Chapter 19 Trial 1 Just between you and me, Senior Brother Chen Du is going too! ...
Overjoyed at successfully completing the first transaction, Xu Xing saw that Tong Yuanbai had only managed to pull out fifteen low-grade spirit stones from all her pockets. She readily offered a discount, "How about this, this bottle of pills is one pill short, I'll give you another bottle, both bottles together for fifteen spirit stones, what do you think?"
"Thank you, fellow Daoist!"
Tong Yuanbai was pleasantly surprised. Although the cloaked man said it was a mid-grade Spirit Gathering Pill, he vaguely felt that it contained more spiritual energy than the ones he usually took. However, he was not a cultivator after all and could not be sure; he only had a guess.
Before leaving, Tong Yuanbai mustered his courage and asked, "Do you still have any pills to sell, fellow Daoist? I know some friends who have been in need of Spirit Gathering Pills for a long time, and I can introduce them to you."
The disciples who haven't yet achieved Qi Induction know that the Spirit Gathering Pill can't help them, but the faint spiritual energy they can feel after each pill is their hope. Moreover, the relatively inexpensive Spirit Gathering Pill is the only pill they can afford.
"I find you to be a kind fellow Daoist and wish to make friends with you. If you can introduce me to a buyer, I will give you one spirit stone for every two bottles of pills sold at the original price as a token of my gratitude."
Xu Xing was worried that her frequent appearances at the exchange market would attract the attention of those with ulterior motives. After all, her cultivation level was too low, and it was obvious that her disguise with a cloak could only fool low-level cultivators. It would be better to find more people to help her sell medicine, which would reduce the risk to some extent.
"Fellow Daoist, is what you say true?!"
Tong Yuanbai's face flushed with excitement, "I wonder how many pills you still have?"
"I was asked by a friend from the outer sect to sell medicine for him, and now I only have eight bottles left."
"Please wait here for a moment, fellow Daoist! I can help you sell all the remaining pills today!"
After making the appointment with Xu Xing, Tong Yuanbai immediately ran to inform his friends.
Xu Xing was happy to be able to sell pills without having to put in any effort himself.
She gathered up the things spread on the ground and began to look around at the sales at the surrounding stalls.
Most cultivators sell pills, and there are also some low-level magic tools and secret manuals. However, pills are relatively easier to sell, as many ordinary disciples of the Immortal Academy cannot afford magic tools.
Out of the corner of his eye, Xu Xing caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. Startled, he quickly went behind a tree to hide. Why was Linglan here?
Since entering the Immortal Academy, Zhao Linglan has not only been exceptionally talented but also very hardworking. Every time Xu Xing went to Huanxin Residence, she was cultivating, so Xu Xing didn't bother her much. Unexpectedly, he saw her here.
After hiding, Xu Xing realized that Linglan probably wouldn't recognize him dressed like this, so he peeked out to observe her quietly.
Zhao Linglan's purpose in coming to the market seemed very clear. Xu Xing saw her stop in front of a stall selling pills, buy two bottles of pills, and then leave.
Emerging from behind the tree, Xu Xing was somewhat troubled. Although she had originally planned to give the remaining bottles of Spirit Gathering Pills to Zhao Linglan and Wang Lianhua, one bottle each, she was still unsure whether to tell them now that she knew how to refine pills.
After completing the transaction with Tong Yuanbai, who had rushed over breathlessly, Xu Xing decided to go to Huanhua Residence since it wasn't too late. Counting the days, it had been quite a while since she had come.
"Aunt Lian, is Sister Lingling here?"
Seeing that it was Xu Xing, Wang Lianhua was pleasantly surprised. "Lingling was saying today that she was going to visit you at Xichenju. I didn't expect you to come."
Zhao Linglan rushed out of the house like the wind, "Xu Xu!"
Watching the two girls hug each other with a smile, Wang Lianhua said, "I'll go to the dining hall now. You must stay for dinner tonight."
“Great,” Xu Xing said with a smile, “I haven’t seen Sister Lingling in a long time either.”
"Then why don't you come find me!" Zhao Linglan said deliberately in a fierce tone.
Xu Xing quickly begged for forgiveness, "I was wrong~ But I'm here now, aren't I?"
Knowing Xu Xing's appetite, Wang Lianhua bought a lot of extra food. Seeing that Xu Xing was hesitant to speak, she waved her hand and said, "Just eat, don't think about spirit stones."
