Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Wen Qiao still remembered the incident where the Whitebelly Wolf Spider had exchanged the Crimson Star Flower with Chiyan Panther for her Azure Spirit Pill. It just so happened that the Crimson Star Flower was precisely what Wang Xiuyuan aimed to acquire on his trip to Cangwu Mountain.

Although Wang Xiuyuan was unaware that they possessed the flower, Wen Qiao had formed a rather deep impression of him after learning about his identity. Now, when she looked at his handsome and composed appearance, she could not appreciate it as she would have before. Instead, her mind kept replaying their first encounter, where he had been stung by venomous bees, transforming into a swollen pig's head.

Wang Xiuyuan smiled and asked, "Are the two of you here to purchase spirit herbs?"

Ning Yuzhou nodded and replied in a gentle voice, "It's rare for us to visit Cangwu Town, so we're looking to see if there are any good spirit herbs available. If we find something suitable, we'd like to purchase some."

Wang Xiuyuan's eyes flickered slightly as he said with a smile, "I have a bit of a relationship with the owner of this shop. If you two find anything you like, feel free to take it as a gift from me."

Ning Yuzhou rejected the offer with an honest expression, emphasizing that they couldn't accept anything without providing a service in return. They couldn't simply take other people's belongings for free.

Wang Xiuyuan responded, "Consider it a token of gratitude for the detoxification pill you gave us that day."

Ning Yuzhou replied, "There's no need for Mister Wang to be so formal. You purchased the detoxification pill with Yuanjing; we don't owe you anything."

Wang Xiuyuan was very insistent. "At that time, our detoxification pills were all used up. If not for meeting you two, I might not have made it down the mountain with the bee venom infiltrating my organs. In the end, we still need to thank you."

Without waiting for Ning Yuzhou to refuse again, he instructed the shop attendant to fetch the spirit herbs stored separately in the store.

After the attendant left, Wang Xiuyuan whispered to them, "Each shop in Cangwu Town has its background. They only sell common spirit herbs, while the rare and precious ones are not available for sale. They're sent elsewhere. Without connections, it's impossible to buy them."

Ning Yuzhou displayed an appropriate look of surprise at the right moment.

Wang Xiuyuan nodded with a smile and couldn't help but glance at Wen Qiao, who remained silent beside him.

Wang Xiuyuan didn't overlook Wen Qiao. Despite her young age, her beautiful appearance was hard for any normal male to ignore, let alone someone like Wang Xiuyuan, who prided himself on being a romantic and cherishing flowers.

However, they had just met, so it wouldn't be appropriate to show too much enthusiasm. He might offend them otherwise, which would defeat the purpose.

Thus, Wang Xiuyuan maintained his composure while chatting with Ning Yuzhou, portraying a gentlemanly demeanor.

Sure enough, the spirit herbs the attendant brought out this time were of high rank and excellent quality, with several varieties not found in their space.

Wen Qiao approached and examined each one, her cold expression softening slightly as she asked the attendant, "I'd like to purchase these few spirit herbs."

Wang Xiuyuan observed the joy on Wen Qiao's face, and his expression softened. She had revealed a touch of the charm unique to young maidens, stirring his heart. He knew she genuinely enjoyed these items and thus decided to repay their kindness. Turning to the attendant, he said, "Of course, put it on my tab. I'll discuss the payment with your manager later."

The attendant agreed and began the checkout process, revealing a total of thirteen thousand yuanjing.

Ning Yuzhou took out his storage bag and, with a swift gesture, placed shimmering yuanjing on the table. His speed was so quick that Wang Xiuyuan could only swallow his words, smiling helplessly as he signaled for the attendant to collect the currency.

After purchasing the spirit herbs, Ning Yuzhou and his companions prepared to leave. Seeing that it was already late in the day, Wang Xiuyuan invited them to dine together at a nearby restaurant. "Meeting is fate, and it's rare to encounter both of you again. Allow me to treat you; please don't decline my offer."

Despite initial reluctance, Ning Yuzhou eventually accepted the warm invitation after several refusals. Wen Qiao remained silent, following closely beside him. The guiding child had been dismissed, while Qianshuo hovered at a respectful distance.

