The establishment of Yunqing Pavilion took several years in total. Even though cultivators were far more capable than mortals, constructing a sect was not something where grand halls could be raised from the earth with a mere wave of a hand. As the project progressed, Nie Shiyun found himself exhausted in both mind and finances, feeling as though he had lost several pounds from the sheer strain.
In the past, Zhai Bairong only refined pills when necessary, spending most of his time on self-cultivation and nurturing his mind and body. Now, with Nie Shiyun so busy he was practically tripping over his own heels, the task of earning money fell to Zhai Bairong. Consequently, his frequency of pill refining reached an unprecedented high.
One had to understand that even in the Upper Realm, refining Grade 4 pills was no common feat. Alchemists often held themselves in high regard; within sects, one had to navigate a labyrinth of seniority and connections to request a pill, often waiting years. For rogue cultivators, it was even more troublesome; even if they prepared the medicinal ingredients and immortal crystals and approached with humble words, they might still be turned away at the door.
Zhai Bairong, however, disregarded such pretenses. As long as the ingredients and payment were provided, he refused no one. Gradually, many cultivators learned of his existence. Overjoyed, customers flocked to him in an endless stream.
The haughty alchemists who heard rumors of this spoke ill of him behind his back, claiming his eyes were clouded by greed and that he had no sense of professional dignity. Little did they know that many of their own clients would agree with them on the surface, saying things like, "How could he possibly compare to you?" while secretly planning to seek out Zhai Bairong for their pill needs.
"I am indeed in urgent need of money lately. What they say is not wrong. Once I have earned enough, I may close this shop," Zhai Bairong would reply indifferently when rogue cultivators came to report the arrogance of the sect alchemists on his behalf.
"Is that so? Then... then I must take this opportunity to request a few more pills," the listeners would say, suddenly anxious.
"It will be at least a few more years, so there is no need for haste," Zhai Bairong said. "Furthermore, I will not disappear; I will remain here at Yunqing Pavilion. It is just that I likely won't be as diligent in refining pills as I am now."
His pill shop was located at the foot of the mountain where Yunqing Pavilion was being built. The passing customers all knew he was raising funds for the sect.
Bit by bit, even before Yunqing Pavilion was fully built, its reputation had already spread.
Of course, few people had yet declared a willingness to join. Most rogue cultivators, even if interested, were merely observing. Although Zhai Bairong’s presence alone made people feel he was reliable, the sect was rumored to have no backing. People did not dare to gamble their cultivation paths lightly on such a venture.
The White Tiger Clan didn't care what others thought; they had been living quite comfortably lately. Zhai Bairong gave priority to their requests and offered very reasonable prices. They were not polite about it either, snapping up all the essential pills their clan would need for the next several decades. This made the other demon clans quite envious.
Every evening, Nie Shiyun would descend from the mountain and return to Zhai Bairong’s shop. Although the scenery on the mountain was beautiful, it was a construction site, and the feng shui was not yet suitable for living. For the time being, the two stayed in the back of the shop.
Though they lived there, the two rarely rested. Instead, they seized every moment to enter their pocket dimension to cultivate. Occasionally, Zhai Bairong would briefly recount the events and people he encountered during the day to Nie Shiyun before focusing intently on refining pills.
"This is truly exhausting," Nie Shiyun would often lament. The frequency of intimacy between him and Zhai Bairong had plummeted during this period. If they really wanted to squeeze out time, they could, but his mental energy was heavily taxed, and he always felt weary. Zhai Bairong was also fully immersed in improving his alchemy, often becoming lost in thought while studying pill scriptures, so Nie Shiyun didn't want to disturb him.
"It will be better once this phase passes. Seeing these pavilions rise bit by bit gives me quite a sense of accomplishment," Zhai Bairong said with a light, cheerful tone.
"Once we're free of these burdens, we must take a good rest for a few years. First, we'll spend ten days to half a month just fooling around in the bedroom," Nie Shiyun said, giving Zhai Bairong a brief, light kiss on the lips, as if pre-booking the man's schedule.
