Raise a sword!

Many people know that Sun Yinxi is a close friend of several well-known independent cultivators in Cangshan Market.

There were four people in total, with Sun Yinxi as the leader.

These four were cultivators who participated in the Cangshan Sect's entrance examination fifteen years ago, but in the end only Sun Yinxi was chosen by the Cangshan Sect and was taken in for intensive training.

Although the other three failed to become disciples due to their lack of aptitude, their determination to pursue the Dao was exceptionally strong. After descending the mountain, they settled down in Cangshan Market. Over the years, they have each had their own circumstances, and they have not fallen too far behind Sun Yinxi.

Or to put it another way.

It is precisely because these four people have all had their own circumstances that they have been able to develop into such close friends, and they get together every now and then.

"Brother Liu Chuang's demon-hunting team has recently gained quite a reputation on the front lines. Although they don't have a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator in charge, their demon-hunting formations are truly impressive, and I've heard they've made considerable contributions."

Sun Yinxi casually mentioned frontline news that is rarely heard from outsiders.

"Brother Zhao is still a taciturn man, only occasionally sending letters to say that he has given birth to two more big, healthy sons for the Li family. He is doing quite well as a live-in son-in-law."

"It's just that you've had a hard time, Sister Lan, running around all day for the Chamber of Commerce... The matter in the Ghost Market has been resolved. Those cultivators who injured you have been killed by the sect."

Sun Yinxi spoke slowly and deliberately about the four of them, her siblings and herself.

Ultimately, the topic returned to its initial point.

"Sister Lan, what conditions did that Alchemist Jiang offer?"

"He didn't set any conditions." Lan Yingying sighed softly. "You always say that Zhao Lao Er is a taciturn person, but I think this Jiang guy is even more so. He stays at home all day, either refining pills or cultivating. Except for occasionally going out to exchange some pill materials, he almost never leaves the house. It's hard to even see him."

"This person is extremely self-disciplined and has great ambitions. He may seem unassuming, but in reality, his aspirations are higher than the sky." Sun Yinxi nodded slightly.

Lan Yingying said with a hint of resentment, "Sometimes I even want to try seducing him to see what's going on with him. That dilapidated house is just so interesting, I can't bear to leave it even for a moment."

Sun Yinxi was amused by Lan Yingying's tone.

She gently covered her mouth, her eyebrows curving into crescent shapes.

"Hey, you're complaining because you care about this person... You say that Alchemist Jiang is arrogant, but aren't you just as proud?"

Lan Yingying was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously wanted to refute, but she didn't know where to start.

Seeing this, Sun Yinxi's smile widened.

"It seems the younger sister has hit the nail on the head."

"No...no, I just find this person too dull. All my attempts to please him, whether overt or covert, feel like they're landing on cotton, light and airy, unable to exert any real force."

A jade slip appeared in front of Lan Yingying.

Sun Yinxi smiled and said, "A mid-grade first-tier Dragon-Tiger Pill can be considered a decent body-refining pill for the Qi Refining stage... There is also a secret technique called 'Dragon-Tiger Skill' that comes with this pill, which takes into account both body refining and primordial spirit cultivation."

"These were brought back by my master last time. He gave them all to me to handle, but the price was that the sect would not give me any Foundation Establishment Pills for this or the next time."

Upon hearing this, Lan Yingying immediately became anxious.

"How could this be?! The sect is far too biased, you..."

Sun Yinxi gently shook her head.

"My master is not one to compete or fight, so I, a junior, can only be willing but powerless... Give the pill formula to that Alchemist Jiang. If he can refine this pill within a month, then give him the 'Dragon Tiger Skill' as well."

"Moreover, we must make an agreement with him that, firstly, he will never reveal the pill formula, and secondly, for the next five years, he must refine at least one batch of Dragon Tiger Pills every month and give it to me."

Lan Yingying said worriedly, "Isn't this too unfair? Giving him such a secret technique for nothing?"

Sun Yinxi sighed softly.

"Sister, you've been observing this person for a year now. Apart from being a little dull, there aren't any other drawbacks, right?"

"But..." Lan Yingying was still a little conflicted.

Sun Yinxi shook her head and said, "Besides him, who else among the alchemists whose qualities meet your standards could be of use to us?"

Lan Yingying was speechless, and in the end she could only hum softly to the tall and handsome figure in her mind.

"Hmph~ You got off easy."

……

Cangshan Market, around noon.

Jiang Peng appeared in the northeast corner of the market, arriving at his loyal, secluded corner.

Before anyone knew it, Jiang Peng's stall had become quite famous. Many independent cultivators knew that a Master Jiang came to the northeast corner every seven days to sell Qi Condensation Pills of quite good quality.

Therefore, there was no need for Jiang Peng to mention it.

Every seven days, many independent cultivators in the northeast corner would voluntarily reserve a spot for Jiang Peng, and if they saw someone being inconsiderate, they would even actively shoo them away.

In less than half an hour, Jiang Peng's accumulated Qi Condensation Pills and Rejuvenation Pills were sold out.

Without Qian Laosi around to keep her entertained, Jiang Peng simply packed up her stall and decided to relax and unwind.

Having just broken through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining, Jiang Peng planned to take a break for a while before continuing to absorb Qi, and also use this time to collect pill formulas and techniques for future cultivation.

But there's no rush. Let's take a look today.

Jiang Peng wandered aimlessly.

Since the beast tide began, the amount of monster materials in the market has increased significantly.

Unfortunately, Jiang Peng was not skilled in weapon crafting; he simply spent money to buy a few animal hides that looked decent.

Swaying and staggering, Jiang Peng arrived at a stall selling monsters.

There are monster shops in the market, selling monsters that can be raised and are useful to cultivators.

For example, there are ox-like beasts that serve as laborers and black water turtles that serve as mounts.

The monster stall in front of Jiang Peng was different.

There were seven or eight wolf cubs in a half-person-high iron cage, clearly indicating that the stall owner had raided the den of some unknown wolf demon.

Jiang Peng examined it closely.

The wolf cubs mostly looked listless, their faces gray and dull, showing no signs of anything extraordinary.

Gently stroke it with your hand.

[Demon Wolf Cub: No Rank, Diluted Demon Bloodline]

[Demon Wolf Cub: No Rank, Diluted Demon Bloodline]

[Phantom Moon Rat: Tier 1, Mimicry Illusion, Bloodline Reversion]

"Hmm?" Jiang Peng was startled. This mysterious cauldron was even effective against demonic beasts!

Looking at the little wolf cub in the cage, whose head he was constantly stroking without any resistance, what the hell was this thing called a 'Phantom Moon Rat'?

"Boss, what's the price of this one?"

"This is a cub of the Howling Moon Demon Wolf, I went through so much trouble..."

Jiang Peng was too lazy to listen to the stall owner's boasting.

"A wolf demon with a thin bloodline, at most, will only reach the first rank and be worth fifty spirit stones when raised to adulthood."

Seeing that all his secrets had been exposed, the stall owner was surprisingly generous.

"make a deal."

The stall owner opened the cage, and Jiang Peng lifted the Phantom Moon Rat by the neck.

During this process, Jiang Peng noticed a clear look of joy in those bright wolf eyes.