Chi Changye walked into the Dan room, but at this moment, Gu Yao's face was covered in dirt and the Dan furnace was in disarray. Needless to say, he was trying something new.
Changye chuckled inwardly, walked over and sat next to Gu Yao, waiting for him to snap out of his pensive state.
After an unknown amount of time, Gu Yao, propping up his chin, finally refocused his eyes and immediately exclaimed with joy upon seeing Chi Changye beside him, "Brother Ye, have you come out of seclusion? When did you arrive? You didn't even let me know."
Chi Changye reached out and touched Gu Yao's face, then presented his hand to him, saying, "You were so engrossed in your thoughts that I didn't want to disturb you. Quickly tidy up, I'll clean up over here."
Gu Yao uttered a surprised sound, forgetting to ask how long Changye had been waiting. He quickly cleaned himself up and changed into fresh clothes. When he returned, the Dan furnace had also been cleaned.
With a joyful expression, Gu Yao happily sat back down next to Chi Changye. However, he became distressed again as he remembered the problem he had been pondering earlier. "Refining pills to purify one's spiritual roots becomes increasingly difficult as one progresses. The impurities left behind in the spiritual roots become more stubborn as cultivation level rises."
Chi Changye reached out to massage the acupoints on Gu Yao's head, allowing him to relax. "Don't burden yourself too much. Sometimes you just need to unwind. Who knows, inspiration might strike."
Gu Yao knew that Chi Changye was comforting him. There weren't as many flashes of inspiration in alchemy as he had suggested, but his words made sense. Taking a moment to relax might lead to new ideas.
Gu Yao took out a jade bottle and handed it to Chi Changye, saying, "This is the Purple Crystal Dew collected by Zi Baobao. He takes great care of his spatial realm. Without him, it would be difficult to gather so much spiritual dew in such a short time."
Leaving that underground space, Gu Yao transplanted some purple bamboo into his own dimensional space, ensuring it wouldn't interfere with the formation. Since Zi Baobao also liked purple bamboo, they quickly cultivated a small area of purple bamboo forest. Now they had purple crystal dew, purple spirit rice, and purple crystal shoots to consume. It made the other guest, Xu Chen, envious because he lacked a physical body and couldn't enjoy these delicacies, only able to watch others partake.
Chi Changye took out two jade cups and poured some Purple Crystal Dew into them. Just by smelling its fragrance, one would feel exhaustion dissipating. Taking a sip, the dew transformed into a pure and gentle spiritual energy that circulated through their bodies. With long-term consumption, it had the ability to repair hidden injuries within the body. Some injuries couldn't be healed by medicinal pills alone, especially suitable for practitioners who focused on cultivating their physical bodies, such as Chi Changye, who practiced the path of the sword.
Through the experiences in the mountains and their seclusion for cultivation, both of them had made significant progress in their cultivation. It was believed that Tian Feirong and Xiaopangzi had also made similar advances. If they were to encounter early-stage Nascent Soul realm demonic beasts again, they wouldn't be as embarrassed as before.
After checking, Tian Feirong and Xiaopangzi were still in their respective cultivation rooms without any movement. Taking Chi Changye's suggestion, they decided to go to the city and explore. There were bound to be many local specialty products, and they could also ask the owner of a stone shop about the situation outside.
The two strolled along the streets, with various street vendors and noises blending together, creating a bustling atmosphere. Despite the noise, both of them were in a good mood.
They approached a stall, with Gu Yao looking down at the items on display. Suddenly, a charming voice rang out in his ear, "What caught the attention of you two young gentlemen? This lady will give you a discount."
Gu Yao was taken aback and looked up at the person speaking. He saw a female cultivator swinging a large fox tail, her eyes gleaming as she appraised him and Chi Changye. It was evident that she was a fox spirit, possessing a beautiful appearance with a hint of coquettishness.
Chi Changye furrowed his eyebrows slightly. Before Gu Yao could speak, a male cultivator at the adjacent stall gruffly said, "Hu Mei, when did you start changing your preferences? Didn't you only give discounts to handsome male cultivators who caught your eye?"
Now, these two male cultivators obviously had ordinary appearances. How did they become eye-catching?
But Hu Mei threw a flirtatious look at Gu Yao and Chi Changye, saying, "When did Hu Mei change her preferences? As for someone like you, stay as far away from me as possible, both of you agree, don't you?"
That gaze made Gu Yao's scalp tingle, as if it was stripping him and Chi Changye bare. Gu Yao shook himself and grabbed Chi Changye, running away. He couldn't handle it and said, "Thank you for your kind offer, but we have to go."
Seeing Gu Yao flee, Hu Mei laughed even louder, leaving the big man next to her bewildered. Hu Mei, this fox spirit, was known for teasing handsome male cultivators. However, the two male cultivators were not any more attractive than him, let alone the fact that demonic cultivators evaluated cultivation level and strength.
When they were far away, Gu Yao looked back with lingering fear, touching his head and saying, "Brother Ye, did you feel like we were seen through by that female demonic cultivator?"
Chi Changye had already guessed something when he heard the male demonic cultivator speak. He nodded and said, "It's possible. Some demonic beasts are naturally favored by heaven and have innate talents and abilities. Perhaps that demonic cultivator had special eyes. Don't worry, most of the time, demonic cultivators won't interfere in the conflicts between human cultivators."
Unless they gain some benefits, and if that demonic cultivator really sees through their identities, then they should know that compared to those major sects outside, Gu Yao, as a talented alchemist, can bring more benefits to the demonic cultivator. Most demonic cultivators are not skilled in alchemy, while humans are the most adept at learning.
