Chapter Thirty-Three: Shen Bingxue's Decision

Li Mu gently shook his head and picked up a canister of pills to examine. When she saw the pill container, Shen Bingxue’s face revealed a look of reluctance. “These are ten mid-grade Spirit Condensation Pills. They are difficult to refine. Please treasure them.”

Li Mu’s expression shifted slightly—Spirit Condensation Pills were also of the third tier! They could temporarily accelerate the flow of true energy, thereby increasing the speed at which cultivators below the Core Formation stage could cast spells. If, in the past, it took him several seconds to complete the Incendiary Fire technique, with the aid of a Spirit Condensation Pill, he could condense it in just two or three seconds.

The reason for the high price of Spirit Condensation Pills lay precisely here; just one mid-grade pill could sell for as much as ten or more mid-grade spirit crystals, even more than the Intermediate Mustard Seed Pills. On-site, Mustard Seed Pills usually traded at a rate of ten mid-grade spirit crystals, but since his were still in the experimental phase, the cost was much higher.

Even so, Li Mu felt much calmer inside. “If these pills are refined by Apothecary Shen, I will gladly accept them.”

He took out another container of pills, and Shen Bingxue’s expression changed again—this time, even more reluctant, with a touch of resignation.

“These are two Lotusflame Pills,” she said, her voice tinged with reluctance, her eyes showing a trace of serenity.

There were Lotusflame Pills! These pills had no specific grading, but among third-tier pills, they were rare treasures, imbued with a wisp of the special green lotus flame essence. Using such a pill, although one could not cultivate the actual lotus flame, a cultivator’s mastery over fire-based techniques would be significantly enhanced. More importantly, the effect of these pills was fixed; each pill provided its own unique benefit and was exceedingly difficult to obtain.

Their price was nearly incalculable—a single pill could start at several hundred mid-grade spirit crystals, and even then, having the spirit crystals did not guarantee you could buy one.

“Lotusflame Pills?” Li Mu was stunned. “Apothecary Shen, you truly are a genius. To be able to refine such pills is remarkable.”

Shen Bingxue shook her head slightly, her tone humble. “By chance, I obtained a stalk of Greenflame Lotus, a rare fire-elemental material, and was fortunate enough to refine them. It was fate.”

Li Mu nodded solemnly. “Apothecary Shen, you are truly extraordinary.”

He spoke with ease, for it was hard to believe anyone could refine such pills from just a single Greenflame Lotus. Although the Lotusflame Pill required only this main herb and was not the most complex to produce, its refinement was by no means assured.

“How could I be extraordinary?” Shen Bingxue laughed softly, as if mocking herself. “Your friend, Manager Li, is the real genius.”

Hearing this, Li Mu felt a twinge of guilt and could only shake his head in silence.

Shen Bingxue looked at the pill containers and spoke slowly, “If you do not need these two jars of pills, please do not sell them.”

Seeing her manner, Li Mu nodded gently. “Rest assured, Apothecary Shen, I would never sell these pills.”

Having lived twice, Li Mu understood this sentiment well. Many artists refuse to sell their own works for money, and many masters will not buy simply for profit, for they pursue their own ideals and will not sell themselves for gain. Apothecary Shen was clearly such a person—her goal was the art of alchemy, not profit. Otherwise, she would not lack for spirit crystals; selling these pills would only earn her a little extra.

“This is truly a generous gift, Apothecary Shen,” Li Mu said with a gentle smile, satisfied with this exchange. Though he had spent a hundred spirit crystals, the actual value of the Mustard Seed Pills he refined should be around a thousand; Shen Bingxue understood this well, so her gift was more than sufficient.

Yet even as he spoke, Li Mu quickly produced a jade slip. “And this?”

If there was anything else to be exchanged, how could he not accept it?

Shen Bingxue replied graciously, “This jade slip contains several recipes and a few of my insights from refining pills. They are quite basic, just a small token.”

Recipes! If they came from Apothecary Shen, they were surely not ordinary.

At this, Li Mu flushed slightly. “How could I accept? Apothecary Shen, you are already too generous. There’s no need for such a gift just for two pills.”

“It’s nothing,” Shen Bingxue replied with a smile. “Perhaps, one day, I may need to ask a favor of you both. I hope you won’t refuse me then.”

So there was something she might ask in the future. Hearing this, Li Mu no longer protested. “Then I will accept. Fair trade, exchange complete, Apothecary Shen.”

“Manager Li, you are straightforward. I’ll take my leave now.” Shen Bingxue nodded and turned to go.

Suddenly, Li Mu recalled something. “By the way, Apothecary Shen, when do you plan to act? Your senior brother can’t be allowed to take those pills without reason.”

Shen Bingxue’s expression changed slightly. “That is not your concern, Manager Li, ha.”

“Just a reminder, don’t overthink it.” Li Mu shook his head, his gaze suddenly sharp. “Your senior brother Wang Qi is not easy to deal with. Several of his subordinates carry Soul-Capturing Orbs. I suspect those orbs are his, and he is likely connected with the heretics of the Open Abyss Sect.”

Wang Qi was their mutual adversary—it made no sense for Li Mu to conceal such information. If anything happened to Shen Bingxue, it would not benefit him. Besides, she was a rare kind of woman—though not without her troubles, she was far from weak, and her character was admirable.

“Oh!”

Shen Bingxue’s face changed abruptly, the veil trembling. “Is what you say true, Manager Li?”

Li Mu nodded solemnly. “Yes. The Soul-Capturing Orb was taken by the City Lord and was indeed found on Wang Damu. Please, Apothecary Shen, do not speak of this—I have not told the Jade Iron Sect.”

“I understand.” She nodded, her eyes flashing with realization.

“So that’s how it is. Wang Qi’s sudden increase in strength is surely due to his dealings with the heretics. He must have learned some forbidden techniques and used the Soul-Capturing Orbs to rapidly enhance his power. But for the sect leader to leave for months and not return—he must have been killed by Wang Qi and the heretics. Does he intend to seize control of the entire Flower Grove Sect and serve those heretics? Unforgivable.”

All her former doubts were dispelled by Li Mu’s words. Shen Bingxue’s expression grew increasingly grim.

Her initial worry was that Wang Qi might use his strength to threaten her, so she intended to slow his cultivation progress, hoping to advance to the Pulse Refining stage first and thus restrain him. She had only wanted to protect herself. But now, knowing Wang Qi had conspired with heretics, killed the sect leader, and plotted to sell out the entire Flower Grove Sect, everything had changed.

What she must do was no longer merely self-defense.

She had grown up in the Flower Grove Sect, cultivated from the Qi Condensation stage to Foundation Building, and become an alchemist. Though she was highly talented, without the sect leader’s support, she would not have achieved her current position.

To avenge this injustice, she must use her own hand.

Shen Bingxue lowered her face and sighed deeply. This is how people are—when there is something they must do, they should do it without hesitation or regret, and press forward.

Li Mu did not know what she was thinking, but he sensed her resolve. “Apothecary Shen, if there’s anything I can help with, just say the word. Wang Qi is my enemy as well.”

A trace of gratitude flickered across Shen Bingxue’s face, but she replied firmly, “Manager Li, you have already helped me greatly. I will remember it well. But this matter, I must settle myself.”

With that, she left, her steps steady, never once looking back.

“Take care,” Li Mu murmured softly, feeling a surge of emotion. He did not know the depth of the enmity between Apothecary Shen and Wang Qi, but he could tell it ran deep.

He wanted very much to help her, for in helping her, he would help himself. Yet he also knew that with his current strength, there was little he could do.