Chapter 68: Marketplace Daily Life
Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Marketplace Daily Life
Thanks to the memories of his past life, Xu Chang’an had accumulated a vast arsenal of Magic, including those for attack, defense, concealment, escape, and various secret techniques.
Therefore, unlike ordinary demons, he didn’t need to go searching everywhere for methods of Magical Combat.
This was one of his advantages.
He never went out of his way to seek new Magic, and no one had heard of him possessing any powerful techniques.
As a result, whether inside or outside Langlang Mountain, he was not known for his prowess in Magical Combat.
In the eyes of other demons, even though he was at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, he would probably lose to an experienced Qi Refining Fourth Layer demon in a real fight.
With two Foundation Establishment Great Demons of outstanding combat strength presiding over it, Langlang Mountain’s development in recent years had been exceptionally smooth.
As for the Alchemy Hall, there were naturally no special incidents that required him to return and handle them.
The business at the Lujiao Mountain Marketplace was one of Langlang Mountain’s key development priorities, and Xu Chang’an, as the Chief Alchemist, only needed to peacefully oversee the Elixir Workshop.
The Lujiao Mountain Marketplace had a complete range of cultivation-related supplies.
In the six months since the Lujiao Mountain Marketplace began organizing small trade gatherings, Xu Chang’an had not taken a single step outside the Marketplace.
During these six months, Bai Yuhu Yu Ruyan, Xiong Da, and the Yellow Wasp Spirit had all sent him letters.
They were mostly for casual conversation and sharing information.
The only thing worth mentioning was that the Yellow Wasp Spirit’s Dao Companion had given birth to his child.
A child with a Middle-class Bloodline!
This made the Yellow Wasp Spirit ecstatic, and he had hurriedly written to Xu Chang’an to share the joyous news.
"If I’d had such aptitude back then, I would have joined Red Cloud Mountain. These past years wouldn’t have been so difficult."
The Yellow Wasp Spirit expressed deep emotion in his letter.
Claiming a mountain and becoming a king, a sovereign in one’s own right, seemed impressive on the surface.
But perhaps only the Yellow Wasp Spirit himself knew the hardships involved.
"Once he sets foot on the Demon Path, I’m determined to send him to Red Cloud Mountain. I won’t let him repeat my mistakes."
The Yellow Wasp Spirit wrote this near the end of the letter.
Finally, he wished for Xu Chang’an’s Pill Art to advance and for his Demon Path to be long and prosperous.
And so, the Yellow Wasp Spirit became the first demon in his circle of friends to have a child.
Xu Chang’an was happy for him.
He sent the Yellow Wasp Spirit two Middle-Grade Demon Talismans as a first-meeting gift for the child.
’We met when we were nobodies, and to still be in touch after eighteen years... that feels pretty good.’
’The Demon Path is hard. Having a few close friends to travel with makes it seem less lonely and desolate.’
’Even though I have many secrets, it’s nice to have someone to share everyday news with.’
Life in the Lujiao Mountain Marketplace was quite pleasant.
As the Chief Alchemist, Xu Chang’an had subordinate demons to manage the shop’s daily affairs and other trivial matters.
There weren’t typically that many Elixirs that needed Refining.
He would only personally act for high-end custom orders or when Refining Top-grade Elixirs.
Occasionally, he would mentor the junior Alchemists and impart his experience.
He lived a relaxed and comfortable life.
Trade within the Lujiao Mountain Marketplace grew more prosperous by the day.
Many previously vacant shops had opened for business.
For example, a new Yinlu Square had opened in the Marketplace two months ago.
It was said that listening to the music of the demonesses within could eliminate mental obstacles, soothe one’s Mental Realm, and be of great help to one’s Cultivation.
A great many demons went for the grand opening, and Xu Chang’an went along to see what the fuss was about.
’You have to admit, these demons know how to put on a show.’
One by one, they used Illusory Transformation to take human form, standing at the entrance of Yinlu Square and striking alluring poses to draw other demons in.
The human form held a powerful temptation for demons.
’Mm, quite a pleasant sight.’
Xu Chang’an found it very easy on the eyes.
However, he didn’t go in.
