"A Mystic-tier cauldron really does make all the difference," Su Min thought, examining the fiery-red vessel hovering before her. "This time, besides herbs, I need to collect a huge amount of ore to forge my armor. I should prepare a few extra sets of clothes while I'm at it."
She had bought some ordinary fabrics earlier, keeping a small portion as backup and turning the rest into several sets of practical, neutral-style outfits. They were a far cry from the typical flowing dresses most women favored. Though these clothes weren't magical treasures, they could resonate with spiritual energy. No matter how dirty they got, a single thought from Su Min would cleanse them instantly. The material was also durable enough to withstand minor battles, so she wouldn't have to worry about her wardrobe for a good long while.
She turned her attention to the pill recipes Mu Jiansheng had provided. "Vein-Melting Sword Pill, Grade 4 lower-tier, activates sword meridians in the body. Water-Fire Spirit Pill, boosts potential for those cultivating water-fire dual techniques, also Grade 4 lower-tier." She murmured to herself, analyzing the formulas. "These have been modified. The effects are a bit vague, but the refining steps seem solid."
After a brief pause, she ignited the Nanming Lihuo in her palm. Alchemy didn't require extreme heat; precision control was far more important. The Solar True Flame of the Three-Legged Golden Crow, for instance, was far too violent for delicate work like this. It was better suited for forging large weapons.
"Let's begin." Since she'd already received her payment, she didn't bother pondering the pills' exact uses. She just started tossing the ingredients into the cauldron one by one.
Outside the chamber, Sect Leader Mu Jiansheng was deep in conversation with Yun Kong. "Any leads on her background?" he asked. "A Golden Core tribulation isn't something that goes unnoticed. That alchemist's foundation is rock-solid. Even compared to our sect's sealed geniuses, she's on another level."
Their earlier conversation had been brief, but he had sensed a distinct feeling of danger from Su Min. He wasn't a prodigy himself. His vitality had begun declining shortly after he reached the Golden Core stage, leaving no hope for further advancement. Yet even armed with his sect's top-grade treasures, her unrevealed strength had unnerved him.
"Nothing yet," Yun Kong replied respectfully. "She's likely another self-sealed expert emerging now to prepare for the upcoming Golden Core era. Just look at the materials she's demanding. None of them can be found in the current environment. We had to dip into our reserves."
"True. But a Grade 4 alchemist won't appear again for centuries. We must secure enough pills for our disciples. Her prices are steep, but acceptable." He lowered his voice. "More importantly, the other sects will have to bleed for her services too."
"Should we try to prevent her from contacting them?"
"Impossible. She's a Golden Core expert and a top-tier alchemist. The best we can do is stay on her good side. Double the guards. No disturbances allowed."
"Understood." Yun Kong bowed and left. In truth, Mu Jiansheng himself was standing guard to ensure Su Min's seclusion remained completely undisturbed. One of the ironclad rules of alchemy was that the client must provide absolute peace. Any interruption leading to failure was their responsibility.
"HAHAHA! Lao Jian! Hiding in a ladies' boutique in my Sky Summit City, have you taken a liking to rouge and dresses?" A thunderous laugh suddenly boomed from outside, startling Mu Jiansheng so badly he nearly jumped.
"Hmph." A displeased snort echoed in his ears. It was Su Min's voice. Despite the soundproofing arrays, the intruder's Golden Core-level voice had pierced right through.
"You damned Shui Freak! One more shout and I'll fight you to the death!" Mu Jiansheng exploded in rage. All pretense of dignity vanished as he donned his armor and brandished his sword like a madman, looking ready to brawl on the spot.
"Such intense heat," the intruder, Lao Shui, muttered, frowning as he sensed the residual energy in Su Min's voice. A Golden Core early-stage cultivator wouldn't have fazed him in the past, but now a warrior with such vigorous vitality could easily overwhelm old-timers like them. "Why is he hiding someone like this in our territory?" His playful demeanor vanished, replaced by wariness as spiritual light flickered around him.
"She's not from our sect," Mu Jiansheng snapped, his tone carrying both explanation and threat. "She's just an unsealed Grade 4 alchemist gathering materials. She's refining pills for us now. Disrupt her, and there will be consequences."
"I see," Lao Shui said, his voice dropping to a whisper, all earlier boisterousness gone. "Could you introduce us? Our Sky Summit Sect is also seeking alchemists of her caliber. Compensation won't be an issue."
