13: About to break through

Zhou Yun was amused by Zhang Qingxiao's exaggerated expression and let out a giggle, quickly covering her mouth and shyly returning to the kitchen.

After washing the dishes, tidying up the kitchen, and watching Zhang Qingxiao practice Body Refining for a while, she saw that things had quieted down outside and returned to her own home.

Days passed, and as the war between the Chang Sheng Sect and the Guiyuan Sect drew closer, the atmosphere within the entire Chang Sheng Sect became increasingly tense.

Over the past two months, Zhang Qingxiao went to the market every ten days to sell Yellow Dragon Pills and Pi Gu Pills, and to purchase supplies such as spirit rice and Yao Beast meat.

He had hoarded nearly a thousand catties of spirit rice at home, which was enough to last him for over a year.

He had also stockpiled two hundred portions of medicinal herbs for refining Yellow Dragon Pills and Pi Gu Pills, just in case of an emergency.

With these supplies, he didn't need to worry too much even if some special situation were to arise.

He opened his attribute panel.

【 Name: Zhang Qingxiao 】

【 Identity: Utility Disciple of the Chang Sheng Sect 】

【 Aptitude: Mediocre 】

【 Lifespan: 32/75 years 】

【 Realm: Qi Refinement Stage Layer 3, Progress: 99/100 】

【 Cultivation Technique: ChangSheng Skill for Qi Refining Stage, Great Master: 268/800; Tiger Leopard Body Tempering Art, Grandmaster: 123/1600 】

【 Skills: Alchemy: Pi Gu Pill, Proficient: 88/400; Yellow Dragon Pill, Skilled: 120/200; Spell: Fireball Technique, Great Master: 758/800; Swordplay: Chong Ling Swordplay, Grandmaster: 16/1600 】

After two months of continuously taking Yellow Dragon Pills and cultivating with Low-Grade Spirit Stones, his cultivation progress had reached 99/100 at the Qi Refinement Stage Layer 3.

At this point, he had been stuck at this progress for three days without any sign of a Breakthrough. Zhang Qingxiao knew this was because his Aptitude was too poor.

To achieve a Breakthrough, he needed a deeper understanding of his own situation to find the opportunity for a Breakthrough.

He was not in a hurry; after all, he gained new insights every day. If things went fast, he would break through in three to five days; if slow, it would take at most half a month.

Aside from his cultivation progress, his Body Refining and Swordplay had both reached the Grandmaster Level.

After reaching the Grandmaster Level, the effect of the Tiger Leopard Body Tempering Art on his Physical Body had increased significantly.

It made him look increasingly lean and powerful, and his muscle definition was now fully visible.

As the effects of Body Refining became more pronounced, he seemed to have become several years younger.

After the proficiency of the Chong Ling Swordplay reached the Grandmaster Level, its power had also improved, though he hadn't had the opportunity to use it in actual combat.

"It is time to prepare the Golden Marrow Pill and the medicinal herbs for refining it."

Seeing that he was about to break through to the fourth layer of the Qi Refinement Stage and that the Yellow Dragon Pill would soon lose its effectiveness, Zhang Qingxiao had to make plans for his future cultivation.

He carried his basket, brought the Yellow Dragon Pills and Pi Gu Pills, and left his home.

"Brother Zhang, are you going to the market?"

Zhou Yun had just stepped out of her courtyard when she happened to run into Zhang Qingxiao, who was heading to the market, and she quickly greeted him.

Over these two months, she had come to Zhang Qingxiao's house right on time every day to help with chores and cooking.

It had become a habit; if she didn't come over every day, it felt like something was missing.

"Yes, I'm going to buy some medicinal herbs needed for Alchemy."

"Zhou Yun, do you need anything? I can bring it back for you while I'm at it."

After spending two months together, he no longer treated Zhou Yun as an outsider, and as he spoke, he tossed the courtyard key to her.

"Thank you, Brother Zhang, but I don't need anything."

"It's been quite chaotic outside recently, Brother Zhang, please be careful."

Zhou Yun took the key and waved her hand quickly.

In these past days, Zhang Qingxiao had already given her three Yellow Dragon Pills; she was too embarrassed to ask for anything else.

"I know."

Zhang Qingxiao nodded and turned to walk towards the market.

Along the way, he met many Utility Disciples coming and going.

Those who were familiar with each other exchanged greetings, while those who were strangers deliberately avoided each other to avoid unnecessary trouble.

