Lordi Payne's heart sank like a stone dropped into a deep well. Just as he was about to open his mouth to ask about selling his pills, a chirpy, childlike voice interrupted him. He turned to see a green-feathered parrot perched on a flower branch, its wings flapping as it trilled in a surprisingly articulate tone.
"Don't talk nonsense, esteemed guest," the parrot said, its voice dripping with mock offense. "The Tower of Hundred Treasures is a sect-owned business. How could we possibly scam our own disciples? What you're describing—buying pills outside the tower—well, that's a gamble. The quality of those pills depends entirely on your own judgment. But here? Every item we sell has been rigorously inspected by professional experts."
The parrot hopped to another branch, its emerald feathers glinting in the light. "Take this bottle of Bone Tempering Pills, for example. It's the work of Kim Simona from Raven Silk Peak. Her alchemy skills are renowned even here across Alchemy Peak. She's one of the most promising disciples likely to ascend the Great Path of Dao through alchemy in recent years. Convincing her to sign a long-term supply contract wasn't cheap, you know. How can the masterpieces of such a prodigy be priced the same as those crafted by some random, unknown alchemist?"
The squat cultivator huffed, crossing his arms. "Then give me something from a regular alchemist! Sure, I've heard of this Senior Sister Kim Simona, but let's be real—a Bone Tempering Pill is a Bone Tempering Pill. Taking her pill isn't going to catapult me straight to immortality. Why should I waste my spirit stones on something I don't need?"
The parrot tilted its head, its beady eyes gleaming with confidence. "As the eastern saying goes, 'Without accumulating small steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles; without gathering small streams, rivers and seas cannot form.' Cultivation is a long grind—every inch counts. High-quality pills naturally yield better results than average ones. Think about it: in the mortal world, those who feast on rich meats and fish are generally stronger and healthier than those who subsist on porridge and vegetables, right? The difference might not be obvious at first, but over time, it adds up. If you consistently use elixirs crafted by a master like Kim Simona, while others settle for mediocrity, how could there not be a difference?"
The male cultivator hesitated, his expression shifting as the parrot's words sank in. "Uh... I suppose... " he muttered, scratching his head.
Seizing the moment, Lordi Payne stepped forward and asked, "Excuse me, seniors, where can I sell my elixir pills?"
The parrot barely glanced at him, flicking a wing dismissively. "Straight to the back courtyard, through the moon gate. Third room on the left. The pill appraiser is inside."
Lordi Payne thanked the parrot and began to walk away, but he hadn't taken more than three steps before the bird's crisp, jabbering voice carried after him. "See that guy? Here to sell pills too. Look at him—shabby clothes, weak cultivation, probably can't even afford decent herbs or a proper alchemy lab. How much experience do you think he has balancing flame heat and herb essence? The pills made by someone like him? The sect only buys them out of pity, even if it means taking a loss."
The parrot's tone shifted, becoming almost conspiratorial as it addressed the squat cultivator again. "This handsome comrade brother, you're a sharp dresser, a man of taste. Why risk your cultivation with junk made by amateurs? Imagine taking a pill and ending up bedridden for days. Delaying your cultivation is one thing, but if it damages your core dantian? That's a regret you'll carry for life!"
Lordi Payne shot a glare back, speechless, only to see the male cultivator—though still looking a bit confused—already pulling spirit stones from his pouch.
Damn this feathered loudmouth!
Lordi Payne cursed inwardly, but he forced himself to shrug it off. Following the parrot's directions, he made his way to the back courtyard.
The vast back courtyard was a serene oasis, meticulously designed to inspire calm and focus. A delicate crescent moon gate, its arch carved with intricate patterns of vines and blossoms, marked the entrance. The gate's smooth, pale stone seemed to glow faintly in the soft light, its curves elegant and inviting. Beyond it, a narrow path of polished pebbles wound through a garden of meticulously tended plants, their leaves glistening as if kissed by dew. The air was thick with the scent of medicinal herbs and the faint hum of spiritual energy.
Lordi Payne stepped through the moon gate and into the third hallway on the left. The interior was a stark contrast to the bustling main hall. The space was intimate yet grand, its walls adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of alchemical mastery—cauldrons bubbling with golden elixirs, cultivators meditating amidst swirling spiritual flames. The floor was laid with dark, polished wood, and the ceiling was supported by intricately carved beams. Large, circular windows on both sides let in soft, diffused light, casting a warm glow over the hallway corridor.
The atmosphere was thick with the scent of incense and the faint, sweet aroma of elixirs. Lordi Payne hesitated for a moment, feeling a mix of awe and unease. This had to be the right place. Steeling himself, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Just as Lordi Payne stepped inside, a cold, sharp voice stopped him in his tracks.
