Meng Lin left the inn with her mind already calculating her next moves. Selling the pills and weapons came first, but she also needed to buy more ingredients as she currently didn't have much left.

  She made her way to the bustling commercial district, where cultivators of various realms moved between stalls and stores.

  Her first stop was the Moonlight Pavilion, a Luo branch family establishment, where she presented a storage bag filled with mid-grade weapons to the receptionist.

  After their initial shock, they quickly called the manager, who led Meng Lin to the back room to negotiate the price of each weapon.

  It was the manager’s first time making a deal involving over a dozen middle-grade weapons at once. But despite his surprise, he continued to be professional and carefully inspected the quality of each weapon.

  As for Meng Lin, she wasn’t concerned about any potential trouble. As a Soul Wandering Realm cultivator, it was only natural for her to possess and trade such items.

  Furthermore, she believed that no other cultivator at her level would be foolish enough to make an enemy of her over a mere batch of middle-grade weapons.

  However, in the end, it all came down to strength; she believed in her own power to handle any threats that might arise.

  Even if someone were reckless enough to make a move against her, she had confidence in her ability to deal with them swiftly.

  As for the involvement of a Nascent Soul cultivator, it was even less likely, but even then she held confidence. So after a quick negotiation, Meng Lin successfully sold the weapons at a favorable price.

  Before leaving, she also purchased some ores and blacksmithing ingredients, ensuring she had enough materials for future use.

  Next, she visited the Spirit Essence Hall, a high-end alchemist shop. There, she experienced a repeat of the previous store as the store manager quickly led her to another room.

  After examining the dozens of pill bottles, the store manager, an old man, nodded approvingly. “High-tier refinement. Impressive.” He stroked his beard. “I’ll offer 800 middle-grade spirit stones for the lot.”

  Meng Lin’s expression remained neutral. “1,200.”

  The old man chuckled. “You drive a hard bargain, young lady.” He stroked his beard for a moment before finally agreeing. “Very well. 1,200 middle-grade spirit stones.”

  After the payment, the old man stroked his beard and hesitated before he asked, "Are you perhaps an alchemist?"

  Meng Lin met his gaze, her expression calm as she nodded her head.

  The store manager’s eyes twinkled with interest. “If you are truly an alchemist, you may find something of interest at an auction being held in two days.”

  Meng Lin’s gaze sharpened slightly. “An auction?”

  The old man nodded. “Yes. It will feature a collection of rare materials, including high-quality spiritual herbs, and even a few Rank 4 jade slips containing ancient pill formulas. While such slips are difficult to verify, many alchemists will be attending for the chance to acquire one.”

  He then reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small, intricately engraved token. “If you’re interested, I happen to have a recommendation ticket. This will grant you access to the private booths."

  Meng Lin’s eyes flickered with interest as she looked back at the old man. "I believe you aren't just offering this to me for no reason. What's your real agenda?"

  The old man chuckled awkwardly, revealing a cheeky smile. “Well… to be honest, I was hoping you might be able to help me with something in return.” His tone grew more serious as he sighed.

  Meng Lin remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

  “I won’t hide it from you. At my age, my lifespan is running out.” He let out a bitter chuckle. “I have tried countless methods to extend my years, but my limited talent and lack of resources have left me with few options. I had hoped to acquire a Longevity Pill, but such a thing is too rare and expensive for someone like me.”

  He met Meng Lin’s gaze. “You are at least a Rank 4 alchemist, and from what I’ve seen, your skill is extraordinary. I was wondering if you might be able to refine a Soul Wandering Pill for me.”

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Meng Lin’s expression remained unreadable as she considered his words. Soul Wandering Pills were far rarer than even Longevity Pills; why would he ask for something like that?

  “I’m stuck at the peak of the Gold Core Realm,” the old man continued. “I don’t have the resources to make a breakthrough on my own. A Soul Wandering Pill is my last hope, but I lack the means to obtain it. If you could help me, I have something with which I can exchange it.”

  Meng Lin’s gaze hardened slightly. “And what would that be?"

  The old man hesitated, then reached into his storage bag and pulled out a small book.

  The book he retrieved was old, its cover worn with age, but the faint spiritual fluctuations emanating from it hinted at its value.

  “This is the Jade Spirit Codex,” the old man said, his voice tinged with reluctance. “It contains a rare cultivation technique known as the Six Lotus Rebirth Path—a cultivation method that allows a practitioner to shed their body six times, each time increasing their durability and strength."

  Meng Lin’s expression remained unreadable, but inwardly, she was intrigued. A body cultivation technique was quite rare.

  Although most, if not all, cultivation practitioners wouldn't consider practicing a body cultivation technique as the requirements were often extremely demanding.

  That, on top of the resources for both the spiritual and body cultivation paths would be immense.

  However, she was different; she had the system.

  She glanced at the book, and her mind ran. Six cycles... she wondered if the cycles correspond to the cultivation realms. If so, then this technique could be cultivated up to the Ensoulment Realm.

  The old man added, “I know this technique may not be to your taste, but if you ever find yourself in need of a method to strengthen your body… this could be invaluable. Plus, you can exchange it with someone else for something of equivalent value."

  "I want to offer this book in exchange for your help with the Soul Wandering Pill.”

  Looking back at the old man, she finally spoke. “A good offer. However, a Soul Wandering Pill is not easy to refine. Luckily for you, I happen to have all the ingredients; however, I need several days of preparation before I can try to make it."

  The old man's eyes widened in surprise, his voice faltering for a moment as he tried to comprehend her words. “You… you have the ingredients? And you can refine the pill?”

