Zhou Fu quickly left to make arrangements regarding the Formless Mystic Grass.
In truth, Yang Kai could have purchased the spirit herbs himself, but it would have wasted time and energy. Having Zhou Fu handle it was a different matter entirely — the shopkeepers all maintained regular contact with one another. Whenever certain materials were needed, a single word was enough to have everything arranged, far more efficient than Yang Kai handling it personally.
Once Zhou Fu had departed, those two disheveled-looking fellows asked with brightened expressions, "Master Yang wants the Formless Mystic Grass — is it for alchemy?"
Yang Kai offered a faint smile. "Something like that. Judging by your appearances, you must be alchemists as well?"
"Indeed, indeed! It is our greatest honor to be traveling alongside Master Yang," one of them replied with an obsequious grin.
The other chimed in, "Master Yang, we two have long admired you from afar. We always regretted that fate never gave us the chance to meet — who could have imagined that such an opportunity would arise today? Truly, this is the fortune of three lifetimes!"
These two seemed as though their tongues had been oiled, trading flattery back and forth with expressions of utmost humility and reverence, as if they were ready to enshrine Yang Kai on an altar.
Ye Qinghan watched all of this with her jaw practically on the floor, feeling as though her entire worldview had been shattered. She could scarcely believe her own eyes.
In every world she had known, alchemists were invariably arrogant and self-aggrandizing souls — when had she ever seen alchemists grovel and fawn like this?
But after a moment's thought, it made sense. The only ones capable of humbling an alchemist were those who surpassed them. Yang Kai had even refined the Supreme Mystery Pill, a nearly lost divine elixir — it was only natural that these two Void King realm alchemists would treat him with such deference.
The pair continued their relentless flattery, heaping praise upon Yang Kai without any sign of stopping, declaring him unmatched under heaven and beyond.
Yang Kai cleared his throat. "Do the two of you perhaps have something you need Yang Kai to help with? I happen to have some free time at the moment…"
Upon hearing this, the two exchanged a glance, each spotting the excitement in the other's eyes. One of them said rapidly, "Master Yang is perceptive! Here is the matter — we've heard that when you were refining Source Condensing Pills at the Spirit Pill Workshop, the product was warmly received and highly praised by customers of all backgrounds. But ever since the two of us took over, the Source Condensing Pills we produce have always seemed to lack a certain depth. Many customers have been quite dissatisfied, and as a result the Workshop's foot traffic has dropped significantly. We were hoping… hoping that if Master Yang has the time, you might give us a brief introduction to your insights on alchemy?"
Yang Kai replied, "The Source Condensing Pill formula at the Spirit Pill Workshop — that was improved by Master Huangpu, was it not?"
"Exactly! Master Huangpu is an Emperor-grade alchemist and a pillar of our Purple Source Trading Company!"
"If the formula came from Master Huangpu's hand, then it must be flawless. I imagine the issue lies in some imperfections in your own refinement process. Words alone may not be sufficient to address it. Why don't we do this — refine a batch of Source Condensing Pills right now, and I'll observe from the side and offer some guidance. How does that sound?"
The two perked up at once, realizing that Yang Kai intended to give them on-the-spot instruction. They understood immediately that this was a godsend opportunity — something most people could never dream of obtaining. Without hesitation, they replied in unison, "Master Yang's instruction is our command! Please, Master, lead the way!"
Yang Kai nodded and rose to his feet. He led them with practiced ease toward the underground alchemy chamber, and Ye Qinghan followed close behind out of sheer curiosity.
Though she possessed a Dao Source second-stage cultivation, she had never once witnessed someone performing alchemy in her entire life. Her interest was palpable.
Before long, the group arrived at the underground alchemy chamber. The place radiated intense heat — a formation channeled the subterranean flames for use in pill refinement. Yang Kai had spent several months here in the past and knew the layout intimately.
He instructed the two to each take out a set of ingredients and begin refining. Then he stood before them, observing closely.
Given his current level of alchemical mastery, guiding two Void King realm high-grade alchemists posed no difficulty whatsoever. Refinement techniques, inscribing spirit arrays, controlling flame intensity — it was the accumulation of countless small details that ultimately determined the quality and grade of a batch of pills.
Yang Kai offered corrections from time to time, and both alchemists accepted his guidance with genuine humility.
Half a day passed in the blink of an eye. When the two finally opened their furnaces, each had successfully produced five or six pills of excellent quality. They were ecstatic, and their gratitude toward Yang Kai deepened even further.
At that moment, Zhou Fu sent word that he had returned with the Formless Mystic Grass.
Yang Kai told the two alchemists to remain and reflect on the lessons from this refinement session, then made his way back to the secret chamber in the rear hall.
Zhou Fu was already waiting inside. Upon seeing Yang Kai arrive, he promptly produced a spatial ring and said, "I am glad to report that my task was completed successfully. Here are two thousand stalks of Formless Mystic Grass. Please accept them, Master Yang."
Yang Kai raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Shopkeeper Zhou, your efficiency is impressive."
Two thousand stalks of Formless Mystic Grass — more than enough to last him a considerable while. And Zhou Fu had gathered them all in just half a day, clearly having gone to great lengths. Had Yang Kai attempted to buy them himself, he certainly would not have acquired this many in the same amount of time.
"The price…" Yang Kai picked up the spatial ring and looked up questioningly.
Zhou Fu waved his hand dismissively. "These herbs are of no great value. Consider them a small token of my sincerity. I implore Master Yang not to decline."
Yang Kai smiled. "I cannot accept something for nothing. There is no need for this, Shopkeeper Zhou."
As he spoke, Yang Kai suddenly waved his hand, and a small mountain of source crystals appeared on the table in an instant.
Before Zhou Fu could utter another word, Yang Kai's figure flickered and vanished from the secret chamber altogether, Ye Qinghan disappearing along with him.
Only a single voice reached Zhou Fu's ears: "If Shopkeeper Kang ever returns to Maple City, please pass along a message for me — when we meet again, we shall drink to our hearts' content."