With over two hundred spirit stones in hand, her wealth instantly increased significantly.
Shi Yu had originally planned to buy spiritual plants and materials at Tongyi Pavilion while she was there, but after some thought, she decided against it and returned to her courtyard first.
“Selling spirit talismans at Tongyi Pavilion solidifies my identity as a talisman master. If I then go to purchase spiritual plants and the like…”
Buying a small amount wouldn't be an issue; cultivators often use various spiritual plants and heavenly materials and earthly treasures for their cultivation techniques. But since she intended to refine artifacts and concoct pills, the materials required would be substantial, inevitably leading others to suspect she was a weapon refiner or alchemist.
As far as she knew, she hadn't heard of any cultivator simultaneously cultivating such miscellaneous arts.
To possess talent in any of the four arts—artifact refining, alchemy, array formations, or talismans—was something to be envied. Each required immense effort to study and master, and one's own cultivation could not be neglected. Many things couldn't even be attempted without reaching a certain realm.
One had to strive for longevity through cultivation, yet also divert energy to study miscellaneous arts. To achieve success in any single one of artifact refining, alchemy, array formations, or talismans was already extraordinary; how could one possibly hope for the talent and energy to practice others?
Attracting too much attention was not a good thing. It seemed she would have to adopt a different identity.
After a moment's thought, Shi Yu looked at herself in the mirror. The person in the reflection had somewhat plain features, her hair styled in a boy's topknot, with a wooden hairpin securely fastened within it.
“If I go to purchase them as a woman, no one should be able to connect it to the same person.”
Previously, using the Scarlet Glass Flower to conceal her appearance had also blurred her aura. When disguised as a man, she looked exactly like a delicate young boy; without deliberately probing, it would be difficult to discover her true female identity.
Reverting to her female attire would be more convenient and straightforward.
She pulled out the wooden hairpin, and her raven-black hair instantly cascaded down, soft and fine, shimmering like ink, flowing like silk over her shoulders and down to her waist.
Now, with Shi Yu's ordinary, plain features, her loose, unbound dark hair made her skin appear even fairer, adding a touch of elegant beauty to her.
Taking out an exquisitely crafted silver hairpin for women, Shi Yu picked up a comb and awkwardly fumbled with it, her hands and feet unusually uncoordinated.
She wasn't very skilled at styling women's hair. After trying for a long time in front of the mirror, she finally managed to tie a passable maiden's bun. Then she retrieved a set of elegant, moon-white robes from her Yin-Yang Fate-Tapping Bell and changed into them.
Finally, she covered her face with a veil, completing her transformation.
“That should do it. No one should recognize me now.”
Sunlight streamed in through the cracks in the door and window, perfectly illuminating the young woman admiring herself in the mirror. Though her veiled face hinted at youth and a touch of immaturity, her waist was slender enough to be clasped with one hand, and her figure already appeared graceful and captivating.
...
Meanwhile, back at Tongyi Pavilion, Jiang Qihe had acquired over fifty Blaze Talismans at a price of four spirit stones each. Naturally, he needed to verify their power before setting a selling price.
It was during this test that Jiang Qihe realized something was amiss.
He channeled a stream of spiritual energy into a spirit talisman, and a roaring blaze instantly erupted. The flames flared brilliantly, creating a powerful spectacle that unexpectedly gave him a sense of threat.
Jiang Qihe was stunned. He quickly waved his hand, conjuring a spiritual energy shield to block the fiery assault.
Fortunately, he had already reached the seventh layer of the Qi Refining Realm. Though caught somewhat by surprise, he was more than capable of handling a Tier-1 offensive spirit talisman.
But this didn't diminish his astonishment and excitement. “This, this…”
An ordinary Tier-1 Blaze Talisman would hardly pose a threat to him. Yet, the moment this particular Blaze Talisman was activated, he felt a distinct difference; it was clearly several times more powerful than a regular Blaze Talisman.
