Immortality: Raising an Ant Queen to Cultivate by increasing stat points

Chapter 545: 537: Proxy Refinement Intermediary

Chapter 545: Chapter 537: Proxy Refinement Intermediary

He hadn’t come up with a foolproof strategy yet, so he decided to go out and take a look first.

He had to attend the Water and Land Dharma Assembly; there was no way he would let a single Heart-reflecting Mirror scare him off. Risks that needed to be avoided could be actively mitigated.

After leaving the house, Qin Niu did not rush to the site of the Water and Land Dharma Assembly. The opening of the First Immortal Gate lasted for seven days, and it was only the first day now; there was no need to hurry.

Attending earlier didn’t equate to a higher chance of passing.

This time, Qin Niu went straight to the Elixir trading market. In Elixir City, there were many alchemy shops that primarily offered Elixir-making services, with various Elixirs for sale, but the quality was rather ordinary.

The largest free trading market in Elixir City was located in the south of the city, covering a vast area, with a massive influx of visitors every day.

The market dealt in both wholesale and retail of Elixirs.

There were also services for commissioning high-level Elixirs.

Qin Niu came to the market alone.

Standing outside, he could see a very imposing archway upon which were written the three big characters of “Immortal Pill Emporium.”

It sounded a bit tacky but was also very down to earth.

Most people came here seeking Elixirs to increase their cultivation.

If one could find an Immortal Pill here, they could immediately achieve a significant increase in their cultivation level.

Even though the Water and Land Dharma Assembly had attracted many people, it did not affect the prosperity of the Immortal Pill Emporium. The place teemed with people, so crowded that the daily foot traffic here likely exceeded a hundred thousand.

The prosperity of the human world was thoroughly displayed here.

Qin Niu, disguised as just another guest among many, entered the Immortal Pill Emporium with an unnoticeable presence.

“Fresh-out-of-the-furnace Laojun Pills, one pill can add ten years to your life, take one home for just a thousand Veined Silver!”

“Commissioned alchemy services, a 400-year experienced Pill Master, fifth-grade Elixirs or below, with a success rate over 60 percent, transparent pricing.”

“A level ten fox demon’s inner core, in dire need of money, only selling for three thousand Silver Money. Don’t miss out as you pass by!”

…

The shouts and conversations in the market blended into a bustling soundscape.

Here, one could buy all kinds of Elixirs and alchemy materials.

Services for commissioned alchemy were also plentiful.

Qin Niu thought to himself that the Yao Family used to be very good at alchemy. It might be possible to fish out some useful information by inquiring through a commission intermediary.

After some careful observation, he quickly locked onto a target.

She was a very active alchemy commission agent, who would try her best to sell various alchemy services to any interested customers that stopped in front of her stall.

However, her luck today might not have been good, for she hadn’t managed to secure even a single deal despite attracting customers for a long time.

Commissioned alchemists only needed to successfully produce one or two Elixirs a month to get by.

To earn money, of course, one needed to secure several deals.

Qin Niu casually walked over and stopped in front of the woman’s commissioned alchemy stall.

He said nothing, simply staring at her cloth sign.

It listed the specific commissioned alchemy services.

She only accepted commissions for third-grade Elixirs or higher, mainly specializing in Detoxification Pills and Boundary-breaking Elixirs for major breakthroughs.

Alchemy was a vast field, with a multitude of Elixir varieties.

Pill Alchemists would specialize in making one or two types of Elixirs according to their research field.

For example, those who often made Detoxification Pills would specialize in this category.

They were familiar with the recipes for Elixirs and well-versed in the detoxification effects of various Detoxification Pills. More importantly, because they specialized in making these Elixirs, their success rate was also somewhat higher.

“Immortal Master, may I ask if you wish to commission Elixir making?”

The woman asked respectfully.

This woman, who appeared to only have a cultivation level of the Innate Realm, had managed to discern at a glance that Qin Niu was at the Immortal Scholar Realm; she had some ability.

“Can you make Elixirs of the sixth-grade or above?”

Since Qin Niu was prepared to inquire about the Yao family, he obviously had to throw out a substantial lure.

