"Do you intend to go on this trial just like this?"
As if sensing Li Xuan's intentions, Yi Qin's voice echoed in Li Xuan's mind.
"Does senior have any advice?" Li Xuan stopped as he heard the voice. The senior in the Suppressing Prison rarely bothered with him, so his sudden address must mean something.
"You call yourself a sword cultivator, yet you've never heard of a sword cultivator without a sword? Don't tell me you plan to use that Azure Firmament sword in your dantian for your trial. You must understand one thing: the sword within you is your foundation. If the sword is destroyed, you will be the first to die," Yi Qin said.
Li Xuan was taken aback. He had indeed forgotten this point. Although he was a sword cultivator, ever since he first left the Suppressing Prison, his combat had only relied on his initial spirit realm cultivation.
"Senior's teachings are correct. This junior has learned," Li Xuan replied after a moment of silence. Although Yi Qin was not physically present, Li Xuan still bowed respectfully in front of him. Then, Li Xuan strode forward, but in a different direction.
"Where are you going?" Yi Qin spoke again.
"Naturally, I'm going to the Treasure Pavilion to purchase a suitable weapon, and then I'll go for my trial," Li Xuan said.
"I thought you understood, but you're still so foolish," Yi Qin said coldly, with a hint of disappointment in his tone, as if he hated that iron could not be made into steel.
"That woman in yellow already told you that unlike spirit masters, you don't need to absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth to improve your strength. To improve, you only need to absorb spiritual swords. And don't forget, you only have ten years. If you cannot reach a sufficiently powerful state within ten years, I won't be able to protect you if those other existences on the first layer get out," Yi Qin said.
Li Xuan was stunned, then he shook his head with a bitter smile. His thoughts were still stuck in the past. If Yi Qin hadn't reminded him, he might have never realized this. However, Li Xuan's heart then blazed with excitement. To improve his strength just by consuming spiritual swords would be much faster than a spirit master's progress.
"By the way, senior, besides you, how many other seniors are there on the first layer?" Li Xuan suddenly asked out of curiosity.
"The first layer? Besides me, there are four others. These are not things you should be concerned with now; the priority is to improve your strength," Yi Qin said indifferently.
"Senior, I also want to improve my strength. But as you just said, I only need to absorb spiritual swords to do so. However, senior might not know, even a low-grade spiritual sword costs fifty thousand low-grade spirit stones. As for this junior's possessions..." Li Xuan said with a wry smile. He hadn't expected there to be four other beings on the first layer. And those who could be imprisoned with Yi Qin must be of similar strength to him. As for improving his strength, Li Xuan suddenly felt like a clever cook who couldn't cook without ingredients.
"You don't have spirit stones?" Yi Qin immediately understood Li Xuan's meaning. If he had no spirit stones to buy spiritual swords, how could he improve his strength?
"I only have less than a thousand low-grade spirit stones on me, and that's after years of saving by being frugal," Li Xuan nodded with a bitter smile.
"Keep those meager spirit stones for yourself. However, I don't have spirit stones either, so I can't help you," Yi Qin said directly. Then, as if thinking of something, he continued, "Hmm, are there alchemists in this world of yours?"
"Alchemists? Of course, there are, but their status is extremely noble. I recall there is a fourth-grade alchemist in the City Lord's mansion, whom even the City Lord himself highly respects," Li Xuan nodded immediately. However, Li Xuan also gleaned some information from Yi Qin's words. Was Yi Qin not from his world?
"A fourth-grade alchemist? Such a low rank, and yet people value it," Yi Qin scoffed contemptuously, then said indifferently, "But that's good. Since even fourth-grade alchemists are so sought after, your current predicament can be resolved."
"Senior, are you an alchemist?" Hearing Yi Qin's words, Li Xuan's heart stirred, and he immediately asked. However, Li Xuan was also curious. If Yi Qin were truly an alchemist, why would he be imprisoned in the Suppressing Prison?
"Do you want to know my origin, or do you want to solve your problem?" Yi Qin asked indifferently.
"It was my impolite inquiry," Li Xuan said with a wry smile.
"Three qian of golden thread grass, five measures of ginkgo grass, one liang of blood-red棠 flower, ten drops of morning dew... simmer for an hour to produce the Golden Silver Blood Coagulation Pill. This is the formula for a fourth-grade pill, which should fetch a good price. Remember, you owe me a favor," Yi Qin said, and then fell silent. Li Xuan was overjoyed. This senior Yi Qin must be an alchemist, otherwise, he wouldn't have the formula for a fourth-grade pill.
