Once Wei Haolan made this decision, none of the Foundation Establishment cultivators objected, and the matter was settled.
These cultivators primarily wanted to exchange for Foundation-Nurturing Pills to increase their cultivation at the Foundation Establishment stage. Therefore, Wei Haolan first determined the quantity of Foundation-Nurturing Pills and distributed them to the cultivators present. Spirit-Replenishing Pills and Spirit Cleansing Pills were also indispensable, but if there weren't enough demon core materials, they would have to give up their quota to other cultivators.
Originally, Dingyan Pills were not particularly popular in shops or exchange meets, but the situation at the Bixuan Pavilion was special. Among the nearly twenty female cultivators present, there weren't many who practiced appearance-preserving techniques. Nearly thirty Dingyan Pills were snatched up in an instant, and two female cultivators even started arguing over one pill.
"Silence!" Seeing this, Wei Haolan shouted.
Mo Tiange could tell that Wei Haolan held considerable authority within the sect. Although there were female cultivators whose cultivation was not inferior to hers, they all quieted down upon hearing her shout.
Wei Haolan frowned slightly and said, "If all you junior sisters want Dingyan Pills, then let Junior Sister Xia Qing learn the refining method from Fellow Daoist Ye. When the time comes, you can exchange for them yourselves."
This was indeed a fundamental solution. The materials for these Dingyan Pills, which preserved one's appearance for ten years, were not particularly scarce. In Kunwu, even Qi Refining cultivators from sects or families could afford them. If Xia Qing learned the refining method, their Bixuan Pavilion sent people out to exchange for materials every year. They could then refine a few dozen pills to distribute among the disciples, and that would suffice.
Only after Wei Haolan said this did the two female cultivators relent. The pill was finally exchanged to another female cultivator.
Later, Mo Tiange found herself holding a pile of strange materials, with demon cores being the most numerous by far, in all sorts of colors and attributes. Unfortunately, the highest grade was only a fourth-rank demon core. After all, fifth-rank demon beasts were equivalent to Core Formation cultivators, and they were all only at the Foundation Establishment stage. Killing a fifth-rank demon beast was not easy.
After exchanging the last bottle of pills, everything was finally finished. Just as Mo Tiange was sighing in relief, she suddenly heard a series of hurried footsteps on the stairs, as if someone was rushing up.
Wei Haolan frowned, somewhat displeased. Subsequently, a white-robed young man at the early Foundation Establishment stage appeared at the door.
"My apologies," the person stood at the door, a flush rising on his fair skin. "I'm late."
Mo Tiange glanced at this person and was secretly startled. Although she had never met him, she recognized him. Over a year ago, in Ziwei Sanren's cave dwelling, the two female cultivators Yun and Liu had fallen victim to the illusion formation together. The illusion that had appeared at that time had taken the form of this white-robed male cultivator. She remembered that the two had called the illusion "Big Brother Tang."
As soon as this person appeared, almost all the female cultivators present had smiles in their eyes. Only Wei Haolan maintained a more serious expression, but she merely coughed and said, "Junior Brother Tang, why are you so late? Fellow Daoist Ye's pills have all been exchanged."
"Ah?" The male cultivator was stunned for a moment. His gaze shifted to Mo Tiange beside Wei Haolan, and he seemed at a loss. "E-exchanged?"
"Hmph!" This time, it was one of the male cultivators who had spoken very little before. His tone was icy. "Junior Brother Tang is truly at leisure. The Sect Leader had already said before that the exchange meet requires punctuality. And you? You're a full hour late!"
"I had some matters to attend to." The person approached somewhat awkwardly. Before he could say anything else, a female cultivator stood up and called out, "Junior Brother Tang, I exchanged for quite a few pills. I'll share some with you."
Before this Junior Brother Tang could reply, another female cultivator spoke up: "Senior Sister Le, you didn't exchange for that many either, did you? If you share them, you'll have none left!" Then she turned to this person and said with a smile, "Big Brother Tang, what were you busy with? Don't worry about the pills. I exchanged for a few extra. How about I give you half?"
This female cultivator didn't look very old, and her form of address was the same as that of Yun and Liu.
As soon as her voice fell, a third female cultivator said, "Junior Brother Tang, you should exchange with me instead. Although I don't have many pills, I have plenty of metal-attribute demon cores. I imagine Junior Brother Tang needs those."
"Senior Sister Yang!" The youngest-looking female cultivator raised her eyebrows and called out, "Who wants your demon cores? Our exchange meet today is all for pills. Big Brother Tang, it's settled then. Later, we'll discuss how to exchange for the pills."
"Hmph!" This third female cultivator, Senior Sister Yang, was not of a gentle disposition. Hearing this, she backhandedly drew the crescent-moon-shaped blade-like magical weapon from her waist and slapped it on the table. "Junior Sister Hua, whether he wants demon cores or not is for Junior Brother Tang to decide. There's no need for you to refuse on his behalf!"
This "Junior Sister Hua" was apparently used to being domineering. Upon hearing this, without another word, she also drew the flying sword from her waist. "Senior Sister Yang, I'm giving you face here, so that when Big Brother Tang refuses you, you won't lose it!"
"You—"
"Enough!" Wei Haolan finally shouted. "We have a distinguished guest here! What kind of behavior is this?! And you don't need to worry about Junior Brother Tang's pills. The ones exchanged earlier in the sect's name will go to Junior Brother Tang."
"Senior Sister Wei!" Unexpectedly, this time Wei Haolan's words didn't have their usual effect. That Junior Sister Hua refused to back down, her brows furrowed in anger. "This is using public resources for private gain! The sect's pills, and you're using them to curry favor!"
Hearing this, Wei Haolan's face turned cold.
