Chapter 101: The Daughter of the Lingyun Mansion Lord (6k)

The two turned to look and saw a young man in a green robe, holding a folding fan, standing beside the table.

The youth was tall and slender, with an air of heroism in his brows, but upon closer inspection, one could see the slightly upturned corners of his eyes and delicate skin—clearly a woman disguised as a man.

Zhou Qing blinked in surprise, but Yan Xiao burst out laughing: “Hah, of course no problem, little… little brother, please sit.”

“Thank you both, young masters!” The youth thanked them warmly, then sat down confidently beside the table, a hint of subtle cunning flashing in his eyes.

Looking at the full table of delicacies, he exclaimed: “You two gentlemen have such refined tastes—these dishes must’ve just arrived, they look delicious! My portion should be coming soon; then we can all enjoy together.”

Just as he finished speaking, his stomach let out a loud rumble.

Yan Xiao chuckled: “No need, no need, eat your fill, eat yours—I’ll just sit here. My brother and I eat fast; we’ll clear you a seat in no time. Fourth brother, what are you waiting for? Eat!”

Yan Xiao spoke to Zhou Qing, then grabbed a chicken leg and began devouring it.

The youth froze, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Don’t mind her, eat fast—we’ve got that thing with us, better be careful!” At that moment, Yan Xiao’s voice whispered into Zhou Qing’s ear.

Zhou Qing stared blankly.

If you’re being careful, why invite her to share the table? Just because she complimented you twice?

The youth stared at Yan Xiao wolfing down his food, then turned stiffly to look at Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing merely smiled and nodded, then quickly began eating too.

After all, the money for this meal came from his stingy senior brother—he had no say in the matter.

At the table, Xiao Cancan’s stomach kept growling as she watched the two men gobbling down food, not offering her so much as a single bite.

Come on, I’m the only daughter of the Lord of Lingyun Mansion! If it weren’t for that annoying fellow chasing me, I wouldn’t have had to disguise myself and sneak out—and if I hadn’t fled in such a rush and forgotten my storage pouch, would I be reduced to this?

Besides, as a Jin Dan cultivator, I’ve long since achieved Grain Grain Bigu—I won’t starve if I skip a meal. But I’ve never met people like you two!

Where’s the dignity of a cultivator?

And you’re eating so deliciously that even if I wasn’t hungry, I am now.

Is it that if you’re not embarrassed, then someone else has to be?

“Young masters, is this your first time in Lingyun Mansion?” Xiao Cancan, growing increasingly awkward, finally asked to break the silence.

Before Zhou Qing could answer, Yan Xiao grabbed another pork knuckle and bit into it, juice spraying everywhere as he mumbled: “How could that be? We’re locals—we know Lingyun Mansion inside out. We come to this tavern all the time. Chick, eat!”

As he spoke, Yan Xiao picked up the dish closest to Xiao Cancan and placed it before the old hen.

The old hen immediately began pecking away with rapid, rhythmic taps.

Xiao Cancan’s face twitched.

She finally understood—there was food for the chicken, but none for her.

What kind of people are these?

And they claim to be locals? Do they think I’ve spent all these years growing up in Lingyun Mansion for nothing?

Burp~~

Soon, the entire meal was devoured in a flash. Yan Xiao even licked the empty plate the hen had eaten from—so clean it gleamed—then let out a long, satisfied belch.

“How’s that? Fast, right? Won’t delay you, little brother. Well, we’ve got things to do—we’re off. Take your time, little two, come clean this table!”

Yan Xiao picked up the old hen and casually plucked a feather from its rear end to pick his teeth.

Watching the two leave without a backward glance, then looking at the bare, gleaming plates, Xiao Cancan clenched her fists until her knuckles cracked.

“This has been the most frustrating day!”

She rubbed her stomach and rose to find her next target, when the waiter dashed over, flinging a white cloth over his shoulder with a grin: “Madam, please wait a moment—your dishes are coming right away.”

Xiao Cancan froze, pointing at herself in suspicion: “I ordered this?”

The waiter replied: “Your friend ordered it—the ones who just finished eating.”

Xiao Cancan blinked, unable to believe it, and hurriedly asked: “The one holding the old hen, with the small eyes?”

The waiter said: “No, the other one—the fair-skinned one. I’ll be right back, please wait.”

Xiao Cancan stared blankly after the waiter left.

She rushed to the window and scanned the bustling crowd, quickly spotting Zhou Qing and Yan Xiao’s retreating backs.

…………

“Five lower-grade spirit stones? That’s way too extravagant!” Yan Xiao patted the old hen.

Zhou Qing smiled: “No problem. Consider it money well spent to avoid trouble.”

