Chapter 16: What Are You So Arrogant About?

Su Xuan wiped off the water droplets, changed into dry clothes, and felt a surge of refreshment.

He felt as if his entire body had become much lighter.

[Ding!]

[Today’s Tip One!]

**[In the lowest-grade manuals of the Qinxiu Building in the Inner Market, there is a book called Ningnian Jue.

It is an introductory manual for an ancient telekinesis divine ability.

Although it is only the first stage, its power is impressive.]**

[Today’s Tip Two!]

**[Lin Zhiwei possesses an unparalleled sword bone and is a piece of unpolished jade waiting to be developed.

However, most sword techniques in the Marketplace are fragmented and incomplete.

Without guidance from an expert teacher, her talent as a Sword Cultivator may be buried.

Please proceed with caution, Host!]**

Su Xuan watched the countdown in his mind finally end as the system tips that had been absent for a few days reappeared.

From the initial pill formula to insights into his disciple’s psychology and crises, the system’s tips always seemed to provide exactly what he needed most at the moment.

For example, he currently possessed cultivation but lacked corresponding combat abilities or offensive means.

Naturally, this tip appeared right when he needed it.

However… the second tip concerned him even more.

‘The sword techniques in the marketplace are fragmented.

If I just randomly give one to Lin Zhiwei, wouldn’t that be the perfect way to turn this unparalleled sword bone into a mediocre waste?’

‘As for an expert teacher?’

Su Xuan admitted he couldn’t personally train a sword immortal, but he had more than enough experience with the previous owner’s history of taking detours.

After thinking for a moment, he lifted his pillow and pulled out the bag containing his spiritual stones.

The bag, which had been bulging before, was now shriveled, containing only the last four or five spiritual stones.

Su Xuan pocketed all the stones and prepared to head to the marketplace again.

He had ruined his black pot while refining pills a few days ago, so his top priority was to buy a new one.

Currently, his only way to maintain a steady stream of spiritual stones was through alchemy.

‘I’ll go buy a cauldron first… or maybe just another pot.

I’m far too poor right now.’

He sighed as he looked at the few spiritual stones clinking in his hand.

After giving a few instructions to his two disciples, who were whispering in the kitchen, he turned and walked out the door.

The Qinghe Immortal Market was divided into two sections: the Inner Market and the Outer Market.

They were separated by the boundary of Level 3 or 4 of the Qi Refinement Realm.

Most of the residents in the Inner Market were high-level cultivators.

Those who could be called Alchemists, Artifact Refiners, or Talisman Masters mostly lived in the Inner Market, representing the true foundation of Qinghe Immortal Market.

Su Xuan felt a pang of distress as he paid twenty spiritual sand — equivalent to one-fifth of a spiritual stone — as the entry fee to the Inner Market.

Unlike the noisy Outer Market with its street vendors shouting their wares, the Inner Market was not only clean and tidy, but its various shops were also much more formal and imposing.

Following his memories from his past life, he stopped in front of a building with a vermilion door.

Five bold, golden characters were written on a dark blue plaque: “Wufang Artifact Pavilion.”

This was the only shop for Dharma instruments in the marketplace.

It mostly sold graded treasures that most cultivators couldn’t afford even if they bankrupted themselves.

The only exception was that it sold cauldrons and various containers needed by alchemists.

Compared to magical treasures, these were sold at bargain prices.

Ordinary cauldrons didn’t require much technical skill to make, but it was a very profitable trade if it helped build a relationship with an alchemist.

Su Xuan pushed open the door.

“Fellow Daoist, I am truly sorry… Our shop today…”

A richly dressed middle-aged cultivator saw him enter and instinctively tried to turn him away.

Before he could finish his sentence, he froze slightly.

Then, his tone changed instantly, and his face lit up with excitement.

“It’s you, Brother!

Quick, come in, come in!”

Su Xuan looked closely and realized who it was.

Although the man was wearing expensive robes, the underlying sleaziness was still visible in his features — especially the heavy dark circles around his eyes, which made him look particularly lecherous.

It was none other than Shangguan Xiushen, the man who had bought three pills of Myriad Mysteries from him that day!

