"Eldest Senior Brother, wait! Where are you running off to?" Yun Jin struggled, hastily stuffing the remaining medicinal herbs from the assessment into her storage pouch before allowing herself to be dragged away.
She still managed to wave at Ming Heng. "I'll be back!"
Yue Zhao's face darkened.
She'll be back…
Does she think she's the Big Bad Wolf or something?!
Having just witnessed the birth of a first-rank alchemist and the creation of a flawless pill, the crowd remained in an uproar. Fortunately, Chen Changrong and Lan Cen helped shield the two, allowing them to slip away successfully.
Yue Zhao let out a sigh of relief.
Yun Jin, however, looked regretful.
Next time, I'll have to do something to gather such a large crowd again!
If I'd stayed a little longer, chatted with everyone, I could've earned some more Emotional Value…
How can my transmigrated senior brother be this timid?!
Yue Zhao glanced at Yun Jin.
Yun Jin glanced back.
At that moment, the same thought flashed through both their minds:
"Never come to the market with this person again!"
"Over here," Chen Changrong called. They had escaped the crowd, but footsteps could still be heard in pursuit.
Without hesitation, Yue Zhao tugged Yun Jin along and followed Chen Changrong.
The group slipped into a side alley and reentered the Hundred Herb Pavilion, heading straight into a secluded chamber.
Chen Changrong's face bloomed with a wide smile, his wrinkles unfolding like petals in spring.
"Young lady, you are truly remarkable." He gazed at Yun Jin as if she were a priceless treasure. "To think you actually became a first-rank alchemist."
Yun Jin remained unruffled. "First-rank alchemist? This is just the beginning. If you're this shocked now, you'll be stunned many more times in the future."
Yue Zhao's lips twitched. "Pavilion Master Chen, my junior sister has a sharp tongue. Please don't take her words to heart."
Chen Changrong chuckled. "Not at all. I quite admire her confidence."
Yue Zhao: "???"
"The Pavilion Master truly has an eye for talent." Yun Jin nodded approvingly.
Chen Changrong cleared his throat. "Young lady, I was thinking… perhaps we could collaborate."
Yun Jin raised an eyebrow and pointed at Yue Zhao. "Business matters go to my senior brother. My time is far too precious to waste on such trivialities."
Yue Zhao gritted his teeth. "And my time isn't precious? Besides, what exactly are you busy with right now?"
"Of course I am." Yun Jin nodded matter-of-factly.
"With what?" Yue Zhao asked skeptically.
"I haven't had a chance to explore the market yet. I'm going shopping with Sister Lan Cen." Yun Jin declared with absolute conviction.
This… this is what she considers important?!
Yue Zhao was momentarily speechless.
Yun Jin flipped through her pouch and pulled out the bottle of perfect-quality pills. Right in front of Chen Changrong, she handed it to Yue Zhao. "Senior Brother, handle this as you see fit. No need to treat it like a treasure. It's just a perfect-grade pill. If I can make one, I can make more."
Chen Changrong's gaze flickered.
Did she mean this wasn't a fluke? That she was confident she could continue producing perfect pills?
An hour ago, Chen Changrong wouldn't have believed such a claim.
But Yun Jin had already shattered too many expectations.
At this moment, he found himself inexplicably wanting to trust her.
In fact, Chen Changrong even felt that—
This girl's appearance might be the greatest opportunity of my life.
Seizing this chance could propel me to unimaginable heights!
A benevolent smile spread across his face. "Lan Cen, accompany the young lady on her shopping trip. All expenses will be covered by the Hundred Herbs Pavilion."
"Understood, Pavilion Master." Lan Cen quickly agreed.
She glanced at Yun Jin, who still carried an air of childlike innocence, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"Just an hour ago, I was explaining to her how difficult it is to become a first-rank alchemist. And now, this girl who vowed to 'take me flying' has actually done it. It feels like a dream."
"Sister Lan Cen, let's go!" Yun Jin tugged at her sleeve, and the two soon departed.
Yun Jin adjusted her disguise mask, shifting her appearance before merrily setting off to explore.
Lan Cen didn't react to the change—such precautions were commonplace among cultivators.
[Reputation with Hundred Herbs Pavilion has increased.]
Back in the chamber, Chen Changrong smiled warmly. "May I ask how I should address you, sir?"
Yue Zhao returned the smile. "Pavilion Master is too kind. You may call me Ren Woxing."
"Ah, so it's Mister Ren," Chen Changrong said smoothly. "Mister Ren, would you be willing to sell that perfect-grade pill? Such pills contain ten times the spiritual energy of an ordinary one. I'm willing to offer ten times the usual price."
His gaze lingered greedily on the vial.
Yue Zhao's eyes gleamed. "Ten times? Pavilion Master, your offer lacks sincerity."
Chen Changrong stiffened. "What do you mean?"
Yue Zhao spoke slowly. "The value of these pills isn't just in their spiritual energy. A first-rank pill, publicly refined—its collectible value alone exceeds your offer. Not to mention, for alchemists, its research potential is immense. I daresay even Master Ming would pay a fortune for it. Pavilion Master, we're only discussing this with you first because my junior sister took a liking to Pharmacist Lan Qin. But if you won't negotiate in good faith, there are plenty of other buyers in this market!"
He made to pocket the vial and leave.
Chen Changrong panicked, grabbing his sleeve. "Master Ren, the price is negotiable! Let's talk!"
"Pavilion Master, we're both busy people. For this vial, my final offer is ten high-grade spirit stones. Take it or leave it." Yue Zhao stated flatly.
Chen Changrong's expression shifted.
Yun Jin had used fewer materials than usual and succeeded on her first attempt. The cost of refining this batch of Biling Pills was roughly three mid-grade spirit stones—which he had provided.
And one high-grade spirit stone was equivalent to a hundred mid-grade stones.
Ten high-grade stones meant a thousand mid-grade stones!
Normally, a standard vial of Biling Pills sold for fifteen mid-grade stones.
This price was nearly a hundredfold increase.
Was it expensive?
Certainly.
But considering the research value…
Chen Changrong gritted his teeth. "Fine! Ten high-grade spirit stones it is!"
Yue Zhao smiled and sat back down. "Pavilion Master, a pleasure doing business."
Chen Changrong wiped sweat from his brow. "Master Ren, you drive a hard bargain."
Yue Zhao remained modest. "I do my best."
"Now, let's discuss future collaborations. If your junior sister produces more perfect pills, I'm willing to purchase them at this price."
"Agreed. We'll prioritize working with you. But in return, we want access to some of the Hundred Herbs Pavilion's rare medicinal ingredients."
The two immediately launched into fierce negotiations.
By the time Yun Jin and Lan Qin returned from their excursion, Yue Zhao looked invigorated, while Chen Changrong appeared utterly drained.
[New Partnership Established: Hundred Herbs Pavilion.]
"Senior Brother, what did you do to the Pavilion Master?" Yun Jin gasped in mock horror.
Chen Changrong waved weakly, forcing a smile. "This Master Ren… is too skilled in negotiations."
"Master Ren?" Yun Jin shot Yue Zhao a look.
Without a hint of shame, Yue Zhao declared solemnly, "Didn't you know? My secular name is Ren Woxing."
Yun Jin: "…"
She desperately wanted to laugh but held it in.
"I can't wait to see Senior Brother's face when he finds out I've also watched'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer.' Will he die of embarrassment on the spot?"