7: Ways to make money

Inside the thatched hut, the faint light of the oil lamp shone upon Yao Delong's gaunt face, which was etched with a mixture of determination and excitement.

The 40 points of yin-yang value were the remaining points rewarded by the System after last night's frenzy—they were his capital for a comeback!

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained? I haven't been a wolf in either of my two lives!"

He roared internally, his mind frantically pointing toward the System panel!

"System! Upgrade them for me! The Five Elements Basic Sword Art! The Pill Scripture, Volume One! Bring them all to Perfection!"

[Ding! 12 points of yin-yang value consumed!]

[The Five Elements Basic Sword Art (Yellow Rank Medium Grade) has been upgraded to: Perfection!]

[Ding! 15 points of yin-yang value consumed!]

[The Pill Scripture, Volume One (Yellow Rank High Grade) has been upgraded to: Perfection!]

Two dazzling runes condensed out of thin air, carrying an indescribably profound Aura, and fiercely flew into Yao Delong's glabella.

"Boom—!"

His Soul violently trembled!

Countless subtle sword move variations, power applications, and the Profound Truths of Qi circulation regarding the rotation of the Five Elements, the sharpness of Jin Feng, the vitality of Wood, the persistence of Water, the explosiveness of Fire, and the stability of Earth.

Like a surging torrent, they instantly washed over and imprinted themselves into the deepest recesses of his consciousness!

It was as if he had already practiced this sword art millions of times; every variation and every ounce of strength had become an instinct carved into his bones!

Immediately following, came the even more vast and complex knowledge of the Dao of Alchemy—

Thousands of forms, characteristics, and the mutual generation and restraint of Spirit Medicine properties;

Fire control timing accurate to the millimeter, the rhythm of Spiritual Power penetration, and the subtle balance of liquid medicine purification and Fusion;

Various basic Pill Formulae for low-grade Medicinal Pills, grasping the timing of formation, and the secret techniques for condensing pill pattern... all the essence belonging to the Pill Scripture, Volume One, instantly filled his Sea of Consciousness as if he had been enlightened.

At this moment, he felt like a veteran who had been immersed in the Dao of Alchemy for decades!

Two torrents of Perfection-level knowledge surged through his mind.

Yao Delong's gaunt body couldn't help but tremble slightly.

His eyes erupted with startling brilliance, like two brilliant candles burning in the darkness!

"Hahaha!" He couldn't help but laugh aloud, his voice hoarse but filled with unprecedented pleasure and confidence!

He violently pushed open the creaking broken wooden door and rushed into the courtyard bathed in moonlight.

He picked up the longsword by the door, which had been idle for many years and was covered in rust spots.

The Perfection-level Dragon Locking Art circulated explosively within him! Vast Qi power instantly poured forth!

Buzz!

The rusty sword in his hand seemed to be endowed with life, transforming into a blurred black shadow in his grasp!

The Aura of Gold was sharp; the longsword thrust like a spear, tearing the air and emitting a piercing shriek!

The Aura of Wood was supple; the sword momentum instantly became flexible and elusive, carving out continuous, lingering arcs that swept up the dead leaves on the ground!

The Aura of Water was continuous; the sword light transformed into an endless stream of afterimages, wave upon wave, with magnificent Aura!

The Aura of Fire was violent; the longsword swept past, carrying a scorching airflow and a relentless explosiveness!

The Aura of Earth was heavy; finally, his figure abruptly stopped, and the sword was held vertically in front of him.

A steady, heavy Aura, as if connected to the earth beneath his feet, suddenly erupted!

Under the moonlight, an old man with white hair and beard and a hunched figure held the rusty iron sword.

He actually wielded a set of the most basic Five Elements sword techniques with smooth fluidity and magnificent sweep! The transition between moves was seamless and perfect.

There was no stagnation, and faintly, there was even a trace of the shadow of 'Intent'!

How could this still be the listless Yao Delong who was just waiting to die?

An hour later, Yao Delong finally stopped, still feeling unsatisfied. Sweat soaked his tattered Daoist Robe.

