"May I ask, Master, what effect does the pill you're refining have?" Physician Xiao inquired.
"What business is it of yours?" Master Li Yun frowned, his expression displeased.
For every alchemist, the pills they refined were essentially secrets, not to be divulged.
Physician Xiao realized he had overstepped a boundary and quickly said, "Master, please don't misunderstand. It's just that a person came by earlier who also procured herbs quite similar to yours, Master, only with a few extra varieties. This old man was merely curious. If you don't believe me, look—this is the list of herbs he took."
Li Yun frowned, took the list, and glanced at it. At first, he paid it little mind, but the more he looked, the more astonished he became. It was indeed quite similar to what he had described, but it included several additional herbs.
Having been an alchemist for a considerable time, his years of experience gave him an inkling that the pill refined from the herbs on this list would likely have an effect similar to his own. However, with those extra herbs added, the resulting effect might be far superior.
He immediately grabbed Physician Xiao's hand and pressed, "Where is he? Hurry and take me to see this person!"
Master Li Yun felt an urgent need. He sensed this person was extraordinary, possibly an alchemist of a higher rank, perhaps even a Three-Star alchemist. Moreover, the list meticulously noted both the quantities and the ages of the herbs, making him feel it was even more remarkable.
Physician Xiao was startled. He never expected the usually calm and unflappable Master Li Yun to become so agitated. Could that mysterious black-robed man be a hidden master after all?
He dared not keep secrets and hurriedly said, "I'm sorry, Master. This old man doesn't know this person. He was completely shrouded in a black robe, very mysterious. I didn't see what he looked like. He just procured ten portions of herbs and left."
Hearing this, Master Li Yun sighed dejectedly. His intuition told him this person was likely an alchemist, and of a higher rank than himself, possibly even a Three-Star alchemist. It was a pity he didn't know where to find him.
If he could get to know such an alchemist, or even receive guidance from such a master, Li Yun felt he might advance to become a Two-Star alchemist or higher more quickly. This had been his dream for many years.
"Oh, I almost forgot. That guest earlier also left a bottle of healing medicinal liquid for our Huichun Hall to sell. However, the asking price is very high—three hundred gold coins." Physician Xiao remembered something and immediately said, taking out the bottle of medicinal liquid and handing it to Master Li Yun.
"Medicinal liquid?"
Master Li Yun took the liquid with some surprise and doubt. If it were a true alchemist, they would rarely bother refining medicinal liquid, as its effects could not compare to genuine pills.
Could his guess be wrong? Was that person not an alchemist, but merely someone who happened to need herbs similar to his?
Master Li Yun was beginning to doubt the identity of the mysterious black-robed man, but his hands didn't stop moving. He opened the bottle and immediately, a faint, pleasant fragrance wafted out, refreshing his spirits. Inside the ordinary bottle flowed a clear, emerald-green liquid, misty and diffuse.
Top-grade!
Master Li Yun's eyes instantly lit up with excitement. He dripped a drop of the liquid and tasted it, finding his entire body felt many times more comfortable. The fatigue from daily alchemy seemed to vanish. It was truly miraculous.
As the saying goes, an expert's hand reveals depth at a glance.
Such medicinal liquid could absolutely be called supreme-grade, even slightly better than ordinary First-Grade healing pills.
Merely achieving this level with refined medicinal liquid spoke volumes about the refiner's alchemical skill—it was undoubtedly superb.
Suppressing his excitement, Li Yun asked, "You just said... how much is this bottle of medicinal liquid being sold for?"
"Three hundred gold coins!" Physician Xiao replied truthfully. "It's just that the price seems rather outrageous. Even if the healing liquid is excellent, it shouldn't be sold so expensively. I'm afraid it won't sell."
"Good, I'll buy it right now." Master Li Yun said immediately, taking out a thick money pouch containing several hundred gold coins and placing it on the counter.
Such decisiveness left Physician Xiao dumbfounded and incredulous. He vaguely felt he had suffered a great loss. He couldn't help but ask, "Master Li Yun, can this bottle of medicinal liquid really be sold for three hundred gold coins? Don't you think it's outrageous?"
"Outrageous?" Master Li Yun shook his head, a rare, genuine smile appearing on his face. "I'm in a good mood now, so I'll tell you. This healing medicinal liquid is called Hundred Herbs Liquid. Although theoretically, ordinary people could refine it, without sufficient alchemical skill, it's impossible to produce."
"Moreover, this bottle of Hundred Herbs Liquid is supreme-grade. It can regenerate flesh and reconnect bones. Honestly, it's slightly better than some First-Grade healing pills. Selling it for only three hundred gold coins is practically giving it away. Even if taken to the royal capital to sell, I dare guarantee people would scramble to buy it for three thousand gold coins."
"No way!?" Physician Xiao was stunned. It could sell for three thousand gold coins? That was an enormous sum of wealth. For such a small bottle of liquid? It couldn't be.
Understanding Physician Xiao's confusion, Master Li Yun carefully put away the medicinal liquid before saying, "You're not an alchemist, so naturally, you don't understand the true value of this liquid. This is no ordinary healing medicinal liquid. It's almost of the highest quality. To differentiate it as a pill, it would be a First-Grade pill, and of superior grade at that."
"Not only is it effective for Houtian cultivators, but even Xiantian realm cultivators would find it sufficiently effective. It can cure hidden ailments left from cultivation, making it invaluable. Even among the royal alchemists in the capital, I dare say few could refine such a supreme-grade medicinal liquid. Saying three thousand gold coins might even be too little."
Now, Master Li Yun increasingly understood the profound mystery of that mysterious person. Just this one bottle of liquid—if it was truly refined by that mysterious person—then their rank was definitely Three-Star, perhaps even the legendary Four-Star or Five-Star ranks were possible.
At this moment, Physician Xiao finally understood. Unfortunately, he had been blind. Back then, he had even said thirty gold coins, and indeed, three hundred gold coins was too little. For Xiantian experts, a medicinal liquid that could cure hidden ailments—never mind three hundred gold coins, even three thousand gold coins would have people scrambling for it.
He sighed silently, unable to hide his disappointment. He had missed out on such a precious medicinal liquid. The five gold coin commission was pitifully small.
Master Li Yun patted his shoulder consolingly. "Actually, you don't need to be so disheartened. Those who aren't alchemists simply can't discern the true value of this kind of liquid. Today, I just happened to come by and encounter it. Otherwise, for the uninformed, three hundred gold coins would indeed be hard to sell. That person probably sold it because he needed money."
"However, since he left the medicinal liquid here for you to sell, he will surely return to collect the proceeds. When that happens, you must find a way to keep him here, and I hope you notify me as quickly as possible." Master Li Yun added afterward.
Physician Xiao's eyes lit up. Although he had missed out on the excellent healing liquid, he now had a favorable condition to establish a connection with an alchemist. He immediately nodded eagerly. "Master Li Yun, rest assured. If that esteemed guest returns, this old man will definitely notify you at once."
"Very good. As long as you do well, I, Li Yun, will not treat you poorly. That I can guarantee." After making this promise, Master Li Yun, before leaving, also had Physician Xiao fetch ten portions of the herbs on the list and, with that bottle of healing medicinal liquid, left eagerly.
He had a vague feeling that the formula recorded on this list was better and more effective than his own.
He needed to return immediately to verify it.
Naturally, Ye Chen, who had already left Huichun Hall, was unaware of all this. He walked straight into a deserted alley, looked around to ensure no one was there, then changed out of his black robe and left with the herbs.