Wang Xiuyuan led them to an opulent restaurant in the town. The four-story establishment specialized in high-end ingredients, with prices soaring beyond the means of ordinary cultivators. However, the Holy Martial Continent was not lacking in wealthy cultivators, some of whom, having struck it rich in Cangwu Mountain, occasionally frequented this place for a luxurious meal, indulging in the delectable spirit food and wine as a reward for their efforts.

As a result, the restaurant was always bustling with patrons during meal times, making it challenging to secure reservations in advance.

However, Wang Xiuyuan was spared such worries. Upon arriving at the restaurant, he led them directly to a private room on the third floor.

Inside the room, two identical twin sisters were waiting, gracefully brewing tea with an aroma that filled the air.

"Master, you're back," the two maidservants greeted, their faces beaming with smiles. But when they caught sight of Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao, their smiles faltered slightly.

They recognized the pair.

In the twins' minds, one of them had an open and pure appearance but was money-minded and vulgar, while the other possessed great beauty but was cold and unapproachable.

"Welcome, please have a seat," Wang Xiuyuan offered, gesturing towards the sisters. "These are Jiaojiao and Qianqian, my two maidservants. If you need anything, feel free to ask them."

Despite their underlying dislike, Jiaojiao and Qianqian maintained cheerful expressions, gracefully stepping aside and promptly summoning the restaurant waiter to serve the dishes.

In no time, the table was filled with a variety of delectable dishes.

Wen Qiao glanced around; the spiritual dishes in this tavern seemed several notches above the fare at their inn, let alone that they were visually appealing, fragrant, and delicious. It was indeed a high-end establishment, worth every coin spent.

Wang Xiuyuan poured wine for the couple and asked, "May I know your names?"

"I am Ning Yuzhou, and this is Min Cuo, my wife," Ning Yuzhou replied.

Upon hearing him refer to her by a different name, Wen Qiao lifted her gaze to look at Ning Yuzhou but didn't protest, tacitly accepting the alias. 'Min' was her mother's surname, while 'Cuo' was a pet name given by her parents. It was a rather fitting name.

Wang Xiuyuan was momentarily taken aback before he chuckled, "Ah, so you two are a devoted couple."

He inwardly wiped his brow in relief. Fortunately, he had held back from fawning over another man's wife due to her beauty earlier. Otherwise, he would have surely offended them. This served as a lesson for the future: when encountering an attractive female cultivator, he must first verify if she already had a fiancé or was married. Age should not be a basis for neglect.

Qianqian, who was attending to them, was also astonished. Her eyes kept wandering to Wen Qiao, though she was puzzled about such a young marriage, she was more relieved that this lady was already married and not a rival for her master's affection.

Thus, when Wang Xiuyuan instructed Qianqian to serve Wen Qiao, the twin sisters did so eagerly, standing by her side to dish out food and pour wine, softly asking what she preferred to eat while attending to her with delicate gestures.

Wen Qiao ate silently, feeling entirely at ease being waited on by the identical twins.

Observing his maid's sudden change in demeanor, Wang Xiuyuan glanced at Ning Yuzhou. Seeing no reaction, he remained silent.

However, seeing the couple's calm attitude, Wang Xiuyuan couldn't help but speculate more.

Wang Xiuyuan approached the topic circuitously, trying to learn about their origins.

Ning Yuzhou replied, "I won't hide it from you, Young Master Wang. My wife and I come from the Southern Myriad Marshlands. We're very intrigued by the outside world, so we decided to travel and gain some experience..."

Wen Qiao sipped her soup, which was offered to her by Qianqian. Not only had her name changed, but even their background had been fabricated.

She listened silently as her husband continued to charm Young Master Wang with his words.

Now, she understood that Wang Xiuyuan's enthusiasm had an ulterior motive, while her husband was taking advantage of the situation. The two men were playing a game of wits, leaving no room for others to interfere. So, Wen Qiao decided to continue enjoying her meal.

Not only did Wen Qiao feed herself, but she also offered spiritual herbs to her pet, Wen Tuzi, feeding it the fresh ones they had just purchased.

Wen Tuzi sat beside her, nibbling on the spiritual herbs, presenting itself as a cute little rabbit without any threatening aura.