Hearing his explicit words, Zhai Bairong glanced at him and intentionally said, "There will be plenty of work to do once the sect is finished."
"Ai, I've been so tired lately. I've even lost weight from the exhaustion."
Instead of talking about serious matters, Nie Shiyun simply sighed and buried his head on Zhai Bairong’s shoulder. His voice sounded muffled and somewhat amusing because his throat was pressed down.
"If you're so exhausted, how do you still have the energy to talk about... ten days or half a month? I don't think you're actually that tired," Zhai Bairong paused halfway, cleared his throat, and continued, "In any case, we can talk about those things later when we're free."
Nie Shiyun caught the meaning in his words and thought to himself that his partner really did fall for this act. Hearing him play the pity card made Zhai Bairong feel tender-hearted.
Zhai Bairong knew exactly what kind of person he was, yet he was still willing to indulge him. Nie Shiyun treated this as a tacit little bit of flirtation between them.
In short, the construction proceeded in full swing.
While Zhai Bairong was busy earning money to support the family, Xuan Yang, who couldn't learn how to make money, busied himself alongside Nie Shiyun.
Shen Yan watched the group in a flurry of activity. He felt he couldn't earn big money and wasn't skilled at dealing with people at a construction site. After some thought, he took it upon himself to go out and gather intelligence. Their recent movements were too grand; Yunqing Pavilion was out in the open while the other sects were observing from the shadows, which was too disadvantageous for them.
When Xuan Yang heard that Shen Yan intended to leave alone for a while, his first reaction was naturally one of great reluctance. But Shen Yan simply left a message saying he knew what he was doing and would contact them if anything happened, then waved and walked away, leaving only his back in view.
Seeing Xuan Yang’s face full of longing, Nie Shiyun patted his shoulder. "Don't forget, he is also a reliable adult. He was the one protecting you when you were little. You can trust him more; you don't need to cling so tightly all the time."
Xuan Yang thought of something he had read somewhere—that being too clingy would make the other person feel suffocated and drain their passion. Although his face was full of conflict, he chose not to chase after him.
"But you and Zhai Bairong are clearly always stuck together," Xuan Yang grumbled in a low voice, watching Shen Yan disappear from sight.
"That's because there's usually nothing urgent. If a situation truly required us to act separately, we would be very at ease with each other," Nie Shiyun said.
Xuan Yang had still been in his egg back then, so he certainly wouldn't know. When he and Zhai Bairong first got together in Flower City, Nie Shiyun had even watched him return to Duan Mingyu’s side in the Moon-Reflecting Sect without giving him many instructions.
Such a move was likely impossible in this lifetime for someone with Xuan Yang’s temperament. Nie Shiyun drifted into thought as he remembered the past. So much time had passed.
"I understand the logic. But I worked so hard to pursue him; I just feel very uneasy. I'm not as powerful as you two..."
Xuan Yang’s worry was truly unnecessary, Nie Shiyun thought. Shen Yan wasn't the type to easily develop feelings for others. It had taken Xuan Yang over a hundred years of persistent effort, like slowly boiling a frog in warm water, to wear the man down. Where else would Shen Yan find another person as formidable as you?
"You. Think about it carefully. He previously had no connection to Yunqing Pavilion, and he's the type of person who wouldn't lift a finger even if he saw someone dying if there was no benefit in it. Now he’s actively taking on these troublesome tasks—do you really think he’s doing it for me and Zhai Bairong?"
Hearing this, Xuan Yang’s heart jolted. As the realization dawned on him, he suddenly felt as sweet as if he were soaking in sugar water. He wished he could chase after Shen Yan right now and give him a kiss.
"And aren't you planning to build a cave dwelling for him yourself? If you want it to be a surprise, this is a good opportunity," Nie Shiyun prompted.
"Nie Shiyun, your tongue is truly something. Whatever you say, I feel as if it's the absolute truth of the world." Xuan Yang turned to look at Nie Shiyun with an exaggerated expression, looking as though he had no choice but to be impressed.
Nie Shiyun shook his head helplessly. "Don't flatter me. I think it's simply that you're too foolish."
