63: Chapter 63 Alchemist Exchange Meeting

Chen Jiancang strolled leisurely along the streets of the Market, the constant chatter in his ears, as if wrapped in thick haze, permeated everywhere with a pessimistic atmosphere.

Most people were worried and uneasy about the harm of the Soul-Devouring Beetles, but a few still held a glimmer of hope, finding solace in it.

"Although the Soul-Devouring Beetles are difficult to eradicate and are truly a thorny problem, if the Chen Family could be merciful and slightly reduce the taxes, even if it takes more effort to meticulously inspect and capture them using Divine Sense, it's not entirely without a turn for the better," a voice drifted over.

"Tsk, aren't you just daydreaming?" another person couldn't help but shake his head and sneer, his face full of disapproval.

"Such a good thing is simply a fantasy.

It's already benevolent enough for the Chen Family not to take advantage of the situation and impose additional taxes."

"That is absolutely true," the speaker sighed deeply, his face full of emotion.

"Speaking of which, the Chen Family can indeed be said to be kind-hearted.

This time, when the Soul-Devouring Beetles were rampant and wreaking havoc, they didn't stand by and watch, but actively ran around, trying every possible way to remedy the situation.

If it were other families, they would have probably been racking their brains long ago, calculating how to profit from the disaster."

Several rogue cultivators gathered together, their conversation lively, and the topic unconsciously turned to the Liu Family of Tuyuan Peak: "Last year, I leased Spirit Fields from the Liu Family of Tuyuan Peak.

Even a First Order lower-grade Spiritual Vein had a tax of 60%, and I was unlucky enough to encounter the wild boars from the Qingya Mountain Range, which destroyed a large number of Spirit Fields.

Not only did the Liu Family not reduce the taxes, they also made us repair the Spirit Fields for free.

They are simply ruthless."

The several rogue cultivators were talking heatedly, and couldn't help but complain about the black-hearted Family that occupied a small Spiritual Vein in the Qingya Mountain Range.

Compared to them, the Chen Family was indeed considered benevolent.

Chen Jiancang listened to the discussions in the Market, his heart a mix of emotions.

Their words contained both gratitude towards the Chen Family and resentment towards other families.

In comparison, the Chen Family indeed appeared magnanimous and benevolent.

Upon returning to the Dan Hall, several servants at the entrance were tidying up medicinal materials, and a faint medicinal fragrance drifted in the wind.

Pushing open the door and entering the main hall, Chen Youyun was intently checking the pill refining records and inventorying the spiritual medicine.

In the corner were piled various precious spiritual herbs and minerals, emitting a strange luster in the dim light.

"Greetings, Alchemist Chen," a Dan Hall Disciple stood up and bowed quickly upon seeing him arrive.

Jiancang nodded slightly and walked directly towards the Seven-Layered Gilded Fire-Patterned Tower.

Just as he entered Dan Room A-4, he heard footsteps from outside.

"Jiancang, wait a moment."

He turned around and saw Deacon Chen Youyun standing at the door.

His beard was scruffy, his expression weary, but there was a hint of worry between his brows.

"Deacon Nethercloud, what are your instructions?" Chen Jiancang asked doubtfully.

"You've heard the rumors in the Market recently, haven't you?" Chen Youyun's gaze fell on him.

"About the Soul-Devouring Beetles and the Family's countermeasures."

Chen Jiancang nodded: "Indeed, I've heard quite a bit of discussion."

"Tomorrow is the time for the Alchemists' gathering at our Little Cloud Mountain Spiritual Vein.

This time, you will also participate," Chen Youyun said, rubbing his red eyes.

"It's a good opportunity for everyone to discuss how we should deal with the current predicament, and also to exchange experiences and trade resources with each other."

Chen Jiancang frowned slightly.

