Mortal: Starting with the Falling Cloud Sect, I proved my Dao through gacha pulls.

"Is there any Snow Spirit Water or Heavenly Fire Liquid here?"

Inside Lingxuan Pavilion, the shopkeeper was fiddling with a high-grade magic artifact on the counter when he heard the sound and looked up.

A burly man with a dark face stood before them, his aura of a pseudo-core cultivator making no attempt to conceal it; it was none other than Su Mu in disguise.

Upon sensing the newcomer's cultivation level, the long-bearded shopkeeper was startled and quickly bowed in greeting:

"I am Qin Ming, the manager of this pavilion. Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on reaching the Pseudo-Core Realm! It seems that our Chaotic Star Sea will soon have another Golden Core senior."

His tone was full of enthusiasm, but also contained a hint of envy. He himself was already in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, but his qi and blood were depleted and his lifespan was coming to an end, so he had no hope of forming a core in this lifetime.

"Fellow Daoist Qin is joking. The Golden Core realm is not so easy to achieve. However, I have come here today to prepare for the formation of the Golden Core."

Su Mu forced a smile, waved his hand, and spoke in a very polite tone.

"Since you have come here to form your core, it is not convenient to discuss this in detail here. Please follow me into the inner hall for a chat."

Qin Ming nodded slightly, his smile undiminished, and gently gestured forward, leading Su Mu into the inner part of the shop.

The two turned to the inside of the shop and saw an elegantly decorated hall with exquisite furnishings, clearly a private reception area for guests.

As soon as Su Mu took his seat, two pretty maids quietly entered and poured him fragrant spiritual tea before silently retreating.

After the maid left, Qin Ming took a sip of the spiritual tea, then looked up at Su Mu and asked:

"I still don't know how to address you, fellow Daoist? I have lived on this Tiantai Island for over a hundred years, but I am quite unfamiliar with you."

"My name is Cui Hao, a rogue cultivator. I have only just arrived on the island today. It is quite normal that you do not recognize me, fellow Daoist."

Su Mu lightly swirled the teacup in his hand and casually mentioned his third senior brother's name. This identity would only be used once, and he figured his third senior brother wouldn't mind.

Qin Ming nodded knowingly, knowing that rogue cultivators were always elusive, and did not inquire further.

As soon as he finished speaking, he slightly flipped his wrist, and a faint light flashed at his fingertips. A smooth, yellow jade box was pulled out of his storage bag. He used his magic to hold it and steadily handed it to Su Mu.

"I happen to have a portion of the Snow Spirit Water that Fellow Daoist Cui requested. However, the Heavenly Fire Liquid is still in the storeroom. I have already sent a telepathic message to another manager in the pavilion to fetch it. Please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist."

Su Mu took the yellow jade box, and with a slight effort, lifted the lid. Inside, he saw a pool of clear, water-like liquid, exuding a chilling aura, and a wisp of extremely cold and malevolent energy rushed towards him.

"This is the Snow Spirit Water?"

Su Mu was a little curious. He held the jade box and examined it carefully for a while. After confirming that its aura and form were exactly the same as those recorded in the classics, he put it away with peace of mind.

He then took out a storage bag full of spirit stones, casually tossed it, and it landed precisely in Qin Ming's hand.

Qin Ming took the storage bag, casually weighed it in his hand, then opened it for a quick inspection, a look of satisfaction immediately appearing on his face. He was about to exchange a few pleasantries when Su Mu spoke first.

"Does your esteemed establishment possess any Dust-Clearing Pills? If we can find them, spirit stones will be of no concern."

Qin Ming was taken aback upon hearing this, and a troubled expression immediately appeared on his face. He shook his head with a wry smile.

"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Fellow Daoist Cui. Snow Spirit Water and Heavenly Fire Liquid are fairly common, but the Dust-Subduing Pill is a top-tier pill that helps with Core Formation, and it's extremely rare and sought after. The last one in our pavilion was already bought by a fellow Daoist from the White Water Sect, and we really don't have any left in stock."