“Hey, that’s not like you! You don’t actually feel sorry for her because she’s a girl, do you? If it were some big burly man, you’d never spend a single spirit stone!” Yan Xiao teased.

Zhou Qing only smiled faintly.

He saw her embarrassment, and how her pride kept her from speaking up—so he gave her this ladder to climb down.

In truth, whether man or woman, old or young, he’d likely have helped anyway.

Ever since he left home, he’d wandered alone, meeting all kinds of people.

Some mocked him, some sneered with disgust, and some—like today—smiled and bought him steaming hot meat buns.

He’d simply seen his past self.

“There’s a pharmacy over there!” Zhou Qing suddenly pointed to a shop ahead.

The two hurried inside.

As soon as they stepped in, a rich herbal scent washed over them.

Inside, the place was packed—people crowded the counters, selecting herbs or chatting with apprentices.

“Gentlemen, what can I help you with?” An apprentice hurried over with a bright smile.

Yan Xiao handed him a list: “Do you have these spirit herbs?”

The apprentice glanced at it, then apologized: “We have all of them except the ingredients for the Nascent Soul Pill.”

Yan Xiao: “...”

Wait, I scrambled all the herbs and added extra materials for safety—how did you recognize these as Nascent Soul Pill ingredients?

And now you’ve made me look foolish.

“Forget it!” Yan Xiao cleared his throat, snatched back the list, and turned to leave with Zhou Qing.

At that moment, the shopkeeper approached, puzzled: “What were they buying?”

The apprentice replied: “The ingredients for the Nascent Soul Pill—and they even mixed in random extra materials, thinking they were clever.”

The shopkeeper nodded: “Ah. The Nascent Soul Pill formula is public knowledge, especially among us in the spirit herb trade—it’s obvious. We get dozens asking daily. Their caution is understandable.”

“True enough. Oh, welcome, honored guest! What would you like?”

Seeing another customer enter, the apprentice instantly switched to his professional smile and stepped forward.

…………

“No wonder this is a major city—even a pharmacy apprentice has such sharp eyes! Impressive!” Yan Xiao sighed as they stepped outside.

Zhou Qing smiled: “Yes, and perfectly avoided the correct answer.”

“What’s the rush? We just arrived. We’re still on the outskirts of Lingyun Mansion. No need to hurry—we’ll find it. Look, there’s another pharmacy—let’s go!”

Soon, Yan Xiao spotted another shop named “Immortal Herb Pavilion,” and the two hurried inside.

This time, for safety, they named only two or three needed herbs. After that, Zhou Qing entered alone to inquire about the others.

Unfortunately, they found nothing.

“Are the ingredients for the Nascent Soul Pill really this rare?” Yan Xiao scratched his head, disbelieving.

Zhou Qing frowned: “Third brother, I checked the prices here—they’re all high. We’re already short on funds, and you set aside part for Niu Guangmo and the others. I’m afraid that even if we find them, we won’t be able to afford them.”

Yan Xiao stroked the hen’s head, deep in thought: “That’s a real problem. With a Nascent Soul Pill, you gain the Nascent Soul realm—that’s already top-tier power in a Level Four spiritual nation.”

“Above Nascent Soul is Soul Transformation, then Soul Severing. So it’s no surprise this pill is rare. Honestly, even with all my money, I could only afford four or five herbs at most.”

“Four or five? The Nascent Soul Pill requires twenty-one herbs!” Zhou Qing reminded him.

Yan Xiao looked embarrassed: “I know, I know. I was even thinking of buying you one too. Your talent’s high, but you’re Foundation Establishment via the Human Path—your transformation into a Nascent Soul will be harder than mine.”

Zhou Qing hurriedly said: “Don’t bother with mine—focus on gathering yours. So what now?”

Yan Xiao grinned slyly and leaned close: “That’s exactly why I agreed to bring you along.”

“What?” Zhou Qing suddenly felt uneasy.

Yan Xiao said: “I’ve got Infant Fire now. Besides combat, it can refine elixirs or forge magic treasures. So I plan to brew some low-grade elixirs and sell them.”

Zhou Qing was confused—how does this relate to my nose?

As if sensing his confusion, Yan Xiao continued: “Refining elixirs needs herbs, right? But the prices here are outrageous. So I thought of another idea—processing semi-finished products.”

“Semi-finished?” Zhou Qing was even more baffled.

Yan Xiao pulled Zhou Qing aside and whispered: “Before we came, I researched this place thoroughly. Somewhere in Lingyun Mansion, there’s an underground black market trading forbidden goods.”

“There, you often find decent-quality elixirs—but they’re flawed, full of impurities. You could say they’re failed batches, but the sellers won’t throw them away. You’ve seen how expensive the ingredients are—sometimes they can’t even gather enough.”

