The Azure Dragon Divine Art that Shen Xiang practiced was wood-elemental, filled with boundless life energy. The powerful Azure Dragon true qi he cultivated greatly aided the growth of spiritual herbs. Furthermore, the Azure Dragon Divine Art contained a special technique for planting herbs, known as the "Dragon Saliva Technique." Once this technique was activated, Shen Xiang could use his Azure Dragon true qi to condense a mystical liquid that could accelerate the growth of spiritual herbs.
In addition, the Vermilion Bird Divine Art he practiced allowed him to release flames, flames that were created through the cultivation of a divine art. This made alchemy naturally within his grasp.
The Four Symbols Divine Art encompassed an incredible range of powerful techniques, many of which Shen Xiang couldn't practice yet due to his current strength limitations.
At the moment, Shen Xiang had three thousand spirit coins, equivalent to three hundred thousand small spirit coins, but even that wasn't enough to buy a single mid-grade Mortal-level Cleansing Marrow Pill. This showed just how expensive pills were—something that ordinary martial artists couldn't afford. Even the cheapest pills were still extremely costly.
In the entire Crouching Tiger City, there was only one place that exclusively sold pills: the Spirit Pill Pavilion. It was a four-story building, not particularly large, but the items sold inside were incredibly expensive. Moreover, behind the Spirit Pill Pavilion was an estate spanning a hundred acres, where spiritual herbs were grown.
Although the Spirit Pill Pavilion wasn't a family-run establishment, it was still powerful. Many skilled individuals resided there, mostly drawn by the allure of pills. The alchemists in the pavilion were treated like revered ancestors because pills were scarce yet provided immense benefits—they could enhance martial artists' cultivation, increase their strength, and strengthen their bodies.
Shen Xiang entered the Spirit Pill Pavilion, where the air was filled with the refreshing scent of herbs, making those inside feel relaxed as they browsed the pills for sale.
There were many counters inside, each selling different types of pills. Some counters sold only spirit pills, while others sold only spiritual herbs.
Before coming, Su Meiyao had advised Shen Xiang to start with the most basic pills, so he planned to begin by refining low-grade Mortal-level "Body Tempering Pills." These pills were inexpensive yet in high demand, selling for about seven hundred spirit coins each. Martial artists below the fourth stage of the Mortal Martial Realm could greatly benefit from consuming them.
"This young master, the spirit pills are over there. This counter is for selling spiritual herbs!" A sweet young woman behind one of the counters smiled and informed him.
The Spirit Pill Pavilion wasn't too crowded, and Shen Xiang's simple appearance drew some attention. However, the staff at the pavilion were known for their excellent customer service, treating everyone with respect regardless of their attire. Many powerful figures, after all, often disguised themselves as ordinary people.
"I'd like to buy some seedlings for refining Body Tempering Pills. Do you sell them here?" Shen Xiang asked the young woman.
It was rare for someone to come and buy seedlings, as very few people possessed the skills needed to grow spiritual herbs. Those who did were usually affiliated with major forces and tasked with managing medicinal gardens or refining pills, and they were treated like precious treasures.
The young woman was surprised but maintained her sweet smile. "Of course, we have them. You'll need four materials to refine Body Tempering Pills, and seedlings are cheaper at a hundred spirit coins each."
The herbs required to refine the Body Tempering Pill were "Green Spirit Grass," "Blood Yuan Flower," "Xuanming Flower," and "Spirit Leaf Grass."
Shen Xiang thought for a moment and said, "Give me five sets."
One set cost four hundred spirit coins, so five sets would total two thousand. More than half of the three thousand spirit coins Shen Tianhu had given him were now spent. Pill refining was truly a costly pursuit, not something ordinary people could afford.
The young woman was again surprised. She couldn't imagine a young man in Crouching Tiger City already learning alchemy and understanding how to cultivate herbs.
"Please wait a moment, I'll retrieve them for you!" She didn't doubt Shen Xiang's request. There had been pranksters in the Spirit Pill Pavilion before, but the consequences for such behavior were severe.
"Hey, who's this?" A handsome young man dressed in luxurious white robes, holding a folding fan, descended the stairs, glancing at Shen Xiang with disdain.
