Nine Evolutions of the True Spirit
chapter-259

After entering the quiet room, Chilian Ying took a seat on the other empty table in the room.

Hong Ying and Wu Yan, being Lu Ping’s subordinates, didn’t sit down and instead stood beside the doors.

The Black Mountain Gang Lord, Qiao Zheng-Yan, ordered a cup of high-grade spirit tea for everyone. The room was silent as everyone enjoyed the tea.

Hong Ying and Wu Yan weren’t used to situations like this, and were anxious as they didn’t know what to do. On the other table, Chilian Ying was still as unladylike as usual, and began sleeping on the table.

Qiao Zheng-Yan took the liberty of observing Lu Ping, giving him an appraisal in his head: modest but not servile, proud but not arrogant, a young man full of potential.

Qiao Zheng-Yan put down the tea cup, smiled at Lu Ping, and said, “When Leader Yu learned of little brother’s intention of purchasing the 1,000-year spirit herbs, he was in a hurry to report the news to this old bone and forgot to instruct the members to be polite and respectful to little brother. I apologize on their behalf, and also for not teaching them proper manners.”

Since the gang lord had come personally to show his goodwill, Lu Ping naturally wouldn’t be rude and gracefully accepted the apology, “It’s all just a misunderstanding. Senior, it’s all fine now.”

Seeing that Lu Ping wasn’t a petty person, Qiao Zheng-Yan said, “I don’t mean to be rude, but if little brother is looking for the 1,000-year spirit herbs, are you perhaps a Quasi-Master Alchemist?”

Lu Ping didn’t answer the question, and instead asked puzzlingly, “I’ve been wondering where exactly the spirit herbs are? Qian Yuan City is the largest city around, and with the coming celebration of the Northern League’s centenary, there should be lots of cultivation resources gathered in the city market, yet how is it that I can’t find any 1,000-year spirit herbs?”

As a boss of the underworld, Qiao Zheng-Yan naturally knew Lu Ping was asking to exchange information. Since he was the one asking for help, he naturally had to answer first.

Qiao Zheng-Yan replied, “Little brother, you’re an alchemist, you know more than me about how intense the demand is for medicinal pellets. You also know that this is because of the limited number of alchemists, and the scarcity of spirit herbs.

“Even in colossal cities like Qian Yuan City, where all cultivation resources can be found, spirit herbs still remain the most valuable goods; there’s never a day where supply meets demand. The big stores can only manage a steady, yet limited supply, of 500-year spirit herbs because they each have their own spirit herb gardens. 1,000-year spirit herbs aren’t available to the public, only those with connections can get a chance to buy 1,000-year spirit herbs.”

Lu Ping was shrewd. He immediately knew there was another unspoken reason behind this private business model. There were only two types of buyers for 1,000-year spirit herbs.

The first type was naturally alchemists of the Quasi-Master Alchemist rank and above. Regardless of their cultivation base, these alchemists had an equal status to Core Forging Realm Enlightened Masters in the cultivation world.

The second type of buyer was ordinary Enlightened Masters. These Enlightened Masters would gather 1,000-year spirit herbs on their own and request alchemists to help them concoct medicinal pellets.

Hence, having private deals with these buyers could help the sellers establish a good relationship with these high-ranking cultivators.

Qiao Zheng-Yan hesitated for a moment, but still asked, “May I inquire as to what kind of medicinal pellets you’re going to concoct with the 1,000-year spirit herbs? Although my Black Mountain Gang is only an underground organization in Qian Yuan City, I still have some influence.

“I can introduce a few stores to you. I believe that this old bone’s recommendation can help little brother get the chance to buy some 1,000-year spirit herbs. But just to be clear beforehand, I can’t intervene in the price and amount of spirit herbs you can buy, it’s all up to little brother to negotiate that on your own.”

Lu Ping nodded understandingly, and said solemnly, “In that case, this junior thanks senior for your help in advance. In return, how can I be of service to senior?”

Qiao Zheng-Yan smiled. He hesitated for a moment, before eventually handing Lu Ping a jade scroll.

Lu Ping looked at this jade scroll, and exclaimed softly with surprise, “A heritage jade scroll?”

Qiao Zheng-Yan said solemnly, “Exactly. To be frank, this is all about my son. A few years ago, he was too aggressive in his cultivation and forced his breakthrough to the Core Forging Realm. The consequences were… unbearable. The breakthrough failed, his foundation was damaged, and worst of all, his bloodline became impaired. Not only was he no longer able to advance his cultivation, but his cultivation base also showed signs of… dissipating.

“I asked around and searched everywhere for solutions, but every alchemist I met asserted that his bloodline impairment could not be fixed. Just as I was discouraged and thought of giving up, I came across this pellet recipe, which said it was able to cure bloodline impairment.

“Overjoyed, I visited every alchemist in Qian Yuan City to concoct the medicinal pellet. But all of them said that the recipe was either fake, or simply fallacious. However, this time, I wasn’t ready to give up.

“I invited two friends of mine, who were both alchemists, to try to concoct the pellets. They both tried and unfortunately they both failed. At that point, even my son gave up and accepted his fate. However, I couldn’t stand to see my son fall into hopelessness so I never stopped looking for alchemists, hoping that one day, someone would be able to concoct these pellets.”

Lu Ping reached for the jade scroll on the table. His fingertips touched the scroll but suddenly stopped, and he withdrew his hand. Lu Ping thought for a moment, and asked, “May I ask why senior hasn’t looked for any Master Alchemists?”

Qiao Zheng-Yan knew of Lu Ping’s concern, and sighed, “I had already looked for two, with one of them even attempting to concoct the pellets. They didn’t say that concocting it was impossible, but they stated that the conditions are extremely difficult and that there is almost no alchemist that meets the requirements.”

Lu Ping looked at Qiao Zheng-Yan with an inexplicable smile, and asked, “Then, how can senior be sure that this junior will be able to do something that even Master Alchemists couldn’t?”

Qiao Zheng-Yan shook his head with a bitter smile, “I’m only betting on my luck. I do the same for every alchemist that steps foot in Qian Yuan City, no matter their gender, age, or strength. Little brother, feel free to look at the recipe. No matter the results, I will introduce you to the stores for the spirit herbs. As far as I’m aware, those stores also have some rare 1,000-year spirit herbs.”

Lu Ping smiled and cast aside his reservations. He picked up the jade scroll and meticulously read the contents with his divine sense.

A long while later, Lu Ping retracted his divine sense and placed the jade scroll back down on the table. There was a weird expression on his face as he pondered quietly.

Although Qiao Zheng-Yan had stopped hoping a long time ago, he still wanted this wish to come true one day. Especially when he saw Lu Ping deep in thought, hope began to emerge in his heart.

“Spirit Water Vein Nourishment Pellet? How interesting, no wonder most alchemists scoff at it.”

Lu Ping looked at Qiao Zheng-Yan’s eager face. He was suddenly able to empathize with Qiao Zheng-Yan’s feelings, not as the lord of the Black Mountain Gang, not as a high-ranking Enlightened Master, but as a father with the greatest love for his son.

Lu Ping smiled warmly, and said, “I may be able to give it a try!”

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