Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chen Xuan was secretly pleased that they were all answering the question so quickly. It was worth it for me to keep telling them this fact.

Anyway, with Xiao Gao's name in front of us, everything becomes logical and natural. Even if it doesn't mean much, we can just treat it as a bit of fun.

Well, Gao Jingming needs the Xiaoyao Pill. If word gets out, I wonder if he'll be so frustrated he'll vomit blood. Let's make a harmless joke and he can explain it himself.

"No one can be too perfect; a few flaws make them more relatable, Xiao Gao. I'm doing this all for your own good."

Looking at Guo Qingxue and the others, Chen Xuan asked, "So, who among you will verify the effect?"

The three kinds of pills he took out were all high-quality items, the kind that money couldn't buy, and they were used in sets, a total of three bottles. If they were to fall into the hands of the martial arts world, they would definitely cause a bloody battle. Only a major sect like the Cold Mountain Sword Sect could protect them.

After taking the Tranquilizing Pill, one can calm the mind and eliminate distracting thoughts, while also improving concentration and senses. If one practices internal energy cultivation after taking it, the efficiency can be increased by more than 30%, and this effect can be maintained for one hour.

The Qi-restoring pill is used to restore internal energy. Even for those who have mastered the acquired realm and opened up the Ren and Du meridians, one pill is enough to quickly restore 50% of their internal energy. It can be used continuously, and it is the best choice for saving lives or turning the tide in life-or-death situations.

As the name suggests, the Meridian Opening Pill makes it easier to open up the meridians after consumption, which greatly helps in improving one's cultivation level.

All three types of pills are actually auxiliary in nature, but their rarity is beyond doubt.

Anyone with a modicum of common sense can figure out their true purpose. Using them in ordinary cultivation or against enemies is a waste; their true value lies in their use for breaking through to higher realms.

Just like when someone is trying to break through from the Acquired Realm to the Innate Realm, the Mind-Calming Pill stabilizes their mind, the Qi-Replenishing Pill replenishes their internal energy when it runs out, and the Meridian-Opening Pill reduces the difficulty. It's no exaggeration to say that if these three pills are used properly and you're lucky, they're enough to help two people in the Acquired Realm become Innate Realm experts!

Can the Innate Realm be measured in money? Even a major sect like the Cold Mountain Sword Sect is a foundational entity.

Therefore, it is easy to imagine how precious the three bottles of pills that Chen Xuan took out were.

Is it worth exchanging two innate masters for thirteen catties of ice silkworm silk?
It's worth it for him. This thing is useless to him, so it's better to make the most of it. Otherwise, it's just sitting there.

“I’ll do it. Young Master Chen is the brother of the top scholar, so I don’t think he would bring out anything harmful,” Guo Qingxue said. Despite her young age, she was quite decisive.

Fang Jing quickly stopped her, saying, "Junior Sister, you mustn't! This item hasn't been tested yet. What if something goes wrong? How will we explain it to the Sect Leader? So let me do it. As the senior brother, I should be the one to step up when there's a risk. Even if something goes wrong, you senior brothers and sisters are here for me. I'm fine."

Chen Xuan watched them discuss the matter with indifference, after all, they were in the same group.

In fact, he could see through Fang Jing's little scheme. Firstly, he wanted to make a good impression on Guo Qingxue, and secondly, he wanted to taste the benefits. Such opportunities were rare. Once the precious pill was confirmed, there would be no chance for him to get it.
He was only Guo Sihai's second disciple, but in the Cold Mountain Sword Sect, there were many peers like him, many of whom were more talented and had higher cultivation levels than him. He couldn't miss this opportunity.

“I think it would be better if Senior Sister Qin did it. Girls are more thoughtful, and I heard that Senior Sister Qin often worked with the elders of your sect to refine and make medicines when she was on the mountain, so she has more experience. What do you think, Sister Qingxue?” Zhao Qingluan said at this moment.

She didn't like Fang Jing very much. Being simple-minded doesn't mean being stupid. She saw through Fang Jing's intentions and didn't want such a good thing to fall into his lap.

Personally, Zhao Qingluan believed in Chen Xuan. If she had to give a reason, the fact that they had once "lived and died together" would be enough.

