Immortal Cultivation: Starting from a Pharmacy Apprentice

The good neighbor was a little surprised.

He glanced left and right, then whispered:

"Shopkeeper Bai, have you not heard the rumors going around the city?"

"I have."

Bai Mo simply said, "It’s just that I have my reasons. I’ve already considered this carefully."

Only then did his good neighbor understand.

"That makes sense. As a Pill Master, Shopkeeper Bai, your situation is certainly different."

A reminiscent look appeared on his face.

"You know, my shop is this big because I took over someone else’s property back in the day."

"It wasn’t much trouble, really. As long as the original owner was willing, knocking down the wall afterward was nothing."

"Haven’t you noticed the large households in the city? How do you think they got such big mansions?"

Bai Mo thought for a moment before replying:

"The Sublime Law Sect is in charge of the city now. I’m afraid things might be different."

"Don’t you worry," his good neighbor said hurriedly.

"The owner over there has already completed the paperwork for the shop. Transferring it to you won’t be difficult."

"As far as I know, he’s also looking for a buyer and has already paved the way."

...

Without delay, Bai Mo bid his good neighbor farewell, closed the window, changed his clothes, and headed out.

The air outside was cool, and the road was dotted with puddles.

As he stepped out, splashing through the water, he happened to see his good neighbor emerging from his own door, holding an oil-paper umbrella.

Seeing the man give him a conspiratorial wink, Bai Mo turned and walked away.

The shop to his right, from what Bai Mo could recall, had rarely been open these past few months.

It was once a functioning business.

He remembered it as a shop that sold all sorts of cultivation paraphernalia, including some rather odd and peculiar items.

He had heard that many Cultivators used to go there for a bit of treasure hunting.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

Bai Mo knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

A voice came from inside, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps rapidly approaching.

Bai Mo called out a reply, unsure if the person inside had heard him.

CREAK!

The door swung open, revealing a tall, fair-skinned young man.

"You’re... Shopkeeper Bai!?"

Bai Mo nodded.

"I heard you’re interested in selling this shop?"

The young man’s face lit up with joy upon hearing this.

"That’s right! Please, Shopkeeper Bai, come in!"

"I knew it! After becoming a Pill Master, how could Shopkeeper Bai possibly stay cooped up in that tiny shop?"

"And it just so happens I’m looking to transfer ownership. Isn’t this perfect timing?"

Bai Mo stepped into the shop and surveyed his surroundings.

The areas where shelves and merchandise should have been were completely empty.

The place was a small, two-story building.

The lower level was for business, while the second floor served as the young man’s residence.

Although Bai Mo hadn’t interacted much with the young man, he remembered his name was Li Hu.

The man was not one for socializing and rarely went out.

Li Hu led Bai Mo to the second floor, where the furniture and other belongings had also been mostly cleared out.

Looking at the simple decor, Bai Mo asked casually:

"I recall your business used to be quite good, Fellow Daoist Li. Why are you selling?"

At this, Li Hu let out a heavy sigh.

"I was just getting by on what was left. My only customers were regulars, and I haven’t seen some of them in a long time."

Bai Mo could hear the helplessness in his voice.

Not to mention, with the market declining recently, business had become even more difficult.

Seeing that Bai Mo was listening intently, Li Hu became more talkative.

"If things hadn’t become impossible, I wouldn’t have chosen to close up shop. It was my livelihood, after all."

"Besides, I don’t have any other skills. What do I have besides the shop my grandfather left me?"

"Just some odd jobs here and there where I get a cut."

Li Hu seemed very melancholic.

"So, what are your plans for the future, Fellow Daoist Li?"

Bai Mo knocked on the wooden structure, satisfied to hear no signs of insect infestation.

Li Hu pouted.

"I’m going to go live with my old man. Even at his age, he’s still out there working hard. I hear he has a few businesses."

"As for my other things in the city, I have no heart to manage them. I’ll just have him send someone back to take over."

Bai Mo stopped in his tracks and glanced sideways at him.