Just as he had said a few nice words, Nie Shiyun started mocking him again. Xuan Yang felt his praise had been wasted on a dog and indignantly shut his mouth, refusing to speak to him further.
***
In the Phoenix Clan, the Phoenix Emperor was once again questioning his subordinate maidservant.
"I heard that their Yunqing Pavilion is being built quite smoothly?"
"Yes. The speed is very fast, and the news has spread throughout the demon clans. I heard the Dragon Clan wanted to cause trouble, but considering that our Phoenix Clan, the White Tiger Clan, and Senior Jin of the Black Tortoise Clan all have ties with him, they didn't dare move rashly."
"What ties does our Phoenix Clan have with him?" the Phoenix Emperor said coldly.
"I... I misspoke. It is just that the outside world mistakenly believes we have ties with Nie Shiyun and his partner," the maidservant hastily corrected herself.
The Phoenix Emperor’s face was grim, and he didn't speak for a long time. The maidservant didn't dare look up, not knowing what he was thinking, but it certainly wasn't anything happy.
"I heard that Zhai Bairong can refine many types of Grade 4 pills? And that he’s selling them on the market like a wholesaler, getting cursed behind his back by a bunch of alchemists? Is that also true?"
Hearing him speak again after so long, only to suddenly change the subject, the Phoenix maidservant hurried to answer truthfully. "I heard it is true. However, most human alchemists are only complaining behind his back; it doesn't seem like they are cursing him to his face..."
The Phoenix Emperor snorted, as if thinking this was well-deserved.
Recently, the leader of the White Tiger Clan had been in a great mood. Upon inquiry, it turned out he had obtained many Grade 4 pills, enough that the clan might not have to worry about their supply for decades or even a century.
He heard the Black Tortoise Clan had also received pills. When the Black Tortoise Manor saw they were for Senior Jin, they informed them that Senior Jin was not in the territory. Xuan Yang, who had delivered the pills, said they should just keep them and not be polite.
"That unfilial son, Xuan Yang! He sends good things to that White Tiger brat and those old fogies of the Black Tortoise Clan, but he doesn't send any to this venerable one, his own father?" The Phoenix Emperor grew angrier the more he spoke.
The maidservant shrunk her neck, thinking to herself that the Phoenix Emperor had summoned her back today to ask questions in a roundabout way just for this.
Over the past two years, the Phoenix Emperor had frequently sent people to give things to Xuan Yang, which was actually a way of calling Xuan Yang back to the Phoenix Clan. Most of the "pocket money" sent was returned by Xuan Yang, showing a spirit of refusing "food handed out in contempt."
The Phoenix Emperor felt quite bitter seeing him spend Nie Shiyun’s money so comfortably. He could only comfort himself by thinking that Nie Shiyun was being a sucker by raising his son for free; only then did he feel a bit better.
But now, his son was doing free labor for Nie Shiyun and giving good things to other demon clans while refusing to return. This made the Phoenix Emperor fume with rage.
The maidservant massaged his shoulders and said, "Please calm your anger. Young Master Xuan Yang knows you dislike Zhai Bairong, so how would he dare bring pills refined by that man to honor you?"
"This venerable one is a Golden Immortal cultivator; I don't care for his pills. But does that mean Xuan Yang shouldn't give them?" the Phoenix Emperor said as if it were only natural.
The maidservant thought to herself that their Phoenix Clan leader was as fond of being unreasonable as ever. But there was no helping it; who else could he be but the Phoenix Emperor?
"You are right. Next time I see Young Master Xuan Yang, I will mention it to him."
Only then did the Phoenix Emperor nod and let the matter drop.
Thinking about how that fellow Zhai Bairong could refine Grade 4 pills, the Phoenix Emperor’s mood was somewhat complex. Previously, Zhai Bairong had said he was an alchemist but hadn't mentioned his grade. At the banquet, Nie Shiyun had caused a scene, and everyone’s attention had been drawn to his brilliance. No one expected that the silent Zhai Bairong would turn out to be at this level once he made a move.
