Chapter 72: Nine Orifices Solidifying Source Pill

Chen Zhao bowed deeply in thanks, his manners beyond reproach.

He secretly lifted his gaze, scanning the other two Elders, noticing their grim expressions.

A single phrase, "merely personal," had left them stranded.

A gift, given openly before all eyes.

If the gift were less precious than the first, it would surely seem like adding a dog's tail to a tiger's body.

If better than others', it would offend someone and hurt his own heart besides.

The pretty woman let out two dry laughs, utterly unprepared for Elder Meng's generosity.

She whispered a few words to the middle-aged man beside her, then pulled out a Spirit Pill Prescription.

"This is a second-rank mid-grade Ninghun Pill Prescription, a small token of my and Elder Du's goodwill—take it well."

"Hmm, if you don't understand Alchemy, ask me."

Li Zhiwei spoke up at the right moment, adding one more line.

The reward seemed overly perfunctory, yet the disciples showed little reaction.

Everyone knew her nature was like this.

Another second-rank Alchemist willing to teach—already rare enough; Chen Zhao didn't lose out here.

Look, what is a frugal persona?

All three Elders turned to stare, their guts twisting with regret.

Had they not still been young and strong, with hopes of ascending to Golden Core and seizing the Hall Master position, they'd never have put on this show.

Of course.

Their urgency also stemmed from Li Zhiwei's guaranteed Golden Core promotion.

Chen Zhao was perfectly happy to see them scheming against each other—he'd made a fortune this past month.

"Thank you all, Elders, for your favor."

"Don't thank me yet—come to the small house later."

His secret delight hadn't faded when Li Jie's voice whispered into his ear.

Chen Zhao's expression grew slightly serious at this.

More variables?

Just as the Elders lost interest and began to leave, he lightly stepped forward and leapt to stand before the small house.

Returning to this familiar place, the Ling Tian was now managed by someone else.

Outer Disciple, Chen Jingying.

Chen Zhao had saved her and her brother, but he'd been disguised and used a false name—she might not recognize him.

He watched the slender figure casting the Spirit Rain Technique, slightly startled.

"Sister, why is an Outer Sect Disciple doing menial work?"

"Come inside first."

The wooden door cracked open slightly.

As Chen Zhao slipped in sideways, Li Zhiwei spoke,

"Lintai County has been taken over by the sect—she lost her Spirit Stone source and is temporarily working here."

So you're here to do charity!

Chen Zhao's gaze turned peculiar.

But he immediately realized—the sect had fully seized control of Xuan She Dong.

"To be honest, have you ever entered the snake cave beneath the pavilion?"

Seeing he seemed to know something, Li Zhiwei activated the Concealment Array and followed up.

"I've heard of it, but I couldn't get in."

Chen Zhao shook his head like a rattle drum, his face innocent and guileless,

"Someone went in?"

"After Chen Qingmeng entered the cave, the snake's gallbladder vanished."

Could Chen Qingmeng have taken the snake's gallbladder? If he had that ability, Yan Xiaoqian wouldn't have died.

Chen Zhao didn't believe it for a second.

Yet the gallbladder appearing in the divination text was no ordinary thing—he didn't know its function, but he was still curious.

Of course.

He had no courage to explore the snake cave again.

"Sister, what else is in that snake cave?"

"Sect secrets—I can't say..."

"What about anything related to Alchemy?"

"This... is hard to say."

Li Zhiwei raised her willow-brow, slightly lost to his erratic train of thought.

Suddenly,

Chen Zhao pulled out a jar of Jianzhu Chun and slowly lifted the lid.

Seven years aged, its rich aroma filled the air.

This was the original recipe—today's Su Family can't reproduce it, a true vintage!

True, recipes naturally improve over time, and old brews aren't always better than new—but Chen Zhao had tested it himself.

This liquor was fiercely spicy.

Li Zhiwei lightly sniffed, pressing her red lips together.

As the saying goes, fine wine is like a beauty—the spicier, the more fragrant.

How did this junior brother know she favored this taste?

Three rounds of wine had passed.

"You. Swear a Heart Demon Oath, then down another one."

