**Chapter 46: The Business Acumen of Shopkeeper Liao**

Time slowly passed.

Ten days had gone by in the blink of an eye.

During this time, Qin Ming remained indoors, practicing the advanced version of the Burning Blood Blade Technique from morning to night.

He had already memorized the essence of the blade technique.

On the eleventh day.

After the effect of the special condition wore off, Qin Ming attempted to practice the Burning Blood Blade Technique again.

With his personal experience, Qin Ming spent two more days refining the technique from the proficient level back to the advanced level.

At this point, he had completely mastered this set of blade techniques!

That day.

In the Green Sun Market.

Qin Ming once again visited the Gathering Pavilion.

Shopkeeper Liao was at the counter on the first floor, calculating accounts. Looking up and seeing that it was a major customer arriving, he immediately beamed with joy!

He quickly put down the account book in his hand, his signature smile spreading across his face as he hurried out to greet him.

"Daoist Qin, you've come just in time. Our shop has received a new batch of Spirit Bamboo Wine. Please come to the private room on the third floor, and I'll let Daoist Qin taste it, hahaha."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming said in surprise, "Shopkeeper, I came here today specifically to buy spirit wine to give as a gift."

Shopkeeper Liao paused for a moment, his smile widening even more. "Oh! Isn't that a coincidence?"

Inside the private room.

After Shopkeeper Liao invited Qin Ming to take a seat, he took out a jug of wine and poured him a cup. Then, smiling warmly, he said:

"Daoist Qin, please!"

"Try this Spirit Bamboo Wine and see how it tastes?"

Qin Ming raised the wine glass, sniffed it near his nose, and then drank it all in one gulp.

Instantly, the unique cool and sweet fragrance of the Spirit Bamboo filled his mouth. As the spirit wine entered his stomach, it even slightly boosted his magical energy!

"Good wine!"

"Hehehe, Daoist Qin might not know, but this wine comes from a bamboo grove deep within the Cloud Marsh Wilderness. It is made using bamboo that is over fifty years old. The brewing process is difficult, production is scarce, and it is a rare treasure among wines," Shopkeeper Liao explained skillfully.

"I'll take this wine. How much do you have left, Shopkeeper?"

"This time, we received twenty jars, but they have all been pre-ordered."

"I specially reserved two jars for Daoist Qin, hehe."

After saying this, Shopkeeper Liao took out two jars of Spirit Bamboo Wine from his storage bag and placed them in front of Qin Ming.

Qin Ming waved his hand forward, and the spirit wine disappeared into his storage bag. Then he asked, "How many spirit stones for these two jars of Spirit Bamboo Wine?"

"Ah, Daoist Qin, don't be so formal. This wine was originally intended as a gift for you," Shopkeeper Liao said, waving his hand dismissively.

Hearing this, Qin Ming didn't hesitate. The last time he purchased magic tools here, he spent over a thousand spirit stones in one go.

He guessed that this old fellow must have earned quite a bit of commission.

Qin Ming drank another cup of Spirit Bamboo Wine and then asked, "Shopkeeper, do you have Cold Dew Essence, Jade Fire Liquid, and Spirit Essence? These types of spirit materials?"

"Of course, but... aren't these used for alchemy?" Shopkeeper Liao looked puzzled, showing a hint of confusion.

Qin Ming calmly replied, "That's right. Give me ten portions of each."

"Ah? So much? No problem, no problem."

"Daoist Qin, forgive me for asking bluntly, but are these spirit materials for Alchemist Su?" Shopkeeper Liao was still somewhat confused, thinking this was the only possibility.

Seeing the two jars of Spirit Bamboo Wine, Qin Ming didn't hide anything and straightforwardly replied, "No, I need them for myself."

"Could it be...?"

A thought flashed through Shopkeeper Liao's mind, and he suddenly asked, "Is Daoist Qin also studying alchemy?"

"That's correct."

"Not long ago, I broke through to become a low-grade alchemist."

"Now, I'm purchasing these spirit materials to attempt refining intermediate-grade pills." Qin Ming didn't conceal anything. After all, he would likely need to come here to buy materials in the future.

