The rain outside was coming down hard.

The eldest brother revealed a Token, on which were inscribed profound patterns.

Compared to Bai Mo’s own, it had many more silver dots set against a moon-white background, making it quite beautiful.

"Shui Ziming, an outer sect disciple. It’s a pleasure."

Bai Mo cupped his fists. "Bai Mo. Greetings, Senior Brother, Senior Sister."

He welcomed the three of them into his house.

The young man and woman were momentarily stunned, feeling that the room before them was rather shabby.

It was acceptable as a temporary shelter, but it was far too small to house four people.

Bai Mo, for his part, moved his Pill Furnace and other miscellaneous items aside, saying with some embarrassment:

"My humble home is rather crude. Please excuse the mess."

Shui Ziming gave his two sect-mates a gentle push from behind and smiled.

"With a junior brother like you here, ’crude’ is hardly the word for it."

"We only intend to wait out the rain and then be on our way. A place to stand is more than enough."

Bai Mo sized up the so-called senior brother and sister. They were only sixteen or seventeen years old.

With their rosy lips and white teeth, they looked like the clever and bright sort.

If they weren’t disciples from noble families or legacy disciples who had grown up in the sect from a young age, it was certain no other place could raise such people.

At this moment, both looked a little lost, as if they hadn’t expected the home of a dignified Pill Master to be so simple.

Their eldest brother shook his head to himself and shooed them away.

"You two, go change into your spare clothes."

The two of them hurriedly pulled at their damp sleeves and, with a tug, drew several articles of clothing out of thin air.

Bai Mo’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly showed them to a place where they could change.

He had heard that sect disciples often carried storage-type Spiritual Artifacts, but those were mostly for Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Shui Ziming seemed to read Bai Mo’s mind and explained:

"It’s not a storage-type Spiritual Artifact, just the cheek pouch of a Spirit Beast raised in the sect."

"With a little processing, it can hold items within a two-foot space."

Only then did Bai Mo understand.

Although the space wasn’t large, it was more than enough for carrying some odds and ends.

"Such an item must be very precious, right?"

Shui Ziming shook his head. "The value of the item lies in the raw material. Once you have a Spirit Beast’s cheek pouch, it only requires a little processing."

"However, Spirit Beasts are finicky. Only after you’ve won their affection will they agree to shed their cheek pouches for you."

"That being said, anyone can get one. After you reach the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, Junior Brother, you might want to go to the mountain gate and try your luck..."

As he spoke, his body trembled, and an inexplicable pressure rose up around him.

When Bai Mo looked again, he saw that Shui Ziming was enveloped in a shroud of mist, and his clothes were now perfectly dry and smooth.

’No wonder he’s able to lead his junior brother and sister on a trip. This man is an expert!’

"May I ask, what is Brother Shui’s cultivation level?"

Bai Mo gestured for him to sit, then asked after a moment’s hesitation.

"Just the Qi Refining Eighth Layer," Shui Ziming said with a faint smile.

"Our Eldest Brother is a genius in the sect! He’ll break through to the ninth layer any day now. Reaching Foundation Establishment is just a matter of time for him."

Just then, the young woman came out and interjected in a sweet voice, looking very proud.

Shui Ziming simply smiled at that.

"Junior Brother Bai, were you performing Alchemy just now?"

Bai Mo nodded.

"I just finished a batch. The room is a mess, I hope you don’t mind, Senior Brother."

Bai Mo brought over a stool and had the young woman sit down as well.

The young woman sniffed the Pill Fragrance in the room.

"What kind of Pill were you refining just now? It smells extraordinary."

Bai Mo poured some tea, pushed the cups toward the two of them, and said:

"I had a moment of inspiration and refined a batch of Tier Two Pills..."

The young woman let out a soft "Wow."

"That’s amazing! I could never learn how to do that..."

Shui Ziming also began to re-evaluate Bai Mo.

Although he lacked the air of the sect’s chosen geniuses, it was clear now that he was also a person of extraordinary destiny.

There weren’t many disciples within the sect who had such ability at such a young age.

Let alone a Cultivator who had grown up in the common marketplace.

Bai Mo just smiled, unconcerned, and invited the two to drink their tea.

"Senior Brother, what brings you on this journey?"

Hearing this, Shui Ziming looked somewhat annoyed.

