Demon Cultivator with Celestial Book-Chapter 64 - 47: Medicinal Materials, Gu-Bugs

Though both men wore similar Daoist Robes, there was a world of difference between them.

But having long served at Wudu Hall, the attendant had a very sharp eye.

He the Venerable’s temples were gray and his flesh was withered, but his face lacked the weathered look of old age. One look was enough to tell he was worn down by manual labor, a veritable pauper steeped in the mundane.

But Jiang Yi was entirely different. His brow held a spiritual luster, and his eyes were clear and bright. He exuded a potent vitality, like a globe of warm energy, and was completely devoid of any "mortal air."

"All the various pills here at our Wudu Hall are secretly prepared according to ancient methods."

The attendant greeted them with a smile, his body half-bent as he passionately pitched his wares.

"This Human Body Nourishing Pill is best for replenishing Primordial Qi. Three days after taking it, your complexion will be rosy, and in ten, your hair and beard will turn black... The Blood Embryo Muscle-Transforming Pill is even more of a marvel. It’s for Muscle Forging and Bone Strengthening, and it will make you as hard as refined iron!"

’This so-called "secretly prepared according to ancient methods"... you use people as ingredients, don’t you? It couldn’t be a technique of the Ancient Demon Cultivators, could it? Something even more ancient than the distant past?’

Jiang Yi scoffed inwardly before asking:

"Do you have anything that strengthens one’s Primordial Essence?"

"Ah... this?"

The attendant was taken aback. He never expected this young customer, who lacked any "mortal air," to be at the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer.

As everyone knew, most of Wudu Hall’s pills were intended for the Qi Cultivation Second or Third Layer.

After all, the fiery nature of Tiger and Wolf Medicine was best for tempering one’s muscles, bones, qi, and blood, with effects that were, one might say, instantaneous.

But when it came to coordinating the internal organs for the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer—Refining the Internal Organs—one could not be so careless.

Wudu Hall’s golden reputation was on the line; they had only ever crippled people, never killed them!

"Qi’er, you may leave. I will attend to this honored guest."

The Steward, who had just been sorting "Medicinal Materials" at the main entrance, came in and waved the attendant away.

"There are numerous items that strengthen one’s Primordial Essence. Some nourish the five viscera, others refine the six bowels, and still others have a specific effect on a single one.

"Having cultivated to the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, you must be aware that for Refining the Internal Organs, the most critical aspect is ’coordination and harmony’."

"Our hall has the Silver Silkworm Chrysalis, which can bolster kidney qi. For men, it increases Primordial Yang; for women, it generates Primordial Yin..."

The elderly Steward, with his black hair and pale complexion, rattled off seven or eight such items in one breath, speaking of them as if they were his own family treasures.

Satisfied, Jiang Yi feigned curiosity and asked,

"A moment ago, you mentioned that Wudu Hall has more than just Medicinal Materials and pills. You have live insects and gu as well?"

The elderly Steward showed no sign of annoyance, smiling as he replied,

"That’s right. We primarily carry the Breath-Swallowing Insect, the Silent Insect, and the Tracing Insect. As for the gu, those are sect treasures, worth a king’s ransom, and are not traded lightly.

"If our honored guest is interested, and can provide collateral of equivalent value, this old man can send a message to have them brought here.

"However, we only have two kinds: the Fish Dragon Gu and the Snake Jiao Gu..."

The elderly Steward paused, holding out a hand and turning it over.

"They are each worth one million talisman coins, and the price is non-negotiable!"

Jiang Yi’s eye twitched slightly. ’You have to hand it to a Branch Sect Dharma Lineage,’ he thought. ’They’ve got guts. Their products are unique and their effects are exceptional.’

Even at such an exorbitant price, they had no fear of a lack of customers.

"I’ve troubled you to explain so much, and I am quite interested in a few of the items you mentioned."

Jiang Yi had come down the mountain with a generous sum of talisman coins, so he stood tall with ample confidence as he slowly said,

"It’s just that I have a few matters to attend to in the near future. I’d like to wait until everything is settled before making a purchase.

"Would this be acceptable? I can leave a deposit, and Wudu Hall can hold these items for me for ten days.

"If, after ten days, I haven’t returned to complete the purchase, you may keep the deposit."

The Steward narrowed his eyes, sizing him up. If it had been anyone else, he would have assumed they were just toying with him.

But his counterpart had reached the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer at such a young age and was completely devoid of any mundane air. One look was enough to identify him as a figure of Cultivation.

"Honored guest, might you be willing to disclose your background? Which Dharma Lineage, which sect?"

Jiang Yi clasped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute and replied,

"Beimang Ridge, Qianji Sect, Red Flame Peak."

The elderly Steward was put at ease. Since the young man was a person of standing from a Dharma Lineage, a small accommodation could be made.

"But of course. The items you want are worth a total of one hundred sixty thousand talisman coins. Wudu Hall will accept a deposit of twenty thousand. How does that sound?"

Jiang Yi gave a slight nod.

In these ten days, he was waiting for a revelation from the Celestial Book.

’Once I’ve confirmed the Opportunity related to my inheritance, I’ll purchase the necessary resources.’

’No matter how high the walls of the Dharma Lineages and their sects may be, I will forge a path of my own!’