The Immortal Clan begins with deductive intelligence.

Xu Changqing picked up a yellowed letter mixed in with the pile of spirit stones with two fingers, and unfolded it to examine it closely by the dim light coming in from the window.

The handwriting was messy and illegible; it was indeed Wan Huaiyi's handwriting.

The paper contained very little unnecessary information, simply listing seven or eight medicinal herbs: Yin Ning Cao (阴凝草), Bai Nian Gui Mian Teng (百年鬼面藤), San Qian Han Shui Shi (三钱寒水石)...

These are all unorthodox medicinal herbs with cold and yin properties, and some are even slightly toxic.

Xu Changqing raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over the pile of spirit stones emitting a hazy glow on the bed, and he made up his mind.

Wan Huaiyi was quite a clever man. He didn't explicitly say what the eight hundred spirit stones were for, only leaving behind the recipe. Clearly, he had figured out that Xu Changqing was a smart man.

He reached into the pile of spirit stones and rummaged through them, silently calculating in his mind the skyrocketing prices in the market.

Yin Ning Cao (阴凝草) is priced at 80 yuan, Gui Mian Teng (鬼面藤) is rarer, but still no more than 150 yuan, and auxiliary materials like Han Shui Shi (寒水石) are even cheaper...

All in all, the expense would be at most seven hundred spirit stones.

The extra hundred yuan was for the errand fee.

Xu Changqing didn't stand on ceremony. With a wave of his sleeve, he swept all eight hundred spirit stones into his storage bag. As for the letter, he rubbed it between his fingers, and spiritual energy turned it into dust.

One hundred spirit stones used to be enough for the Xu family to live on for half a year. Although they are now a little better off, they might as well take this windfall that has been delivered to their door.

Moreover, this errand-running job is risky; if you get robbed, it will be a real problem.

After putting away the spirit stones, Xu Changqing did not immediately enter meditation, but instead got up and opened a corner of the window.

Despite the deep of night, the bustling atmosphere in the market remained undiminished.

The distant lights illuminated half the sky, and one could faintly hear the wailing of those unsuccessful cultivators drowning their sorrows in alcohol.

Xu Changqing was lost in thought. Tomorrow at noon, there was still that piece of "lightning-struck agarwood" waiting for him to pick up at the gathering of rogue cultivators.

That was an opportunity he had deduced over two days, and he couldn't afford to be careless.

Since buying medicine is something I do on the spur of the moment, I need to get it done before 11 PM to avoid delaying my important business.

Xu Changqing closed the window, sat cross-legged on the couch, closed his eyes slightly, and forced himself into meditation amidst the noise to recover his mental energy depleted during the day.

……

The next day at 9:00 AM.

Xu Changqing changed into an inconspicuous gray cloth robe and wore a bamboo hat.

He didn't bring those loud and boisterous boys with him, only instructing Xu Yanfeng to guard the gate, and then left the inn alone.

The streets of the market were still crowded with people, but compared to the excitement of yesterday's ceremony, there was a sense of desolation and weariness after the dust had settled.

Xu Changqing mingled in the crowd, his steps seemingly casual, but he was actually heading straight for the largest pharmacy in the East Market.

As you step across the threshold, a rich, mixed aroma of herbs wafts towards you.

Behind the counter stood a lean, middle-aged shopkeeper, his eyes darting around as he looked at the customers entering the room.

Seeing Xu Changqing's well-concealed attire, the shopkeeper wasn't surprised; there were plenty of people in this market who didn't want to show their faces.

He put down the teapot, a professional fake smile plastered on his face, neither warm nor cold.

"Sir, would you like to pick up medicine or buy a pill?"

Xu Changqing didn't say anything, but placed a rewritten form face down on the table and pushed it over.

The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow, reached out and pressed down on the order form, then lifted a corner and glanced at it.

Yin Ning Cao, Gui Mian Teng...

A glint flashed in the shopkeeper's eyes. He looked up and re-examined Xu Changqing, his smile deepening.

"Sir, this prescription uses the principle of fighting poison with poison. If someone takes it without understanding pharmacology, it could be fatal."

Xu Changqing lowered his voice, making it hoarse and difficult to understand.

"An elder in my family has encountered a problem while practicing martial arts and needs these medicinal herbs to suppress the fire poison. Shopkeeper, just get the medicine ready, and the price is negotiable."

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper felt reassured.

