Chu Yang left to seek opportunities, and everything within the Reincarnation Sect proceeded smoothly. Under the guidance of Elder Leng Wei, Qing Xue's control over the Profound Yin Qi became increasingly exquisite; she could now condense ice shards into blades using the Ice Condensation Shaping Art, and had just begun to grasp the fundamentals of the Annihilation Cold Pupils, causing frost to form on vegetation with a single glance. Yu Yin spent her days shuttling between the Pill Pavilion and the Medicinal Garden. Relying on the talent of her Wood Spirit Sacred Body, she had a thorough understanding of basic Medicinal Herbs, and her fire control skills were also maturing daily. She could now barely refine the most rudimentary Sustenance Pills, and although the quality was poor, it was already a huge breakthrough.
Leng Wei remained stationed at the central hub, her Great Emperor Divine Sense enveloping the valley while she continuously reinforced and optimized the Sect Protecting Grand Array, making it impregnable.
One day, Yu Yin ran out of "Dew Condensing Flower," which was required for refining Sustenance Pills. This was the most common Tier One spirit grass and was not grown within the valley. After a moment of hesitation, she approached Qing Xue, who was consolidating her Cultivation Level outside the Trial Illusion Array.
"Senior Sister Qing Xue," Yu Yin spoke softly, "I am short of Dew Condensing Flower for refining pills and need to go down to the Market Town to purchase some. Master is away, and Elder Leng must guard the Grand Array. Can I... can I go down the mountain alone?" She felt a bit anxious, as her Cultivation Level was still shallow, and this would be her first time going out alone.
Qing Xue opened her eyes, her ice-blue gaze falling upon Yu Yin. Her nature was cold, but after spending a few days with this gentle Junior Sister, they had gotten along well. Recalling her Master's instructions before leaving, she pondered for a moment and said, "It is improper for you to go down the mountain alone. I will accompany you; it will be good to have someone to look out for you. Besides, I also need to purchase some wear-resistant clothing in preparation for Illusion Array training."
Upon hearing this, Yu Yin's face immediately lit up with joy: "Thank you, Senior Sister!"
The two reported their intentions to Leng Wei. Leng Wei swept them with her Divine Sense. Qing Xue was at the peak of Qi Refining Third Layer, and Yu Yin was at Qi Refining Second Layer. Among the younger generation in Qingyang City, they were not considered weak. As long as they did not actively provoke powerful enemies, they should be able to protect themselves. She nodded slightly and flicked her fingers, sending two ice-blue Talismans into the palms of the two girls.
"These are 'Profound Ice Protection Talismans.' They can withstand a full-power strike from a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator. Crush them if you encounter danger, and I will sense it." Her voice remained cold, yet carried a trace of imperceptible concern.
"Thank you, Elder Leng!" The two girls gratefully accepted, feeling much more confident.
Returning to Qingyang City, the feeling was completely different from before. Qing Xue was no longer the orphaned girl huddled in a corner waiting to be bullied, and Yu Yin was no longer the "Waste Material" from the Lin Family who couldn't even approach the Pill Refining Room. They wore the Reincarnation Sect's uniform moon-white disciple robes, conjured by Leng Wei using Spiritual Power. Although their Cultivation Levels were not obvious, their demeanor was refined. As they walked, they exuded an ineffable confidence and composure, drawing frequent glances from passersby.
The two headed straight for the West Market Town. It was still bustling, but the lackeys of the Black Tiger Gang who had once bullied Qing Xue were nowhere to be seen. It was rumored that after being frightened at the city gate that day, the gang leader, Wang Biao, had disciplined his subordinates and kept a much lower profile.
Yu Yin, familiar with the area, found a familiar old herb farmer and purchased the required Dew Condensing Flowers. Qing Xue, meanwhile, was at a nearby sundry stall, selecting tough beast hides to sew a few sets of training clothes herself.
Just then, a noisy argument drifted over from not far away.
"Old man! This 'Blood Essence Grass' of yours clearly lacks Spiritual Qi, yet you dare claim it's fifty years old to sell it? Trying to swindle the Black Wind Mercenary Group? Are you tired of living!" a rough voice roared.
In front of an herb stall, several mercenaries clad in leather armor and radiating fierce auras were gathered. The leader, a scarred man with the Cultivation Level of Qi Refining Fifth Layer, was gripping the collar of a white-haired, ragged old man, cursing him vehemently. On the stall, a dark red herb with somewhat withered leaves was tossed on the ground.
The old man's face was pale, and he repeatedly bowed and begged for mercy: "Leader... Leader Liu, this junior would never dare! This Blood Essence Grass was indeed gathered deep in the Sunset Mountain, but it was improperly preserved, causing some Spiritual Qi loss. However, its medicinal age is definitely over fifty years!"