Startled, Lordi Payne peered into the room. It was a spacious, meticulously decorated chamber, filled with lavish furnishings. Four cultivators lounged inside—two men and two women. At the center of attention was a female cultivator dressed in a plain robe, her hair pinned up with a simple wooden hairpin. The other three seemed to seated orbit around her.
The one who had spoken was a well-dressed male cultivator, about twenty years old, with long eyebrows and bright eyes. His handsome features were marred by an expression of arrogance. Seeing Lordi Payne frozen at the entrance, he frowned and snapped, "Didn't you hear me? Get out!"
Lordi Payne's first thought was that the damn parrot had pranked him, deliberately pointing him in the wrong direction. But he quickly pushed the suspicion aside and said, "I'm here to sell pills."
"So what?" the male cultivator retorted impatiently. "Can't you see Junior Sister Kim is here? Get out and wait until we're done."
"It's fine," the female cultivator in the plain robe interjected, her voice soft but firm. "There are empty seats here. Let this junior brother join us."
The male cultivator's expression softened instantly, his tone syrupy as he replied, "Junior Sister Kim, you're always so thoughtful."
Then he flicked a cold glance at Lordi Payne, his voice turning icy. "But there are always some people who don't know their place and take your kindness for granted!"
The female cultivator—Kim—ignored his remark and turned to Lordi Payne. "How many elixir pills are you selling? I've brought a large batch today, so the appraiser will be busy for a while. If you don't have many, I can let you go first."
Lordi Payne gave a quick, polite fist-clasp salute but remained silent. After his experience with Chen Mave and her "good senior sister" act, he had learned to trust no one in the sect. This Kim Simona might seem kind, but who knew if she and the arrogant male cultivator were working together to set him up?
Choosing a seat in the farthest corner from the group, Lordi Payne focused on his knees, pretending to be absorbed in his own thoughts.
"Senior Brother Shaun, look how scary you are," the plain-robed female cultivator said nothing, but the other female cultivator, dressed in an emerald green robe with her hair tied up in a neat dao bun, covered her mouth and chuckled. Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she teased the dapper male cultivator. "You've scared this junior brother so badly that he's not only sitting as far away from Junior Sister Kim as possible, but he didn't even dare to say hello!"
The male cultivator snorted dismissively. "He knows what's good for him."
The green-robed female cultivator didn't actually care about Lordi Payne. She was simply poking fun at her companion. Turning back to the group, she shifted the conversation. "That last mission was a nightmare. That ninth-layer Enlightenment Stage demon beast nearly wiped us out. Thank the Abyss heavens Senior Brother Van was there with his superb sword skills. He turned the tide at the critical moment."
The quiet male cultivator shook his head modestly. "Junior Sister Ruru, your words are too kind. We're sect comrades—we watch each other's backs. And to be honest, if it were just me, I wouldn't have been able to handle that demon beast alone."
Lordi Payne kept his expression neutral, silently listening to their conversation. Outwardly, he appeared calm, but inwardly, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. These four disciples were all at least at the sixth layer of Qi Refinement, and their presence radiated confidence and authority. They were clearly well-known figures in the outer sect.
The plain-robed female cultivator, Kim Simona, was the center of attention. Though she was only at the seventh layer of Qi Refinement—the weakest among the four—her talent in alchemy elevated her status far beyond her cultivation level. The male cultivator who had scolded Lordi Payne, Shaun Zet, was at the eighth layer of Qi Refinement. His demeanor reeked of arrogance, the kind that came from being pampered and privileged since childhood. Yet, around Kim Simona, he was almost obsequiously polite, clearly smitten with the rising alchemy star from Raven Silk Peak.
The green-robed female cultivator, Ruru Rosa, was also at the eighth layer of Qi Refinement. She shared a close, sisterly bond with Kim Simona, their camaraderie evident in their easy banter. As for Van Shiv, the quiet one, he was at the ninth layer of Qi Refinement, just one step away from ascending to the Foundation Stage. His calm, measured demeanor hinted at a depth of experience and strength.
Lordi Payne felt increasingly out of place among these high-level cultivators, his unease growing with every passing moment. Just as he was beginning to regret his decision to sit in the corner, an inner door suddenly swung open. A white-robed old man with a long, flowing beard hurried in, bowing apologetically.
"Fellow Dao Kim," the old man said, his voice warm but hurried, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting! The appraisal results are ready. Please, take a look."
He stepped aside, and a parade of maids filed into the room, each dressed in vibrant rainbow silks. They carried ebony lacquer trays lined with brocade, and the rich fragrance of elixir pills filled the air before they even reached the table.