Chapter 53

After leaving the qin master's small courtyard, Bai Shi did not head directly to the 'Demon Blade Sect.' Instead, he returned to the inn and, in the crowded throng, found Su Xuan, who was not particularly noticeable. In the inn's brewing area, Su Xuan was wiping the sweat from his forehead, sitting on a wooden chair, and panting heavily.

Seeing Bai Shi's arrival, Su Xuan flashed a proud smile, showing no sign of the previous fatigue.

"You always disappear mysteriously... These days, you don't know how glorious I've been. The innkeeper treats me with great respect. Other large taverns even offered high prices to have me brew for them. But I didn't go."

Bai Shi smiled faintly and said, "You seem quite pleased. By the way, go find something to eat. I haven't eaten for days... and the white fox in my storage bag." As he spoke, Bai Shi took out the storage bag and released the white fox.

As soon as the white fox was released, it immediately jumped around on the ground, extremely joyful. Bai Shi noticed that the white light surrounding the white fox seemed much more intense than before, but the fox's body had not grown. From this white light, Bai Shi could sense an intangible aura, which came from the white fox and its unintentional power.

This power made Bai Shi inwardly delighted. "Indeed, it's a spirit beast. After a few days, this intangible aura actually contains a trace of power, and when I sensed it, I felt slightly inferior!"

As he mused, Bai Shi's eyes showed a hint of joy. He didn't notice Su Xuan leaving, and when he saw Su Xuan again, he was holding some steaming food.

Taking the food, Bai Shi ate while chatting with Su Xuan about what had happened in the past few days. Of course, he deliberately hid the fact that he had been practicing the qin in the qin master's courtyard.

After Su Xuan got busy again, Bai Shi put the white fox back into the storage bag and returned to his room.

Back in the room, Bai Shi did not rush to leave. He had no plans to go to the 'Treasure Seeking Pavilion.' Instead, he looked out the window at the bustling Xingcheng City.

Xingcheng City was still as bustling and prosperous as before. However, as he gazed at the calm void, Bai Shi felt a vague sense of danger, but this feeling did not catch his attention and quickly faded.

It wasn't until late at night, when the sky was dotted with stars and only a few drunkards remained in the inn, that Bai Shi put on black clothes and a hood, and silently left the inn, heading towards the road to the 'Demon Blade Sect.'

The empty street was no longer lit, with only tightly closed doors, from which came a series of snores and some slightly exciting breaths.

There were also two drunkards supporting each other on the road, their words slurred and incoherent.

Bai Shi followed the two drunkards, walking forward until he reached a fork in the road leading to the 'Demon Blade Sect.'

Bai Shi leaped onto the forked path, moving swiftly but making almost no sound. He continued until he reached the end of the road, where he saw a gate with two lanterns hanging, and the words 'Demon Blade Sect' written on it.

The gate was open, but on either side stood two men holding large knives. Their eyes were sharp, scanning the surroundings, and they noticed Bai Shi's arrival. They gripped their knives tighter, and as they exerted their strength, the knives emitted a faint white light, which was still noticeable in the darkness.

Clearly, their actions were a warning to Bai Shi not to approach further.

But Bai Shi walked straight past, stopping only when he reached the gate. The two men suddenly raised their knives and shouted, "Stop!"

Bai Shi halted, his voice deliberately low, and said, "Tell Xiao Yishen that I want to see him."

Hearing this, the two men exchanged glances. In Xingcheng City, few people could call Xiao Yishen by his name, and Bai Shi seemed very mysterious to them. They did not argue further and said, "Wait here, I'll go inform him."

One of the men turned and ran into the courtyard.

In the 'Demon Blade Sect's' meeting hall, Xiao Yishen was smiling, with a woman in a blue robe beside him. This woman was Bi Lan. Next to Bi Lan stood an old man with white hair, the sect's alchemist.

At a wooden table, a middle-aged man was calculating and recording accounts, likely summarizing the day's gains.

At that moment, a man with a large knife ran in, saluting and said, "Report to the sect leader, someone outside is requesting an audience."

Xiao Yishen's smile vanished, and his brows furrowed. "Who is it?"

The man replied, "I don't know, but this person called you by your name and requested to see you."

"Really?" Xiao Yishen responded, his brows furrowing in confusion. "What does this person look like?"

"This person is wearing black clothes, and a hood covers his face," the man answered.

Hearing this, Bi Lan, the alchemist, and Xiao Yishen exchanged glances, as if they suddenly understood something. They quickly said, "Please, bring him in... bring him in!"

Following the order, the man ran out and led Bai Shi into the courtyard.

Behind the wall of the 'Demon Blade Sect's' courtyard, a man holding a black staff was pressed against the wall, seemingly eavesdropping...

Upon entering the meeting hall, Xiao Yishen immediately greeted Bai Shi respectfully, smiling and said, "I was wondering who would visit at this late hour. It's you, sir... Thanks to the formula you provided, our 'Demon Blade Sect' has gained unprecedented benefits. I wonder what you need this time?"

Bai Shi's voice remained low. "The purpose of my visit is to obtain a high-quality alchemy furnace!"

Hearing this, Xiao Yishen and the others' expressions changed. After a moment of silence, Xiao Yishen said, "Have you discovered a new high-quality elixir?"

Bai Shi naturally understood Xiao Yishen's meaning, raising his head slightly to look at him, but the hood still covered his face. His voice remained low. "Rest assured, Sect Leader Xiao. If the time is right, I will give you the formula."

Hearing this, Xiao Yishen's excitement grew. He looked at the white-haired old man and said, "Alchemist... I remember someone sold a high-quality furnace before. Is it still with you?"

For the alchemist, being able to refine high-quality elixirs was the greatest honor, and with Bai Shi providing the formulas, even if the furnace was precious, he would not be stingy.

"Yes, yes!" The alchemist said, taking out a storage bag. Under his mental control, an alchemy furnace suddenly appeared in his hands.

Seeing the furnace, Bai Shi, who had been standing still, could not help but tremble. The expression under his hood became even more vivid.

The furnace was not large, slightly bigger than a teapot. It had a lid with a brilliant gemstone embedded, emitting a faint light. Below were four feet, carved from some kind of beast bone, seemingly compressing the void with intangible elements.

"Indeed, it's a high-quality furnace!" Bai Shi thought.

"Even if the potency of the Ziyou Grass and Lingluo Flower were several times higher, this furnace could still withstand it!" Bai Shi thought. Suddenly, he said, "Alright... I'll take this furnace."

The alchemist handed the furnace to Bai Shi, smiling. "If there's nothing else, perhaps you could rest here for the night."

Taking the furnace, Bai Shi suddenly turned and said, "Thank you for your help today. As for resting, I'll pass."

Hearing Bai Shi's words, Xiao Yishen and the others did not try to persuade him further. They did not want to annoy such a mysterious alchemist. They stood in the hall, watching Bai Shi's departing figure until it disappeared from their sight.

Leaving the 'Demon Blade Sect's' courtyard, Bai Shi walked to a secluded alley, took out his storage bag, and with a surge of joy, put the furnace into the bag. He then quickly headed towards the qin master's courtyard.

"Sir, please wait!"

Just as Bai Shi was leaving, a voice from behind made him stop, and he turned to look at the source of the sound.

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