The higher the grade of the elixirs refined, the more the mediator could earn in brokerage fees, increasing by geometric multiples.

A first-grade elixir might only be worth two or three silver taels in total value.

As a mediator, she could at most draw an introduction fee of five mace of silver; that was the limit.

“Ah ah… You want to refine an elixir above the sixth grade? Anything above that is an Immortal Pill, which is advanced alchemy, and the cost is quite frightening. However, our Pill Masters are the top in the industry, with success rates, refinement quality, and credibility that are second to none.”

Upon hearing that Qin Niu wanted to refine an elixir above the sixth grade, the woman was overjoyed.

This was a big business opportunity.

If she could successfully secure this deal, she wouldn’t have to worry about food and drink for several years, making much more than from one or two small orders.

Due to her extreme surprise, she even spoke with some difficulty.

Luckily, she worked in this industry, and soon, she was able to talk effortlessly with her clever mouth.

“Is that so? The elixir I want to refine is a seventh-grade Immortal Pill. Even the auxiliary materials for alchemy are extremely precious, not to mention the several main ingredients. It’s okay if the cost is a bit high; the quality of the elixir and the success rate are most important.”

Qin Niu, with his Immortal Scholar Realm cultivation, stated he wanted to refine a seventh-grade Immortal Pill, making the mediator believe him wholeheartedly.

“Ahaha, an Immortal wants to refine a seventh-grade Immortal Pill! You’ve really come to the right person. Are you preparing to break through to the higher Immortal Envoy Realm? Let me tell you, you have keen judgement for coming to me. I’ve already helped four Immortals refine elixirs for breaking through to the Immortal Envoy Realm… ”

The woman was eloquent as she spoke.

This was exactly what Qin Niu wanted.

He had chosen her as a target precisely because she was willing to say anything.

It is said that some women can’t keep secrets, spilling everything they know.

Now, having encountered Qin Niu, a potential big-client prospect, her sole focus was on how to secure this business and not let this Immortal Scholar slip away.

“Let’s find a quiet and elegant place to discuss in detail! If you really have such impressive alchemy skills, I would be happy to entrust the refinement of this Immortal Pill to you.”

Qin Niu seemed somewhat moved by her words.

The woman, having seen all kinds of people, couldn’t imagine that an Immortal Scholar had intentionally sought her out just to coax information out of her.

“Inside the Immortal Pill Emporium, there are teahouses and taverns. I don’t know if the Immortal prefers tea or alcohol? I can immediately take you to a quiet room for a private discussion.”

She lifted her porcelain wrist and lightly brushed aside her bangs, offering Qin Niu a charming, seductive smile.

If Qin Niu were truly interested in her, the woman would likely be very willing to be graced by his favor.

Many women with low cultivation levels, in order to latch onto a powerful benefactor or obtain help from a strong figure, would resort to their beauty for advantage, especially if they lacked the backing of a powerful family.

However, those who reach the Immortal Scholar level hardly lack for female companionship, and rarely do they demean themselves by consorting with low-level, mediocre women.

If Qin Niu didn’t want to extract some useful information from her, he probably wouldn’t even deign to give her a glance.

“Let’s have tea,” Qin Niu said indifferently.

She covered her mouth with a light laugh and then glanced at Qin Niu with a coquettish look, leading the way with a swaying, graceful waist.

A short while later, the two entered a teahouse.

“Oh, it’s Miss Yue! Are you having tea in the elegant seats on the first floor today, or are you going up to the second?”

She must be a regular here.

The waiter recognized her at a glance, greeting her warmly with a smile.

At the same time, he was discreetly sizing up Qin Niu.

She didn’t take charge but instead, with a playful laugh, looked to Qin Niu.

“Of course, we must follow the wishes of the Immortal!”

“Let’s go to a quiet room on the second floor,” Qin Niu stated directly.

“Alright! A quiet room on the second floor is five taels of silver per hour. We provide complimentary high-quality tea. Please follow me upstairs,” said the waiter, quoting the price.

Miss Yue showed no intention of taking care of the charge herself; instead, she astutely stepped aside with a gesture implying that Qin Niu should lead, accompanying him at his side.