Chapter 61: Liao the Shopkeeper

Time passed slowly.

Ten days slipped by in a flash.

During this period, Qin Ming never left his room, practicing the Great Completion-level Blood Burning Blade Art from dawn till dusk, having fully internalized its insights.

On the eleventh day.

After the term’s effect vanished, Qin Ming attempted to cultivate the Blood Burning Blade Art again.

With firsthand experience, Qin Ming spent another two days elevating the art from Proficient level back to Great Completion level.

Thus, he had fully mastered this blade art! That day.

Qingyang Marketplace.

Qin Ming returned to Juxuan Pavilion.

Liao the Shopkeeper was tallying accounts at the first-floor counter; he looked up and saw his major customer had arrived.

His face lit up instantly!

He promptly set down his ledger, donned his signature smile, and hurried out to greet him.

“Adept Qin, you’ve come at the perfect time—we just received a new batch of Spirit Bamboo Wine. Please come upstairs to a private room; let me treat you, hehehe.”

Qin Ming replied in surprise, “Shopkeeper, I came here today specifically to buy spirit wine—I intend to give it as a gift.”

Liao paused, then his smile widened even further. “Oh! What a coincidence!”

Inside the private room.

After inviting Qin Ming to sit, Liao poured him a cup of wine and smiled warmly. “Adept Qin, please.”

“Taste this Spirit Bamboo Wine—how is it?”

Qin Ming raised the cup, sniffed it at his nose, then drained it in one gulp.

Instantly, the crisp, sweet aroma of spirit bamboo filled his mouth; the wine settled in his belly, even slightly boosting his magic power! “Excellent wine!”

Qin Ming couldn’t help but praise it!

“Hehe, Adept Qin, you may not know—this wine is made from spirit bamboo harvested deep within the Yunze Wilds, using bamboo aged over fifty years. The brewing is difficult, the yield scarce—it’s a rare pinnacle among spirits,” Liao explained with practiced ease.

“I’ll take it. How many bottles do you have left?”

“We received twenty casks, but all have been pre-ordered.”

“I specifically saved two for you, hehe.”

Liao pulled two casks of Spirit Bamboo Wine from his storage pouch and placed them before Qin Ming.

Qin Ming waved his hand forward, and the wine vanished into his storage pouch. Then he asked, “How many spirit stones for these two casks?”

“Ah, Adept Qin, you’re being too formal—these wines were meant as a gift for you,” Liao waved dismissively.

Qin Ming didn’t refuse—he’d spent over a thousand spirit stones on magic treasures here last time.

He guessed the old man had earned a hefty commission.

Qin Ming drank another cup of Spirit Bamboo Wine and asked, “Shopkeeper, do you have Cold Dew Juice, Jade Fire Liquid, and Spirit Essence?”

“Of course we do—but… aren’t these used for alchemy?” Liao frowned, puzzled.

Qin Ming replied calmly, “Perfect. Give me ten portions of each.”

“Huh? So much? No problem!”

“Adept Qin, forgive my boldness—but are you buying these for Su Danshi?” Liao could think of no other possibility.

Qin Ming, mindful of the two casks of wine, didn’t hide it: “No. I’m using them myself.”

“R-really?”

Liao’s mind flashed with a thought. He asked cautiously, “Adept Qin, are you learning alchemy?”

“Correct.”

“I recently broke through to Low-Grade Danshi.”

“Now I’m purchasing these materials to attempt crafting Mid-Grade elixirs.” Qin Ming didn’t conceal it—he’d need to buy more materials here in the future. A hum filled Liao’s mind.

‘Mid-Grade Danshi?’

He was speechless, suddenly realizing those two casks of wine had been the wisest gift he’d ever given. He snapped back to himself, smiling broadly. “Congratulations, Adept Qin! I never imagined you’d achieve such astonishing mastery in alchemy!”

“Could it be… related to Su Danshi?” he asked cautiously.

Qin Ming gave a slight nod.

Liao finally understood—no wonder his alchemical progress was so rapid.

‘The Pavilion Master misjudged—Adept Qin and Su Danshi aren’t just casual acquaintances. If Su Danshi personally teaches him alchemy, their bond must be deep indeed!’

‘If Adept Qin breaks through to Mid-Grade Danshi, and with the relationship I’ve built, I’ll earn a major merit if I keep him close!’

Liao’s thoughts raced, his eyes brightening.

“Adept Qin, I’ll take responsibility for this batch—I’ll settle at a fifty percent discount.”

Qin Ming blinked, then smiled. “Then I won’t refuse your generosity.”

Seeing Qin Ming accept so readily, Liao knew he had a chance—he immediately refilled his cup.

“Adept Qin, I have a humble request.”

“If you ever have surplus elixirs to sell, might you consider this shop first?”

Qin Ming smiled faintly. “I can agree—but for now, I can only craft low-grade elixirs.”

“Don’t expect too much.”

“No problem, no problem! With your talent in alchemy, you’ll surely break through to Mid-Grade Danshi soon.”

“Come, let me toast you, Adept Qin!”

Liao’s face beamed with joy.

The transaction concluded.

The two drank a little longer.

Liao suddenly remembered something, his expression turning serious. “By the way, Adept Qin, the spirit fields have been uneasy lately—be careful. Don’t wander into the woods nearby.”

“I heard four cultivators from Lingyu Gate were murdered and their bodies destroyed—the crime scene was in the forest behind your spirit fields.”

“Oh? Have they found any trace of the killer?” Qin Ming sipped his wine, expression unreadable.

“The scene was cleaned too thoroughly. If not for Lingyu Gate’s soul lamps extinguishing, they might never have known who died.”

“The four Lingyu Gate cultivators were all Mid- to Late-Stage Qi Refiners. The killer’s cultivation must be at least Qi Refining peak.”

Hearing this, Qin Ming relaxed.

“But Adept Qin, don’t worry too much—the marketplace is still safe. Especially since two strong Late-Stage Qi Refiners have moved into the residence next to yours—they’ll deter any petty thieves,” Liao added, sensing Qin Ming’s unease.

Qin Ming frowned. “Two new Late-Stage Qi Refiner neighbors?”

“Yes. You actually met them here recently—those two cultivators who came to sell beast carcasses the day we went downstairs. They’re the Feng Brothers.”

Qin Ming recalled two figures clad in leather armor—one bald.

“Oh, so it’s them.” Qin Ming mused.

Liao noticed Qin Ming hadn’t encountered them. “It’s normal you haven’t seen them—they’re beast hunters, powerful, only returning to the marketplace once every ten days or so.”

Qin Ming nodded.

The conversation ended.

Qin Ming left the shop.

Liao escorted him all the way to the door, watching him fade into the distance.

Only then did he clap his hands in excitement, muttering to himself, “The chance for a major merit has finally come!”

“I must report this to the Pavilion Master at once!”

(End of Chapter)