The Perfect Pill is a bit of a rarity. If Lu Chang’sheng sells too many in one place, it’s not just asking for trouble—it could even mess with the going rates.

Alchemist Luo actually has a decent reputation; for decades now, there’s barely been any evil cultivator activity around here.

After all, Alchemist Luo is a Foundation Establishment cultivator right at the threshold of Golden Core, and with top-tier alchemy skills, not many evil cultivators dare cause trouble in this region.

Of course, even so, Lu Chang’sheng doesn’t plan to make too many moves.

He’s never liked leaving his fate in anyone else’s hands.

The next day, Lu Chang’sheng checked over his gifts, and headed to pay respects at Alchemist Luo’s estate.

But by the gate, the servant told him that Alchemist Luo wasn’t receiving visitors at the moment.

As for why, the servant didn’t say.

Lu Chang’sheng could only return to his temporary lodgings and wait it out.

This place’s been around for thirty or forty years; both sides of the street have some basic buildings thrown up.

Spending a single low-grade Spirit Stone, Lu Chang’sheng rented a room at an inn.

"Are you here to seek Alchemist Luo’s alchemy services?"

The neighbor next door was a curvy woman, flashing Lu Chang’sheng a slight smile when she saw him.

"Why do you ask?"

Lu Chang’sheng had disguised himself, so he wasn’t worried about running into anyone who knew him.

"You look unfamiliar—must’ve come to Yuhua Town only recently."

Lu Chang’sheng understood: with Alchemist Luo’s power and status, he didn’t need to care about low-level cultivators like them.

Only when Alchemist Luo’s in a good mood might he offer alchemy services to help out.

And recently, Alchemist Luo had just announced he’d help with alchemy.

That was over a year ago.

The early announcement was so those wanting pills could have time to gather resources.

Alchemist Luo needs to cultivate too.

The two chatted a while, and Lu Chang’sheng learned her name—Zhang Yu.

She said she was a local loose cultivator, and moved in not long after Alchemist Luo settled in.

"I’ve been here so long, only managed to get one Foundation Pill from Alchemist Luo."

"That’s a shame," Lu Chang’sheng replied.

Whenever Alchemist Luo crafts a pill, it’s at least a mid-grade Foundation Pill. Zhang Yu hasn’t reached Foundation Establishment yet; probably failed the breakthrough.

"Daoist friend, you really know how to empathize! But it’s not something to dwell on—Foundation Establishment is no easy thing, especially with poor Spirit Root Talent like mine."

If you’ve got good Spirit Root Talent, just a regular Foundation Pill could get you there—no need to chase after higher tiers.

Lu Chang’sheng nodded in agreement.

After a little more small talk, Lu Chang’sheng excused himself and headed into the courtyard.

"Zhang Yu’s a bit forward, isn’t she?"

Lu Chang’sheng thought it over, but couldn’t figure out her angle, so he set the matter aside for now.

He laid out a simple warning Spirit Array; a faint Spiritual Light covered the small yard.

Out here, better to be careful—over the years he’d picked up a bit about arrays.

And just like with alchemy, he was pretty talented with Spirit Arrays. Shame is, compared to arrays, Lu Chang’sheng much preferred to stick with alchemy.

"Spirit Arrays help cultivation, but nowhere near as much as alchemy does."

Besides, he just didn’t have the time or energy to master both.

The following day, a beam of Spiritual Light landed in Lu Chang’sheng’s yard and triggered the warning array.

Lu Chang’sheng sensed Zhang Yu’s aura.

He opened the door to see Zhang Yu, dressed in a palace gown, with a hint of seduction in her smile.

"There’s an underground auction tonight—interested in going together?"

Lu Chang’sheng thought about it, but turned her down.

Zhang Yu seemed genuinely disappointed.

It made Lu Chang’sheng a bit suspicious.

By nature, he was cautious—and Zhang Yu’s repeated visits had put him even more on guard.

For the next few days, Lu Chang’sheng didn’t go out. Only when Alchemist Luo’s appointed day arrived did he finally leave his place.

On the road, he ran into Zhang Yu again, but this time she just greeted him simply, no more conversation.

······

"Please, Daoist friend."

Lu Chang’sheng was personally escorted inside by Alchemist Luo’s servant.

The servant was proper—didn’t act haughty just because he worked for Alchemist Luo.

Inside the courtyard, Lu Chang’sheng saw quite a few cultivators milling around—all of them at the ninth level of Qi Cultivation.

Normally, it’s tough for cultivators to sense each other’s realms, but Lu Chang’sheng was different. His Spiritual Sense was unusually strong. After years of honing it, even an early Foundation Establishment expert wasn’t necessarily his equal.

So, he could vaguely sense the cultivation levels of these Qi cultivators.

He let out a bit of his own aura, making himself less conspicuous in the crowd.

"Fellow Daoist Lu!"

"Fellow Daoist Zhang!"

Just then, Zhang Yu strolled over, smiling. Lu Chang’sheng frowned inwardly, but didn’t say much.

He still couldn’t read what Zhang Yu was up to.

Everyone here’s lived decades, maybe centuries—nobody’s dumb, and nobody’s sharing their cards for no reason.

After a while, an elderly man came out—it was Alchemist Luo.

Alchemist Luo was thin-faced but sharp-eyed, with a Dan master’s hat atop his head.

He glanced over the crowd, nodded, and didn’t bother with a headcount. Instead, he said, "You’re all here for pills, I’m sure. So I’ll get to the point. I came from humble beginnings, so I understand the struggle of low-level cultivators in these small domains. That’s why, on a whim, I offered to craft Foundation Pills."

"But Foundation Pills are expensive—I can’t just give them away."

"Alchemist Luo’s words are spot-on."

"Glad you understand. Then, let’s begin."

Alchemist Luo nodded.

There were at least twenty Qi Cultivation cultivators here; no way to satisfy everyone’s cravings.

So, Alchemist Luo set up an auction for the Foundation Pill slots.

As soon as Alchemist Luo finished talking, someone jumped right in with a bid—clearly knew the drill.

Lu Chang’sheng joined in on the auction too but, after a short while, had to bow out.

"Looks like most of these folks have been waiting for this day. Their savings run way deeper than mine."

Lu Chang’sheng felt a bit helpless.

Even though his alchemy skills were solid, the costs were high, and compared to people scrimping and saving for decades at this stage, he was outmatched.

The auction was heating up, but Lu Chang’sheng lost interest fast.

"Not bidding anymore, Daoist friend?"

At some point, Zhang Yu had sidled over.

"Out of funds, gotta quit. What, Zhang Daoist—you planning to spot me some?" Lu Chang’sheng said.

Zhang Yu’s smile briefly stiffened. She laughed it off and turned her focus back to bidding.

Before long, two Foundation Pill slots were won. To Lu Chang’sheng’s surprise, one of them went to Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu was all smiles after her win, though deep in her eyes there was clearly a trace of caution. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Heh, you and that Zhang Yu have some history?"

Just then, another cultivator strolled over and said.

Lu Chang’sheng shook his head. "Just met a few times—hardly know her!"

The guy didn’t say anything else, just turned and walked away.