Qianqian, being a young maiden, couldn't resist such a charming creature. She couldn't help but exclaim softly, genuinely fond of this adorable little bunny. In her excitement, she reached into her storage bag to offer some spiritual herbs to the pet.

Wen Tuzi accepted all offerings, relying on its cuteness to scam food and drink.

Wang Xiuyuan stole a glance and discovered that his two maids had completely switched their loyalty to the master and pet, forgetting whose household they belonged to.

He twitched the corners of his mouth and continued engaging Ning Yuzhou in conversation.

After Wen Qiao finished her meal, she held Wen Tuzi and sat aside, listening to the two men's subtle exchanges.

Wang Xiuyuan finally revealed his purpose: "To be honest, after taking your antidote pills that day, the venom in my body was neutralized within half a day. I could sense that although the pills were only top-grade, their effects surpassed ordinary antidotes. May I ask which alchemist crafted them?"

Ning Yuzhou smiled warmly and replied, "It's an honor for Mister Wang to recognize their quality."

Wang Xiuyuan was surprised. "You, Mister Ning, refined those antidote pills?"

"That's correct."

Wang Xiuyuan hadn't expected Ning Yuzhou to be the alchemist behind the antidotes. Considering his cultivation level was merely at the peak of the Feather Essence Realm, it was remarkable that he could create such high-quality pills. Clearly, Ning Yuzhou possessed exceptional alchemy skills. If his cultivation advanced, his alchemy abilities would surely rise, making it effortless for him to produce high-ranking spirit pills.

On that fateful day, they had been forced to purchase the antidote pills from the chance encounter with the duo at double the market price, not holding much hope for their effectiveness. They only wished to endure until they returned to Cangwu Town.

To their surprise, the antidote pills worked exceptionally well, unlike any others on the market. Within half a day, the venom in their bodies had been eradicated.

The Wang family of Anqiu City was renowned for their alchemy skills, and although Wang Xiuyuan himself didn't possess any alchemical talent, he had gained considerable insight into the art through his family's influence. Thus, upon encountering Ning Yuzhou and his companion again, his enthusiasm stemmed from a desire to know who had crafted that detoxification pill. Whether it was to recruit the alchemist for his family's use or establish a friendly connection, it would be a great opportunity.

Wang Xiuyuan's thoughts raced, but on the surface, he remained warmly engaged in conversation with Ning Yuzhou about alchemy.

Ning Yuzhou didn't reveal his exceptional abilities, only showing Wang Xiuyuan what he wished him to see.

In Wang Xiuyuan's eyes, Ning Yuzhou was a talented alchemist, but his skill level wasn't significantly higher than his current cultivation. This made Wang Xiuyuan particularly optimistic about Ning Yuzhou and eager to forge a friendship.

"Were you just leaving Cangwu Mountain? Do you have any plans for the future?"

Ning Yuzhou smiled. "We plan to wander and explore, mainly for training purposes. It doesn't really matter where we go. We'll stay in Cangwu Town for a few days before deciding."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiuyuan extended an invitation for them to attend the upcoming Five Cities Alchemy Gathering.

He briefly explained the nature of the Five Cities Alchemy Gathering and continued, "The event lasts for three days, attracting alchemists from all corners of Sacred Martial. They gather to exchange and discuss alchemical techniques, presenting a rare opportunity for alchemists. If Mister Ning and your companion don't mind, you're welcome to join me at the gathering."

Ning Yuzhou didn't immediately accept, saying he needed time to consider.

After finishing their meal, Ning Yuzhou and his companion bid farewell and left.

"Ning Yuzhou will be staying in Cangwu Town for a few days. If both of you are interested in the Alchemy Gathering, you can look for me. We can travel together and keep each other company," Wang Xiuyuan offered.

Ning Yuzhou agreed and led Wen Qiao away.

Qianshu still remained hidden among the crowd, following them at a safe distance to ensure their safety.

Back at the inn, Wen Qiao sorted out the spirit herbs and seeds she had purchased that day, grouping them according to their species.

Ning Yuzhou held a cup of spiritual tea in his hand, watching her with a smile as he asked, "Are you interested in the Alchemy Gathering, Ah Chuo?"

