Chapter 49

When Bai Shi returned to the inn, Su Xuan was already asleep, snoring like thunder, and his sprawling posture clearly showed that he had been exhausted from the day's work.

Bai Shi did not wake him up but quietly took off his outer robe, placed his hands behind his head, and gazed at the stars through the open window. His eyes seemed somewhat lost, yet profound.

After a long silence, when a gust of night wind blew in, Bai Shi instinctively pulled the quilt closer and fell into a drowsy sleep.

In the early morning, when Bai Shi woke up from his deep sleep, Su Xuan was already gone. The sunlight shone on the wooden table in the room, and the dust on it was faintly visible.

Bai Shi lazily stretched, and although he had not slept very well, it was still somewhat restful. The cool breeze blew into the room, seemingly taking away the last bit of his fatigue. He blew away the dust on the wooden table, then moved a wooden chair over, picked up the teacup, and poured the tea from the teapot into the cup.

The tea was not very strong, but it still had a tea flavor. Bai Shi looked at the tea in the cup, holding the lukewarm tea, and watched the ripples, murmuring, "My current state of mind is like this tea... although clear, it is not calm."

After a moment of contemplation, Bai Shi drank the tea in one gulp. As the cool tea seeped into his heart, he seemed to come alive, stood up from the wooden chair, and walked to the window, looking out at the world, and at the location of the Treasure Seeking Pavilion. A vague idea of making money began to form in his mind.

"Yesterday, the low-grade pills sold by that pharmacist could fetch such a good price... If I refine the 'Hehe Powder' to sell, its price will certainly not be lower than his. Moreover, the Lingluo Flower and Ziyao Grass needed for the Dongxuan Realm have not yet been found... If I have the good fortune to cooperate with the people of the Treasure Seeking Pavilion... these two items might be easily found."

While contemplating, Bai Shi withdrew his gaze from the Treasure Seeking Pavilion, closed the window, and returned to the wooden table.

He took out his storage bag and, using his consciousness, retrieved the herbs inside. These herbs were all needed to refine the 'Hehe Powder.' Then, Bai Shi took out the fire starter, the荒Ding (a type of ancient cauldron), and a stone bowl.

Since he had already entered the Dongxuan Realm and had mastered the control of the fire for refining the 'Hehe Powder,' he quickly began the refinement after all preparations were made.

Time passed quickly as Bai Shi carefully refined the powder. By noon, when the sunlight in the room had retreated to the roof, a dull sound was heard, and nine white, smooth pills appeared in Bai Shi's hand. These nine pills were the 'Hehe Powder'!

Holding the nine pills, Bai Shi put all the remaining items back into his storage bag, then washed up and walked out of the room.

As he pushed open the door, Bai Shi was greeted by a strong aroma of alcohol. He recognized this scent; it was from Maotai, a sauce-flavored liquor.

Smiling, Bai Shi did not linger in the inn but quietly walked out and onto the streets of Suxing City. He then found a shop and bought a bamboo hat.

Finally, wearing the hat, he headed toward the Treasure Seeking Pavilion.

The two guards at the Treasure Seeking Pavilion were still the same. As Bai Shi approached, they stopped him again.

Gently lifting the hat, when Bai Shi's familiar face appeared before them, the two guards immediately made a respectful gesture, inviting him in.

Bai Shi walked in, and the woman standing by the side of the forked path immediately asked, "May I ask... Sir, are you here to buy or sell something?"

Clearly, because of the hat, the woman did not recognize him as Bai Shi.

Bai Shi deliberately lowered his voice and said, "I am here to sell something... but before I do, I would like to have a private talk with Bilan..."

The woman did not make it difficult for Bai Shi and said, "Oh, please follow me."

Led by the woman, they walked to the top of the stone stairs. Behind a stone pillar was a white room with intricate carvings on the door. After gently knocking, Bilan opened the door.

She was still wearing a light blue robe, and her expression remained the same. Seeing Bai Shi and the woman, she smiled and said, "Lvcui, what brings you here?"

The woman replied, "Sister Bilan, it's not that I need something, but this gentleman..."