Senior Sister Yang interjected at this point: "What's wrong with Sect Leader Senior Sister making this decision? She is the Sect Leader. On the contrary, Junior Sister Hua, aren't you meddling too much? You're not Junior Brother Tang's dual cultivation partner, so it's none of your business!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Junior Sister Hua flew into a rage. "Whether it's my business or not isn't for you to decide! That's for Big Brother Tang himself to decide!"
"Right, it's for him to decide. Junior Sister Hua, you're so fierce. Do you still think Junior Brother Tang would fancy you? Save your breath!"
"..."
Mo Tiange watched the spectacle silently. She had originally thought that the female cultivators of the Bixuan Pavilion were much better than the jealous, competitive, and ostentatious women outside. It seemed it depended on the person. Today truly broadened her horizons. There were actually people who would argue like this over a man. It seemed that not only were beauties a source of trouble, but handsome men were too.
Thinking this, she glanced at the white-robed male cultivator standing dumbfounded in place. Hmm, his face was handsome enough, but with this dumbstruck look, at a loss and flustered, how could he compare even a little to Qin Xi's bearing? She really didn't know what these female cultivators saw in him. For a man, being handsome wasn't enough; temperament and demeanor were more important. Like Qin Xi—he wasn't devastatingly handsome, but his bearing and elegance were outstanding and transcendent, far superior to this Junior Brother Tang...
"All of you, shut up!"
Startled back to her senses by Wei Haolan's loud shout, Mo Tiange realized what she had been thinking and felt annoyed with herself. She collected her thoughts and stopped letting her mind wander.
Wei Haolan was clearly angered. Her gaze swept coldly over the cultivators before her, her face darkening. "Look at what you're all doing?! If you still have any regard for my words as Sect Leader, then all of you shut up!"
"You..." That Junior Sister Hua seemed to want to say something more, but Wei Haolan's expression truly didn't look like she was joking. In the end, she reluctantly closed her mouth and sat back down.
Wei Haolan looked at Junior Brother Tang, her gaze still cold. "Junior Brother Tang, since you came late, no pills will be exchanged for you."
"Yes..." Junior Brother Tang replied softly.
Mo Tiange thought to herself that even if Wei Haolan didn't save any for him, naturally others would be willing to exchange with him, right? This method wouldn't work on this universally adored Junior Brother Tang.
"Alright." Wei Haolan's expression softened. "Now you may proceed with free exchange."
Only after she said this did the atmosphere relax. The twenty-some cultivators began to gather in small groups, whispering among themselves.
Wei Haolan turned to Mo Tiange and forced a slight smile. "My lack of discipline has made us a laughingstock in front of Fellow Daoist Ye."
Mo Tiange smiled faintly, not particularly concerned. "Sect Leader Wei, please don't mind. I've seen plenty of this sort of thing in Kunwu. It's nothing."
"Is that so?" Wei Haolan wasn't in much of a mood for conversation today. She said, "It's free exchange time now. I won't delay Fellow Daoist any longer. Please make yourself at home. I have matters to attend to and will take my leave first."
Mo Tiange nodded. "Sect Leader Wei, please."
Wei Haolan smiled briefly and hurriedly stood up to leave.
As soon as Wei Haolan left, someone immediately approached Mo Tiange. It was that Junior Sister Hua. "Fellow Daoist Ye!"
Having seen this woman's domineering behavior earlier, Mo Tiange didn't like her, and her expression remained indifferent. "Fellow Daoist, is there something?"
Junior Sister Hua's eyes darted around, as if checking whether others were watching. Then she asked in a low voice, "Fellow Daoist Ye must still have some pills, right? How about I add some more things to exchange with you? If you promise not to exchange with anyone else, I can offer double the demon cores."
Mo Tiange frowned slightly and didn't answer.
Seeing her lack of response, Junior Sister Hua added, "Fellow Daoist Ye, I am a direct blood descendant of our sect's Elder Qingmiao. If you're willing to exchange with me, I'll put in a good word for you with my ancestor. When my ancestor receives you, she might be so pleased that she rewards you with something good!"
Mo Tiange hadn't thought much of it initially, but upon hearing this, she couldn't help but laugh inwardly. If she were a rogue cultivator, she might not pass up the chance to befriend a Core Formation cultivator. But she had clearly stated that she was a disciple of the Xuanqing Sect, traveling on her master's orders. Would an elite disciple of the Xuanqing Sect need to curry favor with a Core Formation cultivator from a minor sect like the Bixuan Pavilion?
It seemed this Junior Sister Hua truly relied on her connections and didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth. Never mind that her own wealth was not inferior to that of an ordinary Core Formation cultivator; just based on her alchemy skills and ability to produce over a dozen bottles of pills at once, the Bixuan Pavilion's elders probably wanted to befriend her.
"Fellow Daoist Ye!" Seeing that she still hadn't answered immediately, Junior Sister Hua raised her eyebrows, displeased. "I'm willing to offer more demon cores. Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"
Mo Tiange merely glanced at her indifferently, as if she hadn't taken her words to heart at all. "Fellow Daoist is overthinking it. I said earlier that I only had this many pills. Even if I wanted to exchange, I can't produce more out of thin air."
"You—" Junior Sister Hua was angered, clearly not believing her. Finally, unwilling to give up, she threatened, "Think carefully!"
Mo Tiange's tone remained indifferent. "I truly don't have any. Even if I wanted to exchange, there's nothing to exchange." She wasn't worried about this spoiled young lady's threats. Earlier, she hadn't been sure, but now that she had seen the internal situation of the Bixuan Pavilion, she understood clearly that with her alchemy skills, she didn't need to fear the Bixuan Pavilion breaking their promise. Besides, if even Wei Haolan didn't take this young lady's words seriously, what did she have to fear?