Chapter 169: A Heart That Cherishes Talent – An Invitation, and the Pendant Grows Warm Once Again

The four cultivators exchanged glances. Zhou Yang frowned first and said, “Fellow Daoist Fang, what exactly do you mean by that?”

Though the other three didn’t speak, their expressions clearly aligned with Zhou Yang’s, all carrying a slight chill.

Fang Jue smiled calmly. “What could I mean, if not exactly what I said? Young Friend Yu just refined a fifth-grade pill today—his spiritual energy and mental focus must be greatly depleted. He needs a few days to recover. You all may not be fifth-grade alchemists, but surely you know the toll it takes, do you not?”

“That’s not what I was asking,” Zhou Yang replied coldly. “What do you mean by saying you’ll consult with Young Friend Yu before he considers refining pills for us? Do you mean to suggest he’s already a member of your Golden Scale Pavilion? That he’s under your command? That his actions must go through you?”

Fang Jue’s smile froze briefly before he let out a hearty laugh. “Of course Young Friend Yu is a free man. However, his elder brother is the chief pill master of our Golden Scale Pavilion. That makes him connected to us. Naturally, some things should be discussed beforehand, so he doesn’t get taken advantage of.”

He looked to Yu Xian and chuckled. “Don’t you agree, Young Friend Yu?”

Yu Xian’s gaze flickered slightly, but without a moment’s hesitation, he smiled. “My elder brother is the chief pill master of the Golden Scale Pavilion. Naturally, that makes me part of the Pavilion as well. There’s no need for doubt. If Senior wishes to consult me, I am happy to comply. In short—I will follow your guidance, Senior.”

“Hahaha!”

Fang Jue burst into laughter, beaming with delight. His eyes glowed with appreciation as he looked at Yu Xian.

The other four cultivators’ expressions shifted again but quickly returned to calm.

The matter was settled—Yu Xian would likely soon become a seated alchemist of the Golden Scale Pavilion.

That meant if they wanted pills from him, the cost would be steep.

Still, the Golden Scale Pavilion held decent relations with them. They knew its four major stewards well, so asking for pills might not be too difficult.

“You all heard him, didn’t you?” Fang Jue turned toward the four with a smirk. “Young Friend Yu is one of ours. Why wouldn’t I consult with him? You’re not suggesting I’d cheat him, are you?”

The four chuckled awkwardly. Zhou Yang said, “We all know Fellow Daoist Fang’s character—fair and upright, just like the Pavilion. Since Young Friend Yu is tired, we won’t press him for alchemy. But about the item exchange we mentioned—should we proceed?”

Fei Xingchen nodded. “Indeed. The trade is our main business here.”

Fang Jue frowned slightly, calculating the time. “That’s true. But where are Daoists Li, Lin, and Wang? They should be here by now.”

Yu Xian had gone upstairs and refined the pill—it had already been over an hour and a half. Yet the other three Golden Core cultivators still hadn’t arrived. That now seemed strange.

“They’re not late yet. The appointed time is still half an hour away. No need to worry,” said Kong Xiao as he turned to walk toward a pavilion.

The others followed suit, choosing to wait rather than speak further.

Now only Yu Xian and Fang Jue stood at the doorway.

Fang Jue looked pleased, but as the others left, he turned to Yu Xian.

Yu Xian maintained a calm expression. Seeing Fang Jue glance over, he bowed slightly. “Senior, forgive me. I am not a member of the Golden Scale Pavilion.”

“No.”

Fang Jue pointed at him with a smile. “From now on, you are.”

Yu Xian’s brow twitched, startled. “S-Senior, what do you mean?”

Fang Jue replied with a grin, “I, Fang Jue, on behalf of the Golden Scale Pavilion, formally invite you to become our Third Floor’s seated alchemist. A monthly stipend of 100,000 spirit stones, and in return, only one fifth-grade pill and ten fourth-grade pills each month. We provide all the ingredients. The rest of your time is yours. How about it?”

Yu Xian’s eyes shifted slightly.

He hadn’t expected Fang Jue to make such an offer so suddenly.

But while he could indeed refine a fifth-grade pill, his real goal lay in the mysterious treasure he sensed on the fourth floor—not in settling down as a resident alchemist.

One fifth-grade and ten fourth-grade pills a month may not be much, and the offer of 100,000 spirit stones was generous—far beyond what a Foundation Establishment cultivator could normally dream of. Such pay was usually reserved for Golden Core-level alchemists.

But Yu Xian wasn’t interested. He didn’t plan to stay in Mo City for long, and he needed time to learn weapon crafting from Yue Pingfeng.

He shook his head and replied honestly, “With all due respect, Senior, my successful refinement of the fifth-grade pill today was more a stroke of luck. I’m still only Foundation Establishment early stage. To control a pill furnace at my level is immensely difficult. Becoming a seated alchemist would only embarrass your Pavilion. I don’t dare accept your generous offer.”

“Oh?” Fang Jue raised an eyebrow, looking at him thoughtfully.

