Divine Transcendence

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"Reporting to the master, the situation is a bit complicated. I've reserved a private room at the teahouse ahead. Let's go there and discuss over tea," Xu Che said in a low voice.

Seeing Yuan Ming nod, Xu Che led the way. Before long, the group arrived at a teahouse named "Ming Yan."

"This teahouse is run by a cultivator from Zhao Country, a master of tea-making. He uses a unique method to blend different tea leaves with spiritual materials, creating tea cakes brimming with spiritual energy. Please have a taste."

Xu Che swiftly prepared tea for everyone.

Yuan Ming took a sip from his cup. The tea was fragrant and left a lingering aftertaste, indeed a rare delicacy.

Vajra downed his cup in one gulp, smacking his lips as if unsatisfied. Hua Zhi, sitting primly to the side, glanced disdainfully at Vajra and, like Zuo Qinghui, did not touch the tea.

Yuan Ming set down his cup and activated a soundproof barrier before speaking.

"Alright, let's hear it."

"Following your orders, I came to Purple Thunder City to search for clues about the Elixir Cleansing Liquid. I made no progress in the first year, but later, after mingling with some local cultivators and attending several exchange meetings and auctions, I finally found some information. This liquid is produced by a business called Hundred Elixir Workshop. It's extremely precious and only supplied to major forces in the Black Wind Desert. Ordinary rogue cultivators know nothing about it," Xu Che reported.

"I seem to have heard of Hundred Elixir Workshop before. They are famous for their elixirs. Some of the Insect Elixirs in Quicksand City are purchased from them," Yuan Ming said thoughtfully, tapping his fingers on the table.

"You're right. Hundred Elixir Workshop is a rising power in the Black Wind Desert, established a few years ago and renowned for their elixirs," Xu Che added.

"Since you found out they can produce the Elixir Cleansing Liquid, have you made contact with them?" Yuan Ming asked.

"Yes. I thought if I could buy it, you wouldn't need to come personally. A few days ago, I spent a sum of spirit stones to invite a somewhat influential cultivator from Purple Thunder City to accompany me to Hundred Elixir Workshop. However, the shopkeeper politely refused, citing a shortage," Xu Che explained.

"Hmph, shortage? More likely an excuse," Hua Zhi said in a sharp voice.

Hua Zhi's cultivation had improved significantly, now just a step away from the second upper tier. With her increased strength, her human form had become more lifelike, though she still couldn't drink tea but could barely speak.

"It might not be an excuse. If the Elixir Cleansing Liquid were easy to produce, Hundred Elixir Workshop wouldn't only do business with major forces," Yuan Ming shook his head slowly.

"Should we sneak in and steal a bottle or two?" Hua Zhi suggested.

Xu Che's expression changed slightly. Purple Thunder City was under the jurisdiction of the Wulei Sect, not a place for reckless actions. He was about to advise against it.

"Given that Hundred Elixir Workshop can do business with major forces in the Black Wind Desert, they must be quite powerful. Even with your earth-escape technique, it would be difficult to succeed," Yuan Ming said.

"Let's do this: I'll make contact first. If we still can't buy it, we'll think of another way," Yuan Ming decided after a brief contemplation.

Hua Zhi remained silent, looking somewhat disappointed.

Yuan Ming instructed Zuo Qinghui, Hua Zhi, and Vajra to wait at the teahouse while he and Xu Che headed deeper into Purple Thunder City.

The city's security was relatively good for the Black Wind Desert, at least not as chaotic as Quicksand City, and there was no distinction between inner and outer city. The two soon arrived at a large shop with a sign reading "Hundred Elixir Workshop."

The shop was quite spacious, almost the size of two nearby shops combined, with five floors in total. Business was booming, with cultivators constantly coming and going, most with excited expressions.

Yuan Ming and Xu Che entered the shop, Yuan Ming's attention drawn to the rows of elixir shelves, which held a wide variety of elixirs, almost comparable to those in Qingmu Tower of Shengye Sect.

"What elixirs do you two gentlemen need?" A green-robed attendant greeted them with a smile.

Without waiting for Yuan Ming to speak, Xu Che stepped forward. After a brief negotiation, the green-robed attendant glanced at Yuan Ming and led them inside, soon arriving at the third floor where they met a white-robed scholar, whom the attendant addressed as "Manager Huo."

"Daoist Xu, why are you here again? As I told you before, I can't help with that matter. You don't need to waste your efforts," the white-robed scholar said, glancing at Yuan Ming.

"Manager Huo, I understand. This is my master, who has come personally today. Please inform your shopkeeper, Yan," Xu Che said.

"Our shopkeeper is not here today, out visiting friends. I'm afraid you two have made a trip in vain," the white-robed scholar said coldly, seemingly annoyed by Xu Che's persistence.

"Is that so? Manager Huo, why don't you check inside again? Your shopkeeper might have returned," Yuan Ming said calmly.

The white-robed scholar sneered inwardly.

