Chapter 27

Murong De?

That name sounds familiar.

Chen Zhao recalled the Alchemist Exchange Meeting that day—he could have shown off in front of everyone to obtain this man's Muchen Stone.

Who knew this man still had other treasures!

Though he didn't know what kind of stroke of luck this man had, since he was willing to trade, Chen Zhao naturally didn't want to miss the chance.

Chen Zhao snapped back to attention.

He noticed everyone had switched topics.

"This is Duan Bo, the Su Ancestor's closest friend—I don't even know his cultivation level."

Su Wanyao introduced him to the group.

Upon hearing this,

Chen Zhao rubbed his chin.

An outsider protecting the Dao?

Cultivation clans prized bloodline above all—how could the Su Ancestor bet on an outsider?

And a Foundation Establishment Stage close friend? This Duan Bo is certainly no mere Qi Refining sixth layer!

Moreover, this man isn't as young as he appears.

Chen Zhao devised a plan.

"Senior Duan, may I ask if you know the art of disguise? Could you help me change my appearance?"

"What? Isn't your current look handsome enough?"

Duan Bo smirked, but seeing Chen Zhao's serious expression, he dropped his carefree demeanor and pondered:

"Disguise isn't a Dharma Technique—if you trade me that Huanglong Pill you used this morning, I might teach you."

Trading a Huanglong Pill for a mere mortal trick? It seemed like a bad deal.

Yet Chen Zhao pulled out a pill he had forged and handed it over.

"I can also forge Huanglong Pills—let's trade this one instead; the quality is far superior."

Duan Bo took the pill and stared, baffled.

He hadn't expected Chen Zhao to actually agree.

But after examining it for a moment,

he couldn't help but be secretly startled.

Though the pill was forged quite clumsily, its medicinal power was truly top-tier.

This young man's alchemy talent might truly surpass the Su Family girl's.

But he didn't know Chen Zhao had only entered the path of alchemy less than a year and a half ago, and had only just learned to forge this pill.

The next day.

After disguising himself, Chen Zhao arrived at the Juxian Pavilion gathering point.

He glanced around.

There were far more people than yesterday—disciples had already begun exchanging first-rank mid-grade pills.

"One chance to act, in exchange for a vial of Qi Gathering Powder."

"A copy of the Everlasting Spring Technique—those interested may trade pills or Arrays."

"Repairing Low-grade Dharma Treasures—seven-tenths success rate!"

Chen Zhao nodded slightly.

Techniques tailored to individuals, action opportunities, skills... these were resources untradeable at Wan Bao Lou, and Juxian Pavilion thrived precisely on such "gray demands."

And such trades were perfect for finding bargains.

But after searching several rounds, Chen Zhao saw no one offering a Blood Worm Corpse Puppet—and he didn't recognize Murong De at all.

No choice.

Since this man had a need for alchemy, he would approach each vendor one by one.

In no time,

Chen Zhao stopped at a stall.

There, on a sign, it clearly read:

"Two sets of medicinal herbs. Will trade for items worth less than thirty Low-grade Spirit Stones—seeking someone to forge Huanglong Pills."

Chen Zhao smiled.

Two sets of herbs cost ten Low-grade Spirit Stones; even with a fifty percent success rate, he could sell the pills for forty-eight Low-grade Spirit Stones.

If this man were Murong De, he must have attended the Alchemist Exchange Meeting.

Such a low price—no wonder no one responded.

"Brother Murong? Are you looking for someone to forge pills?" he probed.

The man hesitated, studying Chen Zhao for a moment, then said:

"I am Murong De. And you are...?"

"Zhao Dehan."

Chen Zhao's face remained calm,

"I can forge Huanglong Pills for you—but what can Brother Murong offer in exchange?"

Murong De, seeing the unfamiliar face, was momentarily doubtful of his ability.

Chen Zhao chuckled.

He immediately declared.

Let him choose his payment first, then pay after the alchemy, and sign a spirit-force contract.

Each cultivator's spiritual energy fluctuation is unique; both are sect disciples, so there's no fear of not finding the person.

