Chapter 57: Undercurrent

First Grade Medicine Hall.

Yu Zhangsheng was wrapped up tightly, wore the Disguise Treasure Pearl, and stepped inside projecting the aura of Foundation Establishment First Layer.

That aura, that pressure, startled the shop assistants inside in an instant.

Fortunately, upon seeing the familiar mask on Yu Zhangsheng's face, the other party relaxed and came running over in a fawning manner, smiling flatteringly.

"So it's Immortal Master Luo who has arrived — truly an honor; please, come inside quickly!"

Yu Zhangsheng said nothing, nodded, and followed the shop assistant to see Xi Wenyou.

"Congratulations on your breakthrough, Senior!" Xi Wenyou hurriedly came forward with a smile.

During the Qi Refining Period he could still address the other party as Dao Friend Luo, but judging by that appearance, he had already become a Foundation Establishment Powerhouse; to still call him Dao Friend would be a grave disrespect.

In the Cultivation World the weak are prey to the strong; strength is everything — even if the other party is a child, if their strength surpasses yours by a whole realm you must address them as Senior.

"I wonder what pills Senior Luo wishes to refine this time?" Xi Wenyou asked softly.

Yu Zhangsheng said in a hoarse voice: "Ten portions of Gathering Qi Pill materials, and as for these pills — you handle them and deduct the value."

He currently refines Gathering Qi Pills and Spirit Enhancement Pills, earning over nine hundred spirit stones a month, clearly not enough for the three thousand five hundred spirit stones in two weeks.

So the only way is to challenge a higher difficulty, more expensive pill — the Qi Increasing Pill!

Following Gongsun Yang, he had also refined it twice; although the number of formed pills was only three or four, he had nevertheless gradually grasped the knack and believed refining it himself would be no problem.

Moreover, as his Three-Fire Refinement alchemy technique advanced, forming five or six pills in one batch would be no problem! This is the perverse aspect of the Three-Fire Refinement alchemy technique — although refining pills is slow, it is very stable, with a high pill formation rate.

Otherwise a Qi Refining Peak cultivator like Gongsun Yang could never possibly refine a Third Rank Pill!

"Very well, please wait a moment, Senior." Xi Wenyou took the pills, opened them to look, and saw that most had no pill patterns and were of weak quality, while a few had a single pill pattern.

This undoubtedly did not match Yu Zhangsheng's alchemy ability; they should be spoils of war obtained from killing some blind loose cultivators.

On anyone else, First Grade Medicine Hall would not accept these pills, but since the one presenting them was Yu Zhangsheng, it was different.

Even if the pill quality looked like a lump of shit, as long as it had medicinal effect, Xi Wenyou would not refuse.

"Approximately one hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones can be deducted; for ten portions of Qi Increasing Pill materials, Senior Luo still needs eight hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones."

After bringing the materials, Xi Wenyou said with a smile.

One portion of Qi Increasing Pill materials costs ninety Low-grade Spirit Stones; if the refinement succeeds, a single Qi Increasing Pill can break even and leave a surplus.

"Good." Yu Zhangsheng handed over his remaining spirit stones; his pouch was truly left with not a single one.

But as long as the Qi Increasing Pills refine well, he can quickly accumulate wealth.

If all ten portions succeed and the yield is no less than five pills, after taking over the Spirit Chicken Garden he could still earn over a thousand spirit stones.

This is the terrifying money-making ability of an alchemist.

After the transaction ended, Yu Zhangsheng was about to leave when he suddenly recalled that loose cultivator's commission to refine Scatter Demon Yuan Pills, so he spoke up and asked one more question.

Xi Wenyou didn't think much of it and said: "Cultivation base roughly Qi Refining Eighth Layer, but he also had a disguise, so I couldn't see his true identity either."

Yu Zhangsheng nodded without surprise and asked: "Then does Shopkeeper Xi have any knowledge of the Dark Current?"

Xi Wenyou replied: "I do know a little about that; I've heard they've expanded very rapidly this year, stirring up quite a storm in Qingzhou, and there are even speculations that one of the Three Gates — the Xuanyin Gate — is backing them."

The Xuanyin Gate, the most sinister and demonic-path-like of the Three Gates; their disciples cultivate year-round in the Xuanyin Mountains, practicing killing techniques and proving the Dao through slaughter.

However, the Xuanyin Gate is far from the Wanxiang Sect, on the other edge of Wuzhou; few here know the specifics.

A Foundation Establishment clan like Xi Wenyou only knows the general outline, and most of it is hearsay.

Yu Zhangsheng nodded: "Then are there any places nearby where they make contact?"

"I haven't paid attention to that; if Senior Luo wants an address, I can go inquire." Xi Wenyou smiled. "No need to make a big show of it," Yu Zhangsheng said.

"Understood, understood."

Yu Zhangsheng left First Grade Medicine Hall, changed his disguise, and went straight to the Main Peak Alchemy Hall without stopping.

He happened to run into Tang Xing walking out.

"Senior Brother, congratulations on passing the selection — hahaha, I'll host a banquet to celebrate for you another day." Tang Xing said with a radiant smile.

"That won't be necessary. Has Master still not emerged from seclusion?" Yu Zhangsheng asked.

Gongsun Yang had entered closed-door cultivation to break through to Foundation Establishment before Yu Zhangsheng participated in the selection; several days had passed with not the slightest movement.

"Foundation Establishment isn't so easy to break through; Master is conditioning his body and will only proceed once fully prepared — probably still a month or so." Tang Xing said with a smile.

"I see. I often stay at Beast Taming Peak, so Yu Ding Peak is inconvenient to reach; you keep an eye on things, and if Master emerges you can send word to me."

Yu Zhangsheng said: "I'll go refine pills first."

"Good, Senior Brother, take care."

Tang Xing watched the figure entering the refining room; the smile on his face gradually disappeared, and his gaze turned gloomy.

"This selection has become so difficult, and with that Dark Current assassin plus Huang Suyu's lackeys, so many killing moves failed to kill him."

"My Senior Brother's luck is really too good."

Tang Xing thought viciously in his heart.

He didn't know whether Yu Zhangsheng passed through strength or luckily survived by lying low; either way, his plan had failed.

And now he faced a new choice.

"The Dark Current people should keep their word and not reveal anything; judging by Senior Brother's expression he at most knows the name Duan Ran."

"Sigh, I really don't want to make a move; my Senior Brother's alchemy talent is a bit terrifying — making an enemy of him is truly unwise."

"But if I back out now, is it still in time?"

"Only by cutting the grass and removing the roots!"

Tang Xing's gaze gradually hardened, turning ruthless.

From the day he made a move, there was no way back — either kill Yu Zhangsheng, or one day have his identity exposed and be killed by Yu Zhangsheng.

After inquiring into Yu Zhangsheng's deeds, he didn't believe the other party would let him off easily upon finding out.

"Senior Brother, just go die already."

Tang Xing shook his head, then strolled off into the distance, pondering another plan in his heart.

"Can't make a move inside the Sect; then let him go outside the Sect."

"I recall he comes from the Yu Clan of Haoyue City, a Qi Refining clan; hehehe, the Sect is currently tightening its control over clans within its territory, so it wouldn't be strange for something to happen."

"Let me think who would be more suitable."

Yu Zhangsheng, wholeheartedly refining pills in the Lian Dan Fang, did not know that a new danger was approaching.

A day later, the furnace fire extinguished; he opened his eyes, overjoyed.

"Succeeded!"

Five One-Path Pill Pattern Qi-Increasing Pills lay quietly in the Alchemy Furnace, their luster bright and beautiful.

(Chapter End)