Over the next few days, Shi Yu remained in her cave dwelling to focus on cultivation, spending her spare time concocting pills and crafting talismans, while Qingzhou ran errands outside to assist her in preparing for the shop's grand opening.
On this day, he brought back news: “The steward at the Xie Clan Auction House said that if Sister can wait, it would be best to put the Lesser Longevity Pill up for next year's grand auction. In the meantime, they can print catalogs and spend a few months giving it full publicity.”
When Qingzhou went to the auction house, the steward recognized him and knew he was working for Shi Yu, so he showed no disdain or disgust, even acting quite polite.
After all, the name Shi Yu had recently been repeatedly brought up by prominent families and noble clans throughout the main city.
On the day she completed her Tier-2 alchemist examination, those who were well-informed had already learned about it, and the Xie Clan was naturally among them.
Facing a young alchemist with an infinitely bright future, the steward naturally treated him with utmost care.
However, when Qingzhou brought out the Lesser Longevity Pill and explained its effects, even though the steward was somewhat prepared, he still gasped in shock.
Extending life by ten years with virtually no side effects! Although this unheard-of Lesser Longevity Pill could not compare to a true Tier-4 Longevity Pill, it was still an exceptionally rare treasure.
The steward did not doubt the authenticity of the Lesser Longevity Pill's effects in the slightest. He was knowledgeable and possessed good judgment himself; the moment he caught a whiff of the pill fragrance, he felt the vitality within his body faintly stirred, knowing the claim was almost certainly true.
Moreover, with Shi Yu backed by the Alchemist Association, her status was right there; there was no need for her to produce a fake pill and ruin her own reputation.
Such a fine item would be a heavy-hitting item even at a grand auction. Promoting it in advance would surely fetch a sky-high price.
...
After listening to Qingzhou pass along the steward's words, Shi Yu shook her head. “There's no need. Just put it in the upcoming auction.”
The spirit stones in her pockets were completely exhausted, and she urgently needed resources to open her shop; how could she wait several months?
With so many prominent families and grand clans in the main city, and the Lesser Longevity Pill being a treasure everyone could use, even a rushed auction would fetch a high price, ensuring no one would get it for a bargain.
Qingzhou acknowledged her words and withdrew.
Today happened to be the day agreed upon with President Song to go to the Refinement Association and forge her identity jade token. After Qingzhou left, Shi Yu tidied herself up briefly and headed down the mountain as well.
When she arrived at the Alchemist Association, President Song and Master Ji were both busy. Wen Wen brought over tea and refreshments to entertain her, and Shi Yu drank tea while chatting casually with her.
“In previous years, whenever the President and the elders returned from attending the exchange conference in Hengze Prefecture, their faces were as black as charcoal stoves, taking at least a month to recover. Pity us minor staff—we didn't even dare breathe loudly.” Wen Wen presented Shi Yu with a plum-blossom-shaped pastry with a smile. “This is delicious, ground from spiritual grain powder, completely free of the turbid Qi of mortal grain.”
“Thank you, Sister Wen.” Shi Yu took a bite. It was crispy and fragrant on the outside, with a smooth and soft filling inside. It indeed tasted wonderful, so she ate a few more bites.
There were very few women in the association, so Wen Wen naturally felt closer to Shi Yu. Seeing her enjoy the food, her eyes curved with smiles as she continued:
“With Miss Shi here this year, the situation is completely different. The President and the others have smiles on their faces all day long, making things much more comfortable for us subordinates as well.”
“Girl Wen, what nonsense are you spreading?” Before Shi Yu could reply with a banter or two, President Song's voice resounded from nearby, pretending to be angry.
Shi Yu looked up to see that President Song and Master Ji had finished their work and were walking over.
“I wouldn't dare.” Wen Wen covered her mouth with a chuckle and stood up at just the right moment, saying to Shi Yu as she left, “Please drop by often when you have time, Miss.”
Shi Yu smiled faintly and nodded. “As long as Sister Wen doesn't mind me freeloading food and drink.”
President Song shook his head with a chuckle. “Old Man Liang and I agreed to head over today. Without further ado, let's go.”
Master Ji stroked his beard. “That old fellow Liang Guan was green with envy when he heard about our girl Yu.”
