Chapter Seventy-Three: The Trading District

The woman walked ahead, while Lu Zhe and the old healer followed behind, chatting as they went.

“Master, why does she keep swaying her hips?” Lu Zhe asked in astonishment, watching the woman in front of them.

At that moment, the woman leading Lu Zhe and the old healer was walking ahead, occasionally swaying her slender waist and delicate figure, exuding a seductive and uncanny charm.

The old healer glanced up and murmured, “That’s the influence of an alchemist.”

“Huh?” Lu Zhe was puzzled.

The old healer smiled lightly. “You’ll understand in time.”

Lu Zhe still didn’t quite get it, but he nodded nonetheless.

The woman continued to sway as she guided them to a private room.

As they entered, Lu Zhe took a breath—the room was extravagantly luxurious and lavishly decorated. Yet, aside from a single set of sofas, there was little else, save for some ornamental potted plants.

The old healer sprawled carelessly across the main sofa, legs crossed and head propped up, looking every bit the lord of the manor. “Tea,” he commanded.

The woman nodded and left.

Lu Zhe sat down and glanced around. “Master, what were you up to just now?”

The old healer grunted, then sat up. “Nothing, just looking around.”

Lu Zhe replied with an “Oh,” and said no more.

After a while, the woman returned, carrying a tray with two cups and a kettle. She prepared tea for Lu Zhe and the old healer, then offered a slight bow. “Young Master Lu.”

Lu Zhe looked up at her. “Yes?”

She smiled faintly. “Just now, I heard you wish to apply directly for the Two-Cauldron Alchemist certification?”

“That’s right,” Lu Zhe nodded.

She looked a little apologetic. “According to the rules, if you wish to apply for Two-Cauldron Alchemist, you must first pass the One-Cauldron Alchemist exam, then proceed to the Two-Cauldron exam.”

“Oh, if that’s the rule, let’s follow it,” Lu Zhe replied indifferently.

She smiled, bowed again. “Is there anything else you require?”

As she spoke, she examined Lu Zhe and the old healer with a curious gaze.

Lu Zhe glanced at her and realized she was intently watching the old healer, a hint of allure in her eyes.

The old healer ignored her, still sprawled across the sofa.

The atmosphere grew awkward, until Lu Zhe cleared his throat. “I noticed something outside called a trading area—what’s that about?”

The woman smiled. “It’s a space provided by the Alchemist Guild for alchemists to trade. You can buy items or barter there.”

Lu Zhe nodded. “Sounds interesting, Master, I’ll go have a look.”

The old healer nodded with eyes closed, then suddenly remembered something. “Check if they have Waterleaf Ganoderma and Ice Spirit Flower.”

Lu Zhe was surprised. “Master, what do you need those for?”

“They’ll be useful for you later,” the old healer replied, turning over on the sofa.

He then pulled out several bottles and tossed them to Lu Zhe.

Lu Zhe examined the bottles—each contained either a pill or some powder.

He held them up, puzzled. “Master, what are these?”

The old healer, still lying with arms crossed and eyes shut, replied, “Those herbs are hard to come by. These are a few bottles of Four-Cauldron gold-tier pills—see if you can trade for them.”

Lu Zhe nodded, put away the bottles, then stood up. He glanced at the woman, who was stunned by the casual display of Four-Cauldron gold-tier pills, smiled, and left the room.

After Lu Zhe left, the woman looked at the sleeping old healer, her eyes filled with awe and respect.

She hesitated, then slowly undid her belt. Just as she was about to remove her outer garment, a streak of golden light shot through the air, arcing gracefully before landing steadily on the table in front of her.

The golden light shimmered, and she saw it was a glittering gold coin.

“I’m not interested. Consider it your tip, now leave,” the old healer said coldly, eyes still closed.

She froze, then quickly put her clothes back on, picked up the coin, thanked him, and left.

Lu Zhe strolled toward the trading area on the left side of the hall. Even from a distance, he could hear the lively, bustling crowd.

He shrugged and walked into the trading area.

It was vast, occupying about a third of the hall. Many alchemists had set up stalls displaying pills, herbs, or alchemical formulas. Groups of people haggled at each stand; though the noise was fierce, no one dared start a fight here.

Lu Zhe strolled through the aisles, glancing at the herbs on display. Not only had he memorized the old healer’s “Compendium of Hundred Herbs,” but he had also studied two other herb manuals. The herbs here were all quite ordinary, suitable for making one or two-cauldron pills—far below what the old healer required.

Lu Zhe wandered the aisles until he noticed a crowd gathered around one stall. Curious, he moved closer.

He found the crowd layered three or four deep. He hopped, but couldn’t see inside, so he used his strength to push through.

After much effort, he reached the center, where he saw a transparent glass jar containing a flower-like plant. Unlike ordinary flowers, this one was a delicate pink.

“Pink Fire Blossom?” Lu Zhe murmured in surprise.

Pink Fire Blossom is a spirit herb, ranked at two cauldrons, of the fire element. Though it is fire-aligned, its effect on spiritual power isn’t significant. Consuming it turns one’s flames pink, making it popular among female alchemists.

“No wonder there’s such a crowd—it’s a spirit herb,” Lu Zhe muttered.

He had no interest in such things. After a quick glance, he prepared to leave. But as he pushed through, the crowd suddenly parted.

Lu Zhe was startled, then saw a woman walking calmly toward the stall.

He nearly stumbled, but steadied himself just as she reached him.

Lu Zhe looked at her—her beauty was pristine and radiant, with short silver hair, fair skin, and exquisite features. She was a true beauty, but her brows were furrowed, her eyes cold as a winter’s night, her face devoid of any warmth. She had the air of an icy, aloof goddess.

She glanced at Lu Zhe, then at the Pink Fire Blossom in the jar. Her eyes flickered slightly. She stepped forward, inspected the jar, and looked up at the stall owner. “How much for this?”

The stall owner, an elderly man, beamed. “You know your herbs, miss. This is a rare spirit herb. Since you and this herb are fated, I’ll give you a discount—just one Four-Cauldron pill in exchange.”

The crowd, including Lu Zhe, drew in a breath. A Four-Cauldron pill was worth about a hundred thousand gold coins. Four-Cauldron alchemists were rare, and though the spirit herb was uncommon, it was worth no more than eighty thousand at best. The stall owner was certainly asking a lot.

The woman hesitated, then took out a bottle from her ring and handed it over. “Here’s a Four-Cauldron pill. Will that do?”

The old man carefully examined the bottle, opened it, sniffed the contents, and then smiled broadly. “It’s genuine, it’s genuine.”

The woman said nothing, picked up the jar, and left.

As she departed, the crowd began to whisper, “Isn’t that Roya, the apprentice of our Vice President Audis? No wonder she’s so generous.”

Lu Zhe was taken aback. The vice president’s apprentice—no wonder she could offer a Four-Cauldron pill.

Suddenly, a broadcast sounded behind him: “All alchemist candidates, please assemble in the hall.”

Lu Zhe hurried off to the main hall.