"Taoist Friend Qin, I also heard this from Taoist Friend Zheng. Because the Three Great Sects exhausted a lot in the encirclement and annihilation of the Demon Sect, this time the Zhenyang Sect wants to save on expenses in the Northern Wilderness Trial, starting from this area of pills and talismans."
Hearing Mo Xiaolan's words, Qin Gengyun asked suspiciously:
"How will they save?"
Mo Xiaolan said, "In previous Northern Wilderness Trials, the Zhenyang Sect mostly purchased Second Grade spirit pills, like the Ice Purity Pill and Vein-Protecting Pill. But this year they plan to use high-quality First Grade pills instead."
Qin Gengyun understood, "One Ice Purity Pill costs around sixty Spirit Stones, and although the high-quality Clear Wind Powder has similar effects and isn't much less efficacious, its price is much lower. By using Clear Wind Powder to replace Ice Purity Pills, they've saved several times over!"
Mo Xiaolan nodded, "So the Pill Talisman Tower is willing to purchase high-grade Clear Wind Powder in bulk at a price fifty spirit coins higher. They buy at three Spirit Stones and fifty spirit coins and sell to the Celestial Pill Pavilion for five to six Spirit Stones, so they still profit quite a bit."
"I see."
Qin Gengyun then asked:
"Taoist Friend Mo, you just deceived the shopkeeper of the Pill Talisman Tower. Will there be trouble?"
Mo Xiaolan laughed, "I don't have any business dealings with them. I just went to the Pill Talisman Tower to check the talisman paper market. This kind of thing can also be found out at the night market."
Qin Gengyun was relieved upon hearing this. The two of them quickly returned to Narrow Rain Lane, only to see from afar a sleazy male cultivator, who often idled at the Yihong House, patting at their door.
"Lady Qin, as a neighbor, I just want to show some concern. Why reject me so coldly? Hic!"
This guy was speaking while hiccuping, obviously drunk.
Qin Gengyun's expression changed. He hurriedly stepped forward and pushed the sleazy cultivator away:
"Taoist Friend Meng, what are you doing?!"
This sleazy cultivator was named Meng Yu, living next door on the right of Qin Gengyun. He idled away his days in brothels and often harassed the female cultivators in Narrow Rain Lane.
Chen Fang had also been teased by him before. Zhang Chengdao had fought him over it, but despite having low cultivation, he was a Spirit Beast Master and kept a rather fierce Spiritual Mastiff.
Zhang Chengdao was bitten by that Spiritual Mastiff and had to recuperate for a while, so the young couple tended to avoid Meng Yu.
Qin Gengyun wasn't home during the day, but he could well imagine that it must have been when Qiu Zhihe went out that he caught sight of her and took fancy, and today Meng Yu, emboldened by alcohol, plotted mischief.
Meng Yu staggered, nearly pushed down by Qin Gengyun, his face flushed from alcohol making him appear uglier. He snickered and said:
"Taoist Friend Qin, I just wanted to bring your wife a pot of wine. Why be so unsociable?"
Qin Gengyun coldly said, "Taoist Friend Meng, my wife doesn't drink. Please stop bothering her in the future!"
Meng Yu's expression shifted, and upon seeing Mo Xiaolan standing beside Qin Gengyun, his eyes took on a greedy look as he swayed unsteadily:
"Taoist Friend Qin, I spend spirit stones every day at Yihong House just to get a glimpse of beauty, while you have a lovely wife at home, and outside you have a beauty like Taoist Friend Mo willing to be your concubine, enjoying blessings without spending a dime, truly a fortune!"
Mo Xiaolan's expression changed: "Taoist Friend Meng, don't slander!"
"Oh? If you aren't Taoist Friend Qin's concubine, then why not become my Dao companion?"
Meng Yu sneered as he leaned toward her, and Qin Gengyun, channeling his spiritual power, slapped Meng Yu, sending him stumbling backward.
"You're already at Qi Cultivation Third-Layer?" Meng Yu's face changed. He pinched his lips and whistled, and from the house behind him, a large Spiritual Mastiff rushed out.
This Spiritual Mastiff, body coal-black and built like a small panther, had sharp white teeth.
This was the lowest level First Grade Spirit Beast. If it had a Spirit Root, it could upgrade and evolve into a stronger Spirit Beast as the Spirit Beast Master's Realm improved, known as 'Xie', then further as 'Jiao'.