Buzz~

Shopkeeper Liao's mind went blank for a moment.

'An intermediate-grade alchemist?'

For a moment, he didn't know what to say, only feeling that those two jars of wine were given away far too cheaply!

Soon, he snapped back to reality, his face lighting up with a smile. "Congratulations, Daoist Qin! I never expected you to have such remarkable achievements in the art of alchemy!"

"Could it be related to Alchemist Su?" he cautiously asked again.

Hearing this, Qin Ming nodded lightly.

Shopkeeper Liao finally realized. No wonder this person's alchemy skills progressed so rapidly.

'It seems the pavilion master's judgment was mistaken. Daoist Qin and Alchemist Su must have more than just a casual relationship. If Alchemist Su personally teaches him alchemy, their relationship must be very close!'

'If Daoist Qin breaks through to become an intermediate-grade alchemist, with our current relationship, if I can win him over, the pavilion master will surely credit me with a great achievement!'

Shopkeeper Liao's thoughts raced, and his eyes gradually sparkled with excitement.

"Daoist Qin, I'll make the decision on this batch of spirit materials. You can have them at a fifty percent discount."

Qin Ming was taken aback but then smiled. "Then I won't refuse your kindness."

Seeing how readily Qin Ming agreed, Shopkeeper Liao knew he had a chance. He quickly poured him another cup of wine.

"Daoist Qin, I have an impolite request."

"In the future, if Daoist Qin has any extra pills to sell, could you consider our shop first?"

Qin Ming smiled faintly. "Sure, but for now, I can only refine some low-grade pills."

"Don't get your hopes up too high, Shopkeeper."

"No worries, no worries. With Daoist Qin's talent in alchemy, I believe you'll soon break through to become an intermediate-grade alchemist."

"Come, let me toast to Daoist Qin!"

Shopkeeper Liao burst into a wide grin.

The transaction ended.

The two continued drinking for a while.

Suddenly, Shopkeeper Liao seemed to remember something and said with a serious expression, "By the way, Daoist Qin, things around the spirit fields haven't been peaceful recently. Be careful and avoid going into the surrounding woods."

"It's said that a few days ago, four cultivators from the Spirit Feather Sect were killed and their bodies destroyed without a trace. The incident occurred in the woods behind your spirit fields."

"Oh? Have they found any traces of the culprit?" Qin Ming sipped his wine, asking casually without revealing any emotion.

"It's said that the scene was cleaned up too thoroughly. If it weren't for the soul lamps of the Spirit Feather Sect disciples extinguishing inside their sect, they probably wouldn't have even known who died."

"The four cultivators from the Spirit Feather Sect who died were all mid-to-late stage practitioners. The killer's cultivation must be at least at the peak of Qi Refining."

Hearing this, Qin Ming felt reassured.

"But Daoist Qin, there's no need to worry too much. The market area is still safe, especially since two strong late-stage Qi Refining practitioners have moved in next door to you. They should be able to deter any troublemakers," Shopkeeper Liao added, hoping to ease Qin Ming's concerns.

Hearing this, Qin Ming frowned slightly and asked, "Two new neighbors at the late stage of Qi Refining?"

"That's right. Speaking of those two daoists, Daoist Qin met them in our shop a few days ago. They were the two cultivators who came to sell beast corpses when we went downstairs that day—the Feng brothers." Shopkeeper Liao explained.

Qin Ming recalled two cultivators wearing leather robes, one of whom was bald.

"Oh, so it's them." Qin Ming said thoughtfully.

Shopkeeper Liao noticed that Qin Ming probably hadn't met the two yet, so he added, "It's normal that Daoist Qin hasn't seen them leave. The Feng brothers are beast hunters with formidable strength. They only return to the market every ten days or so."

Qin Ming nodded.

Their conversation ended.

Qin Ming left the shop.

Shopkeeper Liao escorted Qin Ming all the way to the entrance, watching him walk away.

Only then did he excitedly clap his hands together, muttering to himself with a face full of excitement:

"The opportunity to achieve a great feat has finally arrived!"

"I must report to the pavilion master quickly!"

(End of Chapter)