Luo Chen was selling his pills while pondering this matter.

The ticket fee would probably be expensive, and it was unlikely he'd find a good spot even if he went. However, witnessing a battle between top-tier experts in Qi-Refining Realm might offer him some valuable insights.

By midday, he still hadn't reached a conclusion.

Meanwhile, the Myriad Wonders pills and fasting pills were gradually being sold. These pills might not sell well in other places, but in Dahe Market, which was close to the Great Million Mountains, they were quite popular. Many cultivators, under great pressure, sought enjoyment without compromising their combat prowess. The Myriad Wonders pill helped fulfill that dream, so it was naturally well-received.

A mere sixty pills were easily absorbed by the market.

In total, he earned three hundred and eighty spirit stones—three hundred from the Myriad Wonders Pills and eighty from the fasting pills—equivalent to half a month’s hard-earned income. He still had materials worth two hundred and fifty spirit stones at home. With his Proficient level alchemy skills, his yield should be even higher this time. At that point, everything he made would be pure profit.

After a quick calculation, including his previous savings, his balance was now back to five hundred and fifty spirit stones, neatly rounded.

In the past, Luo Chen would have been overjoyed. But now, he could view this 'fortune' with a calm heart.

In truth, it wasn’t much. It only seemed significant compared to early- and mid-stage Qi-Refining cultivators. Late-stage cultivators could easily earn that amount in a single endeavor. As for Foundation Establishment cultivators, this sum was a mere drop in the bucket, equivalent to one or two spending to Zhongding House or Tianxiang Tower.

Hadn't Gu Caiyi mentioned that a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator once casually rewarded someone with a bottle of Dust Transformation Pills? That single bottle sold for a thousand spirit stones—enough to purchase a mid-grade enchanted defensive artifact or an entry-level top-grade enchanted item.

Moreover, Luo Chen knew these spirit stones wouldn’t stay with him for long.

Inside the Spirit Herb Pavilion.

"Three bottles of qi-nourishing pills!"

"Here you go, fellow customers—three bottles of Qi-Nourishing Pills. That will be three hundred spirit stones."

"Here you go." Luo Chen didn’t even glance at the still-warm spirit stones before swiftly storing the three bottles of pills into his storage pouch.

This was his cultivation supply for the next month!

After leaving the Spirit Herb Pavilion, Luo Chen headed straight for the Hall of Hundred Herbs.

Having experienced the superior quality of the Hall of Hundred Herbs’ well-processed medicinal materials, he now found the loose herbs sold at rogue cultivator markets beneath his standards. They required too much time and effort to handle.

Although he wasn't yet at the point of trading spirit stones for time, there was no need to scrimp on these stones now.

The main ingredients for fasting pills were fairly inexpensive and even came with bulk discounts. The price difference between buying from private sellers and purchasing here at the Hall of Hundred Herbs was only a spirit stone or two.

Nowadays, Luo Chen truly didn't need to save that small amount.

Upon entering the Hall of Hundred Herbs, he didn't see the chubby shopkeeper Liu Hecai; instead, someone else was leaning on the counter.

It was Bai Meiling.

"Miss Little Ling, where's Shopkeeper Liu?"

Bai Meiling glanced at Luo Chen, pointed upstairs, and then leaned back on the counter.

"A Foundation Establishment cultivator from Taishan Market is here. He's an old friend of Shopkeeper Liu, and they're catching up."

"Oh."

Luo Chen nodded and then pulled out a list.

"Based on this list of materials and proportions, give me fifty spirit stones' worth."

Bai Meiling took the list and cast a doubtful look at Luo Chen while thinking,

It really was the recipe for fasting concoction. So Luo Chen hadn't been lying to her before?

Fifty spirit stones at once for the high-grade quality he could produce, he'd probably sell them for about a hundred spirit stones.

After deducting costs, he'd earn a net profit of fifty.

Was this how he managed to afford living in the inner city?

