Raise a sword!

Liu Qinghe finally realized that the unassuming alchemist in front of him actually possessed an alchemy genius that even the elders took notice of and were willing to personally befriend.

Thinking about this, Liu Qinghe felt lucky. He had only heard Elder Qin mention it once, and he had already recruited this person.

Looking back now, it seems like we've struck gold.

After a moment's hesitation, Liu Qinghe put the Purple Jade Nourishing Pill into his storage bag, showing no intention of returning it to Jiang Peng.

He looked at Jiang Peng with gleaming eyes and asked, "Elder Qin promised to give you the Purple Jade Ginseng?"

"Three plants per month," Jiang Peng answered truthfully.

"I'll take all three pills!" Liu Qinghe said quickly. "These pills require 500 sect contribution points, but I'll give you 800 low-level spirit pills. How about that?"

Jiang Peng shook her head slightly.

Liu Qinghe asked in surprise, "Are you dissatisfied with the price? This is already the market price."

"It's not about the price," Jiang Peng said, cupping his hands in greeting. "I originally wanted to ask for seven hundred spirit stones, but Brother Liu has already given more than I expected."

"I only need to take one of the three Purple Jade Nourishing Pills each month, and I'll keep the other one for myself, either for emergencies or to do someone a favor in the future," Jiang Peng said frankly.

The preciousness of the Purple Jade Nourishing Pill needs no further explanation.

He only gets two extra coins each month, and giving one to Liu Qinghe is already considered a favor to Liu Qinghe.

When Jiang Peng presented the other share to someone who knew its value, it was not only a business deal but also a favor.

After listening to Jiang Peng's words, Liu Qinghe laughed and said, "To be honest, I bought your three pills to do favors for the sect, but you've already made things clear, and I've already benefited from it, so I can't very well make things difficult for you."

After saying that, Liu Qinghe took eight mid-grade spirit stones and handed them to Jiang Peng.

Jiang Peng accepted the spirit stone and put it away. He then said, "From now on, on the third day of each month, I will sell a Purple Jade Nourishing Pill to Brother Liu. If I am delayed by something, or if it is inconvenient for Brother Liu to come, you can send someone to my residence."

Liu Qinghe readily agreed and even bowed respectfully.

Thank you.

Whether it's strengthening one's foundation or improving one's spiritual roots, both are extremely important for cultivators like Liu Qinghe who are preparing to establish their foundation.

Therefore, although Jiang Peng could not be said to have helped Liu Qinghe achieve enlightenment, he certainly showed some kindness in doing so.

If Liu Qinghe can establish his foundation in the future, Jiang Peng will finally have the connections to do so.

Even if he fails to establish his foundation, it won't be a loss, at least he'll get the spirit stones.

"Brother Liu, you're too kind," Jiang Peng replied.

...

A few days later, Jiang Peng came to the Song family at their invitation.

Qian Laosi was waiting at the door early in the morning, accompanied by a plump young man.

"Who is this?" Jiang Peng asked, looking at the plump figure.

"Song Fei, the second young master of the Song family," Qian Laosi introduced.

Song Fei had a smiling face, but probably because he was too fat, his eyes turned into slits when he smiled.

"Master Jiang can just call me Song Lao Er."

"Young Master is too kind," Jiang Peng replied casually.

As a powerful force in Cangshan Market, the Song family is often the subject of rumors.

Most of them are about two of the younger generations of the Song family.

The two younger members of the Song family's direct lineage, the elder of whom is named Song Lian, is now a true disciple of the Cangshan Sect and a standard Foundation Establishment prospect.

It is because of this person that the Song family has achieved its current prosperity.

As for the second brother Song in front of him, Jiang Peng had heard of his reputation before. The general consensus was that he was far inferior to his elder brother and was even a spendthrift.

Most of the rumors about him revolve around which brothel he frequented and who he was jealous of.

The most famous of these is the affair between the second young master of the Song family and the eldest young master of the Ouyang family.

As Qian Laosi mentioned last time, the madam went to the Ouyang family to collect debts, which alarmed the Ouyang family patriarch. This was partly due to the fact that the Second Young Master Song was stirring things up.

However, rumors are just rumors.

Now that she has met him in person, Jiang Peng feels that although the man in front of her is kind-hearted and plump, he is quite polite in his speech and does not seem like the playboy in the rumors at all.

As they chatted and laughed together as they entered the Song family home, Jiang Peng was quickly led to the main hall.

Qian Laosi and Song Fei left together.

Jiang Peng didn't have to wait long before she saw a middle-aged man dressed in fine clothes appear.

Needless to say, this person must be Song Jinghong, the head of the Song family and a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"This junior greets Senior Song."

This was Jiang Peng's first time facing a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but he did not feel any pressure from the other party.

On the contrary, the gentle smile on Song Jinghong's face made Jiang Peng relax involuntarily.

"Master Jiang, there's no need for such formalities."

Jiang Peng was somewhat surprised that the other party addressed her as "Alchemist," which was an attitude of equal interaction.

Song Jinghong continued, "Originally, I wanted to recruit Alchemist Jiang as a guest elder of my Song family. My Song family also has some business in spiritual materials, but unfortunately, we only have a first-grade low-level alchemist in the family, who is not of great use."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Peng was about to politely refuse.

But Song Jinghong added, "However, after inquiring about Master Jiang, I knew that if I tried to recruit him, I would surely fail... This old man is neither as beautiful as Miss Lan nor as ambitious as young friend Qinghe."

Jiang Peng raised an eyebrow slightly; they really did investigate thoroughly.

Song Jinghong still smiled and said, "Not to mention that Elder Qin is vouching for you, young friend. If I were to mention recruiting you now, whether you agree or not, the Song family would offend a lot of people for no reason. It would be a loss for us."

"Therefore, the reason for inviting Master Jiang here is simply to get to know these young talents; there is no other intention."

Jiang Peng stood up and bowed.

Since they've gone to such lengths, he should at least give them some face.

"I have long admired the Song family."

...

late at night.

After a hearty meal, Jiang Peng swayed as he walked out of the Song family home.

Young Master Song escorted him to the door, and after exchanging a few polite words, Jiang Peng finally left.

At the same time, in a dark alley not far from the Song family's gate, several pairs of eyes were also fixed on Jiang Peng.

"Who is that person? Someone the second son of the Song family would personally see off?"

"A disciple of the upper sect, perhaps?" someone guessed.

But another voice soon provided the answer.

"That's Jiang Peng, a rogue alchemist."

"Hmm? There are still independent alchemists in the market these days?"

"Only Jiang Peng and another old man are left... The master instructed me to keep an eye on this man, which is why I recognize him."

As soon as he finished speaking, the man stood up and said, "You keep an eye on the Song family. I need to go back and report."

...

Late at night, an inconspicuous figure appeared in the inner courtyard of the Li family.

Candles were suddenly lit in the study of young master Li Zhi.

Li Zhi frowned as he looked at the family offerings in front of him.

"You mean... Bai Cao Tang recruited Jiang Peng before, but not only did he not know what was good for him, he's now getting involved with the Song family?"

The messenger nodded.

"How could a mere alchemist who has only been in the market for two years be worthy of the Song family's second young master personally seeing him off at the gate?"

Li Zhi was also the second young master, and he put himself in that role.

He rarely showed a kind face to the family's guests, except for a few particularly important people, whom he would greet with a smile.

"Hmph, ungrateful! They look down on the Li family, yet they turn around and side with the Song family?"

"Eagle Head".

"Your subordinate is here," the guest minister replied.

Li Zhi coldly ordered, "For those who don't know what's good for them, let's teach them a lesson they'll never forget."