Chapter 37: Dragon Yuan Grass

The next day, after a night of rest, the fatigue from the twenty-day journey vanished. Lin Tianming and Lin Shilu sat in the courtyard, sipping tea and chatting.

"Fifteenth Uncle, do you have a way to contact Senior Ye? Otherwise, in such a large market, finding a Foundation Establishment cultivator is like finding a needle in a haystack."

Lin Shilu took a sip of tea and said calmly, "I've been to Qianchuan Market a few times and have met Ye Daoyou once. We exchanged communication methods. I'll send a message, and if he receives it, he will reply. Don't worry."

Lin Shilu made a hand gesture, sending a message that quickly disappeared into the void.

Half an hour passed with no response, leaving Lin Tianming and Lin Shilu both a bit helpless.

The family had taken a considerable risk for this trip. Times were tough for the Lin family, with other families always looking to swallow them up. This opportunity to quickly strengthen their position was hard-earned, and they had traveled thousands of miles to Qianchuan Market. They couldn't afford to waste too much time here.

Feeling anxious, Lin Shilu comforted Lin Tianming. "Ye Daoyou, as a rogue cultivator, often stays in Qianchuan Market. Cultivators' closed-door sessions and alchemy are unpredictable. We must remain patient and not lose our composure."

Lin Tianming nodded, understanding that impatience wouldn't help. They could only wait.

Time passed slowly, and half a day went by.

Suddenly, a beam of light entered the courtyard, stopping in front of Lin Shilu. He extended his divine sense, and a voice echoed in his mind.

"A friend from afar brings great joy. At dusk, I will host Lin Daoyou at Yingbin Pavilion in the western district. Please honor me with your presence."

Hearing this, the beam of light dissipated into tiny sparks and vanished.

Lin Shilu's previously anxious expression disappeared, replaced by relief.

Lin Tianming, worried, asked, "Did Senior Ye reply?"

"Yes, Ye Daoyou invited us to a banquet at Yingbin Pavilion in the western district at dusk."

Relieved, Lin Tianming was glad that Senior Ye wasn't in a long closed-door session. Waiting indefinitely would have been difficult.

With half a day left before their meeting, Lin Tianming decided not to cultivate but to explore the market instead. He asked Lin Shilu for permission.

"Fifteenth Uncle, we still have time. I'd like to look around the market and see its prosperity. May I?"

Lin Shilu thought for a moment. The market prohibited fighting, making it relatively safe. Since they had come all this way, it was natural for him to see the sights. He agreed.

"Remember to return before dusk, avoid trouble, and don't leave Qianchuan Market. If there's an emergency, contact me immediately. Go on."

Lin Tianming agreed eagerly and left the courtyard, heading to the western district.

Within less than a quarter of an hour, he found himself amidst the bustling crowd of the western district, surrounded by rows of shops, each more enticing than the last.

Recalling the missing ingredient for the Barrier Breaking Pill, Long Yuan Grass, Lin Tianming decided to search for it. Although it was a top-tier first-grade spiritual herb, its rarity made it more precious than many second-grade herbs.

Long Yuan Grass grew in areas soaked with the blood of a third-grade flood dragon, making it extremely rare. A third-grade flood dragon was comparable to a Core Formation cultivator, and its blood was incredibly valuable.

While walking, Lin Tianming noticed a grand shop named Qian Cao Pavilion. The impressive sign suggested it specialized in spiritual herbs and pills. Holding onto hope, he entered the shop to look for Long Yuan Grass.

Inside, a Qi Refining fifth-layer attendant quickly approached, smiling warmly.

"Welcome, Daoist. I am Qin, and I am here to assist you. Do you need spiritual herbs, pills, or perhaps you want to sell materials? Our shop has almost everything a Qi Refining cultivator needs."

Lin Tianming looked at him skeptically, wondering if they had Core Formation pills.

"Oh, do you have Long Yuan Grass?" he asked.

The attendant's expression changed slightly. Long Yuan Grass was valuable, and the shop had only a few. He quickly recovered, thinking this customer might be an alchemist or had a family elder in need.

"Yes, but it is quite expensive. Each one costs eighty spirit stones. How many would you like?"

Lin Tianming was thrilled. He had scoured the family vaults without finding a single Long Yuan Grass, but here he could easily purchase some. Despite the high price, it was a rare find.

"I need three. Can you offer a discount?" Lin Tianming asked, feigning reluctance despite having over a thousand spirit stones.

The attendant, thinking of the potential for future sales, decided to offer a small discount. "Daoist, I can give you the lowest price of seventy-five spirit stones each if you promise to consider us for future purchases."

Seeing the attendant's sincere expression, Lin Tianming agreed. Saving fifteen spirit stones wasn't bad.

The attendant poured him a cup of tea and went to the storeroom to fetch the Long Yuan Grass.

After a quarter of an hour, he returned with three jade boxes and handed them to Lin Tianming, who carefully inspected the contents. Each plant was bright red, with three palm-sized leaves at the top, exuding a rich fragrance. They were indeed Long Yuan Grass.

Satisfied, Lin Tianming handed over two hundred twenty-five spirit stones. The attendant, after verifying the amount, happily accepted the payment.

After exchanging pleasantries and promising to return, Lin Tianming left Qian Cao Pavilion.

With time to spare, he continued exploring the western district, marveling at the variety of treasures on display but refraining from purchasing anything.

As the sun began to set, Lin Tianming, mindful of Lin Shilu's instructions, returned to the rented courtyard to prepare for their meeting with Ye Pinghai.