Chapter 232: Seeking the Yin Pills, and the Ten-Billion Fortune

The highly anticipated battle between two genius disciples ended in anticlimactic fashion, as it was stopped by the intervention of the second Supreme Elder, Li Shengjiang.

Many disciples of the sect, and even some powerful Golden Core elders, were disappointed by this outcome. But since the duel didn’t happen, interest quickly faded, and peace returned to the sect.

Under the stares of countless curious eyes, Yu Xian returned to his small courtyard.

Although those gazes differed in attitude—curious, cautious, doubtful—they all shared one emotion: seriousness.

Even though no duel occurred, the fact that Yu Xian had dared to accept Hua Yuandu’s provocation and agree to a duel proved one thing—he wasn’t weak.

Perhaps… he really did earn that spot with his strength!

This event thoroughly dispelled the intentions of other Peak Foundation Establishment disciples who had coveted Yu Xian’s spot. Clearly, this guy wasn’t easy to deal with. If they provoked him into a duel, they might not win…

And so, Yu Xian’s name quietly began to spread throughout the entire Haotian Orthodox Sect…

Inside his courtyard, Yu Xian sat down cross-legged with a calm expression.

What a mess. He had already prepared himself mentally for a deadly battle, yet in the end, nothing happened at all.

Shaking his head, Yu Xian closed his eyes and began to stabilize his newly advanced later stage of Minor Pill Body, recovering both his physical strength and mental state.

He meditated for three full days.

During this time, no one came to disturb him. No one asked him to give up his place. Peace returned.

After three days, Yu Xian opened his eyes—clear and sharp, brimming with vitality.

His body was no longer fatigued, his Minor Pill Body realm had completely stabilized, and his spirit had returned to peak condition.

“Twenty-three days left,” Yu Xian muttered as he stretched and evaluated his current condition. “No more gains in body or cultivation are likely. Better to spend this time further refining the fusion method of Wood and Thunder. But… if I want to strengthen my spiritual power, I’ll need more Yin Pills.”

He stood up and headed out.

“There won’t be any vengeful spirits within the sect—too clean and righteous for that. I’ll have to try my luck at one of the rogue cultivator markets.”

These pills, made using vengeful spirits as the main ingredient, were naturally considered evil and were outlawed in righteous sects like Haotian. But rogue cultivators didn’t follow the same rules.

He decided to head to the nearest major black-market hub: Yuanshi City, located about 1,600 li to the east.

Yuanshi City was a huge market town under the control of a so-called “Golden Core Perfected One.” But everyone knew there had to be deeper connections allowing such a hub to flourish so close to the Haotian Sect without being razed.

The truth of cultivation was simple: there was no true righteousness or evil. Only strength decided what was “orthodox.”

Even the so-called “righteous sects” obtained many of their shady resources from places like Yuanshi City—just never publicly.

Yu Xian was aware of this hypocrisy, but he wasn’t here to debate it. He had his own path to walk and would not be swayed by others’ opinions.

Without summoning his spirit beast to avoid drawing attention, he relied on spell-flight. By pushing his speed, he arrived at Yuanshi City in just half a day.

The city was vast, comparable to Mo City, which was the base of the Nascent Soul expert Mo Long. That this place thrived under just a Golden Core expert said everything about the hidden networks at play.

Buzzing with activity, Yuanshi was filled with rogue cultivators conducting all kinds of shady business.

Upon entering, Yu Xian quickly picked out the largest and most comprehensive-looking merchant house—Zhenbao Pavilion.

Bigger stores meant a wider selection. Even if it was more expensive, it saved time and hassle.

Shortly after stepping inside, he was approached by a charming female cultivator offering assistance.

Yu Xian simply asked, “Do you sell Yin Pills?”

The woman froze, clearly unfamiliar with the term.

Yu Xian calmly said, “If you don’t know, go get your manager.”

Soon, a middle-aged cultivator at the late Foundation Establishment stage named Shen Xiao arrived and greeted Yu Xian, though clearly unimpressed by his mid-stage cultivation.

Yu Xian gave a polite smile and subtly flashed the disciple token of the Haotian Sect.

Shen Xiao’s attitude shifted immediately. A disciple of the Haotian Sect? Sent on a secret errand to buy Yin Pills for senior disciples?

That was very plausible.

He quickly led Yu Xian to a hidden rear hall.

There, inside what seemed like a private underground marketplace, cultivators of varying strength—most of them hooded or masked—conducted business at rented stalls.

“Third row, second stall. Fellow Daoist Huo,” Shen Xiao whispered, pointing Yu Xian to the vendor with Yin Pills.

Yu Xian thanked him and made his way over.

Fellow Daoist Huo, a black-robed cultivator, greeted him with a cold tone. “Speak. What do you want? I’m not lowering a single spirit stone even if you bow three times.”

Yu Xian smiled faintly. “I’d like to purchase a Yin Pill.”

“…What did you say?” Huo froze.

“I said I’d like to buy a Yin Pill.”

There was silence. Then a cold laugh.

“Do you have any idea how rare Yin Pills are? Or how hard it is to trap and refine a third-tier ghost into one? You want one? Just like that?”

“I’m serious,” Yu Xian replied. “Do you have any?”

“…Heh.” Huo sneered. “Ten thousand spirit stones per pill. I’ve got thirty-eight. You want them all?”

Three hundred eighty thousand spirit stones.

Yu Xian blinked. He only had about a hundred thousand left after buying herbs recently.

But then… his expression changed slightly.

Wait a moment.

He wasn’t broke.

He still had ten billion.