The temporary residence of the Gu Family.
Gu Yu and other members of the Gu Family returned from outside, and upon seeing Gu Yan, exclaimed, "Big brother, have you heard? There's someone selling high-grade Azure Essence Pills outside. Many sects are investigating the alchemist behind it. Big brother, is this alchemist really that remarkable?"
"Yu, there are also rumors outside that it might be a disciple of an eighth-grade alchemist who stole and sold them, hence the secrecy. If it's an eighth-grade alchemist, crafting high-grade Azure Essence Pills wouldn't be surprising," Gu Yang added. Everyone knew that eighth-grade alchemists were often foundation-building cultivators who had immersed themselves in alchemy for countless years.
Although the younger generation of the Gu Family had been cautioned by their elders to act cautiously outside and avoid arrogance, they still believed that, with the Gu Family's alchemical skills, they were not weaker than other forces. However, after touring the city, they realized the harsh reality: they needed alchemists capable of crafting high-grade and even eighth-grade pills.
While in Yuanyang Town, they avoided mentioning ninth or eighth-grade, using terms like low, intermediate, and high-level alchemists. However, it was self-deception. A ninth-grade low-level alchemist could be impressive there, but here, the shopkeepers barely noticed the low-level pills they presented, leaving the Gu family disciples disheartened.
Hearing that the North Star Sect was investigating the alchemist behind the high-grade Azure Essence Pills, the Gu family disciples couldn't help but feel envy and resentment.
"High-grade Azure Essence Pills!" Gu Yan's fists clenched. Such pills held immense allure for him. While the Gu family could produce Azure Essence Pills, they were only low-grade, and the chance of obtaining intermediate-grade ones was a matter of luck. Rarely did they come across high-grade Azure Essence Pills. "It might be some ignorant disciple of an alchemist who secretly took them out for sale. Alchemists are not easy to cultivate, let alone advanced alchemists."
"What about Gu Yao? He's already an intermediate-level alchemist and frequently produces intermediate and high-grade pills," someone muttered quietly, causing Gu Yang and the others to change expressions. Gu Yan frowned. While Gu Yao's alchemical achievements were fortunate for his age, it was impossible for him to be an advanced alchemist, especially considering his cultivation level of only five layers of Qi refining.
Fortunately, with his imminent entry into Changxian Sect, Gu Yan believed that such a major sect would not lack high-grade Azure Essence Pills. He quickly regained his composure.
Gu Yan sternly said, "Alright, this matter is beyond our control. Diligent cultivation is the true path."
"Yes, big brother (young master)."
Similar scenes unfolded at the temporary residence of the Lu Family. Lu family disciples also speculated that it might be some ignorant disciple of an eighth-grade alchemist, expressing bitter words.
"In my opinion, although those sect cultivators have higher cultivation, it's not all due to pills. If we also have an abundant supply of intermediate and high-grade pills, our cultivation might surpass theirs. What do you think, young master?" Lu Minbo expressed his discontent.
Lu Minbo's words received agreement from many Lu family disciples. While envying the sect disciples, they also harbored resentment.
When Gu Yao and Chi Changye returned to the inn, Tian Fei brothers were discussing the matter of high-grade Azure Essence Pills. Upon their return, Tian Fei Rong shared the news they had gathered, mentioning rumors of some prodigal inheritor selling stolen pills. He expressed regret for not being able to obtain the pills but anticipated that they could acquire them once the alchemist's identity was revealed.
Gu Yao and Chi Changye exchanged glances, both concealing their surprise. Tian Fei Rong didn't realize that the supposedly stolen high-grade Azure Essence Pills he mentioned were the ones Gu Yao and Chi Changye had sold. Laughing it off, they inquired if the alchemist had been found.
Tian Fei Rong shook his head, emphasizing that it wasn't easy to expose someone of such status. However, he believed that for the disciples of major sects, finding out wouldn't be too difficult. Gu Yao and Chi Changye concealed their true feelings, and Xu Chen, in Gu Yao's mental space, burst into laughter at the locals' limited understanding.
Tian Fei Rong continued, suggesting that they need not envy the prodigal inheritor. Once Gu Yao became a high-level Qi refining cultivator, obtaining high-grade Azure Essence Pills would be effortless. He proposed that they all enter Tianfu Academy together. Gu Yao agreed, and Tian Fei Rong assured him that if they needed pills, they could contact Gu Yao for a reasonable price.
Tian Feiyang saw Chi Changye also agreeing to enter Tianfu Academy, though he didn't understand why he made such a choice. With both of them around, Tian Feiyang felt more reassured about Tian Feirong. Observing Gu Yao's actions in Yuanyang Town, he recognized him as someone composed. Without such composure, his alchemical skills would have been exposed long ago, making it challenging to break free from the Gu family.
Indeed, Tian Feiyang believed that Gu Yao had been practicing alchemy for a while. Due to his awkward position in the Gu family, he hadn't revealed it yet. Relying on his alchemical skills, he dared to leave the Gu family, unafraid of losing cultivation resources after departure.
Once out of the Tian family brothers' sight, Gu Yao couldn't contain his laughter. He couldn't believe he had unknowingly become a prodigal inheritor with an eighth-grade alchemist elder, stealing elixirs to sell for spiritual stones. Was it because the cultivators here lacked entertainment, leading them to such vivid imagination?
Chi Changye's eyes also held a playful glint as he rubbed Gu Yao's head, suggesting it was perfect timing. However, he advised against crafting elixirs until they entered Tianfu Academy to avoid exposing their identities.
Gu Yao nodded, wiping away tears from laughter, and said, "Now that we have enough spiritual stones, let's just enjoy the show." He chuckled, "Brother Night, they won't really find a prodigal inheritor, will they? That would be interesting."
Chi Changye's lips curled slightly; it wasn't impossible. Such prodigal inheritors were not uncommon. Otherwise, people wouldn't make such associations.
In the following days, Gu Yao became more discreet. Since Tianfu Academy was nearby, he stayed in the room most of the time, focusing on cultivation, studying, and practicing alchemy. During breaks, he would come out to chat with Tian Feirong, who shared the latest gossip from the city.
For instance, a disciple from a certain family, accustomed to arrogance, pursued a beautiful female cultivator forcefully. Unaware of her background, the family had to evacuate the city overnight, delaying their participation in the Ascension Ceremony. It was speculated that the disciple from that family regretted not cutting ties with the arrogant one.
Additionally, two male cultivators from different sects fought over a female disciple from the North Star Sect. Their conflict attracted the attention of city guards and elders from both sects, resulting in punishments for the involved disciples.
The city was indeed livelier than Yuanyang Town. Tian Feirong enthusiastically narrated these incidents while Gu Yao savored the stories, finding the two of them particularly compatible. Tian Feiyang, occasionally encountering such scenes, rolled his eyes, realizing that Gu Yao's fondness for his brother was due to their shared interests.
"Gu Yao, Gu Yao!" Tian Feirong rushed in, muttering from outside, "That prodigal inheritor who stole and sold elixirs has been exposed!"
Gu Yao, just stepping out of the room, was taken aback. He held his chin, almost dropping it, and quickly supported it, curiously blinking, "Who is it? Which alchemist's disciple is it?"