Chapter 7: Selling Vitality Condensing Grass

Before entering the medicine shop further ahead, Ling Yue stopped by a nearby general store and bought a veiled bamboo hat to cover her face.

As soon as she stepped into the shop, she was taken aback by the dazzling array of herbs—most of which she didn't even recognize. Naturally, the prices were sky-high too.

Seeing that the new customer had her face covered, the shop assistant didn't think much of it and simply ignored her.

"I'd like to sell some Vitality Condensing Grass," Ling Yue said as she stepped forward, deliberately lowering her voice so others wouldn't guess her real age.

Vitality Condensing Grass was known for its ability to absorb the Yuan energy of heaven and earth, making it highly beneficial for martial artists below the third rank.

Because of this, even the wealthier families in Autumn Maple Town would usually plant a few strains in their own courtyards.

Ling Yue took out the herbs she had harvested earlier and placed them on the counter in front of the assistant.

"We don't buy herbs of unknown origin," the assistant replied dismissively without even glancing at them.

Hearing the contempt in the assistant's tone, Ling Yue figured it wasn't worth trying to sell anything to someone who didn't recognize the value of good herbs.

"Please wait, miss." The shopkeeper had noticed what was going on and quickly walked over. He picked up one of the herbs and examined it carefully.

The stems were straight, the leaves thick, and not a single sign of insect damage could be found.

The more he looked, the more excited he became. Inwardly, he cursed his assistant for nearly turning away a valuable customer.

With his experienced eye, the shopkeeper could immediately tell how remarkable these herbs were.

This batch of Vitality Condensing Grass, grown in the "Grand Mist Sky," was at least three years old, with some reaching five years.

After ten years of running a shop in Autumn Maple Town, the shopkeeper had developed a sharp sense for herbs. Realizing the customer wanted to remain anonymous, he wisely chose not to pry.

"Young lady, please forgive our earlier rudeness. We'll take all of your Vitality Condensing Grass. We'll pay one hundred copper for three-year-old herbs, two hundred for five-year-old, five hundred for ten-year-old, and eight hundred for fifteen-year-old strains. If you bring more in the future, we'll buy them at these prices—the older, the better," he said sincerely.

By rough estimate, this batch of spirit herbs alone could fetch several thousand copper coins, which was equal to one or two silvers. That might not sound like much, but the monthly allowance at the northern manor was only ten silvers.

Receiving the silver, Ling Yue was secretly overjoyed. Every few days, the Grand Mist Sky could grow another full row of Vitality Condensing Grass—even after setting some aside for her own use. It was an incredibly profitable business with almost no cost.

"Shopkeeper, one more question. Do you sell any fifth-rank medicinal pills?" she asked.

"Fifth-rank pills?" The shopkeeper laughed. "Miss, you must be joking. A small place like ours could never stock something that valuable. Even in the county's capital city, they're extremely rare—and if they do show up, they sell for tens of thousands of gold."

Tens of thousands of gold?

One gold was equal to ten silver, and one silver equaled a thousand copper coins. At that rate, how many herbs would she need to sell just to afford one?

From what she knew, even the Ye family's entire annual income was only around ten thousand gold. And the road to the capital was long and difficult. For now, Ling Yue had no choice but to set aside the idea of buying a fifth-rank pill and left the shop.

"Shopkeeper, wasn't that just some regular Vitality Condensing Grass? Why did we pay so much?" the shop assistant asked, puzzled.

"You fool! What do you know?" the shopkeeper scolded, rapping the assistant on the head. "Ordinary Vitality Condensing Grass is just good for planting in courtyards. But strains that are three years or older are completely different. Once taken to the capital and refined into spirit liquids, their value multiplies many times over."

(He was referring to the green liquid Ling Yue makes using her cauldron.)

With that, the shopkeeper ordered his staff to quickly send the herbs off to the county capital.

Silver in hand, Ling Yue wandered the market, hoping to find more herbs or seeds she could use. Unfortunately, she found nothing worthwhile.

Back at the northern manor, Granny Liu had already prepared a tub of warm water for her to wash up after a sweaty training session at the martial hall.

Just as planned, Ling Yue undressed and took out a bottle containing the green liquid she had refined earlier.

Once the Vitality Condensing Grass was processed into liquid form, it could be directly used to enhance the body.

It gave off a special aroma. She dropped a bit into the bathwater, and ripples of green light spread across the surface. Then she stepped into the tub and closed her eyes, soaking in relaxation.

In the past few days, the rapid expansion of her dantian had stalled. The medicinal energy she had previously absorbed was already used up.

But now, with this green liquid made from Vitality Condensing Grass, she could once again draw in Yuan energy from the heavens and earth.

As the liquid was absorbed into her body, countless specks of invisible Yuan energy flowed into her bones and muscles. Even her veins grew tougher and more resilient.

Not until every last drop of the liquid was absorbed did Ling Yue finally emerge from the tub.

Before she realized it, half a month had gone by. During this time, she never once skipped her training—or her herbal baths.

In just that short span, her body underwent an amazing transformation. From a weak, slender girl, she now looked vibrant and full of life—like a fresh spring leaf on a willow branch.

Her skin turned pale and smooth, as flawless as an eggshell, with a crystal-like clarity. Compared to the bullied, fragile version of her from earlier, she looked like a completely different person.

As usual, Ling Yue prepared for another herbal bath. But after half a month of continued use, the amount of Vitality Condensing Liquid required had increased dramatically.

This came with both benefits and drawbacks.

The good part: her growth rate remained astonishing.

The bad part: even the Red Mist Sky couldn't produce enough Vitality Condensing Grass to keep up anymore—let alone leave any extra for selling.

Feeling the sting of the situation, she poured the last of her green liquid into the tub and slipped in once again.

As the potent liquid surged into her body, she suddenly felt a burning sensation in her abdomen, as though flames were stirring inside her dantian.

The fire-like energy erupted from her core and spread throughout her entire body, snapping her eyes wide open.

"Third level of the body training realm!" Ling Yue cried out in joy, leaping up from the water, completely naked. Her black eyes sparkled with excitement—she had broken through once again!