The Alchemist Exchange in Sage Pill City, in this region, boasts a rather distinguished reputation. This exchange isn’t like the others, filled with a mixed bag of people. If we were to categorize exchanges into three grades, then the one Xiao Yan and his companions are about to attend would be considered top-tier, far surpassing the small exchanges seen yesterday… The location of this exchange lies outside of Sage Pill City’s main domain, but in a prime spot where the outer and inner domains meet. It’s rumored that the support of the Pill Pagoda has been crucial for its remarkable growth. And because of this, acts of violence, such as robbery, are extremely rare in this exchange, as no one can escape the pursuit of the Pill Pagoda within the Pill Region.
“Alchemist Exchange…” Standing before a vast, expansive building, Xiao Yan gazed at the intricate, dragon-and-phoenix script on the placard. He couldn’t help but wipe a bead of sweat from his brow; the name of this place was indeed as he had heard…
At that moment, the area before the exchange was bustling with activity, with countless alchemists flowing through the crowd, passing through the heavily guarded entrance smoothly. Envy and admiration lingered in the eyes of those watching from the sidelines.
“Is it here?” Xiao Yan looked at the grand structure before him, then turned to ask Ye Zhong, who was by his side.
“Yes,” Ye Zhong nodded, a hint of nostalgia in his tone. “It’s been years since I came here. There have been so many changes…”
After confirming their destination, Xiao Yan smiled. He then slowly made his way towards the entrance of the exchange. As the stern-faced guards were about to obstruct him, he pulled out the seven-rank alchemist badge he had earned from the examination two days ago, gently pinning it to his chest. The guards, seeing the badge, stepped back, bowing courteously.
According to the rules of the Alchemist Exchange, alchemists of the seventh rank or above could bring certain companions with them. Hence, they didn’t stop Xing Lan and the others, allowing them to follow Xiao Yan through the wide gates.
After the entrance was a cool, spacious corridor. Xiao Yan and his companions walked through, and the clamor of voices suddenly filled their ears. At the end of the passage, a vast hall awaited, lined with neatly arranged stone platforms, reminiscent of market stalls. Behind the platforms sat the vendors, their lazy postures contrasting with their businesslike surroundings.
The hall was teeming with people, and most of them were garbed in the robes of alchemists. Countless alchemists wandered among the platforms, some stopping to scrutinize the items on display, and if interested, beginning to negotiate their terms.
Ye Zhong laughed, “This Alchemist Exchange is divided into different levels. We’re in the third-class area now. The second-class area is on the second floor, and the first-class area is on the top floor, though each level has its entry requirements.”
“For the second floor, you need to be a sixth-rank alchemist. For the third, you need to be at least a seventh-rank alchemist or a Douzun-level powerhouse,” explained Ye Zhong.
Xiao Yan nodded, “Let’s take a look around here first. Maybe we’ll find something useful…”
With that, he began to stroll through the busy hall, scanning the goods on the platforms, hoping to find what he needed.
Seeing Xiao Yan’s enthusiasm, Ye Zhong sighed and followed, along with the others. In this hall, filled to the brim with people, time passed quickly. Xiao Yan had only managed to inspect about twenty stalls but had already spent nearly an hour. What frustrated him was the lack of finds. Although the quality of the goods here was much higher than in other markets, nothing yet had truly caught his eye.
“Everything here has been rigorously selected. These traders are all experts. It’s not easy to find hidden treasures amidst their wares,” Ye Zhong finally spoke up, sensing Xiao Yan’s disappointment.
“If you want something extraordinary, we need to go to the second or third floor,” Ye Zhong added.
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes, muttering, “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
“Seeing you enjoying yourself, I didn’t want to disturb you,” Ye Zhong replied, chuckling. “Let’s head to the second floor.”
With their credentials, getting to the second floor was no problem. Although Xing Lan was a bit of a weak link, the sight of Xiao Yan’s badge, which indicated his intermediate seventh-rank status, swayed the guards after a moment’s hesitation.
The second floor was much quieter, and the crystal floor glimmered like a mirror, making it almost dazzling. On these crystal platforms, the goods appeared of even higher quality than those below.
The crowd here was sparser but of better caliber, quietly inspecting their finds and negotiating in hushed tones.
Xiao Yan’s gaze swept over the crystal displays, finally pausing on a jade box containing a red, oval-shaped fruit, radiating a vibrant, life-giving energy.
The Blood Essence Fiend Fruit—a very rare medicinal herb. It was born deep beneath the earth, absorbing the vitality of rich blood, eventually transforming into a fruit. It was one of the main ingredients for the Bone Merging Blood Pill, which Xiao Yan intended to create for the upcoming pill competition.
The Bone Merging Blood Pill, a pinnacle-seventh-rank, even potentially eighth-rank concoction, was extremely difficult to make. The ingredients themselves were incredibly rare, and the success rate was low. Were it not for Xiao Yan’s recent strokes of luck, which had infused his soul with spiritual energy, increasing his proficiency in pill-making, he wouldn’t even consider taking on this daunting task.
Of course, no matter how difficult, the success of the Bone Merging Blood Pill was paramount. All for the sake of the Pharmacist Elder! If he could rescue the elder, he would need to provide a body, and the creation of this body required the Bone Merging Blood Pill. The Elder was not like the Heavenly Fire Venerable; Xiao Yan was determined to make the best possible body for him. Only the Bone Merging Blood Pill could ensure the perfect result.
The three main ingredients: the Blood Essence Fiend Fruit, the Evergreen Spirit Vine, and the Snow Bone Ginseng. Of these, Xiao Yan had found only the Blood Essence Fiend Fruit. The rest were still unobtained, even for a family like the Ye.
Xiao Yan scanned the crimson fruit, then shifted his gaze to the vendor sitting behind the stand, an old man in a red robe, with a sixth-rank badge on his chest.
“Hello, sir, do you see anything you like?” The red-robed elder asked, having noticed Xiao Yan’s badge, his tone deferential.
“How do I trade for this?” Xiao Yan pointed at the Blood Essence Fiend Fruit, without much prelude.
“Ah, the Blood Essence Fiend Fruit.” The elder, clearly knowledgeable about his goods, immediately revealed the item’s details. “I understand you know the rarity of the Blood Essence Fiend Fruit. It’s used in high-ranking seventh-rank pills…”
The elder stroked his beard, “I’m willing to trade this fruit for a scroll of a seventh-rank intermediate pill formula that I’ve never studied.”
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, replying lightly, “That’s a steep price. While the Blood Essence Fiend Fruit is rare, a seventh-rank formula is priceless. Who would trade it for just that?”
Despite having many high-ranking pill formulas, Xiao Yan was not reckless with them. The fruit was valuable, but it was nowhere near as precious as a seventh-rank formula, especially one the other hadn’t studied.
The elder looked embarrassed, but he didn’t back down, knowing this was his best offering.
Seeing the elder’s unwillingness to lower his price, Xiao Yan shook his head and addressed Xing Lan, “We’ll check the top floor first. You stay here, and put out word that you’re looking to buy the Blood Essence Fiend Fruit, Evergreen Spirit Vine, and Snow Bone Ginseng. Offer a finished seventh-rank intermediate pill for each.”
Xing Lan nodded in agreement.
After settling things, Xiao Yan turned to the elder, “Those are my terms. If you agree, you know whom to contact.” With that, Xiao Yan headed for the top floor, ignoring the elder’s frown.
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