Chapter 172 - 106: A Prefecture’s Talent, a Province’s Prodigy, a Heaven’s Chosen on the Juvenile Dragon Stele, a Righteous Man of Old, a Promise Worth 1000 Gold

Chapter 172: Chapter 106: A Prefecture’s Talent, a Province’s Prodigy, a Heaven’s Chosen on the Juvenile Dragon Stele, a Righteous Man of Old, a Promise Worth 1000 Gold

"Pill Master, the Spirit Mountains and great rivers of this world are all treasure troves born from heaven and earth. Whether it’s Earth Treasures or Celestial Materials, whoever finds them first, owns them."

"Even if Senior Brother Ji did obtain an Earth Treasure, it’s because he arrived first. The treasure already has an owner."

"Even if you came here for the Jade Marrow Cold Lotus, it has already been claimed by another. You’ve lost the initiative, so please, leave."

Looking at the young girl from the Ye Family of the Jade Shop, her clothes stained with blood and radiating a murderous aura, a chill ran down Xu Li’s spine. His Divine Soul wavered in alarm, and he felt as if he were being pricked by needles.

’Back on the boat... how did I not notice this little girl’s mastery of the Sword Dao was so profound?’

’Could it be that at such a young age, she’s already cultivated to a level where she can conceal her true skill? That would be truly remarkable.’

However, hearing her call him "Senior Brother" made Xu Li’s heart sink.

A disciple of Duan Chenzhou, revered as an Ancestral Master by Fan Nansong, the Flying Immortal Temple Master, and surrounded by the adoring noble ladies of the Prefecture...

This young man’s background was truly extraordinary.

Xu Li sighed.

"Young lady, what are you talking about?"

"My reputation in alchemy is well-known throughout all of Jiangyin Prefecture. I have never engaged in bullying people into buying or selling."

"Young friend, hear me out. The Jade Marrow Cold Lotus is an Earth Treasure. If refined into a Secret Medicine, it becomes something that money can’t buy. It is of great use to me."

"If you sell it to me... I’ve heard from Huang Xuan that you have a talent for the Alchemy Dao. In that case, I can pass on the Qi Pill Manual to you. I will also trade you an Earth Treasure of equivalent quality, one that can advance your cultivation. How about it?"

After a moment’s thought, he added:

"I was the one who refined that Great Demon’s Demon Pill of yours, the one whose Qi Charm had completely dissipated. You should be well aware of my craftsmanship."

"If you trade with me, then when you visit Jiangyin Prefecture in the future, consider me in your debt. Should you ever need a Great Pill or Secret Medicine refined... you can come find me at my Medicine Shop. What do you say?"

Objectively speaking, these terms were undeniably generous.

Even Cai Ling’Er and Ye Ningzhi’s expressions softened upon hearing the offer. The terms were clearly substantial; at the very least, he wasn’t trying to swindle Ji Xiu.

But after Ji Xiu heard the offer and considered it carefully, he still just shook his head gently and uttered a single sentence:

"Pill Master Xu, I appreciate the kind offer."

"However..."

The young man smiled into the cold wind.

"There is an old saying about choosing honor over a fortune."

"And while I may not be someone whose every promise is worth a fortune..."

"Someone once showed me great kindness, and I promised them that if I ever found a treasure capable of treating a chronic illness, such as the Jade Marrow Cold Lotus, I would refine it into a pill to restore their health and cure their old ailment."

"So, I appreciate the sentiment."

"But I’m afraid I cannot accept."

With that said, Ji Xiu elegantly departed on his deer.

He left Xu Li and his party, who had been about to enter the mountains, standing frozen. They apparently hadn’t expected... that even such terms would fail to move the young man.

...

Evening. The moon was bright, the stars were few. The Medicine Hall.

Old Huang was wrapped in cashmere, shivering as he huddled beside the Alchemical Furnace, refining Hundred Herbs Pills and Cold-Relieving Pills with his disciple, Zheng Jun.

A message had arrived from the West Street Ji Residence early that morning, saying that Ji Xiu was busy and couldn’t come in.

Huang Xuan understood. After all, things were different now. Ji the kid had shot up in status, becoming one of the county’s most sought-after figures. It was only natural that someone buried in countless affairs wouldn’t have the time or inclination to visit his little Medicine Hall.

In the Prefecture City, Huang Xuan had seen more than his share of fair-weather friends and the world’s fickleness.

He truly held no resentment or blame.

On the contrary, he was grateful. The fact that Ji the kid had continued to show up every day, rain or shine, even after his fortunes had turned, saving him so much time for so long—it proved to Huang Xuan that he was a young man of fine character and integrity.

He was far, far better than those treacherous, backstabbing types, at least.

Just then, the door to the Medicine Hall creaked open, and Xu Li returned with his men, a look of disappointment on his face.

Hearing the commotion and seeing the famous Great Pill Master, Huang Xuan forced a smile, hastily set down his work, and hurried over.

"Pill Master, weren’t you going into the mountains to look for ingredients? Why are you back so..."

He didn’t get to finish his question.

But then, under the moonlight, he saw a young man approaching. His greatcloak fluttered around him, revealing practical black attire. Looking weary from travel, he rode a Jade-Horned Spirit Deer that seemed to glitter in the moonlight as he came to knock on the door.

"Ji the kid, what brings you here at this hour...?"

Huang Xuan was completely baffled.

However, Ji Xiu simply smiled without a word. He took a Treasure Box from within his robes and opened it, revealing a Jade Marrow Cold Lotus that seemed to sway in a gentle breeze. The sight made Huang Xuan’s expression freeze instantly.

"Old Huang, didn’t you say that a Jade Marrow Cold Lotus could cure your chronic illness?"

"Doing alchemy every day is too much of a hassle. It gets in the way of a prodigy like myself and my cultivation. Starting today... I’m not doing it anymore."

"How about I use this Earth Treasure to pay off my personal debt to you?"

"My time has to be worth more than this ’Earth Treasure,’ right?"

Ji Xiu’s face was alight with a playful smile.

Meanwhile, Xu Li, who was standing to one side, saw his dejected expression suddenly morph into one of subtle shock.

He pointed at Ji Xiu, his voice cracking with disbelief.

"Young friend, so *that* was the promise you spoke of—the one worth more than a fortune!?"