Chapter 26: Spirit Pills

In an ancient, simple hall, the rich scent of pills filled the air.

The Pill Hall.

Ranked fifth among the Seven Halls of the Heaven and Earth Alliance, but in terms of profits, none of the other halls—not even the Martial and Literary Hall—could come close.

A single pill costs at least dozens of taels, up to a thousand.

The silver to be made here is unimaginable; countless martial artists toil and scramble for these pills.

Li Rui entered the Pill Hall.

Compared to the deserted Heaven One Hall, the Pill Hall was far livelier.

Disciples of the Heaven and Earth Alliance came and went.

After all, one martial art is enough to occupy a lifetime, but pills are an everyday necessity.

Li Rui glanced around the hall—dozens of disciples were visible at a glance, truly enviable.

Many rank-bearing martial artists would rather serve as deputy hall director here than go to the Heaven One Hall.

“I want to buy pills.”

Li Rui walked up to a disciple.

The disciple, with a pointed face and monkey-like features, was clearly an old man who had been unwilling to pay attention—until he spotted the bronze token engraved with “28” at Li Rui’s waist; his smile instantly turned obsequious.

“Sir, what kind of pill do you want?”

Seeing Li Rui was unfamiliar—likely here for the first time—the monkey-faced disciple grew enthusiastic.

This was a perfect chance to curry favor with a superior.

“28” meant at least an administrator—someone he, a mere disciple, dared not offend.

“Most of our pills here are ordinary grade; above that are ninth-grade pills and eighth-grade spiritual pills. Spiritual pills are made from spiritual herbs and can extend life by ten years—even if you’re barely breathing, they can bring you back.”

The monkey-faced disciple rattled off a long list.

Li Rui’s eyes lit up.

Spiritual pills!

So such extraordinary things truly existed in this world.

According to this disciple, pill grades corresponded to martial artists’ realms; pills above eighth grade were called spiritual pills.

Heaven and earth possess spirit.

The reason this world could nurture transcendent martial masters was not only due to martial arts and cultivation systems, but also because of spiritual herbs.

Yet these spiritual herbs could only grow on specific spiritual soil.

Extremely rare.

Rarity commands value—so spiritual pills made from these herbs were naturally expensive.

Though Li Rui had seen much, he was still just a stable hand; such matters lay far beyond his experience.

He keenly realized that the spiritual soil the disciple mentioned must be a strategic resource fiercely contested by major factions.

He asked curiously: “What grade is the Xiao Yuan Pill?”

“Ninth grade, but it’s mixed with fragments of spiritual herbs—its effect far surpasses ordinary ninth-grade pills.”

“I see.”

Li Rui understood: “How much silver for one spiritual pill?”

“Spiritual pills range from five hundred taels to a thousand—depends on which kind you want, sir.”

The thin-faced man’s smile widened when he heard Li Rui was asking about eighth-grade spiritual pills.

Each disciple earned a cut for every pill above ninth grade sold; if he sold one eighth-grade spiritual pill, he’d get at least twenty taels.

Li Rui inwardly winced.

Five hundred taels!

He’d thought one hundred and thirty taels was already generous—but now he realized he couldn’t even afford half a spiritual pill.

He glanced up at the wooden sign above the hall.

The sign was densely covered with small characters: pill names, grades, effects, prices—all clearly listed.

Li Rui said: “I want two Xiao Yuan Pills and one Strong Bone Pill.”

Hearing Li Rui only wanted three ninth-grade pills,

the thin-faced man’s face froze.

“One hundred and thirty taels total.”

Though one hundred and thirty taels wasn’t small, the commission on ninth-grade pills was nothing compared to that on eighth-grade spiritual pills.

Selling twenty ninth-grade pills earned less than selling one eighth-grade spiritual pill.

Still, he respectfully fetched three delicate wooden boxes from the storage and placed them before Li Rui. Even if Li Rui hadn’t bought a spiritual pill, he was still an administrator—not someone a lowly Pill Hall disciple could offend.

Li Rui left, satisfied with his pills tucked away.

This was the richest haul Old Li had ever made in his life!

These three pills, combined with the medicinal bath, would last him three months; after that, his strength would surge, and earning silver would become much easier.

On his way back to the Heaven One Hall, he passed the main gate.

“I really know your hall master—please let me in.”

Li Rui recognized the voice.

He turned and saw Wang Zhao and Yang Yong standing at the gate; he paused, then walked forward and showed his token.

“Ah, you’re from Hall Master Li’s group—mistake, mistake.”

The guard on duty recognized Li Rui and apologized repeatedly.

Li Rui led Wang Zhao and Yang Yong toward the Heaven One Hall, asking as they walked: “How did you find out I was in the Heaven and Earth Alliance?”

Wang Zhao and Yang Yong were just ordinary servants of the Zhu family—they had no way of knowing about the Heaven and Earth Alliance.

Much less about a hall master’s rank.

Wang Zhao stammered for a long time but couldn’t speak.

Li Rui sighed: “It was Master Zhu, wasn’t it?”

Wang Zhao looked up in surprise: “Master, how did you know? Master Zhu told me not to say anything, but I didn’t want to lie to you.”

“Sigh.”

Li Rui shook his head.

If Master Zhu hadn’t taken pity on Wang Zhao because of Li Rui’s standing, Wang Zhao would’ve been devoured down to the last bone by Zhu Lie long ago.

Yang Yong kept turning his head, as if a country bumpkin entering the capital.

He knew Li Rui was joining the Heaven and Earth Alliance.

But he didn’t know Li Rui was becoming a hall master.

So when he heard Wang Zhao was coming here, he followed—and they were both blocked at the gate.

Fifteen minutes later,

the three arrived at Li Rui’s courtyard.

“Old Li, you’re really becoming a master now!”

Yang Yong and Wang Zhao stared wide-eyed at Li Rui’s four-compound mansion for a long time.

Li Rui told Zhou Shulin to prepare extra dishes.

He invited them to sit and eat together.

Sitting in the bright main hall, Yang Yong and Wang Zhao felt uneasy, hesitant to pick up their chopsticks.

Li Rui grumbled: “What, are you used to squatting on the threshold, tiptoeing to eat?”

Hearing this, the two felt closer, laughed, and happily began stuffing their faces.

After the meal,

Li Rui asked: “What did Master Zhu tell you to say?”

Yang Yong glanced at Wang Zhao.

Wang Zhao scratched his head: “He didn’t say much—just told me to come see how you are.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

Li Rui saw right through Zhu Ping’s intentions.

Zhu Ping was a shrewd businessman—he knew Li Rui left the Zhu family because he’d been wronged. Zhu Ping showing up himself would only humiliate him and achieve nothing; sending Wang Zhao was smarter.

As long as the connection wasn’t severed, reconciliation remained possible.

“Then carry back this message: I’ve been feeling weak lately and need pills to heal—preferably spiritual pills.”

“Oh.”

Wang Zhao nodded obediently.

Li Rui had no objection to mending ties with the Zhu family—but empty words meant nothing; he had to bleed, and bleed heavily!

Human relationships are just give and take; offering something actually eases suspicion—otherwise, they’ll become enemies.

In the martial world, it's all about human hearts and intentions.

(End of Chapter)