But his cloudy eyes were astonishingly bright, filled with a long-absent vitality.

He tossed the rusty sword aside, returned to the thatched hut, and, filled with excitement and exhaustion, fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, the sun was high in the sky.

Yao Delong slowly got out of bed. Sunlight streamed into the hut through the window, and he stretched heavily.

Feeling the power of the Ninth Level of Qi Refining within him, and the incredibly clear knowledge of the Dao of Alchemy in his mind.

He immediately had an idea! Go to the Market Town at the foot of the mountain to buy herbs for Alchemy!

The Market Town at the foot of the mountain was extraordinarily noisy, with all sorts of goods being hawked.

Yao Delong walked directly to the largest medicinal shop in the center of the Market Town—the Myriad Medicine Pavilion. As soon as he stepped inside.

A strong, complex scent of mixed herbs assaulted his nostrils.

A young waiter wearing a gray cloth jacket and a slightly roguish expression glanced at him sideways, immediately curling his lip.

"Oh! Isn't this that... Senior Yao from Luoxia Peak?"

The waiter deliberately elongated his tone, the sarcasm in his voice unconcealed.

"Why isn't an old gentleman like you relaxing on the immortal mountain and enjoying your remaining years? Why run all the way to our Myriad Medicine Pavilion?

Could it be... you want to buy some heavily nourishing medicinal ingredients to extend your Lifespan?"

He deliberately raised his voice, drawing the attention of the few scattered customers who looked over curiously.

Yao Delong's expression remained unchanged; he calmly took a wrinkled piece of paper from his sleeve.

It was a list of required medicinal ingredients he had copied based on two First-Grade Medicinal Pills recorded in the Pill Scripture: "Prepare ten portions according to this."

The waiter took the paper, scanned it, and the mockery on his face intensified;

"Returning Spirit Pill? Blood Activating Pill? Heh! Senior Yao, you're already this old, with one foot in the grave, and your Cultivation is mediocre!

Why bother messing with these things?"

"Don't tell me... you want to change professions and become a Great Master of Alchemy? Hahaha!

Stop joking. With your physique, you probably can't even keep the fire in a Pill Furnace burning brightly, can you? Save your energy!

Don't waste the medicinal ingredients! You'd be better off buying a few Longevity Supplement Pills to eat!"

Yao Delong's gaze chilled. In both his past and present lives, he hated nothing more than people who looked down on others.

"Is this how the Myriad Medicine Pavilion treats its customers when it opens for business?"

A slightly lazy female voice, carrying undeniable authority, came from the Inner Hall.

A curtain was lifted, and a plump, charming, and attractive woman walked out.

She looked to be about thirty, wearing a well-tailored dark purple brocade skirt that made her skin appear even fairer.

Her eyes held a trace of a merchant's shrewdness, combined with the seductive charm of a mature woman.

Her gaze swept over the waiter, who immediately shrank his neck and became silent like a cicada in winter.

[Target: Luo Yan]

[Age: 50]

[Cultivation: Late Foundation Establishment Stage]

[Spiritual Power Affinity: 7 (Mediocre Talent)]

[Favorability: 30 (Ordinary Customer/Merchant)]

"Fellow Daoist Yao, it's you!" Luo Yan recognized Yao Delong, showing a formal smile, her tone still courteous.

"My assistant is ignorant; please forgive him for the offense!"

She glanced at the medicinal ingredient list on the counter, and a flicker of subtle surprise flashed in her eyes.

"What's wrong, Fellow Daoist Yao? Has the Novel Writing Business slowed down? Do you want to try your hand at Alchemy?

This... is not an easy task, especially for someone your age..."

Yao Delong cupped his hands and forced a peaceful smile onto his face;

"Stewardess Luo, you exaggerate. It's just that recently, I've had some feelings during Cultivation, and my Spiritual thoughts have been active.

So I thought I'd tinker with some Unorthodox Methods to pass the time.

And see if there's any chance of earning some Spirit Stones."

His tone was candid, carrying the implication of an old man simply passing the time when idle.