Chapter 133: Barter Gathering – Exchanging Pills for Arrays
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The mocking tone carried in the words was evident, filled with ridicule and sarcasm that made people extremely uncomfortable.
Yu Xian, Jiang Shanyu, and Zhou Zong all heard it clearly.
Yu Xian remained expressionless. He knew the words weren’t directed at him, so he simply turned to look.
Jiang Shanyu and Zhou Zong, however, frowned in displeasure, turning toward the source of the voice.
Four individuals were approaching, each radiating Foundation Establishment-level cultivation.
Leading them was a young-looking cultivator, but his aura was clearly at the late stage of Foundation Establishment—a clear sign of talent, having reached that stage early.
Jiang Shanyu frowned at the young cultivator and said, “Fellow Daoist Wu, I never claimed to be a master alchemist. Why the ridicule? The last time you asked me to refine a fourth-grade pill, I clearly warned you that the chances of failure were high, yet you insisted. Now that I failed, you hold a grudge?”
That late-Foundation cultivator surnamed Wu immediately sneered, “The materials for a mid-grade fourth-tier pill are extremely rare! You didn’t let me observe, brewed it in secret, then claimed it failed. Fine, I accepted it. But when I asked to see the dregs, you refused again. Just saying it failed—do you take me for a fool?”
Yu Xian understood the crux of their dispute.
Alchemy required privacy—no alchemist liked being watched, including Yu Xian himself, though circumstances sometimes made it unavoidable.
Success in alchemy depended largely on skill, but luck played a part too.
So, Jiang Shanyu had failed in refining the pill.
But the cultivator surnamed Wu didn’t believe it—he thought Jiang Shanyu had stolen his hard-earned materials. Naturally, resentment built in his heart.
Whether Jiang truly stole or not, only he would know.
Yu Xian wouldn’t vouch for him based solely on a passing acquaintance.
“The cauldron exploded, and the dregs scattered everywhere. You saw it yourself!”
Jiang Shanyu shouted angrily, his expression darkening. “And now you accuse me unjustly!?”
“Pretending again. I didn’t see a trace of the rare herbs I gave you among the dregs.”
The Wu cultivator coldly snorted again, clearly unwilling to believe a word Jiang said—he had already made up his mind.
Once such suspicion takes root, it rarely changes.
“Then think whatever you want.”
Jiang Shanyu gritted his teeth. “I have a clear conscience!”
“A pill master with a ‘clear conscience’ stealing another’s herbs—one day, you’ll get what’s coming to you.”
With that, the Wu cultivator sneered again, ignored Jiang’s livid face, and stormed into the building.
Zhou Zong quietly comforted, “Senior brother, don’t waste energy on him. Just think of refining pills for him like stepping in dung—unpleasant but forgettable.”
Jiang Shanyu shook his head, sighing, “I misjudged his petty nature. It was a grave mistake to help him.”
Then, he looked at Yu Xian with a bitter smile. “Fellow Daoist, you must think this is disgraceful. As alchemists, we’re often misunderstood—it’s disheartening.”
Yu Xian nodded, “I understand. I’ve experienced the same. If you succeed, they thank you. If you fail, they accuse you of theft. It’s laughable. Don’t lower yourself to deal with such petty people.”
Jiang and Zhou both nodded approvingly.
“Alright, let’s not let such people ruin our mood.”
Zhou Zong chuckled, “Let’s head in.”
The three of them stepped into the building.
Unlike the large, polished shops in major cities, this place was more of a free market, where cultivators rented stalls and displayed their goods, waiting for buyers.
Clearly, no single dominant force had yet monopolized trade within this ruin city.
So, the market still flowed freely.
The cultivators running the building must be fairly strong to claim such a place, constructing this pavilion and renting counters—quite a profitable venture.
Yu Xian, Jiang Shanyu, and Zhou Zong climbed to the third floor, arriving at a quiet private hall.
Inside were already fourteen cultivators.
Not only was the Wu cultivator there, but so was Zhu Lin.
“Hahaha! Alchemist Jiang has arrived. We were waiting for you!”
A loud, boisterous voice greeted them.
A tall, sturdy man waved from the host’s seat, grinning, “Come, take a seat.”
Clearly, he was a late Foundation Establishment cultivator—likely the owner of the building and the one who organized this trade gathering.
Jiang Shanyu cupped his hands, smiling, “Apologies for the delay, Brother Wang. And apologies to all fellow Daoists.”
He and the others found seats and sat.
Yu Xian remained calm, completely ignoring Zhu Lin’s venomous glare.
“Well, since everyone’s here, I won’t waste time,” the man named Wang Teng said. “Every so often, I like to organize gatherings like this for mutual exchange. The ancient ruin is set to open in five or six days. We might as well prepare by trading for materials, treasures, or pills.”
