Finally, The Five Elements Pill

Leaving the workshop, Sheng Zhen made his way towards the Alchemy tower. In his hand was the wooden box containing all the Foundation Strengthening Pills he refined in the past week.

Like always the streets around the tower were bustling with cultivators, sect disciples, and merchants milling about.

Entering the tower through the wide gates, he made his way towards the lobby, towards the exchange table.

A deacon sitting behind the counter gave one look towards Sheng Zhen's robes

"Young Master, we meet again. How may I help you today?" she asked, cupping her hands in polite greeting.

"Oh Hello there. I was just here to sell pills for contribution points." Sheng Zhen said, putting forward his wooden box.

In Alchemy, it was common to use wooden boxes to store pills because wood is best at preventing the dissipation of Pill's alchemic properties into the surroundings.

So when the outer sect disciple saw the small wooden box, she did not think much of it. But the moment she opened it, her eyes widened on seeing so many pills rammed into one box. A heavy aroma of fresh herbs immediately filled the lobby.

She immediately closed the box, to prevent any more dissipation and mechanically turned to Sheng Zhen, "I...don't have the authorization to deal with so many pills."

"But all are first rank Pills?" Sheng Zhen asked, genuinely confused. To him, who grew up reading of pills beyond Tenth Rank, basic First rank pills like Foundation Strengthening Pills felt mundane in comparison. He was only peripherally aware of how important pills were to normal cultivators.

"Usually, but not for this many. I will lead you to an Elder, he will handle the transaction."

Sheng Zhen followed her out of the lobby and through the velvety corridors. The entire way, they did not encounter many cultivators, and before long, both were standing in front of a golden disc.

"Stop! Grand Elder had ordered to stop anyone from entering the top floors."

"But I have to meet Elder Jiang immediately.", she said, looking a little puzzled.

"Look, we don't know what is happening but Grand Elder ordered us to only allow elders through. Whatever business you have, wait for elder Jiang to come down."

She smiled helplessly and turned back towards Sheng Zhen, "Umm, looks like...."

Just then a portly-looking man came rushing from the other corridor. Guards immediately tensed on seeing him and moved sideways, bowing as the man skidded to halt on the golden plate. He wore embroidered green robes, signifying his position as an elder.

The moment he stepped on the golden plate, formations started to glow on them.

"Elder Jiang, I was looking for you for a transaction. I just....", his attendant hurriedly asked.

"Not now, I am in hurry. Handle it yourself", Elder Jiang said harshly. Just then a white light enveloped the entire platform and Elder Jiang vanished.

'Teleportation formation!', Sheng Zhen exclaimed in his mind. Teleportation formation, even the most basic ones are quite rare. He never expected to see get to see one here.

His escort visibly deflated, both in resignation and relief, "Well, fair enough", she spoke to the empty air, where the elder Jiang was standing just seconds prior.

Sheng Zhen covered his face, resisted the urge to laugh at that, her actions looked like that of a fussing assistant.

As if hearing him laugh, turned towards him and stiffly said, "This way please."

While leading through the meandering hallways, she started to talk, "What can I call little brother?"

"Sheng Zhen", he answered back, a little weirded out by the sudden shift in her tone from formal to informal.

"My name is Wei Song, a disciple of Gentle Snow Sect", she said, leading him into a luxurious private room just adjusant to the lobby.

"Which sect does the little brother belong to?"

"No sect"

"Oh, so brother Shen must be from a cultivating clan."

"Something like that", he did not clarify. Technically Sheng's were a cultivation clan.

Placing the box on the low table, she picked up the pills one at a time and started to evaluate them.

"Hmm, Foundation strengthening pill..superior grade, this too superior grade....another one...."

The more pills she checked, the more astonished she became. The box contained nearly a hundred pills and every single one was of superior grade purity.

Most pills alchemists refine are just of low, mid, or high-grade purity, in fact, most cultivators do not even know there are pills of higher purity.

That is why pills with above eighty percent purity are name superior grade because not only they are far superior to high-grade pills, being able to refine a Superior grade pill is a badge of honor for an alchemist.

"One hundred and twelve Superior grade Foundation Strenghtning pill, that would be...five hundred and sixty thousand pill contributions. Your identity jade please?"

Sheng Zhen handed her the jade broch, and she transferred the pill contribution points to it.

"Now, can you get me a superior grade Five Elements pill? If you have one of higher grade, even better."

"Um...five elements pill is a third rank pill, you can not buy a superior grade third rank here."

"Then form whom?", Sheng Zhen frowned.

"Only an elder can directly refine if, or you can wait for the auction."

Sheng Zhen thought about it, only to shake his head. He had no idea whether the elder will refine the pill. And auction was not sure to have the pill he wants.

"Just give me as many high-grade Five elements pills you have."

Wei Song ducked in shame, "We have just three"