Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

After Yue Zhao left, Chen Changrong immediately sent another message to the Hundred Herbs Pavilion headquarters. For Ren Woxing and his junior martial sister, this had only been a casual outing. But for the Hundred Herbs Pavilion, this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He was certain that the headquarters would not ignore this matter.

Within the Canglan Kingdom, there was one super sect, ten upper-tier sects, dozens of mid-tier sects, and countless lower-tier sects.

Ming Heng came from the Flamefire Sect, one of the upper-tier sects renowned for its expertise in alchemy. In fact, their sect boasted the only seventh-rank alchemist in the entire kingdom. That young woman's alchemy methods were wildly unorthodox, yet each attempt produced tangible results. A rare genius of her kind.

Her cultivation was still modest, but if they could bring her into the sect early, it would be an incredible gain for the Flamefire Sect. Ming Heng was confident. He believed that girl wouldn't reject their offer.

After all, the Canglan Kingdom's sole super sect, the Azure Dragon Sword Sect, was known for swordsmanship and not suited for an alchemy prodigy. That being the case, wouldn't the only upper-tier alchemy sect and a supreme alchemy genius be the perfect match?

Ming Heng had already released a messenger spirit dove. Now, all he could do was wait for a response from the sect. He just hoped they would act quickly. Otherwise, this prodigy would surely be snatched away.

After all, as someone from an upright sect and a steward of the Alchemy Pavilion, he couldn't resort to coercive methods. But if it were one of the heretical sects, or even the Demon Sects, then things might take a darker turn.

~

Unaware of the storm she had stirred, Yun Jin had no intention of returning to the marketplace for the time being.

Even Yue Zhao chose not to go personally anymore.

Each day, the Hundred Herbs Pavilion would send a Thunderclap Bird to a designated location. Yue Zhao only needed to hand over the pills to complete the transaction.

The Thunderclap Bird was specifically reared by the Pavilion. Though only at the Nascent Soul stage, it was incredibly fast, to the point where even cultivators in the Divine Transformation stage would struggle to catch it.

If anyone attempted to seize it by force, the bird could instantly destroy its cargo. Because of this, no one dared to make a move that was so risky and unrewarding.

This method minimized the chance of exposure.

It was necessary.

Canglan Kingdom was simply too vast. For now, the rumors about Yun Jin were only circulating among a few sects within this market's reach. But now that things had escalated, it was bound to spread throughout the entire kingdom. When that happened, true experts would start appearing.

Although Yue Zhao had temporarily bluffed his way through the Hundred Herbs Pavilion's suspicions, he was still worried deep down. His junior martial sister had drawn far too much attention. Once the major powers arrived, a real storm might follow.

On the other hand, he wasn't overly anxious.

As long as it wasn't one of the demonic or heretical sects, most factions would simply try to recruit her. Worst-case scenario, she could choose the strongest one as her backer.

Yue Zhao understood clearly.

Yun Jin's talent was terrifying.

Tianxing Sect was simply too small to contain her.

This was a golden opportunity for her to enter a greater sect. It might turn out to be a blessing. Still, he didn't plan to share his thoughts with Yun Jin. She was too sentimental. If he told her in advance, she might refuse to leave.

Yue Zhao couldn't bear to let her go either. But reason told him this was the best outcome. If she gained a powerful backer, like the Flamefire Sect behind Ming Heng, perhaps someone would be willing to break her three-month life-and-death contract. Even Zhao Wuji might not object by then.

~

Unaware of Yue Zhao's musings, Yun Jin spent a full day in seclusion, refining Foundation Establishment Pills and Recovery Pills for him to trade.

Then, she headed to the Scripture Pavilion.

Elder Ming was lazily sunbathing as usual, barely acknowledging the disciples coming and going.

But the moment Yun Jin called out—

"Elder Ming, I'm here!"

—his eyes snapped open, a smile blooming on his face.

"Xiao Yun! You promised to visit daily—where have you been these past two days?"

A nearby disciple, seizing what he thought was an opportunity, timidly spoke up:

"Elder Ming, if you're lonely, this disciple would be honored to keep you company every day."

Elder Ming shot him a glare and spat out a single word:

"Scram."

Then, turning back to Yun Jin with a warm smile:

"Come, child, sit beside me."

He even pulled out a chair for her.

Disciple: "???"

[+50 Emotional Value.]

Yun Jin gave the poor senior brother a sympathetic glance before obediently taking her seat.

The disciple covered his face and fled in humiliation.

Comparisons were fine…

But did they have to be this brutal?

He wanted to dig a hole and disappear.

"Elder Ming, I was held up with some matters," Yun Jin explained.

"No matter, no matter. Cultivation comes first for you youngsters. I was only making small talk," he smiled. "So, what brings you here today? You took three sword manuals last time, you shouldn't be lacking in that area for now."

"Indeed, I'm not lacking sword techniques," Yun Jin nodded. "This time, I'm looking for cultivation manuals related to spiritual planting and some alchemy recipes for raising spirit beasts. I still have one thousand contribution points. I wonder what I can exchange them for?"

Elder Ming blinked. "You contracted a spirit beast?"

"Elder Ling was kind enough to bestow one on me."

Elder Ming laughed. "Good judgment! If even a sweet girl like you couldn't win him over, then no one could."

Yun Jin could only smile humbly.

What else could she do?

She had to be mature.

She had to be dignified.

Elder Ming pondered. "Wanting to strengthen your spirit beast is natural. We do have a few pill recipes here, but they're only useful for alchemists. You're better off buying ready-made pills."

"But Elder Ming," Yun Jin blinked innocently, "what if I become an alchemist one day?"

Normally, Elder Ming despised overambitious disciples.

Yet her earnest expression made him chuckle. "Youthful dreams! Very well, I'll fetch you some recipes. Who knows? Maybe this old man will benefit from your skills someday."

He said it as a joke.

But Yun Jin answered solemnly: "I'll work hard."

Elder Ming's smile widened.

"Also, Elder Ming, about those planting techniques…" she reminded him.

"What do you need those for?" he asked, puzzled.

"Tianjian Peak has so much unused land," Yun Jin said earnestly. "I wanted to make use of it, but the sect leader refuses to send planting masters to help. So I thought… I'd learn myself."

Elder Ming's face darkened.

Zhao Wuji had gone too far.

Ever since Lin Ya was injured, he'd schemed to drive away Tianjian Peak's disciples, leaving the peak understaffed.

Without planting masters, its spirit fields lay barren.

This child just wanted to ease her master's burdens.

Such a pure, kind-hearted girl!

Elder Ming's gaze softened further.

"With a thousand points, let's see what we can find for you," he said warmly.

After a moment's thought, several books materialized in his hands.