Chapter 244

Chapter 244: Clues Regarding Foundation Establishment Materials

Early the next morning, not long after Zhou Luo had risen, the courtyard gate knocked.

Upon opening it, he discovered it was Xu Tian.

Today, Xu Tian wore a pale blue short skirt, revealing large areas of fair skin. Beneath the skirt’s hem were a pair of snow-white, slender jade legs.

She coiled her beautiful eyes silkily around Zhou Luo and spoke softly, "Pill Master Zhou, have you had breakfast?"

"Not yet," Zhou Luo replied evenly.

Xu Tian swept her gaze across the courtyard and chuckled softly, "Sis Yao Wu wouldn’t happen to be here, would she?"

"What brings you here?" Zhou Luo asked in return, bypassing her question.

He had always kept his distance from this woman, especially given what Yao Wu had revealed yesterday.

Noting his frosty manner, Xu Tian seemed unbothered. A wounded expression surfaced as she explained, "Pill Master Zhou, there’s been a misunderstanding between Yao Wu and me. Her Senior Brother’s death truly has nothing to do with me."

Clearly, she’d realized what Yao Wu must have shared.

Yet Zhou Luo had no interest in the matter. He said impassively, "That holds no interest for me. If you have no other business, I’ll ask you to leave."

"So cold, Pill Master Zhou," Xu Tian batted her beautiful eyes, breaking into a playful smile, "Alright, little woman came today to actually request Pill Master Zhou’s aid in crafting pills."

"Pills?"

Zhou Luo hesitated. He didn’t recall ever telling her he was a Pill Master.

Could it have been Geng Feng who revealed it?

Sure enough, the very next moment, Xu Tian clarified, "Initially, I intended to ask Pill Master Geng, but he’s unexpectedly away on urgent business. Thus, he recommended you."

"What pill do you require?" Zhou Luo inquired.

"Protective Heart Potion," Xu Tian stated directly.

The Protective Heart Potion belonged to the upper-level category for injury remedies. Its primary function was safeguarding bodily vitality, typically consumed when attempting a breakthrough to prevent complications from failure.

"Okay," Zhou Luo didn’t decline.

For one, Geng Feng held a keen interest in this woman—displeasing her might invite problems through a whisper in the ear, scuttling all Zhou Luo’s plans.

Moreover, this was merely pill crafting, hardly a troublesome affair.

"Then, Pill Master Zhou, this little woman shall leave it in your capable hands." Xu Tian smiled as she handed over a pouch, "This contains the deposit. I require twenty Protective Heart Potions."

"Alright. Return to claim them in five days," Zhou Luo nodded, accepting the bag of spiritual stones.

Xu Tian tossed him a coquettish glance, "Please devote extra care to it, Pill Master Zhou. Little woman will be eternally grateful."

With that, she departed.

The moment she left, Wang Lang happened to appear.

"Tsk tsk, Brother Zhou, you’ve quite the luck with women, haven’t you?"

Watching Xu Tian’s svelte silhouette and suggestive movements recede, Wang Lang couldn’t help but marvel.

Zhou Luo shot him a look, "Don’t tell me you came to bum breakfast?"

"Hey! What kind of man do you take me for?" Wang Lang looked indignant, then added, "Besides, even if I were here for free food, what’s the big deal?"

Zhou Luo turned and walked into the courtyard.

Wang Lang quickly followed, teasing as he went, "Let me tell you, that woman Xu Tian’s quite the looker. Pretty tasty, if you know what I mean."

"You tried?" Zhou Luo asked nonchalantly.

"Wish I could. No chance though.” Wang Lang sighed, his face showing resignation.

“So, you aren’t afraid to end up like Senior Brother Yao Wu?” Zhou Luo countered.

“Of course I know. But hey, rather die a ghost under the peonies than miss her charm. Too bad she ain’t interested in me.” Wang Lang shrugged.

By now, they had reached the main hall. Zhou Luo sat down and inquired, “So, what exactly do you want?”