Jiang Qihe quickly took out another Blaze Talisman Shi Yu had sold him to examine. As a manager of Tongyi Pavilion, he naturally had keen insight. Now, looking closely, he slowly noticed that the subtle radiance within the source runes drawn on the talisman was several shades brighter than on an ordinary Blaze Talisman.
His breathing quickened, and his chest heaved. He looked at talisman after talisman, and every single one was the same.
Jiang Qihe let out a bitter laugh, finally understanding. “How is this inferior to ordinary Blaze Talismans? It’s clearly several times better!”
Shock spread through him, and his emotions became complex.
The person behind Shi Yu had only just advanced to become a Talisman Master, yet they could produce Blaze Talismans of such quality. Their future was truly limitless.
As that thought settled, Jiang Qihe’s heart immediately clenched. “I only offered four spirit stones per talisman. I hope Young Master Shi isn't displeased by this.”
He regretted his usual sharp judgment, wondering how he could have been so foolish this time.
He had subconsciously assumed that the Talisman Master behind Shi Yu had only recently advanced, and that the spirit talismans they produced would naturally be inferior to ordinary ones. He had even flattered himself into thinking he had offered a generous price to maintain their relationship and win them over.
This wasn't winning them over; it was barely avoiding offense.
The more Jiang Qihe thought about it, the more he felt that offering only four spirit stones per talisman was far too hasty.
“What should I do? I must quickly find Young Master Shi and give him the extra spirit stones.”
He smiled bitterly, unsure whether to be happy or worried. “Young Master Shi, Young Master Shi, why didn't you say anything to me about these excellent spirit talismans…?”
He was happy that Tongyi Pavilion had received such powerful spirit talismans; after some promotion, they would surely attract a lot of customers and alleviate their current awkward predicament.
His worry was that he had misjudged them, and Jiang Qihe feared Shi Yu would feel slighted, believing Tongyi Pavilion was deliberately taking advantage of her.
Jiang Qihe put away the spirit talismans, intending to quickly find Shi Yu and explain.
But he didn't know where Shi Yu lived. As he fretted, he saw an unfamiliar woman step into Tongyi Pavilion.
The woman's face was covered by a veil, so her appearance couldn't be discerned, but from her figure, she seemed quite young. Yet she possessed a graceful allure, and when she raised her eyes, her temperament was exceptional, elegantly refined.
Jiang Qihe motioned for a shop assistant to greet her, while he himself planned to go out and look around, hoping to fortuitously run into Shi Yu.
However, just as he passed the unfamiliar young woman, he heard what she said to the assistant, and Jiang Qihe's steps abruptly halted.
The young woman's voice was light and ethereal, pleasant to the ear. “I need three hundred stalks each of five-year-old Jade Dew Grass, five-year-old Qi Gathering Grass, and seven-year-old Half-Sided Orchid.”
Jiang Qihe was startled. If he wasn't mistaken, these three items were the spiritual plants required to refine Dew-Condensing Pills.
Dew-Condensing Pills were the most commonly consumed pills by Qi Refining Realm cultivators, and their formula was not a secret.
Such a large quantity… could this young woman be an Alchemist?
Jiang Qihe slowly turned around, suppressing his urge to immediately find Shi Yu, and personally began to attend to the young woman.
He waved a hand, signaling a shop assistant to gather the medicinal ingredients from the storeroom. While waiting, Jiang Qihe led the young woman to sit by the pavilion's flower garden, personally poured her a cup of tea, and made some small talk.
“I am Jiang Qihe, the manager of this shop. Young lady, you look unfamiliar; is this your first visit?”
Having changed into her female attire and covered her face with a veil, Jiang Qihe indeed did not recognize her.
Shi Yu’s eyes held a smile as she nodded.
She held the teacup but didn't drink, simply waiting for Jiang Qihe to continue.
“If I'm not mistaken, the spiritual plants you just requested are precisely what's needed to refine Dew-Condensing Pills,” Jiang Qihe said, cupping his hands respectfully. “Might I ask, young lady… are you an Alchemist?”
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