"So ’spring rain is as precious as oil’ is actually an adjective?"
Li Ye stood in front of the beaver’s nest—their nest was underwater, with a top made of a firm mixture of dead branches, fallen leaves, and mud, and even had ventilation holes around the edges.
That pool of spring rain was in a depression at the top of the nest.
It was clearly different from regular water, with a distinct boundary from the surrounding rainwater, giving off a viscous feel. It’s not wrong to say it’s like oil.
He reached out intending to use the Water Control Technique to collect the spring rain, but just as he did so, a stream of black Resentment Qi surged from the ground, blocking his way.
This was obviously the aura exuded by that Spirit Plant named "Hungry Bone," possessing a very domineering sense of ownership, and Li Ye instantly understood that this spring rain was clearly seized by its power.
Why was Hungry Bone able to gather real spring rain?
He was somewhat puzzled, but then a little head suddenly peeked out from below the water surface of the nest.
This little creature was still a bit sleepy-eyed, came to the front of the spring rain, and the black mist instantly dispersed.
The beaver buried its head, took two sips, and then chirped at Li Ye boldly.
Then the black mist vanished immediately.
Very obedient indeed.
Li Ye patted the beaver’s head and then used a jade bowl to collect the small pool of spring rain.
After he finished, it was evident that there were some unusual fluctuations of Spiritual Qi here, gathering the spring rain over.
He noted this and decided to subtly inquire about the Spiritual Mechanism Vine the next day when he goes out to find out the cause.
For now, he still had things to busy himself with.
On the day of the Beginning of Spring, the Spring Wheat must be quickly planted, all in one day.
If it’s past the Beginning of Spring, it can no longer be called Spring Wheat.
Earlier, he had roughly counted about a thousand seeds.
Now they had to be planted one by one, and he had to pay attention to their very delicate consciousness’s pickiness about the environment, which was not an easy task.
He busily worked in the courtyard wearing a raincoat.
It wasn’t until daybreak that he finally finished planting all of them.
During watering, he specifically mixed a bit of spring rain into the Spiritual Spring Water, and after doing so, he returned to his house, planning to make breakfast, when suddenly there was a knock at the door.
"Who could it be?" He was a bit curious, as he was always living alone, and didn’t expect anyone to visit. Could it be someone collecting rent? But it wasn’t time yet.
The knocking outside was not hurried, even rhythmic to some extent.
He decided to walk over and open the door.
Outside stood a young male cultivator in white clothes, spotless despite the drizzling rain. Seeing Li Ye open the door, he immediately stated his purpose:
"Taoist Friend Li, I am a cultivator stationed at the Huiya Marketplace by the Four Seasons Sect, and here is my token."
The male cultivator took out a token engraved with the Four Seasons Sundial.
Then he clarified his intention: "Taoist friend, do you still have any Moon Liquid Pearls? If you do, I’m willing to buy them for one hundred Spirit Stones each, or if you need, we can exchange them for pills."
His tone was clearly very urgent, and his eyes showed a hint of desperation as he looked at Li Ye.
There were noticeable bloodshot eyes, and his lips were dry, clearly a sign of having stayed up all night.
One hundred per piece? Are you insane, or are you some young master from somewhere, when the Spiritual Mechanism Vine over there only gave thirty-one per piece?
Li Ye blinked in surprise. "Taoist friend, how did you know I had Moon Liquid Pearls?"
"It was Uncle Master Ling Ji Vine from the marketplace shop who told me."
"Taoist Friend Li, I won’t hide it from you, the Moon Liquid Pearl is the main material for refining a certain pill, and I have also been assigned this task. The quality of the Moon Liquid Pearls submitted by others varies, but yours, Taoist friend, is of the highest grade."
"If you can help me exceed this sect task quota, whenever I am stationed at the marketplace in the future, if you wish to purchase any pills, feel free to come to me."
How could he refuse such a connection handed to him on a silver platter? The source of this content ɪs novelFɪre.net
An Alchemist, no less.
Li Ye thought for a moment: "I have twenty pieces here."
The other party didn’t hesitate, taking out a Storage Pouch and handing it over. "Count these."
The convenience of the Storage Pouch meant that with a sweep of the Divine Sense, the contents could be seen clearly, and indeed it was two thousand Spirit Stones, not one less.
This made Li Ye quite emotional, as he had just entered Qi Refining, having previously received two thousand from the Spiritual Mechanism Vine, and now another two thousand, totaling four thousand Spirit Stones!
This Alchemist was truly generous, even doubling that of what the Spiritual Mechanism Vine had offered!
In stories about cultivation, obtaining Spirit Stones was always difficult, gathering enough for a Foundation Establishment Pill required endless effort.
Since the other party was so generous, Li Ye didn’t hesitate to hand over the box containing twenty Moon Liquid Pearls to him, leaving himself only ten.
The young male cultivator opened the box to take a look.
His face immediately revealed an uncontrollable expression of joy.
"It seems my pills can finally be completed."
He took a deep breath, closed the box, and smiled at Li Ye: "I am Su Ya. If Taoist Friend Li needs anything in the future, just mention my name at the Four Seasons Sect storefront."
"I am in a hurry to go back for alchemy, so I’ll leave first!"
With that, he actually took out a small Flying Boat Magical Artifact from a ring on his hand, and he disappeared in an instant, riding the flying boat.
"... He is actually a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage." Li Ye was still a bit shocked.
Flying is prohibited in the marketplace; there is a No-fly Order, and violators must pay heavy fines.
What kind of temptation could make him act this way?
It seems the price of the Moon Liquid Pearls he has cultivated is indeed difficult to measure.
However, speaking of the Spiritual Mechanism Vine, he plans to go and see it with the spring rain in a couple of days. Since he promised, he must fulfill it.
Riding the flying boat, Su Ya broke through the forbidden technique and quickly returned to the Four Seasons Sect storefront.
Today is the Beginning of Spring; even the Four Seasons Sect storefront is closed.
After all, the Four Seasons Sect is conducting a Beginning of Spring ritual internally, and achieving something there is more rewarding than a full year’s harvest.
The Spiritual Mechanism Vine slowly straightened up behind the counter: "You just went to see Kid Li? How many Spirit Stones did you use?"
Upon hearing this, the Spiritual Mechanism Vine couldn’t help but laugh: "You didn’t request the batch of Moon Liquid Pearls when they were delivered to the sect, and now you’re buying them at a high price; truly reaping what you sow."
"It’s double the price compared to what we sold you within the sect; does that feel good?"
Sighing in resignation, Su Ya cupped his hands in a plea for mercy: "Uncle Master, please spare me."
He quickly changed the subject:
"But that Taoist Friend Li emits a soothing aura; is he planning to join our Four Seasons Sect in the future?"
The Spiritual Mechanism Vine replied unhurriedly: "If he is interested in joining, why wouldn’t we take him?
I have high hopes for this kid; if he handles this year’s two seasonal tasks well, I will recommend him to join during the autumn harvest."
"That would be a good thing."
"Heh, having a junior brother capable of cultivating Moon Liquid Pearls eases the burden on me and the other senior brothers. The sect’s demand for Moon Liquid Pearls is increasing; perhaps that senior..."
His speculative remark was abruptly cut off as numerous vines silently appeared around him, tying him up tightly, and stuffing an unknown Spirit Fruit into his mouth.
He didn’t even have time to plead for mercy before being sent into the Pill-Refining Room.
Before he genuinely produced pills, he probably wouldn’t be able to come out.