Then Wang Teng turned to Yu Xian, smiling, “A new face! I’ve heard of your alchemy feat at the inn—truly admirable.”
Yu Xian wasn’t surprised—word would’ve spread, especially with Zhu Lin present.
He cupped his hands, “I was just lucky.”
“Lucky?”
Wang Teng laughed. “Alchemists always say that. May I ask your name?”
“Yu Xian. Courtesy name Xu Haoqing.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Fellow Daoist Xu,” Wang Teng grinned. “If I ever need pills, I hope you won’t refuse.”
Yu Xian calmly replied, “We’ll see.”
“Heh.”
Zhu Lin sneered, “Xu Haoqing, are you here to trade that fourth-tier pill?”
Everyone’s eyes lit up.
They all knew Yu Xian had a fourth-tier treasure pill.
They wanted it—though only Wang Teng might be strong enough to try and take it, he wouldn’t risk damaging his reputation.
So unless they could trade for it, there was no other way.
Yu Xian glanced at Zhu Lin and said coolly, “Why wouldn’t I trade? As long as the price is right. Or do you think I came here to look at your ugly pig face?”
Zhu Lin’s face froze, muscles twitching, his forehead veins bulging. “What did you say!? Say that again!”
Others looked thrilled—if Yu Xian would trade, they had a shot.
Yu Xian ignored Zhu Lin again, infuriating him.
Zhu Lin nearly lost it—but Wang Teng raised his hand, “Now now, no need to argue. Let’s stay civil.”
Zhu Lin, fearful of Wang Teng, suppressed his rage and sat down, glaring at Yu Xian with eyes full of hatred.
He would remember this insult—he swore vengeance.
“Enough, let’s get to trading.”
Wang Teng smiled and waved his hand.
Four magic treasures and three rare items floated into the air.
The four treasures were all fourth-tier: Tan Yuan Sword, Cloudweave Robe, Rainlight Shield, and the mid-tier Flood Dragon Hammer.
The three special items were: a black condensation jar, a Five Elements Earth Banner, and a glowing golden ore.
Wang Teng said, “These are available for barter or spirit stones—your call. I’m always fair.”
Everyone’s eyes flickered with desire.
Yu Xian showed interest in the golden ore—he recognized it as Mystic Gold Spirit Ore, a top-tier fourth-rank mineral, key in forging fifth-tier treasures.
Next, more cultivators brought out their goods.
Zhou Zong and Jiang Shanyu floated out bottles of third-tier pills.
Yu Xian, however, didn’t move.
He had nothing he wanted to trade—he came only to buy.
Even his fourth-tier pill wasn’t irreplaceable—he could always refine more with the right materials.
Wang Teng noticed and smiled, “Daoist Xu, you don’t want to trade anything?”
Yu Xian nodded, “Not really. But if I see something I like, I won’t be stingy with spirit stones.”
“Oh?” Wang Teng’s eyes gleamed. “Didn’t you say you wanted to trade that fourth-tier pill? Why not show us?”
Everyone turned toward Yu Xian with interest.
Yu Xian smiled. “Very well. No need to hide it.”
He took out a jade bottle, poured out a single pill—a radiant Purple Jade Pill.
Its medicinal fragrance instantly filled the hall.
Every Foundation cultivator present revealed burning desire in their eyes.
Then Yu Xian quickly returned it to the bottle.
Everyone felt like something precious had been snatched from them, but kept their composure.
Yu Xian explained, “To prevent medicinal loss, I won’t keep it out long. As you saw, it strengthens the body, expands qi seas, and stabilizes the foundation—excellent for breaking bottlenecks.”
“Good pill! Excellent!”
Wang Teng clapped and laughed. “A true master alchemist!”
Others echoed his praise—better to stay on good terms with a skilled alchemist, after all.
Wang Teng asked, “So, what would it take to trade it?”
Yu Xian replied bluntly, “I want a defensive array—not strong, but it must completely block spiritual sense and qi detection. Do you have one?”
Wang Teng’s smile froze.
He had arrays, but not specifically for that purpose.
He awkwardly chuckled, “That’s a bit… niche. No one makes arrays solely to block qi. Why not pick something else?”
“Fellow Daoist Xu.”
Another voice chimed in.
A middle-aged Daoist smiled, “As it happens, I do have such an array.”
Wang Teng’s expression darkened, turning toward the speaker with anger.
The man smiled indifferently, pretending not to notice. “Brother Wang, no offense. I simply happen to have what’s needed.”
Wang Teng forced a smile, “Of course. Trade as you please. We’re all fair here.”
The man turned to Yu Xian, “So? Would you like to trade, Fellow Daoist Xu?”
