What does my ancestor's pregnancy have to do with me, a mere servant?

The sky was bright.

Lin Yuan stuffed the five white jade bottles filled with top-grade Qi Gathering Pills into his storage bag, silently calculating the cost in his mind.

Forty-five top-grade Qi Gathering Pills.

According to market prices, a high-grade Qi Gathering Pill costs ten low-grade spirit stones, while a top-grade one costs at least two to three times that price. This wave of investment should net you at least a thousand spirit stones.

Lin Yuan pulled out a large black hooded cloak from his storage bag.

Then he casually whittled a faceless wooden mask out of a few pieces of discarded spirit wood, which could only cover the upper half of his face.

In the Xuan Yin Sect, the strong prey on the weak, and they believe in might and spirit stones. For a farmhand to suddenly produce dozens of top-grade pills is no different from a child carrying gold ingots into a bandit's den.

Lin Yuan didn't want to be the one who got ripped off.

He then activated the "Formless Transformation Technique," and the spiritual energy fluctuations of the seventh level of Qi Refining were rapidly diverted, compressed, and sealed into the 365 hidden acupoints throughout his body, like a receding flood.

The surface gas flow rapidly declined, eventually settling steadily at the third layer of the gas refinery.

This cultivation level is neither too high nor too low, just right for a seasoned veteran of the outer sect. If it were too low, it would arouse suspicion.

Three levels of Qi Refining, a perfect passerby.

He put on a mask and a black robe, completely covering himself up except for his eyes.

"Cough cough..." Lin Yuan cleared his throat, his originally clear voice becoming hoarse and filled with a deathly aura.

He then tried to hunch his back, and his gait changed from the agility of a young man to the slow, unsteady gait of an old man.

He checked the flawless outfit with satisfaction.

The Sixth Brother's Divine Skill truly lives up to its reputation.

Only then did they push open the repaired stone door.

The morning dew had not yet dried, and the air was filled with the earthy smell and the faint medicinal fragrance of herbs.

Lin Yuan paused slightly as his gaze swept over the two sparse acres of spirit fields.

In the morning sunlight, the neatly arranged tranquil grasses swayed gently in the breeze. The emerald green leaves shimmered faintly in the sunlight, and their roots were deeply embedded in the spiritual soil, absorbing the remaining spiritual energy from the earth's veins.

A single Tranquilizing Grass sells for ten low-grade spirit stones on the market.

But in the eyes of an eighth-grade spiritual plant master like him, these costs were almost negligible.

If you buy the best spiritual seeds and spiritual soil, and use your own unique methods to accelerate growth, the cost will be less than half a spirit stone.

Moreover, its survival rate and medicinal efficacy absolutely surpass those substandard products on the market that use growth-promoting liquids to force seedlings to grow faster.

Lin Yuan stroked his chin, his mind racing.

"In the future, I will definitely need all kinds of spiritual herbs to refine pills. If I go to the Pill Treasure Pavilion to purchase them in large quantities every time, it will attract the attention of those with ulterior motives if I am not careful. Rather than handing over my secrets to others, it is better to cultivate spiritual plants myself and produce and sell them myself."

"Upstream, grass is planted; midstream, elixirs are refined; downstream, medicine is sold. A one-stop service, ensuring that the profits don't go to outsiders."

The most urgent task right now is to convert the pills in hand into cash, and then use spirit stones to exchange for more materials, creating a snowball effect.

Lin Yuan tapped his toes, transforming into a streak of gray light and speeding away.

The important matter is the priority.

Danbao Pavilion.

It was still bustling with activity.

Almost all disciples, both inside and outside the sect, come here to buy and sell various cultivation resources.

The Xuan Yin Sect also has its own markets, but these markets belonging to the demonic sects are not very peaceful.

Therefore, most disciples who do not want to cause trouble still prefer to come to Danbao Pavilion, which is backed by the sect.

At least here, no one dares to make a move openly.

As for what happens behind the scenes... that's another matter entirely.

The midday sun was scorching, and the heatwave made the bluestone pavement radiate steam.

At this hour, Manager Li was most likely still relaxing on the second floor.

Lin Yuan chose this time precisely because he had calculated this point.

If you can avoid meeting them, then do so.

Lin Yuan lowered the brim of his hat, hunched over, and staggered into the Danbao Pavilion, blending in with several other Qi Refining disciples who were also dressed in drab gray robes. He entered the pavilion without making a sound.

The hall was indeed very quiet.

Lin Yuan glanced around and walked straight to the most inconspicuous counter in the corner.