The disciples with dual spiritual roots in Yuheng Academy receive a monthly allowance of fifty low-grade spirit stones, which is much better than the disciples in Yaoguang Academy who receive nothing. Besides, it doesn't cost much to buy food.
"Here you go! This is for you."
Zhao Linglan took out two bottles of pills.
Xu Xing immediately realized that this was what Zhao Linglan had bought at the exchange market earlier. She was stunned, her throat tightening, "This..."
“Xu Xu, cultivating with five spiritual roots is not easy. The Spirit Gathering Pill can help you, so please don’t be polite with me.”
Zhao Linglan placed the medicine bottle into Xu Xing's palm, while Wang Lianhua watched her with a smile. Clearly, the mother and daughter had already discussed it beforehand.
Being in the same Yaoguang Academy, Wang Lianhua naturally knew that Xu Xing's cultivation progress was slow. She was worried that Xu Xing would not reach the fourth level of Qi Refining in five years. However, the spirit stones belonged to Lingling, and she could not take her daughter's things even if she wanted to help Xu Xing. She did not expect that Lingling was also thinking about this matter.
In the Jade Cloud Sect, the three of them were the closest. Wang Lianhua had long regarded Xu Xing as half a daughter, and even changed her address to the more intimate "Aunt Lian". Now, seeing the two sisters so close, Wang Lianhua was very gratified.
Feeling a pang of sadness, Xu Xing sniffed and took out several bottles of pills he had refined. "Aunt Lian, Sister Lingling, look."
She didn't intend to hide the fact that she could refine pills, but she felt it might be too early to say so now. However, Aunt Lian and Lingling had been so good to her, and she couldn't keep it from them any longer.
"These are Spirit Gathering Pills that I refined myself. Although they are only mid-grade first-level pills, they are enough. One bottle for each of you."
"You know alchemy?"
Wang Lianhua and Zhao Linglan exchanged a surprised glance.
"I bought a book on alchemy and used the remaining spirit stones to buy spirit-gathering herbs. I used up a lot of materials, but I finally managed to refine a few bottles."
Xu Xing said earnestly, "Compared to cultivation, I prefer alchemy and want to become an alchemist. You don't need to worry about me."
Wang Lianhua was the first to react, "Xu Xu was smart in the past. She could learn the medical skills left by Doctor Xu at a glance. She should have realized that you were suited to be an alchemist."
She had been worried about Xu Xing, and now she finally breathed a sigh of relief. "This is wonderful! I've heard that alchemists are highly respected!"
Zhao Linglan was stunned for a moment, but did not accept Xu Xing's pills. "Even if you plan to refine pills, you still need to reach the fourth level of Qi Refining in five years. You can't neglect your cultivation for the sake of refining pills."
“Yes! Yes!” Wang Lianhua quickly refused as well. “Besides, alchemy materials are not cheap. You can use these yourself, don’t give them to us.”
Xu Xing was about to say something more, but Wang Lianhua, with a stern face, insisted on not accepting it.
"We'll talk about it when you've mastered alchemy. We absolutely don't want it now."
The stalemate continued until the very end, and neither Xu Xing nor Zhao Linglan were able to give away the pills they had, but they both gained something far more precious than the pills...
After that, Xu Xing cultivated and refined pills at the same time. During this period, Wen Lu took Wen Yao away from the Immortal Academy to seek medical treatment.
With the one-year deadline fast approaching, Tong Yuanbai, who had reached a long-term drug sales cooperation agreement with Xu Xing, successfully guided Qi into his body.
Just as Xu Xing was worrying about Wen Yao, whose whereabouts were unknown, Wen Lu and her daughter finally returned.
"Xu Xu! I'm back!"
A sweet female voice rang out, and Wen Yao, who had completely eliminated the toxins from her body, smiled brightly at Xu Xing.
"Ah Yao! You're all better?"
Xu Xing held Wen Yao's hand and was pleasantly surprised to see that Wen Yao not only had no negative effects on her body, but also had already reached the first level of Qi Refining. "That's great, I'm so happy!"
Are you happy to see me?
A lazy male voice came from behind Wen Lu.
"Senior Brother Zuoqiu?!" Xu Xing exclaimed in surprise, "What brings you here?"
"Isn't it all because of some heartless guy? He promised to come see us at Qingling Peak!" Zuo Qiuxu said with dissatisfaction.
