Chapter 13: The Strange Beast Fang

If others knew that after just three spirit refineries, Qin Liang had enhanced his perception to such an extent, they would surely be astonished.

“This could be considered a blessing in disguise.”

After about half an hour, the medicinal properties of the Clear Spirit Pill were finally fully absorbed.

Countless resentments and murderous intents were cleansed, and the root of his meridian injury was repaired. That spot, once as if amputated, no longer lacked a meridian strand.

“I wonder if it will ever grow back.”

Qin Liang gathered his thoughts and stepped into the courtyard, practicing the Seven Star Fist and the Windwalking Step with vigor and fluidity.

With his strength increasing, he had become more adept at these fundamental martial techniques.

If he ever encountered a fifth-stage spirit refiner, though he might not be an outright match, he would at least avoid being overwhelmed.

Standing on the corridor, Qin Liang held a cup of tea and gazed toward the sky above Sulfur City.

He pondered whether the so-called deal with Hua Zhiqiao was a trap.

Could it be that the other party deliberately wanted to lure out the “alchemist behind Qin Liang” for some hidden agenda?

Sulfur City traditionally had only one first-grade alchemist—would they reject a newcomer?

After all, the proverb “one mountain cannot hold two tigers” rang true. Qin Liang had to proceed with caution.

He thought long and hard until dusk fell and the night sky stretched overhead.

“To embark on the path of cultivation and strength is never peaceful. If one cannot navigate even the undercurrents of Sulfur City, how can they aspire to ascend to the pinnacle of the Dao?”

Calmly gazing into the profound night, Qin Liang’s eyes grew deeper and more resolute.

At last, he draped a black robe over himself to conceal his face.

After clearing his throat twice, his voice became low and aged, his demeanor mature. He checked his reflection to ensure all traces of youth were masked before turning and stealthily making his way toward the Treasure Pavilion under the cloak of night.

By nightfall, the street vendors had packed up, and the alleys were silent.

Though there were still some patrons at the Treasure Pavilion, the atmosphere had grown considerably subdued.

Qin Liang entered directly and soon found Luo Qian. He handed over the earlier medicinal recipe and said in a deep, aged tone, “I heard there’s a business deal here; I’ve come to take a look.”

Luo Qian examined the prescription carefully, his expression serious. It seemed this black-robed elder was indeed the alchemist behind Qin Liang.

“Please follow me, senior.”

Luo Qian led the robed figure upstairs without delay, bringing him to a quiet chamber.

Upon entering the chamber again, Qin Liang noticed that the grand chair was occupied by the Pavilion Master Hua, who was half-reclined as if unmoving. Around her hung crimson drapes, casting a dim, veiled light.

“Master, the senior has arrived,” Luo Qian respectfully cupped his hands and stepped aside.

Hua Zhiqiao’s face was paler than before; she spoke weakly, “I bear grave injuries and may be inconvenient to receive you. If there is any discourtesy, please forgive me, Grandmaster.”

“Not at all. Young Qin has explained everything to me.”

A calm voice emerged from beneath the black robe.

“From what I see, Master’s condition appears to have worsened. Without prompt administration of the pill, the meridian in the left chest may wither completely.”

They were only three or four meters apart, yet Qin Liang could sense the dim vitality in the other’s left chest.

Hua Zhiqiao’s expression shifted. She had never disclosed her internal condition to Qin Liang, yet this black-robed man could identify the root of her illness at a glance, even through the sheer curtains.

This could only mean the black-robed man possessed extraordinarily keen perception.

“Master, please state your conditions,” she said, clutching at a lifeline.

Qin Liang was unhurried, replying calmly, “Two conditions.”

“First, gather one complete set of the spirit herbs required for this Cold-Resisting Pill.”

He handed over a prescription, then added casually, “Second, young Qin’s wedding will be held in a month. I hope the Treasure Pavilion will attend and offer their congratulations.”

“That…”

Hua Zhiqiao’s eyes narrowed slightly, her mind clear as a mirror.

