Qi Yue offered a faint smile.
"It's nothing too complicated, really. I've noticed that you come by our store frequently to sell pills, yes?"
Xitu nodded.
"That's right. I drop by every week with my freshly refined batch."
"Then how would you feel about working with us more formally—as an affiliated Alchemist?"
Xitu raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"What exactly does that entail?"
Qi Yue's voice remained calm and steady.
"It's exactly as it sounds. A cooperative relationship. You meet our monthly quota in both quantity and quality of pills. And in return, we offer you a better price than what you're currently getting."
Xitu paused, considering the offer. A moment later, his lips curled up slightly.
"That does sound good. But what's really in it for me, aside from the price increase, of course?"
Qi Yue leaned in slightly with a confident expression.
"Naturally, there's more. In addition to the preferential rates, we'll also issue you a Myriad Badge."
Xitu tilted his head.
"And what does this badge do?"
"It's a representation of our organization," Qi Yue explained. "With it, you'll gain access to several benefits: discounts on all purchases from our stores, access to a wide array of items suited to every need, entry to our private auctions, insight from our expansive intelligence network, and more. You'll be welcomed not just in our stores but in all establishments allied with us."
Xitu narrowed his eyes slightly.
"What's the catch though? I can enjoy all these benefits just for some Low Rank pills?"
"Hehe, I see Daoist is the cautious type. It's only natural to be suspicious. Why would we offer such generous benefits for so little commitment?"
"To answer your question: first, it's naturally due to your excellent traits and the high quality of your pills. Secondly, it is a bit embarrassing to admit, but we're currently short on low-level Alchemists willing to work with us."
Xitu gave a thoughtful nod.
"I see. So that's the case. Will there be any restrictions if I take the offer?"
"No, there won't be any of that kind. You only need to refine and sell us the minimum number of pills required each month. Of course, the more the better. You can deliver everything at once or in batches, as you've been doing. And naturally, we'd appreciate it if you gave us priority when you sell pills."
Xitu crossed his arms, weighing her words.
"That doesn't sound half bad."
"Alright, let me think it over for a few days. I'll give you my answer soon."
After a few more exchanges, Xitu said goodbye to her and left.
Once outside, he thought it over thoroughly as he walked.
'It's a good offer. Accepting won't bring any disadvantages. But being too closely tied to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, will that increase the chance of exposing my identity?'
'When my cultivation improves, they'll definitely demand higher-level pills. That will be too risky. I'm not really an Alchemist. If one of their affiliated Alchemists asks me questions, I'm done for!'
'I can't accept the deal yet. Not without a foolproof plan. Besides, I'm not short on Spirit Stones right now.'
Lost in thought along the way, Xitu arrived home without noticing. He went through his usual routines and enjoyed a warm meal. After that, it was time to cultivate. The path of cultivation was endless!
A few days later, in the morning, Xitu headed out. It was that time of the week again: pill-buying day. The sky was sunny, and the air was thick with humidity. What Xitu considered an ordinary, beautiful day concealed hidden dangers beneath the surface.
Inside the Alchemist Association, Lu Fan hid in a secluded corner, pretending to admire some high-level pills. From across the hall, he watched Xitu buying pills.
Lu Fan had stalked Xitu several times over the past week and was now certain that Xitu had discovered a hidden fortune.
'This is the second time he has come to buy pills for cultivation in such a short time! And each time, he buys 8 bottles! He's consuming them like candy, spending more Spirit Stones than even someone in the Qi Foundation Realm like me!'
'What's more, he even has time to practice Qi Foundation spells. Unless he's confident about breaking through soon, that's just a waste of time and effort.'
A few days ago, Lu Fan followed Xitu to his practice session and was surprised to see him practicing spells that had no practical use for his level.
Using the terrain and surrounding trees for cover, Lu Fan even got close enough to sense Xitu's Qi level with his Spiritual Sense. He was shocked to find that Xitu had already broken through to the 9th stage of Vein Opening. Even more surprising, Xitu's Qi was steady and stable, meaning the breakthrough wasn't recent. One had to know that Xitu had been stuck at the 8th stage for a long time, ever since they were still neighbors!
In this world, Vein Opening cultivators had no reliable way to determine another's cultivation realm. The only method was to physically touch someone, channel Qi through their body, and feel how many acupoints they had unlocked. Of course, this couldn't be done if the other resisted even slightly. Otherwise, one only had experience to rely on.
The situation changed at Qi Foundation. Upon reaching this realm, cultivators unlocked Spiritual Sense, allowing them to probe others' cultivation levels by scanning their bodies. Exceptions would be if the target used special artifacts or cultivation-hiding techniques. However, scanning someone with Spiritual Sense would alert the other party, even if their cultivation level was lower, so it was considered extremely rude.
For this reason, this act was forbidden in most places where people gathered, like a Cultivation District. But unlucky for Xitu, whenever someone used a significant amount of Qi—such as in combat or when using spells stronger than their usual level, the intensity of their Qi could be detected with Spiritual Sense. His cultivation level was revealed without his knowledge.
"Doing it inside the Cultivation District would be too risky. Lucky for me, this 'rabbit' prefers practicing spells out here, in the forest. Hahaha! Even the Heaven is helping me now. I must be the world's chosen one!" Lu Fan laughed maniacally from a hidden corner.
Watching Xitu return home, Lu Fan began to hatch a sinister plan.