Over forty portions of herbs, Qin Yu had purified them all. Such a quantity was too conspicuous.
This wasn't something an Alchemy Apprentice who had just broken through to the Initial Stage of Spiritual Power could accomplish.
"I often buy herbs here, and each time the quantity is fairly constant. Suddenly taking out so much will surely arouse suspicion!"
Qin Yu's eyes slightly narrowed.
Having lived here for decades, if he didn't know what caution meant, he would have died countless times already.
Even with a flame within him, growing quietly and developing under the radar was what he needed to do.
"Seems like I need to switch places!"
Perhaps the people at the Evergreen Grocery Store wouldn't remember a Junior Cultivator like Qin Yu at all, but even if there's just a slight chance of arousing suspicion, he should avoid it.
Qin Yu quickly made a decision, strolling slowly through the bustling market and observing the surrounding shops.
Danxin Herb Hall.
Qin Yu stopped before this herb store.
He had some understanding of Danxin Herb Hall. It's said that behind this shop stands an Alchemist.
An Alchemist who rose from outside the city!
Therefore, some of the Outer City Cultivators were willing to buy medicinal liquid from Danxin Herb Hall.
Qin Yu pondered for a moment and chose to go inside.
Perhaps to maintain its reputation, Danxin Herb Hall hadn't been associated with any negative rumors, unlike other herb stores with backgrounds.
The inside of the store was rather deserted.
Qin Yu didn't mind much and walked straight to a counter.
"Selling some medicinal liquid!"
He said as he opened his package and laid out the medicinal liquids one by one.
Initially, the shopkeeper wasn't particularly interested.
For someone like Qin Yu, bringing medicinal liquids to sell was likely just common medicinal liquid, which wasn't very profitable, and only some grocery stores would accept them.
Of course, as small as a mosquito may be, it's still meat; the shop wouldn't refuse business, but the price would be lower than grocery stores.
But when the shopkeeper saw the bottles of medicinal liquid, his eyes opened wide, "First Grade Medicinal Liquid."
He gave a quick glance.
Forty-one bottles, all purified!
Only then did he seriously regard Qin Yu in front of him, with a kind tone, he said, "Fellow Daoist, how about twenty pieces of big silver per bottle?"
"Alright!" Qin Yu replied.
While inspecting the bottles one by one, the shopkeeper casually asked, "Fellow Daoist, the purification of these medicinal liquids is quite good. Would you be interested in working at our Danxin Herb Hall?"
As expected.
This was within Qin Yu's expectations; if he took out so many First Grade medicinal liquids and the people at Danxin Herb Hall still showed no interest, there'd be a problem.
"What kind of treatment can I expect?"
He also got straight to the point.
With the improvement in his Spiritual Power, earning Spirit Stones was no longer a difficult task for Qin Yu; what he needed was time to grow, which required a stable environment.
The smile on the shopkeeper's face grew wider, "It depends on your aptitude. If your aptitude is outstanding, Master Zhao might take you as a disciple!"
Being called a master naturally refers to an Alchemist!
"Even if you can't become a disciple, being an apprentice at our Danxin Herb Hall provides better treatment than other herb shops!"
"Someone like you who can purify medicinal liquid can have their own residence without doing any menial tasks. The medicinal liquid you refine will be bought by the hall at the standard market price..."
"Moreover, Master Zhao teaches apprentices like you personally once a year!"
This treatment is undeniably generous.
In other words, even if Qin Yu isn't chosen as a disciple by the Alchemist, he would still receive almost half the treatment of a disciple.
Individual teachings are something only the disciples of other herb shops can enjoy!
"Would you like to give it a try?"
"Sure!"
Qin Yu agreed.
Having been in Lin Xian City for so long, he naturally had a certain understanding of the various herb shops in the market.
Choosing Danxin Herb Hall was a decision he had weighed long ago.
The treatment in each herb shop varies; some larger shops, for instance, have connections to the Immortal Sect and naturally favor children of Immortal Sect cultivators.
Some are jointly opened by several great cultivators in the city, who naturally look after their group's juniors.
If you're not one of them, you will more or less face rejection.
Master Zhao of Danxin Herb Hall, having risen from outside the city, naturally shows more care for cultivators from outside the city than other herb shops.
Even without special care, an Outer City Cultivator like Qin Yu can at least live more peacefully, after all, he has two lady companions to care for.
"Forty-one bottles of First Grade Healing Medicine Liquid, totaling eight hundred and twenty pieces of big silver!"