The male butler behind the counter was a middle-aged man with a mustache and a cultivation level of six.

Hearing footsteps approaching, he didn't even lift his eyelids: "Junior brother, are you buying pills or selling herbs? You know the rules, right? We don't accept substandard products."

Lin Yuan didn't waste any words.

A hand wearing a black cloth glove emerged from the wide sleeve of the robe and, with a "snap," firmly placed a white jade bottle on the counter.

"Selling pills."

The mustachioed steward paused for a moment, then finally raised his listless, triangular eyes. His gaze swept over the utterly ordinary white jade bottle, a hint of nonchalant disdain playing on his lips.

There are plenty of these half-baked alchemists in the outer sect who are just messing around.

Spend a few spirit stones to buy materials, waste several days, and finally manage to refine a few low-grade pills full of poison, then excitedly run to the Pill Treasure Pavilion to show off.

"Alright, let me see." The butler casually reached out and uncorked the bottle.

The moment the cork leaves the bottle opening—

A rich, refreshing fragrance suddenly wafted out!

The mustachioed deacon's eyes widened suddenly, and his drowsy appearance vanished instantly.

He instinctively straightened his back, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he swallowed.

He carefully tilted the white jade bottle, and a pill rolled down the side of the bottle into his palm.

It is emerald green all over, round and plump, and the surface of the pill is as smooth as a mirror.

What made his pupils shrink the most were the two naturally formed white cloud patterns—like solidified clouds, swirling around the surface of the pill, flowing slightly as if they were alive.

There was not a trace of erysipelas.

"Extremely, extremely good?!" The eight-character mustache deacon's voice suddenly rose two pitches.

"A top-grade Qi Gathering Pill with double cloud patterns! Tsk tsk tsk..." He examined the pill in his palm over and over, marveling at it. "I've worked at the Pill Treasure Pavilion for twenty years, and I haven't seen a pill of this quality in a very, very long time."

He raised his head and looked at the mysterious man in black robes and a mask in front of him; his eyes were completely different now.

Pills of this quality are rarely offered for sale.

Top-grade pills contain zero toxins and zero impurities, and their spiritual energy conversion rate is almost 100% after consumption, making them the most valuable currency among all types of hard currency for cultivators.

If a normal person got their hands on such a treasure, they would want to keep it to themselves and eat it. Who would be willing to sell it?

The eight-character mustache deacon swallowed hard, looking at Lin Yuan as if he were a walking vein of spirit stones.

"Shopkeeper, have you seen enough?" Lin Yuan's hoarse voice rang out at the right time, carrying a hint of impatience.

The eight-character mustache-wearing deacon suddenly snapped out of his daze, his attitude completely changing. He respectfully placed the elixir back into the jade bottle.

He bowed even lower than before, his smile more ingratiating: "Senior—no, junior brother, may I ask which master crafted this pill? If you would be willing to introduce us, our Pill Treasure Pavilion will surely offer a generous reward!"

The subtext of his words was clear: this grade of pill could not possibly have been refined by this Qi Refining Level 3 guy himself.

Moreover, he has a keen eye. This pill is brimming with spiritual energy, and the elixir's flame hasn't dissipated, giving it a warm, smooth texture unique to freshly made pills. This indicates that the refining time was very short, and the alchemist is very likely nearby. If the Pill Treasure Pavilion could establish a connection with such an alchemist, the benefits of a long-term partnership would be self-evident.

Two cold glints flashed in his eyes beneath the hood, and his tone was unfriendly: "Don't ask what you shouldn't ask. Does your Danbao Pavilion open its doors to do business to check household registrations or to collect goods?"

"Yes, yes, junior brother is right. I was presumptuous, I was presumptuous." The steward repeatedly bowed and clasped his hands.

In a place like the Xuan Yin Sect, inquiring about someone's background can be a matter of life and death.

He quickly composed himself, resuming his professional smile, and rubbed his hands together, saying, "This top-grade Qi Gathering Pill is extremely rare on the market, practically priceless. Normally, a high-grade Qi Gathering Pill sells for ten low-grade spirit stones. This top-grade one… its condition is so excellent, and it even has double cloud patterns…"

"This junior will make the offer: thirty low-grade spirit stones per stone! What do you think?"

Thirty spirit stones per stone.

Lin Yuan mentally calculated that the price of top-grade pills on the black market usually fluctuates between twenty-five and forty, depending on the buyer's urgency. As an intermediary, Danbao Pavilion's offer of thirty was considered fair.

Although you earn less, it's safe, fast, and risk-free.

