Chapter 22: Preparing for the Auction

Two months later. Alchemy Pavilion of Yellow Maple Valley.

Lin Yang sat before the pill furnace, tirelessly controlling the flames within as he executed the final step—condensing the medicine into pills. Inside the furnace, over a dozen medicinal liquids slowly merged under his guidance, while he carefully evaporated their moisture, leaving behind only the essence of the medicine.

After a while, the flames died down. Lin Yang retrieved five pills from the furnace.

He gazed at the small jade bottles covering the table. “This should be enough. With a hundred Qi Gathering Pills to accelerate foundation building, and ten pills to help break through the Foundation Establishment stage, it ought to suffice.”

“Plus, three Golden Essence Pills. I refuse to believe this won’t attract anyone’s interest. With so many pills, gathering ten thousand spirit stones should be easy.” After long hours of alchemy, Lin Yang was exhausted in both body and mind.

“Too tired. I’ll rest a bit before doing anything else.” He returned to his room, lay down on the bed, and soon drifted into sleep.

…

When he awoke again, it was already the next morning.

“That was a good sleep.” Lin Yang looked outside, sunlight streaming into the house while birds sang incessantly. He stepped outside and saw Panpan, rolling around endlessly in the yard.

“Panpan, come here, let daddy hold you,” Lin Yang called, watching Panpan tumble about. Deciding to relax, he wanted to pick up the little creature.

But Panpan only glanced his way before continuing to play with its butterfly companion. In truth, it seemed more that the butterfly was playing with Panpan, since Panpan kept rolling but could never catch it.

Lin Yang felt a little awkward. He took out some spirit bamboo shoots from his storage pouch. “Panpan, come here, daddy’s got something tasty for you.”

Seeing the food in Lin Yang’s hand, Panpan scampered over, snatching the treat and stuffing it into its mouth.

Taking advantage of the moment, Lin Yang scooped up Panpan, letting it sit on his lap. Stroking the soft fur on Panpan’s belly, he felt a rare moment of peace.

Thus, Lin Yang passed the entire morning sitting in the courtyard. By noon, he finally decided it was time to get on with business. He got to his feet to seek out Master Liu and Senior Brother Bai.

Leaving his own yard, he knocked on the door of the neighboring courtyard.

“Senior Brother Bai, are you there? Senior Brother Bai?”

“Coming, coming. What’s the matter, Junior Brother Lin?” Senior Brother Bai opened the door for Lin Yang, still holding a medicinal ingredient in his hand.

“Do you have any suggestions, Senior Brother Bai?”

“What kind of pill is the Golden Essence Pill? Don’t tell me it’s another of your weird concoctions.”

“Not at all! The Golden Essence Pill can increase the chance of forming a Golden Core from Foundation Establishment by twenty percent,” Lin Yang hurried to explain.

“What—your alchemy has reached such a level?” Senior Brother Bai was visibly startled.

“Let me see, let me see!” he urged.

“Here it is.” Lin Yang took out a small jade bottle and handed it over.

“Is it genuine?” Although Senior Brother Bai couldn’t be sure, his discerning eye saw the pill’s potent medicinal energy and the pill markings. Most likely, it was just as Lin Yang had said.

Besides, alchemists usually value their reputation. If your pills are no good, who would ever come to you again?

“I can hardly believe it. Junior Brother Lin, quietly reaching such heights without a word.”

“I don’t suppose you’re taking disciples? What do you think of me?” Senior Brother Bai joked, face lively.

“I’d rather not. Let’s just exchange ideas from time to time,” Lin Yang quickly declined, imagining how odd it would feel to have an old man calling him master.

“Also, Senior Brother Bai, what do you recommend I do?”

“For something like this, it’s best to inform the Grand Elder. After all, there are only about a hundred Golden Core cultivators in the entire Yue Kingdom. This could become a big deal. I can’t guarantee absolute safety.”

“Go see the Grand Elder and ask for his advice,” Senior Brother Bai suggested.

“All right then.” Left with no choice, Lin Yang headed for the Grand Elder.

He passed through the council hall, skirted the Technique Pavilion, and stopped before a great mountain. Approaching, a formation suddenly appeared, then a gap opened within it.

“Enter,” the Grand Elder’s voice sounded in his mind.

Lin Yang quickly stepped through the formation; as he passed, the gap closed behind him.

Once through, the mountain vanished, replaced by countless spirit trees and plants, as well as many rare spirit beasts and immortal cranes.

A small path threaded through the woods, leading to a humble grass hut.

Lin Yang knocked on the door.

“Come in,” croaked the Grand Elder’s aged voice from within. It was said Nascent Soul cultivators could live for a thousand years, but the Grand Elder was already seven hundred.

“Grand Elder.” Lin Yang sat down on the mat before him.

“What is it?” The Grand Elder stroked his beard, eyes closed.

“It’s like this: I’m still short of spirit stones for now, so I’ve refined two Golden Essence Pills and hope to hold an auction.”

“Didn’t you just make a pile of spirit stones? How could you have used them up so fast?” The Grand Elder was quite shocked.

“I was experimenting with new pill formulas and used up some rare ingredients. That’s where it all went. Besides, the cost of previous alchemy was high and profits were slim,” Lin Yang replied, feeling wronged.

“Very well, tell me—what exactly is the Golden Essence Pill?” the Grand Elder asked.

“It’s a pill that increases the chance of forming a Golden Core from Foundation Establishment by twenty percent.”

“I see. The ingredients must be rare, I presume? Can they be produced in quantity?” The Grand Elder immediately realized the strategic value of the Golden Essence Pill.

“That’s not possible. I spent more than half my spirit stones on the Golden Essence Pill, and by the time I succeeded, I’d already used over twenty thousand spirit stones,” Lin Yang explained hastily.

“Ah, that’s a pity,” the Grand Elder sighed.

“Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll have Master Liu’s people spread the word. In one month, there will be an auction in the council hall,” the Grand Elder said.

“Will outsiders be invited?” Lin Yang asked curiously.

“No, we can’t even use all these ourselves, let alone let others get their hands on them.” The Grand Elder could see what Lin Yang was thinking.

“Don’t worry, you won’t be shortchanged. The cultivators of Yellow Maple Valley are not without means,” he reassured Lin Yang.

“All right, I’ll head back now.”

“Good. I’ll make the arrangements; wait for Master Liu to contact you.”

Relieved, Lin Yang returned home at last, feeling at ease. Back at his quarters, he began a new round of cultivation. The body-refining technique he practiced could directly bring his physique to the peak of Foundation Establishment, so he still had room for improvement.

“I’ll treat this month as a time to shore up my weaknesses.” Lin Yang resumed his body refinement and soul cultivation.

The first day passed in this way. On the morning of the second, he heard a knock at the door. Lin Yang hurried to answer, only to find Master Liu standing outside.

...Ah, my mind slipped and I sent out my draft by mistake. How frustrating.