“Brother Shangguan, is this Artifact Pavilion your business?” Su Xuan asked instinctively as he scanned the expensive flying swords and various Dharma instruments in the room.

In the game, he’d had no interaction with this man, but from the look of it, he seemed to be the manager here.

“Ha, do I look like the owner?

I’m just managing it for the boss to earn some hard-earned money.”

Shangguan Xiushen raised his head and patted his belly.

Although he was being modest, a hint of pride could be heard in his voice, as if working for that person was an honor.

“Come, come, little brother… Do you have any more of those pills?”

After finishing, he rubbed his hands together and pulled Su Xuan closer with an eager look of anticipation.

“I’m out for now.”

Su Xuan shook his head.

He had ruined his pot during the last session and had been too busy with his cultivation to refine any more.

“For now…”

A sharp light flickered in Shangguan Xiushen’s small eyes.

After his battle in the brothel the other night, he had become famous, washing away his previous shame and surpassing everyone else.

Upon his return, he had immediately sent people to investigate, but he had never heard of Zhezhi Daoren leaving behind any such pills.

Hearing Su Xuan say “for now,” he understood immediately.

Those pills had been refined by this young man himself!

He became even more enthusiastic, his tone turning familiar.

“Little brother, when will you have more?

When you do, make sure to notify me first.

Don’t worry about the price!”

He slapped his chest before adding, “By the way, what are you here to buy?

I’ll personally arrange it for you.

I guarantee you’ll be satisfied with the price!”

Uncomfortable with the man’s excessive heat, Su Xuan replied, “My alchemy gear burned out.

I’m here to get a new one.”

“Oh, oh, a cauldron?

Take your pick, Brother.

I’ll give you fifty percent off on whatever catches your eye!”

Shangguan Xiushen had a look of realization as he led Su Xuan to a shelf, waving his hand grandly.

Su Xuan looked at the various qualities of cauldrons on the shelf, ranging from low-quality to exquisite.

A few on the top shelf even emitted a faint purple aura, clearly of extraordinary quality.

However, regardless of which one it was, the minimum price was twenty spiritual stones, which he couldn’t afford at all.

“Brother, I just want to buy an iron pot that can refine pills.

I don’t need a cauldron,” he said after a quick glance, not wanting to waste time.

“An iron pot?!”

Shangguan Xiushen looked at Su Xuan as if he had heard something unbelievable.

Because of those pills of Myriad Mysteries, he had originally thought the youth was a genius alchemist who could refine second-tier pills at such a young age.

He had intended to befriend him.

But seeing that Su Xuan wouldn’t even buy a cauldron and only wanted the lowest-grade iron pot, Shangguan Xiushen’s brow furrowed.

Iron pots were generally used by bottom-tier alchemists to refine medicinal pellets that couldn’t even be called true pills.

What respectable alchemist would use one?

‘Refining a second-tier pill with an iron pot?’

The moment the thought occurred to him, he found it absurd.

It seemed those pills were either something he had obtained by chance or were refined by his elders and given to him.

Shangguan Xiushen pondered for a moment.

His tone remained warm, but his expression gradually cooled.

“I see.

The iron pots are over there.

Pick whichever one you want, Brother.

I’ll give you one for free!”

He pointed to a shelf in the corner but didn’t move an inch.

Even though he was certain the youth hadn’t refined the pills, it was still worth maintaining a bit of goodwill in case it led to the boy’s elders or a future supply channel.

“Thank you, Brother Shangguan.”

Su Xuan sensed the change in his expression but didn’t care.

He walked straight toward the corner.

Even an iron pot for refining pills cost several spiritual stones.

He wasn’t going to sacrifice money for the sake of his pride.

Among the pile of iron pots of varying quality on the shelf, he picked and chose, comparing them carefully to find the best one.

Shangguan Xiushen watched him pick through the pots with a serious expression, his lip curling slightly in disdain.

creak

At that moment, a slender, fair hand pushed open the door.

Shangguan Xiushen glanced at the newcomer, and his body suddenly trembled as if he had seen something terrifying.

Like a frightened quail, he submissively scurried forward to greet them.