will be under your guidance from now on," the Blue Robe Steward hurriedly explained.

"Oh? Did he pay the spirit stones?"

"He did."

Hearing this, Gongsun Yang immediately perked up, pointed to the seats below with the air of an expert, and said: "Since he has paid, then sit down and follow me to experience the wonder of the Dao of Alchemy!"

Chapter End