"Thank you, senior," Li Xuan said, and then his figure moved. He went to a clothing store and purchased a black robe. In addition, Li Xuan also bought a bamboo hat. Now, even if Li Yao stood before Li Xuan, she probably wouldn't recognize him. After completing these preparations, Li Xuan headed towards the Treasure Pavilion.
Li Xuan had long heard of the existence of alchemists. The pills they refined were priceless, let alone the value of their formulas. If Li Xuan were to enter the Treasure Pavilion in his true appearance to sell the formula, it would likely attract the covetous eyes of various factions within an hour. With his current insufficient strength, Li Xuan naturally understood the principle of possessing treasures that bring disaster. The Treasure Pavilion was spread throughout the entire Tianyun Kingdom and had a decent reputation.
"Greetings, sir. I am Xiao Qian, your receptionist. May I ask what treasures you wish to purchase?" As Li Xuan stepped through the entrance of the Treasure Pavilion, a maidservant stepped forward with a smile and asked.
"Does your pavilion buy things?" Li Xuan asked indifferently. His voice, slightly weathered, was naturally disguised.
"Of course, we do. Please follow me, sir," Xu Qian replied with a nod, her professional smile unwavering. However, a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes. Most people who came to the Treasure Pavilion to sell things were relatively poor spirit masters. Moreover, the commission for selling was two points less than for purchasing items. If it weren't for her turn, Xu Qian would certainly not have attended to such a guest.
"Young Master Qian, why are you here?" After walking a few steps, several figures entered. Xu Qian's eyes lit up upon seeing them, and she hurried towards them. Midway, she seemed to remember Li Xuan and glanced at a woman not far away, saying, "Xiao Yu, this guest needs to sell something. Please attend to him first."
"Sir, please follow me." Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu quickly walked up to Li Xuan, bowed, and gestured with her side. Seeing this, Li Xuan helplessly shook his head, glanced at Xu Qian, and then turned to follow Xiao Yu upstairs.
"It's Miss Xiao Qian. Didn't you have a guest just now?" Qian Duoduo asked with a smile as Xu Qian approached.
"How can such a distinguished guest compare to you, Young Master Qian? Young Master Qian, what do you need to buy at our Treasure Pavilion this time?" Xu Qian asked ingratiatingly.
"Hmm, my cultivation has recently broken through. I'm here to buy a suitable spirit weapon. Miss Xiao Qian, please lead the way," Qian Duoduo said.
"Buying a spirit weapon! Congratulations on your breakthrough, Young Master. Please come upstairs!" Xu Qian's eyes lit up, and she quickly led the way upstairs.
"May I ask what the esteemed guest wishes to sell? As long as it is something a spirit master needs, our Treasure Pavilion will purchase it," Xiao Yu asked curiously in the room, looking at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan looked at Xiao Yu and asked, "Can Miss Xiao Yu make the decision?"
"For ordinary items, I can make the decision. Our Treasure Pavilion's prices are quite transparent, and we would never cheat a customer," Xiao Yu replied with a nod.
"Can you make the decision for a fourth-grade pill formula?" Li Xuan smiled slightly.
"A fourth-grade pill formula, naturally... What, a fourth-grade pill formula?!" Xiao Yu nodded with a smile, but then her expression changed, and she looked at Li Xuan in surprise.
Seeing this, Li Xuan smiled. "It seems Miss Xiao Yu cannot make the decision. In that case, please find someone who can."
"Please wait a moment, sir." A hint of joy flashed in Xiao Yu's eyes. After bowing to Li Xuan, she turned and quickly left.
"A fourth-grade pill formula?" Qiu Zhen's expression became solemn after hearing Xiao Yu's report. Although the value of a fourth-grade spirit pill was not particularly high, a formula was different. A formula was a livelihood for an alchemist, and very few spirit masters would sell them. Yet, here in his branch, there was a guest selling a fourth-grade pill formula.
Could this person be an alchemist?
As he thought of this, a glint of excitement appeared in Qiu Zhen's eyes. An alchemist who could produce a fourth-grade pill formula was at least a fourth-grade alchemist. If he could win him over, his standing in the headquarters would significantly increase.
The more Qiu Zhen thought about it, the more excited he became. He immediately got up and said, "Let's go, hurry and take me there!"