Second day.
7 a.m.
Qin Gengyun walked into the Spirit Pill Workshop with a light step.
Encountering Wang Ping and Xu Li at the entrance, the two were cleaning the courtyard with a diligent appearance.
Seeing Qin Gengyun, the two exchanged glances towards the Alchemy Room. Qin Gengyun looked over to see Yang Fengshan standing at the door, who immediately scolded:
"Why are you so late? Don't you know the Pavilion Master is refining pills today?"
Qin Gengyun cupped his hands: "Steward Yang, it's just 7 a.m. now, I'm not late."
Yang Fengshan snorted coldly, ignoring Qin Gengyun, and said to everyone in the courtyard:
"The Pavilion Master and I need to focus on alchemy today, make sure to work quietly outside!"
Everyone replied in agreement, and only then did Yang Fengshan turn and enter the Alchemy Room, closing the door.
Wang Ping spat softly, disdainfully saying:
"A dog relying on its master's power!"
Xu Li sighed: "I heard a courtesan from Zhenyang City arrived at Yihong House yesterday, incredibly beautiful and captivating, yet I couldn't see her myself, alas!"
Wang Ping said gloomily: "We can only hope that once the Pavilion Master finishes making the pills, we'll get more days off."
Qin Gengyun chatted with them briefly, then saw Old Man Fang coming out from the back yard and approached him, asking:
"Taoist Friend Fang, didn't the Pavilion Master call you in today?"
Fang Chao shook his head: "The Pavilion Master thinks I'm not nimble enough."
Qin Gengyun said: "That's good too. Staying inside for too long isn't great for your health. By the way..."
He lowered his voice and asked: "Taoist Friend Fang, I've heard that after reaching Qi Cultivation third-layer, the Divine Sense can leave the body. Have you heard of it extending two zhang away and still being able to clearly identify people and hear their conversations?"
Even though Fang Chao's cultivation isn't high, he is older and has seen much. Hearing Qin Gengyun's words, he shook his head with a smile:
"The Divine Sense can extend up to five feet at Qi Cultivation third-layer. Beyond that, it can't hear conversations, let alone clearly identify people. Taoist Friend Qin, how could you not know such a simple principle?"
Qin Gengyun replied: "I was just curious and asked casually."
After saying this, he took a broom and swept towards the Alchemy Room.
That day, when he used his Divine Sense to probe into the Alchemy Room, it was at least two zhang away, yet he could clearly see Fang Chao, Yang Fengshan, and the Pavilion Master, and hear the conversation between Yang Fengshan and the Pavilion Master.
He didn't think much of it then, but now, reflecting on it, it seems off.
He just asked Old Man Fang to confirm.
It seems my Divine Sense is indeed much longer than that of a regular third-layer Qi Cultivation cultivator.
But is it only good for eavesdropping and spying?
Qin Gengyun quickly swept to the side of the Alchemy Room, swinging the broom while probing his Divine Sense into the room.
He cautiously moved forward and soon saw Yang Fengshan and Pei Daoyu sitting in front of the Pill Furnace.
The Pavilion Master hasn't started alchemy yet. Judging from his demeanor, he seems unaware of Qin Gengyun's Divine Sense presence.
Does this mean my Divine Sense not only has an impressive length but also a concealment trait?
This is surprisingly long and slender!
"Master, in your absence a few days ago, Old Man Fang was absent for several days, should we dock his pay?"
This time, Qin Gengyun saw Yang Fengshan speak to Pei Daoyu with an indignant expression.
Pei Daoyu, resting with his eyes closed, just hummed absentmindedly.
"Master, how about docking one Spirit Stone from him?"
Yang Fengshan's face lit up with joy, and he quickly suggested.
The Pavilion Master slightly nodded, and Yang Fengshan's eyes glinted as he whispered:
"Master, recently I've noticed that Qin Gengyun frequently goes to that abandoned Alchemy Room, sneaky as if plotting something."
