Chapter 231 | After My Side Profession Hit Max Level, I Transmigrated

By the time Shi Yu finished concocting the pills, it was already midnight, with only two hours left before dawn. Apart from Ji Yu, who was too young to stay up late and slept soundly wrapped in his quilt, the other three sat cross-legged in quiet cultivation. Time passed quickly.

With the window half-open, moonlight spilled into the room. Shi Yu sat by the window cultivating, absorbing the cool, clear moonlight to speed up the conversion of spiritual Qi in her body with the Yin Qi of the lunar radiance.

However, the results were minimal, and she still could not grasp the essential knack. The gap between the Yin and Yang Qi within her body was too vast, causing her spiritual Qi to negate itself. After an entire night of cultivation, the lunar power she had painstakingly accumulated dissipated like light mist at the first sight of dawn. A whole night's effort ultimately served only to temper her spiritual Qi slightly.

Shi Yu was not discouraged. Knowing that her cultivation progress would remain virtually stagnant until the Yin and Yang Qi were fully converted, she did not slack off or grow lazy because of it.

Opening her eyes, she felt refreshed after a night of cultivation. Looking out the window, she saw the faint white light of dawn emerging over the edge of the distant mountains. She turned to Qingzhou and Mo Tong, who had also finished their cultivation. “Go wake Ji Yu.”

The boy loved novelties and was eager to see the Hundred Flowers Sect. Shi Yu naturally wouldn't leave him behind in the inn to sleep his head off.

Sure enough, upon being woken up, Ji Yu rubbed his sleepy eyes and exclaimed happily, “Are we going to the Hundred Flowers Sect now?”

Shi Yu nodded. “Let's set off early.”

The news brought back mentioned that an alchemist had already arrived with a high-grade Youth-Preserving Pill. If they arrived too late, it wouldn't be good if someone else beat them to it.

Without further delay, the group packed up briefly and headed for the Hundred Flowers Sect together.

For a major sect like this, flying through the air was considered disrespectful unless one was a disciple of the sect, a friend to it, or a person of noble status, which could easily invite trouble. Therefore, long before reaching the foot of the mountain, Shi Yu and her companions stowed away the cloud boat and proceeded on foot.

They walked along a wide jade-pebble path toward the mountain gate. Along the roadside, disciples of the Hundred Flowers Sect could be seen tending to flowers and plants from time to time, all appearing full of vigor and possessing an elegant aura.

By the time they arrived before the mountain gate, the sun had risen high in the sky. Two guard disciples at the gate stopped the four of them and inquired, “Fellow Daoists, what brings you here?”

Both disciples wore the robes of the Hundred Flowers Sect. One was slightly older with a gentle demeanor, while the other appeared younger, livelier, and had a touch of arrogance between her brows.

Shi Yu smiled softly. “I heard your Young Sect Master issued a recruitment order seeking a high-grade Youth-Preserving Pill. We have brought a pill specifically to pay a visit.”

“I see.” The two disciples exchanged glances, and the older disciple cupped her hands politely. “However, I'm afraid fellow Daoists have made a wasted trip today.”

The younger one glanced at their group and added in a crisp voice, “Earlier today, an alchemist arrived with a high-grade Youth-Preserving Pill. The Young Sect Master was overjoyed and is currently entertaining the guest.”

So someone did beat us to it, Shi Yu thought to herself, though her expression remained unchanged. She had successfully refined her pills last night, including a supreme-grade Youth-Preserving Pill of superior quality. Naturally, she would not be at a disadvantage.

Qingzhou stepped forward behind her. “Please trouble yourselves to inform her nevertheless.”

“This...” The older disciple's gaze flicked over Qingzhou, who wore a veiled hat, her expression showing hesitation.

The younger disciple grumbled unhappily, “Can't you understand? I already said there is already a high-grade Youth-Preserving Pill.”

Seeing her attitude, Ji Yu puffed up with anger and was about to step forward. But before he could blurt out that they possessed a supreme-grade Youth-Preserving Pill, a middle-aged man's voice called out, “What's this? Has someone else come to offer a pill?”