When it ascends to Ninth Grade, it could transform into an Ancient Divine Beast known as 'Taotie'.
Of course, this scenario requires both the Spirit Beast and Spirit Beast Master to have enough talent and substantial resources to support them.
Initially, Meng Yu used his entire fortune to buy this young Spiritual Mastiff, but found it extremely ordinary, destined to remain First Grade for life. Since then, Meng Yu completely gave up, abandoning cultivation and spending his days idling in brothels.
However, Spirit Beast Masters generally had greater combat power than cultivators of the same level, and relying on this Spiritual Mastiff, Meng Yu caused quite a bit of trouble in Narrow Rain Lane, rarely coming out the worse for it.
At this moment, this robust First Grade Spirit Beast growled at Qin Gengyun, ready to pounce.
"Taoist Friend Meng, you're drunk, now's the time to stop,"
Mo Xiaolan stepped forward and stood beside Qin Gengyun, suddenly holding more than ten talisman papers in her hands.
Although Qin Gengyun couldn't engage in magical combat, he had some life-saving items in reserve, holding some talisman papers and a Thunder Pill.
This was a type of First Grade pill used for magical combat, wielding the power of a peak Qi Cultivation Third-Layer cultivator's full-force strike.
That Spiritual Mastiff continued to roar; Meng Yu also reached behind him; both sides seemed poised for an imminent clash.
Suddenly, the fierce roar of the Spiritual Mastiff turned into a whimper, and it scurried back into the house.
Meng Yu was stunned and turned to shout, "Swift Wind, come out quickly!"
The Spiritual Mastiff named Swift Wind made no further sound, as if frightened by something, refusing to come out no matter what.
Meng Yu, seeing no benefit to be gained, immediately plastered a smile on his face:
"Taoist Friend Qin, Taoist Friend Mo, I was just joking with you, don't take it to heart, haha, I'm heading back."
Saying this, he quickly retreated into his house and slammed the door shut.
Qin Gengyun breathed a sigh of relief, putting away the talisman papers and Thunder Pill, and said to Mo Xiaolan:
"Taoist Friend Mo, I'm sorry for involving you."
Mo Xiaolan also put away her talisman papers, her face showing a gentle smile:
"Taoist Friend Qin, what are you saying? Meng Yu often harasses the female cultivators in Narrow Rain Lane. Today, you helped teach him a lesson for me."
Then she whispered, "But Taoist Friend Qin, be careful, and remind your wife not to go out alone when you're not around. She's strikingly beautiful, so others might take notice."
At this time, the door behind Qin Gengyun opened, revealing a petite and delicate figure.
She wore a plain colored front-tied skirt, looking like a pair of sisters with Mo Xiaolan, who was also dressed in plain robes.
The two women exchanged glances, and Qin Gengyun suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu.
He quickly recalled; on the night Mo Xiaolan helped him move the bronze furnace back, Qiu Zhihe was also wearing this plain colored front-tied skirt, and she also exchanged such looks with Mo Xiaolan.
Mo Xiaolan smiled at Qiu Zhihe, "Taoist Friend Qiu, I hope you weren't scared just now?"
Qiu Zhihe gently shook her head and said to Qin Gengyun:
"It's time to go home."
Qin Gengyun cupped his hands toward Mo Xiaolan and said, "Taoist Friend Mo, thank you so much for today."
Mo Xiaolan cupped her hands back, "Taoist Friend Qin, don't mention it, I'm heading back too."
After saying this, she nodded to Qiu Zhihe and turned to walk into the house across the street.
Qin Gengyun and Qiu Zhihe also went back to their own house and closed the door. Qin Gengyun asked with concern:
"Taoist Friend Qiu, are you alright?"
Qiu Zhihe shook her head and pointed to the kitchen, "I was just cooking porridge."
Indeed, the aroma of porridge filled the room, indicating that Qiu Zhihe had truly been in the kitchen, seemingly unconcerned about Meng Yu's harassment.
Qiu Zhihe brought the porridge out from the kitchen, and the two sat down to eat.
Qin Gengyun, while eating, recounted his day at the Pill Talisman Tower selling Clear Wind Powder, including Mo Xiaolan acting as a buyer to help him raise the price.
"Thirty-eight bags of Clear Wind Powder, sold for a total of 133 Spirit Stones, Taoist Friend Qiu. We can now afford Spirit Rice and Spirit Flesh every day! By the way, what do you think about those two hundred bags of Clear Wind Powder?"