Maidservants could also get tired. Seeing the Phoenix Emperor’s expression shifting unpredictably again, she didn't want to try and guess his thoughts at all. She quickly found an excuse, saying she needed to check on Young Master Xuan Yang’s situation, and took her leave.
Hearing she was going to look after Xuan Yang, the Phoenix Emperor did not keep her.
The Phoenix maidservant, who had turned around and run to Yunqing Pavilion, greeted Xuan Yang.
"Are you here to report on me to the Phoenix Emperor again?" Xuan Yang was already familiar with her, knowing she worked under the Phoenix Emperor.
"I didn't say anything important. Otherwise, I wouldn't be appearing before you so openly, would I?" The maidservant waved her hands hurriedly and tactfully expressed that the Phoenix Emperor was somewhat covetous of Zhai Bairong’s pills.
Xuan Yang was very displeased upon hearing this. "I'm not giving him any. He can't stand Zhai Bairong, so why should Zhai Bairong refine pills for him?"
The maidservant looked miserable. "Young Master Xuan Yang, we agreed before that every time I go back to report and the Phoenix Emperor asks, I've helped cover for you. But if I can't take these pills back this time, I won't be able to fulfill my duty..."
Among those helping to build Yunqing Pavilion, there were many cultivators who had never seen a member of the Phoenix Clan. Initially, they were full of curiosity when they saw Xuan Yang. Gradually, they got used to him and stopped treating him as special. But they rarely saw this Phoenix maidservant who occasionally came to negotiate with Xuan Yang. Her appearance was bright and moving, with a touch more bewitching pride than human women, which always made people unable to help but steal glances.
Seeing the gaze of a group of men by the door drifting outward, Nie Shiyun guessed who had arrived.
He casually told everyone to take a break and walked out the threshold toward Xuan Yang. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the group lingering by the door after putting down their work, their intentions clearly not on the scenery. Nie Shiyun found it quite amusing but didn't expose them. Everyone has a love for beauty, after all.
"So, Fellow Daoist Nie is here."
The Phoenix maidservant’s eyes lit up when she saw Nie Shiyun.
"Have you come to look after Xuan Yang again? It's thanks to you often putting in a good word for him before the Phoenix Emperor. Traveling back and forth like this must be truly exhausting." Nie Shiyun politely handed over a bottle of portable cold-steeped tea. They didn't have a place to receive guests yet, so it wasn't easy to sit down and entertain. Thus, he had made many of these gadgets, somewhat similar to modern insulated flasks, to give to guests when they arrived.
The maidservant couldn't help but blush slightly. Nie Shiyun had started by praising her so highly; how could she bring herself to ask for things?
Taking the strangely shaped water bottle Nie Shiyun handed her, she said her thanks. Having been here a few times, she already knew how to use it. It was strange; she had lived for several hundred years but had never seen such a small object. It wasn't a high-level magical treasure, but it was remarkably convenient and ingenious to use.
"You're giving her things for free again. Doesn't it cost money to refine those?" Xuan Yang’s opening remark was very blunt.
Nie Shiyun rolled his eyes at him. "How can you say that? This little thing doesn't cost much."
The Phoenix maidservant cleared her throat to cover her embarrassment. Every time she came, she would take these bottles back and give them to her sisters in the clan. The Phoenix Clan members were very fond of their reputation; hearing that this item was unique and couldn't be bought outside, everyone liked them very much.
Since she was beholden to their favors, the Phoenix maidservant, who was ordered to monitor Xuan Yang, began to act as a fence-sitter between Nie Shiyun and the Phoenix Emperor, smoothing things over for both sides and offending neither.
"Don't listen to his nonsense. Take it back and give it to someone," Nie Shiyun said with a smile.
The maidservant gave a sheepish smile. She guessed Nie Shiyun knew about her behavior, but clearly, the Phoenix Emperor did not. He still thought she was coldly and professionally following Xuan Yang every day.
Xuan Yang, this Phoenix, was even more displeased than an outsider about the Phoenix Clan getting benefits. He said sullenly, "You're giving things to women again. I'm going to report you to Zhai Bairong."
