Chapter 328: Taking a Master?
After leaving the Pill Tower branch, Xiao Yuan returned to the Ye residence, while Xiao Yan headed to the trade district to see if he could uncover any treasures. However, aside from a few barely acceptable medicinal ingredients, he didn't find anything particularly exciting.
Fortunately, the day after tomorrow was the Alchemist Trade Fair, so both Xiao Yan and Xiao Yuan used the remaining time to refine a new batch of pills.
With their current skills, the two could produce several low- and mid-tier seventh-grade pills within a single day.
By the time the two walked out of the house, Ye Zhong, Xin Lan, and Xiao Yi Xiang were already waiting at the gate. Even Tian Huo Zun Zhe was in the rare mood to come along.
As for the other three women, Cai Lin and Yun Yun were in secluded cultivation, and Tang Huo Er had stayed behind to protect them.
"Hehe, all ready?"
Seeing the bright, eager expressions on Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan's faces, Ye Zhong chuckled and nodded.
Xiao Yuan smiled and nodded back, waving his hand. "Mm. Let's go have a look at the Alchemist Trade Fair in Sacred Pill City!"
The fair was located in the outer district of Sacred Pill City, but it wasn't in a bad area—right at the boundary between the outer and inner zones. It was said the fair had the support of the Pill Tower, which explained why it had flourished. For that reason, acts like robbery and murder were rare here. After all, no one in the Pill Region dared provoke the Pill Tower.
"Alchemist Trade Fair…"
Standing before a vast building, Xiao Yuan looked at the graceful, powerful calligraphy on the pale green wooden plaque and nodded slightly.
In front of the building, it was bustling with people and traffic. The flow of pedestrians was like a tide. Countless individuals wearing alchemist robes passed through the heavily guarded gate under envious stares and entered smoothly.
"This is the place?"
Xiao Yuan glanced at the grand fair and turned toward Ye Zhong to confirm.
"Yes." Ye Zhong smiled and nodded, his eyes a little nostalgic. "I haven't been here in years… It's changed a lot."
Once they confirmed the location, Xiao Yuan nodded and motioned to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan understood immediately and walked toward the gate. As the guards with stern faces stepped forward to stop him, he took out the seventh-grade alchemist badge he had earned from the test and pressed it against his chest.
Upon seeing the badge, the guards respectfully stepped back and bowed.
According to the fair's rules, an alchemist of seventh-grade or above could lead companions into the venue. Thus, no one stopped Xiao Yuan and the others from following him through the wide gates.
Beyond the gate was a spacious, cool corridor. As the group stepped inside, a sudden wave of noise rushed at them, filling their ears.
Standing at the entrance to the corridor, Xiao Yuan scanned the scene before him—a vast hall filled with neatly arranged stone platforms like market stalls. Behind each stall sat a person in a relaxed posture, cross-legged, with an air of indifference. Clearly, they were not ordinary merchants.
The hall was packed with people, most of them wearing alchemist robes, indicating they were all alchemists.
Many of them wandered through the hall, stopping at various stalls to examine the goods—be it pills, ingredients, or scrolls. If something caught their eye, they would pause and begin negotiations.
"Hehe, the Alchemist Trade Fair is divided by tiers. This is the third-tier area. The second tier is on the second floor, and the first tier is on the top floor. However, there are requirements to enter," Ye Zhong explained. "You need to be a sixth-grade alchemist to access the second floor, and at least seventh-grade or a Dou Zun to reach the third floor."
Xiao Yan nodded slowly. "Let's look around here first. Maybe we'll find something useful."
He then stepped forward with interest, beginning to browse through the surrounding stalls.
Seeing this, Ye Zhong could only shake his head helplessly and follow.
Xiao Yuan, on the other hand, doubted he'd find anything of value in this lower-tier section. With confidence and wealth backing him, he headed straight for the third floor.
As he passed the second floor, he merely released a thread of soul power and was politely allowed through. However, when he reached the staircase to the top floor, he paused.
There were two old men standing there. Though they wore kindly smiles, their robes showed they were fair staff—not alchemists. But from the powerful Dou Qi radiating from them, it was obvious both were formidable Dou Zong cultivators.
They noticed Xiao Yuan's group and looked over. Seeing that he didn't wear a badge, they were about to speak—but their gazes fell on Xiao Yi Xiang and Tian Huo Zun Zhe. Their eyes narrowed slightly. While they couldn't discern their exact strength, they could tell these two were undoubtedly terrifying Dou Zun-level beings.
"Hehe, are you all heading to the top floor?" one of the yellow-robed elders stepped forward, smiling and cupping his hands.
Xiao Yuan smiled and returned the gesture. "Yes."
"You all look unfamiliar—first time at the fair?" the elder asked.
"What, is the top floor only for regulars?" Xiao Yuan raised a brow.
"Hehe, just making conversation," the elder said quickly, shaking his head. He had no intention of offending someone powerful enough to bring two Dou Zuns along. "If you wish to proceed, please follow me."
