Chapter 33: Juxian Pavilion

The three walked as they chatted.

Liu Chen, seeing Chen Zhao's cultivation had broken through, couldn't help but feel a flicker of competitive desire.

He was nineteen years old, and his own cultivation was nearly complete.

With Juxian Pavilion as this treasure trove, he might still catch up.

Of course.

And there was Chen Zhao, the Chief Alchemist, who could brew pills for him.

Speaking of this matter.

Chen Zhao once again confirmed his duties and benefits. This book is originally published on Tiantiankan Xiaoshuo, ttks. tw — the most convenient platform, offering you error-free, properly ordered chapters.

Juxian Pavilion now offers commissioned alchemy services: clients write their demands and pay a deposit.

Chen Zhao must compile the Spirit Pill Prescriptions and medicinal materials; any missing items may be exchanged within the Pavilion.

Spirit Pill Prescriptions may be purchased with funds and become the property of Juxian Pavilion.

Medicinal materials are recorded under the client's account.

Chen Zhao is responsible for assigning alchemy tasks.

Each commissioned pill request may last at most three months; if overdue, the deposit is refunded, and success requires an additional processing fee.

With so many disciples, Juxian Pavilion can rapidly accumulate resources — such as Spirit Pill Prescriptions and medicinal materials.

This was Chen Zhao's idea.

Even he himself felt a touch of interest.

He could examine Spirit Pill Prescriptions and analyze intelligence from client demands.

Upon hearing the terms, every Outer Disciple alchemist scrambled to join, completely abandoning their haughty postures.

"Brother Chen, competition is fierce — watch out you don't get ousted."

Liu Chen teased with a smile.

He preferred to rely on friends who had shared hardship over strangers.

"By the way, what's your success rate with Huanglong Pills?"

"Around seventy percent."

Chen Zhao paused briefly, giving a figure from before his breakthrough.

Huanglong Pills require long brewing times, heavy consumption, and carry considerable risk.

Yet demand for them is high, success rates are low, making the cost of fulfilling commissions substantial.

Liu Chen wasn't running a charity — he wouldn't let a fool hold the position of Chief Alchemist.

Upon hearing this,

he let out a long breath and clapped Chen Zhao on the shoulder.

…

Not long after,

they arrived at the reception hall.

Su Wanyao was there too, elegant and composed, exuding the air of a shopkeeper.

Before her sat a Table-shaped Magical Tool.

Guests could write their supply and demand on Jade Tablets; the tool would recommend exchange partners, or they could spend Spirit Stones to choose directly.

Transaction efficiency improved dramatically.

After the situation stabilized, Juxian Pavilion was no longer harassed, and foot traffic surged again.

But Su Muqing refused to give up, constantly spreading rumors to defame them as colluding with Evil Cultivators.

"Fang Zijing was punished — this accusation collapses on its own. Instead, disciples from other halls have long coveted Juxian Pavilion."

Liu Chen spread out a map on the table.

"This location lies behind the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, beneath the Discipline Hall, and is the mandatory path up the mountain — truly an auspicious spot."

Chen Zhao studied the map and nodded slightly.

The site is surrounded by the Spirit Beast Hall, Dharma Tool Hall, and Dan Tang — making both receiving clients and sourcing goods extremely convenient, naturally driving up its value.

But the profit margin is substantial.

After deducting rent and dividends, Liu Chen takes three-tenths of the profit — enough to buy a Low-grade Magical Tool daily.

"They want a share of the profits? I deliberately left some fixed stalls — let the four halls fight over them."

Liu Chen was quite pleased.

Aside from Elder Zhang, all other Elders adopted a wait-and-see stance and did not intervene directly.

The stalls were managed by their junior disciples.

Among them,

Dan Tang was loosely organized, but Su Muqing gathered allies and seized three stalls.

She ceded one stall to the Spirit Beast Hall, courting one or two Elders to form an alliance.

Spirit Beasts can consume specially formulated pills — the two could be bundled for marketing.

"The profit from a single stall isn't small — she's willing to cut her own flesh to leverage power — truly bold."

Chen Zhao silently praised her audacity.

After Fang Zijing's fall, Su Muqing had persistently tried to rescue him, but her influence was too weak.