Guo Qingxue hadn't thought that much about it. After a moment's thought, she said, "Then let Senior Sister do it. Your cultivation is higher than mine, so you're better able to verify the truth. Second Senior Brother has the highest cultivation, so he can keep an eye on things and help out if anything goes wrong."

It is well-reasoned and irrefutable.

"This... what does Young Master Chen think?" Qin Yun looked at Chen Xuan hesitantly.

He said nonchalantly, "You guys can discuss it yourselves. Why are you asking me, an outsider? Anyway, the pills I've provided are genuine. If you're not comfortable with them, then you can decide for yourselves."

"Please forgive us, Young Master Chen. It's not that we're petty, but this matter is of great importance, and we must be cautious," Guo Qingxue said apologetically. Then she added, "Senior Sister, there's no need to hesitate. Keeping Young Master Chen waiting would only make us seem inconsiderate."

"Alright then, I'll accept it without hesitation." Since things had come to this point, Qin Yun had no choice but to agree.

Fang Jing remained calm, glanced at Zhao Qingluan, and secretly resented her. If she hadn't been so talkative, the opportunity would have been his. Now that things had come to this, there was nothing he could say.

After they made their decision, Chen Xuan reminded them, "It's best to take the Tranquilizing Pill first, then the Meridian-Opening Pill, and finally the Qi-Returning Pill."

"Okay, then I won't stand on ceremony," Qin Yun nodded and began to verify the pills.

She sat down cross-legged. To avoid wasting time, she took the three kinds of pills in sequence as Chen Xuan had instructed. The effects were quick. Her expression became calm and she fell into a meditative state. She circulated her internal energy, and her skin emitted a cold white hazy light. The surrounding temperature dropped rapidly. This was a unique superior internal energy technique of the Cold Mountain Sword Sect. Ordinary rudimentary internal energy techniques would not manifest themselves during cultivation.

This is the acquired realm, where one lacks control over their own cultivation. After reaching the innate realm, cultivation becomes more restrained.

Chen Xuan's talent is the reason; he can cultivate all the time without others noticing, so there's no comparison...

This will take some time. Zhao Qingluan gestured for Chen Xuan to go away and not disturb her, as it is very dangerous to be disturbed when it comes to cultivation.

A little further away, she looked at Chen Xuan curiously and asked, "Little Chen Xuan, you used to have some rudimentary internal energy, but why can't I feel it now? Could it be that you gave up martial arts training all these years, causing your cultivation to gradually decline and even your internal energy to dissipate?" "No, that's not it. I have extraordinary talent and am already a rare expert. Do you understand returning to simplicity? It's normal that you can't feel my cultivation," Chen Xuan replied without hesitation. It wasn't something shameful, so there was nothing to hide.

As we all know, no matter how powerful one is in the acquired realm, one can only be called a "good person". Only the innate realm is the "master", and the "strong person" usually refers to the "grandmaster" realm.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingluan shook her head and said, "It's been years. I don't know if your knowledge has improved, but your ability to boast is unparalleled. Can't you be a little more composed? You call yourself a scholar? Talking big will only make you a laughingstock."

"Yes, yes, Miss Zhao, you're right," Chen Xuancai said, not bothering to argue with her, whether she believed him or not.

"We went through thick and thin together back then. I'm a few years older than you, but you wouldn't even call me 'sister.' Now that I'm powerful, you can call me 'sister,' and I'll protect you from now on, okay?" Zhao Qingluan tempted.

Turning her head to the side, Chen Xuan curled her lip and said, "You wish!"

After more than half an hour, Qin Yun, who was in meditation, suddenly felt her aura rise, and she suddenly opened her eyes, which seemed to be flashing with light.

She exhaled, stood up, and said with a moved expression, "The effects of the pill are exactly as rumored, even better than I've heard. In just this short time, I've already opened one meridian, bringing me one step closer to opening all eight extraordinary meridians. Moreover, I feel that the medicinal power is still half exhausted, enough to open another meridian."

This is the acquired realm. The eight extraordinary meridians are not fully opened, so the effect is so significant. If one wants to break through to the innate realm, if one's talent is insufficient, it is difficult to take that step. After all, the difference between a major realm is like clouds and mud, and the pills consumed cannot be generalized.

The "drug-fueled" style works like this: if you have enough pills, you can accumulate enough to create a master.

