bookpower Chapter 293: Waiting for the Right Price
Chapter 293: Waiting for the Right Price
"Little girl, what is your surname?"
Lan Chang'an paused at a small stall, picking up a talisman to examine it as he casually asked the question.
The girl in the blue dress had a graceful charm about her, evoking a sense of familiarity in him.
Somewhere, in a past life, he had met her. Their relationship had been close.
Her elder brother, standing nearby, looked at Lan Chang'an with a hint of vigilance upon hearing his question.
This wasn’t the first time such a situation had occurred.
His sister’s pure and delicate beauty, along with her sharp intellect, often attracted male cultivators. Many believed they were lowering themselves by approaching her, confident that they could offer her a better life.
When these suitors learned that the siblings owned a shop in the busiest marketplace at the heart of the oasis, they often retreated in shame, becoming the butt of jokes.
“Responding to senior, this humble girl’s surname is Yun.”
The girl in the blue dress, her eyes sparkling, responded crisply, her voice as clear as a bell.
The middle-aged man in green robes standing before her had fair skin and a scholarly elegance, his extraordinary aura making it difficult to discern his cultivation level.
Her instincts told her this person was different from the presumptuous suitors who had approached her before.
Yun?
Lan Chang'an remained composed, his expression unchanged as he examined the first-rank superior-grade talisman in his hand. The intricate craftsmanship of the talisman’s inscriptions far surpassed that of most loose talisman masters.
“Miss Yun, how much for this jade carving?”
He then picked up a miniature green jade carving of a turtle. Its round, chubby form looked innocent and adorable, reminding him of the young Profound Water Turtle from its juvenile years.
“This is a handmade craft of mine, a mascot for the stall. If senior likes it, you can pay whatever you feel is fair.”
Yun Ling’s dimples appeared as she smiled sweetly, her voice like silver bells swaying in the wind.
“I am an alchemist,” Lan Chang'an said with a faint smile, spreading his palm to reveal a small bottle of pills. “While traveling, I was attacked by bandits and am now penniless. Would you accept a trade with pills instead?”
“Second-rank Beauty Nourishment Pills!”
Yun Ling’s eyes brightened. After opening the bottle to inspect the pills, she happily agreed to the exchange.
The materials for the green jade turtle hadn’t cost more than half a spirit stone.
However, the intricate craftsmanship infused with her spirit made it priceless in her heart. She convinced herself with this reasoning.
“Senior, why don’t you take a few more talismans while you’re at it?”
Yun Ling, feeling a bit guilty, suggested.
“There’s no need. Some things are priceless to the heart.”
The Profound Water Turtle inside Lan Chang'an’s spirit beast pouch seemed to have taken a liking to the little jade turtle.
Lan Chang'an cast a glance at the bell bracelet on Yun Ling’s wrist, leaving behind a meaningful sentence before standing up and departing.
“Ling’er, wasn’t that jade turtle supposed to be a non-sellable item...?”
Yun Hao, her elder brother, muttered under his breath.
“Ling’er saw that senior truly liked it! Besides, this was a profitable trade...”
Yun Ling’s delicate face flushed a rosy pink as she explained, her expression radiant and lively.
“Is that so?”
Yun Hao, staring at his sister’s face, judged with his lifelong understanding of her expressions that she was most likely lying.
Yun Ling snorted softly and ignored her brother’s suspicious gaze.
The man who had introduced himself as "Xu" had given her an inexplicable sense of familiarity and warmth. Without thinking too much, she had agreed to sell the beloved jade mascot to him.
As she watched the figure of the middle-aged man in the green robe disappear into the distance, Yun Ling’s eyes sparkled with confusion.
...
“A bond of reincarnation? Could there really be such coincidences in the world?”
Walking away from the stall area, Lan Chang'an’s eyes flickered with a strange light as he murmured to himself.
It wasn’t surprising to encounter the bloodline descendants of the fourth life Master Lihuo here in this vast oasis.
