Pills—an inescapable topic in cultivation.
A single pill could bring immense benefits. Countless cultivators had failed to break through bottlenecks simply because they lacked the lifespan-extending elixirs to sustain their cultivation. Now, a large crowd had gathered in front of Su Min's makeshift pill stall, their eyes burning with greed as they stared at the samples on display.
[Healing Pill (Grade Four, Low Tier)]
[Spirit Restoration Pill (Grade Four, Low Tier)]
[Detoxification Pill (Grade Four, Low Tier)]
[Azure Life Extension Pill (Grade Four, Low Tier): Can only be used once in a lifetime. Extends lifespan by ten years.]
"You can even refine this kind of pill?!"
Xie Yingying stared wide-eyed at the Azure Life Extension Pill. Selling something like this was unheard of. Among all pills, lifespan-extending ones were the most valuable, even more so than breakthrough aids.
But considering Su Min's terrifyingly high refinement success rate, Xie Yingying guessed she probably had a few more stashed away. And unlike the other pills, this one was encased in a protective energy barrier—anyone foolish enough to try stealing it would regret it instantly.
As for Foundation Establishment Pills and the like, Su Min hadn't brought them. She'd dumped all those into her sect's inventory. The Grade Four pills she carried with her were few in number, but they were perfect for extorting wealth from these cultivators—and maybe uncovering some hidden opportunities.
"Just making sure no one doubts my skills. Isn't this great?"
Su Min grinned shamelessly as she watched the crowd's desperate expressions. To her, this pill was practically trash—she'd refined it on a whim. After all, who wouldn't want an extra ten years of life? And given that Su Min was a Grade Four alchemist—a level most only reached at the Nascent Soul stage—her presence here was nothing short of a miracle.
"Your prices are outrageous! You might as well rob us!"
One cultivator, upon hearing Su Min's astronomical price, nearly choked in indignation. But before he could finish his rant, someone shoved him aside. The moment he saw the newcomer's robes, he shut his mouth. Uniforms meant power.
This was a disciple from one of the ancient supreme sects—the kind that had survived the great reshuffling of the world.
"Young Miss, I am a disciple of the Sacred City of Ancient Mansion from Central Divine Province. Our Holy Son has invited you for an audience. If you can refine a few pills for him, you may choose any reward within our means."
"See? Business is here."
Su Min smirked at Xie Yingying, who stood silently behind her. They'd been setting up shop for three days now, and news of a Grade Four alchemist had spread like wildfire across the Golden Core Avenue.
What Su Min really wanted was information—details about her competitors. And the only way to get that was through these major sects. Of course, she couldn't just ask outright. So instead, she'd set absurdly high prices.
If someone actually agreed, she wouldn't mind refining the pills—it was a guaranteed profit either way. But so far, most of these people were poor. Many hadn't even survived the Three-Nine Heavenly Tribulation, meaning they were essentially cannon fodder. The Golden Core Avenue would remain open for a hundred years, and no one could leave early. Well, no one except Su Min—but she wasn't about to reveal that.
Soon, Su Min and Xie Yingying were led to a temporary pavilion in the Dragon Domain.
The moment they stepped inside, both of them froze.
The aura here was overwhelming.
Nearly twenty Golden Core cultivators were present—nineteen of whom had survived the Six-Nine Heavenly Tribulation. And then there was the Holy Son of Ancient Mansion—a Nine-Nine Heavenly Tribulation survivor, just like them.
The moment the group sensed the Demon-Slaying Thunder aura radiating from Su Min and Xie Yingying, their expressions shifted. Nine-Nine Heavenly Tribulation survivors were rare. Su Min had cleared the Three-Nine Tribulation unscathed, suffered minor injuries in the Six-Nine, and barely scraped through the final three bolts. The difficulty difference was insane. But given that Su Min was a Grade Four alchemist, no one dared to voice their shock outright.
"Young Miss, our Sacred City wishes to commission a custom Grade Four pill. Name your price."
Even though Su Min and Xie Yingying were lone cultivators, no one dared underestimate them.
Su Min subtly activated a hidden mark on her body—a way to detect competitors.
If two people with the same mark met, they'd instantly sense each other.
"No mark. At least not an open enemy."
She concealed her aura again. To hide it, she'd crafted a special artifact—a shoulder ring disguised as part of her clothing.
"Very well. There's one thing I want."
Su Min's eyes narrowed. The Golden Core Avenue, like the Wei Wu Storm, was a zone filled with hidden side quests. But this wasn't a game. She had to be cautious.
"Divine Heartfire Wood."
The moment she said it, the Holy Son's expression darkened. This material was incredibly rare. Most wood burned when exposed to fire, but Divine Heartfire Wood absorbed flames, making it a priceless treasure. And Su Min needed it.
