Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

Chapter 238: Humbly Seeking Advice

Qin Lu sat by a familiar wooden table in the private chamber of Xi Ren’s Pill Shop, drumming his fingers against the polished surface. He had hit a wall in his search for the final three ingredients, and his first instinct was to return to the source.

Xi Ren was old, experienced, and clearly a local fixture in Shuntian City. If anyone knew where to find rare herbs in this sprawling metropolis, it was him.

After waiting for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the door creaked open. Xi Ren walked in, looking visibly drained. Sweat beaded his forehead, suggesting he had just stepped away from a hot furnace.

However, the moment he spotted Qin Lu, his weary expression morphed into a teasing grin.

“Well, if it isn’t Fellow Daoist Qin! Back so soon? Did Fan Yueren kick you out?”

Xi Ren sat down, pouring himself a cup of tea with exaggerated slowness.

Qin Lu forced a polite smile. “Not at all. Fellow Daoist Fan was very direct. He has already agreed to refine the Pill.”

“Is that so?” Xi Ren paused mid-sip, leaning forward with a cheeky glint in his eye. “Then why are you here? surely not to deliver my thank-you gift already?”

“Hehe…” Qin Lu’s smile twitched. “The thank-you gift is coming, I assure you. But today, I need to ask for your guidance one more time.”

“Hah! I knew it. One doesn’t visit the temple without a cause. Alright, out with it. What’s the trouble?”

“Fan Yueren gave me a list of materials for the [Du’e Pill]. I’ve found almost everything, but three ingredients elude me no matter where I look. I was hoping you might have a lead.”

“Oh? Which three?”

“[Black Mysterious Grass], [Purple Treasure Ginseng], and [Black Spirit Fruit].”

“Ah…” Xi Ren nodded knowingly, taking a long sip of tea. “No wonder. Those three aren’t exactly shelf items. They are rare enough that the average cultivator never encounters them.”

“So, Fellow Daoist Xi… how do I find them?” Qin Lu asked, cutting to the chase.

“Well…” Xi Ren held his teacup in mid-air, letting the silence stretch. His thumb rubbed against his forefinger in a universal gesture.

Qin Lu didn’t need a translator. He immediately produced a pouch containing one hundred Spirit Stones and slid it across the table.

“Hahaha! It’s actually quite simple!”

Xi Ren swept the pouch into his sleeve with a practiced motion, his fatigue vanishing instantly. “First, [Black Mysterious Grass]. It grows in the Black Wind Ridge, specifically in the territory of the [Earth Armor Dragon]. It’s not hard to find if you go there, provided you don’t get eaten by the second-rank Demon Beast guarding it.”

“Second, [Black Spirit Fruit]. You won’t find this in an apothecary. Try the ‘Fragrant Accumulation Pavilion.’ It’s a high-end restaurant. They serve [Black Spirit Fruit] as a pre-meal appetizer.”

“Appetizer?” Qin Lu blinked.

“Exactly. As for the last one, [Purple Treasure Ginseng]… that is tricky. Even I don’t know a reliable source for that in the city.”

Qin Lu’s face fell. “What? If I’m missing even one ingredient, the pill fails. Are you saying I’m stuck?”

“Don’t panic,” Xi Ren waved a hand dismissively. “Just because I don’t know doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Here are three ways you can find it.”

He held up a finger. “One: Scour the street markets. The Loose Cultivators there sell all sorts of strange things they drag out of the wilderness. It’s a gamble, but possible.”

“Two: Post a bounty at the Merit Hall. Spend some Spirit Stones to broadcast your need. If someone has it, they’ll come to you.”

“Three: Go back to the major herb shops and speak to the owners directly. Pre-order it. Rare stock often gets sold before it ever hits the shelves.”

Qin Lu nodded slowly, absorbing the advice. It was solid, practical wisdom.

“Fellow Daoist Xi is truly knowledgeable,” Qin Lu said, standing up and bowing. “This was well worth the trip. Thank you.”

“Hehe! Easy money for just moving my lips,” Xi Ren laughed, patting his chest. “Come back anytime you have more questions… and more stones.”

“I will. Farewell.”

Leaving the shop, Qin Lu felt the weight on his shoulders lighten. He had a plan.

His first stop was the ‘Fragrant Accumulation Pavilion.’

If the [Black Spirit Fruit] was served as a snack, it couldn’t be that rare or expensive. It was undoubtedly the easiest of the three to acquire. Rumor had it the restaurant was backed by a Golden Core ancestor who cultivated the fruit exclusively for his own establishment.

Following Xi Ren’s directions, Qin Lu soon arrived at an opulent, multi-storied building that glowed with golden light. The sound of laughter and clinking glasses spilled out onto the street.

Qin Lu walked in, ignoring the revelry, and flagged down a server.

“Senior has excellent taste!” the server beamed upon hearing the request. “Our [Black Spirit Fruit] is famous across Shuntian City! How many would you like?”

“Give me twenty,” Qin Lu said. The recipe only called for twelve, but the server’s sales pitch had piqued his curiosity. He wanted to taste one himself.

“Coming right up! That will be sixty Spirit Stones.”

Qin Lu almost choked. Three stones per fruit? This is the most expensive snack I’ve ever bought.

Still, he paid without complaint. Minutes later, he walked out with an exquisite gift box tucked under his arm.

One down. Two to go.