"Nonsense! Do you take us for fools? If you don't compensate me with ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones today, I'll tear apart your old bones!" The scarred Leader Liu sneered, raising his hand to strike.
The surrounding crowd pointed and whispered, but no one dared to step forward. The Black Wind Mercenary Group had a notorious reputation in the Market Town for bullying merchants and extorting people.
Yu Yin frowned slightly upon seeing this. She was naturally kind-hearted and obsessed with the Dao of Medicine, so she hated seeing medicinal herbs wasted or the weak bullied. She instinctively took a step forward and spoke, "Esteemed Leader, may I examine that Blood Essence Grass?"
Her clear voice immediately drew everyone's attention.
Leader Liu turned back and saw a delicate-looking young girl with a weak aura. A hint of lecherousness flashed in his eyes, but upon seeing the cold and sharp-eyed Qing Xue beside her, and the uniform, seemingly ordinary moon-white clothing they both wore, he restrained himself somewhat and snorted, "Little girl, this is none of your business, scram!"
However, Yu Yin was not afraid of him. She walked to the stall, picked up the Blood Essence Grass, examined it closely, and then brought it close to sniff. A flash of understanding crossed her eyes. She turned to the old man and said, "Elder, this Blood Essence Grass of yours is not fifty years old; it is nearly eighty-year-old 'Crimson Cloud Grass.' It's just that the roots were damaged during harvesting, and it was subsequently kept in a damp, dark place, causing Spiritual Qi loss and making the leaves appear withered. However, its core medicinal power remains, and its value far exceeds that of a fifty-year-old Blood Essence Grass."
Her words were clear and logically structured, directly identifying the true nature and value of this herb that had been judged as "inferior"!
The surroundings erupted in an uproar!
The old man was also stunned, looking at Yu Yin in disbelief.
Leader Liu's expression changed, and he angrily retorted, "Nonsense! What Crimson Cloud Grass? I've never even heard of it! Little girl, are you in cahoots with him?"
Qing Xue had also walked up beside Yu Yin by this time. Her icy gaze swept over Leader Liu. Although she said nothing, the aura of Qi Refining Third Layer peak and the faint chill emanating from her made Leader Liu and the mercenaries behind him feel a pang of fear.
"Senior Sister," Yu Yin whispered something to Qing Xue, then faced Leader Liu, neither subservient nor overbearing, "This herb has seven faint golden lines on its stem and red cloud patterns on the back of its leaves—these are the characteristics of Crimson Cloud Grass. If you don't believe me, you can find an experienced Alchemist to verify it. Although this herb's appearance is poor, if nurtured with gentle Wood Spirit Power and morning dew for three days, it can recover some of its spiritual nature. Its value is at least twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
She spoke fluently, clearly explaining the properties, remedy, and value of the Crimson Cloud Grass, revealing a knowledge of the Pill Dao far exceeding her age.
Leader Liu was rendered speechless, his face shifting between green and white. Although he knew nothing about herbs, seeing Yu Yin speak so confidently, and hearing knowledgeable people nearby begin to nod in agreement, he realized he had likely misjudged the situation and kicked an iron plate. Especially the cold-faced young woman beside her, who gave him an extremely dangerous feeling.
"Hmph! Consider me unlucky today!" He sullenly released the old man, glared fiercely at Yu Yin, and retreated sheepishly with his subordinates.
The old man, having narrowly escaped death, thanked Yu Yin profusely and insisted on giving her the Crimson Cloud Grass. Yu Yin could not refuse and only symbolically accepted a few Dew Condensing Flowers as compensation.
After this incident, the way the surrounding people looked at Yu Yin and Qing Xue was filled with surprise and admiration.
"That young lady has incredible eyesight!"
"Which family's young ladies are they? I've never seen them before?"
"Those clothes... they don't seem to have any insignia..."
"That cold-faced girl, her aura is so sharp..."
Amidst the murmurs, the name "Reincarnation Sect" began to quietly spread throughout the Market Town, carried by the figures of the two young women for the first time.
Qing Xue and Yu Yin paid no mind to this. After purchasing the necessary items, they prepared to return to the Sect.
However, just as they were about to leave the Market Town, a richly dressed man resembling a steward stopped them, a respectful smile on his face:
"Two young ladies, please wait. I am a steward from the City Lord's Mansion. My Young Master was captivated by your grace and has prepared a modest banquet at the 'Moon Gazing Tower,' hoping to form an acquaintance with you both. Would you grace us with your presence?"
The Young Master of the City Lord's Mansion?
Qing Xue and Yu Yin exchanged a look, both seeing the wariness in the other's eyes. Had they only shown a slight bit of extraordinary ability before attracting the attention of the City Lord's Mansion?
The waters in this Qingyang City were indeed deep.
With their reputation just beginning to emerge, trouble followed close behind.
Chapter Sixteen End