~Edit and rewritten by Rikhi, Reiya_Alberich, ReiNyam~
To secure the Azure Dragon's inheritance, she'd have to face a monstrous opponent—a Holy Son with the Mystic Wood Constitution, one of the top wood-element physiques. This was a life-or-death battle. Only one person could walk away with the inheritance. And Su Min refused to lose.
The Holy Son of Ancient Mansion smirked.
"You're after the Azure Dragon's inheritance, aren't you?"
His voice carried a hint of amusement.
"Kill the 'Wood Madman,' and the Divine Heartfire Wood is yours."
Su Min didn't react outwardly, but inwardly, she was ecstatic. The Wood Madman was another Holy Son—a Nine-Nine Tribulation survivor with a full squad of elite disciples. Fighting him head-on would be suicidal. But Su Min had a plan.
In a secluded room, Su Min floated two materials in front of her: Divine Heartfire Wood; Rotwater Moonstone
Both were core materials for the artifacts she needed.
The fact that the Holy Son had both meant one thing—he had a grudge against the Wood Madman. And since both were from the Central Divine Province, the feud was likely deep-rooted.
"The pill he wants is the Bone-Melting Heart Pill—a specialized remedy for internal injuries. Regular Grade Four healing pills won't work."
Su Min smirked. With only three months left before the inheritance opened, she couldn't afford to waste time on cultivation breakthroughs. She needed tailored artifacts.
As Su Min refined the artifacts and pills, Xie Yingying stood guard outside. The Holy Son of Ancient Mansion eyed her curiously.
"Young Lady, may I ask your name?"
Looking at the girl in front of him, the Holy Son of the Ancient Palace Holy City also asked very politely. You know, the two of them were talking about the deal before, so they didn't have much time to chat. Now that Su Min was refining the elixir inside, he also asked with a little curiosity.
You have to know that the two people came from Eastern Mulberry state , which they had never heard of, just like it is impossible for a person to know the names of all the countries in the world. There are a lot of remote places in this world that you have never heard of.
But what concerned him more was Xie Yingying's physique. It was definitely not simple for her to be able to feel the cold.
"Xie Yingying. My sect has long since faded into history."
Her tone was icy.
The Holy Son hesitated, then offered, "Would you consider joining our—"
After all, both of them are able to pass the nine-nine heavenly tribulations, and they don't have any sects yet. That's good news, the Saint said with a smile. To be honest, he was really a little greedy for the two of them, after all, there are more men than women in the cultivation world.
Looking at the people he brought with him, they were all men. There was not a single female cultivator, so some instinct made him want to win over two people.
"No need."
Xie Yingying cut him off without hesitation. Su Min's territory was no worse than these ancient sects' sacred grounds. The Holy Son sighed but didn't push further. Offending a Grade Four alchemist wasn't worth it.
Su Min had no idea what was happening outside. At this moment, she was focusing all her attention on the furnace in front of her, where several materials were burning rapidly.
"First, I will refine these two magic weapons, and then make the elixir. This will prevent those people from doing me harm. I have to be on guard against others."
Looking at the materials in front of her, Su Min said to herself. This kind of targeted magic weapon is often not of high quality. Many of them can even be said to be very low quality. In addition, these two metals do not require her to repeatedly forge them, so they can naturally be completed very quickly.
In addition, for a fourth-grade alchemist, it is common to take a month to refine a pill. After all, pills of this level are not so easy to get, although Su Min's efficiency is much faster than this.
The flame was burning and time was passing. Xie Yingying sat cross-legged with her eyes half closed without saying a word. Her physique was quite special. It was the Lunar Sovereign physique, the pinnacle of the Lunar physique. In addition to its own effects, there was another special effect. That was the cauldron furnace that was very suitable for dual cultivation, so she was very wary of all men.
As for the Taoist companion Xie Yingying, there is only one condition, that is, to have a Solar Sovereign body. The combination of the moon and the sun can give birth to the physique that only exists in legends - the chaotic body.
It's just a pity that the body of the moon is hard to come by in ten thousand years, and the same is true for the body of the sun. It can be encountered but not sought, and I can only think about it.
"What a cold woman, and really pretty. Our sect's skills tend to be masculine, and there are few female practitioners, and even fewer in our sect."
At this time, a group of people in the distance were whispering to each other, especially when they saw Xie Yingying, who was resting with her eyes closed, they were also whispering.
They can all be said to be the chosen ones of different times, so naturally they have very high standards. They don't even bother to look at ordinary women, but now they are really envious.
A month later, Su Min emerged, tossing a pill to the Holy Son.
"Deal complete. We're leaving."
The inheritance would open in two weeks. And the battlefield was about to get crowded. Over a thousand cultivators had swarmed the Dragon Domain—all vying for the same prize.
The Azure Dragon's legacy.
And the Eastern Azure Wood—a heavenly divine artifact rivaling Nanming Lihuo.
"May you return victorious."
The Holy Son bowed slightly before departing. He had his own injuries to tend to.
As for Su Min?
She had a Holy Son to kill.