He had originally planned to refine pills and was not very keen on attending such gatherings at this time, but since Chen Youyun had personally invited him, he nodded and agreed: "Okay, Deacon, don't worry, I will attend on time tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Chen Youyun patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction and said earnestly: "Jiancang, you have just advanced to Alchemist, and you can already stand out and shine in the refining of Qi Gathering Pills.

This is truly exceptional talent and rare.

However, each field has its specialization.

Exchanging ideas and learning from other Alchemists might allow you to draw inferences about other cases and gain more exquisite experience in refining various pills."

Chen Jiancang nodded in agreement on the surface.

But he knew very well in his heart that if it weren't for that Golden Finger that changed the trajectory of his fate and rewarded him with Qi Gathering Pill refining experience, he would have likely become a talisman master by some strange twist of fate.

For him, such exchange meetings might be of limited practical help.

However, expanding his network and making connections through the gathering was indeed a very beneficial thing.

Early the next morning, as the first rays of dawn appeared, Chen Jiancang arrived early at the meeting place, a secluded pavilion behind the Small Cloud Mountain Dan Hall.

At this time, the Alchemists of the Little Cloud Mountain Spiritual Vein had already arrived one after another.

In the spacious pavilion, long tables were set up, filled with various spiritual fruits and spiritual tea.

Among these Alchemists, in addition to the Alchemist Lin Yu whom Chen Jiancang was familiar with, three others had already arrived.

On the far left was a scruffy-bearded elderly Alchemist with messy hair and a stained Alchemist robe.

His hands were blackened by the pill fire, but his eyes held a shrewd calculation.

He was looking around, and when he saw Chen Jiancang walking over, his eyes rolled quickly, as if planning something.

Next to the elderly Alchemist was a middle-aged Alchemist with a hint of hardship in his eyebrows and an expression that was stern without being angry.

He sat silently on a chair with a cold and expressionless face, not saying a word, exuding an aura that kept people at a distance.

There was also a beautiful young woman Alchemist wearing a moon-white brocade robe embroidered with lifelike begonia patterns.

Her face was dignified and beautiful, her skin like snow and frost, delicate and flawless like mutton-fat jade, her eyebrows like distant mountains, slender and slightly upturned, like a new moon, her eyes bright and deep, like a clear spring, her nose delicate and straight, like a jade peak rising; her lips like cherries, red without being painted.

Her beautiful hair was cleverly styled into a coiled snake bun, in which a jade and gold inlaid phoenix hairpin was inserted.

The phoenix body was carved vividly, as if about to spread its wings and fly, and the inlaid gems were dazzling and radiant, shimmering with a captivating brilliance in the light, showcasing a noble and luxurious temperament.

A few stray strands of hair fell on either side of her face, adding a touch of laziness and charm.

Even Chen Jiancang, who had seen much and experienced all kinds of beauty in his previous life, couldn't help but feel a shock in his heart at this moment, secretly amazed.

Such breathtaking beauty was truly rare and exceptional in the cultivation world.

"This must be the Alchemist Chen Youwan that Deacon Nethercloud mentioned before," Chen Jiancang mused and guessed to himself.

"Deacon Nethercloud said when he introduced her that she was cold and aloof, and it seems he was right.

Although her appearance is absolutely stunning, she gives off a sense of distance that makes her difficult to approach."

Chen Jiancang sat down in the empty seat next to Chen Youwan.

After a while, Chen Youyun arrived in a hurry, and the gathering officially began.

The first to speak was Chen Youyun.

He said slowly with a serious expression: "Before we begin the main topic of the Dan meeting, let me say a few words.

Recently, the Soul-Devouring Beetles have been rampant, which has greatly affected our Spiritual Vein.

Many Spiritual Plants and spiritual medicines have been damaged, and even in the Dan Hall's spiritual medicine garden, traces of the Soul-Devouring Beetles have been found.

Moreover, due to their influence, the price of Spiritual Plants and spiritual medicines has soared several times in just a few days, greatly affecting the cost of refining pills for us Alchemists.

Let's all share our opinions."