The Pill that Shook the Market
Scene 1 —Testing the Pill
Morning sunlight shined warmly over Lin Xian's courtyard, illuminating the dew on the plum blossoms and casting soft halos over the stone tables. The air hummed faintly with quiet energy—residual qi from last night's cultivation.
Bai Yu Sheng stood in the center of the courtyard, holding a small, jade-green pill between two fingers.
It glimmered so gently it seemed almost alive.
Its scent drifted upward in thin streams, refreshing enough that even the air felt purified.
She squinted at it suspiciously.
"You're absolutely sure this won't explode inside me?"
Lin Xian didn't even look up. He calmly tied his long white hair back, expression serene.
"If it does, I'll personally carve your tomb inscription."
She narrowed her eyes.
He added smoothly, "Something elegant. Perhaps: 'Died from curiosity—due to eating pill that explode.'"
Bai Yu Sheng glared at him with enough intensity to burn holes through his robes.
But despite her theatrics, she tossed the pill into her mouth.
The change was immediate.
Her eyes widened.
A soft hum spread through her body like sunlight filling an empty vessel.
The qi inside her surged—not violently, but with steady power, like a blocked river suddenly flowing free. Her depleted meridians warmed, then glowed faintly as energy washed through them.
"This…" she whispered, voice trembling. "This is—this is fifty percent restoration! At least!"
Her aura flickered outward in brilliant ripples.
"And the purity… by the heavens…"
She stared at her palms in disbelief.
"This is purer than the academy's mid-grade Qi Restoring Pills. Lin Xian—this is insane!"
Lin Xian folded his arms, completely unruffled.
"Told you. That's the difference between an alchemist and a pill-mixer."
Bai Yu Sheng's shock turned into something wilder—excitement, greed, ambition all mixing together.
"Do you realize what this means for us? If this pill hits the market, the Zhao clan's monopoly will collapse overnight! This could—"
"We?" Lin Xian raised an eyebrow.
She coughed lightly, then flashed her most shameless smile.
"I was thinking maybe we could be business partners. You refine, I sell, and we—"
She gestured up and down dramatically.
"—become filthy rich."
Lin Xian gave a low chuckle. "Tempting. But not yet."
His gaze drifted to the city walls in the distance, where banners swayed in the morning breeze. His eyes become sharp and started calculating in his mind
"Before selling to anyone, I need to see what price the Thousand Veil Chamber offers."
Bai Yu Sheng's eyebrows rose.
"The mysterious merchant guild? Even the city lord needs an appointment to see their branch master."
Lin Xian smiled—calm, confident, and slightly mischievous.
"Then good thing I enjoy challenges."
Bai Yu Sheng groaned softly. "Fine. I'm coming with you. Someone has to stop you from trading away a miracle pill for… a bag of potatoes."
He looked at her with mock seriousness.
"Only if you promise not to talk too much."
She crossed her arms.
"No promises. I talk whenever I want."
Lin Xian sighed. "You are troublesome just like Xiao Jin."
Xiao Jin, who had been curled lazily under the plum tree, stretched with a soft yawn.
He leaped lightly onto Lin Xian's shoulder, tail flicking with pride—eyes gleaming as if fully aware that adventure (and snacks) were ahead.
And so, the trio stepped out into the bustling streets, walking toward the trading district where deals shaped empires.
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Scene 2 — The Thousand Veil Chamber
Azurecloud's trading district buzzed with activity—merchants shouting prices, cultivators bargaining over herbs, and spirit beasts snorting as they pulled ornate carriages.
But even in this chaos, the Thousand Veil Chamber stood out.
A grand building framed with carved jade arches, wrapped in layers of flowing silken banners that shifted colors with the wind. Guards in silver armor flanked the entrance, their faces carved from stone.
Rumor said:
"The city might look alive on the surface, but the Thousand Veil Chamber was the one making its heart beat."
As Lin Xian and Bai Yu Sheng entered, the scent of rare incense curled around them. Shelves filled with treasure—mtian steel, spirit herbs, ancient scrolls—lined the walls. Attendants moved silently, like like reflections in still water, their movements causing no ripple.
One approached with a graceful bow.
"Welcome, honored guests. May I know your purpose here today?"
Lin Xian placed a small jade bottle on the counter.
"I'm here to sell pills. You'll want your best appraiser."
The attendant hesitated, then uncorked the bottle.
A faint golden mist leaked out—and his pupils contracted sharply.
"This… this purity… And the aroma—who refined this pill?"
"I did."
Lin Xian's tone was calm, like it was not a big deal.
The man's jaw tightened in shock. Then he bowed deeply, voice respectful to the point of trembling.
"P-Please wait here. I must fetch the branch master at once."
Bai Yu Sheng smirked, whispering,
"See? Told you people were going to faint after looking at the pill."
Lin Xian's reply was a soft exhale, almost amused.
"Let's pray the branch master doesn't."
The sound of soft footsteps drifted from behind a beaded curtain.
The beads parted… and a woman stepped out.
Yue Lan.
Elegant. Composed.
Her midnight hair draped over her shoulder like flowing ink.
Her robes—azure silk embroidered with golden threads—shifted like water with every step.
Her eyes, calm and deep, swept across the hall before settling on Lin Xian.
"Welcome to my chamber," she said, voice cool yet melodic. "I am Yue Lan, branch master."
She picked up the jade bottle with slender fingers.
Even before opening it, her expression sharpened.
When she looked up again, her gaze was direct—piercing, almost judgemental.
"Whoever refined this pill," she said softly, "possesses skill far above ordinary alchemists."
Lin Xian met her gaze steadily.
"Then I assume we have much to negotiate."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"Indeed."
She tilted her head toward a private corridor.
"Come. Some discussions deserve quieter rooms."
Bai Yu Sheng leaned toward Lin Xian as they followed, whispering excitedly,
"Oh, this is definitely going to be fun."
Xiao Jin purred in agreement.
And the curtains fell behind them—
closing the rest of the world out
as the deal that would shake the market
began.