After all, it was based on his memories of that past life that Lan Chang'an had come to this oasis—a place with an abundance of wood-attributed spiritual energy—seeking a suitable spot for secluded cultivation.
Yun Ling’s appearance bore a striking resemblance to the most cherished Dao companion of the fourth life.
This was what gave Lan Chang'an the sense of familiarity.
However, despite facing the bloodline descendant of his fourth life, he didn’t feel any strong familial affection. At least, nothing obvious.
Lan Chang'an speculated that the fourth life might differ in nature from the first two lives.
It seemed more like an experience—a simulation of a Nascent Soul True Monarch’s lifetime.
The rules of the Nine Seal Stele had forcibly condensed that life into one of his nine reincarnations.
What made this encounter particularly coincidental was the fact that Yun Ling was not only a descendant of the fourth life’s bloodline.
In her previous life, she had shared an intimate bond with this lifetime’s Lan Chang'an.
Inside the spirit beast pouch, the Profound Water Turtle fiddled with the handmade miniature turtle, its gaze filled with nostalgia as if recalling a familiar figure from the past.
If even the turtle bonded to him in spirit could sense such ties, how could Lan Chang'an, who possessed the Nine Seal Stele, remain unaffected?
When meeting significant individuals from his past lives, should their souls reincarnate and their paths cross again, he would be able to recognize their former identities.
That bell bracelet Yun Ling wore was an artifact related to divination and fortune-telling.
However, its grade was low, and it required proximity to detect good fortune or auspicious signs, making its practical use minimal.
It was like foretelling an impending calamity only when it was right upon you—far too late to be useful.
When Master Lihuo was young, he had used this item to explore the art of divination, eventually passing it down to a female Dao companion.
“Qiaozhi, your circumstances in this life aren’t bad. Your appearance and talent are both superior to your previous life...”
Lan Chang'an felt a sense of relief in his heart.
Yet, he had no intention of revealing Guan Qiaozhi’s past life identity to her. Doing so required a purer form of reincarnation energy, something that was currently beyond his reach.
...
Before evening fell, Lan Chang'an had already purchased a substantial amount of supplies in the market, all paid for with pills.
He even managed to exchange some of his pills for spirit stones.
The highest-grade pill he sold reached the quasi-third rank.
That night, rumors about a "destitute alchemist" selling pills at He Yuan Market began spreading across the oasis.
This was all part of Lan Chang'an’s deliberate plan.
Trading a second-rank pill for Yun Ling’s jade mascot had been the first step.
Second-rank and higher alchemists were extremely rare in desert oases and enjoyed an exalted status.
Instead of actively seeking a faction to align himself with, Lan Chang'an opted to "wait for the right price" and let others come to him with offers.
The next morning.
The forces in the oasis moved faster than Lan Chang'an had expected.
By the next morning, the owner of the Pill Pavilion in He Yuan Market—a white-haired, middle-stage Foundation Establishment elder—personally came to visit him.
After some polite exchanges, Lan Chang'an got straight to the point, exuding a faint, nearly imperceptible aura of Core power.
“Does the Three Flavors Pill Pavilion have a third-rank spirit vein supporting it?”
Upon hearing this, the elder’s expression changed. Bowing respectfully, he replied, “The Three Flavors Pill Pavilion is far too insignificant. I ask Xu Immortal to forgive us for overstepping.”
With that, he left behind a gift box and excused himself, retreating in reverence.
A third-rank spirit vein’s cultivation site in River Source Oasis was either controlled by a major power or occupied by powerful loose cultivators.
Their grandmother had once said that flowers grown in a greenhouse would never amount to much, and thus, she insisted that the siblings experience the trials and tribulations of the cultivation world firsthand.
“The payment for refining the Foundation Establishment Pills will be thirty percent higher than the standard rate offered to second-rank alchemists in the marketplace. Upon completion, our grandmother also promises to recommend a peaceful and independent third-rank spirit vein cultivation site to Immortal Xu,” Yun Ling added in her gentle and melodious voice.
