"Then I'll leave it to you."
Su Yun bowed to Vuklan and Otto.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Su Yun left the Alchemist Guild.
Once Su Yun was gone, Vuklan and Otto grabbed Xue Mei and Lin Fei and gave them a thorough scolding.
Meanwhile, Su Yun found an inn to stay in and began cultivating without any other distractions.
After seven days passed, Su Yun returned to the Alchemist Guild.
He waited in the hall for a while, and soon enough, Vuklan and Otto came over with Xue Mei and Lin Fei.
Vuklan and Otto greeted him respectfully.
"Master."
"Mm."
Su Yun nodded.
Xue Mei and Lin Fei stepped forward with respectful expressions, a hint of apology in their eyes.
"Master, we're really sorry about what happened before."
Su Yun waved his hand.
"It's nothing, just a minor issue."
The two of them felt relieved after hearing Su Yun's words.
Su Yun then looked at Vuklan and Otto.
"Chairman, Vice-Chairman, how are the things I requested?"
Vuklan stepped forward and said, "Master, we have almost gathered all the medicinal materials you asked for, and we have obtained quite a few fourth-grade demon cores. However, there is one medicinal material that we couldn't acquire."
Su Yun furrowed his brow.
"What medicinal material?"
"Ice Spirit Flame Grass."
Su Yun frowned. This was indeed a rare item.
While Ice Spirit Flame Grass wasn't particularly valuable, its scarcity was due to the harsh conditions required for its growth.
Collecting it within seven days would indeed be difficult.
The Ice Spirit Flame Grass he obtained from the cave had already been used up in refining the Frozen Cold Technique.
Su Yun, hidden behind his mask, remained silent, but Vuklan could sense the master's dissatisfaction.
Hastily, Vuklan continued, "Although we didn't manage to acquire the Ice Spirit Flame Grass, we have information about it."
Su Yun's expression relaxed upon hearing this.
"Where is it?"
"In the Tagor Desert City."
Su Yun raised an eyebrow. What a coincidence.
Although Vuklan didn't know what Su Yun was thinking, he continued, "I received information recently that in the desert city of Tagor, the owner of a map shop was seen taking out Ice Spirit Flame Grass."
Su Yun was momentarily stunned.
Desert City, map shop?
Could it be?
Su Yun quickly asked, "Is the owner of the map shop a cultivator who uses ice-type Qi?"
Vuklan was surprised but answered, "Yes, Master, as you said. The owner of the map shop uses ice-type Qi and is a formidable cultivator. He is an elderly man, but his specific identity is unclear. He's been running the map shop in the desert city for many years, keeping to himself, so it's hard to find out more about him."
A smile spread across Su Yun's face beneath his mask.
This was too coincidental. With so many characteristics, how could he not guess the identity of the old man? He was none other than the frequent participant in the Peak Competition back in the day, Ice Emperor Haibodong!
"Thank you. This information is enough."
Su Yun thanked Vuklan.
Subsequently, the two exchanged goods and money. Su Yun inspected the ten or so fourth-grade demon cores and a pile of medicinal materials in his spatial ring, nodding in satisfaction.
Just as Su Yun was about to take his leave, Vuklan spoke up.
"Master Gu Feiyang, I wonder if you could share some more insights with us."
Vuklan's expression was respectful, with a hint of solemnity and a request in his eyes.
At the same time, Otto stepped forward and added, "Please, after everything is done, we will prepare a token of gratitude for you."
Su Yun hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He didn't mention any token of gratitude; perhaps he might need their help in the future.
It was just a bit of time, and it wouldn't hurt to do them a favor. They had made an effort in the past seven days.
Thinking this, Su Yun nodded to the two.
Seeing Su Yun's agreement, Vuklan and Otto were overjoyed.
They quickly led Su Yun to a quiet room.
Xue Mei and Lin Fei followed suit.
This time, the so-called exchange of experience was different from before; it was basically Su Yun lecturing while Vuklan and Otto listened.
Su Yun spoke for a full two hours this time.
When Su Yun finished, Xue Mei and Lin Fei quickly handed him tea.
It was obvious they had been instructed in advance.
Su Yun took a sip from each cup, raising an eyebrow.
Impressive, they had different tastes—one like the coolness of snowflakes, the other like the warmth of spring sunshine.
They knew how to enjoy themselves.
"Alright, that's it for now. I'm leaving Blackrock City. Take care, both of you."
Su Yun said to Vuklan and Otto.
The two of them stood up quickly, thanking Su Yun. Then, each of them took out a scroll from their spatial rings.
"This is a token of our appreciation. Please accept it."
Su Yun took the scrolls and glanced at them. They were two sets of fourth-grade pill formulas.
Not bad. Although they weren't of much value to him, they could fetch a good price if sold. Pill formulas were highly sought after among alchemists, just like the Fallen Dust Sect would be willing to pay a high price for them.
Su Yun nodded.
"Thank you both."
Afterward, Su Yun left the Alchemist Guild.
After Su Yun left, Vuklan and Otto couldn't help but feel emotional.
"I never thought that there would be such a fourth-grade alchemist in our Gamma Empire. I've never heard of it before."
Otto furrowed his brow.
"Maybe he's from another empire?"
"Possibly. His alchemy skills are extremely high. He's probably not far from reaching the fifth grade."
Su Yun was unaware that these two old guys were discussing him behind his back.
The benefits of hiding one's identity were evident—others had no idea about your background and could only speculate.
With no backing from any power, let alone a Dao Protector, it was better for a grassroots person like him not to reveal too much information.
Su Yun had packed everything up and found a secluded corner. He then used the Illusion Technique and Purple Cloud Wings to fly towards the direction of the desert city.
Getting hold of the Ice Spirit Flame Grass was crucial.
This item was needed to refine the Blood Lotus Pill.
With the Ice Spirit Cold Spring and the Nascent Spirit in his possession, all he lacked was the Blood Lotus Pill.
The Desert City was located in the Tagor Desert, on the eastern border of the Gamma Empire.
Blackrock City was quite a distance from the border. Even with the speed of the Purple Cloud Wings, it would take a day and a night of flight.
Su Yun stopped about a hundred meters away from the Desert City and descended to the ground.
Activating his Qi, he retracted the Purple Cloud Wings on his back.
Looking at the city in front of him, a hint of excitement rose in his heart.
He had been coveting the Blood Lotus
Pill for a long time, and this Desert City was the key to obtaining the Blood Lotus Pill.
(End of this chapter)