Chapter Twenty-Seven: Encounter with the Purple-Robed Cultivator Once More

“Red Fruit!”
Sun Qi was uncertain, but Sun Sanjiu spoke up without hesitation.
The red fruit was classified as a second-grade spiritual material; consuming it could indeed significantly enhance one's cultivation, but its greatest value lay in alchemy.
When concocting complex pills, the main herbs used often conflicted with each other, and finding compatible auxiliary herbs was difficult. Even the most impatient alchemists could do nothing about it.
Yet, if one possessed the red fruit at such a time, all problems would be resolved.
The spiritual energy contained within the red fruit was extremely unique—it could harmonize with any other spiritual energy, blending the medicinal effects of various herbs without hindering their efficacy. Adding a red fruit during pill refinement meant that even if the proportions of other herbs were incorrect or the auxiliary herbs mismatched, one could still successfully produce the proper pill.
Because of this property, the red fruit, though only second-grade, commanded a price far higher than many fourth-grade materials.
“So expensive?” Li Mu was deeply skeptical. Could a second-grade red fruit really sell for the value of a fourth-grade material?
“It’s true!”
Sun Sanjiu’s face showed indignation, seemingly displeased by Li Mu’s doubts. “Brother Li, your red fruit is exceedingly precious! It’s as if it was just freshly picked—perfectly preserved, its spiritual energy entirely intact. Red fruits of this grade are excellent auxiliary herbs, suitable for any pill refinement.”
Li Mu nodded slightly, realizing he had indeed acquired a rare treasure; the Spirit Tower continued to surprise him.
He knew how costly fourth-grade materials were, even pricier than the highest-grade Five-Colored Stone, far beyond his current needs and means.
Seeing Li Mu nod, Sun Sanjiu hurriedly continued, “Freshly picked red fruits are treasures for alchemists. Apothecary Shen always covets them—I’ve heard her mention it many times, so I remember well. She says that once a red fruit is picked, its spiritual energy rapidly dissipates. Even with the finest storage devices, much of it will be lost over the years. Brother Li, was your red fruit just picked? You must protect it immediately.”
“Sanjiu speaks truly, haha.” Li Mu produced a storage device, dropped the red fruit inside, and promptly placed it within the Spirit Tower.
Storage devices were vessels used for herbs and pills, inscribed with talismans to prevent the leakage of spiritual energy—very effective.
“If Apothecary Shen saw that red fruit, imagine how delighted she’d be,” Sun Sanjiu murmured, lowering his head.
Sun Qi frowned and tapped him lightly on the forehead, “Stop daydreaming; get to your cultivation.”
Li Mu smiled, “Go on, both of you. I’ll stay here.”
As he watched them leave, Li Mu pondered his options. He definitely couldn’t use the red fruit himself—the Spirit Tower’s pill fusion required no reconciliation or conflict between medicinal properties, only matching herbs.
Such a treasure ought to be used where it was most needed. Apothecary Shen? Perhaps he could consider it.
At dawn, as Sun Qi opened the shop, several cultivators squeezed inside.

“Storekeeper Sun, sell me a few Pan Pills first—I need them urgently!”
“And my pills, hurry! I’ve waited three days, give me one quickly.”
Sun Qi beamed, “No need to rush, there’s enough for everyone. The alchemist has made another batch—everyone will have theirs.”
A cultivator in violet robes approached slowly, “Storekeeper Sun, I placed a deposit yesterday—do you have my order?”
“Ah, Ye Da, yes, yes.” Sun Qi recognized him as the one who had ordered yesterday and quickly handed over the prepared pill.
Ye Da, the violet-robed cultivator, examined the pill carefully and nodded with satisfaction.
After completing his purchase, he turned and left at once.
Just then, Li Mu was taking Li Ying downstairs, and caught sight of Ye Da’s figure, feeling an instant sense of familiarity.
By coincidence, Ye Da also glanced back, unsure why. Their eyes met, and both their expressions changed.
Li Mu recognized Ye Da as the guard from the mine tunnel—the very first enemy he’d encountered in this world, one who had nearly killed him.
Ye Da was equally shocked. He had never imagined that the slave from the mine would appear here. No one could have expected a worthless native to become a cultivator, an impossible feat, yet here it was.
This was troublesome—cultivators weren’t to be treated as mere slaves. Cultivators strictly upheld their codes, united in facing their enemies.
The old grudge was clearly established. Would it be resolved through interaction, or would it escalate further?
Ye Da’s mind was in turmoil. He thought for a moment, then vanished into the crowd.
Li Mu withdrew his gaze and slowly approached Sun Qi. “That violet-robed cultivator—do you know him?”
Sun Qi, busy exchanging spirit crystals for pills, nodded, “Mu, that’s Ye Da, the one I mentioned yesterday, who ordered the Pan Pills.”
“Did he mention his sect yesterday?”
“No, but anyone who can buy fifty Pan Pills at once can’t be from a small sect.”
Li Mu nodded, “No matter, carry on.”
Knowing his name was enough for now. Judging by Ye Da’s cultivation, he was likely in the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, similar to Wang Qi. In De Yang City, he couldn’t cause much trouble. Once Li Mu’s own cultivation rose, he’d settle things then.
For now, he set it aside.

Li Mu gave it no further thought, taking Li Ying by the hand and heading towards Madam Wang’s residence.
Madam Wang shook her head upon seeing Li Ying, “She may enter, but he cannot.”
Li Mu asked in confusion, “Senior Wang, my little sister isn’t a cultivator; she has nothing to do with this.”
“I’m being kind to her,” Madam Wang’s face showed a trace of displeasure. “If you wish that girl to seek death, let her enter.”
Li Mu’s puzzlement grew, his expression darkening slightly. “Senior Wang, why do you say that?”
“Do you think an ordinary person can use a third-grade Spirit Gathering Array? With such dense spiritual energy, a mortal cannot absorb it; it will forcibly enter her body, and though nothing may happen immediately, over time it will overwhelm her. How could she survive?”
Madam Wang stepped gracefully outside, “If you want her to die, follow me.”
Li Mu felt anxious at Madam Wang’s stern words. His cultivation would take days, and he truly couldn’t rest easy leaving Li Ying outside.
Li Ying tugged his hand, calling out, “Big brother, I’ll go home. You go by yourself.”
Li Mu looked down at Li Ying. Normally so lively, she now showed an uncharacteristic sadness, and seeing it made his heart ache.
“Little sister, let me take you home first—it’s my fault, you can’t cultivate yet.” Li Mu sighed, speaking gently.
“Don’t be sad, big brother, it’s nothing.”
Young Li Ying was exceedingly kind, which made Li Mu all the more sorrowful.
“Senior Wang, I’ll return later.”
Li Mu embraced Li Ying and walked towards Wood Jade Hall.
The divide between the immortal and the mundane, the gulf between cultivators and ordinary folk, could not be changed.
He had experienced such situations many times, but this time, his heart was heavy.
“Little sister, I will make sure you can cultivate!” In his heart, he cried out with fierce determination.