Celestial Materials and Earthly Treasures
The rotund-faced cultivator's expression shifted dramatically, fixating on Yang Fan as he queried, "Are the items listed on this scroll for your own trade, or are they intended for your esteemed elder?"
Yang Fan was momentarily taken aback, but soon grasped the meaning behind the cultivator's words. With an air of indifference, he replied, "These materials are intended for my master. He is currently in seclusion, refining elixirs, and cannot spare the time to procure them himself, hence my presence."
"Ah?"
The cultivator's demeanor transformed, revealing a hint of enlightenment. He regarded Yang Fan with newfound respect, "It seems your master must be quite a remarkable alchemist or herbalist."
The list Yang Fan had produced contained over a hundred entries—some commonplace herbs, a few rarities, and others he had never even heard of. The sheer quantity of materials demanded would necessitate an astonishing sum of spirit stones.
Imagine, a cultivator at the initial stage of qi refinement possessing such capital! Even a typical cultivator at the nascent soul stage would struggle to amass such resources.
"Indeed, my master is an herbalist."
A trace of pride crept into Yang Fan's expression.
Upon hearing this, the cultivator's attitude shifted further, infused with reverence; it was clear that Yang Fan's master held an esteemed status among the practitioners.
"Very well, do take a look to see if we have the materials you require."
Yang Fan's tone was calm and measured, having now positioned himself as an equal to the rotund cultivator, who seemed somewhat anxious in his presence.
"Just a moment."
The cultivator produced a cerulean talisman, crafting a few hand gestures as he murmured incantations over it.
Moments later, an elderly man in a white robe, his beard flecked with grey, descended from the second floor of the "Pharmaceutical King Pavilion."
Yang Fan had activated his "Omniscience Mode," allowing his senses to envelop a radius of two hundred feet, capturing even the happenings above.
From his perception, the Pharmaceutical King Pavilion was four stories tall, each level secured with potent prohibitions.
The first floor was teeming with qi refinement cultivators, while the second was exclusively occupied by those at the nascent soul stage. The third and fourth floors held barriers of even greater complexity and strength, beyond the reach of his heightened awareness.
A shiver ran down Yang Fan's spine, recognizing that the true strength concealed within the Pharmaceutical King Pavilion was profound and unfathomable.
"Uncle Xu, please take a look at this list."
The rotund cultivator addressed the white-robed elder with deference.
Casting a cursory glance at Yang Fan, the elder's eyes flickered with intrigue as he scrutinized the scroll in his hand.
"Are these materials all needed by your master?"
"Indeed, he lacks the ability to multitask while concocting numerous spiritual elixirs, consuming vast amounts of resources and spirit stones…"
Yang Fan affirmed with a nod.
"Very well, follow me to the second floor."
The elder gestured, leading Yang Fan toward the upper level of the Pharmaceutical King Pavilion.
Yang Fan felt a tinge of anxiety; the second floor was populated by cultivators at the nascent soul stage and above.
Clearing the barriers, Uncle Xu guided him into the second floor.
The decor here was more simplistic; various herbs were not on display, but many bamboo tags hung on the walls, each inscribed with the name of a particular material or elixir.
Mid-grade Spirit Nourishing Elixir, Mid-grade Clarity Elixir, Mid-grade Body Purification Elixir, Century-Old He Shou Wu, Three-Leaf Cloud Herb, Snow Wood Root…
The list of materials flitted through Yang Fan's vision.
"Given the quantity of materials you wish to acquire, and the considerable sum of spirit stones involved, we have made an exception to allow you access to the second floor. Normally, it is reserved for transactions among nascent soul cultivators."
Uncle Xu stated matter-of-factly.
"I would appreciate it if you could help me calculate the total cost. My master's elixirs require extensive resources, and my supply of spirit stones is limited. Should I fall short, I can offer alternative items for trade."
Yang Fan's tone remained calm and steady.
Uncle Xu nodded, beginning to calculate. Moments later, he announced, "Of the one hundred and three materials you require, thirty-five can be found on the second floor, while sixty-six are available on the first. Most of these are common materials, with a few rarer items included. However, the final two—Purple Dragon Fruit and Thousand-Leaf Flower—are unavailable on either floor."
