This token was unlike any other.
It was a smooth, jade-like green, etched with intricate cloud patterns. A personal token—one-of-a-kind.
And the owner of this token... every alchemist across the land would know the name.
Qi Yu's heart nearly leapt from his chest. He quickly bowed, respectful and fearful.
Chen Changrong and the shadow guard didn't recognize the token, but seeing Qi Yu's reaction, both were shaken and filled with doubt.
After all...
Qi Yu's cultivation might not be the highest, but he was a Grade Seven alchemist. In this land, alchemists were revered above all others.
Being a Grade Seven alchemist placed Qi Yu among the elite.
But now?
He was backing down without a fight. His deference was complete, almost excessive.
Just who was this old man?
Qing Yun gave a dry chuckle as he tucked the token away and said casually, "Still think you can compete with me?"
Qi Yu immediately answered, "Of course not, Senior!"
Qing Yun nodded, satisfied.
Even if this rival was not a serious threat, one less competitor was always a good thing.
Qi Yu carefully asked, "Senior, will you be staying in the city for a while? I was wondering... could I follow you and perhaps serve you tea or fetch water?"
A Grade Nine alchemist, spoken of only in legends.
Even the smallest crumbs from such a master's teachings could keep him studying for ten years.
If he were willing to offer just one piece of guidance, it might be enough to help Qi Yu break through his current bottleneck. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Seeing Qi Yu's eagerness, Qing Yun merely waved a hand. "As you wish."
Qi Yu beamed and immediately stepped behind him, already playing the devoted attendant.
"Now, where were we?" Qing Yun turned to Chen Changrong. "Ah yes, you said you couldn't share anything about my future disciple?"
Chen Changrong was feeling dazed by now, a tinge of unease forming in his chest. "Senior... I am a businessman. Reputation comes first."
"How dare you speak to Senior like that?" Qi Yu snapped. "Do you know who he is?"
He had fully committed to his flunky role.
Chen Changrong was momentarily stunned by the shift. He wasn't quite ready for this version of Qi Yu.
Qing Yun cleared his throat. "Enough. We don't coerce others with status. Yes, I am a Grade Nine alchemist, but that is no reason to pressure anyone."
He made sure to emphasize "Grade Nine alchemist."
Chen Changrong paled.
He had suspected it...
But hearing it spoken aloud still sent chills down his spine.
A Grade Nine alchemist!
Even in the fabled Xuandan Gate, only three Grandmasters held that title.
This elder before him had to be one of the three.
Openly, that made him one of the highest authorities in alchemy across the continent.
Seeing Chen Changrong's shaken expression, Qing Yun smiled mildly. "I'm a modest man. I don't like to throw my weight around. There's no need to be nervous. Not even a little."
Chen Changrong gave a pained smile.
No pressure?
How could he possibly feel at ease?
He quickly said, "Senior, if she knew your true identity, she would certainly be overjoyed to become your disciple. It's just... recently, many people have been looking for her and her companion. They've been keeping a low profile and avoiding attention. Because of this, our transactions have stopped. Everything Hundred Herbs Pavilion is currently selling comes from our previous stock. At the moment, I truly cannot reach them."
Qing Yun frowned. "Not even you? Then what should I do? Is there truly no other lead?"
Chen Changrong hesitated.
A Grade Nine alchemist, coming personally to take her as a disciple—this was an immense fortune, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
If she missed this, even that genius girl would regret it deeply.
After all, it was obvious by now.
That pair of siblings—Ren Woxing and his junior—if they weren't from a super sect, then they were from a Holy Land.
But now that a Holy Land elder was standing here, and he didn't seem to know them personally, that meant they weren't from a Holy Land after all. Which left only one possibility—they were disciples from a super sect.
If this elder wanted to take the girl as a disciple, he would be raising her from the level of a super sect to a Holy Land.
How could she not be thrilled?
If this chance slipped by, she would regret it for the rest of her life. Chen Changrong felt genuinely happy for her. Yet, at the same time, a little sad. She would likely be leaving for a Holy Land soon. Once she was gone, their business relationship would come to an end.
Still—
He had already gained much from riding that wave. People like them were never meant to remain in a small place like Canglan Kingdom. The world outside was vast. Someday, they would spread their wings.
But in the future...
They might not even see each other again.
Suddenly—
A thought came to Chen Changrong, and his expression shifted ever so slightly.
Qing Yun noticed immediately. "What is it? Did you remember something?"
Chen Changrong hesitated before saying, "It's not anything certain, just a guess..."
He lowered his voice and told Qing Yun about how the pair had secretly helped Tianxing Sect's Tianjian Peak.
"At the time, Zhao Wuji had issued an order banning all trade of seeds to Tianxing Sect's other peaks. It was Ren Woxing who intervened and convinced me to supply seeds, then had Tianjian Peak distribute them. I suspect they have some kind of grudge against Zhao Wuji and are trying to support Tianjian Peak to challenge him."
That was the only lead he had.
Tianxing Sect?
Tianjian Peak?
Zhao Wuji?
These names meant nothing to Qing Yun.
Chen Changrong hurried to explain further.
Only then did Qing Yun get a rough understanding.
He raised an eyebrow.
Just a sect master from a mid-tier sect? If he had wronged Qing Yun's future disciple, then erasing him would be simple enough.
"Zhao Wuji's father is a steward of Qingxiao Pavilion," Chen Changrong added.
Qing Yun snorted coldly. "So what? You think I'm afraid of Qingxiao Pavilion?"
Chen Changrong quickly shook his head and dared not say more.
"Tianxing Sect, was it? I'll go myself," Qing Yun said as he stood.
He didn't want to waste another moment.
Leaving his precious disciple out in the world was dangerous. Someone could steal her away at any time.
This was something he absolutely couldn't allow.
"I know a bit about Tianxing Sect," Qi Yu said quickly. "Senior, allow me to guide the way."
Qing Yun nodded, pleased.
Whatever else Qi Yu was, he knew how to behave.
The two departed immediately.
"This time, keep things quiet," Qing Yun instructed. "It's only a mid-tier sect. We'll slip in discreetly. The priority is to visit Tianjian Peak and learn how they're connected to my disciple."
"Yes, Senior," Qi Yu answered smoothly.
—
At Tianjian Peak
By the time Yue Zhao returned to the sect, Yun Jin had just finished cultivating a stalk of Xuan Jade Ginseng.
Yusong Nian had sent word a few days earlier.
And now, he had returned ahead of schedule.
The group gathered.
With all their ingredients laid out together...
The materials to refine the Butian Pill were finally complete.
A spark of joy flashed in Yun Jin's eyes.
After all their hard work, the time to refine the Butian Pill had finally come.