His life must be so tight. It'd take him months to save for a bottle of qi-nourishing pills.

These thoughts crossed her mind as she quickly prepared the ingredients for Luo Chen, packed them into a large bag, and carried it out.

When she came out, her eyes widened in surprise.

Luo Chen was actually chatting with Shopkeeper Liu and the Foundation Establishment cultivator from Taishan Market.

You really can't judge a person by their appearance. So young, yet already earning a living as an alchemist.

"Senior, you flatter me. My skills are modest and not worth mentioning," Luo Chen replied respectfully, bowing slightly.

There was no other reason—both men before him were Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Shopkeeper Liu was fine since their relationship was purely business. But the other, Senior Kang, had him to act with utmost deference.

Kang Dongyue chuckled and said, "Old Liu mentioned you use Fire Hound Whips for alchemy. I'm curious—other than for nutritional supplements and raising young beasts, what pills can be made from this ingredient? Could you enlighten me, young friend?"

Luo Chen felt a bit uneasy, even breaking out into a slight sweat.

This wasn’t his first time facing a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but past encounters—whether with Shopkeeper Liu or Old Chu—had been purely business.

Now, this Senior Kang, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, was directly asking about the pills he made. For now, it would be just curiosity, but what about later? Would he demand the recipe, or perhaps even…?

Seeing Luo Chen's prolonged silence, the two Foundation Establishment cultivators quickly understood.

Shopkeeper Liu laughed and said, "Little Luo, don't worry. Old Kang is the head of the Golden Stone Pavilion in Taishan Market, responsible for selling various pills. He's just curious. If your pills are good enough, he might even source them from you."

Kang Dongyue also clarified. "My Kang family is one of the affiliated clans of the Jade Cauldron Sect, specializing in alchemy. That's why we opened the Golden Stone Pavilion. But within our clan, only a few pills sell well. So, we often collect pills from rogue cultivators to help sell them."

With that explanation, Luo Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Small medicine shops like this had their counterparts in Dahe Market, typically run by minor sects or cultivating families.

They sold a mix of items, from pills and talismans to enchanted artifacts of all kinds. Some rogue cultivators, short on spirit stones, couldn't afford the big stores but didn't want to scour the rogue markets, so they'd opt for these smaller shops.

In a way, his and Old Chen's stall belonged to the same category—jointly selling pills and talismans, only lacking a proper signboard.

After a moment’s thought, he respectfully handed over a jade bottle. Inside was none other than a Myriad Wonders Pill.

Kang Dongyue accepted it, examining the pill carefully before bringing it to his nose for a sniff.

After confirming there were no issues, he pinched off a small amount of powder and placed it in his mouth.

Closing his eyes to feel its effects, he nodded.

"A first-tier pill with mild vitality enhancement and minor spirit replenishment properties. Honestly, it's quite unique, but it's only of low grade. If cultivators take it too often, it may lead to excessive internal heat and a weakened foundation."

Hearing this assessment, Luo Chen couldn't help but hold the man in higher regard.

With just a few simple actions, he had nearly outlined all the strengths and weaknesses of the Myriad Wonders pill.

This was not something an ordinary cultivator could achieve.

𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

At the very least, Kang Dongyue had the knowledge of an experienced first-tier alchemist—perhaps even a second-tier one.

"What's the price?"

"Around five spirit stones."

Kang Dongyue shook his head and handed Luo Chen five spirit stones, signaling that he had purchased the pill.

Then he said, "The price is far too inflated. It can only sell at such rates in places like Dahe Market or Snow Lotus Market, near the Great Million Mountains. In Taishan Market, the price would be halved.

"Hmm, if sold in mortal regions, it might find a decent market. But unfortunately, mortals rarely have anything we cultivators need."

After commenting further on the price and market, he curiously asked, "How many of these pills can you make in a month, young friend?"

This time, Luo Chen didn't answer directly. He gathered his courage and asked, "Senior, are you interested in sourcing from me?"