Ascended Without Me: Cultivating with a Genius Son | Chapter 53 | Gathering Rare Ingredients | Novela.app

Li Xue had a change of heart. She was already at the ninth level of Qi Condensation. Since Yiyi had given her one pill in the Chuyun Secret Realm, she only needed one more to reach the tenth level and then attempt Foundation Establishment. Collecting those rare materials now didn't seem particularly useful; it would be more practical to simply trade with Yiyi for another pill. It was only then that Li Xue realized her personal wealth was not as substantial as she had imagined. Aside from her sect allowance, her spirit stones came from Daoist Yuhong, the proceeds from Li Lin’s alchemy for the sect, and the inheritance left in Li Ran’s immortal’s cave. When she did the math, it was far from enough to purchase the materials required for boundary-breaking pills. Furthermore, the materials collected by Daoist Yuhong and True Person Jingyuan were of mid-to-high grade, and the pills refined from the low-grade materials provided by the sect had to be handed back to the sect. If she wanted to sell pills for profit, she would have to collect the ingredients herself. It seemed she needed to start earning spirit stones. Once Li Lin emerged from seclusion, he could refine some high-grade pills for sale; that should be quite lucrative. Li Xue had always been a planner. She was currently in the Qi Condensation stage, but Li Lin would be in the Foundation Establishment stage once he finished his retreat. That stage would require a vast amount of medicinal pills. If she didn't start stockpiling materials now, they would be left helpless later, possessing the skill of alchemy but lacking the ingredients. "Uncle-Master Yao, do you also acquire materials for low-tier pills here?" The manager of this acquisition building was also an inner disciple of the Cloud Might Sect, named Yao Cheng. Although Li Xue held a high seniority within the Dongyang Palace, once outside its gates, seniority was determined by strength. "Niece-Master Li, the third floor primarily deals in rare materials. Ordinary materials can be posted on the second floor. However, tell me what you're looking for first, and I’ll post the request for you all at once," Yao Cheng said sincerely. As a manager of the market, he naturally had a deep understanding of the various factions within the sect. While others might not know Li Xue’s identity, he knew it perfectly well—she was a core inner disciple of Dongyang Palace and a registered disciple of Grandmaster Yuhong. He had to treat her with the utmost hospitality. "Then I shall thank Uncle-Master Yao in advance. I wish to acquire materials for refining various attribute-specific Spirit Gathering Pills: Fire Dragon Fruit, Mysterious Spirit Fruit, Gold Spirit Fruit, Azure Spirit Fruit, and Earth Spirit Fruit. Of course, I’ll take as many as you can find," Li Xue said. "Very well. Rest assured, Niece-Master Li, I will inform you the moment there is news of these materials," Yao Cheng readily agreed. A sharp glint flashed in Yun Wenhao’s eyes. "Are you planning to refine high-grade Spirit Gathering Pills?" he asked. "Mhm. My supply of pills is nearly exhausted. I’ll need to refine a new batch once Li Lin finishes his seclusion," Li Xue replied, naturally omitting the fact that she intended to sell them. Yun Wenhao cast an affectionate glance at Yiyi beside him and said, "Li Xue, how about this? If you manage to refine any Azure Spirit Pills, I will take as many as you have." He paused for a moment, then sent a secret vocal transmission: *“Have you heard of Boundary Pills? How about I trade Little Divine Pills with you in exchange?”* Li Xue’s heart stirred. Yun Wenhao likely wanted the Azure Spirit Pills for Yiyi. She replied via transmission: *“If they are for Yiyi, we would refine them for her even without a trade.”* Li Xue did not mention that Yiyi had already given them Little Divine Pills in the Chuyun Secret Realm; Yiyi surely had her own plans regarding that matter. Yun Wenhao’s expression softened, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He was clearly very satisfied with the friendship between Li Xue and Yiyi. Of course, he had no intention of letting Li Xue suffer a loss. Yiyi, listening from the side, understood the gist of their conversation. She winked at Li Xue, showing her approval of the fact that Li Xue hadn't mentioned the pills she had previously given them. Then, she looked at Yun Wenhao with eyes full of deep affection. Yun Wenhao felt a surge of heat rush through him, his gaze deepening. Their interaction was, of course, plain as day to Yao Cheng and Li Xue. After all, a cultivator’s spiritual sense was not just for show. Yao Cheng turned his head, pretending not to notice. Li Xue looked down as if counting ants on the floor, grumbling inwardly: *Good grief, these two are acting like no one else is even here.* "Uncle-Master Yao, I have some other low-tier materials I’d like to look for. Why don't you accompany me to the second floor to take a look?" Li Xue suddenly had a flash of inspiration, coming up with a way to stop being a third wheel. "Certainly, certainly! I happen to have some business downstairs as well. Let us go!" Yao Cheng replied to Li Xue with a look of gratitude. Yao Cheng led Li Xue out of the third-floor VIP room. As they walked, he gave her a detailed introduction to the acquisition building, allowing Li Xue to broaden her horizons. As for what might happen in the VIP room, it no longer had anything to do with Li Xue, and she certainly wasn't going to meddle. ***