’I never would have thought my neighbors were all Cultivators with such solid backing.’

’Back when we all gathered to discuss our businesses, everyone looked so miserable and worried.’

’So was I the only one who was actually poor?’

Bai Mo sighed.

"Such is life. Don’t let it get to you."

"How many Spirit Stones are you asking for this place, Fellow Daoist Li?"

Li Hu held up three fingers.

"I’m in a hurry to leave. Three hundred Spirit Stones! Just three hundred!"

"If you can produce the Spirit Stones, Shopkeeper Bai, we can make the exchange on the spot."

Few Loose Cultivators could come up with three hundred Spirit Stones at once.

Li Hu thought for a moment, then added:

"Shopkeeper Bai, you can go gather the funds first. I don’t mind waiting."

"My shop is right next to yours. If you knock down the wall later, no one will come to inspect it. And if anyone does give you trouble, a few Spirit Stones will be enough to send them away..."

He went on for some time, and Bai Mo listened silently.

"Alright."

Bai Mo’s decisiveness surprised Li Hu, who was now overjoyed.

"I’ll get the documents ready right away!"

"Just come over with the Spirit Stones when you’re ready, Bai Mo!"

Bai Mo said softly, "Give me a few days. I don’t have that many Spirit Stones on hand. I’ll need to scrape them together."

Seeing Bai Mo speak so casually, Li Hu clicked his tongue in amazement.

’As expected of a Pill Master. He really has the means.’

The two bid each other farewell, and Bai Mo returned home.

’Now, it all depends on whether my good neighbor’s motley crew of friends have the means.’

’The majority of those three hundred Spirit Stones will have to come from them.’

He was about to take stock of his Spirit Stones when he suddenly caught sight of his remaining medicinal herbs.

’My herb supply is running low. I need to restock first.’

Bai Mo paced for a moment, thinking. He decided this matter would fall to Xu Ruyuan.

That old Cultivator had scraped and clawed his way through life.

It shouldn’t be too difficult for him to gather some medicinal herbs for Bai Mo on short notice.

However, now that Xu Ruyuan wasn’t setting up his stall, finding him would be difficult.

After some thought, Bai Mo rushed to the bookshop at the end of the street before it closed.

The shopkeeper was a very old Cultivator with dim eyes and slow, deliberate movements.

He had long since stopped paying attention to the outside world, content to simply manage his bookshop.

"Ah, it’s Brother Bai."

"Are you here looking for a Pill Book again today? You learn so fast, I don’t have any new ones in stock."

"I’ll try to find some more for you..."

Bai Mo had bought Pill Books here several times, so the two were acquainted.

The shopkeeper had a very good impression of this studious and quick-witted young man.

Bai Mo quickly waved his hands.

"Not today."

"Old Sir, do you happen to know where Xu Ruyuan, Fellow Daoist Xu, lives?"

"Oh?" The shopkeeper sized Bai Mo up.

"I heard that old fellow isn’t setting up his stall anymore. Did he offend someone?"

"Who are you asking for, Brother Bai?"

"You have to be careful with this sort of thing."

Bai Mo could only smile wryly.

"It’s not like that. You know my character."

"I’m just looking for him to ask for a favor."

The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly:

"No, I can’t just give you someone’s personal information like that."

"How about this: I’ll look for that old fellow on my way home and let him know. How does that sound?"

Hearing this, Bai Mo immediately agreed and cupped his hands in thanks.

"Alright. Thank you, Old Sir."

"Mhm." The shopkeeper nodded.

’Still a good kid.’

"Keep working hard. It would be wonderful if you could enter the Sublime Law Sect as a Daoist Child. It’s not easy for a Loose Cultivator..."

Hearing this, Bai Mo didn’t know how to explain his situation. He listened with a wry smile as the old man rambled on, only managing to get away after quite some time.

He returned home.

Bai Mo picked up his brush and, after a moment of deliberation, listed all the medicinal herbs he needed.

Now, all that was left was to wait for Xu Ruyuan to come knocking.