Chapter 43
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Chapter 43: Potion Sales
After leaving the room, Zhou Luo first observed his surroundings. Finding no one nearby, he descended the stairs with relief.
The person surveilling him was a member of the Lin Family. Since that individual needed to eat, he must be stationed on the fifth floor.
Unlike the fourth floor, the fifth level consisted of two sections: one resembled the grand halls of the first two floors—where the conflict between the Lin Family and Lu Family had unfolded long ago in Panshi City.
The other section featured independently sealed rooms protected by formations, offering greater privacy than the fourth floor.
To maintain a close watch on Zhou Luo, the surveillance agent sat eating in the main hall.
But he hadn’t noticed Zhou Luo in the black robe departing; in his imagination, the target was currently indulging himself with a woman.
Exiting Tian Xia Restaurant, Zhou Luo walked across three streets and arrived at the Lin Family’s marketplace.
This was Maple Leaf City’s largest market, gathering every conceivable trade, even exceeding the prosperity of the clan’s own Treasure Pavilion.
Common folk and cultivators alike frequented the place, both to buy and sell goods.
Initially, Zhou Luo only intended to sell his stock of top-level first-level pills. But upon seeing the marketplace’s vast scale, he recalled the top-quality potions he’d refined earlier, now stored in his backpack.
If those could be sold here, he might turn a substantial profit.
After surveying the area for some time, Zhou Luo finally settled on a large potion shop.
Inside, a busy clerk noticed Zhou Luo’s entrance and greeted him with a smile. "Esteemed guest, how may I assist you?"
"I’m here to sell," Zhou Luo replied in a low, raspy voice.
Upon hearing this, the clerk gestured politely. "Please come further inside."
In the rear hall, the clerk led Zhou Luo to a small chamber.
"Esteemed Elder, we have a guest wishing to sell potions," the clerk announced respectfully.
"Have him enter," a hoary voice instructed from within.
The clerk pushed the door open. "Guest, please proceed."
Once Zhou Luo entered, the clerk cautiously closed the door behind him.
An elderly man sat behind a pinewood table inside the room, scrutinizing Zhou Luo with an unsmiling expression.
Zhou Luo recognized him.
During the frontline campaign, Zhou Luo had brewed potions beside clan Pill Masters at Shouchun Garden—this elder had been among them.
Likely a top-level first-level Pill Master, the man’s skill ranked second only to Lin Zhi Shou’s. Yet he appeared much older, perhaps possessing only a decade or so left of life.
"Sit," the elder said impassively.
Zhou Luo took his seat and placed a vial of potions directly on the table, sliding it forward.
The elder poured them onto his palm and scrutinized the ten pills intently.
After an extended silence, he finally replaced the pills in the vial and pronounced flatly, "These are indeed top-level first-level pills. But imperfections are present. Our shop offers eight spiritual stones."
Zhou Luo remained silent, inwardly sneering.
The quality of these ten pills was unquestionably top-level. The man was deliberately haggling.
Moreover, eight stones per pill? Far less than he’d received before in Panshi City.
He decisively picked up the jade bottle and made as if to rise.
Seeing this, a trace of panic flashed across the old man’s aged face. He hurriedly dissuaded: "Wait, I can give you nine spiritual stones."
"Twelve," Zhou Luo stated firmly.
"Impossible," the old man immediately refused.
Zhou Luo didn’t speak, rising and heading toward the exit.
"Ten—not a single one more," the old man also stood up behind him.
"Eleven. If you disagree, I leave now." Zhou Luo’s voice was light as air.
The old man’s expression turned complex, and he finally sighed: "Deal."
In the end, Zhou Luo obtained one hundred and ten ordinary spiritual stones.
Originally, he had considered selling a top-quality potion, but he ultimately abandoned the idea.
Because he had just sensed a faint presence within the shop—terrifyingly powerful and full of oppression.
It was likely a cultivator placed by the Lin Family to protect the establishment.
His black robe was only ordinary clothing, incapable of blocking detection by strong cultivators.
If he’d pulled out a top-quality potion, he would have been exposed almost instantly.
After contemplation, Zhou Luo finally took the hundred-plus spiritual stones and departed the shop.
Just as he’d anticipated, moments after he left, a cultivator emerged from the shop and silently trailed him.
Zhou Luo was fully prepared for this.
Without stopping, upon crossing a street, he suddenly spun around into an alley.
The cultivator followed without hesitation.
But just as he rounded the corner, a massive burst of green mist abruptly appeared before him.
Instantly, the cultivator inhaled it through his nostrils. Within seconds, his vision darkened, and he collapsed unconscious.
Zhou Luo glanced at the man before exiting the alley.
Clearly, his choice had been correct.
When that cultivator detected Zhou Luo’s cultivation was only Qi Refinement level two, he’d certainly underestimate him, never imagining Zhou Luo was also a master of poisons.
Fortunately, selling a top-level first-level pill posed less risk—had it been top-quality, the opponent would surely have struck immediately, leaving no chance to deploy poison.
Pity about his freshly brewed top-level first-level toxic mist, though.
Returning to Tian Xia Restaurant, stepping onto the eighth floor, Zhou Luo spotted someone lurking behind a pillar near his room, silently observing.
So this must be the family’s assigned watchdog, Zhou Luo noted.
Eyes dimming, his right hand drew a corked jade vial from his robe.
A residue of the earlier poison remained; he planned to reuse the trick.
He deliberately walked past the observer. During that flash of proximity, his thumb flicked the cork open, releasing a wisp of lightly-green mist.
That cultivator, having only modest cultivation, didn’t notice until dizziness dragged him down. Too late to react, he crumpled to the floor.
Zhou Luo scanned his surroundings. Seeing no witnesses, he headed to his room.
The door creaked loudly when shoved open, instantly jarring Bai Zhi Yan awake as she slept on the bed.
Her body jerked. She yanked the quilt aside, eyes snapping toward the doorway in alarm.
Only when she saw Zhou Luo did her breath stabilize.
Inside, Zhou Luo poured himself a cup of water, drained it, then turned to her: "You’ll be free to leave soon."
The faint amount of green poison should keep that guy asleep roughly ten minutes. Waiting for him to wake before exiting would avert suspicion.
Meanwhile, Bai Zhi Yan had risen and approached Zhou Luo.
Her emerald-hued ruqun accentuated her curves—shapely beyond her youthful years.
Perching beside Zhou Luo, she asked gloomily: "Where can I go?"
"The world’s vast—any corner suits. Where’s home?" Zhou Luo inquired idly during the wait.
"Lianyun City."
Zhou Luo hadn’t heard the name and its location was unknown. He inquired, puzzled: "Far from Maple Leaf City?"
"I have no idea; this place is unknown to me." Bai Zhi Yan’s expression was bewildered.
Zhou Luo felt a flicker of shock within.
How could she not know of Maple Leaf City, a massive urban center? Had she been abducted from some distant land?
Considering this, he placed two ordinary spiritual stones on the table: "Once you exit, ask any passing traveler."
Gazing at those stones, Bai Zhi Yan’s eyes reddened again. Raising her face toward Zhou Luo, she looked pitiful and helpless.
"Could you escort me home?"