Xu Xing smiled sheepishly, not mentioning that she had actually sent a visiting card to Qingling Peak a few months ago, only to be rejected. She didn't know if Xiang Yuquan and Zuoqiu Xu were still being punished, so she didn't send a second card.
“It’s not your fault,” Zuo Qiuxu complained. “Master is too cruel. My senior brother Xiang and I were imprisoned for five months. If it weren’t for Senior Wen’s visit this time, Master would never have released us.”
“If you behave yourselves, Feng Ling won’t be angry.”
Wen Lu also had a faint smile on her face. She and Feng Ling were old friends. This time when she returned to Yaoguang Academy, Zuo Qiuxu wanted to go with her, saying that he was going to find someone, but she did not expect that the person he was looking for was Xu Xing.
"Afterwards, I plan to return to the Sutra Repository, but Ayao will continue to study at Yaoguang Academy."
"Xu Xing, I won't forget what I promised. You can contact me anytime."
After giving Xu Xing a warrant, Wen Lu left first.
Zuo Qiuxu asked curiously, "What did Senior Wen promise you?"
Xu Xing blinked. "It's a secret."
Zuo Qiuxu snorted lightly, "Fine, don't tell me then. I was even thinking about you."
"I came here specifically to tell you that you absolutely must attend the Xuan Shuo Trial this time."
Why is that?
The Immortal Academy holds a trial every year, and disciples can choose whether or not to participate. There are a total of five trials over five years. The first year is the metal element, named Xuan Shuo, the second year is the wood element, and so on, following the order of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.
Although Xu Xing and the others entered the Immortal Dao Academy midway, they were considered to be in the same batch as the new disciples from half a year ago, so they were also qualified to participate in the trial.
Generally, disciples will choose to participate in trials related to their spiritual cultivation. Xu Xing originally planned to explore all five elements, and the Xuan Shuo trial was very likely to help unlock her forging skills.
She was indeed considering whether or not to participate, but she didn't expect Zuo Qiuxu to come and remind her.
Zuo Qiuxu raised an eyebrow and said, "That's because your future senior brother will be there too!"
Wen Yao smiled and said, "I'm afraid Senior Brother Zuoqiu's idea will not come true. Xu Xu cultivates the fire element, which is exactly the opposite of Master Feng's water element."
"What does it matter? They're all junior sisters anyway!" Zuo Qiuxu said matter-of-factly.
In their first year, new disciples are generally allowed to be accompanied by Foundation Establishment stage disciples because their cultivation levels are usually very low.
Zuo Qiuxu accepted Wen Luzhi's invitation to accompany Wen Yao to the Xuan Shuo Trial. Since they were going anyway, it wouldn't be difficult to look after Xu Xing, especially since the two of them were already acquainted.
"And..." Zuo Qiuxu moved closer, "I'll let you in on a secret, Senior Brother Shen will be there too! With the two of us there, are you still worried about not passing the trial?"
"Senior Brother Chen Du?"
“That’s right. He said a disciple offered a lot of spirit stones to accompany him, but I don’t know who it is.” Zuo Qiuxu had just been released and didn’t dare to contact Shen Du under his master’s nose, so he didn’t know much.
"Anyway, we're here, so you can go without worry."
Zuoqiu Xu winked and said smugly, "How about it? Aren't you touched? How about we make some delicious food to thank your senior brother?"
For more than three years, Zuo Qiuxu had been thinking about Xu Xing's delicious noodles every time he took the Bigu Pill. This time, when his master asked who would go, he immediately agreed without thinking, afraid that his senior brother Xiang would beat him to it.
"Look, I won't eat your food for free."
Zuo Qiuxu tossed out two bottles of pills, saying, "I'll trade you Bigu Pills."
Before Xu Xing could even process the fact that Shen Du and Zuo Qiuxu would both be going to Xuan Shuo for the trials, he was stunned by the very familiar-looking pill bottle. "This is a Bigu Pill?!"
Zuo Qiuxu asked, puzzled, "That's right, I remember leaving you two bottles when I left Xiahe Village back then, didn't you eat them?"
"..."
No, you didn't say it was a fasting pill! How could she dare to take a pill she didn't know the effects of?
Thinking of the two bottles of pills she had carefully stored in her cave, Xu Xing felt a wave of dizziness. These were fasting pills, so what about all the hunger she had endured over the years?
A note from the author:
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Zuo Qiuxu (looking up at the sky): So you can withstand hunger?
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Thank you so much, Zuiyuesheng, for the nutrient solution! [shy]
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