“Weren’t you helping an elder search for Foundation Establishment materials?” Wang Lang replied, a sly smile curling at his lips. “I’ve got a line.”

He seemed exceptionally eager to please Zhou Luo, having already swept his courtyard and now offering to find precious supplies.

Hearing this, Zhou Luo’s expression brightened.

If this guy, who’d lived in the Immortal City this long, truly had connections, it could be very useful.

“Tell me,” he urged.

“Got a buddy in the materials business. Pay the price, and he can get you pretty much anything you need.” Wang Lang declared with utter confidence.

“The black market?”

The term instantly sprang to Zhou Luo’s mind.

These days, alongside the legitimate street stalls, there thrived another channel.

Such places were chaotic dens where all sorts gathered, but their advantage lay in stocking everything – even forbidden items. Lifespan Pills, manuals for evil cultivators… you name it.

So that’s the kind of business Wang Lang was into here.

“Bingo. Wanna check it out?” Wang Lang asked, his gaze locking onto him.

“Alright,” Zhou Luo agreed without hesitation.

If it meant scoring Foundation Establishment materials, visiting a legendary black market was fine. Wang Lang wouldn’t dare try anything big within the city limits.

“Let’s go then!” Wang Lang said, his spirits soaring.

Shortly after, Zhou Luo gathered his things, left Little White at home, and followed Wang Lang out.

The street of the Immortal City pulsed with frantic energy. As a holy land for loose cultivators, it teemed with cultivators, their numbers vast and the crowds ceaseless. The atmosphere was electric.

Wang Lang guided Zhou Luo into a quieter alley. After navigating several sharp turns, they arrived at a secluded courtyard.

Zhou Luo eyed the yard. Outwardly ordinary, it pulsed with the energy of a top-quality formation. The owner clearly wasn’t simple.

Wang Lang rapped on the gate in a distinct rhythm.

After a long pause, the gate creaked open a crack. Behind it, a pair of fierce eyes scrutinized them.

“Brother Tiger, it’s me,” Wang Lang greeted with a wide grin.

Recognizing him, the man pulled the gate open wider.

Only when Zhou Luo followed Wang Lang inside could he see the man’s face clearly.

He was a powerfully built, menacing middle-aged man. A vicious scar ran down his face, and his shadowed eyes held a brutal glint.

“Little Lang, this guy here to buy?” Brother Tiger sized up Zhou Luo, his voice low and heavy.

“Yes, Brother Tiger. Remember those Foundation Establishment materials you mentioned? I brought him to see about them.” Wang Lang beamed.

Learning earlier that Zhou Luo sought such materials for an elder, he’d kept his mind’s eye open. He hadn’t expected news so soon and brought Zhou Luo straight over at daybreak.

“That? You’re too late. Sold it already.” Brother Tiger stated offhandedly.

“What? So fast?” Wang Lang’s surprise was evident.

Zhou Luo’s brows also lifted slightly. Foundation Establishment materials were clearly hot property.

“Mmh.”

Brother Tiger walked into the main hall, the other two filing in behind him.

“Brother Tiger, if you get more, give me a heads-up, okay?” Wang Lang said cheerfully.

“Possible. But no promises on timing. And you pay a deposit upfront.” Brother Tiger looked directly at Zhou Luo, cutting to the chase.

Foundation Establishment materials were the hottest commodity, demand guaranteed. It was only for Wang Lang’s sake he’d even consider it.

Wang Lang looked expectantly at Zhou Luo.

“How much?” Zhou Luo inquired.

“Tell me what you want first.” Brother Tiger settled into the large chair, leaning back with an air of indifference.

Zhou Luo listed a few auxiliary herbs. He held back the complete list, wary of unknown motives.

After hearing him out, Brother Tiger named his price: “Deposit’s a hundred spiritual stones. If it turns up, you’re first to know.”

“Okay,” Zhou Luo nodded.

A hundred spiritual stones wasn’t excessive. Consider it planning ahead.

Brother Tiger looked pleased.

“Prompt.”