Business at the Langlang Mountain Elixir Workshop was booming, and they were forging more and more long-term partnerships.
Xu Chang’an’s Alchemy Skill was advancing rapidly. By his own estimation, he had already reached the limit of Tier One and was touching the bottleneck of a Quasi-second-rank Alchemist.
His aptitude was decent, and he benefited from a high-level perspective. More importantly, he possessed the orthodox legacy of a Tier Three Alchemist, putting him far ahead of alchemists who were self-taught or from unorthodox paths.
Such progress was only natural.
’It’s a shame. In my past life, I was a Core Formation Ancestor, but I was singularly focused on pursuing the Dao and never dabbled in the Alchemy Skill.’
’If I had, with the memories of my past life, I could probably refine Tier Three Elixirs with ease.’
’Then I wouldn’t have to worry about accumulating the Energy needed to advance my Realm.’
’Then again...’
’An innocent man becomes guilty by carrying a treasure.’
’If I could refine Tier Three Elixirs at my current Cultivation Realm, it would be like a child carrying gold through a crowded market.’
’Without the protection of a powerful background or personal strength, being hailed and respected would be highly unlikely.’
’Being captured by a Demon King and locked in a dark room to refine Elixirs would be the more probable fate.’
...
「The third-floor Alchemy Room, Langlang Mountain Elixir Workshop」
Smoke billowed continuously from a massive Alchemy Furnace.
A roaring Flame blazed beneath, steadily heating it.
Xu Chang’an was fully focused, channeling his Demon Power to make minute adjustments to the medicinal herbs transforming within the Alchemy Furnace.
The process demanded extreme care. The slightest lapse in concentration would render all his previous efforts moot.
One breath, two breaths, three breaths...
Gradually, beads of sweat began to form on Xu Chang’an’s small head.
After nearly eight minutes, a flash of light erupted, and the entire Alchemy Furnace looked as if it were about to explode.
"Form!"
Xu Chang’an roared as his Demon Power surged into the furnace, making the final, detailed adjustments.
PHEW!
Several breaths later, Xu Chang’an let out a long sigh.
Success!
The Alchemy Furnace opened, revealing several Elixirs floating before him.
"A Quasi-Tier Two Elixir, the Healing Spirit Pill!"
The legacy of the Tier Three Alchemist that Xu Chang’an was studying was incredibly comprehensive.
It contained an untold number of Elixirs of every tier and type.
Naturally, it included the refining technique for an Elixir like the Healing Spirit Pill—one that was uncommon, but not exceptionally rare.
Possessing this complete legacy undoubtedly saved Xu Chang’an a great deal of time he would have otherwise spent searching for Elixir refining methods.
’The Healing Spirit Pill is also mentioned in the Alchemy Techniques passed down within Langlang Mountain.’
’So, my success in refining it this time isn’t too outrageous!’
After many years of accumulation, Langlang Mountain’s own inherited Alchemy Techniques had just barely reached the Quasi-Second Tier.
Successfully refining the Healing Spirit Pill meant that Xu Chang’an’s Alchemy Skill had officially crossed the threshold of the Quasi-Second Tier.
He was just one step away from becoming a true Tier Two Alchemist!
A Tier Two Alchemist would be treated as an honored guest and highly revered, no matter which faction they joined.
And if one could master the method for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill, they would truly be able to rally countless demons with a single call.
Even now, if Langlang Mountain learned that Xu Chang’an had become a Quasi-second-rank Alchemist, they would undoubtedly treasure him and put him on a pedestal.
’Resources are limited, and the Energy for my status panel is accumulating too slowly.’
’I should inform Langlang Mountain about this breakthrough.’
After some thought, Xu Chang’an made his decision.
Langlang Mountain was bound to reward him generously for becoming a Quasi-second-rank Alchemist.
He didn’t care much for a one-time reward.
What he truly valued was the abundant supply of Spirit Medicine and Spirit Plants he would receive for his subsequent alchemy.
’My Alchemy Realm has advanced, so it wouldn’t be unreasonable to require some rarer Spirit Medicine and Spirit Plants for my refining, would it?’
’Refining Quasi-Tier Two Elixirs is much harder, so it’s only logical that there would be some extra material consumption during the process, right?’
...