Chapter 37 Senior Brother 4 How could he be so considerate?
"A one-month break? Yuan Bai, tell me the truth, is Master Cha going to stop selling pills altogether?"
Many disciples of Yaoguang Academy gathered around Tong Yuanbai to inquire about the pills. Because they hadn't sold many each month before, they didn't have much stock. Now that Tong Yuanbai said he wouldn't be selling any pills this month, they were starting to panic.
Without Master Cha, where would these poor cultivators buy such high-quality and inexpensive elixirs?
Because each of these pill bottles had an "X" mark engraved on the bottom, over time, the disciples who bought the pills secretly referred to the mysterious alchemist as "Master X".
"What Master Cha? I already told you I don't know that alchemist's name, so don't make wild guesses."
Tong Yuanbai was helpless. Although he had received news that the alchemist planned to open a pill shop on Liujin Street, the shop had not yet opened, so he dared not reveal the news.
"I don't know much either, but there will definitely be places to buy pills in the future, so don't worry."
“The disciples of the Punishment Hall are still outside. What kind of behavior is it for you all to gather here?” After giving a vague hint, Tong Yuanbai pushed them out. “If you don’t want to cause trouble for the alchemists, remember to keep your mouths shut!”
Several people were dismissed and left, but one disciple from Yuheng Academy stayed. After everyone else left, he slipped a bag of spirit stones to Tong Yuanbai and whispered, "Fellow Daoist Tong, you've known that alchemist for many years. Could you put in a good word for me and let me join you? I'll do anything for you!"
These disciples of the Immortal Academy who were not poisoned by the Demon Blood began to look for a way out. Those with good aptitude were able to successfully join the sect without any surprises. However, Shu Wenshi was just an ordinary person with three spiritual roots. Even if he had spirit stones to buy Spirit Gathering Pills, his cultivation level was still only at the sixth level of Qi Refining.
Tong Yuanbai originally possessed four spiritual roots, but because he latched onto that alchemist's coattails, he never had to worry about pills and even managed to cultivate to the same Qi Refining Level 6 as him. Because of this, Shu Wenshi had been eyeing the pill business for a long time.
He was certain that the alchemist couldn't possibly rely entirely on the disciples of the Immortal Dao Academy to make money; he still needed to operate externally, and now was a good opportunity!
Moreover, he had been taking those pills for many years and always felt that they had a richer spiritual energy than those sold by the Pill Pavilion.
Although his cultivation level wasn't very high, Shu Wenshi had a keen sense for pills. He had a guess in his mind. Although the alchemist only sold the lowest-grade pills, he always felt that the other party would not stop there. It was most important to join as soon as possible before he became famous!
Tong Yuanbai's feelings toward Shu Wenshi were somewhat complicated. He clearly remembered that the short, mysterious man had approached Shu Wenshi first, but he hadn't bought anything, so it was his turn.
Although Tong Yuanbai had never revealed this matter to Shu Wenshi over the years, he was gentle by nature and always felt somewhat embarrassed in front of Shu Wenshi. Therefore, he did not push Shu Wenshi out the door as he had driven away the others.
Tong Yuanbai hesitated. If "Master Fork" wanted to open a shop, he might need manpower...
After realizing the name he had been using to refer to the mysterious alchemist, he was speechless. He had almost been misled by those people!
Banishing the words "Master Fork" from his mind, Tong Yuanbai ultimately did not refuse Shu Wenshi. "Keep the spirit stone. I'll find an opportunity to put in a good word for you, but whether he accepts you or not is not up to me."
"Thank you so much, Fellow Daoist Tong!" Shu Wenshi grasped Tong Yuanbai's hand with great excitement. "Don't worry, I will never compete with you for your position in front of that master!"
This is still far from certain, and Tong Yuanbai awkwardly withdrew his hand. Besides, arguing was pointless; the mysterious alchemist trusted someone else entirely...
Unaware that he already had followers, Xu Xing arrived at Huanxin Residence and told Zhao Linglan and Wang Lianhua that he was going to move to Xuanjian Peak.
Upon hearing this, Wang Lianhua was initially gratified, but then, as if remembering something, she cautiously said, "Well... are there only the two of you on Immortal Shen's Xuanjian Peak? Isn't that a bit inconvenient...?"
