Refining Ruins Cauldron

Manager Shen knew very well that with Huo Qian's abilities, he shouldn't be able to refine a top-grade Guiyuan Pill.

It's at best of high quality.

Could this kid in front of me be someone I created?

Beside her, Luo Mei also looked at Gu Qingyun with some curiosity.

She was aware of this as well, and immediately asked, "To be honest, did you refine this top-grade Returning Origin Pill yourself?"

The two looked over at the same time, and it seemed they wouldn't let the matter rest until they got a clear explanation.

Gu Qingyun couldn't help but feel a little helpless. Manager Shen might not know his own level, but surely Luo Mei knew?

"Senior sister, how long have I been refining pills? Even with the best talent, how could I possibly refine a top-grade Returning Origin Pill with my current skills?"

Even if you have the Refining Cauldron, the skill of alchemy is your own and requires time to accumulate, one step at a time.

The Rejuvenation Pills currently being presented are all based on calculations.

"Then tell me, where did you get all these top-grade Rejuvenation Pills?" Luo Mei pressed.

Gu Qingyun smiled mysteriously, without explaining much: "I was lucky to find it."

Although Luo Mei was somewhat dissatisfied with these words, she did not pursue the matter further.

After all, everyone has their own secrets.

Since Gu Qingyun is unwilling to say, there is no need to ask any further.

Manager Shen, however, immediately reverted to his businessman nature after the explanation, and looked over with a grin.

"Qingyun, if you have any more of these top-grade elixirs in the future, remember to send them to me. I guarantee you'll be satisfied with the price."

Manager Shen has been running the auction house for many years and has seen at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, miraculous medicines.

But pieces of this exceptional quality are truly rare.

The fact that Gu Qingyun can sell it means that he still has a lot left, and perhaps even a stable source of income.

If you build a good relationship with this young man, you'll have no worries about finding business in the future.

Even though it was found, let's just consider it found. Shopkeeper Shen doesn't care, as long as the item is good and can be sold.

Seeing the expressions on their faces, Gu Qingyun immediately felt a pang of regret.

For a novice alchemist to suddenly produce such a top-grade elixir would be hard for anyone not to suspect.

If the Refining Ruins Cauldron were discovered, the consequences would be unimaginable.

No, we must be more careful from now on!

Seeing that the conversation had gone on for a while, Luo Mei continued, "Manager Shen, we came here for that Autumn Nether Fruit. If these pills aren't enough, we can get more."

Since she had accepted Gu Qingyun's Qi-stabilizing pill, she had to repay the favor.

"Alright, alright, it's not much different, consider it a discount."

Manager Shen smiled.

"The Autumn Nether Fruit was originally planned to be auctioned tomorrow, but since Qingyun wants it, let's take it down."

Despite what Manager Shen said, Gu Qingyun still made sure to exchange pleasantries.

"Wouldn't this cause trouble for Manager Shen? Let's not give others cause for gossip."

"Who dares to say a word? Don't even mention the auction house, even if the entire Xianggu Market belongs to the Changsheng Sect, if they disagree, they shouldn't come."

Manager Shen snorted coldly, his words full of disdain.

Of course, with the support of the Longevity Sect, he certainly had the capital to do so.

"Alright, alright, you're such a busybody. Hurry up and take the Autumn Darkness Fruit, then go back and cultivate properly!"

"Don't forget what you need to do!"

Luo Mei urged him to get things settled first.

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingyun nodded.

How could he forget his goal?

With Manager Shen giving the green light all the way, the Qiuming Fruit was packed up and delivered to Gu Qingyun in no time.

Upon opening the rustic wooden box, a fragrant aroma of herbs wafts out.

The autumn fruit lay quietly inside, crystal clear, round and plump, in excellent condition.

Although it was the first time Gu Qingyun had seen it, he knew that it was indeed the Autumn Dark Fruit.

He immediately clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Manager Shen."

"We're all on the same side, there's no need to be so polite."

Shopkeeper Shen chuckled and said, "Just remember to send me any more of these elixirs in the future. The price will be absolutely fair."

The three chatted and laughed as they walked out the door.

Shopkeeper Shen was incredibly enthusiastic; it's rare to find an alchemist who can produce top-grade elixirs.

Regardless of whether Gu Qingyun personally refined them or not, the sheer value of these five bottles of pills is enough for him to treat them with utmost care and not to be negligent.

You should know that even within the Longevity Sect, no one dares to guarantee that they can refine top-grade elixirs.

Even the lowest grade one pill.

Grade can be accumulated over time, but the quality of a pill is a matter of pure talent.

If you weren't born with it, you'll never have it in this lifetime.

Gu Qingyun naturally understood this as well, and also knew why Manager Shen was so enthusiastic.

However, he did not reveal the truth, but responded politely.

It was getting late, so the two left the auction house.

We need to be more cautious about this place in the future.

Unless absolutely necessary, it's best to forget about it.

The Xianggu market was as bustling as ever, but it failed to attract the attention of Gu Qingyun and his companion.

The two left the market and retreated back into the mountains, choosing a suitable open space.

Luo Mei took out her spirit sword: "Let's go. It's still early. If we fly on our swords, we should be able to return to the sect before dusk."

Gu Qingyun didn't stand on ceremony and, just like when he came, had Luo Mei take him and fly towards the horizon.

……

The Longevity Sect was within reach, no more than a hundred miles away.

Just then, a whooshing sound suddenly came from below.

It moved incredibly fast; it was a sword aura!

Gu Qingyun and his companion narrowly escaped, and the spirit sword immediately fell to the ground.

Luo Mei is still in the Qi Refining Realm and can only fly by using a spiritual sword. It is obviously impossible for her to fight in the air like a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

With a whoosh, three dark figures darted out of the forest, their faces covered, not daring to show their true identities.

The three of them formed a pincer movement, surrounding Gu Qingyun and Luo Mei.

The leader was eight feet tall and had a robust physique; he stood there like a small mountain.

He carried a large hammer on his shoulder, which was eerily emitting black smoke. Unexpectedly, it was actually a magical weapon!

This person's cultivation level is at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining. Judging from his aura, he is probably not far from the half-step Foundation Establishment stage.

The other two were one tall and thin, and the other short and stout; both were quite powerful, at the eighth level of Qi Refining.

The three men exuded a strong murderous aura, and judging from their appearance, this was probably not their first time robbing people.

"Fellow Daoists, if you wish to live, leave behind that Autumn Darkness Fruit."

The leader spoke in a low voice, and his manner of speaking seemed unnatural, as if it were intentional.

"Hmph! How dare they rob disciples of the Longevity Sect!"

Luo Mei drew his three-foot-long sword and stared at these guys with a serious expression.

I could vaguely sense the flow of spiritual energy around her, clearly indicating that she was ready for a fight to the death.

"Disciples of the Longevity Sect, what a prestigious title! We're terrified!"

The skinny man sneered, his words dripping with provocation.

"Don't you even look at where you are? If I kill you both and bury you here, what good is the Longevity Sect's great power? Aren't there enough cultivators dying at the hands of mountain spirit beasts every day?"

The fat man burst into laughter, showing no fear whatsoever.

"Boss, I think this young lady is quite pretty, could we...?"