Lin Yuan nodded slightly: "Deal."

As he spoke, he flipped his wrist.

Four more identical white jade bottles slid out from the wide sleeves of the robe.

"Slap, slap, slap, slap"

They were neatly arranged on the counter.

"A total of forty-five."

The mustachioed steward stared wide-eyed at the five neatly arranged white jade bottles on the table.

This is forty-five top-grade Qi Gathering Pills. In the outer sect of the Xuan Yin Sect, this is definitely a large sum of money.

This also shows that behind the black-robed man in front of us is definitely a highly skilled alchemy master.

Many people noticed this, and their eyes gleamed with greed.

"Junior brother," the eight-character mustache-wearing deacon finally came to his senses, "This is such a large deal, the amount is quite substantial. According to the rules of the Pill Treasure Pavilion, for transactions exceeding five hundred spirit stones, I must consult with Manager Li. Please wait a moment, just a moment!"

After saying that, without waiting for Lin Yuan's response, he took off running upstairs.

That hurried, flustered figure looked like someone whose backside was on fire.

Lin Yuan watched him disappear around the corner of the stairs, his eyelids drooping slightly, silently cursing in his heart.

Depend on.

He deliberately chose to come at noon because he knew that Li Yang would most likely be taking a nap on the second floor at that time and wouldn't come down to greet individual customers.

The number of forty-five pills was still too conspicuous, and it managed to startle everyone.

I should have sold it in several batches.

However, upon further reflection, Lin Yuan felt somewhat more at ease. His disguise, while not flawless, was certainly undetectable even to a Golden Core cultivator without special methods of detection.

Lin Yuan tucked his hands into his sleeves, hunched over, and waited quietly.

A moment later, the mustachioed steward hurried downstairs, his steps noticeably lighter than when he went up. He ran up to Lin Yuan, respectfully gesturing for him to enter, his face beaming with a fawning smile: "Junior Brother, Steward Li requests your presence. A private room on the second floor, please."

Lin Yuan frowned slightly behind his mask.

He simply gave a hoarse "hmm" and stepped onto the wooden stairs.

The second floor is much more elegantly decorated than the first floor.

The sandalwood incense burner was filled with the gentle smoke of calming incense, its pale golden wisps rising and swirling.

Several paintings of magical plants hung on the four walls, depicting lifelike plants with leaves swaying gently in the wind within the frames.

A large rosewood couch was placed by the window.

Li Yang was leaning lazily against the soft couch.

Today she changed into a bright red, high-waisted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress).

The vibrant red color made her skin appear even whiter and smoother, and the waistband that reached her chest perfectly outlined her proud curves. Her full breasts rose and fell slightly with her breath, as if they were about to burst through the thin silk at any moment.

Two long, slender, snow-white legs were crossed, partially visible through the slit in her skirt.

A embroidered shoe hung on her toes, swaying gently.

He was holding a scroll of jade slips in his hands, seemingly killing time.

Lin Yuan stopped three steps away, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Greetings, Steward Li."

Li Yang put down the jade slip in her hand.

Her beautiful eyes swept over Lin Yuan from head to toe with a half-smile.

At first glance, he does indeed appear to be an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator who doesn't want to reveal his identity.

In a place like the Xuan Yin Sect, this kind of attire is not unusual.

Li Yang was about to speak.

Suddenly, her nostrils twitched very slightly twice.

She was born with an extraordinary sense of smell. Everyone has a unique scent.

She was very familiar with this scent, which was a mixture of faint medicinal fragrance and a distinctive body odor.

The image of the handsome outer disciple who had spotted the flaws in the Spirit-Enhancing Liquid at the counter yesterday instantly flashed into Li Yang's mind.

A fleeting glint of something unusual in his eyes vanished in an instant.

Li Yang gently picked up the teacup with elegant movements—but the moment her fingertips touched the cup, a wisp of extremely concealed divine consciousness, like an invisible snake's tongue, silently swept over Lin Yuan's body.

Such a profound concealment technique. To an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator, it would probably only appear as a plain Qi Refining Level 3.

Unfortunately, she was only at the Core Formation stage. The disguise was as thin as a cicada's wing under her divine sense, and the surging spiritual energy beneath was clearly visible—seventh level of Qi Refining.

Yesterday it was still the fifth floor. Li Yang brought the teacup to her lips, concealing the upward curve of her lips.

No wonder they rejected my offer yesterday.

It turned out that a high-level alchemist who could refine top-grade Qi Gathering Pills was standing behind them.