Immortal Cultivation: Starting from a Pharmacy Apprentice

His once-peaceful days were, for some reason, constantly interrupted by visitors.

「The next day.」

Bright and early, just as Bai Mo finished breakfast and stepped out for some fresh air, he saw Young Master Wei and Young Master Wang arriving together.

Both of them wore grave expressions.

Bai Mo stopped mid-stretch, straightened up, and brushed his sleeves.

"Greetings, Shopkeeper Bai!"

Young Master Wei offered a formal salute, and Young Master Wang followed suit.

Bai Mo returned the salute.

"What brings you two here? Have you eaten? I have some pastries..."

Young Master Wei glanced around before politely declining:

"The two of us are in no mood to eat right now."

"We have important matters to discuss. May we speak inside?"

Bai Mo saw no reason to refuse and, stepping aside, welcomed them into his home.

Young Master Wang looked rather anxious, while Young Master Wei wore a serious expression.

Bai Mo asked, intrigued, "What matter brings you two gentlemen here?"

Young Master Wei cupped his fist and began.

"It’s like this. The two of us have no access to the Pill circles. We don’t have the standing!"

"Therefore, we’ve taken the liberty of coming to ask for Shopkeeper Bai’s assistance."

"Of course," Bai Mo nodded.

"Please, explain in detail."

Young Master Wei took a letter from his robes, opened it, and looked at the description inside.

"Over the past two days, a batch of Pills has appeared in the brothels of Immortal Arrival City."

"The libertines who take them become like torches, attracting women like moths to a flame..."

Hearing this, the corner of Bai Mo’s eye twitched, and his expression darkened.

’Deplorable!’

’It’s only been two days, and the reputation of my Pills is already so warped!’

Seeing Bai Mo’s expression, Young Master Wang’s heart skipped a beat. He was about to pull his friend back, but his friend gently sidestepped him and continued speaking.

"Shopkeeper Bai, you may not know this, but these women all have... backgrounds."

"They’re either disciples from minor sects or practitioners of unorthodox arts. Even the various powers outside the city have people planted among them."

"They absorb the Yang Qi of Cultivators, either for their own cultivation or to gestate treasures..."

Young Master Wei spoke with great confidence, revealing inside information that even Lanshan and the others were unaware of.

Bai Mo cleared his throat.

"How did you come to know of such things, Young Master Wei?"

Young Master Wei looked a little ashamed.

"To be honest, my family is also involved in this business."

"So, after receiving the news, I had a female Cultivator who follows this path make a move!"

As he spoke, his expression shifted to one of amazement.

"She supposedly used every trick she knew, but she only managed to absorb most of his Yang Qi. Even after the precious pill she was gestating inside her body matured, she still hadn’t drained him completely."

"Meanwhile, the man’s body was constantly replenishing its Yang Qi. He just laughed, pushed her aside, and left."

"In all her years, it was the first time she had ever seen such a Cultivator!"

Young Master Wei looked at Bai Mo’s increasingly grim expression, steeled himself, and continued through gritted teeth:

"Those men must have taken a Pill!"

"I couldn’t find out what kind of Pill it was. Please, Shopkeeper Bai, help me find this precious Pill!"

Young Master Wang was quite alarmed.

’Judging by Shopkeeper Bai’s expression, could that Pill have been made by one of his peers?’

’Competitors are rivals. If the two have a deep-seated grudge, then we’ve really offended him today!’

Bai Mo took a deep breath.

"Young Master Wei, why are you looking for this Pill?"

Young Master Wei hastily explained:

"It’s for my uncle. He cultivates a Qi-guiding art that balances Yin and Yang!"

"But he’s old and has long since lost his virility. He has the aid of a Yin Spring, but without a source of extreme Yang to complement it, he can’t break through!"

"That’s why I want to find this Pill, to help him overcome this barrier!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Mo’s mood instantly improved, his expression changing rapidly.

"This Pill... I can get my hands on it!"

Bai Mo tapped the table and said slowly.

Young Master Wei and Young Master Wang were overjoyed and said in unison:

"If you succeed, we will reward you handsomely!" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Bai Mo raised a hand. "Don’t be hasty, you two!"

