Complete one practice method every day

Shen Dujiang chuckled and shook his head, clearly already understanding Chen Yue's fabricated story of making friends out of thin air, and too lazy to point it out.

He stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and said, "I don't have any really advanced techniques here, and those things wouldn't end up in this black market. But I do have a movement technique called 'Wandering the World,' and its rank... should be a bit stronger than the common ones circulating in the market."

"Wandering the World?" Chen Yue's eyes lit up slightly. This name didn't sound like something like "Grasshopper."

He has now perfected the Wind Chasing Technique, and is good at short-range extreme dodges and instant bursts, but long-distance running and endurance are not his strengths.

"Okay, I'll take this technique. How much silver?" Chen Yue asked directly.

Shen Dujiang shook his head: "I obtained this 'Travels of the Ends of the Earth' by chance many years ago, and I have read it myself. It's not some secret that's not passed down to others. It's just gathering dust here. Since you want it, take it; I won't charge you."

Chen Yue was somewhat surprised: "So generous?"

Shen Dujiang smiled and said, "It's just a movement technique that's not top-tier, not worth much. Besides, since we're going to cooperate long-term, it's no trouble to do you a favor. However, I'll make it clear beforehand: even if I give you this manual, I won't be giving you any pointers."

"Of course, thank you, boss."

Chen Yue didn't stand on ceremony and thanked him with clasped hands. Free cultivation techniques, even basic ones, were always welcome to him.

Shen Dujiang carefully took out a booklet from the inner pocket close to his body. The booklet was not thick, but it had obviously been read many times, and some pages even showed traces of sweat.

Chen Yue took it with both hands, quickly flipped through it, and glanced at it. It was full of illustrations and text, recording the methods of coordinating breathing, footwork, and blood circulation. It was indeed a complete manual of movement techniques, not a fragment.

"Is there anything else?"

Shen Dujiang was puzzled when he saw Chen Yue put away the manual but still stand there without leaving.

Chen Yue nodded and said, "You have a wide network of connections, so I'd like to inquire further. Do you know of any other pill formulas with unique functions? They don't necessarily have to be like the Marrow Cleansing Pill, which can directly cleanse the marrow and bones. Some unconventional effects are also acceptable."

Shen Dujiang was genuinely surprised. He looked Chen Yue up and down as if he were seeing him for the first time.

This young man is frantically improving his Marrow Cleansing Pill while demanding new cultivation techniques, and now he even wants to inquire about other special pill formulas?

What exactly is he trying to do? How can he have so much energy?

Shen Dujiang's mind raced, and he found it increasingly difficult to understand the young man before him.

"I don't have any special formulas for pills with unique functions. However, I do know someone on the black market who has a formula for an antidote pill and is looking for a buyer."

"Anti-poison pill?"

Chen Yue's eyes lit up slightly. "Can it cure all poisons?"

"An antidote for all poisons?"

Shen Dujiang chuckled and shook his head. "It's not that miraculous. This antidote pill does have some detoxifying effect, but the effect is ordinary. At most, it can only delay the poisoning for a while. Its greatest function is that long-term use can actually make the body develop some resistance to some common poisons."

But the effects... well, they're just so-so; it doesn't make one immune to all poisons. Moreover, the refining process is difficult, and the medicinal herbs aren't cheap, so few people are willing to take it long-term, and naturally, the formula remains unclaimed.

Chen Yue's heart stirred. If this effect were combined with the daily amplification of special effects on the panel... it might yield unexpected results.

Even if one cannot be immune to all poisons, enhancing one's resistance to toxins provides an extra layer of protection in this chaotic world.

"I want this prescription."

Chen Yue directly expressed his intentions, "Could you introduce me, or tell me where the stall is? I'd like to go and talk to them, and see if I can buy it."

Shen Dujiang looked at Chen Yue's serious eyes and knew he wasn't joking. Although his doubts deepened, he still nodded: "Okay, I know that stall owner, he's just around the corner. I'll take you there, so you don't have to go through a long detour."

"Thank you for your help, boss," Chen Yue said again.

Shen Dujiang said no more, blew out the oil lamp in the room, and led Chen Yue, the two of them walking one after the other, towards the stall in front.

Meanwhile, at Huichuntang Pharmacy, a dark figure quietly climbed out of the window, moving as nimbly as a cat, landing silently.

Li Lie hurried along the shadows of the wall, arriving at a secluded, deserted narrow alley beside the pharmacy. With a leap, he nimbly vaulted over the wall, landing on one hand, and entered a dilapidated courtyard.

Li Lie pushed open the door and entered the main room, where Gu Bei was slowly brewing tea.

"Brother Li, congratulations on your breakthrough. It seems that the pill worked quite well." Gu Bei smiled slightly when he saw Li Lie, put down his teacup, picked up the copper kettle, and poured tea into the cup in front of the empty seat opposite him, filling it to about seven-tenths full.

Li Lie didn't even glance at the cup of tea, and sat down opposite him directly. "What's the matter that you're in such a hurry to see me this time?"

Gu Bei didn't take it to heart. He poured himself a cup of tea, held it in his hands to warm it, and then slowly said, "We're short of alchemists here lately."

Li Lie frowned, his face showing obvious displeasure: "Lack of alchemists? Didn't you kidnap three alchemists from Huichun Hall last time? Even if their skills aren't as good as Lin Quan's, they're more than capable of refining some basic pills. How can you say we're not enough?"

Gu Bei's gentle smile faded slightly. He took a sip of tea before saying calmly, "There was an accident; all three alchemists are dead."

"Dead?"

Li Lie frowned even deeper, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "How did they die? You...?"

"It was not my wish, but I did die."

Gu Bei put down his teacup and looked calmly at Li Lie. "Therefore, we need a new alchemist."

Li Lie stared at Gu Bei, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly said, "Are you planning to kidnap Lin Quan?"

He shook his head, his tone carrying a warning, "They learned their lesson last time, and now they've tightened their guard on the pharmacy. Besides, aren't you planning to plunder the Chen family's batch of Snow Ginseng Jade Marrow Ointment? If you alert them now, wouldn't you be ruining your own plans?"

Gu Bei shook his head. "The plan has changed. The matter of the Snow Ginseng Jade Marrow Paste will be put on hold for now. Besides, our target this time is not Lin Quan."

"Not Lin Quan?"

Li Lie was taken aback, then, as if realizing something, a hint of absurdity flashed in his eyes. "Could it be... you're planning to kidnap Chen Yue? He only knows how to refine Blood-Activating Pills, what use would kidnapping him be? Are you short of Blood-Activating Pills?"

"It's Chen Yue."

Gu Bei nodded, his gentle smile returning to his face. "However, what we need is not the Blood Revitalizing Pill, but his Skin Refining Realm cultivation."

"What does alchemy have to do with cultivation?"

Li Lie's expression grew even more suppressed, and his voice turned cold. "Gu Bei, what exactly are you guys up to? You need an alchemist, and they also need to have cultivation!"

Gu Bei didn't answer immediately; he simply watched Li Lie quietly, his fingers tapping lightly on the rough tabletop. The room fell silent for a moment, broken only by the soft crackling of the fire in the stove.

After a long silence, Gu Bei finally spoke, his voice carrying an eerie calm: "Brother Li, do you know anything about the mysteries of alchemy?"