C3 Crimson Reishi

"Kid, what are you babbling about?" Mr. Zhou said with dissatisfaction, "Master Lee has been refining pills for decades; his expertise is unmatched. How could there possibly be an issue with his arm? If there was, he wouldn't have achieved the rank of a four-leaf alchemist! It seems to me you're just stirring up trouble..."

Before Mr. Zhou could finish, Master Lee, standing beside him, was suddenly overcome with emotion and bowed deeply to Ling Chen.

"Please, Master, save me!"

The crowd erupted into a frenzy at his plea.

Mr. Zhou's face froze in shock. "Master Lee, you..."

Could it be that Master Lee's arm was indeed afflicted? The notion seemed ludicrous to the onlookers, who stared at Ling Chen as if he were some kind of enigma.

Who was this young man, really?

Ling Chen spoke with composure, "Saving you is not out of the question. I need ten sets of the medicinal herbs listed here. Deliver them to the Ling Residence in three days, and I will attend to your ailment."

"My name is Ling Chen."

With that, Ling Chen turned and walked away.

Master Lee remained, clutching the paper as if it were a lifeline, his face awash with hope.

"Master Lee, you can't possibly believe that young man's tall tales?" Mr. Zhou grumbled.

"Be quiet!" Lee Qingqiu snapped, exasperated. Was this fool still oblivious to the gravity of the situation?

He was acutely aware of his own condition and could feel his arm deteriorating with each passing day. Without prompt treatment, the outcome would be dire.

Indeed, for an alchemist, the loss of an arm was a fate too grim to contemplate.

"This man discerned my ailment with a single glance. He must be an alchemist of exceptional caliber... and so young, too?"

When had such a figure emerged in Suinsa County?

"Manager Zhou." Lee Qingqiu turned to address Mr. Zhou, "As of tomorrow, you need not report to the Alchemy Branch. Gu Xue will be assuming your duties."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Zhou's world collapsed.

Gu Xue, meanwhile, was overwhelmed by the sudden turn of her fortunes.

"Master Lee, please, no!" Mr. Zhou cried out in despair. His family had invested heavily to secure his position at the Alchemy Branch. If his father found out about this, his legs wouldn't be the only thing in jeopardy.

"Didn't you hear what I said?" Lee Qingqiu asked with a frown, his voice icy.

A cold glint shone from his aged face.

Mr. Zhou shuddered with fear and, without daring to utter another word, slunk out of the Alchemy Branch.

Lee Qingqiu turned to Gu Xue and instructed, "Gu Xue, I need you to look into the Ling family for me. What kind of power do they wield? And if they run into trouble, you know what to do, right?"

"Don't worry, I'll make sure to establish good relations with the Ling family," Gu Xue replied confidently, nodding.

"Good." Lee Qingqiu smiled, satisfied with her response, and then left.

Watching Master Lee depart, Gu Xue blinked, a sense of surreal realization washing over her.

If it hadn't been for Ling Chen, she would never have become a manager...

She really ought to thank that young man properly.

Stepping out of the Alchemy Branch, Ling Chen felt a weight lift off his shoulders.

The herbs were crucial for his health, and Lee Qingqiu's appearance meant he could save a considerable sum of money.

He was certain that Lee Qingqiu would seek him out!

Navigating through the bustling market, Ling Chen made no stops as he headed straight for the Ling Residence.

...

Leaving the Alchemy Branch, Ling Chen felt a sense of relief wash over him.

The herbs were essential for his well-being, and now with Lee Qingqiu's intervention, he could keep his money in his pocket.

He was confident that Lee Qingqiu would come looking for him!

He moved swiftly through the marketplace, not pausing until he reached the Ling Residence.

The Ling family was but a minor clan in the tumultuous Suinsa County, barely ranking as a third-rate power.

His father, Ling Shan, had been the family's top prodigy, but his early years of cultivation had gone awry, leaving his meridians blocked and his cultivation greatly diminished.

Now, whenever Ling Shan exerted his spiritual power, he would be tormented as if insects were gnawing at his flesh.

Ling Chen had witnessed his father's agony during sleepless nights.

"Father, though we have never met, since fate has chosen to rebirth me into the Ling family, you are my father from this day forward!"

"Since my son has returned, no one will be able to bully us from now on!"

Ling Chen made a silent vow, his gaze hardening with determination.

"Crimson Reishi! Get your Crimson Reishi here at a special discount!"

Just then, a cry for attention drew Ling Chen's notice.

He spotted a footboy seated behind his stall, calling out with great enthusiasm.

The boy's stall displayed only one item: the very Crimson Reishi he was advertising.

While Reishi was common in some places and rare in others, in Suinsa County, known for its abundance of medicinal herbs, it was fairly commonplace.