Purple Thunder City was the largest city in Zhao Country within the Black Wind Desert, with countless cultivators visiting daily. As a manager of Hundred Elixir Workshop, he usually dealt with high-level officials of large businesses or disciples of cultivation sects.

Who were Xu Che and Yuan Ming? Probably from some small family in a remote corner, yet they dared to order him around.

He was about to make a seemingly polite but actually sarcastic remark when his gaze met Yuan Ming's, and he felt as if he were magnetically attracted, unable to look away. The white-robed scholar's mind went blank, unable to move or make a sound, and he was filled with terror.

As the fear surged, it multiplied a hundredfold, overwhelming the white-robed scholar's mind in an instant.

His body trembled, tears streamed down his face, and a wet patch quickly spread on his pants.

Xu Che watched this scene, his face impassive but his heart filled with surprise and joy.

The manager of Hundred Elixir Workshop, though somewhat snobbish, was immensely powerful. This white-robed scholar was a genuine late Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, rumored to be close to forming a false Golden Elixir. Yet, he was reduced to tears and incontinence by a single glance from Yuan Ming!

This was probably one of the rare moments of disgrace in his cultivation career.

Yuan Ming nodded inwardly. He had just used an illusion to control the white-robed scholar and then employed his "Emotion Control" ability to manipulate his fear. This was the first time he used this ability on a cultivator, and the result was quite satisfactory.

Combining Emotion Control with illusions greatly amplified their power. Although the white-robed scholar's cultivation was not much weaker than Yuan Ming's, he had no chance to resist.

Yuan Ming stopped manipulating the scholar's emotions and casually took a seat.

The white-robed scholar's fear slowly subsided, and he regained his composure, feeling a mix of shame and anger but not daring to confront Yuan Ming. After a deep look at Yuan Ming, he hurriedly left.

"Master, Manager Huo is a prominent figure in Hundred Elixir Workshop. Though he deserved it, making him lose face indirectly offends the shopkeeper. I'm afraid today's visit might be in vain," Xu Che hesitated.

"No matter," Yuan Ming waved his hand dismissively.

Judging by the way Hundred Elixir Workshop sold the Elixir Cleansing Liquid, it was clear they were not just looking to exchange for spirit stones but to make connections with influential friends.

As a rogue cultivator, Yuan Ming knew it was unlikely he could buy it through normal channels.

He never expected to purchase it with spirit stones from the start. His goal today was to meet the shopkeeper of Hundred Elixir Workshop.

Once he met them, he could use other means.

"By the way, I didn't have time to ask earlier. Who is the shopkeeper of Hundred Elixir Workshop, and what is their cultivation level?" Yuan Ming inquired.

"Master, the shopkeeper is named Yan Sijing. I haven't met her, but she's said to be young, at the late Foundation Establishment stage," Xu Che replied.

"Late Foundation Establishment stage!" Yuan Ming was taken aback.

He had assumed that someone who could establish such a large business must be at least a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, but it turned out to be a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator.

He became quite interested in this person.

The white-robed scholar hurried to the back hall, changed into clean clothes, and finally calmed down.

"Damn it, where did that young man come from? Just one look and I ended up like this. Even a Nascent Soul stage cultivator might not be able to do that. Could he be close to forming a Golden Elixir?" He was filled with dread, and any thoughts of revenge vanished.

After a moment of hesitation, he stomped his foot and headed to the fourth floor.

Yuan Ming used his spiritual consciousness to track the white-robed scholar and, seeing this, felt reassured and withdrew his consciousness.

It wasn't that he didn't want to continue tracking, but the fourth floor of Hundred Elixir Workshop was protected by a barrier that blocked spiritual consciousness. Forcing a probe might trigger the barrier's alarm, which would be counterproductive.

A white light flashed from the jade pendant hanging at the white-robed scholar's waist, allowing him to pass through the barrier on the fourth floor. He quickly reached a side hall and knocked on the door.

"Manager Huo, what's the matter?" A clear female voice came from inside, like the tinkling of a spring, yet carrying authority.

"A guest at the false Golden Elixir stage has arrived, seemingly with some background, wanting to purchase the Elixir Cleansing Liquid. He is accompanied by Xu Hu, who came a few days ago. I didn't dare make a decision and came to seek your instructions," the white-robed scholar said, bowing his head.

Xu Che had enemies in the Wulei Sect, and though he might not encounter them in Purple Thunder City, he had taken the precaution of using a pseudonym.

"Xu Hu? The one brought by the young master of Hundred Refinement Pavilion? I remember he was a rogue cultivator," the clear voice asked.

"Yes, but Xu Hu addressed the other person as his master, with great respect. It seems our previous information was incorrect. They should be from a cultivation family, but I couldn't identify their background and came to seek your instructions," the white-robed scholar explained.

"Oh, if they are from a cultivation family with a false Golden Elixir stage cultivator, it wouldn't be appropriate to refuse directly. I'll handle it," the clear voice said.

The side hall door opened, and a young girl in a pale yellow dress emerged.

She looked about seventeen or eighteen, lively and charming, with large, clear eyes that gave her an impish appearance.

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