The Phoenix maidservant was alarmed. "Young Master Xuan Yang, please don't talk nonsense. I have absolutely no such intention..."
If she were truly resented by Zhai Bairong, wouldn't the matter of the pills be completely impossible?
Nie Shiyun’s smile didn't fade a bit as he looked at Xuan Yang. "Mhm, go ahead."
Xuan Yang looked at his confident expression that said "Zhai Bairong trusts me anyway," and then thought about how his own partner wasn't even home lately, which made him even more frustrated. Leaving behind a sentence—"I can't be bothered to talk to you two; you guys discuss the pill matter"—he ran off.
He walked quickly and angrily toward the back mountain. When he passed the group of distracted single male cultivators at the courtyard gate, everyone hastily pretended to look at the sky or the ground, withdrawing their gazes.
Everyone sighed in their hearts. Their mountain was full of men. Occasionally, a beautiful female cultivator would finally come, yet no one appreciated her. Nie Shiyun, who was talking to her, was completely devoid of stray thoughts, and Xuan Yang was always at odds with her. It was truly a waste of a fine gift from heaven.
"I overheard you mentioning the pills just now. It so happens Bairong is in the shop today; I'll take you to pick a few kinds." Nie Shiyun stepped aside to clear the path, signaling for her to follow him down the mountain.
"Is that alright? That's wonderful, thank you both." The maidservant let out a long breath, feeling immensely grateful.
"When the time comes, just say Xuan Yang specifically requested them for his father," Nie Shiyun said.
"I understand, I understand." The maidservant nodded repeatedly.
Yunqing Pavilion was not built very high, and before long, the two arrived at the temporary pill shop Zhai Bairong had opened.
It wasn't the first time the Phoenix maidservant had been here, but she always felt a bit awkward facing Zhai Bairong. Back when he was staying in the Phoenix Clan’s territory, the Phoenix Emperor’s attitude toward him had been poor. Now, she was scurrying over to ask for things. It seemed the Phoenix Emperor wasn't afraid of losing face because all the face was being lost by her, the errand runner.
When Zhai Bairong heard it was the Phoenix Emperor’s intention, the expression on his face didn't change at all. He treated her like any other customer, simply saying, "I understand," and then took out many different pills from his storage space for the maidservant to choose from. This made the already guilty maidservant want to find a hole to crawl into.
"Fellow Daoist Zhai, please don't take the past matters to heart..." the maidservant said guiltily.
Zhai Bairong blinked, guessing she was likely talking about how everyone’s attitude toward him hadn't been very good back in the Phoenix Clan. He smiled and said, "Don't worry about it. I never took those trivial matters to heart."
Since he said that, the maidservant had nothing left to say and sheepishly accepted the various pills.
Zhai Bairong’s words weren't mere politeness; he truly hadn't taken it to heart. He used to be a person who cared quite a bit about how those around him viewed him, and thus held himself to strict standards. But as time passed, perhaps due to the elevation of his Dao heart or being heavily influenced by Nie Shiyun, he had long since stopped caring about such things.
The Phoenix Clan had looked down on him before and had now changed their attitude; either way, it had nothing to do with him.
"You're busy, so I'm heading back up the mountain. I'll come down this evening."
Nie Shiyun looked straight at Zhai Bairong. In truth, he wanted to take the opportunity to give him a parting kiss, but with a third wheel present, even if he didn't mind, Zhai Bairong was rather thin-skinned. It was better not to do such a thing in front of an outsider.
Zhai Bairong knew exactly what Nie Shiyun wanted just by looking at his eyes. Fortunately, Nie Shiyun restrained himself. As a substitute, he lightly brushed his hand over the back of Zhai Bairong’s hand. It was a fleeting touch, but the intimacy hidden within that restraint still made Zhai Bairong’s skin flush with heat.
The Phoenix maidservant was very good at reading the room and quickly indicated she was leaving immediately so as not to disturb them.
***
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Transmigrated into a Total Shou Novel as a Cannon Fodder, but Ended Up 1v1-ing the Male Lead | Chapter 212 | Foundations and Pill Sales | Novela.app | Novela.app