The upper floors of the Spirit Pill Pavilion sold higher-tier pills, and only VIPs were allowed access.
"Is your eye on your rear end, and your mouth on your butt? Spouting nonsense with your eyes wide open," Shen Xiang said, smirking.
The young man was Shen Zhenhua, the same age as Shen Xiang. He was highly talented, already at the fourth stage of the Mortal Martial Realm and preparing to enter the fifth.
Shen Zhenhua's face turned green with anger. "Shen Xiang, I'll admit you were tough when we were kids, but now, with no spirit veins, I can beat you with one hand!"
Shen Xiang was already at the fifth stage of the Mortal Martial Realm. No matter how strong Shen Zhenhua was, at the fourth stage, he was no match for Shen Xiang. He saw this as nothing more than a joke.
"This is Shen Xiang? The Shen family's clan leader's grandson? I've heard he has no spirit veins, yet he reached the third stage of the Mortal Martial Realm. It must be due to an excessive use of pills," the beautiful girl beside Shen Zhenhua sneered at Shen Xiang.
Shen Xiang recognized her—she was the daughter of the city lord.
"Birds of a feather flock together. I didn't expect the city lord's daughter to be so shallow, hanging out with this guy," Shen Xiang said with a sarcastic smile, then turned to ignore them. He now had undeniable strength and had endured years of mockery and hardship, making him far more mature than the arrogant boys and girls around him.
Seeing that Shen Xiang was ignoring them, both Shen Zhenhua and the girl felt a surge of anger. Shen Zhenhua, eager to impress the city lord's daughter, approached Shen Xiang.
"Young master, here are the spiritual herb seedlings you requested." The young woman returned, handing Shen Xiang several paper-wrapped packages from her storage bag.
Shen Xiang buying spiritual herb seedlings surprised Shen Zhenhua, but he laughed mockingly. "Shen Xiang, with no spirit veins, don't dream of growing spiritual herbs. Don't tell me you're trying to become an alchemist. That's hilarious!"
Though the Spirit Pill Pavilion wasn't crowded, it was quiet, and everyone could hear the exchange. Curious, they turned to look. A person with no spirit veins becoming an alchemist? They couldn't help but wonder.
Shen Xiang's name was well-known in the city, primarily because his grandfather was the clan leader, and his father was also a famous figure. But because Shen Xiang had no spirit veins, people always sighed when discussing the Shen family.
Shen Xiang remained silent, paid for the seedlings, and packed them away. As he was about to leave, Shen Zhenhua sneered, "You're just a waste. No amount of herbs can change that."
Shen Xiang frowned. Being mocked for not having spirit veins was something he could tolerate, but being called a waste to his face was something he couldn't.
The onlookers sensed a fight brewing between the Shen family members and were delighted, knowing they were about to witness a spectacle.
Shen Xiang turned around and looked at the arrogant Shen Zhenhua. He spread his fingers, and suddenly, a ball of flame appeared in his palm. A wave of heat spread out, and in the blink of an eye, many people felt as if they were inside a steamer.
Many in the Spirit Pill Pavilion had sharp eyes. They immediately realized that this flame was no ordinary fire—it was the perfect flame for alchemy.
"Shen Zhenhua, do you dare to try this true qi fire from a 'waste' like me?" Shen Xiang asked coldly, his face expressionless.
True qi fire could only be condensed by cultivating rare and special techniques, or if someone was born with the ability to convert true qi into flames.
Standing close to Shen Xiang, Shen Zhenhua was already sweating profusely, as was the beautiful woman behind the counter. Her thin clothes were now soaked in fragrant sweat, revealing her alluring curves.
Shen Zhenhua was drenched in sweat, his expression filled with disbelief as he stared at the flames in Shen Xiang's hand. He had underestimated Shen Xiang, thinking he was just a "waste" with no spirit veins. But now, this true qi fire, something only powerful martial artists or those with rare techniques could create, was right in front of him, coming from the hands of the person he had just mocked.
Everyone in the Spirit Pill Pavilion had gone silent, their eyes fixated on the scene unfolding before them. The onlookers, previously eager to witness a fight, now realized that Shen Xiang was no ordinary martial artist. The flames in his palm spoke volumes about his strength and the unique techniques he had mastered.