Su Mu wasn't disappointed; this outcome was within his expectations. He had only spoken up to try his luck. If not here, he could always search in Tianxing City, a bustling metropolis where there was always a chance.

In about half an incense stick's time, the Heavenly Fire Liquid was delivered.

The person who delivered it was a short, middle-aged dwarf who, upon entering, spoke in a high-pitched voice:

"Fellow Daoist Qin, is someone preparing to form their Core? Why would they suddenly need Heavenly Fire Liquid?"

Qin Ming quickly stood up and introduced the two to each other, then briefly explained the whole story.

The middle-aged dwarf was quite decisive and efficient. Without much talk, he flipped his wrist and took out a crimson jade box, which he then handed to Su Mu.

"So it is you who need these two treasures, fellow Daoist. The Heavenly Fire Liquid is here; please feel free to examine it."

Su Mu took the crimson jade box, opened it, and saw a ball of bright red liquid, as hot as flames, lying inside. It was the exact opposite of the Snow Spirit Water.

Su Mu nodded in satisfaction, put both jade boxes into his storage ring, and then, with a smile, bowed to the two of them.

"Thank you both for your help this time. Although I did not find the Dust-Clearing Pill, I obtained the Snow Spirit Water and Heavenly Fire Liquid, which gives me a better chance of forming my core."

With the payment settled, Su Mu turned to leave.

Just then, the dwarf middle-aged man suddenly spoke, his tone tinged with doubt: "Fellow Daoist, are you looking for the Dust-Clearing Pill?"

Upon hearing this, Su Mu's heart stirred slightly. Could it be that this person had news of the Dust-Reducing Pill?

Qin Ming looked surprised and quickly urged, "Just say what you have to say, don't keep me in suspense!"

Seeing the expectant looks on their faces, the middle-aged cultivator chuckled and then slowly spoke:

"I do know of a senior who still has a Dust-Clearing Pill left, and since it is useless to him, he can exchange it for other treasures."

"Who is it?"

Su Mu and his companion pressed for more information.

"This person is none other than Senior Ge Li, a Core Formation cultivator from Yunlai Peak. He does indeed possess a Dust-Clearing Pill. However, what he wants to exchange for is somewhat..."

At this point, the middle-aged man paused slightly, his face showing hesitation, but he still explained the reason.

"Senior Ge only exchanges two types of things. The first type is various rare and precious natural materials that can prolong life."

As soon as he finished speaking, the three people in the room all had strange expressions on their faces.

This longevity-extending item is extremely precious; once it appears in the world, even Nascent Soul stage monsters will fight over it.

While the Dust-Clearing Pill is indeed precious to Foundation Establishment cultivators, where would an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator find such a treasure to exchange for?

"Ahem, the second category is all kinds of rare and precious spiritual materials."

"Since Senior Ge returned from his trip more than two years ago, he has been extensively collecting protective items and acquiring a large amount of spiritual materials to refine and strengthen his Crimson Umbrella magic weapon. I don't know if he plans to go out to sea to hunt demons or to go on an adventure in a secret realm."

Su Mu's heart stirred, and he remembered this person.

This Ge Li was a minor character in the original story who went to compete for the Longevity Fruit when the Void Heaven Palace opened.

His current lavish collection of spiritual materials to strengthen the Crimson Cloud Umbrella suggests that he may have already obtained the Void Heaven Map and is secretly preparing for the opening of the Void Heaven Palace decades later.

"Thank you for informing me, fellow Daoist. I shall take my leave now!"

A glint flashed in Su Mu's eyes. He bowed to the dwarf middle-aged man, then turned and left.

The two men watched Su Mu's departing figure, pausing for a moment. The middle-aged dwarf suddenly asked in a low voice, "Fellow Daoist Qin, have you learned anything about this man's background?"

Qin Ming gently shook his head and slowly spoke:

"This person's origins are mysterious and unpredictable, yet his aura is exceptionally powerful; he may very well have the potential to reach the Core Formation stage. It's best not to meddle in this matter, lest we invite trouble upon ourselves."

The middle-aged dwarf nodded upon hearing this, his tone full of sighs and lamentations: "Alas, Core Formation... it's truly something to be envied."