Chapter 19: Fourth-Grade Elixirs

Lu Changfeng nodded faintly. Most of those who wished to enter a sect and cultivate did so because they were drawn by the opportunities hidden within it.

It was only human nature.

Seeing that Lu Changfeng knew little about such matters, Zhou Xuantong’s eyes flickered, and he continued, “Actually, aside from opportunities such as Moon-Cool Pool, every peak in the Dao Evolution Sect has opportunities of its own!”

“And beyond the opportunities offered by the various peaks, our Dao Evolution Sect also has its own secret-realm trial!”

“Oh?”

Upon hearing this, Lu Changfeng nodded slightly, curiosity flashing across his face.

Zhou Xuantong nodded and explained, “The foundation of the Dao Evolution Sect lies in the Dao Evolution Secret Realm!”

“This secret realm opens once every five years. Next year will be the time of its next opening!”

“By then, prodigies from the other sects will come here to take part as well!”

“In any case, it is one of the greatest events in our sect!”

Lu Changfeng nodded faintly, gaining a deeper understanding of the relationship between the Dao Evolution Sect and the other sects.

Although the Dao Evolution Sect, the Sacred Origin Sect, and the Ice Lotus Cult were competitors, they still shared certain resources.

After all, there were no eternal enemies—only eternal common interests.

Seeing Lu Changfeng lost in thought, Zhou Xuantong smiled and said, “Senior Brother, you needn’t take them to heart!”

“Those people are worlds apart from you!”

Lu Changfeng glanced at him indifferently and said, “We’ll discuss those matters next year. Come down the mountain with me. We’re going to the Divine Pill Pavilion.”

He still remembered why he had come to find Zhou Xuantong.

First, he wanted to learn more about Moon-Cool Pool.

Second, he wanted Zhou Xuantong to lead him to the Divine Pill Pavilion so that he could collect the pills given to him by his inexpensive master.

“Of course!”

Zhou Xuantong nodded eagerly upon hearing this.

He was not afraid of Lu Changfeng troubling him. On the contrary, if Lu Changfeng did not seek him out for matters like this, that was what would truly upset him.

Two hours later, at the foot of the mountain, there stood a vast marketplace.

The Divine Pill Pavilion was located there.

People streamed back and forth through the streets, and quite a few cultivators had chosen to conceal their appearances. Most, however, wore the robes of Dao Evolution Sect disciples.

It was obvious that this place was under the control of the Dao Evolution Sect.

The marketplace was nearly half the size of Jiangling City.

“It seems this place already has rules of its own. One could even call it a small city,” Lu Changfeng murmured.

“Of course!” Zhou Xuantong replied with a smile. “Although most of the people here are disciples of the Dao Evolution Sect, many independent cultivators and merchants have settled here as well. Given enough time, a place naturally grows to this scale.”

“Besides, this is our Dao Evolution Sect’s territory. At least where safety is concerned, there are guarantees.”

Soon, the two of them reached the main avenue.

Apart from the rows of shops lining both sides, a distinctive building caught Lu Changfeng’s attention.

It was a ten-zhang-tall pavilion shaped like an alchemy furnace, utterly different in style from the surrounding structures.

A faint medicinal fragrance drifted from within. Just one breath of it left the mind noticeably clearer.

Above the building hung an enormous plaque bearing three words:

Divine Pill Pavilion.

“It seems this is the place…”

Lu Changfeng nodded slightly and continued forward without slowing.

At first, he had assumed that the Divine Pill Pavilion, situated in a marketplace like this, would be nothing remarkable.

But after seeing the enormous “alchemy furnace” whose style differed so sharply from the surrounding buildings, he realized that he had been mistaken.

Any force capable of erecting such a large and distinctive structure in the very center of the main avenue could not be underestimated.

Noticing where Lu Changfeng’s gaze had lingered, Zhou Xuantong said, “The Divine Pill Pavilion is the largest pill pavilion in the vicinity of our Dao Evolution Sect!”

“There are even rumors that it was established by our Divine Pill Peak!”

“Ninety-nine percent of the disciples in the sect come here to find the pills they need.”

Lu Changfeng nodded faintly, then slowly stepped into the Divine Pill Pavilion.

A voluptuous beauty approached with a radiant smile.

There was only the faintest smile upon her lips, yet she stirred a fervent heat in the hearts of those who looked at her.

“Esteemed guest, what kind of pill do you require?”

“I can fetch it for you…”

She did not deliberately try to seduce anyone with her every smile and frown, yet a natural allure seemed to flow from her.

Lu Changfeng possessed the memories of his previous life. Such tricks meant nothing in his eyes.

But Zhou Xuantong, standing behind him, immediately widened his eyes, and his breathing gradually quickened.

It was, after all, the natural reaction of a young man.

The voluptuous beauty had spent many years working in this place, and her eye for people was naturally sharp.

She understood at once that, between the two men, the younger one was the leader.

She pushed out her proud bosom once more, exhaled a fragrant breath, and asked, “Would you like me to introduce our wares?”

Lu Changfeng casually waved his hand.

A jade slip flew toward the beauty.

Then he said indifferently, “Bring out the medicine.”

The jade slip had been given to him by Yue Qingshuang.

Since it came from Yue Qingshuang, Lu Changfeng was confident that he needed no further explanation.

Sure enough, after carefully examining the jade slip in her hand, the beauty’s expression turned solemn.

She cupped her hands toward Lu Changfeng, then moved aside and gestured for them to follow.

“Gentlemen, this way, please.”

With an indifferent expression, Lu Changfeng walked toward the second floor.

Only then did Zhou Xuantong recover his senses and hurry after him.

Inside the private room reserved for Heaven-grade guests, a hunched old man dressed in scholar’s robes was savoring tea. Though his body was bent with age, his eyes were exceptionally bright.

When Lu Changfeng and Zhou Xuantong entered, the old man gestured for Lu Changfeng to sit.

Lu Changfeng glanced at him, then slowly took a seat to one side.

Zhou Xuantong said nothing. He simply stood behind Lu Changfeng.

“Honored guest, may I ask what your relationship is with Peak Master Yue?”

The old man filled the teacup before Lu Changfeng, then asked his question.

Lu Changfeng lifted the cup from the table and took a small sip.

Then he replied, “She is my master.”

The old man’s expression became solemn. “So you are Peak Master Yue’s direct disciple! My apologies for the lack of courtesy!”

“This old man is Zheng Yuan, the manager of this pavilion!”

“Manager Zheng.”

Lu Changfeng did not put on airs. He cupped his hands and said, “My master sent me to collect the medicine.”

Manager Zheng smiled.

Then he glanced toward the voluptuous beauty.

A short while later, she swayed gracefully through the doorway, carrying a jade box in her hands.

“Inside are the pills reserved by Peak Master Yue—a fourth-grade Marrow-Cleansing Pill.”

She placed the box before Lu Changfeng.

“A Marrow-Cleansing Pill?”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xuantong’s expression changed. His eyes filled with shock, and even his voice began to tremble.

“A fourth-grade pill is of unimaginable value.”

“A supreme fourth-grade pill like the Marrow-Cleansing Pill is even rarer. It probably requires a fifth-grade alchemist to refine!”

“Peak Master Yue is truly generous!”

After steadying himself, he drew a deep breath. At the same time, Lu Changfeng’s position in his heart rose another great deal.

Lu Changfeng’s expression remained unchanged as he casually opened the jade box.

A deep hum rang out.

The rich medicinal fragrance within transformed into a tangible mist and spread throughout the entire private room.