Eighty spirit stones was a substantial sum, not easily spent even by a clan member.
Buying anything more might arouse suspicion.
Gu Changhuan hummed a light tune as he returned to the backyard of the Wanbao Pill Pavilion.
He froze as soon as he entered the rear courtyard.
Gu Wanhao sat on a stone stool, watching him with amusement in his eyes.
“Grandfather, shouldn’t you be in the alchemy room refining pills at this hour?” Gu Changhuan rubbed the bridge of his nose, his voice trailing off into an awkward whisper.
Caught by his grandfather after sneaking out.
What a feeling…
Not to mention the rather conspicuous robes he had chosen to wear.
He wished the ground would open up and swallow him, ridiculous outfit and all.
“What fine treasures did you manage to dig up on West Street?
Let your grandfather see what kind of eye our Changhuan has!” Gu Wanhao teased him.
He knew about the boy’s questions to Gu Changde and had guessed what he intended.
Changhuan had a good eye for herbs, but West Street’s vendors were old hands.
It would be no surprise if they had taken him in.
“Grandfather, look at this!” Gu Changhuan hurried to Gu Wanhao’s side, producing the Spirit-Concealing Flower seeds with the eager air of a child offering a rare prize.
As a Second-Tier Middle-Grade Alchemist, Gu Wanhao’s discernment was far from ordinary.
A single glance was enough for him to recognize that these were not common, unranked seeds, but genuine Second-Tier Low Grade Spirit-Concealing Flower seeds.
He bolted straight to his feet.
“Spirit-Concealing Flower seeds!
There is no mistake!
Changhuan, you have rendered a tremendous service to the clan!” He laughed heartily.
The formula for Spirit-Concealing Pills in the Gu Clan’s Scripture Pavilion had gathered dust for over a hundred years.
Now, it could finally be put to use!
Ordinary people could not identify those seeds.
Without the Tongxian Map, even Gu Changhuan could not have recognized them at a glance.
His grandfather had done so easily, proof of his exceptional eye.
Spirit-Concealing Pills did not help cultivation, but were essential for travelers—or those planning murder and arson.
Growing the flowers and refining the pills would bring the clan a new source of income.
Spirit-Concealing Flowers were hard to find.
Usually only alchemists of the second tier or higher could recognize them, and such respected practitioners were unlikely to search personally for an ingredient that did not aid cultivation.
“Grandfather, I remember our clan possesses the legacy formula for the Spirit-Concealing Pill.
With these seeds, the Wanbao Pill Pavilion will likely be able to sell them within a few years!” Gu Changhuan said excitedly.
“According to clan rules, members who contribute rare flora previously absent from our stores receive special rewards!
Hehehe, grandfather, how many Spirit Stones and Contribution Points do you think the Patriarch will award me?” In truth, Gu Changhuan hoped for more Spirit Stones so he could continue scouring the rogue markets for bargains.
Gu Wanhao knew what the boy was thinking.
He had tasted success in bargain-hunting.
His very first trip to the rogue cultivators’ stalls, and he had found real treasures without being cheated.
Unusual indeed.
He stroked his beard thoughtfully.
“Did Changhuan acquire anything else besides these?” He was eager to see what other surprises the boy might have brought back.
Gu Changhuan took the flood-serpent egg from his storage bag.
Gu Wanhao inspected it briefly.
“This appears to be a First-Tier Low Grade demon snake egg.
It is far too early for you to attempt raising a spirit beast, and the grade of this egg is quite low.
It will offer little benefit to your future path.” “Even you can miss something, Grandpa!” Gu Changhuan exclaimed theatrically when his grandfather failed to spot what was special about the egg.
Without hesitation, Gu Wanhao brought his hand down in a firm rap against the boy’s head.
Still unsatisfied after the strike, he declared, “If you cannot give a satisfactory explanation for this, you will spend the next month cleaning my alchemy furnaces!” Gu Changhuan rubbed his head, grinning impishly.
“Look closely, Grandpa.
It’s a mutated snake egg!” At the word mutation, Gu Wanhao’s eyes widened sharply before narrowing in disbelief.
Mutated beasts were exceedingly rare.
If every random beast egg found in the markets possessed a mutation, such creatures would be as common as stray dogs.
He took the egg and examined it carefully, only to find that it had swallowed a trace of his divine sense.
Gu Wanhao’s hand trembled slightly as he held the egg.
“Grandfather, I wasn’t wrong, was I?” Gu Changhuan asked with a trace of pride.
Gu Wanhao handed the egg back.
“How did you know this was a mutated beast egg?” The old man, more than a hundred years of age, studied Gu Changhuan with clear eyes.
Gu Changhuan’s smile faltered.
He had grown careless!
For a moment Gu Changhuan felt guilty.
Then he declared with more confidence than justification, “I just know!
I can feel it!” Gu Wanhao had not expected such a blunt reply.
Naturally, he did not suspect the boy of harboring some profound celestial treasure; since embarking on the path of cultivation, Gu Changhuan had barely left the family domains and had encountered no major fated chances.
Yet for a first-time visitor to the rogue stalls to unearth valuable items repeatedly defied the bounds of ordinary luck.
Could it be…
Did this child possess a rare Spiritual Body connected to the detection of treasures?
Such a phenomenon had never been heard of before!
The Gu Clan’s foundation was shallow, leaving them entirely ignorant regarding rare Spiritual Bodies.
Gu Wanhao was overjoyed at the thought.
A spiritual body’s aid to cultivation weakened greatly beyond a certain realm, but one with a useful special ability was another matter altogether.
“Your ability to sense spiritual treasures is likely tied to your innate constitution.
Here is a manual on binding a spirit beast; keep it safe.” He quickly changed tack, then pressed further, “Did you sense any other Second-Tier spiritual items while walking through West Street?” Gu Changhuan relaxed inwardly.
He had got away with it.
He accepted the jade slip.
“So that’s why.
There were about four or five other second-tier items on West Street, but no more second-tier medicinal herbs.
Do you want to buy them all, Grandpa?” “Naturally.
While Second-Tier items lack the supreme value of Third or Fourth-Tier treasures, they are hardly common enough to be ignored.” Gu Wanhao paused before adding with a faint smile, “Remember, Changhuan: in this world, you’d be a damn fool to pass up a bargain!” Gu Changhuan nodded vigorously.
He produced a brush and paper, quickly sketching the locations and appearances of the remaining spiritual items he had marked.
Gu Wanhao took the drawing and called for Gu Changde.
Gu Changhuan had already returned to his room, eager to bind the flood-serpent egg to himself.
As a Foundation Establishment expert, Gu Wanhao could not go himself without attracting unwanted attention.
Gu Changde was the ideal choice for the task.
Familiar with the locals and possessing a well-known face among the rogues, he could move without arousing suspicion.
“Grand Elder, what would you like me to do?
Clean the alchemy furnace, or…” Gu Wanhao interrupted him and handed him a storage bag and the drawing.
“Buy everything listed upon this paper.
The Spirit Stones are inside.
Ensure you carry this out discreetly without drawing the attention of outsiders.” His expression turned solemn as he fixed his gaze on Gu Changde.
“Do you understand my meaning?” Gu Changde examined the contents of the parchment, then patted his chest with absolute confidence.
“Elder, rest easy!
Changde will handle this flawlessly and leave not a trace of suspicion behind!” Gu Changde had another chance to slack off on the clock.
He was full of energy, leaving with unmistakable enthusiasm.
One could only hope the rogue vendors on West Street were prepared for another round of his relentless chatter.
Gu Wanhao stroked his beard and smiled.
Despite the junior’s talkative nature, he could not help but be fond of him.