"Oh." Bilan looked at Bai Shi, her eyebrows slightly raised, and continued, "Sir, are you here to sell or buy something? If you are buying, Lvcui can take you there. If you are selling, Lvcui can also take you there."

Hearing this, Bai Shi gently turned his head, looked at Lvcui, then shifted his gaze back to Bilan and said, "I am here to sell something... but before I do, I would like to have a private talk with you to evaluate the value of this item."

Bilan naturally noticed Bai Shi's actions and, after dismissing Lvcui, said, "Let's go inside and talk."

The stone room was simply furnished but neatly arranged. There was a wooden cabinet with many small drawers, each labeled with the names of herbs.

Bai Shi glanced over and saw Qingke Grass, Hongfeng Flower, and Tiyu Bone, among others. In a not-so-conspicuous corner of the cabinet, three words caught his eye—Lingluo Flower!

"If I could exchange this 'Hehe Powder' for the Lingluo Flower..." Bai Shi mused, staring at the three words.

"Could it be... Sir, you are quite interested in the Lingluo Flower?" Bilan softly closed the door and asked, noticing Bai Shi's focus on the Lingluo Flower.

Startled from his thoughts, Bai Shi's body trembled slightly. He turned to look at Bilan and said, "No... I was just curious about how many herbs are stored in the Treasure Seeking Pavilion."

"That's not surprising. In our Treasure Seeking Pavilion, we will purchase any rare herbs." Bilan walked to the wooden seat and gestured to the opposite wooden chair, politely saying, "Please sit."

After Bai Shi sat down, Bilan continued, "Alright, let's get to the point. The daily auction at the Treasure Seeking Pavilion is about to start. Since you trust me, Bilan, please show me what you want to sell."

Nodding, Bai Shi took out the nine pills from his pocket. These nine pills were the 'Hehe Powder.'

The moment the 'Hehe Powder' appeared in Bai Shi's palm, Bilan's pupils dilated, and her body trembled. She stared at the 'Hehe Powder' in Bai Shi's hand. Although she could not refine pills, the white, smooth appearance, the mist-like aura, and the refreshing aroma made it clear to her that this was no ordinary medicine!

"The item I want you to evaluate is this..."

Seeing the change in Bilan's expression, Bai Shi knew that the Lingluo Flower was within reach, but he did not say it directly. Instead, he gradually led Bilan into the trap.

Coming back to her senses, Bilan's lips curved into a smile, though it seemed somewhat unnatural. Feeling the aroma, she could not suppress her excitement. Looking at Bai Shi, she said, "I didn't expect you to be a pharmacist who can refine pills. However, the price of this pill... I am not very clear about it. If you don't mind, I will invite our Treasure Seeking Pavilion's pharmacist and the head of the Demon Blade Sect, Xiao Yishen, to evaluate it for you."

Hearing this, Bai Shi was secretly delighted. He had not expected that the 'Hehe Powder' would attract someone of Xiao Yishen's caliber. He decisively replied, "Then I will trouble Miss Bilan."

Bilan stood up, bowed respectfully, and quickly walked out.

Soon, Bilan and Xiao Yishen entered the wooden room, followed by an old man with white hair. Bai Shi recognized him as the old man who had appraised the herbs the previous day.

It seemed that on the way, Bilan had already explained the situation to Xiao Yishen and the pharmacist. Therefore, as soon as Xiao Yishen entered, he said very politely, "I apologize for keeping you waiting, sir."

Clearly, in Suxing City, a pharmacist who could refine pills would be respected.

Bai Shi stood up and said, "It's nothing... I just want to know how much my refined pills are worth." Saying this, he handed the 'Hehe Powder' to Xiao Yishen.

Feeling the aroma, Xiao Yishen involuntarily drew a deep breath. Taking the 'Hehe Powder,' his pupils contracted, and he passed the pills to the pharmacist.

"Pharmacist, take a look. Such a high-quality pill... I cannot determine its price."

The old man's eyes were always slightly squinted, not out of intention but as a habit. However, when he took the 'Hehe Powder' from Xiao Yishen and deeply inhaled its aroma, his eyes suddenly widened, and his dull gaze seemed to come alive. Looking at Bai Shi, his body trembled slightly!