Embarking on the Path to Immortality, Mastering a Hundred Arts Chapter Nineteen: Murong Bubai

“Still no breakthrough yet, but on this trip to the Kingdom of Loshan, my master intends to grant me an opportunity. It’s highly likely I’ll advance to the second tier, lower grade,” Li Feng said, his words reasonable enough not to arouse suspicion.

“With your age and talent, Daoist Li, you will surely ascend smoothly to the rank of Level Two Pill Master. Hong Ling offers her early congratulations,” the beautiful woman said.

“Thank you, Sister Hong. I hope all goes well,” Li Feng replied politely.

The lady was pleased with her daughter’s discernment in choosing capable people. Had her daughter not insisted on befriending Li Feng from the start, they would have dealt with him long ago.

Concerned about Li Feng’s daily life, the lady said, “Master Li must be very busy with cultivation each day and probably has little time to tend to himself. Tomorrow I will send my maids to take care of your needs.”

Li Feng found it hard to refuse and agreed.

After chatting a while longer, Li Feng and Hong Ling left the Linglong Pavilion together. Night had fallen, yet the bustling market street remained lively.

They walked side by side beneath the moonlight.

Li Feng kept silent, focused solely on walking, creating a somewhat heavy atmosphere.

Hong Ling occasionally brushed her hair behind her ear and glanced sideways at him, smiling softly. “Daoist Li, you really are a silent type.”

“Pardon me, Sister Hong,” Li Feng replied lightly, his mind already planning what to do during the coming months away from Anhe City.

If he was to play this charade fully, he had to make Hong Ling and her mother believe he was going to deliver cultivation techniques to his master.

Suddenly, Hong Ling sighed. “Lately, I’ve been feeling short of breath and chest tightness. Daoist Li, do you know what this might be?”

“I’m afraid I don’t,” Li Feng replied cautiously.

“I have admired Pill Masters since childhood. Could you share your experience of apprenticing and learning?”

Li Feng grew wary and answered dismissively, “Those are old tales not worth mentioning.”

Hong Ling lost interest and fell silent, the mood turning once more somber.

They reached a fork in the street.

To the left was the Spirit Plant Hall; to the right, a long way off, was the Jade Beauty Hall.

Her beautiful eyes darkened slightly as she spoke softly, “Daoist Li, nights in Anhe City have been dangerous recently, with frequent attacks by evil cultivators. I’ll trouble you to…”

“I’ll trouble Sister Hong to escort me to the Spirit Plant Hall,” Li Feng interrupted politely, bowing in thanks.

The words Hong Ling was about to say suddenly lost their meaning.

***

The next morning, Li Feng exited the Spirit Plant Hall and headed into the market to purchase talisman-making materials.

During his last duel with Li E’tian within the Hundred Thousand Mountains, he had used many talismans.

Before leaving, he intended to replenish his protective talismans.

The Talisman Abundance Shop was the largest talisman store in Qingling Market, offering every type of talisman material imaginable.

Li Feng made it his first choice for procuring supplies.

Now a first-tier, upper-grade talisman master, his standards for materials had risen greatly. He could no longer rely on vendors without quality assurance, who also refused to bargain.

The Talisman Abundance Shop had just opened; few customers were present.

The shop owner greeted Li Feng warmly.

“Master Pillcrafter, what an uncommon guest! Please come inside!”

The clerk showed good taste, presenting some fine spiritual tea.

Since the Spirit Plant Hall began selling pills, nearly everyone in the market knew Li Feng’s identity as a Pill Master.

However, outwardly, he still appeared under the identity of Shan Zhang.

The Spirit Plant Hall continued to provide cover for him.

“Master Pillcrafter, my shop specializes in talisman-related goods. Please feel free to pick whatever you need,” the owner said attentively, fearing any oversight.

Li Feng glanced around and found materials he wanted but smiled and replied politely, “That would be too much trouble.”

“Nonsense! Think of it as making a friend,” the owner said generously.

Li Feng, fair-minded, responded, “Doing business isn’t easy for you either. I can’t just take without paying. How about a 90% discount as a token?”

“Deal! Master Pillcrafter supporting my shop makes me happy. Let’s go upstairs for a chat later, shall we?”

Caught between politeness and caution, Li Feng couldn’t refuse.

After chatting, Li Feng no longer held back and purchased three thousand units of talisman materials, worth about twenty thousand spirit stones.

Searching his pockets, he found only five lower-grade spirit stones.

Embarrassed, he cupped his hands apologetically. “I rushed out this morning and only brought this much. Please wait a moment; I’ll fetch the rest and pay you back.”

The shop owner’s heart bled, but his face showed no sign of it.

He waved a hand grandly, feigning magnanimity. “We’re family here. Don’t let spirit stones come between us. Though five is few, it’s your sincere intention, and that means more than the gift itself.”

“Come, upstairs please.”

He took Li Feng’s hand and led him upstairs.

Li Feng didn’t expect this man to be so tolerant.

As the saying goes, when things happen out of the ordinary, there’s always a hidden cause.

Li Feng remained alert.

***

Inside, the dining table was laden with sumptuous dishes.

Seated at the head was a young man with a noble face, bright eyes like stars.

He had clearly been waiting a long time.

Seeing Li Feng arrive, he greeted him with a warm smile.

Li Feng thought to himself that during the simulation before, he had never met this young man.

Could it be that the expedition to the cultivator’s ruin had altered his life trajectory?

He sat down without revealing his thoughts.

The shop owner introduced, “This is my young master, Murong Bubuo.”

Murong Bubuo smiled and said, “I’ve long heard of Master Pillcrafter’s fame but had not the chance to meet. Today’s gathering fulfills a wish of mine.”

“Brother Bubuo is too kind. I am but a mere Qi refining cultivator, nothing special,” Li Feng replied, pondering what information he could glean about Murong Bubuo.

But nothing stirred in his mind.

Murong Bubuo’s appearance was entirely unexpected.

“Master Pillcrafter, you are too modest. There are only about a thousand Pill Masters in all of Anhe City, and those who reach first-tier, upper grade are exceedingly rare.”

Li Feng chuckled and asked bluntly, “Brother Bubuo, you must have a reason for seeking me.”

Murong Bubuo slapped the table and laughed heartily. “Straightforward, just like me. You can’t hide what’s on your mind.”

He gave a knowing glance to the shop owner, who understood immediately and brought out a sandalwood box from behind a screen.

“A small token, please do not despise it, Master Pillcrafter.”

“No reward without merit. I cannot accept this,” Li Feng said, taking the box and opening it skillfully.

Inside lay a vibrant herb.

Li Feng recognized it instantly—one of the main ingredients for the Longevity Pill, Roshan Grass.

“Brother Bubuo, you are too generous. Please speak freely; if I can help, I will,” Li Feng said, placing the box into his storage pouch.

He simply could not refuse anything related to the Longevity Pill.

He had planned to enter the Hundred Thousand Mountains again after leaving Anhe City, seeking materials to refine the Longevity Pill.

He hadn’t expected to encounter a second key ingredient so soon.