Saying this, the shopkeeper handed over eight Lower Grade Spirit Stones and twenty pieces of big silver to Qin Yu.
After the transaction was completed.
He walked out from behind the counter, "Fellow Daoist, please follow me!"
The so-called trial was actually Qin Yu needing to refine and purify a portion of medicinal liquid on the spot for verification.
It was understandable.
Fortunately, Qin Yu had explained things to Lin Qianqian before coming.
The shopkeeper led Qin Yu to a quiet room, where there wasn't much furniture, just an Alchemy Furnace placed in the center, with herb shelves lining the walls.
This was an Alchemy Room.
"Fellow Daoist, what would you like to refine?"
"Healing Medicine Liquid!"
The shopkeeper took a set of Healing Herbs and handed it to Qin Yu, then stood quietly aside waiting.
"Boom! …"
The Spirit Fire ignited under the Alchemy Furnace and was controlled to stay beneath the belly of the Furnace, just this maneuver alone proved that Qin Yu's Spiritual Power had reached entry level.
The expression on the shopkeeper's face relaxed significantly.
With the Spiritual Power verified, purification was only a matter of time.
...
The next day.
Danxin Herb Hall's backyard.
"This is infuriating beyond words!"
A low voice filled with suppressed anger rang out from the high position, emerging from the mouth of a peerless beauty.
She was in her prime, complexion smooth as cream, skin fairer than winter snow. The most captivating were her almond eyes, as if one glance could make someone sink into them, unable to extricate themselves.
Beautiful like a poppy, with limitless allure.
The most enticing was her ample bosom, even hidden beneath a loose robe, it could not conceal her generous figure, offering a visually striking allure.
Yet at this moment, her face bore anger, her delicate brows furrowed.
"No need to be so angry, Ma'am."
Beside her, someone advised, keeping their gaze down, not daring to look at her, afraid of losing composure.
This woman was Master Zhao's Dao Companion from Danxin Herb Hall... Yin Qinghe.
Thus, she was addressed as Ma'am.
"That Cheng Yi has too much appetite, does he really want to swallow my Danxin Herb Hall?!"
Yin Qinghe was still not over her anger, her chest heaving, but no one dared to appreciate the scene.
The Cheng Yi she referred to was a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator in Lin Xian City.
Evidently, something had happened to Danxin Herb Hall, or else, it wouldn't be oppressed.
After a while, Yin Qinghe calmed down somewhat, and she lowered her voice, asking the person beside her, "Still no news from your master?"
"Master entered that small secret realm over a year ago. Three days ago, the realm closed; I'm afraid..."
Though the words 'grim remains' weren't spoken, Yin Qinghe's hand tightened abruptly, clutching the nearby armrest, the veins faintly visible.
The issue had befallen the Master Zhao.
The small secret realm was perilous, but it contained a primary ingredient for crafting the Foundation Establishment Pill. That's why Master Zhao took the risk to venture, but little did he expect such an end.
With the secret realm sealed, the chances of survival were nearly zero!
If not, with an Alchemist in residence, even a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator wouldn't dare to oppress them.
Now, however, things were different.
Without shelter, Danxin Herb Hall was practically a piece of meat on a cutting board, sooner or later to be devoured.
Unless... there could be someone to hold up the hall!
Such a possibility was too slim. Though angry, Yin Qinghe's expression dimmed down.
It seemed beyond salvage.
Primarily, even Master Zhao's proud disciples had switched sides, leaving Danxin Herb Hall with no one capable to rely on.
The few herb shops within the city couldn't hold up any longer.
Just at that moment, a voice came from outside the courtyard...
"Ma'am, the shopkeeper delivered a medicinal liquid, claiming this person wants to join our Danxin Herb Hall."
Yin Qinghe was about to refuse.
Master Zhao's incident had already spread widely in the city. After all, the fall of an Alchemist was a significant event, bearing considerable impact.
Evidently, those wanting to join Danxin Herb Hall now were most likely Outer City Cultivators.
Having just reached entry-level Spiritual Power, unable even to enter Lin Xian City, how good could the talent be?!
"Bring the medicinal liquid he refined to take a look."
Yin Qinghe spoke.
The reality was, there weren't many usable people left in Danxin Herb Hall. Another apprentice who could purify medicinal liquid at least meant more strength.
Soon, the medicinal liquid refined by Qin Yu was handed over to Yin Qinghe.