The next day, Zhang Xian found himself bored and idle. Lin Yinyin was still in seclusion, intently refining her precious magical artifact.

“If only I could get my hands on more rare treasures like the Immortal Ascension Grass,” Zhang Xian mused.

He contacted Yun Qi and mentioned that he had another batch of high-grade magical artifacts for sale. It couldn’t be helped; the system had given him too many. Furthermore, auctioning off the Immortal Ascension Grass had indeed cost him a significant portion of his savings.

As for Lin Yinyin, she had already been “filled to the brim” by him recently, reaching the limit of what he could gift her for immediate returns. Currently, the only target left for potential returns was the little loli, Yun Zhen’er, but giving her gifts without a valid reason would seem strange.

Thinking this, Zhang Xian got up and went out alone.

First, he went to the east of the city to eat a basket of the famous steamed buns. Then, he headed to the market located under the nine-story glazed pagoda in the city center.

He had heard that other transmigrators often stumbled upon rare treasures at such markets, so Zhang Xian wanted to try his luck as well.

Yang Poxiao had been very irritable lately. Failing to secure the Immortal Ascension Grass at the auction had disrupted his plans, and he was unwilling to accept the outcome.

He had set up a stall at the market within Jade Capital City, selling pills. He also displayed a blackboard that read: “Buying all kinds of rare treasures, including Immortal Ascension Grass.”

For several days in a row, he hadn’t gained much. However, he did manage to sell a few of the pills he had refined.

Today was his last day lingering in Jade Capital City. His master, Long Zhi, sat quietly meditating behind him like a statue.

Sigh. His master’s eyes were only for the sword.

Yang Poxiao smiled self-deprecatingly. What was he fantasizing about? What rare treasures could he possibly acquire in a street market? This wasn’t some novel where opportunities fell from the sky.

At that moment, a person with a restrained aura walked up to his stall. Pointing at one of the pills on display, the stranger asked, “How much for this Life Extension Pill?”

Yang Poxiao glanced at him. The man’s features were indistinct, and he wore artifacts that blocked detection. There were many cultivators who didn’t want their identities known, so Yang Poxiao didn’t think much of it.

“One thousand mid-grade spirit stones.”

“Oh? What are its effects? Does it work for Foundation Establishment cultivators too?”

Adhering to the principle that the customer is king, Yang Poxiao patiently explained, “Mortals who take it can extend their lifespan by a hundred years. For cultivators, the effect diminishes sharply. Generally, Qi Refining cultivators can extend their lifespan by about ten years, and Foundation Establishment by roughly one year or so. Beyond that, it has little to no effect.”

“I see. I’ll take one then.” The man decisively took out the money.

Huh? Yang Poxiao hadn’t expected him to be so straightforward. He accepted the payment and handed over the pill.

Seeing the man still examining his wares, Yang Poxiao added, “Although my pills are slightly more expensive than the market price, they are all of superior quality. Their efficacy is generally better.”

The man then shifted his gaze to a Beauty Preservation Pill.

Yang Poxiao continued, “This Beauty Preservation Pill is eight thousand mid-grade spirit stones. It’s also top-grade, similar in quality to the one auctioned off a few days ago which sold for ten thousand.”

He almost added that the auctioned one was also his product.

The man withdrew his gaze and asked, “Do you have any other similar pills here? For example, ones that aren’t restricted by cultivation level and can increase lifespan, comprehension ability, vitality, or Spirit Roots? Or perhaps rare treasures that can heal foundational injuries?”

“You jest, Fellow Daoist,” Yang Poxiao said. “Such rare treasures are encountered by chance, not sought out easily.”

As he spoke, he suddenly paused and took out a pill from a storage pouch at his chest. “There is this Vitality Pill. It can increase vitality somewhat and is quite effective for mortals and martial artists.”

“I’ll take one of those as well.”

“You’re very decisive, Fellow Daoist. I’ll charge you one hundred mid-grade spirit stones then.”

Yang Poxiao thought to himself, Actually, it only costs ten mid-grade spirit stones… I’ll fleece you a little less, otherwise my conscience might hurt.

After their transaction was complete, the buyer looked around but couldn’t find anything else he needed. He asked, “You’re still buying rare treasures? What exactly are you looking for?”

“That depends on what you have, Fellow Daoist. To be frank with you, I am an alchemist. For any rare treasure, I will offer a satisfactory price.”

“Oh?” The buyer took out a snow ginseng. “How about this?”

“Millennium Spirit Ginseng… Fellow Daoist, this hardly counts as a rare treasure.”

“Then what about this?”

The buyer produced a spiritual herb that was entirely translucent blue.

“Immortal Ascension Grass!!”

Yang Poxiao’s pupils contracted sharply. His mind raced—Was this the person who outbid me?

No… Yang Poxiao was an Alchemy Grandmaster, after all; his ability to identify herbs was extremely high. He could tell at a glance that this stalk was different from the one auctioned—its appearance was even better.

Could he be the one who consigned it for auction? Does he have a second stalk?

“This… I can offer six hundred thousand for it.” Yang Poxiao tried his best to keep his voice calm.

“Heh, Fellow Daoist. This fetched 1.76 million at auction. Isn’t six hundred thousand a bit low?”

Yang Poxiao’s expression changed slightly but quickly steadied. “Auctions involve premiums. Moreover, this is a private purchase after all…”

“Forget it then.” The figure turned as if to leave.

“Fellow Daoist! Wait!” Yang Poxiao called out frantically. “I can add more.”

“Two million! Non-negotiable!”

Yang Poxiao gritted his teeth. “Are you joking with me?”

“Or there’s another way,” the person changed tack. “Fellow Daoist, can you tell me what you want the Immortal Ascension Grass for? Direct consumption? Or alchemy?”

Yang Poxiao snorted. “Naturally, to refine an Immortal Ascension Pill.”

Whoa! An ancient lost pill formula! This guy has something! Zhang Xian marveled internally.

“Then how about we make a deal? I won’t charge for this Immortal Ascension Grass. If you succeed in refining it… give me a few pills then.”

“You have quite the plan figured out,” Yang Poxiao said darkly. “I am likely the only one under heaven who can refine an Immortal Ascension Pill now! And you want ‘a few’? One batch yields at most two or three pills.”

He thought to himself, A typical alchemist gets two or three finished pills from one recipe batch at most; as a super-genius alchemist, naturally, I get more.

“Then I want half.”

Yang Poxiao pondered for a moment before saying, “Fine! Give me the Immortal Ascension Grass, and I will swear a Heart Demon Oath that upon successful refinement, I will give you half.”

“I have one small condition,” said Zhang Xian coolly, shaking his head slowly. He crossed his arms over his chest, defiantly staring back into those furious eyes. “I don’t trust you! Let your master behind you swear the oath instead.”

He pointed towards Long Zhi, who sat quietly meditating nearby, seemingly oblivious to everything happening around her until now.

Suddenly, a system notification popped up inside Zhang Xian’s head.

【Ding! Long Zhi’s Favorability towards you is 0. Binding successful.】

Long Zhi opened her eyes, briefly glanced towards the speaker, then closed them again, resuming her meditation posture calmly as if nothing had happened. It was merely a slight twitch of her eyebrow indicating annoyance at being disturbed, but otherwise, she showed no external reaction whatsoever.

Yang Poxiao flew into a rage immediately upon hearing the demand. The words clearly implied distrust in him personally while trusting his master implicitly.

“What do you mean by this, Fellow Daoist?! How could I possibly break a promise under a Heart Demon Oath?!”

“If that is not acceptable, then the deal is cancelled.” Zhang Xian’s tone left no room for negotiation.