Zhou Qing instinctively glanced at the old hen.

“You’re not thinking…”

“It’s part of the plan too—we can try. But the main idea is to buy them cheap, then re-refine them myself. Maybe I can upgrade their grade, then resell them for profit.”

Yan Xiao beamed with excitement.

Zhou Qing finally understood his third brother’s plan—but one thing still puzzled him.

“What’s my role?”

Yan Xiao said: “You’re the key now. With your extraordinary sense of smell, you’ll help me sniff out which elixirs have fewer impurities—those with potential to be upgraded. That way, my refining success rate will be higher.”

Zhou Qing nodded. That was entirely feasible.

“I’ll do my best.”

Yan Xiao beamed with delight: “That’s the spirit! When my brother and I move, the spirit stones come rushing in! I know you’ll help me make a fortune—after all, you’ve already proven it on the way here.”

Then, Yan Xiao pulled out a map, compared it with the surroundings, picked up the old hen, and dragged Zhou Qing off in a certain direction.

Only by afternoon did they reach a secluded alley, where two Nascent Soul cultivators guarded the entrance.

“Change clothes and put on your masks!” Yan Xiao swiftly pulled out two sets of garments.

After all, most items in the black market were stolen or seized through murder; no one wanted to attract trouble.

After changing, they arrived at the alley’s mouth.

Yan Xiao quickly pulled out thirty spirit stones and handed them over.

The Nascent Soul cultivator glanced at them, then rotated the array disc in his hand; immediately, a pitch-black opening appeared in the alley’s ground, with steps descending layer upon layer.

After a brief bow, the two descended the steps.

After walking nearly a hundred meters, a suffocating pressure washed over them.

The light here was dim; flickering torches on the walls barely illuminated the narrow passage.

Many others—wearing masks or conical hats—walked slowly, their eyes filled with suspicion or greed.

For a moment, both felt tense.

“Relax,” Yan Xiao said. “I heard the black market’s behind-the-scenes master is terrifyingly powerful; this place even has ties to the governor of Lingyun Prefecture. No one dares cause trouble here. Besides, we’re not lambs waiting to be slaughtered.”

Yan Xiao reassured him.

Zhou Qing nodded; he wasn’t afraid and quickly adapted to the surroundings.

The two moved carefully through the crowd; everyone remained silent, the atmosphere so heavy it was hard to breathe.

Even haggling was done in hushed, altered voices.

“Third Senior Brother, look over there!”

Soon, Zhou Qing excitedly tugged Yan Xiao’s sleeve and pointed ahead.

Before a stall lay an array of medicinal herbs.

In the central jade box rested a tiny sprout of spiritual herb, gently radiating light.

“Soul-Breath Immortal Grass!”

When Yan Xiao saw it, his pupils shrank, his eyes brimming with delight.

No wonder it was the black market—this kind of thing actually existed here.

Zhou Qing was equally excited.

He knew his second sister had chased after traces of Soul-Breath Immortal Grass.

With this, their master’s spiritual soul injury could be permanently healed.

A mature Soul-Breath Immortal Grass was worth five supreme spirit stones—roughly equal to the Chaos Mysterious Gold they currently carried.

Too bad this was only a sprout; still, it was priceless, though it required years of careful cultivation.

“One supreme spirit stone!”

As the two studied it, the stall owner, wrapped in a black robe, rasped out his price.

Without hesitation, they turned and walked away.

What nonsense—just a sprout, and he’s demanding one supreme spirit stone? That’s outrageous.

Besides, they sensed the stall owner’s aura was immensely thick; even if not Soul Transformation, he was Nascent Soul peak.

Let’s get out of here. Stare too long, and they’ll think we’re loaded.

The two continued wandering, gaining plenty of new insights—no wonder it was the black market.

Soon, they found a stall selling elixirs; the vendor sat silently in the corner, masked.

From his exposed hands, he seemed quite young.

Some apprentices secretly collected discarded elixirs from their masters and sold them for profit.

The stall displayed a pile of failed elixirs—dull in color, irregular in shape, emitting a strange odor.

At that moment, the vendor slowly lifted his head, revealing bright eyes that regarded them calmly.

At Yan Xiao’s signal, Zhou Qing began observing.

After scanning, his gaze settled on the smallest pile.

Three elixirs were slightly charred, yet their smooth surfaces glowed with an unusual green hue—calming to the eye.

“How much for these?” Zhou Qing asked.

The vendor feigned age: “Fifty lower-grade spirit stones each.”

“So expensive?” Yan Xiao exclaimed.

The vendor scowled at Yan Xiao impatiently: “These three are top-grade healing elixirs. If they were intact, each would be worth at least five middle-grade spirit stones.”