Xu Xing didn't understand her implied meaning. "I heard that Golden Core cultivators can go to the Martial Arts Academy to choose their attendants, and there should be others after that."
Although the Jade Cloud Sect has quite a few Golden Core cultivators, their status is not low. Moreover, Shen Du is someone who has attracted the Heavenly Thunder of the Nine Heavens, so there will definitely be people willing to follow him. However, Xu Xing always felt that, given Senior Brother Shen's personality, he probably wouldn't like a large group of people.
"Oh, oh... I see..." Wang Lianhua knew that Xu Xing had not understood her hint. She rubbed the corner of her clothes, wanting to say something but too embarrassed to say it directly.
Zhao Linglan, however, understood her mother's meaning and quietly shook her head. Although she wasn't familiar with that Senior Brother Chen Du, she knew he was undoubtedly a virtuous gentleman, and her mother's worries were unnecessary.
“Xu Xu, it’s great that you have somewhere to go. Actually, I was thinking of going to see you today.”
Zhao Linglan pursed her lips and lowered her head, saying, "I have already become a disciple of Senior Feng Ling, and I will be moving in today."
"Senior Feng wants to take you as his disciple? That's wonderful!"
Xu Xing was initially surprised, but then he was completely happy for Zhao Linglan. Senior brothers Xiang Yuquan and Zuo Qiuxu were both very kind people, and Senior Feng was cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Qingling Peak was truly a good place.
"By the way, what about Aunt Lian?"
"My master has agreed to let me bring my mother to live on Qingling Peak as well."
Zhao Linglan lowered her voice, "Xu Xu, actually it was I who took the initiative to ask Master to become my disciple, you...would you mind?"
She knew before that Zuo Qiuxu had always wanted Xu Xing to join Qingling Peak, but it had never worked out. Now, however, she had become Qingling Peak's junior sister.
Xu Xing was taken aback, but after realizing what she meant, she chuckled and pinched Zhao Linglan's cheek. "What are you saying?! How could I mind? My aptitude isn't good enough for Qingling Peak. You and Senior Feng are both water-type, making you perfect as master and disciple. I'm overjoyed!"
Her eyes were full of joy, without any reservations, and Zhao Linglan breathed a sigh of relief and reached out to hug Xu Xing.
"But you should find a master. Senior Brother Chen Du is a Golden Core cultivator. He goes into seclusion for many years at a time. Without a master, it won't be easy for you in the outer sect."
Without the support of a sect, it's incredibly difficult for cultivators in the Qi Refining stage to establish themselves in the outer sect. It was precisely because of this concern that Zhao Linglan, who hadn't performed well in the graduation assessment, boldly approached Feng Ling. She had been spending time with Xu Xing and had become familiar with Zuo Qiuxu and others, which allowed her to successfully enter Qingling Peak.
"Don't worry about me. Aunt Lian already told you about my plan to open a shop, right? From now on, I'll focus on alchemy, and my cultivation will gradually improve."
"Yes! Xu Xu's alchemy skills are so amazing, I'm afraid we'll have to rely on you in the future!"
Holding the two girls' hands, Wang Lianhua's eyes were full of satisfaction. With such two good daughters by her side, she felt that her life had not been in vain.
"Junior Sister Zhao, are you there? I've come to pick you up!"
Zuo Qiuxu's voice suddenly rang out from outside the courtyard.
Upon entering and seeing Xu Xing, Zuo Qiuxu's eyes lit up. "I knew you were here! I went to Xuanjian Peak yesterday and heard from Senior Brother Shen that you were moving there."
He was still unwilling to give up on his junior sister and tried to persuade her, "Xuanjian Peak has nothing. Senior Brother Chen has always been a diligent cultivator. If you want to find a place to go, why not come to Qingling Peak!"
Zuo Qiuxu had already noticed that his master's attitude towards Senior Brother Shen had softened. When he tentatively suggested visiting Xuanjian Peak, his master merely gave him a sidelong glance and said nothing!
"You and Junior Sister Zhao are good friends, wouldn't it be better for you to stay at Qingling Peak together?"
Zuo Qiuxu had a wonderful idea. His master was just in an awkward position for the moment. After spending more time with her, she would naturally give in. Then he would persuade her again and he was sure that his master would accept Xu Xing as his junior sister!
