Chapter 8

C8 – Qi Replenishing Pill

​In Clear Water Town, the Jade Blessing Market bustled as one of the largest trading hubs in the area. It was renowned for its wide array of items, including medicinal liquids, pills, spirit herbs, and weapons, catering to the needs of the local cultivators.

​Early in the morning, Jiaang Lin, donning a black bamboo hat, made his way to the market. He promptly set up his stall, ready to sell his Qi Replenishing Pills. With a casual flick, he hung a piece of cloth on a bamboo pole, scrawling in bold, untidy letters: “Qi Replenishing Pills, 200 silver coins each!”

​Seated cross-legged on the ground, Jiaang Lin focused on his practice, silently channeling the Heaven Earth Creation Spell. He drew in the Heaven Earth Spiritual Energy, fortifying the qi vortex within his dantian, all the while enhancing his Cultivation Level.

“What’s this about a Qi Replenishing Pill? Charging 200 silver coins each?” Some cultivators passing by Jiaang Lin’s stall couldn’t contain their disbelief.

​”Indeed, the Essence Cultivating Pill from the Qiao family is only 100 silver coins each. What’s this Qi Replenishing Pill we’ve never heard of, and why is it priced so high? I’ve seen greed, but this is just extortion!” murmured another, as a buzz of disapproval spread among the crowd.

​Jiaang Lin remained unfazed by their commentary. His stance was clear: buy if you wish, or simply walk away.

​”Excuse me, young man,” a middle-aged man inquired as he crouched down in front of Jiaang Lin, a curious smile on his face. “Could you tell me about the effects of your Qi Replenishing Pill? What justifies the 200 silver coin price tag?”

​As the crowd’s murmurs continued, Jiaang Lin met the man’s gaze and replied, “This pill allows a cultivator at the Body Refining Stage to recover 10% of their Genuine Qi in a mere breath’s time.”

Jiaang Lin responded with composure.

​”Haha! That’s laughable! A Qi Replenishing Pill that’s so miraculous it can restore 10% of a cultivator’s Genuine Qi in the Body Refining Stage in a mere breath? Our Qiao family’s Pill Refining Masters can’t even produce such Spirit Pills. How could you possibly have such an extraordinary pill? You’re obviously trying to swindle someone!”

​Suddenly, a derisive voice cut through inappropriately.

The crowd parted to reveal a handsome young man in opulent attire, accompanied by several followers, approaching Jiaang Lin’s stall.

This young man, about seventeen, bore a slight resemblance to Qiao Junhan.

Jiaang Lin recognized him as Qiao Mingfan, the youngest son of the Qiao family patriarch and a notorious bully in Clear Water Town. His cultivation was at the Body Refining Level Three Peak Stage, and his Martial Dao Talent was mediocre.

Leveraging his family’s influence and having an older brother celebrated as the top prodigy of Clear Water Town, he frequently engaged in reprehensible behavior, intimidating both men and women.

“Since when does a dog interrupt a business conversation?”

Jiaang Lin said, his face a picture of tranquility.

“Who did you just call a dog?”

Qiao Mingfan’s eyes narrowed, a flash of icy menace within them.

“Whoever chimed in is who I meant.”

Jiaang Lin’s response was unapologetic.

“You’ve got nerve! To dare call me a dog? Today, I’ll make sure you learn your lesson!”

Qiao Mingfan was livid.

Typically, he was untouchable in Clear Water Town, with many cultivators going out of their way to avoid him. Who would have the audacity to publicly insult him as Jiaang Lin had?

Thus, Qiao Mingfan was intent on making an example of Jiaang Lin to quell his rage.

He gestured to his followers, ready to unleash them on Jiaang Lin.

“Young Master Qiao, I’m conducting business with this gentleman. I won’t tolerate your disruption here.”

Before Qiao Mingfan’s attendants could act, the previously silent middle-aged man swept his gaze over the scene and fixed Qiao Mingfan with a chilling stare.

Feeling the weight of the man’s gaze, Qiao Mingfan involuntarily shuddered, a trace of dread and wariness flickering in his eyes.

Immediately, he hastened to restrain his followers.

“Humph! Lucky for you, scoundrel. Today, out of respect for the Seventh Protector of the Myriad Medicine Pavilion, I’ll let you off just this once.”

Qiao Mingfan glared at Jiaang Lin, his face dark with anger.

The Seventh Protector reached into his garment, pulled out a stack of silver notes, and handed them to Jiaang Lin.

“No need to count. The Qi Replenishing Pills are all yours now.”

Jiaang Lin accepted the silver notes and tucked them away, cutting straight to the point.

“Thank you.”

The Seventh Protector bowed with a fist in palm and stowed all the Qi Replenishing Pills into his pouch.

Then, turning to Jiaang Lin, he inquired, “May I have the honor of knowing your name, young brother?”

Considering Jiaang Lin’s ability to sell such miraculous pills, the Seventh Protector was keen to establish a rapport, hoping to purchase more Qi Replenishing Pills from him in the future.

“I am without a name; there’s no need for further questions.”

Jiaang Lin responded, choosing not to disclose his identity to the Seventh Protector.

His decision to sell the Qi Replenishing Pills was merely out of a temporary need for money, not a regular business venture.

​”Understood. I shall take my leave now, but should fate allow, I hope to become better acquainted with you in the days to come.”

The Seventh Protector gave a wry smile, then departed with his attendant.

The onlookers, fellow cultivators, were left in a state of shock.

They had not anticipated that the Qi Replenishing Pills offered by the young man would actually find a buyer.

Could the Qi Replenishing Pill truly be that miraculous? Could it actually restore 10% of a Body Refining Stage cultivator’s Genuine Qi in just a single breath?

No way!

Not even the Jiaang family or the Qiao family could produce such a Spirit Pill.

How could this young man have access to such an effective pill?

If these cultivators hadn’t recognized the middle-aged man as the Seventh Protector from the Myriad Medicine Pavilion, they might have suspected him of conspiring with Jiaang Lin.

Clearly, that wasn’t the case.

Therefore, the Qi Replenishing Pills that prompted the Seventh Protector to spend lavishly must possess the incredible effects that the young man claimed!

“Hey, kid, do you have any more Qi Replenishing Pills? I’ll take ten!”

“I’ll take twenty!”

“Make it thirty!”

In that instant, the cultivators who had been watching swarmed Jiaang Lin in a frenzy, each one eager to spend their savings to acquire the Qi Replenishing Pills from him.

Standing to the side, Qiao Mingfan’s face was a shade of green with displeasure.

He had never imagined that the Qi Replenishing Pills Jiaang Lin was selling would genuinely be effective, to the point where even the Seventh Protector of the Myriad Medicine Pavilion acknowledged their potency.

Initially, he had confidently claimed that Jiaang Lin’s Qi Replenishing Pills couldn’t possibly restore 10% of a Body Refining Stage cultivator’s Genuine Qi in a single breath, accusing him of swindling people.

But now, his previous words had come back to embarrass him profoundly.

Qiao Mingfan’s complexion darkened with the mix of embarrassment and intense frustration boiling within him.

His gaze bore into Jiaang Lin, tinged with a subtle, icy threat.

“Sorry, the Qi Replenishing Pills are all sold out,” Jiaang Lin said, brushing off his hands and maintaining his composure.

​He then turned and walked away from the Jade Blessing Market, leaving behind a crowd of cultivators filled with regret.