“H-How is this... possible?” Alchemist Hu’s eyes were wide with shock, his expression shifting between pale and dark. His lips twitched for a long while without managing to form a full sentence.
The two guard disciples were equally dumbfounded, exchanging bewildered glances.
Hua Qingrui stared in fascination at the pill in her palm, a look of spellbound wonder gradually appearing in her eyes. “A supreme-grade... Youth-Preserving Pill.”
The high-grade Youth-Preserving Pill offered by Alchemist Hu was already an extraordinarily rare and fine choice, capable of preserving one’s appearance for thirty years. But the supreme-grade Youth-Preserving Pill before her eyes could preserve youth for fifty whole years!
Ever since Hua Qingrui had been severely injured in a secret realm and suffered a drop in cultivation, her once-imminent Golden Core advancement had suddenly become distant and uncertain. She had always cared deeply about her appearance, dreading that she would fail to form a Golden Core before the effects of her previous Youth-Preserving Pills wore off. Thus, she had been extraordinarily cautious when selecting this final Youth-Preserving Pill.
Unfortunately, such pills were always in tight supply. While the Hundred Flowers Sect had plenty of common medium and low-grade Youth-Preserving Pills in stock, she looked down on such ordinary quality. Yet high-grade Youth-Preserving Pills were hard to come by even for someone of her noble status.
It had taken immense effort to wait until Alchemist Hu came forward with a high-grade Youth-Preserving Pill. Even though the man was blinded by lust and had acted improprietously and rudely, Hua Qingrui had forced herself to swallow her distaste and endure it.
But now... a supreme-grade Youth-Preserving Pill had actually appeared!
As long as she consumed this pill, her youthful appearance would be extended by fifty years. With fifty years of time, given her natural talent, reaching the Golden Core Realm was well within her grasp.
Hua Qingrui took a deep breath to suppress her excitement. Placing the pill back into the jade bottle, she looked toward Shi Yu with utmost courtesy. “The pill fellow Daoist has brought solves a pressing emergency for this Young Sect Master. May I invite you all into the sect to discuss your compensation?”
Shi Yu had no objections and nodded with a smile. “We shall defer to your arrangements, Young Sect Master.”
Even through her veil, one could tell Hua Qingrui was in high spirits as the tension around her eyes completely relaxed.
However, when her gaze shifted back to Alchemist Hu, her brows furrowed slightly once more. Pulling another jade bottle from her sleeve, she handed it to the maid beside her and gestured for her to deliver it. “Alchemist Hu, please take your Youth-Preserving Pill back.”
Suppressing his displeasure with difficulty, Alchemist Hu shot Shi Yu a glare dripping with hatred and resentment.
Hua Qingrui stepped forward two paces, blocking his view, and spoke calmly, “Alchemist Hu?”
She possessed noble status after all; no matter how dissatisfied Alchemist Hu felt, he did not dare voice any objection. He could only sullenly take back his pill, reluctantly return the spirit stones and other items from their transaction, and turn to leave in a hurry.
Seeing his figure disappear into the distance, Hua Qingrui turned back to Shi Yu and her companions with a smile. “Fellow Daoists, please.”
Following her into the Hundred Flowers Sect, they observed that the buildings inside were all named after flowers or plant parts—such as Stamen Hall, Calyx Pavilion, and Vine Courtyard. Every building was surrounded by lush, vibrant blooms that released either delicate or rich floral fragrances, refreshing the mind and spirit.
Finally, Hua Qingrui led the four into a building named Huayu Pavilion. This was her residence and one of the most elegant and picturesque locations in the entire Hundred Flowers Sect. Walking inside, they found the interior exquisitely decorated, with precious spirit flowers, rare jade, paintings, and calligraphy displayed throughout, exuding immense refined grace.
Hua Qingrui invited the four to sit down and personally poured each of them a cup of tea. “This is our sect's specialty, Hundred Flowers Tea, which clears the mind and brightens the eyes. Please, fellow Daoists, have a taste.”
Shi Yu and the others politely raised their tea cups and took a light sip. Immediately, a delicate fragrance moistened their throats while subtle traces of spiritual Qi circulated within their bodies.
“Fine tea!” Shi Yu praised. “The Hundred Flowers Sect truly lives up to its reputation as a land of spiritual grace and talented people—even the tea is so exquisite.”