Regardless of whether she had run out of the drug's effects, as long as it was confirmed, Chen Xuan said, "Now that it's confirmed, can we proceed with the transaction?"

"Of course, Young Master Chen, please wait a moment, I'll go fetch the ice silkworm silk right away," Guo Qingxue nodded excitedly. This was a golden opportunity, not to be missed. She then looked at Fang Jing and said, "Senior Brother, quickly send a message back explaining the situation and asking my father to come in person. Otherwise, these pills might bring disaster. With Qingyu's speed, Father can arrive before dark." Then she said to Qin Yun, "Senior Sister, the pills have already been taken, so don't waste them. Continue cultivating. Sister Qingluan, please protect us."

She left in a hurry after speaking. Since the goods hadn't been delivered yet, she naturally couldn't take the pills with her; she knew the rules.

The Azure Feather she mentioned is probably some kind of bird, and it's highly likely that the Cold Mountain Sword Sect also keeps exotic beast mounts.

With thirteen catties of ice silkworm silk about to be obtained, not to mention refining array flags, it would be more than enough to make a box of stockings, and the rest could even make a quilt. In particular, he also learned the whereabouts of the white cloud wood, and Chen Xuan's heart brightened up.

Fang Jing's heart was bleeding. The opportunity to improve her cultivation was right in front of her. If she had taken it, she could have taken another step closer to the Innate Realm and saved herself so much hard work.

He vaguely felt a growing resentment towards Zhao Qingluan, but he also knew what was important and what was urgent. He immediately went to send a message to his sect, because no matter what, he was nothing without the Cold Mountain Sword Sect.

If I behave well during Guo Qingxue's visit, I might be able to marry my junior sister in the future...

This guy is always dreaming. Everyone has unrealistic fantasies, it's just that reality often falls short of expectations.

Guo Qingxue returned quickly, bringing a box the size of a table. She put it down and looked at Chen Xuan, saying, "Young Master Chen, here are thirteen catties of ice silkworm silk. Please take a look."

"Alright," Chen Xuan nodded and stepped forward to check.

Ice silkworm silk is thread, not finished product, but small balls of thread, weighing a full thirteen pounds, which need to be packed in a large box.

After checking and confirming everything was correct, Chen Xuan looked up and said, "The transaction is complete, and the money and goods are settled?"

"As you wish," Guo Qingxue nodded, though her mind was a little fuzzy. At seventeen, she had facilitated such a terrifying deal, which seemed almost too surreal to be true.

The item had been obtained smoothly without any dramatic incidents. Chen Xuan didn't plan to linger, as the two sides weren't familiar with each other. If it weren't for Zhao Qingluan, meeting would probably not have been so easy.

After closing the box, Chen Xuan smiled and said, "In that case, Miss Guo, please keep the pills safe. The transaction is complete, so I'll take my leave now. By the way, these pills might attract unwanted attention. Should I keep an eye on them until Sect Leader Guo arrives?"

Zhao Qingluan almost burst out laughing. She glanced at Chen Xuan speechlessly. "You really think you're an expert, huh? Helping to keep an eye on things?"

Guo Qingxue gave Chen Xuan face and said with a smile, "There's no need to trouble Young Master Chen. We are not ordinary people. But why rush to leave? It's getting late. Why don't you stay for lunch?"

"Alright, I'm just trying to help, but you don't need it," Chen Xuan shook his head and said, "Thank you for your kindness, but no need. Young Master is waiting for me to go back."

"In that case, Young Master Chen, please take your leave," Guo Qingxue said, no longer trying to persuade him to stay.

Zhao Qingluan had to help with the protection and couldn't leave, so she said, "Little Chen Xuan, I won't see you off. Just keep an eye on things here. By the way, where do you live? I'd like to get together with you sometime and also admire the scholar's demeanor."

“My young master lives at Xiaoming Residence on Guixiang Street. Miss Zhao, please visit when you have time. However, I’m just a gofer and I’m almost never there,” Chen Xuan said, picking up his suitcase and waving goodbye as he left.

Next up is the White Cloud Wood, located deep within the Misty Marsh in the northwest of Yuhua Kingdom. It'll probably take some time. Should we visit the little princess before we go? Once we have enough Ice Silkworm Silk, maybe we can get her a pair of white silk to wear first?

...(End of chapter)