"We set out from the Xuandao Sect, passed through Celestial Mountain City, and have now come through Immortal Arrival City. We’ll probably have to keep heading north."

"All just to chase after some beast."

The young woman picked up her teacup and took a small sip.

"We’re just following our Eldest Brother to get some experience."

"A Demon Beast that requires Brother Shui himself to act..." Bai Mo glanced at the young woman.

’Then what are the cultivation levels of the two following him?’

The young woman was very perceptive. Noticing Bai Mo’s gaze, she immediately understood his meaning.

She was quite indignant, a blush rising to her cheeks.

"Even though we’re only at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, that Demon Beast doesn’t have much fighting strength. We won’t hold our Eldest Brother back."

Hearing this, Bai Mo was instantly ashamed.

"I didn’t mean it like that. I’m only at the Qi Refining Third Layer myself, so I can’t compare to you two."

When Shui Ziming heard this, his expression immediately turned stern.

"Junior Brother Bai, don’t sell yourself short."

"Within the sect, Cultivators like my junior sister here only seek higher realms, not combat techniques or Magic. Their cultivation level naturally progresses quickly."

"Unfortunately, their foundation is like a castle in the sky—all appearance and no substance. They only develop their own real methods after reaching Foundation Establishment..."

Shui Ziming frowned.

"I truly don’t know if this path is right or wrong!"

But this was the current trend, so he couldn’t very well criticize it.

Besides, Cultivators who took this path did indeed advance to Foundation Establishment much faster.

"For Junior Brother Bai to have such Alchemy Skill and cultivation at your age, you are first-rate among your peers!"

Shui Ziming went on lecturing for quite a while. Bai Mo was a bit dazed, and only cupped his fists in agreement after he had finished.

Looking at the young woman’s accustomed expression, he knew this was just part of Shui Ziming’s personality.

Seeing that Bai Mo had taken his words to heart, Shui Ziming’s face was no longer dejected, and he seemed very satisfied.

He looked around Bai Mo’s residence.

"With your status as a Pill Master, Junior Brother, you could easily afford a large mansion. Why settle for this place?"

"If your Pill Furnace were any larger, how would you even have room to work?"

Bai Mo pondered for a moment before saying:

"I intend to buy this lot, do some renovations... and also acquire the adjacent property from the family that moved out. That would provide enough space."

"It’s just that I’ve recently heard about some changes in the city, so I haven’t dared to make any big moves..."

Shui Ziming was slightly taken aback.

"Changes?"

Bai Mo nodded.

"I heard a rumor was leaked from the upper echelons of the Miaofa Sect, making everyone feel insecure."

"Oh." Shui Ziming’s expression became neutral. He raised his teacup in a gesture and drank it all in one go.

"I have a rough idea of what this is about."

"Junior Brother Bai, rest assured, this matter won’t affect you. If you trust me, then feel free to proceed with your plans."

He extended a long, slender finger and pointed to his own waist.

"If trouble really comes knocking, just take out your sect Token and hang it on your waist."

Seeing his expression, Bai Mo asked tentatively:

"The inside story is..."

"I can’t reveal it yet. The Miaofa Sect still has a reputation to uphold."

Shui Ziming shook his head.

The young woman looked at her eldest brother, curious, but she knew his temperament and didn’t ask.

She turned to Bai Mo with a smile.

"Junior Brother Bai."

"Do you have any cultivation-assisting Pills here?"

Bai Mo nodded.

"Of course I do."

The young woman slapped twenty Spirit Stones down on the table.

"I’ll take this much’s worth!"

’What a bossy little rich girl.’

"Twenty Spirit Stones will buy you quite a few Qi Absorption Pills."

The young woman lifted her chin proudly.

"I’m sick of the sect’s Pills, and those people in Celestial Mountain City haven’t had any new ’flavors’ in ages."

"Let me see what’s so special about yours!"

Shui Ziming said helplessly, "Just give them to her."

"They can’t stop taking their Pills. The sect holds monthly assessments on their cultivation progress."

Bai Mo turned around and took out some of his stock.

"This isn’t quite enough. I’ll go to the shop out front to get the rest."

Shui Ziming watched Bai Mo leave, then looked at the young woman.

She was curiously examining the Qi Absorption Pills.

"Where is Qin Yu? What’s taking him so long!?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, the young man came rushing over.

His eyes were sparkling.

"Eldest Brother, the Pill that was just refined here seems to be extraordinary!"