“Well then, what choice do I have? Who told this Xu to be poor,” Lan Chang'an replied with a faint smile, agreeing to their request.
He proceeded to finalize the terms and details of the transaction with the siblings.
If three Foundation Establishment Pills were successfully refined, one of them would belong to Lan Chang'an as part of his payment.
...
That evening.
After wrapping up their stall, the Yun siblings returned to their three-story shop located in the heart of the market district.
On the top floor of the shop lived an elderly silver-haired woman, leaning on a cane, her expression kind and benevolent.
“Grandmother, Immortal Xu has agreed to take on our alchemy commission,” the Yun siblings reported as soon as they reached the third floor.
“Hm, managing to invite a quasi-third rank alchemist to help is truly a stroke of fortune for you two,” the old woman said with a warm smile.
Her face was etched with deep wrinkles, and dark age spots dotted her skin, making her advanced age apparent.
She had originally intended for the siblings to endure more trials before attempting Foundation Establishment.
However, the unexpected encounter with a down-and-out high-grade alchemist like Xu Immortal gave her reason to allow them to try their luck.
Negotiating with a Fake Dan cultivator and conducting such a transaction would also help broaden the siblings’ horizons.
Moreover, the results of this alchemy commission would serve to assess Immortal Xu’s character and alchemical skills.
“Ling’er, tell me more details about this Immortal Xu...”
The old woman gestured for Yun Ling to stay behind and began asking her questions.
The earlier transaction Yun Ling had with Immortal Xu was somewhat unusual.
At the time, Yun Ling had described the situation as "inexplicable," concealing the fact that she felt a strange sense of familiarity and warmth toward him.
This time, as she recounted the meeting, her cheeks turned slightly red. The same feeling had surfaced again when she saw Immortal Xu. Her heart felt unsettled, and she was filled with confusion.
“The world of cultivation is full of strange and wondrous encounters. It’s not unusual to meet someone you feel a natural affinity for. The silver bell you wear has given you a sign of good fortune, which means that person bears you no malice,” the old woman explained with a kind smile.
Though Yun Ling still felt perplexed, she nodded slightly and left the room, her thoughts unresolved.
Now alone on the third floor, the old woman’s expression turned contemplative.
Invisible ripples spread across the third floor, revealing the presence of a hidden third rank restriction array that isolated the space from the outside world.
“Strange... Ling’er’s bloodline, when traced upward, shows no connection to any Core Formation cultivator,” the old woman muttered to herself, puzzling over the situation.
She began calculating, her fingers moving in a series of subtle gestures.
Her divination skills had only recently reached the second rank after years of practice, having been learned from her late husband.
In the world of cultivation, when individuals with closely related bloodlines encountered each other, it was not uncommon for them to feel a sense of familiarity or affinity.
However, this varied greatly from person to person—some could sense it clearly, while others remained oblivious.
“It seems I’ll have to wait until I meet this Immortal Xu in person to make further determinations.”
The old woman sighed softly, unable to deduce any concrete answers.
Then, with a wave of her hand, the lights on the third floor went out.
Under the cover of darkness, she reached up and wiped her face.
In an instant, the wrinkled, withered visage disappeared like smudges erased from a mirror.
What remained was a face of breathtaking beauty—elegant and flawless, with skin as smooth as jade. Her features were regal and dignified, and her deep, star-like eyes seemed to conceal endless mysteries, capable of drawing one’s soul into their depths.
She now appeared to be a mature woman of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, exuding an aura of refinement and nobility with every gesture.
...
Three days later.
Lan Chang'an arrived at the Yun siblings’ shop, "Treasure Pavilion," as per their agreement.
This shop specialized in selling high-grade goods, starting at the second rank, including pills, talismans, magic weapons, antiques, and rare items.
Each item’s quality was superior to those of the same rank, but the prices were significantly higher, resulting in very few customers.