The group looked over to see a thin, short man with a moustache twirling his beard between two fingers. He strolled toward them with a beaming smile.

Beside him stood a graceful woman clad in layered, embroidered robes of a hundred flowers. A veil obscured her face, but her eyes and brows were extraordinarily captivating, with a delicate floral mark painted on her forehead. Her expression, however, was rather aloof.

The two guard disciples hurriedly bowed. “Young Sect Master, Alchemist Hu.”

Alchemist Hu swept his contemptuous gaze over Shi Yu's group and snorted softly. “I have already offered my pill. You had better not waste the Young Sect Master's time.”

Saying this, he took two eager steps closer to the woman beside him and laughed foolishly. “The Young Sect Master is so busy, yet she sees me off in person. I am truly flattered. I hope I can get closer to you in the future, much closer, haha.”

As he spoke, his gaze subtly scanned the alluring face partially visible beneath the woman's veil, his fingers rubbing together in a thoroughly repulsive manner.

Hua Qingrui took a step to the side, suppressing her disgust, and said coldly, “It is no trouble. Thank you for your efforts, Alchemist Hu.”

The two guard disciples, not daring to utter a word, lowered their heads and spat inwardly. Seeing that he harbored improper intentions toward their Young Sect Master, discomfort and anger flashed in their eyes.

Reluctantly shifting his gaze away from Hua Qingrui, Alchemist Hu turned to Shi Yu and the others with an arrogant sneer. “Why are you still standing there like fools? Don't block my way down the mountain.”

Ji Yu finally couldn't hold back anymore and snapped, “Hmph! It's just a high-grade Youth-Preserving Pill, what's there to brag about? The one my sister can take out is thousands of times better than yours!”

“Where did this brat come from, spouting such nonsensical drivel!” Alchemist Hu's expression darkened. Spiritual Qi surged in his palm as he took wide strides forward to teach Ji Yu a lesson.

Hua Qingrui frowned and swept her sleeve to block him. “It is merely a child speaking carelessly without thought. Why lower yourself to argue with him?”

Alchemist Hu's face darkened unpredictably. Since she had intervened, he could only offer an insincere smile. “Since the Young Sect Master has spoken, I shall let you off this time, you little brat.”

However, a ruthless and sinister glare remained unhidden in his eyes.

Shi Yu pulled Ji Yu to her side and patted his head, looking at Alchemist Hu with a half-smile. “My younger brother is straightforward and says whatever comes to mind. However, he isn't wrong—it really is just a high-grade Youth-Preserving Pill.”

With that, she retrieved a jade bottle, shook it gently, and looked toward Hua Qingrui. “Young Sect Master, why not take a look at this?”

Alchemist Hu watched coldly and sneered, “Just putting on a bluff.”

Hua Qingrui had felt strong aversion and disdain toward Alchemist Hu from the start, suppressing her disgust only because he could offer a high-grade Youth-Preserving Pill to deal with him politely. Although she held little hope that Shi Yu could present a pill of higher quality, she still turned her head to signal the maid behind her to step forward and accept the jade bottle.

She thought to herself, If she can also provide a high-grade Youth-Preserving Pill, I won't have to pay any mind to this shady old taoist...

While she was thinking, the maid had already taken the jade bottle from Shi Yu and respectfully presented it. “Young Sect Master.”

Hua Qingrui picked up the jade bottle with her slender fingers and slowly pulled out the wooden cork.

The two guard disciples couldn't help but look over curiously as well. Recalling Shi Yu's claim that “it really is just a high-grade Youth-Preserving Pill,” they wondered secretly: Could this remarkably young woman, who appeared quite ordinary, truly produce a high-grade Youth-Preserving Pill as well?

Immediately after, a rich orchid fragrance wafted out.

Smelling the rich, elegant pill fragrance, everyone was energized. Hua Qingrui's eyes, in particular, shone with brilliant wonder. Judging by the pill fragrance alone, this Youth-Preserving Pill seemed even more extraordinary than the one provided by Alchemist Hu...