“Hmm, it can’t be that bad…”
Thanks to Jing Tan’er, Little Yellow Hair just felt like her relationship with her roommates was warming up, but it turned out to be an illusion.
Ji Shiyu wiped her mouth, and the moment she thought about Happy Farm, she perked up again—after class, she could go to Celestial Phenomena Peak to reap some benefits.
With Senior Sister and her First Senior Brother-in-law back, the good days for the Yaolu Maiden had also returned.
At their level, it often took three or four materials to successfully produce one spirit medicine, with very slim profits—most were money-losing products.
These past few days, Qin Cha and Yun Liu had been overwhelmed, constantly going in and out of the Alchemy Room.
The Rosy Fragrance Pavilion really felt like a small workshop run by a couple, supporting a whole family of daughters living off free meals.
The newly arrived Mr. Xiao Yun had a good reputation; occasionally, Inner Disciples recognized the chief disciple of Celestial Phenomena Peak, which caused some surprise.
Here, Yun Liu had just finished refining a Rock Dissolving Pill for the Elder of Falling Cloud Peak.
He pocketed the excess materials, then went back behind the counter to prepare more spirit materials, getting ready to enter seclusion to complete Princess Her Highness’s commission.
Unlike last time when the Qi Sea was damaged, now with the Medicine Hut Wood Cauldron and the Dan Room Spirit Gathering Array supporting him, efficiency had greatly improved.
The two had been delayed outside for quite a while; the promised half-month delivery was already overdue, but Jing Tan’er was magnanimous, finding excuses to supervise and inspect daily.
Even if she couldn’t complete Foundation Establishment in time, she was fully confident she would pass the Five-Phase Trial.
“Welcome!”
The wind chimes rang as Qin Xing was still busy in the Dan Room, and the Acting Shopkeeper looked up to greet the customers.
Several guests had just arrived, their sword robes embroidered with golden auspicious clouds, marking their identity as disciples of the Zhuyun Lineage from First Peak.
Disciples of Falling Cloud Peak were always self-important, seeing themselves as the true owners of the Shenhua Sect and looking down on the other four peaks.
“Is Senior Sister Qin here?”
Huo Tian Tian’s smile vanished instantly as she saw the newcomers, her expression turning stern.
“She’s not here!”
“I heard she’s back.”
The one leading was a long-haired youth, tall and handsome, though his attitude left much to be desired.
He walked through the shop with his hands behind his back, peering into the inner room without a shred of politeness.
He acted as if the entire Shenhua Sect was Falling Cloud Peak’s territory, coming and going without asking permission.
“You must have heard wrong!”
The other Yaolu Disciples frowned; they disliked this type of sect-mate, feeling it tarnished the reputation of Falling Cloud Peak.
Senior Sister of Clear Mist Peak had many fans, having helped numerous disciples and Jianghu comrades, with many admirers coming to support her business.
Among them, this guy was the most hated—relying on his father, a First Peak Elder, to pester others shamelessly.
If Clear Mist Peak didn’t discourage men from visiting, he’d probably be sending flowers and gifts every couple of days; the smell of nepotism was overwhelming and nauseating.
Behind the youth, a Falling Cloud Peak disciple laughed, “That can’t be right. I just greeted Senior Sister Qin yesterday in the East Courtyard.”
“Senior Sister’s busy now, she has no time. If you have business, tell me.”
“You? What do you think your status is? The mistress I’m looking for is the shopkeeper, but nowadays young people have no manners—no respect for the First Peak Senior Brother, no discipline.”
“You!”
Huo Tian Tian stomped her foot, furious.
The youth smiled, shook his head as if lecturing, but didn’t place an order.
Instead, he and his companions took seats in the main hall, smiling casually.
“Well then, I’ll wait here for her to finish.”
Qin Cha had just returned last time but went out again; he had missed her several times and was determined to see her this time.
Suddenly, bright golden twin ponytails caught everyone’s attention.
Her daisy-patterned qipao showed off her full figure and distinctive features.
She was the Ji Junior Sister who had just joined this year, surpassing even the Royal Princess and the disciple appointed by the Grand Elder…
The youth looked thoughtful, and his companions openly stared at the girl’s beautiful figure, then glanced at the medicine boy in a Qingyun Robe beside her.
