Chapter 23

Filled with frustration, Su Yin swallowed all the remaining nine pills.

Soon, Su Yin felt even more dejected.

Just like the first one, the spiritual energy contained in these pills entered his body and was immediately expelled. Some went through the acupoints, others even through the lower back, causing immense embarrassment.

His body was like a broken sack; spiritual energy couldn't enter, and if it did, it would leave immediately, as if it didn't want to stay for even a second.

Could it be that he really isn't suited for cultivation?

No... it must be because the pills aren't pure enough.

The spiritual energy he had just ingested, although his body still rejected it, was clearly not as strongly rejected as the free-floating spiritual energy.

Perhaps, finding purer pills could really break through the constraints and allow him to cultivate.

Taking a deep breath, he left the meditation room and found the girl at the front desk again: "Do you have purer, higher-quality Qi Gathering Pills?"

"This..." The girl nodded and said, "Yes, above the pure level, there are master-level pills. However, they are extremely rare and expensive. Each costs five taels of silver, and the minimum purchase is ten pills."

Su Yin's lips twitched.

They are really expensive.

Although "Brother Cheap" had given him some money, it was only a few dozen taels. Each pill costs five taels, and the minimum purchase is ten, which would cost 50 taels at once.

"These pills, at this level, are not only pure but also have a much higher storage of spiritual energy. Many cultivators buy them when they are about to break through a bottleneck."

The girl explained, "Moreover, those who can refine such pills are almost all the most talented alchemists. There are very few in Danyan City, so it's natural for the price to be high. Do you want to buy them, sir?"

"Uh..."

Taking out the silver he had, he counted it and found only 47 taels. Su Yin felt a bit embarrassed: "I don't have enough money. Can you give me a discount, or sell me eight pills?"

"I'm sorry, but that's the mall's rule. I'm just a salesperson and can't do anything about it..." the girl shook her head.

"Then... is there any way to earn money quickly here?" Su Yin asked helplessly.

If he went back to get money, not to mention whether he could get it, he would have to borrow from Elder Wu Yuan and others. As a "little uncle" and a "master," asking to borrow three taels of silver would be quite embarrassing.

Moreover, a round trip would take two to three hours, and by then, it would be dark.

In the cultivation world, traveling at night is not safe.

So, rather than going back and forth, it would be better to find a way to earn three taels of silver. In the forbidden area, he had learned 36 skills, and although most of them were not high-level, there were still many he could use, such as playing the zither. Finding a place to set up a stall, with his zither skills, earning some pocket money shouldn't be difficult.

"Quickly earn money?"

The girl shook her head helplessly.

If she knew how, she wouldn't be working here. She forced herself to remain speechless and said, "This is a mall. The best way to earn money is to sell things. If you have any items you don't need, you can put them up for sale, and you should be able to gather the money quickly!"

"Right!" Su Yin suddenly realized.

Although he didn't care about his "little uncle" status, selling his skills wouldn't look good if it got out. Selling items would be the best solution.

During his ten years in the forbidden area, he had made many good things while learning.

After a moment of thought, he flipped his wrist, and a disc-shaped object appeared in his palm.

"Can this thing be worth three taels of silver?"

Full of doubt, the girl looked at it, quickly blinked, and said uncertainly, "Is this... a pot?"

"Yes, a frying pan!" Su Yin nodded.

This was something he had made shortly after learning blacksmithing, using abandoned minerals from the forbidden area. His skills were average, and he hadn't used it much.

To him, it wasn't much, but the minerals and steel were well-forged, and even as scrap, it should be worth a few taels!

"Are you selling this?" The girl looked speechless when she heard his confirmation.

This guy looks well-dressed and speaks politely, and I thought he would have some treasures. I never imagined he would bring out something like this...

Paintings, weapons, and pills are valuable, but a pot? Are you serious?

Are you playing with me?

She forced herself to maintain the politeness of a salesperson: "I can put it up for sale, but whether it will sell and if it's worth three taels is uncertain!"

"Alright... can I advance three taels of silver and take ten Qi Gathering Pills?" Su Yin asked carefully.

Who knows how long it will take to sell it here?

"This..." The girl looked down at the item.

Forged from fine iron and some minerals, it had special patterns on the surface, black and shiny, exuding an unknown charm. Just from its appearance, it was worth more than three taels.

Of course, whether it would sell was another matter.

After all, those who like to cook with pots are ordinary people, and it's hard to get them to buy a pot for 30 coins, let alone one that costs a hundred times more!

After hesitating for a long time, the girl finally bit her lip and said, "I can advance you three taels of silver, but this pot must be sold within three days. If it doesn't sell for three taels, you need to make up the difference, or it will be deducted from my salary."

"Of course!" Su Yin sighed in relief.

After all, she is just a salesperson, and if it's not worth the money, it would be embarrassing to have her pay for it.

After discussing, the next steps were simple. He handed over 47 taels of silver and the frying pan. Soon, the girl handed him a jade bottle.

Opening the bottle, Su Yin saw the pills inside, which were a deep red, each containing a rich spiritual energy, more than twice as powerful as the ones he had taken before.

He took a light breath, and his tightly closed pores slowly opened, seemingly less cold than before.

"Thank you..."

His eyes brightened, and he looked outside, seeing that it was already late. Su Yin turned and walked out.

I'll try it again when I get back!

He had just left when a round-faced girl came over, looked at the item on the counter, and laughed sarcastically: "Yafei, you took a broken pot for three taels of silver? Are you out of your mind?"

The girl from before blushed and said uncertainly, "That young man doesn't seem like someone who would default. If it doesn't sell for three taels, he should make up the difference..."

Song Yafei had only been there for less than a month and was a new employee at the mall.

"Make up the difference?" The round-faced girl shook her head, looking sympathetic. "How naive are you? You believe everything others say? That guy is clearly a fraud! If you don't believe me, I'll ask you, who carries a frying pan around with them?"

"..." Song Yafei was stunned.

That's true. With a storage ring, he must have other treasures, yet he brought out a pot... clearly not taking it seriously.

It seems I really got scammed...

"Learn from this. Luckily, three taels of silver isn't much, or you'd be crying!" the round-faced girl huffed.

"Okay, I understand!" Song Yafei nodded, her eyes welling up.

She earned only 1.5 taels of silver a month, and it would take two months to earn three taels. This is a big loss.

Well, I'll be more careful next time.

Although she was frustrated, she still hung the frying pan on the display.

If it can reduce some of the loss, it's worth a try, even though... I don't have much hope.