Yu Xian’s cultivation was clearly at early Foundation Establishment. Fang Jue, with his strength and perception, could tell there was no hidden cultivation.

Though Yu Xian’s talent was excellent for his age, his cultivation was still too low.

Fang Jue nodded slightly. “Your honesty is commendable.”

Just then, a faint medicinal scent drifted through the air.

Fang Jue’s nose twitched, and the others’ expressions changed slightly.

They all smelled it—that faint medicinal aroma.

“He’s actually refining something…”

“That’s the scent of a pill nearing completion.”

“Wait—that’s Blood Lotus High Spirit Pill!”

The four Golden Core cultivators looked surprised.

Fang Jue’s smile grew.

This kid really was the real deal.

From the moment he first met Yu Xian, he had noticed the young man’s calm and confident gaze. That alone had already convinced Fang Jue by 60–70%.

He’d met countless people in his hundreds of years. Few could lie to him without a single tell.

A Foundation Establishment junior couldn’t possibly be one of them.

Soon, the aroma intensified.

All eyes turned to the building.

Success… or failure?

“One hour…” Fang Jue muttered, smiling, and stepped toward the door.

But before he reached it, it opened.

Yu Xian stood there, composed, and offered a storage pouch with a bow. “Senior, the fifth-grade Blood Lotus High Spirit Pill has been successfully refined. Though only of lower quality, I hope it is sufficient.”

“You succeeded?”

Fang Jue looked at Yu Xian, struggling to suppress his delight. He opened the pouch and saw the pill.

His smile widened. “Excellent! Yu Xian, you are qualified to stand on the fourth floor! You are qualified to negotiate with us!”

At that, the other Golden Core cultivators rushed over, looking at Yu Xian with astonishment.

“A true alchemy genius…”

One middle-aged Daoist couldn’t hold back and said, “Young friend, I am Kong Xiao from Yunxia Mountain, 30,000 li southeast of Mo City. Might I ask you to refine a fifth-grade pill for me? I will reward you generously!”

The other three chimed in immediately, each begging for a different pill and offering great rewards.

Yu Xian stood still, completely unsure how to respond.

Fang Jue stepped forward, smiling, and faced the four. “Yu Xian is not only a fifth-grade alchemist but also the younger brother of Master Yue—our Pavilion’s chief alchemist. He is thus an honored guest of the Pavilion. Since he just finished refining a pill today, he naturally needs rest. Please don’t rush him. I will consult with him first before discussing your requests.”

The four’s expressions changed instantly.

Yu Xian nodded. “If Senior wishes me to refine more pills here, I am happy to do so.”

“You dare to do it right here?” Fang Jue chuckled. “You’ve got courage. Very well—come with me.”

He waved the others off and led Yu Xian to another building.

The room clearly served as a cultivation chamber. Spiritual energy was noticeably denser.

After entering, Fang Jue said, “This is my private cultivation room. You may refine the pill here. If you succeed, you’ll be welcome on the fourth floor—qualified to trade and negotiate with Golden Core cultivators. If you fail… I won’t kill you out of respect for Master Yue, but I will teach you a harsh lesson.”

Yu Xian smiled calmly. “Of course, Senior. But I’ll need the materials for a fifth-grade pill—no one can cook without rice.”

“You want me to supply the ingredients?”

Fang Jue was stunned.

“I don’t have any myself,” Yu Xian shrugged innocently.

“…Fine!”

Fang Jue exhaled, staring deeply at Yu Xian. “I’ll provide it. What pill are you going to make?”

“The Blood Lotus High Spirit Treasure Pill,” Yu Xian replied after a moment’s thought.

He had only ever refined a fifth-grade beast pill once, and this was his first time refining a fifth-grade pill for human consumption.

Still, he was confident—his first time would be as perfect as any future attempt. That was his Dao of Alchemy.

He chose this specific pill because it was the upgraded version of the one he was most familiar with: the Blood Lotus Spirit Pill.

Soon, Fang Jue returned with everything—pill furnace, ingredients, even high-grade Dragonfire Coals.

“You have two hours,” he said. “I’ll come collect the pill then.”

But as he turned to leave, Yu Xian spoke again.

“Senior, since I’m refining a pill for you, shouldn’t I be paid for my services?”

“…What?”

“Refining a fifth-grade pill drains the mind and spirit. I won’t ask for much—just 150,000 spirit stones.”

“You’re charging me?”

Yu Xian met his gaze calmly. “It’s the proper etiquette, is it not?”

Fang Jue stared for a moment, then growled, “Fine! You want etiquette? You’ll get etiquette!”

He threw over a pouch of 1,500 mid-grade spirit stones and stormed off.

Yu Xian smiled, then sat cross-legged and began extracting the materials.

Outside, the others waited in the distance.

To them, a fifth-grade alchemist should at least be Foundation Establishment peak—otherwise, their spiritual power would be insufficient to multitask.

But Yu Xian…

Could he really do it?

One man’s shock turned to fury, even killing intent.

Yu Xian, calm and steady, paid it no mind.

This was only the beginning.