Terra Su shook his head inwardly. The level of the Elixir Path in the Cloud Abyss Empire was indeed too low. There had been precedents of using the gallbladder of the Red Crystal Snake to refine the Wind Fire Elixir, and now the Nine-Flower Grass was being wasted on the Nine-Flower Elixirs.
“Let me have this Nine-Flower Grass,” Terra Su whispered to Li Shitong.
Since they were seated in a private booth, their low conversation wouldn’t be overheard by those around them. However, Li Shitong’s face immediately showed a troubled expression upon hearing his request.
There was no way around it; Terra Su wanted the Nine-Flower Grass, but she wanted it too. For her, herbs that could enhance soul power were incredibly important. The strength of one’s soul power was fundamental for an alchemist, and every alchemist spent their life striving to enhance it.
She didn’t want to upset Terra Su, but she also didn’t want to give up the herb.
“Don’t worry, I won’t make you give it up for nothing. I can sell you a soul-refining technique that can accelerate the enhancement of your soul power,” Terra Su said with a faint smile, his voice low.
“What?” Li Shitong’s face changed color instantly, and she couldn’t help but exclaim.
It was well known that alchemists could only enhance their soul power through rest and meditation, allowing it to gradually improve over a long period. This made herbs and elixirs that could enhance soul power extremely valuable.
As for soul-refining techniques that could enhance soul power, she had only heard of them but had never seen one.
Now, Terra Su was saying he would sell her a soul-refining technique that could enhance soul power. How could she not be shocked?
“How dare you! What did you do to Shitong?” Shen Chuan frowned, immediately standing up with a dark expression. He didn’t know what Terra Su had said to Li Shitong, but upon hearing her exclamation, he naturally assumed that Terra Su had taken advantage of her.
He had feelings for Li Shitong and was already displeased with how close she was to Terra Su. Now, Terra Su dared to take advantage of her? If he didn’t step in, he wouldn’t be a man.
Terra Su didn’t even glance at Shen Chuan, casually saying, “Sit down, this has nothing to do with you.”
“What did you say?” Shen Chuan was already extremely displeased, and hearing Terra Su’s words made him finally lose his temper. He stood up, his aura surging, and walked towards Terra Su.
“Brother Shen, what are you doing?” Li Shitong immediately stood up, her face full of displeasure. Shen Chuan was about to ruin her opportunity. If word got out about a soul-refining technique, every alchemist in Anyang City would go crazy.
Shen Chuan hadn’t expected Li Shitong to stop him, and his momentum faltered. “Shitong, I’m standing up for you.”
“Standing up for me? For what?” Li Shitong thought Shen Chuan was being ridiculous. “I’ve told you before, don’t meddle in my affairs.”
“Meddling in your affairs?” Shen Chuan couldn’t believe it. Li Shitong was so close to another man and telling him not to meddle? It was like stabbing him in the heart.
“Enough, stop arguing,” Terra Su said impatiently, waving his hand. He turned to Li Shitong and said, “If you help me get the Nine-Flower Grass, the technique is yours.”
“Are you serious? Do you really have such a technique?” Li Shitong’s thoughts were pulled back, and she quickly asked.
Shen Chuan was left out, listening to their conversation in confusion but angrily said, “Shitong, wait. I’ll deal with this guy first, then talk to you.”
“You dare!” Li Shitong’s eyebrows shot up. “If you touch a hair on his head, I won’t let you off!”
She was on the verge of obtaining the soul-refining technique. If Shen Chuan ruined it, she would tear him apart.
“If you’re telling the truth, I’ll help you get the Nine-Flower Grass,” Li Shitong said to Terra Su.
Terra Su shrugged nonchalantly. “Do you think I’m lying?”
Li Shitong pondered, recalling Terra Su’s profound knowledge of the Elixir Path. She was about seventy to eighty percent convinced.
“Alright, deal,” she said, immediately starting to bid for the Nine-Flower Grass.
As a second-grade alchemist, Li Shitong’s wealth was formidable, even more so than an average second-grade alchemist.
Soon, the price of the Nine-Flower Grass was pushed to a high of one hundred thousand taels of silver.
Generally, only alchemists’ financial competition could reach such terrifying levels.
Terra Su nodded secretly. Li Shitong’s ability to casually bid one hundred thousand taels showed her high success rate in alchemy.
Although alchemy was a lucrative profession, an alchemist’s earnings depended on their success rate. The materials for elixirs cost money, so if an alchemist frequently failed, the cost of failed materials would eat into their profits. Conversely, a high success rate meant substantial earnings.
The success rate in alchemy depended on many factors, and many alchemists spent their lives trying to improve it with little success.
Despite her young age, Li Shitong’s high success rate indicated either hard work or extraordinary talent in alchemy.
While Terra Su pondered, Li Shitong successfully bid for the Nine-Flower Grass at a price of one hundred thirty-eight thousand taels of silver.
Terra Su couldn’t help but marvel at the wealth in Anyang City. If he hadn’t asked Li Shitong for help, his accumulated wealth would have been exhausted by a single Nine-Flower Grass.
The Star Pavilion acted swiftly. As soon as Li Shitong finished bidding, a steward brought over the tray containing the Nine-Flower Grass.
“When you teach me the technique, I’ll give you the Nine-Flower Grass,” Li Shitong said, taking the herb and holding it close.
Terra Su’s expression twitched slightly. “What, do you think I’ll cheat you?”
“Better safe than sorry,” Li Shitong said, sticking out her tongue. She was indeed worried Terra Su might take the herb and run. It was her hard-earned money, after all.
“Alright, let’s find a place now. I’ll teach you the technique,” Terra Su said, eager to refine the Three-River Elixirs and speed up his cultivation.
“Good,” Li Shitong agreed, eager to learn the technique.
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