Artifacts? Weapons used by deities? That must be extremely powerful, and there are four of them. However, from what I've heard, these four symbolic weapons seem to be incredibly elusive.
Bai Youyou said, "The four symbolic weapons appeared alongside the Four Symbol Techniques. Our master only obtained the Four Symbol Techniques, while the four symbolic weapons have completely vanished. It is said that only those who cultivate the Four Symbol Techniques can gain the recognition of the four symbolic weapons!"
Su Meiyao shrugged and said, "Even though I also practice the Four Symbol Techniques, I have no interest in searching for those symbolic weapons."
After chatting with the two women for a while, Shen Xiang learned a lot about the martial arts world from them.
Shen Xiang asked Shen Tianhu for ten thousand big spirit coins and hurried to the Spirit Pill Pavilion. He needed to make the middle-grade ordinary pills as quickly as possible, not only to defeat that genius from the Yao family but also to quickly enhance his own strength.
"What? The price has increased threefold!" Shen Xiang frowned as he looked at the pavilion master at the counter.
The pavilion master stroked his beard and said, "This is the price set just now. If you have any questions, you can ask the owner."
The Spirit Pill Pavilion has an owner! This was the first time Shen Xiang had heard of this. Isn't it up to the pavilion master to decide?
"From today onward, any member of the Shen family who comes to buy pills will pay five times the price." At that moment, an arrogant voice rang out. Shen Xiang recognized it immediately; it was that Yao Tianhua.
The Spirit Pill Pavilion had actually been acquired by the Yao family!
The hall of the Spirit Pill Pavilion suddenly fell silent. Everyone looked quietly at the young man descending the stairs. He was exceptionally handsome, with fair skin and dressed in luxurious golden attire, followed by two sharp-eyed elders. His proud gaze swept over the crowd before finally landing on Shen Xiang.
This young man was the genius of the Yao family, Yao Tianhua!
The Spirit Pill Pavilion was the only place in Wo Hu City that sold pills. The price was what they said it was; how much was up to them, and whether you bought or not was your choice. Now that the Spirit Pill Pavilion was controlled by the Yao family, Yao Tianhua, who despised Shen Xiang, was sure to use this opportunity to deal with the Shen family.
"You're buying materials for the Cleansing Marrow Pill, and it's even a seedling. You're not planning to refine pills, are you?" Yao Tianhua said, his face filled with disdain.
"So what? Is the world only capable of refining pills because of you?" Shen Xiang sneered.
"I've heard that you can release quite good True Qi flames, but having True Qi flames doesn't mean you can refine pills. Refining pills is very particular! If a poor brat like you can refine pills, then there wouldn't be so few alchemists in the world," Yao Tianhua mocked.
Shen Xiang suddenly had a brilliant idea. He chuckled, "Yao family genius, I really know how to refine pills. How about we make a bet? I wonder if you dare to accept."
Yao Tianhua laughed loudly, "You know how to refine pills? It's not something you can just boast about. Fine, what do you want to bet on? I'm all in."
Seeing that he had taken the bait, Shen Xiang was pleased. He took out a blood-red spirit herb that was the size of a plate, releasing a strange fishy smell. This was the millennium blood spirit herb he had won from Shen Haohai.
As soon as the blood spirit herb appeared, everyone in the Spirit Pill Pavilion was visibly moved, including Yao Tianhua, who showed a hint of surprise. As a member of the Yao family, he recognized at a glance that this blood spirit herb was over a thousand years old, a very precious spirit herb that was invaluable.
"I'm betting this millennium blood spirit herb. I wonder if the young master of the Yao family can match my wager?" Shen Xiang smiled faintly. "As long as I can refine a pill, I win. If I can't, then I lose. What do you think? Do you dare to bet?"
Seeing Shen Xiang's calm demeanor, it seemed as if this priceless millennium blood spirit herb was worth nothing to him, casually putting it up for a bet.
Yao Tianhua was very proud and loved his face. He would never refuse, but the wager was too significant—one that even he couldn't match. Although he was a genius of the Yao family, he had considerable wealth, but he couldn't compare to the blood spirit herb.
Shen Xiang actually possessed a millennium blood spirit herb, which made many people look at him differently. However, no one dared to make a move against him, as the Shen family held significant status in Wo Hu City.
Seeing Yao Tianhua's ugly expression, Shen Xiang felt secretly pleased. He picked a small piece from the millennium blood spirit herb and said, "Since it's your first time in Wo Hu City, I'm just joking. Let's bet on this small piece! If I win, I'll only take three sets of materials for the Cleansing Marrow Pill, mature ones."
The piece was about the size of a fingernail, indeed enough to exchange for three sets of materials. Yao Tianhua's expression improved considerably, and he sighed in relief, saying, "No problem, let's get started!"
Shen Xiang put away the blood spirit herb, immediately taking out a low-quality alchemy furnace for the pavilion master to inspect. After confirming there were no issues, he took out some processed medicinal materials.
At this moment, everyone's eyes were glued to Shen Xiang. Many who came here were somewhat longing to refine pills; it was a rare opportunity to witness the refining process, and no one would want to miss it, especially since it was a young man refining pills.
Once the True Qi flames were ignited, the pavilion master's face was filled with regret. He had hoped Shen Xiang would become his apprentice; he could see that this flame was top-notch for refining pills. Yao Tianhua also frowned at the sight of Shen Xiang's flames, his expression very serious. He cursed inwardly, "Damn it, this kid has been hiding his abilities."
Watching Shen Xiang's skilled movements and composed demeanor, Yao Tianhua clenched his teeth. At this moment, he was sure that Shen Xiang had some experience in pill refining and was not inferior to him.
Shen Xiang was naturally refining the body tempering pill. This kind of pill was not only easy to refine but also required little material. If controlled well, a single batch could yield many pills.
As the crowd observed Shen Xiang's relaxed demeanor, they were filled with amazement. They had never seen someone refine pills so leisurely; an hour passed without them noticing. When they saw Shen Xiang's serious expression disappear, they understood that he had passed the most critical stage.
"I'm done!" Shen Xiang opened the lid of the alchemy furnace, and a fragrant aroma wafted through the hall. Everyone immediately rushed over, eyes wide, staring into the furnace. Inside, five pure white pills were surrounded by white mist.
The crowd gasped in unison. Shen Xiang had really refined the body tempering pill!
The pavilion master's face froze, unable to believe his eyes as he stared at the five body tempering pills. As an alchemist himself, he could tell the quality of the pills from their color and fragrance. This was of excellent quality, and to refine it in such a short time with such a low-quality alchemy furnace—most astonishingly, it was done by a sixteen-year-old boy!