Chapter 172: Time to leave

"Can I end the process of concocting now?"

"your mentality is not fit for pill cultivation. It seems I need to modify the teaching plan to temper your patience. From now onwards till the end of the next year, you are going to switch to the next level only after concocting 10 batches of pill of the top grade."

Long Tao stood there, gaping at the blank air in front of him. 10 batches of top-grade pills. It was too much of a mental burden on him, but the hall master didn't even bother to look at him after completing his sentence. Although the benefits obtained were enormous, Long Tao liked to calm his mind down once in a while.

"What is the basis of me passing the test you put forward?"

"If you find yourself good enough to be the master of this artifact, one of the future crimson lords, then complete the task given to you till the end."

Long Tao rushed into the pill brewing room and began the concoction of the next pill in the list. In the meantime, a huge amount of profits was being generated by selling the pills in the market to the large trade organizations. Long Tao was fortunate enough to get his hands on the herbs required to concoct the remaining pill son the list. The Crimson Lord artifact provided an immense, almost unending area for the growth of the herbs.

It was also the reason behind Long Tao's ability to continue to concoct numerous batches of any pill type. "Did the initial plantation started to yield herbs for the next pill on the list?"

"The growth is quite rapid after the advancement of the artifact due to the absorption of the fire vein. The produce doubles almost every two days. You don't need to worry about the materials required. Just use all your concentration to concoct the rest of the pills."

Long Tao had exactly 1 year for the concoction of 10 top-grade batches of the remaining 7 pill recipes.

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Lu Ming was practicing his soul power when a sudden arrival broke his meditation. It was none other than the sect leader who arrived on the scene. The time to start the journey for the central plains finally arrived.

"It's time for you to leave for Pill valley."

"Did master finish his isolated training? Will I be able to greet him before leaving the institute?"

"You won't need to greet him. His instruction for you was to go forth and do your best in the pill brew competition. Both of us would be present in the pill valley to receive you."

The sect leader handed over a ring to Lu Ming. "This ring contains everything starting from pill recipes, herbs, supplies to some weapons, and even money. You are the top student to come out of my Pill hall this year. This ring not only represents a prize, but our expectation from you to perform well in the competition. Don't let those down."

"I would try my best to come out on top."

Lu Ming left the institute after some time and went to the nearest merchant guild. "How may I help you, sir?"

"I would like to order a map, the best one you got which can show the pathway to the central plains."

"I will have it in a moment, sir." The receptionist left and Lu Ming was left alone in the hall. He began to browse the content stored within the shelves. The pills attracted his attention. In the scriptures he read in the academy, some of these pills had the same effects as the one he had concocted, but the effects were incomparable.

"Did some of these pills catch the eye of esteemed sir?"

"How much would these Pill cost me?"

The receptionist was about to reveal the price when an arrogant voice sounded. "These pills can't be bought by the resources in your pocket. Rather than wasting the shops time, just get out of here."

The source of these nasty comments was a man cladded in rich garments. "Young Master Hai. It's a matter of pride for our shop to be blessed with your presence. How may I help you?"

The receptionist didn't even bother to get justice for Lu Ming and ignored him completely. Lu Ming couldn't help but laugh. How long has it been since he was treated this badly? He simply picked the map up and walked towards the exit.

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"Leeches like you should always know their place." Young master Hai spoke up once more.

Lu Ming looked at the receptionist and said: "Is this how your guild treats its customer. You are going to let him speak nonsense about me now that the trade is complete."

The receptionist looked at Lu Ming with disgust. "Mind your words. Who the hell are you to revoke Young master Hai's words? Just take your map and get lost."

Lu Ming gave out a small sigh. "I was about to propose a trade, but let's just leave it there." He exited. He didn't want to create any ruckus in here. The figures standing within the store mocked him.

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Behind the curtains, on the top floor of the guild-

"Follow him.". A sweet feline voice sounded.

"Does Miss think of him as a valuable customer, or is he someone you know?"

"How did idiots like to get the jobs as the handlers of my guilds sub-branches. Didn't you even notice his expression when he saw the pills on the shelves. He was unfazed after looking at the price tags and was even asking for the total cost. He must be wishing to trade something with us. Follow him and see where he goes next."

"You are to report any incidents related to him.". The men in the shadows instantly disappeared.

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Another guild in the nearby area-

Lu Ming decided to propose a trade for the low-grade pills he concocted. He required some huge monetary funding to have a smooth trip to the central plains. The receptionist this time was an old man. 

"How may I help this younger brother?"

"I would like to propose a trade with your guild master."

The old men looked intrigued. "may I know what the contents of trade would be." Lu Ming simply handed a small bottle to the old man. Upon opening a pill fell out of it. A blast of herbal aroma spread throughout the hall, attracting everybody's attention. The old man was shocked to see the pill.

"It is a Qi recovery pill of third grade. It is one of the commodities I wish to sell to your store."

The old man asked Lu Ming to wait till he gets the guild master. Soon enough Lu Ming was escorted to the office of the current guild master. A fairly young-looking blonde was sitting on the central chair. He was bust examining the pill presented by Lu Ming.

"Please have a seat, dear customer. May I know the overall contents of the trade you wish to propose."

Lu Ming took out 10 bottles filled with ten different varieties of pills. "These are the pill I wish to sell. As per the effect of these pills, they range from Qi replenishment to bone and marrow cleansing to bloodline enhancement. One of these can also be used during the promotion from mid to advance level Qi general for a smooth advancement."

"As per their value, the one you are holding has the least value of all, while the one used for promotion is the most valuable."

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The guild master gaped at the bottles with shock. How could this be? Just the pill in his hand was already better than ten of the top pills within the store combined, and there were nine different pills better than this one.

He decided to buy all of it and instantly carried out the transaction with Lu Ming. The QI stones were exchanged and he gave some maps, a ride, and some other utilities free of cost.

"In the case of future trades, our doors are always open for the master to come in."

"I would be sure to contact you in case of future opportunities." The guild master even gave a gold card to Lu Ming.

"I hear that your destination seems to be the central plains. Our merchant guild has offices throughout the Qi continent. You could show this card in any of our guilds and would be treated as an honorable guest of the guild."