Given that Qin Liang knew this alchemist, it was unlikely he lacked congratulatory gifts. The stated reason was merely a pretext; the true intent was to have the Treasure Pavilion lend prestige to the Jiang family.

With the Treasure Pavilion’s headquarters in the Imperial City, their Sulfur City branch held a status comparable to that of the city lord’s mansion.

Having such a giant bolster appearances was undoubtedly the best choice.

“Since Young Master Qin knows you, Grandmaster, the Treasure Pavilion naturally wishes to befriend you as well. Rest assured, the Treasure Pavilion will not be absent in a month. I accept this condition, but…”

Hua Zhiqiao hesitated, “The main herb for the Cold-Resisting Pill, Ice Spirit Grass, requires an extension on the timeframe.”

The Cold-Resisting Pill was the medicine Qin Liang had prepared for Jiang Xuehan.

Taking this pill would not only protect Jiang Xuehan from the effects of cold toxin but also allow her to control it.

Furthermore, if she absorbed cold energy to cultivate, her cold toxin would strengthen accordingly.

In the future, even in Qin Liang’s absence, she could use this to safeguard herself.

“Half a month.”

Qin Liang set the deadline and added, “I require a quiet environment.”

“Please, this way, senior,” Luo Qian led Qin Liang to a larger quiet chamber at the corridor’s end.

“All the spirit herbs needed for the Rejuvenating Meridian Pill are here for your use,” Luo Qian said, opening a row of cabinets before respectfully withdrawing to ensure no disturbances.

Qin Liang breathed a silent sigh of relief; it seemed the Pavilion Master truly only wished to use alchemy to cure her illness.

He summoned the Celestial Wasteland Cauldron and began concocting the pill.

Following the sequence detailed in the prescription, he threw in the corresponding herbs, allowing the cauldron to refine them naturally.

During the cauldron’s refining intervals, Qin Liang explored the chamber.

Being part of the Treasure Pavilion, if he could find any treasures, it would be an unexpected boon.

He rummaged through cabinets and drawers, but the Pavilion’s personnel had apparently anticipated this and cleared the room in advance. Apart from the required herbs, nothing useful remained.

“So stingy—do they really think I can’t steal?” Qin Liang silently grumbled.

He could not take the herbs or pills, but at least a few cultivation manuals would have been welcome. What harm could it do for him to peruse them?

Yet the room was utterly devoid of even a scrap of paper, as if it were a fortress against thieves.

Finally, he resigned himself and approached a pile of miscellaneous items in the corner.

Though they appeared to be junk, he still held onto hope and carefully searched through them, making as little noise as possible.

“What’s this?”

Qin Liang picked up a thumb-sized beast tooth and examined it closely.

He sensed a resonant fluctuation within the tooth, suggesting it was extraordinary. Yet its surface was plain, mottled with age, clearly ancient, though he could not tell what kind of demon beast it came from.

“I’ll take it back for study.”

He placed the tooth into a low-grade spatial pouch.

After scanning the rest of the debris without finding anything new, he was about to give up but then reconsidered.

“Taking only one item would be too suspicious.”

He stuffed the miscellaneous items into the spatial pouch and, satisfied, returned to the Celestial Wasteland Cauldron.

He then added the remaining herbs into the cauldron one by one. Soon, various medicinal essences were extracted and converged at a focal point, undergoing chemical transformation and refinement until they coalesced into a pill.

Only after a strong medicinal fragrance wafted out did an incense stick’s worth of time pass.

Luo Qian, upon smelling the scent, felt invigorated and was secretly astonished at the alchemist’s speed.

Creak!

The door opened. Qin Liang emerged in his black robe, his voice aged and steady: “Let’s go.”

Not long after, the Rejuvenating Meridian Pill was delivered to Hua Zhiqiao.

Behind the crimson drapes, her expression turned to one of shock. Her body trembled with excitement, nearly toppling off the massive recliner.

“Is the senior a second-grade alchemist?”