Before Yun Liu could call for an apprentice to help, Ji Shiyu volunteered eagerly, mainly to pilfer and learn everything, like a sponge clinging to her foster father to steal Blue Treasure Ganoderma…
Foundation Establishment Pill materials!
Little Yellow Hair’s eyes lit up; recently, she could already identify some common first- and second-grade spirit medicine materials.
She thought to herself that this time, she absolutely had to sneak into the Dan Room.
“I heard Rosy Fragrance Pavilion recently got a capable assistant, and he’s a man. I wondered who it was—turns out it’s you, Junior Brother Yun!”
The youth laughed, and his companions smiled mockingly; they were familiar with the chief disciple of Celestial Phenomena Peak.
The Medicine Hut was always exclusive to Clear Mist Peak disciples, so a grown man coming to be an apprentice to healers and pharmacists, being bossed around by Junior Sisters, wasn’t he afraid of embarrassing Celestial Phenomena Peak?
Ji Shiyu frowned and turned around, placing her hands on her waist, a cute little chicken perched atop her head.
“Who are you? No loud noises inside the Dan Room! Even a newcomer like me knows that!”
Looking straight at him, the girl’s pretty face looked even more striking, her starry eyes dazzling—extremely rare.
“Sorry, sorry, Junior Sister, please forgive me. It would be bad to disturb Senior Sister Qin while refining pills.”
The youth cupped his hands apologetically, but his eyes showed no remorse.
Yun Liu was momentarily stunned, then remembered who he was after a moment and greeted him.
“Fang Ting… Senior Brother?”
This Fang Senior Brother was a few years older and, like Yun Liu, had parents who were Shenhua Sect disciples; they had known each other for a long time.
“You see, even though he’s about to return to the Outer Sect to start over, the chief disciple of Celestial Phenomena Peak still maintains proper manners. Tian Tian, you should learn from him.”
Fang Ting smiled, clearly praising Yun Liu, but the tone made people uncomfortable, causing his companions to burst into laughter.
Huo Tian Tian and the other Junior Sisters looked indignant and would have sworn if they didn’t care about Clear Mist Peak’s image.
Who didn’t know the chief disciple of Celestial Phenomena Peak?
Last year, he was the brightest Inner Disciple star; this year, he’d fallen so low and even had his engagement with Miss Xiao broken off, no longer enjoying past glories.
The sect had rules; if someone lost publicly, even the host of the Five-Phase Trial couldn’t protect him, no matter how domineering the Aunt Master was.
“That’s right, since your Qi Sea is damaged, it might be better to change paths early, maybe secure a position in the Outer Sect, rather than be expelled from the sect. Sigh, fate is really cruel. All the elders thought you’d be the next Cloud Uncle-Master. When your father heard about it, he was greatly disappointed.”
Fang Ting comforted him, shaking his head with a sigh.
Huo Tian Tian tugged on Yun Liu’s sleeve, saying, “Don’t mind him, it’s just crocodile tears. Leave this to us.”
Yun Liu ignored her and was about to enter the inner room when Qin Cha came toward him.
Fang Ting’s eyes lit up; he stood and greeted her softly.
“Senior Sister, why didn’t you tell me you were back?
No matter how busy Fang Ting is with cultivation, he will always make time for you.”
Huo Tian Tian pretended to gag.
Qin Cha ignored everyone else, as if only one person existed in her eyes.
She reached out, tidied the collar of Yun Liu’s robe, and lightly scraped his nose.
“Thank you for your hard work!”
The Falling Cloud Peak disciples watched in surprise—when had the Clear Mist Peak Senior Sister ever been so close with a man?
Fang Ting’s expression turned strange as he coughed.
“Oh, uh, it’s you, little Fang.”
Qin Cha merely glanced at Fang Ting before putting down her tasks.
Her gaze swept over the spirit materials in Yun Liu’s hands, and she blushed slightly, speaking quietly.
“Jing Sister’s commission? Want me to help?”
Though she said this, Senior Sister’s thoughts matched the little thief’s: her expectant gaze fixed on Yun Liu, hoping to uncover the mysteries of Heavenly Dao Pill Refinement.
Missing the Retrospective Pill’s completion was the greatest regret Qin Cha had!
Yun Liu smiled, “Sure.”
“…Uh, Senior Sister.”
Fang Ting’s face contorted with jealousy, watching helplessly as the girl he fancied disappeared into the small room with a worthless guy.
The troublemaker tiptoed in after them—one more or one less made no difference.