The shopkeeper of Treasure Pavilion was none other than the silver-haired old woman, whom the locals respectfully referred to as “Granny Yun.”
“Many thanks to Immortal Xu for taking on this task.”
Accompanied by the Yun siblings, Granny Yun walked slowly out of the shop to greet Lan Chang'an, bowing deeply as she spoke.
Her cloudy eyes observed the refined, scholarly middle-aged man in a green robe, and a faint feeling of warmth and trust arose within her heart.
For some reason, she found Immortal Xu inexplicably pleasing to the eye and felt instinctive trust toward him, despite being certain that this was the first time she had ever met him.
“Shopkeeper Yun is too polite,” Lan Chang'an replied with a smile, returning the greeting.
As he approached Granny Yun, he felt a faint sense of connection—a bond far weaker than the one he had felt with Yun Ling.
Still, the contours of her face and the depth in her eyes confirmed her identity to him.
“Yun Yan, the only surviving legitimate wife and Dao companion of the fourth life Master Lihuo.”
Lan Chang'an, with the memories of the fourth life, immediately recognized Granny Yun’s origin.
Before the fall of the Flame Departing Palace, Master Lihuo had arranged a false-death scheme for Yun Yan to ensure her survival.
Though Yun Yan likely had access to Youth Retaining Pills and excelled at self-care, she had clearly used some secret technique to artificially age her appearance. As a True Dan cultivator, she still had at least two hundred years of lifespan remaining.
Lan Chang'an sighed inwardly, reflecting on how the Master Lihuo’s untimely and sudden death had left his wife and descendants to fend for themselves.
The Yun siblings, as descendants of the Master Lihuo, should have borne the surname "Duan," yet it had been changed to "Yun."
“Immortal Xu, please follow me,” Granny Yun said hoarsely, leading Lan Chang'an to the shop’s backyard, where a private alchemy room awaited.
“These are the materials for the Foundation Establishment Pills. Please examine them, Immortal Xu,” she said, opening a storage pouch and laying its contents before him.
Lan Chang'an carefully inspected the materials and found that the main ingredient for the pills was a pure and exceptional demon core from a beast with earth-grade bloodline.
“Everything is in order,” Lan Chang'an confirmed, storing the materials as he approached the pill furnace. He then sat cross-legged, activating the array and igniting the spirit fire.
“Immortal Xu, may we observe from a distance? We promise not to disturb your process,” Granny Yun suggested.
“That won’t be possible. My unique alchemy techniques do not allow for outsiders to watch,” Lan Chang'an replied apologetically.
Much of his third rank alchemy skill came from the fourth-life Master Lihuo’s legacy. He didn’t want Yun Yan to notice anything unusual.
“Then we’ll leave you to your work,” Granny Yun said, not pressing the issue. She ushered the Yun siblings out of the alchemy room and closed the door.
Standing outside the sealed room, Granny Yun’s expression turned contemplative.
“Could it be that Immortal Xu practices some strange technique, one that makes all female cultivators feel naturally drawn to him?”
A few days later.
The alchemy room’s door opened, releasing a surge of heat.
“How did the pills turn out?”
The Yun siblings, who had been waiting anxiously outside the entire time, quickly stepped forward. They hadn’t opened their stall for days.
Amid the warm mist, Lan Chang'an extended his hand, revealing three Foundation Establishment Pills.
The pills shimmered with a soft glow, their surfaces smooth and lustrous, each engraved with four dao marks.
“Three pills, all standard genuine quality,” Lan Chang'an said calmly, considering this a standard performance.
For ordinary alchemists, the lack of practice materials often hindered their success with Foundation Establishment Pills. However, the fourth life Master Lihuo had no shortage of resources, granting Lan Chang'an a wealth of experience in refining such pills.
The payment for the pills themselves wasn’t what interested Lan Chang'an.
What piqued his curiosity was the promise made by the Yun family—to recommend him to a peaceful and independent third rank spirit vein cultivation site.