He turned and led the way. Xiao Yuan and the others followed.
As they ascended the short twenty-meter stairway, Xiao Yuan noticed no fewer than five discreet glances coming from hidden places.
But he didn't care. With two Dou Zuns at his back, he had nothing to fear.
Compared to the lower floors, the top level was smaller but far more refined. The floor was paved with pale green warm jade, releasing a gentle coolness that traveled up through the soles of their feet, relaxing the whole body.
There were only a few dozen people on this floor, but Xiao Yuan understood that each one of them was likely a powerful warrior or master alchemist capable of causing a stir in the outside world.
Their arrival naturally drew attention. When people saw the two Dou Zuns accompanying Xiao Yuan, they were surprised. Young people with such protection were rare. Which mighty faction did he belong to?
Of course, even though many were curious, everyone understood the rules of this place. It was taboo to ask or investigate—so no one said a word.
"If there's anything you need, feel free to ask. I might be able to help," the yellow-robed elder offered.
Xiao Yuan answered bluntly, "I need two herbs: Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Ganoderma and Scorching Flame Serpent Tongue Grass."
Both were fire-type herbs—final ingredients needed for an eighth-grade pill he intended to refine. Even Blazing Flame Valley didn't have them in stock, so he had to try his luck here.
"Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Ganoderma and Scorching Flame Serpent Tongue Grass…" The elder repeated the names, pondered, then said, "Both are extremely rare, likely for high-tier pill refining. I don't know about the ganoderma, but as luck would have it, today's trades include a Scorching Flame Serpent Tongue Grass!"
"Oh?"
Xiao Yuan's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected a casual inquiry to actually yield results.
"Hehe, this way please."
The elder turned toward the northern corner of the floor, and Xiao Yuan quickly followed with his group.
They reached a jade platform in the southern corner, where waves of heat rolled off it.
Spread across the platform were various herbs, scrolls, and even pills. None looked ordinary.
Quite a crowd had gathered, obviously interested in the items displayed.
Xiao Yuan's gaze landed on the white-haired old man behind the platform. He looked lazy, half-lying on the table with eyes half-closed, ignoring the onlookers.
"Hehe, Elder Wang. Good business today?" the yellow-robed elder asked with a smile.
"Good my ass. These freeloaders just look and complain about the price. If it's too expensive, go buy the cheap crap downstairs!" the old man grumbled.
The surrounding people looked embarrassed, but none dared argue. This wasn't the place for disputes, so they left awkwardly.
Xiao Yuan was briefly stunned by the old man's bluntness. He glanced at his chest, noting a high-tier seventh-grade badge.
This guy had real strength.
"This is the herb you wanted," the elder said softly, pointing at a jade box emitting waves of heat and faint sparks.
Inside was a fiery red herb, coiled like a small snake—Scorching Flame Serpent Tongue Grass.
Xiao Yuan nodded. Just based on its form and energy, it was exactly what he needed.
"Stop staring. My stuff's all real. You buying or not?" the old man said lazily, briefly glancing at Xiao Yuan and then at the two Dou Zuns behind him. "One high-tier seventh-grade pill."
Xiao Yuan frowned. That price was steep.
"Elder, this herb is usually used in low- or mid-tier seventh-grade pills. Due to its special nature, it can assist in eighth-grade pills—but only as a supporting ingredient combined with other top-tier materials. Asking a high-tier seventh-grade pill for one herb is too much."
He smiled as he spoke.
"Eighth-grade pill?" The old man looked skeptical. "I've never heard it being used like that. Who told you that?"
"Hehe, it's used to balance the main ingredient's properties in some eighth-grade pills," Xiao Yuan replied.
"Supporting ingredient?"
The old man frowned. To his knowledge, this herb was for mid-level pills at most—maybe high-tier, but definitely not eighth-grade.
"Your teacher is an eighth-grade alchemist?"
"Mm. Stronger than me."
"You're a seventh-grade alchemist?"
"I'm eighth-grade," Xiao Yuan said, smiling.
"Oh, you're eight—" The old man stopped mid-sentence, eyes suddenly wide. He stared in shock. "You're eighth-grade!?"
"What's eighth-grade?"
Many nearby onlookers were confused. None could believe this young man was an eighth-grade alchemist.
"Yes, but my teacher is far stronger," Xiao Yuan nodded seriously.
Even now, after reaching the eighth-grade, he still marveled at Yao Lao's soul power—he had reached the Heavenly Realm.
"You… You can't be serious…"
The old man's voice trembled. He had pursued this realm his entire life—yet here stood a young man, barely twenty, who had already reached it?
"Hehe, would you like to feel for yourself?"
Xiao Yuan smiled, then gently released a wisp of spiritual power, touching the old man's forehead.
"This soul… this energy!"
The old man trembled in excitement. Under the influence of that soul force, his own soul felt suddenly livelier!
"Young Master… might I follow you as a student? All these herbs are yours. Take them as my gift of respect!"
The old man stood and bowed seriously.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1