Wen Qiao looked up at him and tilted her head. "What about you?"

"I don't expect much inspiration from the gathering with my current level."

Though not much, it would still be beneficial.

Wen Qiao had now gotten used to her husband's way of speaking, leaving half of his thoughts unsaid. She mentally completed his sentence and replied, "We don't have anything else to do anyway, so we might as well take a look. Should we travel with this Prince Wang?"

Wen Qiao hadn't forgotten that Wang Xiuyuan wasn't exactly an upright gentleman; she wasn't swayed by his friendly demeanor.

Though the Wang family of Anqiu City and the Shang family of Huaiyin City were rivals, Wang Xiuyuan hadn't directly plotted against anyone. However, his hindrance of the Shang Honglang siblings and the resulting incident in Cangwu Mountain, which offended influential disciples and nearly led to their complete annihilation, showed that Wang Xiuyuan was not as easy-going as he appeared on the surface.

Dealing with someone like him required extra caution and prudence in one's actions.

Wen Qiao found it exhausting. "Let's see how things unfold first," Ning Yuzhou said with a smile. "In a few days, we'll decide whether or not to travel together."

Looking at him doubtfully, Wen Qiao felt her mind struggling to keep up with his vague hints, unable to decipher his true intentions from his partially revealed plans.

Ning Yuzhou didn't elaborate further. Instead, he helped her sort the spirit herb seeds and set up a spirit gathering array around them before beginning his cultivation session.

Seeing him so actively engaged in cultivation was a rare sight, leaving Wen Qiao quite astonished.

These days, she had witnessed Ning Yuzhou's overwhelming workload—alchemy, talisman making, weapon forging, and occasional dabbling in formations—leaving no time for cultivation.

Nonetheless, Ning Yuzhou's cultivation level was indeed too low. Witnessing this rare moment of him cultivating, Wen Qiao didn't disturb him and even took Wen Tuttu away to prevent it from interfering.

Ning Yuzhou immersed himself in cultivation for three full days.

By the time he finally dispelled the Spirit Gathering Array, Wen Qiao noticed that his cultivation had reached the initial stage of the Yuanming Realm.

Wen Qiao: "..."

"Ai Zuo, let's explore the space together. How vast has it grown now?"

Ning Yuzhou appeared delightfully enthusiastic, taking her hand and leading her into the space together.

Upon entering the space, Wen Qiao discovered that it had expanded several times its original size. The previously half an acre expanse was now a full two acres. The gray, chaotic aura at the edges retreated, revealing fertile black soil. The Stone Gold Python Vines, unable to contain their eagerness, sprawled outwards from their compressed forms, coiling around the periphery of the space with their sharp tendrils extended.

"The space has expanded significantly," Wen Qiao said joyfully, excited about the new area for cultivating spirit herbs.

Seeing her happiness, Ning Yuzhou also wore a warm smile.

However, they didn't spend much time in the space and soon left. The reason was that Wang Xiuyuan had come to visit.

After three days of restraint, Wang Xiuyuan could no longer contain his curiosity and sought them out.

In Wang Xiuyuan's eyes, Ning Yuzhou, the alchemist from the enigmatic Southern Myriad Marshlands, held great potential. But it was when he discovered that Ning Yuzhou had recently sold a batch of spirit pills in Cangwu Town, including nearly thirty top-grade ones, that his attitude towards him shifted rapidly.

When Ning Yuzhou sold his spirit pills, he didn't deliberately conceal anything. It was no surprise that Wang Xiuyuan had managed to inquire about it.

As for those thirty top-grade spirit pills, that was also done on purpose.

Now, when he refined Yellow Rank pills, not only did he get a full yield of ten pills, but they were all top-grade. The superior-grade pills he sold were from his initial practice sessions and there weren't many of them. He had sold them all, keeping only the top-grade ones for his own people.

Learning of Ning Yuzhou's remarkable alchemy skills, Wang Xiuyuan didn't want to miss out on him. It would be great if he could recruit Ning Yuzhou into the Wang family, but if that wasn't possible, he wanted to maintain a good relationship with him. If they could establish some form of connection, that would be even better.

This opportunity to build a relationship came swiftly.