Unfortunately, Wolfsbane Pavilion didn't sell their herbs individually. Everything was sold in bulk by the kilogram, so if she removed something from her purchases, it would only lead to the further weakening of the antidote.
Yun Da Xia remembered the two gold coins she had given the maid and wanted to cry. Who told her to be so lavish in her bribes?
Truly, one of her biggest regrets was not bringing at least a fraction of her greenhouse yields along with her before the lightning tribulation. Those rare plants that she had painstakingly raised had likely withered in her absence. She had instead stuffed her inter spacial ring with an assortment of different pills and draughts in anticipation for severe external and internal wounds or qi deviation, not poison.
If she opened a clinic, there was no doubt that her financial situation would lead to a more than comfortable lifestyle. However, her skill and perception was severely reduced without her cultivation. Who knows the state of this world's economy; how many days would she need to treat patients in order to make a few gold coins?
A solution to her predicament sprung to mind. Her bright eyes sparkled, and she turned to the waiting Bai Chaun. "Sir, does your pavilion also purchase pills?"
Many of her recipes had been taught by master or other elders throughout her lifetime, but since she young she had been one to simply chuck different ingredients together. Somehow, her creations were usable. Hopefully, they would see some value in her pills and offer her a nice sum of money.
Bai Chaun bowed his head with a smile, "Indeed we do, Young Master. We only acquire items that are second grade and above. If the Young Master has items that fit the requirements, I can call for our pill appraiser."
Yun Da Xia slowly nodded. Truthfully, she had no idea what rank her pills were.
After ringing a silver bell, Bai Chaun wondered what this customer had to offer. At the mention of the second grade condition, he had not balked. Clearly, his identity was not one to be treated lightly.
A man with a long unruly beard appeared from behind a door. His dark hair was mixed with strands of gray; the crinkles beside his eyes emphasized his smiling eyes. Though he was dressed grandly in dark blue robes with silver accents, his bearing seemed more like a man who spent most of his time at a bar.
He held a deep smile as he approached the waiting individuals. "Greetings to the Young Sir. My name is Huang Hao. I'm eager to see your wares." He bowed.
She cleared her throat, "Well, yes. Thank you." She pulled out jars from her inter spacial ring. It had remained bound to her despite her passing through worlds or inability to cultivate; following her will obediently.
Two tiny jars lay inconspicuously on her palm.
"May I?" The older man gestured towards the jars. With Yun Da Xia's nod, he carefully picked up a bottle and popped open the lid.
The room was filled with a scent so wonderful, other customers and staff had turned their heads to look for the source. A lungful of the fragrance made them feel as if their soul had been cleansed; impurities leaving the body. "Where is that scent coming from?" A man that had been admiring armaments breathed out; heart hammering against his chest. Others who practiced cultivation all felt the same excitement.
However, none were more excited than Huang Hao, who stared slack-jawed into the bottle. His hands shook slightly. Though he mainly pursued the art of medicine and pill refining, he was still someone who cultivated. He was the one who best understood the value of the item in both perspectives.
Three pills rolled around in the jar. Each one a perfect sphere with a pale green hue. As a pill master, he had seen common and uncommon pills; whether in person or in pieces of literature. He prided himself on his knowledge, but on this day he was stumped. He had never seen this pill before.
Seeing the visceral reaction his body had by merely smelling its contents, the worth of this single jar was undeniable.
Yun Da Xia eyed the hungry gazes of the other people, frowning a bit. She had only brought out the pills she didn't have any use for, but from the looks of everything, they seemed to be pretty valuable. Although the money it would accumulate would probably be enough for now, this attention was not a good thing.
"Excuse me, would it be alright if we conducted this appraisal in a more private venue?" She asked Huang Hao. His eyes widened, "Ah, yes, yes. Silly me. Bai Chaun, please lead him to the VIP room."
The handsome attended flourished his hands in front of her. She could still feel the eyes of the other clientele on her back. It sent a shiver down her spine.
The VIP room she was lead into, she had to admit, was deserving of its name. Plush chairs were situated around a low table that held cakes and tea. Beautiful paintings adorned the walls, while the sound of a guqin could be heard; though Yun Da Xia had no idea where it originated from.
She sat across Huang Hao; Bai Chaun attentively pouring a cup of tea for her to drink.
"Young Master, anyone with eyes can see that this is of great value. Unfortunately, I am unfamiliar with the name of these pill and their specifics. If you would, please educate this old one." Huang Hao's earnest expression resembled that of an excited child; all that was left was for him to start bouncing in place.
There was something odd about his behavior that she could not put her finger on. The fine hairs at the base of her neck prickled.
After a moment, her steady voice explained. "After ingesting the pill, toxins will be flushed out of the body, and the marrows will be strengthened. Overall, it improves a person's physique, whether they are in foundation or advance stages of cultivating."
This was one of her creations that she had haphazardly thrown together. She didn't bother naming them, because there was truly no method to her madness. To her it was easiest to just recognize them according to their usage.
The master alchemist and the attendant grew still.
Their expressions struck a sense of unease to her heart.
In a world that valued cultivation, they understood its mechanics. Although one could improve their strength through diligence, aspects like internal physique and soul strength were understood to be nearly impossible to change.
These were the dividing factors that differentiated a common man from a genius.
If her claims were true, this item could change the course of a persons life. No longer would they be bound by limits they had control over.
It was liberation.