Time flows like water; in the blink of an eye, several months had passed.

Dawn broke over the White Jade Market.

In a quiet alley within the western district, two mortal shop assistants arrived at a storefront, yawning as they fumbled with the locks and pushed the doors open.

Just as they began their morning cleaning routine, a petite figure in a yellow dress stepped in from the street, lugging a massive bundle.

The two mortals immediately dropped their brooms and bowed deeply, their posture full of genuine respect.

“Greetings, Immortal Feng Xi.”

The girl was, naturally, Feng Xi.

She seemed to be in high spirits. She waved a hand dismissively, a bright smile on her face. “No need for the formalities. Carry on.”

“Yes!”

The two assistants watched her pass with admiration. Since starting work at this pill shop, they had discovered that Shopkeeper Feng was a workaholic. She was more diligent than even the mortal staff, arriving punctually every single day.

Once she entered the rear courtyard, she would disappear into the alchemy room for the entire day, emerging only for the bare necessities of life.

Today was no exception. They had barely unlocked the front door, and she was already here.

After greeting the staff, Feng Xi headed straight for the alchemy room in the backyard.

Dominating the center of the room stood a massive, three-legged bronze cauldron. Its surface was etched with profound, mysterious talismanic patterns—the very furnace her Lord had helped transport here.

“Time to work hard again today!”

Feng Xi cheered herself on, twisting her waist and stretching her limbs to loosen up.

She unpacked the large bundle, arranging various spiritual herbs and ingredients neatly around the furnace, prepping her station with practiced efficiency.

Over the past few months, her repertoire had expanded significantly. Beyond the basic [Fasting Pill], she had mastered the [Qi Nourishing Pill], [Qi Gathering Pill], [Blood Restoration Pill], and the [Strength Restoration Pill].

Her creations filled the lower shelves of the shop. Above them sat the intermediate-grade medicines refined by her Lord: the [Beauty Preservation Pill], [Cold Spirit Pill], [Qi Spirit Pill], [Crimson Blood Pill], and the [Bone Regeneration Pill].

Between the two of them, the inventory was growing at an alarming rate.

There was, however, another reason the shelves were groaning under the weight of the ceramic bottles: business was terrible.

The shop was located in a quiet corner, and they were a new establishment. Feng Xi could refine pills faster than the customers could buy them.

Yet, Feng Xi wasn’t worried. Her Lord had been clear: “You can never have too many pills. Someday, we will need them. As long as you have time, keep refining.”

Snap!

Feng Xi cast the [Ignition Technique] with a casual flick of her finger. A spark shot out, igniting the fire beneath the cauldron and activating the formation arrays etched into the bronze.

Despite the routine, a flicker of tension crossed her face.

Yesterday, when she had activated the furnace, it had inexplicably pulsed with a strange, eerie Spiritual Qi. It had scared her half to death.

She had momentarily feared a ghost was about to crawl out of the lid.

After all, her Lord had retrieved this furnace from a literal ghost tomb. Feng Xi couldn’t shake the feeling that the artifact was… unclean.

She watched the flames dance, holding her breath. But today, the furnace remained dormant. The formation hummed steadily, everything normal.

Feng Xi let out a long sigh of relief. She grabbed a stalk of spirit grass and began the rhythmic, hypnotic process of alchemy.

Refine. Meditate. Refine. Eat. Refine.

Feng Xi was in the zone, losing track of time as she focused entirely on the flames. Since there were no customers to haggle with, she remained undisturbed.

Just as she was preparing to start a new batch, a familiar voice drifted in from the courtyard.

“Xi’er! Something interesting just popped up! You coming or not?”

It was Wu Zhengtian.

Feng Xi’s face lit up. She abandoned her station immediately, dusting off her hands as she hurried out of the pill room.

Outside, Wu Zhengtian stood waiting, looking as fresh-faced and handsome as ever. Beside him stood the slightly chubby figure of Cao Mo.

“What’s interesting this time?” Feng Xi asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Cao Mo grinned, wiggling his eyebrows. “The Hundred Matters Pavilion just posted a new listing. Over in Dongkou City, about 300 li away, mortals are dying in droves. Gruesome deaths. Looks like a ghost or a monster is hunting.”

He puffed out his chest. “I saw the posting and snatched it immediately. Heh! I’m planning to go with Little White to sort it out. You want in?”

Feng Xi felt a surge of adrenaline. The adventurer in her soul, dormant for months, flared to life.

The Hundred Matters Pavilion was a hub established by the Demon Slaying Sect within the White Jade Market. It served as a quest board where local issues—usually involving mortal troubles—were posted for cultivators to solve in exchange for Spirit Stones.

It was the primary way for Loose Cultivators to earn a living.

Cao Mo had a restless spirit. Whenever he wasn’t making talismans, he lurked at the Pavilion, looking for trouble. And every time he found some, he dragged Wu Zhengtian and Feng Xi along.

They had become a regular trio of trouble-shooters.

“300 li…”

Feng Xi’s excitement faltered as reality set in. “A round trip will take days. My alchemy schedule…”

“Oh, come on,” Cao Mo interrupted, waving his hand dismissively. “You refine pills every single day. Taking a few days off won’t kill anyone. Lord Qin definitely won’t blame you.”

“Exactly,” Wu Zhengtian added, eager to fuel the fire. “Senior Qin is easygoing. Besides, this is a righteous, chivalrous matter! He might even scold you if you don’t go.”

The two boys took turns wearing her down, their enthusiasm infectious. It didn’t take much.

“Fine,” Feng Xi relented. “But I have to go back and tell my Lord first.”

“Let’s go then!” Cao Mo patted his chest boldly. “We’ll escort you back.”

The three teenagers left the shop, Feng Xi shouting a quick goodbye to the mortal assistants before heading toward the Qin residence.

They walked through the streets, chatting and laughing, radiating the boundless energy of youth.

As they passed through the market, heads turned. The trio had gained a reputation over the last few months.

Once they vanished around a corner, a group of Loose Cultivator street vendors began to whisper.

“That’s the three kids from the Qin Sect. Heh, take my advice—don’t provoke them. You won’t even know how you died.”

“You’d have to be a lunatic to mess with them,” another vendor scoffed. “Is there anyone left who doesn’t fear the Swallowing Sky Python? Though, to be fair, the Qin Sect people seem pretty chill. They don’t bully people.”

“True enough. But speaking of the Swallowing Sky Python… I lost a fortune betting against him in that death match. I’m still paying off the debt!”

“Heh! Serves you right for betting against a monster.”

“Hey, did you hear the rumors? About the Swallowing Sky Python and Gu Yue?”

“Oh, I’ve heard that one. Now that is interesting. Come closer, let me tell you…”

The crowd dissolved into idle gossip, killing time in the way of the market.