Although they now address each other as senior and junior brothers and sisters, they are not from the same sect and are not "close" to each other. It would be great if they could become disciples of the same sect!
Xu Xing laughed and said, "You've already tricked Sister Linglan into becoming your junior sister, isn't that enough?"
Zhao Linglan, who was standing to the side, smiled gently and said nothing.
"slowly--"
Zuo Qiuxu drew out his words, looking at Xu Xing with resentment. He wanted to say something more, but Xu Xing quickly stuffed a mouthful of snacks into his mouth, finally silencing him.
Even while eating, Zuo Qiuxu wouldn't stop, winking at Xu Xing with an expression that said, "You really understand me."
Zhao Linglan and Wang Lianhua didn't have much stuff in their small courtyard, so with everyone's help, they quickly tidied it up.
"Junior Sister Zhao has joined Qingling Peak, and Senior Brother Chen has successfully completed his seclusion and even acquired a new Spirit Peak. How about we go to Xuanjian Peak together the day after tomorrow to celebrate?"
Zuo Qiuxu stared at Xu Xing expectantly, "Let's invite Senior Brother Xiang and Junior Sister Wen Yao as well, it'll be more lively with more people."
There have been too many things going on lately, and everyone's spirits are low. It would be good to have some fun. Xu Xing thought for a moment and agreed, "Alright, then Senior Brother Zuoqiu will go and inform the others. I'll prepare the food."
"Great! Great!" Having achieved his goal, Zuoqiu Xu beamed with joy. "I'll bring you the ingredients!"
It wasn't until the next day, when Shen Du came to pick up Xu Xing, that he learned from her that everyone was coming to celebrate for him.
"Senior Brother Zuoqiu didn't tell you?" Xu Xing was very surprised, thinking to himself: Senior Brother Zuoqiu is such a glutton, he probably only thinks about eating.
“That’s just his nature.” Shen Du said with a hint of helplessness, “Since he’s coming, let’s have a banquet. I’ll go buy some things…”
"No need, I'll cook. Senior Brother Zuoqiu will prepare all the ingredients."
Xu Xing smiled and said, "Senior brother, haven't you tried my cooking yet? You must try it tomorrow."
"Ah!" she suddenly remembered, feeling a little annoyed, "I only have one small pot, it definitely won't be enough for more people, I need to buy a few more larger pots to make things easier."
Shen Du looked down at her, "A small kitchen has been prepared in the cave, which should be enough."
Senior Brother Shen even prepared a pot?
Xu Xing was somewhat surprised and felt that it was very incongruous.
Back then, Xiang Yuquan only ate fasting pills, and she thought Shen Du was the same. Could he cook for himself?
"I wonder if I'll get to taste my senior brother's cooking?" Sitting on the back of the roc, Xu Xing rubbed his hands together expectantly.
"These are all for me?" Having already inspected all three cave dwellings, Xu Xing was still somewhat dazed after returning outside. "I'm using them all by myself?"
She thought that moving to Xuanjian Peak meant that Shen Du would provide her with a cave dwelling, as long as it was bigger than the small place of Xichen Residence.
Xu Xing never expected that Shen Du would be so well prepared!
The cave on the left has everything: a bed, a futon, a table, chairs, a cabinet, a screen... and an elegant, light blue curtain separates the bed from the other furniture.
If you didn't know it was the cave dwelling of a cultivator, anyone who saw it would think it was the bedroom of a rich young master.
The largest cave in the middle is divided into two rooms. One room contains an alchemy furnace and many empty cabinets for storage. What surprised Xu Xing the most was that the other room actually contained a weapon-refining furnace and a forging table!
The smaller cave on the far right is the kitchen, which is fully equipped with common cooking utensils.
“I have set up a barrier, and no one can enter without your permission. From now on, you will live here, and I will live on the summit.”
"I heard from Ah-Xu that you like to cook, so I prepared some things. Could you check if I forgot anything?"
Shen Du didn't know what kind of bedroom a woman would like, so he went to a shopkeeper selling bedding and said he was decorating his junior sister's cave dwelling. The shopkeeper then went on and on recommending a lot of things.