The closer he got to the market, the more Utility Disciples he saw.

Stalls were even set up outside the market.

After finding out the current prices of Yellow Dragon Pills and Pi Gu Pills, he found the manager in charge of the market stalls, spent ten taels of gold to get a decent spot, and placed the Medicinal Pills on the stone table.

During this period, the stall fees had become increasingly expensive; even the stalls outside the market required a payment of two taels of gold.

Inside the market, even a slightly better spot cost over a dozen taels of gold.

Zhang Qingxiao often came to the market and had once given the manager in charge a Pi Gu Pill, so they were somewhat familiar, which allowed him to get a good spot for ten taels of gold.

With the great war between the Chang Sheng Sect and the Guiyuan Sect imminent, the prices of various supplies were skyrocketing.

The price of Yellow Dragon Pills had risen to four Low-Grade Spirit Stones, while the price of Pi Gu Pills had risen to one Low-Grade Spirit Stone.

Even so, the Yellow Dragon Pills and Pi Gu Pills in the market were still in short supply.

Just after setting up the stall and taking out the wooden sign to write down the prices, someone came to inquire.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the Yellow Dragon Pills and Pi Gu Pills he had brought were completely sold out.

He had harvested a total of one hundred and twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

Noticing someone staring at him, Zhang Qingxiao quickly shouldered his basket and blended into the crowd.

Inside the market, management was very strict, and even those desperate criminals dared not make a move during the day.

After walking around a few times and feeling that he had shaken off the people following him, Zhang Qingxiao turned and entered the Li Family Pill Shop.

"Fellow Daoist, are you here to sell Medicinal Pills or buy herbs?"

"It's been a while since you last came to our Li family shop to sell Yellow Dragon Pills and Pi Gu Pills."

Seeing Zhang Qingxiao approach, Immortal Li hurried forward to greet him.

"The Yellow Dragon Pills I've refined recently have all been used for cultivation, so I haven't had any extra to sell."

"Shopkeeper Li, what are the current prices for the Golden Marrow Pill and the medicinal herbs for refining it?"

Zhang Qingxiao laughed it off and directly changed the subject.

The Low Grade Medicinal Pills used in the Qi Refinement Stage had recipes that were basically public knowledge. To facilitate sales, every pill shop would pre-package them and sell them by the portion.

This was not only convenient for the Alchemist but also allowed them to sell at a higher price.

"The Golden Marrow Pill is eight Low-Grade Spirit Stones each."

"The price of medicinal herbs for refining the Golden Marrow Pill has risen quite a bit recently, costing twenty taels of gold per portion."

After stating the price, Immortal Li asked with some suspicion: "Fellow Daoist, are you planning to refine the Golden Marrow Pill?"

"I'm just preparing for now. I'm afraid the price will continue to rise, and I'll end up wasting money later."

"Give me five Golden Marrow Pills and twenty portions of herbs for refining them."

Zhang Qingxiao had long anticipated this price, so he gave a perfunctory reply and stated the quantity he needed.

After the transaction was complete, just as he was about to leave, he happened to run into Li Wanqing, who had just returned from outside. He greeted her, chatted for a few sentences, and then turned to leave.

"Young Miss, this Fellow Daoist you know might have already started refining the Golden Marrow Pill."

"Should we try to get closer to him..."

After Zhang Qingxiao left the shop, Immortal Li recounted what had just happened.

"For matters like this, Uncle Li, you can handle it yourself; no need to ask me."

Li Wanqing did not have much contact with Zhang Qingxiao and did not think much of him.

In her view, Zhang Qingxiao was just a low-level cultivator with a little bit of talent for Alchemy.

Naturally, she did not need to pay attention to such trivial matters.

Thinking that Zhou Yun had been helping him with chores, cooking, and laundry for some time and that it was quite hard work, Zhang Qingxiao went to the Magical Artifact shop, intending to pick out a Magical Artifact as a gift for Zhou Yun.

After searching for a long time, he finally found a satisfactory Low Grade Magical Artifact and spent seven Low-Grade Spirit Stones to buy it, which made his heart ache.

After coming out of the Magical Artifact shop, he wandered around a few more times, bought some spirit rice and Yao Beast meat, and only left the market vigilantly after ensuring no one was following him.

Upon reaching a secluded area, he immediately increased his speed. Even though he was carrying quite a few things, it took him less than a quarter of an hour to return home.

On the way, he encountered many cultivators who thought he had used a Light Body Talisman and sighed at his extravagance.