Mortal: Starting with the Falling Cloud Sect, I proved my Dao through gacha pulls.

On the thirty-ninth floor of Tianxing City, outside Su Mu's cave.

"Senior, these are the spirit stones you obtained from the auction of your pills. Elder Zhao specifically instructed me to deliver them to you. Please count them."

A Foundation Establishment cultivator dressed in the standard robes of the Fengle Merchant Alliance was holding a bulging storage bag in both hands, bowing and handing it to Su Mu with utmost respect.

The auction had just ended a few days ago, and Zhao Mian kept his word, delivering all the spirit stones the next day.

Su Mu casually took the storage bag, weighed it in his palm, and knew that it contained a considerable amount of spirit stones. A faint smile appeared on his lips.

It seems that his Lesser Five Elements Pill and Heart-Burning Pill were indeed quite popular at the auction.

Seeing Su Mu accept the storage bag, the Foundation Establishment cultivator immediately put on a fawning smile and hurriedly stepped forward, saying:

"Junior Ma Kui, you may entrust me with all matters concerning your dealings with the Merchant Alliance. I am at your service whenever you have any instructions or questions."

Su Mu glanced at him indifferently, then nodded and flicked out a few spirit stones with his finger.

"In that case, I'll have to trouble you in the future, young friend Ma Kui. I won't treat those who are capable unfairly. I happen to have a few things I'm curious about; please tell me."

Ma Kui was overjoyed and quickly accepted the spirit stone, bowing respectfully with his hands clasped in greeting.

"Please ask away, senior! I've been in Tianxing City for many years, and I know a thing or two about the market's big and small trends and secrets. I'll tell you everything I know!"

Upon hearing this, Su Mu first smiled faintly, and then asked:

"Nothing else, but young friend, do you know who ultimately won the bid for my Lesser Five Elements Pill and Heart-Burning Pill?"

"Reporting to Senior, your pills attracted fierce bidding from all the cultivators present as soon as they were put on the auction stage, generating a great response. I am truly impressed by your mastery of alchemy."

Ma Kui first offered a compliment before answering truthfully:

"The Small Five Elements Pill was purchased by a senior from the Star Palace Law Enforcement Hall, presumably for the purpose of comprehending the Five Elements magic."

The most sought-after item was the Heart-Burning Pill, but it was obtained by an unknown black-robed cultivator. This person was extremely generous, unlike ordinary rogue cultivators.

Su Mu nodded, not delving into the details, and then casually revealed his true intention.

"I see. By the way, what's the approximate price for acquiring the cultivation techniques circulating in Tianxing City?"

"Cultivation techniques?"

Ma Kui was slightly taken aback. Although he was puzzled as to why Su Mu wanted to collect so many cultivation techniques, he remained calm on the surface and immediately replied:

"There are indeed quite a few cultivation techniques circulating in Tianxing City, but most of them are low-level and common, and not very valuable. As for slightly higher-level cultivation techniques, they are basically controlled by major merchants and sects, and rarely circulate among independent cultivators."

Su Mu had anticipated this, and even though they were only low-level techniques, he didn't mind at all and planned to accept them all.

He still possesses a Dao-Derivation Stone, which can absorb countless cultivation techniques and deduce his own techniques to reach a higher level.

After he formed his core at the Luoyun Sect, he used the sect's authority to copy a large number of cultivation techniques.

Now that he is in Tianxing City, he naturally does not want to miss such a good opportunity to collect cultivation techniques.

However, this matter cannot be accomplished in a day. Once he has collected all the techniques, his own techniques will undergo an astonishing transformation.

With his mind made up, Su Mu's gaze fell on Ma Kui, and he said with a half-smile:

"As a top auction house in Tianxing City, Fengle Auction House must have a considerable collection of martial arts techniques. Would you be willing to sell them?"

"Of course, there are, but apart from low- to mid-level techniques, most of the higher-level ones have hidden dangers or are even incomplete. If you don't mind, senior, I will inform you now, and we can trade at any time."