Pei Daoyu kept his eyes closed and said nothing, prompting Yang Fengshan to continue:
"Master, you may not know, but if that old bronze furnace in the abandoned Alchemy Room were discreetly sold at the night market, it would fetch at least twenty Spirit Stones. I think Qin Gengyun is eyeing our bronze furnace!"
The Pavilion Master finally opened his eyes, saying indifferently: "If there indeed is a thief from within, you deal with it."
"Yes!"
Yang Fengshan immediately replied.
Qin Gengyun's heart tightened.
Yang Fengshan clearly wants to secretly sell the Pill Furnace himself but is framing Qin Gengyun instead.
In this way, if Yang Fengshan does secretly take it to the night market in the future, the Pavilion Master would only blame Qin Gengyun for it.
This person is too malicious!
At this point, the Pavilion Master started alchemy. Qin Gengyun calmed his mind, continued to use his Divine Sense to observe the Pavilion Master's movements, and gain experience.
After observing for a day, he learned a lot.
The time soon reached 5 p.m.
Everyone was hesitating whether to leave, when the Pavilion Master and Yang Fengshan came out of the Alchemy Room. The Pavilion Master finally refined an Ice Heart Pill today.
Everyone congratulated him, and even the usually stern Pei Daoyu showed a slight smile as he left.
Once the Pavilion Master left, everyone eagerly dispersed and went home.
Qin Gengyun still carried two bags of Clear Wind Powder, intending to check the market at the Pill Talisman Tower. Just as he stepped out of the workshop, he heard the conversation between Yang Fengshan and Fang Chao behind him.
"Old Man Fang, the Pavilion Master said you were absent for several days, poor conduct, we'll dock you two Spirit Stones to set an example!"
"Steward Yang, wasn't it agreed to dock just one Spirit Stone? How did it become two?"
"Old Man Fang, the Pavilion Master initially wanted to dismiss you, but I pleaded on your behalf, and the Pavilion Master reluctantly agreed to let you stay. Don't be ungrateful!"
"This, this..."
Qin Gengyun shook his head and quietly left.
The compensation distribution at the workshop is handled by Yang Fengshan. He said to the Pavilion Master that he'd dock Fang Chao one Spirit Stone, but in reality, he docked two, pocketing one himself.
Who knew Yang Fengshan dared to embezzle the workshop's Spirit Stones so boldly?
But Qin Gengyun had no plans to report this to the Pavilion Master.
In his previous life at the chemical factory, the team leader above him often stole things from the factory to sell outside.
Someone reported him to the higher-ups.
A few days later, the team leader remained, and the person who reported him was fired.
From then on, Qin Gengyun understood a principle:
The weak have no justice.
Upon reaching Caifeng Street, he soon saw a large sign emitting a faint purple glow—
The Pill Talisman Tower.
The Pill Talisman Tower is a chain shop specializing in selling materials for Alchemists and Talisman Masters.
It's spread throughout the Eastern Cultivation Land.
The one in Yunling Town is relatively small.
But in this small town, it's quite grand.
Qin Gengyun entered the Pill Talisman Tower, where the spacious hall was bustling, and a giant crystal chandelier hung in the center of the three-story ceiling, adorned with Everlasting Talismans used for lighting, shining brilliantly.
Qin Gengyun visited such a high-class place for the first time and couldn't help but feel a bit anxious.
Pinching the two bags of Clear Spirit Grass in his sleeve, he approached the counter and spoke to a middle-aged male cultivator with a small beard:
"Shopkeeper, I have two bags of Clear Spirit Powder to sell, do you accept them?"
The Pill Tower not only sells Alchemist medicinal herbs and Talisman Paper materials but also buys Pills and Talisman Paper.
The Beard Shopkeeper glanced at him, smiling:
"This Taoist Friend, I'm sorry, we don't just buy low-grade pills."