"Then, aside from the Purple Dragon Fruit and Thousand-Leaf Flower, what is the total cost for the remaining materials?"
Yang Fan inquired.
It came as no surprise that he could not find the two rarities. The elixirs he intended to concoct were not of the highest grade, and the herbs he sought for healing were similar. Both Purple Dragon Fruit and Thousand-Leaf Flower were classified as rare, high-tier items.
"The total is one thousand and nine spirit stones. To make it easier, let's call it one thousand spirit stones!"
Uncle Xu smiled.
"One thousand spirit stones!"
Yang Fan's heart sank. After years at Yang Family Fortress, he had never encountered such a staggering sum.
This amount did not even include the Purple Dragon Fruit and Thousand-Leaf Flower, which Yang Fan knew were extraordinarily valuable, likely exceeding the combined worth of all the other materials.
"Do you have enough spirit stones on hand?"
Uncle Xu asked with a knowing smile.
One thousand spirit stones—an amount that would cause even a typical nascent soul cultivator to be financially devastated.
The other cultivators on the second floor were equally taken aback by the declaration of "one thousand spirit stones," turning their attention toward this unexpected transaction.
A cultivator at the qi refinement stage!
It was uncommon for cultivators at the nascent soul stage to witness someone from the qi refinement stage engaging in a transaction of such magnitude.
Yang Fan hesitated slightly, responding, "I indeed do not have that many spirit stones. However, I do possess a rare treasure—a five-hundred-year-old White Jade Ginseng."
A treasure of celestial materials, aged five hundred years!
Curiosity piqued among the surrounding cultivators.
Over the years, as spiritual energy diminished, such treasures had become increasingly scarce.
To present a five-hundred-year-old celestial material was a rarity among lower-tier cultivators.
"Please, let us have a look." Uncle Xu's eyes brightened.
Yang Fan retrieved a specially crafted wooden box from his storage bag, removing the seal and opening the lid.
Within lay a ginseng, pure white and jade-like, approximately the size of a palm.
Instantly, an aura of pure spiritual energy surged forth, refreshing the air within the room.
"This White Jade Ginseng possesses remarkable vitality; it appears to have been unearthed only recently."
Many cultivators gasped in awe.
Typically, celestial materials would lose their vitality and spirit over time, even with careful preservation.
Yet this five-hundred-year-old White Jade Ginseng radiated life and vitality, still exuding a faint earthy scent, as if it had just been harvested.
With a snap, Yang Fan closed the box, sealing it once more, and inquired, "May I ask, elder, how many spirit stones this five-hundred-year-old White Jade Ginseng could fetch?"
The surrounding cultivators leaned in, eager to hear the answer.
Such well-preserved celestial materials could be combined with other ingredients to concoct high-grade elixirs.
"Well…" Uncle Xu hesitated slightly.
"Are you doubting the authenticity of my White Jade Ginseng?"
Yang Fan questioned, puzzled.
"It is undoubtedly genuine, and the quality is quite high."
Uncle Xu declared firmly.
"Then what is the issue?" Yang Fan pressed.
"Um… I cannot make that decision on my own. Let us consult someone on the third floor."
Uncle Xu revealed the truth of the matter.
Yang Fan was taken aback; he hadn't anticipated that a five-hundred-year-old celestial material would be far more precious than he had imagined, necessitating the involvement of an elder from the higher tier.
Uncle Xu explained, "The elders upstairs have a particular interest in this grade of celestial material; it would be prudent to let them take a look."
With that, he picked up a jade talisman, performing a series of hand gestures and murmuring incantations to it.
Moments later, an overwhelming aura of spiritual pressure descended upon the second floor of the Pharmaceutical King Pavilion, causing the nascent soul cultivators present to struggle to breathe.
Yang Fan's complexion shifted dramatically, feeling his blood surge and his mind swirl.
He had already entered his "Omniscience Mode," but the surrounding life essence twisted under the weight of the pressure, helping to shield him from some of the intensity.
Yet he himself felt as if he were being physically pushed back from this realm.
"What level of powerhouse is this?"
Yang Fan gasped in horror.
A single five-hundred-year-old White Jade Ginseng could summon such formidable strength; this exceeded his expectations.
Just then, a hoarse voice resonated from the second floor, "Let him come up."