Although a cultivator's personal hygiene issues could be resolved with a simple purification spell, Shen Du, considering Xu Xing's personality, felt she would likely prefer the lifestyle of mortals, so he bought some of everything. He ignored the shopkeeper's enthusiastic recommendation of extra clothing and handkerchiefs, which the shopkeeper, seeing the potential profit, also strongly encouraged.
After looking around, Xu Xing couldn't sit still any longer. He ran into the central cave and looked it over again and again, even touching the refining furnace. He was so excited that he stammered, "Yes, yes! Ah! No! Nothing is missing, it's all there!"
After running around for a few laps, she finally managed to suppress her overwhelming excitement. "Senior brother, all the spirit stones you received as a reward for advancing to the Golden Core stage are with me. Where would you get spirit stones to buy these things?"
Xu Xing knew that just one refining furnace would cost several hundred mid-grade spirit stones. She only glanced at the other items and could tell that they were all made of good materials. How many spirit stones would it cost if you added them all together?
"I still have some left, enough for me."
Although he entrusted all the spirit stones to Xu Xing for safekeeping, Shen Du still left behind some spirit veins. Xuanjian Peak had third-tier spirit veins, while second-tier spirit veins were not very useful, so he sold them all and used the proceeds to prepare these things for Xu Xing. However, he could never accumulate enough wealth, so he might as well use it all, but he didn't need to let her know about it, lest it cause her unnecessary worry.
“Senior brother,” Xu Xing thought for a moment, then said earnestly, “I know you want to thank me for the two hundred spirit stones, but preparing these things is far too expensive, I…”
Shen Du gently shook his head. "It's not a thank-you gift. Only with an alchemy room and a weapon-refining room can you refine better pills and magical artifacts, and increase your 'investment' in me, right?"
If it's called an "investment," then Xu Xing is relieved. She can just consider all these things as an investment from Shen Du in her! She'll work hard at alchemy and weapon crafting in the future, and she'll be able to repay this favor!
"Don't worry, senior brother, I'll focus on leveling up... uh, I'll focus on cultivation! I'll strive to refine a third-tier pill that you can use as soon as possible!"
Seeing her serious expression and her bright golden eyes, Chen Du couldn't help but smile.
but……
Xu Xing said she would work hard to refine third-tier pills, which means she is at least a second-tier alchemist. Shen Du had never heard of an alchemist who could reach the second tier during the Qi Refining stage. Such talent was truly unprecedented in his life.
"Oh, right!" Xu Xing remembered the Azure Flame Beast and asked, "Senior Brother, I might want to buy an Azure Flame Beast. Can I keep it here?"
"This is all your territory. You can do whatever you want without asking me."
Thinking of the price of the Azure Flame Beast, Shen Du added, "If you don't have enough spirit stones, you can take them from that thousand spirit stones. There's no need to be so particular about the cost with me."
"Thank you, Senior Brother! I won't let the Azure Flame Beast relieve itself anywhere!"
Xu Xing immediately raised his hand to guarantee it.
The Azure Flame Beast dislikes being confined and doesn't like staying in the spirit beast tablet for long periods of time, which is why the Beast Taming Arena keeps them outside. Since Xu Xing intends to buy "Azure," he should take good care of it, but he also shouldn't tarnish Senior Brother Chen Du's Xuanjian Peak.
After Shen Du left, Xu Xing happily lay on the refining furnace for a while before finally getting up to pack his things.
After carefully examining the cave dwelling used as a bedroom, one can see that every piece of furniture is made of materials imbued with spiritual energy. The bed, in particular, is made of a spiritual wood called Jade Flower, which carries a calming and pleasant light fragrance.
Walking to the bedside, Xu Xing realized that although the cave was fully equipped, Shen Du had not added any more private and intimate items such as bedding, showing great consideration.
Touching the wooden bed that exuded a pleasant fragrance, Xu Xing smiled and his eyes crinkled. How could Senior Brother Chen Du be so considerate?
Unable to resist, she rolled over twice on the smooth bed. Xu Xing felt an overwhelming joy. Not only did she have such a wonderful cave dwelling, but she also had an alchemy room and a weapon-forging room!
This is wonderful!
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Author's Note: You didn't expect that, did you? Besides the alchemy room and weapon-refining room, there's also a small kitchen! Hehe~
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Thank you to Xixi and 48327367 for the nutrient solution! =3= [hugs]
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