Ma Kui gave a forced smile and revealed the truth to Su Mu.

As soon as he finished speaking, he seemed to suddenly remember something, his eyes darting warily left and right. Then, he subtly pointed his finger upwards and lowered his voice, saying:

"If we're talking about the place in Tianxing City with the most complete collection of cultivation techniques, then the Star Palace is undoubtedly the place to be. Over countless years, countless cultivation techniques have been recorded within it, but unfortunately, ordinary cultivators have no chance to see them at all."

Su Mu naturally understood that the Star Palace had a profound foundation that was not easily explored. Unless he formally joined the Star Palace, trying to access its collection would be nothing short of a pipe dream.

However, he already had some plans in mind, and there was still a chance in the future.

"In that case, from now on, the pills I refine will be directly exchanged for demon cores and cultivation techniques by your esteemed merchant guild. You will also collect all kinds of low-level cultivation techniques circulating in Tianxing City for me; I will certainly not shortchange you."

Su Mu had already made up his mind to focus on alchemy for the next period of time, while building his reputation and collecting cultivation techniques.

"If there is nothing else, you may leave. I need to begin refining pills. I will inform you in advance when I have pills to sell."

"Yes, senior!"

Ma Kui quickly bowed and respectfully withdrew.

......

Half a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

In the past six months, Su Mu has refined pills five times. In addition to the Lesser Five Elements Pill and the Heart-Burning Pill, he has also combined the fierce and dangerous cultivation atmosphere of the Chaotic Star Sea to refine two new rare pills: the Blood Escape Pill and the Blood Explosion Pill.

One can burn essence and blood to greatly increase escape speed, saving lives in critical situations. The other is simply a self-destructing pill with astonishing power.

The moment the two pills were introduced, they immediately caused a sensation in Tianxing City and were highly sought after.

During this period, communication talismans kept arriving outside Su Mu's cave. Among them were rogue cultivators who wanted to befriend him, but more often, they were from various merchants and sects in Tianxing City, all wanting to recruit this master of alchemy.

[The reputation of alchemy in Tianxing City is growing; Destiny +120]

Current Life Number: 797

Annoyed by the constant refusals, Su Mu summoned his clone to handle the situation, politely declining all offers. He then went into seclusion to refine the Nine Heavens Crimson Jade and concentrate on alchemy.

However, during this time, he gradually became acquainted with the neighbors around his cave. Most of these cultivators had already reached the Core Formation stage, and apart from a few rogue cultivators, the rest held positions in various major forces in Tianxing City.

Because of Su Mu's extraordinary alchemy skills, everyone treated him with great respect. Through these interactions, Su Mu not only quietly expanded his network of connections, but also gained insight into the power dynamics and hidden secrets of Tianxing City.

Inside the herb garden, all the dozens of Crimson Essence Fruits had ripened. The rich fire elemental energy steamed into a hazy mist, and the bright red fruits hung from the branches, their fragrance refreshing and enticing, instantly uplifting the spirit.

Su Mu happily picked all the dozens of spirit fruits. He originally planned to refine all these Crimson Essence Fruits into pills in order to maximize their medicinal effects.

But looking at the fresh and plump appearance of the spirit fruit, he couldn't suppress his curiosity and casually took one out and put it in his mouth.

The Crimson Essence Fruit tasted incredibly sweet, and a surge of pure spiritual energy instantly exploded within his body. Su Mu felt as if he had fallen into a warm furnace, and his internal cultivation techniques involuntarily began to circulate, causing his magical power to boil and surge.

After the medicinal power of the spiritual fruit was completely refined, his internal mana had circulated for seven full cycles. He clearly sensed that his mana had become slightly purer; although the increase was not astonishing, it was still noticeable to the naked eye.

"Hmm, not bad."

Su Mu nodded in satisfaction, his mind racing with calculations.

"If it is refined into a pill, its medicinal effects will certainly be even better. Even if it is brewed into Crimson Elf Wine, it will be an excellent choice."