The person they spoke of was naturally the president of the Refinement Association, who, like President Song, was ranked Tier-4.
Situated in this remote place of Lingtai Prefecture, all four associations—refinement, alchemy, array, and talisman—faced a similar predicament: talented juniors were few and far between, and their development within Changyuan Prefecture could only be considered mid-to-low tier, leaving them constantly suppressed.
Now that the Alchemist Association had produced Shi Yu and was poised to turn the tables, the other three associations were naturally envious beyond measure.
The four associations were not far apart, all located in the same area. President Song and Master Ji led her across two streets, and they arrived at their destination.
The Refinement Association covered a vast area, its building shaped like an anvil used by blacksmiths in the Mortal Realm.
President Song strode inside as comfortably as if entering his own house, sending someone to report to President Liang.
While waiting, Shi Yu looked around. Unlike the Alchemist Association's grand and intricate decor, there were few decorations here, and objects were arranged neatly in straight lines, exuding a rough, simple, and ancient feel.
Before long, President Liang made his appearance.
He was broad-shouldered, thick-waisted, and possessed a vigorous aura. His appearance was as rugged as the Refinement Association's building, and his voice was booming: “You've arrived!”
Walking up to the three of them, Liang Guan took a few extra looks at Shi Yu. “This must be little friend Shi, right?”
President Song nodded and pulled out a jade-like spiritual material emitting a faint pale-white glow, tossing it into President Liang's hand. “Forge an identity jade token for our girl Yu. Show off some real skill and don't let the kid laugh at you.”
Liang Guan sneered. “You doubt my craftsmanship?”
He examined the jade-like material closely and let out an exclamation: “Old Song, you really spent a fortune this time!”
Shi Yu recognized the spiritual material as well, inwardly startled. “Lincang Jade!”
Lincang Jade originated from deep within snow-capped mountains, making it extremely difficult to mine. Rich in spiritual resonance, it was more than sufficient to refine Tier-3 artifacts. For President Song to offer such an expensive spiritual material showed how deeply he truly cared for her.
President Song showed no sign of stinginess, saying cheerfully, “Just put your heart into it and tailor something useful for little Yu'er. In the future, if you lack any pills, just come to me.”
Among the four associations, favors were traditionally repaid this way.
Liang Guan agreed, stepped up to Shi Yu, and inquired in detail about the attribute of her spiritual meridian and her requirements for the artifact.
Currently, Shi Yu had the Hidden Hatred Flute for offense and the Flowing Radiance Spirit Robe for defense; if she lacked anything, it was a handy auxiliary-type artifact.
And as for something that matched the attributes of Lincang Jade... After pondering it over, Shi Yu gradually formed an idea and said to President Liang, “If possible, I must trouble President Liang to refine it into a restraint-type artifact.”
Originating deep within snow-capped mountains, Lincang Jade was inherently imbued with the power of frost, possessing slowing and freezing effects, making it superb for refining into a restraint-type artifact. When activated, it could delay or directly freeze an opponent's body. In times of danger, it could win valuable time to escape, making it extremely practical and a true life-saving asset.
In an instant, several blueprint diagrams flashed through Shi Yu's mind, making her wish she could refine it with her own hands.
“Restraint-type?” Liang Guan pondered for a moment. “That is indeed highly suitable. Allow me to think about how to refine it.”
Since Lincang Jade was a genuinely rare treasure, Shi Yu did not want to see it wasted either, so she explained as clearly as possible to President Liang: “Combining Heavenly Cold Flowers with Lincang Jade can drastically enhance the frost power within, while also weakening the opponent's spiritual sense and magical power to a certain degree. What do you think?”
“However, excessive cold makes the material brittle, so... perhaps add a stalk of Soul-Deviance Vine as well?”
“After fire-refining, air pores might form on the surface of the Lincang Jade, so soaking it in medicinal liquid to replenish its spiritual aura would... make it easier to engrave restrictions...”
...
She spoke these words with utmost tact, mostly using inquiring and consultative tones, yet Liang Guan caught a somewhat unusual hint from her words.
Wait, why are you so knowledgeable about the tricks of artifact refining?
Rate on N.U.