Hua Qingrui smiled softly. “Fellow Daoist flatters us; this tea is merely a small gesture of hospitality. Speaking of which, I must thank you for bringing this supreme-grade Youth-Preserving Pill, allowing me to extend my youth.”
With that, she set down her teacup and said with a smile, “I wonder what kind of compensation you all desire? Whether it is spirit stones or our sect's specialty items, you need only ask, and our sect will do everything in our power to satisfy your request.”
Hua Qingrui did not pry into how Shi Yu and her group had obtained the supreme-grade Youth-Preserving Pill—whether passed down from ancestors, obtained through a lucky encounter, or refined themselves. She simply adhered to the principle of a fair trade and refrained from asking unnecessary questions.
This earned her quite a bit of appreciation and goodwill from Shi Yu.
Without beating around the bush, Shi Yu spoke directly: “Your noble sect produces an abundance of spirit flowers, bees, butterflies, luminescent powder, and royal jelly. What I require happens to be precisely these things.”
Hua Qingrui showed no surprise and nodded. “That is easily done. This year, the spirit pupae and bee larvae produced were already more numerous than in previous years, and the sect originally intended to sell a portion at the auction. If fellow Daoist needs them, I can certainly set aside some for you. Seeds for various spirit flowers used to feed the spirit butterflies and bees will also be presented as gifts.”
“However...” She smiled faintly. “I must make things clear upfront. Our Hundred Flowers Valley has stood firm to this day because of unique secret arts for cultivating spirit flowers and raising bees and butterflies. If fellow Daoist takes these spirit flower seeds, spirit pupae, and bee larvae back, and fails to achieve the desired results due to improper care... please do not blame our sect.”
If just anyone could easily raise these spirit bees and spirit butterflies to yield luminescent powder and royal jelly, how could the Hundred Flowers Sect hold such a prominent standing without being easily replaced? Naturally, secret inherited techniques were involved.
That was why the Hundred Flowers Sect felt no fear when holding auctions to sell spirit flower seeds, spirit pupae, and bee larvae, confident that other forces could never displace them.
Hua Qingrui's words were meant as a gentle reminder and warning.
Shi Yu understood her intent and gave a slight nod. “Rest assured, Young Sect Master. Even if none of them survive, I shall simply treat it as an entertaining diversion.”
However, with the Fate-Tapping Bell in her possession, there was truly no need for concern. Once she obtained the butterfly pupae and bee larvae, she could place them inside the Fate-Tapping Bell, scatter the spirit flower seeds, and feed the bees and butterflies with nectar. Even without secret techniques, the results would likely be no inferior to those of the Hundred Flowers Sect.
Having said her piece, Hua Qingrui did not press the matter further and asked, “I will also inventory a batch of luminescent powder and royal jelly as compensation, which will certainly not fall short of this Youth-Preserving Pill's value. Hmm... is there anything else fellow Daoist specifically requires?”
Shi Yu replied, “Phantom Spectral-Jade Butterfly powder. This is something we urgently need, so the more you can spare, the better.”
Hua Qingrui pondered for a moment before speaking helplessly: “Even within our sect, stock for this is quite limited. Several major sects on friendly terms with us have already reserved a batch in advance, and together with what must be set aside for the auction, there is very little left. I can spare ten bottles for you—how does that sound? In addition, I can provide extra Spectral-Jade Flower seeds and Phantom Spectral-Jade Butterfly spirit pupae.”
Shi Yu already had five bottles in hand. Adding these ten, though still not enough to refine the Flying Star Dragon-Wandering Talisman, with Hua Qingrui offering extra Spectral-Jade Flower seeds and Phantom Spectral-Jade Butterfly spirit pupae, aided by the Fate-Tapping Bell, she should be able to produce her own powder in a few months.
As such, this was perfectly fine.
Thinking this over, she nodded in agreement. “We can proceed according to your arrangements, Young Sect Master.”
Seeing that Shi Yu was not insatiable or demanding absurd prices, Hua Qingrui felt a sense of relief. Furthermore, overjoyed at acquiring a supreme-grade Youth-Preserving Pill, she added an extra five hundred medium-grade spirit stones on top of the agreed items, hosted a lavish feast for the four of them, and then happily saw them off at the mountain gate in person.
Rate on N.U.