  Meng Lin gave a slight nod. “Yes. The ingredients for the Soul Wandering Pill are rare, but most Soul Wandering Realm cultivators can get them. It's the refinement process that's the hard part."

  The old man exhaled sharply, as though a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. “That is more than I could have hoped for… Thank you.”

  Meng Lin’s gaze remained steady as she extended her hand. “I will keep a hold of this half for now.”

  The old man’s expression shifted slightly, but he didn’t refute her words. Instead, he let out a dry chuckle. “Sharp eyes, young lady. You noticed.”

  He sighed, stroking his beard. “Indeed, this is only part of the codex. The other half remains with me. Once you refine the Soul Wandering Pill, I will give you the second half as well. Consider it an assurance on both ends.”

  Meng Lin narrowed her eyes slightly as she wondered what other secrets this old man had; her expression remained calm, but inwardly, she acknowledged his cunning.

  For a mere Gold Core cultivator to try to negotiate with a Soul Wandering Realm expert means he is no ordinary person.

  Either he is a complete idiot, or he has backings that give him confidence beyond his cultivation realm.

  Meng Lin remained silent, but her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before she finally spoke. “Three days.”

  The old man’s lips curled into a knowing smile. “Three days.”

  With that, Meng Lin turned and walked away, storing half of the Jade Spirit Codex within her spatial ring.

  As she stepped away, the old man watched her retreating figure with an unreadable gaze. His fingers lightly tapped against his sleeve, as if in deep thought.

  “This child,” he murmured to himself, before shaking his head with a quiet chuckle.

  Meng Lin, meanwhile, was already considering her next steps. Currently, she had six Soul Wandering Pills within her inventory: five from the system gacha and the last one from the realm advancement system package.

  Lying about her ability to refine the Soul Wandering Pill wasn’t an issue—after all, she truly could refine it if she wanted to.

  However, presenting a fully intact Soul Wandering Pill right after a negotiation would be too suspicious. Even the old man had his doubts, but outright revealing such a high-grade pill without showing the difficulty in acquiring it could lead to unnecessary trouble.

  Shaking her head, Meng Lin pushed the thought to the back of her mind. Now that her sales were done, she had a substantial amount of spirit stones—more than enough to check out the Immortal Pavilion.

  Following the directions given by the young man at the inn, Meng Lin eventually found herself standing before a tall building with dark jade walls and an intricately carved entrance gate.

  A single attendant stood at the entrance, a middle-aged man with a calm, detached expression. The man gave off no aura whatsoever, and if Meng Lin wasn't looking at him, she would have assumed he was a puppet.

  Meng Lin approached without hesitation, her gaze briefly scanning the man as her thoughts ran.

  When Meng Lin approached, the man inclined his head slightly. “Entry to the Immortal Pavilion requires a fee of 100 middle-grade spirit stones.”

  Without hesitation, Meng Lin retrieved the required amount and placed it in the attendant’s hands.

  The man stepped aside, allowing her in. “Welcome to the Immortal Pavilion.”

  Stepping inside the building, Meng Lin didn't notice any noticeable change. Inside, the Immortal Pavilion was quieter than Meng Lin expected.

  The air was cool, and the scent of aged parchment and incense lingered faintly. Rows of wooden shelves lined the hall, each neatly arranged with jade bottles, scrolls, and small chests sealed with intricate talismans. A few cultivators moved between the aisles, inspecting the items with quiet focus.

  Meng Lin walked forward at a steady pace, her gaze skimming the offerings. Most of the displayed goods were fairly standard—mid-grade spirit artifacts, medicinal pills, and talismans for various purposes. Nothing particularly rare, but the Pavilion's reputation meant there had to be more valuable items deeper inside.

  She was considering whether to ask for access to the higher-tier rooms when a quiet voice spoke beside her.

  “You seem to be looking for something specific.”

  Meng Lin turned her head slightly, her gaze landing on a young man in a deep blue robe. He had an easygoing expression, his hands tucked into his sleeves as he studied her.

  She didn’t recognize him.

  “I’m browsing,” she replied evenly.

  The young man hummed as if amused. “Not many people pay the entry fee just to browse.”

  Meng Lin didn’t respond immediately. She wasn’t interested in conversation, but the man didn’t seem hostile—just curious.

  After a moment, he chuckled and said. “No need to be wary. I just found it rare to see a new face here.”

  He nodded toward the back of the hall. “If you’re looking for rarer goods, they keep those beyond the inner hall. You’d need to speak to the clerk near the counter.”

  Meng Lin gave him a short nod before walking past him.

  Reaching the counter, she spoke to the attendant, a middle-aged woman with a professional demeanor. “I’d like access to the inner hall.”

  The woman studied her for a brief moment before replying, “A deposit of 3 high-grade spirit stones is required, or proof of affiliation with a recognized sect.”

  Meng Lin's eyebrows raised, a deposit thrice as high as the entrance fee just to get to the next floor, she considered the words and couldn't help but wonder what they hope to achieve by asking for the other one, a proff of affiliation.

  She thought for a moment before she retrieved a sect token from her sleeve and placed it on the counter. The woman reached out to inspect it, but as soon as her eyes landed on the token, her fingers stiffened slightly. A flicker of surprise crossed her otherwise composed face.

  Meng Lin immediately noticed the reaction. The woman quickly masked her expression, but the brief hesitation was enough to put Meng Lin on alert.

  Something was going on.

  The attendant took a moment before nodding and passing her a jade token.

  “You may proceed.”

  Meng Lin took the token without a word, her mind playing back the whole process. She was directed to a staircase leading upstairs and quickly strode forward to the next floor.