"Here's her price list. Two materials per commission. But she's busy until after the tournament." Mu Jiansheng rolled his eyes. He'd done his part. What Su Min did next was beyond his control.
"Understood. I'll prepare the materials." After scanning the list, Lao Shui nodded and vanished, leaving a fuming Mu Jiansheng behind.
Back inside, Su Min examined the two flawless pills in her hand. "Whew. Two pills down. The gap between Grade 3 and Grade 4 is real." She let out a slow breath. "No wonder they accepted my outrageous fees." While she could produce multiple Grade 3 pills per batch, Grade 4 allowed only one. It was partly due to her inexperience, but mostly because of the sheer complexity. The Golden Core stage was known as the Barrier Between Immortal and Mortal, and Grade 4 pills were no different.
"The tournament's about to start." A sly grin spread across her face. "Time to make the other four sects compete for my services."
She emerged from the chamber and found Mu Jiansheng waiting. "Your pills are ready. Payment settled." She handed the carefully inspected pills over, pocketing the leftover ingredients which were valuable in their own right.
"Oh, and here's an invitation to the Great Luo Tian State tournament," he said, handing her a scroll. "All the young elites will be competing for a chance at Heavenly Foundation Establishment."
"Oh?" Su Min accepted it with a smile. She had two motives. The first was to study the top sects' techniques. Even if their disciples were weak now, their heritage skills would be invaluable intel for future battles. "How soon does it start?"
"Tomorrow."
"Perfect. I'll prepare," she said, her grin widening. "This is going to be fun." With a flick of her wrist, she vanished in a crackle of lightning, leaving Mu Jiansheng gaping at the residual heat in the air.
"Such speed!" he muttered.
The next day, Sky Summit City buzzed with excitement. The triennial tournament was a major event, a spectacle that drew crowds from all corners. For mortals, watching high-level cultivators fight was usually dangerous, like gods brawling while ants scurry beneath. But Qi Refining battles were perfect, flashy yet contained, thrilling without catastrophic fallout.
By dawn, crowds were surging toward the arena. The guards were already overwhelmed. And then they spotted her.
Before the first match even began, Su Min had set up a stall right at the entrance. A bold banner was planted firmly beside it:
[FRONT-ROW SALES!]
-Foundation Establishment Pills
-Qi Gathering Pills
-Qi Inducing Pills
[NO CASH, NO SPIRIT STONES—ONLY TREASURES ACCEPTED!]
[Grade 4 Custom Refining Available—Inquire Within!]
The guards' faces twitched. If not for her top-tier VIP pass, the kind reserved for sect leaders, they would have dragged her out immediately. But then they saw the pills on display and their mouths went dry. Foundation Establishment Pills were unobtainable for most. Even their own sect's lone alchemist had only a twenty percent success rate, so only core disciples could get them. And now a stranger was selling them openly.
The crowd around her stall erupted.
Within minutes, she was swarmed. The Great Luo Tian State had thousands of times more cultivators than Wei Wu State, and the competition was cutthroat. When one Foundation Establishment cultivator tried to snatch a pill, Su Min simply slapped him into the pavement, the impact cratering the stone. The mob instantly calmed.
"Try stealing again. I dare you," she said, her Golden Core aura flaring for just a second, silencing all greed.
But her prices made jaws drop. "This is daylight robbery!" one cultivator shouted.
Su Min just smirked. "Take it or leave it." She wasn't picky. Rich or poor, all wallets were equal in her eyes.
Then, a breakthrough. "MOVE! LET ME THROUGH!" A desperate cultivator shoved his way forward, presenting a golden-glowing fruit.
"Golden Mystic Fragrance Fruit!" Su Min's eyes lit up. It was one of her missing ingredients. "What do you want?"
"One Foundation Establishment Pill!"
"Deal. Eat it here. Otherwise, you won't live to see tomorrow." Gratefully, the man swallowed the pill on the spot. The spiritual energy surged around him as he broke through to Foundation Establishment right there, causing the crowd to nearly lose their minds.
Meanwhile, in the main arena, the five sect leaders stepped onto the central stage, looking baffled. The ceremony was about to begin, but something was very wrong.
"Where is everyone?" Mu Jiansheng asked, staring out at the vast, empty stands.
Every disciple and rogue cultivator seemed to have vanished, all lured away by a certain alchemist's stall at the entrance.