After hearing this, Gu Yao felt more at ease. So they continued to stroll around carefree, discovering various spiritual herbs and other items that couldn't be seen outside. After wandering for half a day, they found a restaurant, ordered wine and dishes, and savored them slowly. They didn't isolate themselves from the sounds outside nor deliberately listen to anything, but there were two words that caught their attention.
Merchant Alliance.
What is the Merchant Alliance? The two looked at each other. They had been in this vast continent for some time but had never heard of any Merchant Alliance. They heard others talking enthusiastically about it. Was this some newly emerged power?
The two listened attentively and were startled by what they heard.
"I heard that there are already ten major businesses that have joined the Merchant Alliance, and the headquarters of the alliance will be established near Bahe City, in coordination with Bahe City."
"I didn't expect the City Lord of Bahe City, Liu Chengzhu, to have such determination, gathering so many businesses to form the Merchant Alliance. Once the alliance truly develops, with so many Nascent Soul cultivators gathered together, its strength won't be weaker than those major sects."
"Yes, City Lord Liu not only has determination, but also the ability to let go. Although she initiated the establishment of the Merchant Alliance, she and her Dao companion did not take credit for it. They gave up the position of the Alliance Leader and became two elders under the Merchant Alliance. City Lord Liu is truly remarkable and serves as a role model for us independent cultivators.
"I heard that the Merchant Alliance is currently recruiting talents, and many skilled independent cultivators have joined, including some demonic cultivators."
...
Gu Yao and Chi Changye were amazed by what they heard and understood the situation. They admired it even more.
Chi Changye communicated via sound transmission, saying, "This is definitely the work of Senior Zhang. Although he didn't claim much benefit from the Merchant Alliance, as the initiators along with City Lord Liu, the major sects dare not easily make a move against them. Otherwise, they would anger the entire Merchant Alliance."
Just imagine, if they dared to attack and kill even the initiators of the Merchant Alliance, it would mean they didn't care about the entire alliance. If the Merchant Alliance doesn't establish its authority, this organization won't be able to exert much influence on the continent.
Speaking of which, the Merchant Alliance has a similar effect to the Alchemist Guild that Gu Yao proposed initially. The Alchemist Guild gathered most alchemists into their own camp and positioned themselves with righteousness by spreading their alchemical techniques. It's likely that any attempt to harm the Alchemist Guild would provoke the anger of cultivators on the continent and place oneself in an adversarial position against the entire continent.
Although the Merchant Alliance cannot reach the same righteous height as the Alchemist Guild, they have integrated the majority of commercial forces on the vast continent. In this way, dealing with a single trading company is equivalent to dealing with the entire Merchant Alliance and all the trading families on the continent. It's not an easy force to shake.
If the Merchant Alliance unites to control the circulation of a particular spiritual material from a major sect, it would undoubtedly have a significant impact on that sect.
Gu Yao also heard someone mention the Qingchen Pill and was surprised. "Senior Zhang shared the Qingchen Pill within the Merchant Alliance," he thought. "That's quite good; now we don't need to worry about the Immortal Sect secretly sending people to steal it."
Moreover, the trading companies within the Merchant Alliance, in order to protect their own interests, would definitely not reveal the alchemical recipes to the Immortal Sect and other sects that the Immortal Sect wants to coerce. That would be tantamount to coercing the entire Merchant Alliance.
Although he was the one who presented the Qingchen Pill recipe, when he handed it over to the City Lord's Mansion, he mentioned that the Mansion had the authority to dispose of it. Chi Changye nodded. It was estimated that the Immortal Sect would be infuriated this time. Hearing the mockery of the Immortal Sect and their alchemist, Li Qi, in the restaurant, Chi Changye smirked. Was it so easy to steal Xiao Yao's alchemical recipe? Now that Li Qi person would have to reap what he sowed.
Because, until now, the Immortal Sect still hasn't been able to produce the Qingchen Pill, so the doubts about Li Qi have grown louder. Even people in such a remote place are talking about it, let alone those who reside near the Immortal Sect.
Chi Changye was in a great mood, not forgetting the secret increase in the bounty on Gu Yao from the Immortal Sect.
The two enjoyed a delicious meal. When they walked out of the restaurant, they heard a group of cultivators at another table loudly discussing who was the real creator of the Qingchen Pill.
As they walked to the Qianshi Shop, the shopkeeper's eyes lit up when he saw them. These two little ancestors had finally come out. The outside world was in chaos, yet they seemed so leisurely. It was giving him a headache.
"Please go upstairs, honored guests," said the shopkeeper, inviting them in.
As they reached the upstairs, the shopkeeper immediately greeted them respectfully, saying, "Master Yan would like to ask Dan Shi Yao for a favor." "Please go ahead and tell us," replied Gu Yao politely.
"It's like this, I suppose you two have heard about the Merchant Alliance?"
Gu Yao smiled and said, "We just heard many people discussing it at the restaurant. Otherwise, we wouldn't have known. Please convey our congratulations to City Lord Liu and Master Zhang."
The shopkeeper chuckled. He was also pleased to see things come to this point. Now, their shop could be placed under the umbrella of the Merchant Alliance, reducing the exploitation and pressure they faced. Having a strong backing was indeed favorable.
"Well, the thing is, Master Zhang would like to request Dan Shi Yao to refine some pills. The Merchant Alliance is preparing for a grand auction, and Master Zhang wishes for Dan Shi Yao to contribute. All the proceeds from the auction will be given to Dan Shi Yao."