Well, that made sense.

Yan Xiao glanced at Zhou Qing: Your turn now.

Use your nose.

After a brief hesitation, Zhou Qing focused on them and activated [Daily Appraisal].

[Failed Elixir: These three are failed Qingling Fuyuan Elixirs, ruined by improper heat control and dosage. Fortunately, the damage isn’t severe. If mixed with large quantities of Purple Star Fruit to neutralize, then refined into a spiritual liquid with Red Bamboo, White Treasure Grass, and Residual Rainbow Flower, there’s a high chance they’ll be reborn.]

Seeing the feedback, Zhou Qing’s face lit up.

He’d guessed right—he’d feared wasting his one chance.

“I’ll take these three!” Zhou Qing said.

Without a word, Yan Xiao pulled out one hundred fifty lower-grade spirit stones, handed them over, and packed the elixirs.

“Let’s go!” Zhou Qing whispered, seeing Yan Xiao still lingering.

Yan Xiao froze.

Wait—you’re only buying three? Aren’t you checking the rest?

Nothing else has value?

The two wandered a bit more; when they passed the earlier stall again, the Soul-Breath Immortal Grass sprout was gone—someone had bought it.

“Find an inn first,” Yan Xiao said. “Then let me properly analyze what kind of elixir this is.”

When they emerged, the outside world glowed with lanterns; compared to the oppressive underground, this was truly the vibrant human world.

But Zhou Qing said: “No need to analyze—I already smelled it. It’s Qingling Fuyuan Elixir. Hurry, buy Purple Star Fruit, Red Bamboo, White Treasure Grass, and Residual Rainbow Flower before the apothecary closes.”

Yan Xiao stared at Zhou Qing in disbelief.

“Wait—you can smell the exact herbs needed for refining it?”

Zhou Qing smiled sheepishly and rubbed his nose: “Just guessing. I don’t even know if I’m right!”

At that moment, Yan Xiao looked at Zhou Qing as if he were a god—how had he never realized his little brother was this extraordinary?

…………

As dawn barely broke, Zhou Qing, still asleep, was jolted awake by Yan Xiao’s excited shouts.

“Little Fourth, Little Fourth—you’re incredible! Of course, I’m incredible too! I only tried it out of curiosity, but following your method, I actually succeeded in refining this Qingling Fuyuan Elixir!”

“Look! Look!”

Yan Xiao, beside himself with joy, held up a fragrant green elixir for Zhou Qing to see.

Zhou Qing blinked sleepily, genuinely delighted for him.

“You could be a master alchemist now. I just wanted you to sniff out which one had fewer impurities—you not only identified the elixir’s name, but listed the exact herbs needed for repair!”

“Honestly, even if I’d tried refining it myself, I’d only hoped to improve its appearance and reduce impurities. Now? It’s become a top-quality elixir!”

Yan Xiao’s saliva flew as he struggled to find words for his elation.

Bought for fifty lower-grade spirit stones, now worth five middle-grade spirit stones—tenfold profit!

[Heart Appraisal Points +9]

The title above his head, “Extraordinary Little Brother,” instantly changed to “Godlike Little Brother.”

“No way—I must study your nose. How is it even built? Did you eat some heavenly treasure? Otherwise, this is just too insane!”

Yan Xiao leapt onto the bed, reaching for Zhou Qing’s nose, but Zhou Qing kicked him off in three swift motions.

“Stop it! This is natural—I just developed late, and only recently awakened!” Zhou Qing quickly covered his nose.

Yan Xiao suddenly slapped his thigh.

“Oh no! Last night I fed one to the old hen—that was five middle-grade spirit stones! I’m heartbroken!”

Yan Xiao dashed out like the wind, desperate to make the hen vomit it up if it hadn’t been digested.

Zhou Qing sighed, shook his head, then changed clothes and washed up.

The result? Obviously digested—probably in a few days, the hen would lay a slightly medicinal-smelling spirit egg.

One elixir remained; after a short rest, Yan Xiao began refining again with his Nascent Soul flame.

The next day, they brought two perfect Qingling Fuyuan Elixirs to an apothecary and traded them for ten middle-grade spirit stones.

Holding the money, Yan Xiao felt like he was dreaming.

“I never thought money could come so easily. I don’t even want to return to the sect—let’s brothers team up here in Lingyun Prefecture, grow big and strong, and make our mark!”

Yan Xiao’s eyes sparkled with dreams.

Zhou Qing said: “First, let’s find out if there are any ingredients for a Nascent Soul Elixir.”

“Not yet,” Yan Xiao pulled Zhou Qing back toward the black market. “We’ve got time—no need to rush.”

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(End of chapter)