Chapter 53: An Acquaintance

At almost the same moment, every Outer and Inner Disciple turned their gaze in the same direction.

“Farewell, Grandmaster!” The clear, unified chant echoed throughout the entire sect.

The celestial phenomenon did not last long. In less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn, peace had returned to the heavens. Li Meng sighed softly, then turned and soared away on his sword. The Great Dao was heartless; most cultivators would eventually face such a day. Today it was someone else; one day, it would be his turn. Only a rare few—as scarce as phoenix feathers or qilin horns—could ever hope to reach the summit.

Joyous Union Sect Market City, Thousand Treasure Pavilion.

The market was somewhat quiet as noon approached. Li Meng, clad in his blue robe, walked into the Thousand Treasure Pavilion.

“Well, if it isn’t Immortal Master Li!” It was the same shop assistant, wearing the same obsequious smile.

Li Meng tossed a list to the assistant. “Prepare these. I’ll collect them shortly.”

“Right away!” The assistant glanced at the list, and his eyes nearly bulged out of his head. He hurriedly looked up at Li Meng’s retreating back as he ascended the stairs. “Immortal Master Li, you’re asking for far too much. We can’t possibly prepare all of this at once.”

Li Meng chuckled from the staircase. “Then just give me whatever you have in stock.”

Today, he was here to sweep the shelves clean. Although he could now refine second-grade pills, he still needed to produce a surplus of first-grade ones as well. Staring at the now-empty staircase, the assistant scratched his head in confusion. Has Immortal Master Li come into a massive fortune recently?

Thousand Treasure Pavilion, Second Floor.

“Can you prepare everything on this list?” Li Meng asked a server who approached him.

The server took the list and examined it carefully. “This… Senior Brother, I’m afraid we cannot fulfill all of this.” What was this Senior Brother, with his Lifespan Limit clearly approaching, planning to do? Why buy so many five-hundred-year spirit plants and demon beast materials?

“Then just give me whatever you have. By the way, do you have any thousand-year Jasper Fruits?”

“We don’t have those on the second floor. Senior Brother might try asking on the third floor!”

“Very well. Prepare what you can; I’ll be back for it.” Li Meng turned and headed for the stairs.

The layout of the third floor was essentially identical to the others, except the servers here were all Foundation Establishment cultivators. Upon reaching the top, Li Meng swept his gaze around. Near a shelf not far away, he spotted a graceful figure arranging items. He approached and bowed respectfully.

“Senior, this junior lacks one ingredient: a thousand-year Jasper Fruit. Might the third floor have any?”

“Jasper Fruit? You wish to refine an Ageless Pill?” The graceful figure turned to look at him. A gentle, soft voice reached his ears. “It’s you?”

Liu Siyue looked at the little old man before her with astonishment. Wasn’t this the Qi Condensation Outer Disciple she had met on the ship—the one holding a Supreme Elder’s token? She hadn’t expected to encounter him here today.

Li Meng looked up, and his expression froze momentarily. “So it is Senior Liu! This junior, Li Meng, pays his respects!” He bowed respectfully once more.

Liu Siyue pursed her lips into a smile, a coquettish glint in her eyes as she blinked at him. “Junior Nephew Li, you haven’t answered my question yet!”

Li Meng chuckled softly and stroked his beard. “Senior Liu has keen eyes. This junior does indeed wish to attempt an Ageless Pill!”

A flicker of surprise passed through Liu Siyue’s eyes. Although Ageless Pills were beloved by female cultivators, they only held significant value if their Quality reached at least Medium-grade. Not even a third-grade Alchemist would dare claim they could reliably produce such a result. Where did a mere Qi Condensation level nine disciple get such confidence?

“A thousand-year Jasper Fruit is quite valuable. How many does Junior Nephew Li require?”

Li Meng inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. “How many does your esteemed pavilion have?” He countered. With his current capital, buying five or six shouldn’t be an issue.

Liu Siyue smiled faintly behind her hand. This little old man was surprisingly wealthy. “We have seven seven-hundred-year fruits, five thousand-year fruits, two two-thousand-year fruits, and one five-thousand-year fruit.”

Li Meng narrowed his eyes. The Thousand Treasure Pavilion truly lived up to its name. “This junior will take all of the seven-hundred-year and thousand-year Jasper Fruits!”

A seven-hundred-year fruit would suffice for a High-grade pill. A thousand-year fruit should allow for a Flawless result. As for fruits over two thousand years old… they held little practical meaning for him. Using such ancient plants solely to boost quality was a waste he wouldn’t tolerate.

“Please wait a moment, Junior Nephew.” Liu Siyue offered a gentle smile, then turned and swayed her slender waist as she walked deeper into the aisles. As a server on the third floor, she received commissions based on sales; she couldn’t care less if he wasted the fruits or not.

Shortly after, she returned. “That will be thirteen thousand Spirit Stones in total. Thank you for your patronage!”

Li Meng paid, his expression one of acute financial pain. “Senior Liu, this junior takes his leave.”

“Junior Nephew Li,” Liu Siyue said softly as he turned to go. “If you manage to refine a Medium-grade Ageless Pill, remember to save one for your Senior. I won’t let you suffer a loss.” Her cheeks flushed slightly pink, and an alluring aura seemed to emanate from her as she cast him a meaningful glance.

Li Meng watched her activate her Charm Technique with an amused smile. “Senior Liu need not worry. If I succeed, I will certainly reserve one of the finest quality for you.”

Liu Siyue gave a charming smile in return. “Then this Senior will await your good news!”

Li Meng bowed and departed. As he entered the stairwell, a faint smile touched his lips. Senior Liu’s looks are truly excellent. Only slightly inferior to Senior Qu. Giving her an Ageless Pill wouldn’t be a bad idea. Whether she’ll be willing to pay my price for it… that’s another matter entirely. His gifts were never truly free.

“Senior Brother, that comes to five thousand four hundred Spirit Stones!” Back on the second floor, Li Meng paid with that same pained expression.

“Immortal Master Li! That comes to three hundred seventeen Spirit Stones!” On the first floor, the price was a trifle.

“You’ve worked hard. This is for your trouble.” Li Meng stored his goods and tossed two Spirit Stones to the assistant. The man’s eyes lit up as he deftly caught them, his face wreathed in flattering smiles.

“Immortal Master Li! Please walk slowly! Do come again!”

Walking down the street, Li Meng patted his Storage Bag with lingering distress. How can one earn money without spending it first? He consoled himself, a forced smile finally appearing.

Joyous Union Sect Outer Sect, Little Bamboo Peak.

Li Meng descended into his courtyard and glanced at the sun. I’ll organize these plants and materials first… then I’ll go find Senior Qu.

He moved toward the house and disappeared inside. Roughly four hours later, Li Meng emerged once more.