Li Zhiwei's face was flushed, her finger giving a light push.

Chen Zhao caught the flying wine jar, forcing down his urge to vomit.

"Senior sister, this is the fifth Heart Demon Oath—I swear I won't tell anyone, can I stop drinking?"

In his past life, he never imagined.

Many years later, facing a wine jar, Chen Zhao would miss that distant night when his boss took him to a business banquet.

"That won't do. If you don't drink, you're disrespects your senior sister."

Good grief.

His rhetoric was astonishingly identical!

Chen Zhao's eyes hardened; he tilted back the wine jar. Seeing this, Li Zhiwei's eyes revealed a faint, barely noticeable smile.

And she didn't notice either.

At the rim of the wine jar, spirit wine quietly flowed into the shadows.

A pink little mouth, a ink-wash lizard, was "taking the drink" for him.

Half an hour later.

"Not bad—you grow fiercer with each round, you've got some of my flair."

Li Zhiwei's face showed approval.

"Drinking straight is boring..."

Chen Zhao hurriedly called for a stop; she muttered inwardly about the fun being ruined, then changed tack.

"The old man went down into the cave himself and gave me a single Dingkong Vine. If your sincerity isn't enough, you'll hear no more."

She opened her small mouth and let out a wine burp.

A flash of sharp light lit Chen Zhao's eyes; his drunkenness vanished entirely.

It was precisely the final main ingredient for the Nine Orifices Solid-Source Pill!

Lin Yutang gave him this item and explained its function—its role was far more than merely resolving the Empty Spirit Body!

Chen Zhao feigned drunkenness, slumped over the desk, and said plainly:

"Senior sister, will you trade me that Dingkong Vine?"

"Is it for Xin Tong, that little brat?"

Li Zhiwei's face was expressionless, her thoughts unreadable.

She swirled her wine cup, lost in thought, then finally spoke:

"Then let's see how sincere you are."

Chen Zhao stole glances at her expression and laid out three Second-tier Talismans.

Not enough.

Add two jars of Jianzhu Chun original brew.

Not enough.

Chen Zhao took a deep breath and pulled out a Longevity Pill from Taiyin Palace.

"You're quite generous. Good, good."

Only then did Li Zhiwei give a slight nod.

She had no idea Chen Zhao still possessed a string of top-grade spirit wood beads, Xue Canyue... this was merely the tip of the iceberg.

They clinked cups, both feeling they got the better deal.

He had obtained the Dingkong Vine.

Chen Zhao staggered, leaning against the wall as he walked.

Before he took a few steps, he suddenly collapsed to the ground.

Inside the Spirit Beast Bag, Xiao Bai stuck out his tongue, thoroughly drunk.

"Don't vomit on the Ling Tian!"

Chen Jingying raised her tiny fist in protest.

But her protest was useless—Chen Zhao was already passed out on the Ling Tian.

The girl was innocent and naive, believing most of the sect's rumors, and naturally held no good impression of him.

Add to that, after he entered the room, her senior sister had sneaked off to activate the Concealment Array...

The girl helplessly placed her hands on her hips and sighed: what a good cabbage, wasted on a pig.

Yet men like Chen Qingyuan and Mo Ya, who were so chivalrous, were far too rare.

Yet.

The next second.

A cold female voice drifted in.

"Watch him. Let Xin Sister lead the group."

Chen Jingying's face fell, utterly crestfallen.

"Senior sister, can't I just leave him lying there?"

But then she thought again.

Her cultivation was still shallow, and if Chen Zhao had any improper thoughts, and Senior Sister Li stood by without lifting a finger, she would likely be doomed.

Chen Jingying pulled out a cool mat and rope, intending to tie him up tight so he wouldn't be clumsy with his hands and feet.

"Little girl, what nonsense are you thinking about all day long?"

Li Zhiwei gave a flick to her forehead, making the girl cover her brow and cry out in pain.

A meritorious contributor of Dan Tang being tied up—if those Elders got wind of it, they'd likely make a big fuss again.

She let out a long, quiet sigh.

She summoned the Cloud-Scaling Sparrow, which carried Chen Zhao back to Juxian Pavilion.