Upon hearing such seriousness, Murong De believed him somewhat.

He pulled out a Storage Bag and let Chen Zhao choose.

Chen Zhao glanced inside.

Among the clutter, a strange doll stood out prominently.

This must be the Blood Worm Corpse Puppet.

Chen Zhao pondered for a moment, deciding to look again.

Yet after turning the Storage Bag inside out, Chen Zhao saw no "stone" at all.

It seemed this man was holding back—the Muchen Stone wasn't here.

After a long while.

Seeing Chen Zhao take out the Blood Worm Corpse Puppet, Murong De's expression turned peculiar.

He confirmed again and again, then kindly advised:

"Brother Zhao, this item is quite useless—really not exchanging it?"

According to his explanation.

Inside this doll is merely the corpse of a worm; the worm is dead but still rigid, capable of casting curses from afar.

This curse only inflicts superficial wounds on targets with lower cultivation; if the target's cultivation exceeds his own, the curse causes no damage, only pain.

To cast the curse, one must use the target's essence blood as a catalyst; once locked, each use drains the target's spiritual energy.

Chen Zhao raised an eyebrow.

This thing.

Useless against low-grade cultivators, useless against high-grade ones.

Truly useless... not worth much.

But.

Chen Zhao thought of Su Muqing's Contract Jade Slip.

It bore her essence blood.

But how would he obtain her spiritual energy?

Pills are the essence of spirit; Huanglong Pills should retain traces of her spiritual energy—though he didn't know how much would remain.

"I'll take the Blood Worm Corpse Puppet, plus two Green Blood Flowers."

The two agreed to meet here in one month for delivery.

After bidding farewell to Murong De.

Chen Zhao gathered three sets of Peiyuan Pill ingredients using the Wind-Riding Art and the Qi Gathering Powder from his spoils.

"I could set up a stall to offer alchemy services."

Chen Zhao gave it some thought.

Buying ingredients is far cheaper than buying pills; surely many would hire him for "alchemy services."

A month passed in a flash.

Chen Zhao handed Murong De four Huanglong Pills.

In exchange, he received the Blood Worm Corpse Puppet and other items.

During this time, he took another "alchemy service" commission and helped someone refine six Huanglong Pills.

Chen Zhao did a quick calculation.

After the alchemy.

He still had six Huanglong Pills, two months' worth of Peiyuan Pills, and his Low-grade Spirit Stones had returned to thirty.

His circumstances had improved greatly.

It was time to collect some interest.

Chen Zhao took the Blood Worm Corpse Puppet, smeared it with essence blood, and placed one Huanglong Pill beneath its body.

After a brief divination to confirm the timing.

Following the hand seals Murong De had taught him, he pointed and stabbed.

"You dared set a trap to kill me? Now it's your turn to enjoy."

At the same time.

Su Muqing sat cross-legged under the moonlight, meditating.

She was nearly completing a great heavenly cycle.

A pain surged from her abdomen.

Her breath instantly faltered; she nearly fell into demonic deviation.

"Ugh!"

Su Muqing groaned, her sweat soaking through her white robe.

The pain wasn't intense, but it was persistent—and struck precisely as she focused on her breathing, causing her spirit intake to go awry, turning minor pain into major agony.

Her delicate toes curled instantly, her slender jade legs thrashed uselessly, like a fish gasping for air.

Fortuitously, Fang Zijing was absent, leaving her alone in the Cave Abode to struggle.

Su Muqing hastily formed the hand seals and chanted an unnamed incantation.

Instantly.

Dozens of golden runes surged forth, spinning into rings that all drilled into her body; her previously graceful form now gained an additional air of seductiveness.

As more and more runes surged in.

After a full hour.

The turbulent Qi within her was gradually suppressed, settling into stillness.

"Good, the No-Delusion Heart-Guarding Scripture held."

Su Muqing traced her fingers over the perfect circular rings on her body, exhaling a sigh of relief.

She performed a brief calculation.

Then she clenched her silver teeth and cursed:

"Which scoundrel dared to curse me while I was vulnerable!"