Yet over the past half-month, she had grown increasingly close to the Spirit Beast Hall, as if plotting a roundabout rescue.

After pleasantries,

Liu Chen led them on a tour.

"Such dense Spirit Qi—it's far higher than a Ren Zi Dong Fu."

Chen Zhao scanned his surroundings.

At the center of the first floor, a core of the Array came into view.

He hadn't expected that when Juxian Pavilion was first built, it already had a Low-grade Spirit Gathering Array.

Though its quality fell short of Xin Tong's work, its range covered the entire Juxian Pavilion.

"Your rooms are on the third floor—quiet enough."

Liu Chen pointed upward.

Juxian Pavilion has four floors, each with a different function.

The first floor is for stalls and exchanges, plus a reception hall.

Ordinary guests trade here; if they have special needs—like fearing exposure of wealth—they can pay extra to go upstairs.

The second floor is for secret exchange rooms, where transactions are conducted masked, registered by Su Wanyao.

Only after Xin Tong draws the Concealment Array can it be used normally.

The third floor houses shops for Alchemy and Talisman-making, where Pill Furnaces and Talisman Rooms can be rented, and disciples may stay permanently to take orders.

A separate suite has also been set aside for Chen Zhao, Xin Tong, and others to reside in.

The fourth floor is where Liu Chen lives, with an additional secret chamber for discussions and decisions.

Chen Zhao and the others climbed the stairs.

Straight to the third floor.

Along the way, several disciples came to pay respects—mostly registered and Outer Sect Disciples.

Some Inner Sect Disciples arrived on their masters' orders, seeking information.

Amid the greetings and farewells, Liu Chen quietly whispered to Chen Zhao and the others, introducing each guest's identity.

The third floor was filled with shops from various halls; Chen Zhao followed Liu Chen, first making himself known to the seniors.

Chen Zhao's workplace was in the southeast corner, directly opposite Xin Tong's.

He stared at the sign reading "Chief Alchemist," and couldn't help smiling wryly before following the crowd inside.

"Liu Pavilion Master, why didn't you say you were looking for the Chief Alchemist? Sister had someone come to lend a hand."

A seductive laugh drifted from inside the room.

Su Muqing sat perched on the edge of the table, occasionally swaying her waist slightly, her breath sweet as orchids.

She wasn't as voluptuous as Su Wanyao, but her pure, lovely face combined with her youthful figure created a striking contrast.

At her feet, two white-robed senior brothers stood rigidly—when she lightly tapped them, their faces showed submission.

They stepped forward in unison, clasped fists, and said:

"He Chengdao, I apologize for past offenses; please forgive us all."

"He Chengde, sent by Sister's request, I've come here to assist Pavilion Master Liu."

It seemed these two were the people Liu Chen had invited.

But,

Their cultivation was higher than Su Muqing's—why did they address her as "Sister"?

Chen Zhao was stunned.

Clearly, Su Muqing's methods of controlling subordinates had grown even more refined—she had them completely under her thumb.

"These two brothers are outstanding Outer Sect talents. If Chen Younger Brother finds himself overwhelmed, perhaps let them share your burden."

Su Muqing smiled lightly, lifting her small foot slightly.

She passed between He and Su, extending it straight toward Chen Zhao.

But just ten inches before him,

A small hand gripped her ankle.

"Sister Su has come from afar—surely not just to say all this?"

Xin Tong smiled faintly, tightening her grip slightly.

Su Muqing let out a light huff, her eyes sultry—but she recovered quickly.

She handed over a letter, then left alone.

She didn't look at Chen Zhao once.

Or rather, she had no interest in male cultivators at all—this teasing was merely meant to make her younger sister and Xin Tong jealous.

Liu Chen dismissed the two from Dan Tang.

In front of everyone, he opened the letter.

After reading it, Chen Zhao was stunned.

The letter mentioned only one thing.

Su Muqing's father, moved by brotherly kinship, wished to withdraw from the struggle for family leadership and offered the three-tenths of family resources he controlled, seeking reconciliation between the two branches, hoping Su Wanyao's branch would agree.

"It's not that simple."

Chen Zhao shook his head with a faint smile.

Fang Zijing isn't dead—after a year, Su Muqing's branch will regain advantage and still control the Su Family.