Chen Nan then changed into a black cloak, concealing himself within its folds. He also put on the golden mask he had obtained from the Yue Shan storage ring. The reason for doing this was his current weakness. He had to maintain an air of mystery, preventing others from discovering his identity. After completing these preparations, he moved forward under the cover of night and arrived at the Qingyun Tower.
Qingyun Tower was well-known in Tongcheng. This was not solely because it stood at approximately nine stories high, making it the tallest structure in the city. The most significant reason was that Qingyun Tower never opened its doors to the public. It remained inaccessible, and despite its existence for so many years, no one truly knew what its purpose was. Especially at night, when it was brightly lit, standing in stark contrast to the rest of the city.
However, Chen Nan had heard from Yuan Zun that Qingyun Tower served as a place for cultivators in Tongcheng to conduct private transactions. If one needed resources for cultivation, they could try their luck here. It was for this very reason that Chen Nan had come, as the彼岸花 (Bǐ àn huā) was impossible to find in any pharmacy.
The doors of Qingyun Tower were open, but not everyone could enter. As Chen Nan approached, he felt a mysterious energy emanating from the entrance. Only cultivators at the Caiyin realm and above were permitted entry.
Upon entering Qingyun Tower, a young staff member approached him with great enthusiasm, asking respectfully, "May I ask what Senior requires?" He then made an inviting gesture, beckoning Chen Nan to take a seat in the lounge area. Qingyun Tower never displayed arrogance or looked down on people, as anyone who could enter was a cultivator. The tower's sole purpose was to serve cultivators.
Chen Nan took a seat, lowering his voice until it sounded somewhat hoarse. "Does Qingyun Tower have彼岸花 (Bǐ àn huā)?"
The staff member received a tray of tea and pastries from a colleague and placed it beside Chen Nan, then poured him a cup of tea. "彼岸花 (Bǐ àn huā) only grows near the Naihe Bridge and is considered a relatively rare medicinal herb. However, serving cultivators is our motto at Qingyun Tower. Since Senior has inquired, Qingyun Tower will surely make this trip worthwhile for you. Please wait a moment, and I will retrieve the彼岸花 (Bǐ àn huā) for you."
Chen Nan replied, "Thank you for your trouble."
"It is our duty," the staff member responded, bowing slightly before departing.
Approximately three minutes later, he returned, carrying a wooden box about half a meter long, twenty centimeters wide, and ten centimeters thick. He opened the box before Chen Nan, revealing a withered彼岸花 (Bǐ àn huā). Despite its withered state, the blood-red petals were striking and emitted a delicate fragrance.
The staff member respectfully asked, "Is Senior satisfied with this彼岸花 (Bǐ àn huā)? This is a complete specimen, and the price is very affordable." He then stated, "It only costs two hundred thousand taels of silver!"
Beneath the mask, Chen Nan's mouth twitched severely. Did this person have a misunderstanding of the word "affordable"? Two hundred thousand taels of silver was considered cheap?
Chen Nan's voice remained indifferent. "I require fresh彼岸花 (Bǐ àn huā)." Withered medicinal ingredients lose much of their efficacy, making them unsuitable for refining into pills.
The staff member looked apologetic. "Reporting to Senior, fresh彼岸花 (Bǐ àn huā) is rarely seen. Even Qingyun Tower has not encountered any recently. If you require it, I can help you inquire about any news regarding fresh彼岸花 (Bǐ àn huā) and will notify you immediately if any becomes available."
Chen Nan hadn't expected fresh彼岸花 (Bǐ àn huā) to be so scarce. Given the situation, there was nothing else he could do. However, he had a premonition that the price of fresh彼岸花 (Bǐ àn huā) would be outrageously high. After all, a single withered specimen cost two hundred thousand taels of silver. The price of a fresh one would surely be astronomical. With his current financial situation, he wasn't sure he could afford it.
With this thought, he extended his right hand. A glass bottle appeared in his palm. He looked at the staff member and asked, "I have a Body Tempering Pill here. Do you accept it?"
"What is a Body Tempering Pill used for?" the staff member asked curiously. It wasn't that he was ignorant; he had genuinely never heard of such a pill.
Chen Nan explained, "This pill can enhance a cultivator's physical strength. After consuming it, both strength and speed will increase by at least ten percent."
The staff member gasped. "If this pill is truly that miraculous, Qingyun Tower will certainly acquire it. Senior, please have a seat for a moment, and I will fetch the manager." He then hurried away.
About five minutes later, the staff member returned with a gray-robed elder. The elder had white hair and beard, giving him an air of immortal elegance. He introduced himself, "I am Wang Yunchuan. May I know how to address Fellow Daoist?"
"Chen Bei!" Chen Nan gave a false name.
Wang Yunchuan nodded slightly and then looked at the pill in the glass bottle on the table. "May I examine this pill up close?"
Chen Nan replied, "Of course."
Wang Yunchuan cautiously picked up the glass bottle, removed the stopper, and sniffed the aroma within. After just a single sniff, Wang Yunchuan detected the scents of several medicinal herbs, though he couldn't identify a few of them. He then stated, "Merely by smell, it's impossible to ascertain the pill's effects. How about this: I will personally test the pill. If it is as miraculous as you claim, I will compensate you accordingly, considering it as if I have purchased the pill. How does that sound?"
Chen Nan nodded slightly. "Manager Wang's suggestion is reasonable. However, if this pill can indeed provide a ten percent increase, how much is it worth?"
Wang Yunchuan replied, "For someone in need, this pill could be priceless. However, for ordinary cultivators, it is merely a tonic." In essence, it was a body-strengthening pill, and its appeal wasn't universal. Many believed that as one's cultivation level increased, their physical body would naturally become stronger. Wang Yunchuan offered a price: "How about this, I will give you fifty thousand taels of silver."
Chen Nan calmly acknowledged, "Then fifty thousand taels it is!" Fifty thousand taels of silver was not a small sum. However, the cost of producing this Body Tempering Pill was only fifty taels of silver! After an hour of refinement, it was worth fifty thousand taels. To Chen Nan, it felt no different from picking up money.
Wang Yunchuan took the pill and swallowed it. He then sat down cross-legged, sensing the changes in his body. The next moment, his usually calm expression contorted in pain. His features twisted as if he were enduring immense suffering. The entire process lasted about ten minutes. When his expression finally returned to normal, his face was covered in a fine sheen of cold sweat, indicative of the torment he had just experienced.
He opened his slightly tired eyes and looked at Chen Nan. "Fellow Daoist Chen, the pill's effect seems different from what you described!"
"Does it?" Chen Nan felt an inexplicable sense of nervousness.