Crimson Reishi, however, was a rarity everywhere.

The prevalence of counterfeits made genuine finds exceedingly rare, which explained why the footboy's hoarse shouts had yet to attract any buyers.

The lad looked unremarkable, not the sort you'd expect to possess such a prized item.

But Ling Chen, with his seasoned eye, instantly recognized the authenticity and excellent preservation of the Crimson Reishi before him.

Having recently undergone a transformative rebirth, Ling Chen's body was in dire need of nourishment for his Qi and blood.

The timely appearance of the Crimson Reishi couldn't have been more perfect.

With this in mind, Ling Chen approached the stall with measured steps.

Upon noticing Ling Chen, the footboy quickly stood up, his face breaking into an obsequious grin.

Pointing to the Crimson Reishi, he asked, "Young Master, are you interested in this Crimson Reishi?"

Ling Chen gave him a brief look and inquired, "How much are you asking?"

The footboy held up a single finger, grinning as he replied, "It's a bargain at just ten gold coins."

At that price, Ling Chen couldn't help but arch an eyebrow. Ten gold coins were indeed a steal.

But for Ling Chen, it meant parting with all his current funds.

He had intended to use that money for buying ingredients for his alchemy.

Master Lee had offered to cover the cost of the ingredients, which Ling Chen had thought would save him a considerable sum.

Yet, it seemed his funds were destined to be depleted...

Thankfully, the Crimson Reishi was worth the expense; otherwise, it would have been a significant loss.

With that thought, Ling Chen reached for his money pouch.

As he was about to pay, a brazen voice suddenly rang out from nearby.

"Hey, how much for the Crimson Reishi?"

Upon hearing this, the footboy shot a glance at the speaker and sheepishly responded, "My apologies, young master, but the Crimson Reishi has already been sold."

"But the money hasn't been handed over yet. I'll offer you twenty gold coins for it," the man insisted, tossing a heavy purse onto the stall, which spilled out a glittering array of gold coins.

The footboy swallowed hard at the sight, then turned to Ling Chen with an awkward look.

"Young master, what should we do…?"

Ling Chen caught the unease in the footboy's eyes and felt a shadow pass over his own mood.

"You've already agreed to sell it to me."

In the past, Ling Chen would have simply walked away.

But now, walking away was not an option…

The footboy looked visibly uncomfortable, aware that his actions were somewhat underhanded.

Yet in business, it's the highest offer that prevails. Anyone would naturally gravitate towards the more lucrative deal.

Before the footboy could utter another word, the man turned sharply to Ling Chen and challenged him, "Bro, if you really want it, just up your offer. Why bother with all this talk?"

"Look at him, he looks broke. Probably only has those ten gold coins to his name."

"Raise the price? Let's see him try…"

No sooner had the man finished speaking than a chorus of jeers followed.

It was then that Ling Chen realized he wasn't dealing with just one person; there was a whole group.

He turned to face the hecklers.

But as he did, one of them blurted out, "Isn't this Ling Chen from Class One? The bottom of our grade…"

At that, Ling Chen looked up and recognized the faces before him.

A wave of recognition washed over him – these were the troublemakers from the class next door at his academy.

They knew Ling Chen, but not for any flattering reason. His reputation for being the lowest ranked in cultivation was well-known throughout the academy.

"Ling Chen, you're not seriously considering buying the Crimson Reishi, are you? With your level of skill, it would just be a waste…"

"Exactly, who doesn't know about the hardships your family is facing? Ten gold coins might just be your family's yearly expenses. What are you trying to prove?"

Ling Chen's expression darkened as he listened to the jeers and taunts from the group. Did they really think he wouldn't get angry?

In the past, Ling Chen would have avoided confrontation with these bullies, but he was no longer the same person he used to be.

Suddenly, Ling Chen looked up, his gaze icy as he addressed the young man before him, "Liu Fei, I'm taking the Crimson Reishi."

Liu Fei, upon meeting Ling Chen's frosty stare, felt an inexplicable flutter in his chest. But he quickly regained his composure and retorted with fury, "What do you mean you're taking it? I'm telling you, the Crimson Reishi is mine! Shopkeeper, thirty gold coins, pack it up for me now!"

The footboy's eyes lit up at the mention of thirty gold coins. He promptly nodded with a grin and carefully placed the Crimson Reishi into a prepared box.

He then extended the box towards Liu Fei with a smile.

However, in that instant, Ling Chen's hand shot out, pressing down on the box as he declared, "I'll offer forty gold coins! It's mine!"

Liu Fei laughed derisively at Ling Chen's bold claim.

Pointing at Ling Chen, he taunted, "Do you even have that kind of money?"

"If he doesn't, I'll help him out..."

Just then, a melodious female voice interrupted, capturing the attention of everyone present.