He fiddled with the abacus for a while, then finally pointed with his finger.

"Since it's a life-saving medicine, our shop can't delay. However, with the war at the front lines, these Yin-attribute spiritual herbs are in high demand... I'll pay you 690 spirit stones."

Xu Changqing waved his hand and slammed several spirit stones onto the counter.

The shopkeeper, greedy for money, quickly put away the spirit stones and turned to rummage through the medicine cabinet behind him.

In a short while, several jade boxes sealed with talismans were placed in front of Xu Changqing.

Xu Changqing opened and inspected each jade box one by one. After confirming that everything was correct, he swept away all the jade boxes with a wave of his sleeve and disappeared into the crowd.

After leaving Baicaotang, Xu Changqing did not rush to the market for rogue cultivators. Instead, he wandered around the market, changed his clothes twice, and made sure that no one was following him before sitting down at a secluded tea stall.

At this time, the sun gradually rose to its zenith, and there was still one hour left before the hour of Wei (1-3 PM).

Unlike regular shops, the market for independent practitioners is full of street vendors, a mixed bag with counterfeit goods everywhere, where you have to rely on your eyesight to make a living.

Xu Changqing picked up the teacup and took a sip of coarse tea, the bitter taste spreading across his tongue.

Wan Huaiyi wanted these medicines, clearly to suppress the injuries in his body. If those injuries healed, this great Buddha would probably be leaving soon.

It's better that he's gone. Leaving such a dangerous person at home would always be a potential problem.

He ran his fingers along the rim of the teacup; this lightning-struck agarwood was the real prize of the trip.

"Would you like some more water, sir?"

The tea stall waiter approached, carrying a large copper kettle.

"No need."

Xu Changqing tossed down a broken spirit stone, then got up and left.

The hour of Wei (1-3 PM) is approaching.

A large gathering of independent cultivators in the north of the city.

This place is even noisier than the city center. The ground is covered with tattered cloths and animal skins of various colors, and there are a dazzling array of objects, most of which are incomplete.

The sounds of hawking, bargaining, and even arguments and insults intertwined to create a chaotic scene of worldly turmoil.

Xu Changqing concealed his aura and moved among the stalls, his gaze seemingly casual, but in fact constantly approaching the direction indicated by the Tongtian Mirror.

They walked for about half an incense stick's time.

In the far corner of the market, in front of a stall right next to a stinking ditch, Xu Changqing paused slightly.

The stall owner was an old man with a scraggly beard, wearing a Taoist robe patched upon patched, who was leaning against the wall and dozing off.

In front of him was a tattered black cloth, on which were scattered a few pieces of ore, a few withered spiritual herbs, and a piece of dark wood.

It was the agarwood struck by lightning.

The surface of this wood was charred black, with no trace of spiritual energy. It looked no different from scrap wood dug out of a stove pit, so it's no wonder that no one cared about it.

Xu Changqing was secretly delighted, but remained outwardly calm.

He didn't go straight for the piece of wood, but instead squatted down in front of a stall selling broken magical artifacts.

He pretended to examine a broken sword for a long time, then chatted with the stall owner about the price.

Finally, he got up with a sullen look on his face and casually strolled over to the old man's stall.

"Sir, how much for this ore?"

Xu Changqing pointed to a piece of red copper ore next to the piece of wood and asked.

The old man lifted his eyelids and glanced at him, then weakly extended a finger.

"Ten spirit stones."

"Too expensive."

Xu Changqing shook his head, put down the ore, and seemed to be about to get up and leave, but his gaze "inadvertently" swept over the piece of black wood.

"Huh? This fire poker is rather interesting."

He reached out and picked up the piece of lightning-struck wood; it was heavy, far exceeding the weight of ordinary wood.

"Sir, is this wood for sale too?"

Xu Changqing weighed the piece of wood in his hand, a hint of disdain on his face.

The old man glanced at the piece of wood but didn't pay it any mind.

"I found that in the mountains. It looked solid, so I brought it back. If you want it, you can take it for five spirit stones."

Five pieces?

Xu Changqing was overjoyed; it was practically a free gift. However, a hint of heartache appeared on his face.

"Five pieces? Can you give me those two stones too?"

Upon hearing this, the old man immediately accepted the spirit stone, and a hint of joy appeared on his face.

"Alright, alright, you're lucky, kid. I'm in a good mood today, so I'll give it all to you."