**Chapter 22: Selling Pills
At the Ye family's shop, as they watched the two cultivators from Huayu Gate leave, Ye Xinghe's expression turned colder. His gaze was distant, no longer wearing the usual cheerful demeanor.
"Jingcheng, the family will exchange your rewards for contribution points. Unfortunately, the welcome banquet has to be postponed," Ye Xinghe said to Ye Jingcheng with a hint of helplessness.
Since there was a Blood Heart Pill available, the Ye family definitely needed to purchase it. The price of the Blood Heart Pill was even higher than the Foundation Building Pill. While the Foundation Building Pill was crucial for crossing from Qi Refining to Foundation Building, the Blood Heart Pill was essential for extending the life of a Foundation Building cultivator.
The Ye family's ancestral spirit beast needed a Blood Heart Pill. Over recent years, they had been searching for spirit herbs for it, straining the family's finances.
Ye Jingcheng understood but was particularly interested in the Red Dragon Fruit mentioned for the auction. The waiter from Taiyi Pavilion had said that the auction would include the fruit, which seemed likely since even a small attendant wouldn't make such claims without truth.
Ye Jingcheng needed to prepare spirit stones for the Red Dragon Fruit. Although he still had nearly 300 to 400 contribution points, the family couldn't convert them into spirit stones at the moment. His storage bag contained only about thirty spirit stones.
Thus, he needed to find another solution.
"Uncle, do we have any alchemy tasks coming up?" Ye Jingcheng asked.
"No," Ye Xinghe replied, shaking his head before heading into a room, likely to discuss with the family's Foundation Building cultivators.
Fortunately, the Ye family had prepared in advance. Otherwise, making a round trip from Taihang Market to Lingyun Peak in five days would be very tight.
[Translator: sauron]
Ye Jingcheng then turned to Ye Xinghong. "Aunt Thirteen, can I exchange for some spirit herbs? I'm a bit short on funds right now…"
"Of course," Ye Xinghong agreed. With the current batch of family goods ending, the next round wouldn't have as many available. Most cultivators either ventured into Taihang Mountains for adventures or needed to break through, so the demand for pills was low. Artifacts were even less in demand, as many cultivators kept them for life.
"I'd like to exchange for five sets of spirit herbs for refining Qingling Pills, five sets for Body Tempering Pills, and three sets for Recovery Pills," Ye Jingcheng requested.
Ye Xinghong took his family token and deducted the contribution points.
"These cost you a total of 50 contribution points," Ye Xinghong said as she handed over the herbs.
Ye Jingcheng went into his room and did not start alchemy immediately. He spent some time in cultivation to ensure he was in the best mental state before beginning.
After three days of alchemy, Ye Jingcheng emerged from his room. While he couldn't keep the spirit stones from selling the family's pills, he could sell them at a stall.
He changed out of the Ye family's attire and borrowed a spirit-sealing hat from Ye Jinghao. After wrapping himself thoroughly, he took a path used by family cultivators and re-entered the market.
His goal was to set up a stall at Taihang Market.
He had studied that his disguise was common among market stalls. Cultivators often sought every opportunity, and those who were interested in buying artifacts or treasures would follow upon leaving the market.
Ye Jingcheng paid a spirit stone to secure a slightly inside stall, which cost one spirit stone for three days. The stalls closer to the street were already occupied by many scattered cultivators.
"Selling spirit pills! Come and take a look! Buy more, and get a free Feeding Pill!" Ye Jingcheng shouted loudly.
His call attracted many cultivators' attention. His youthful, somewhat inexperienced voice stood out compared to the deep voices of seasoned cultivators, which was appealing to some.
Soon, several cultivators approached.
"What's the price of your Qingling Pills?" asked an older cultivator, who, judging by the quality, realized Ye Jingcheng was likely a family disciple.
Those selling at nearby stalls also stared intensely at Ye Jingcheng. Some even packed up their stalls and moved to his, sensing a potential competitor.
"The Qingling Pill is 8 spirit stones each. The Blood Vitality Pill, Body Tempering Pill, and Recovery Pill are 6 spirit stones each. Feeding Pills are not for sale but free with purchases over 50 spirit stones. There are only 5 free ones, so it's first come, first served!" Ye Jingcheng announced all at once.
He had refined two batches of Qingling Pills, totaling eight, one batch of Blood Vitality and Body Tempering Pills, totaling seven each, and two batches of Recovery Pills, totaling nine.
"Your prices aren't cheap!" a cultivator scoffed.
"Pills aren't just about the price but also the quality. These were personally refined by my grandfather. If it weren't for a significant expenditure on a good artifact, I wouldn't be selling them!" Ye Jingcheng made up a story on the spot.
At a stall, sometimes stories matter more than prices.
A few cultivators seemed intrigued by his narrative.
At that moment, a young man in luxurious clothing entered the crowd. "I'll buy all your pills. How about 220 spirit stones?"
"That works," Ye Jingcheng agreed, as his pills would sell for around 200 spirit stones. He gladly accepted the offer.
The young man handed over a storage bag, and many cultivators began discussing and observing the pills more closely from afar.
"Friend, if you have more pills in the future, sell them to me. This jade token is more secure than selling here," the young man transmitted through a message and handed Ye Jingcheng a jade token.
Ye Jingcheng inspected the token and spirit stones before nodding.
He did not reply or send a message back. After the transaction, Ye Jingcheng left.
The young man vanished into the crowd and, in a secluded spot, examined a pill closely, contemplating.
"This is indeed not fire-alchemy," he mused.
*(End of Chapter)*