Jun Fei'er was anxious, but she was unable to unblock her acupoints for a long time. By the time she did, Lu Qing had already taken Xiao Man and disappeared without a trace.
In the bustling and lively Wen Nan City, amidst the throngs of people, Lu Qing led Xiao Man into a shop.
"Guest, what do you require?"
"An alchemy furnace," Lu Qing's voice was clear and cold. "The best one."
"Certainly, honored guests, please proceed upstairs." The shopkeeper quickly emerged from behind the counter and led the two up. On the exhibition stands upstairs, more than ten alchemy furnaces were displayed. "All the alchemy furnaces here are of excellent quality; you may choose freely."
Lu Qing walked directly to the exhibition stands, his brow furrowed as he surveyed the furnaces. The alchemy furnace in Xiao Man's hand was of very good quality, yet it still exploded when refining high-grade pills. The power of the explosion had even destroyed his dwelling, and ordinary alchemy furnaces could not withstand such force.
"Do you have anything better?" Lu Qing inquired.
"You don't even like these?" The shopkeeper was somewhat surprised. The alchemy furnaces on the second floor were already considered excellent, sufficient for alchemists below the third rank. This person, at most, was only a third-rank alchemist, yet he was still unsatisfied with their furnaces.
"I do not."
The shopkeeper smiled. "May I ask who will be using it?"
"Her."
The shopkeeper looked at Xiao Man. In his estimation, Xiao Man was merely a cultivator in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Even if she were an alchemist, she would be at most a fifth-rank alchemist, for whom the furnaces on the second floor would be more than adequate.
"If she is using it, the furnaces here are sufficient."
"Too inferior," Lu Qing shook his head. "Are there any others?"
"Esteemed guest, the furnaces here are quite good..."
Before the shopkeeper could finish speaking, Lu Qing turned and walked away. Xiao Man followed him leisurely.
"Guest, please wait!" The shopkeeper hurried forward. "Esteemed guest, please proceed to the third floor."
Lu Qing's face showed impatience. "I want the best alchemy furnace."
"The alchemy furnaces on the third floor are the finest in our establishment. We guarantee your satisfaction."
Only then did Lu Qing retract his step and follow the shopkeeper to the third floor. There were not many alchemy furnaces on the third floor, only three. All three furnaces were intricately carved with complex patterns.
"Not bad. The furnaces themselves are inscribed with spirit-gathering formations. Indeed, they are good," Lu Qing nodded in agreement. The formations on the furnaces could make the alchemy process twice as effective. "Unfortunately, they are not suitable for her."
"What about that one?"
"This one is inscribed with a fire spirit talisman. For alchemists without a source of fire, it can help them control the heat. It is also quite good."
Hearing Lu Qing's implication, the shopkeeper immediately understood that this one was also unsuitable. He promptly approached the last alchemy furnace. "This is a second-grade alchemy furnace. Inscribed on its body is..."
"It's a lightning pattern," Lu Qing murmured, caressing the纹路 on the furnace. "If one encounters a heavenly lightning tribulation, it can substitute for the pill to bear the tribulation, ensuring the pill's safety."
"The guest has discerning eyes. Even for heaven-defying pills, this furnace can refine them!"
Lu Qing ended up buying all three furnaces. Xiao Man truly consumed alchemy furnaces too quickly; having a few spares would be prudent.
"Martial Uncle, you truly are wealthy," Xiao Man exclaimed. In the past, she never had to worry about expenses. She had no concept of money; whatever she desired, someone would naturally bring it to her. But now, she had nothing. The only wealth she possessed was earned through hard struggle in Wuji City.
"On the Cang Xuan Continent, the wealthiest individuals are not cultivators, nor are they artifact refiners, but alchemists," Lu Qing explained gently. "Especially for high-grade pills, they can save lives at critical moments. Particularly life-saving pills like the Tai Xu Pill, which are priceless."
Xiao Man nodded in agreement.
"Are you hungry?"
"Yes, I am."
"Let's go eat. After eating, we'll purchase some medicinal ingredients and then return."
The two found a restaurant. As soon as they sat down, they overheard the conversation at the next table about Yan Family Fort.
"Did you hear? Yan Family Fort was annihilated overnight."
"I heard. They say Yan Family Fort offended some powerful force."
"I heard that Yan Family Fort captured someone to refine pills, and that angered everyone, leading to the extermination of their entire clan," another person whispered. "They say Yan Family Fort captured someone whose blood can cure all poisons."
"Tsk, stop bragging. Whose blood can cure all poisons?" The crowd was largely disbelieving.
Lu Qing subtly perked up his ears, listening to the conversation at the next table. Xiao Man, with a composed expression, poured him tea, subtly observing Lu Qing.
"You call yourselves ignorant, yet you refuse to believe. Do you know of the former aristocratic family, the Qin family?"
"There's no aristocratic family named Qin?"
"A thousand years ago, this continent was ruled by six great aristocratic families. The Qin family was the foremost among them, the only one possessing a Nascent Soul stage mighty figure."
"If the Qin family was so powerful, why is it no longer among the aristocratic families today?"
"Because the Qin family's Nascent Soul stage mighty figure went mad and committed suicide. And the Qin family members are very special."
"What's special about them?"
"It is said that the blood of Qin family members is an excellent ingredient for alchemy. A single drop of blood can increase a pill's efficacy tenfold," the speaker said animatedly. "Furthermore, consuming the blood of Qin family members can make one immune to all poisons and grant eternal life."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Man let out a cold snort. Consuming Qin family blood would not grant immunity to poisons; instead, it would lead to death by poisoning, and there was no effect of eternal life!
"So, the people of Yan Family Fort captured someone from the Qin family?"
"It is possible."
"If the blood of Qin family members was truly as effective as you say, wouldn't they have been hunted down and their flesh and blood consumed long ago, leading to their utter extinction?"
"The Qin family was vast and prosperous. It's normal for a few to have escaped. Yan Family Fort was also an alchemist family. If they hadn't captured someone they shouldn't have, who would annihilate an entire alchemist family?"
The crowd shook their heads.
Xiao Man noticed Lu Qing's expression turning grim, a peculiar emotion flashing in his eyes, yet he said nothing.
"I'm going to buy medicinal ingredients. Wait for me here."
"Martial Uncle, let's go after we eat."
"I have already achieved辟谷 and do not need to eat. You eat first; I will be back soon."
"Alright." Xiao Man watched as Lu Qing's figure disappeared around the street corner, then immediately rose and walked to the adjacent table.
"Fellow Daoists, where is the Yan Family Fort you were discussing?"
"Young friend, Yan Family Fort no longer exists."
"Waiter, put the bill for this table on my tab," Xiao Man instructed with a smile. "I'm just curious and wish to take a look. Please, esteemed Daoists, inform me."
Seeing Xiao Man's generosity, the crowd was delighted and pointed the way for him. "Exit this street, walk six li east, and you will find Yan Family Fort."
"Many thanks, esteemed Daoists."
"You are too kind, young friend. Be careful when you go to watch the spectacle, as no one knows if the culprit is still in this city."
"Many thanks for the reminder, esteemed Daoists."