He looked at Young Master Wei and asked:

"Young Master Wei, do you really have people in those brothels?"

Bai Mo asked with a serious tone, and Young Master Wei straightened his posture.

"They are family assets. It’s common for major households to support a few such Cultivators to gestate treasures within their bodies!"

Bai Mo then asked, "I hear the courtesans in the brothels are planning to leave. Do you know why?"

Things had been strange in the city lately. Now that someone who might know the inside story was right in front of him, Bai Mo certainly wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass.

Young Master Wei was stunned.

"Shopkeeper Bai, you don’t know!?"

Then he suddenly realized.

"Of course. You don’t have any contact with these circles, so there’s no way you would know."

Bai Mo nodded.

"Please, enlighten me."

Young Master Wei lowered his voice. "I heard that someone had a ’word’ with the city’s authorities."

"A ’word’?" Bai Mo was puzzled.

"Yes." Young Master Wei nodded.

"It’s not just the brothels. Even some of the less reputable industries have been ’advised’ to clear out."

"If you don’t believe me, Shopkeeper Bai, you can go take a look at the underground trading posts. They must be completely deserted by now!"

Young Master Wei’s explanation was clear. Bai Mo was a little surprised and pressed,

"Why is that?"

Young Master Wei subconsciously lowered his voice further:

"My family has many theories about this situation."

"But based on past experience, it means the Xuandao Sect is about to make its move!"

Bai Mo was startled.

"The Xuandao Sect is making its move!?"

"I haven’t heard any news about this!"

Young Master Wei waved his hand dismissively.

"There’s been no official announcement. It’s just speculation."

"However, only the Xuandao Sect has this habit. When they expand their influence, they like to clean up all the shady business in a region first."

"As for how those who were cleared out make their return later, the sect won’t interfere as long as no bottom lines are crossed."

Young Master Wei explained.

"When it comes to the games and handovers between major sects, there’s rarely any news beforehand, only omens."

Bai Mo pondered this.

"Immortal Arrival City is under the jurisdiction of the Miaofa Sect. After all, it’s close to Celestial Barrier Mountain, and the interests involved are hardly trivial."

"The two sects aren’t in open conflict. Why would the Miaofa Sect cede control of Immortal Arrival City?"

But despite his words, when he considered what Shui Ziming had hinted at before, along with the recent actions of the city’s law enforcement team...

Bai Mo felt that what Young Master Wei said was very likely true!

Seeing that Bai Mo seemed partially convinced, Young Master Wei leaned forward and said:

"We don’t know the specific reasons, but the disciples of both sects have been making frequent moves lately. That much is plain to see."

"It’s just that ordinary Cultivators are unaware."

That was all he could say. With no more evidence, further speculation was pointless, so Bai Mo didn’t press the issue.

He simply nodded, acknowledging Young Master Wei’s analysis.

’If the Xuandao Sect really is moving in, I shouldn’t suffer any losses. In fact, I might even benefit.’

"Let’s talk about the Pill. The one you’re referring to is called the Fire Marrow Pill."

"It’s a Pill that replenishes Yang Qi and Fire Qi."

Young Master Wei and Young Master Wang exchanged a look, their breathing becoming slightly ragged.

Although they had already guessed as much, hearing it confirmed in person was still incredibly exciting.

"Shopkeeper Bai, if you can get it for us..."

Bai Mo cut them off.

"Let’s not waste any more words. We’ll do this according to the rules of business!"

"Twenty Spirit Stones per Pill! The price is non-negotiable!"

Young Master Wei and Young Master Wang were stunned. After a moment, Young Master Wei recovered and asked tentatively:

"That Fire Marrow Pill..."

Bai Mo grunted in affirmation. "That’s the same price I sold it to those other men for!"

"However, I have one condition!"

Young Master Wei suppressed his turbulent emotions and said quickly, "Please, name it!"

Bai Mo sighed regretfully.

"In the future, have your uncle come out and say a few words to restore the Fire Marrow Pill’s reputation. It’s the least he can do, given that the Pill will be aiding his cultivation!"