The abandoned cannon fodder girl's path to immortality

Chapter 242 Entanglement
A moment later, in the inner market of Yaowangfang.

The long street was bustling with noise and surging with people.

The Yingbin Pavilion stands beside the entrance to the inner courtyard, its vermilion doors wide open. Those entering and exiting are dressed smartly and exude a refined air, a stark contrast to the chaotic atmosphere of the outer courtyard.

The huge "Bin" character plaque above the gate is carved from spirit jade, its shimmering light silently showcasing the noble atmosphere of Medicine King Valley.

Chen Jinshu was about to step in when he suddenly stopped.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a pale figure standing with his back to the door in front of the carved rosewood counter inside the pavilion, his posture leisurely and elegant.

The man was tall and slender, holding a jade-broken fan with a pendant that was a translucent warm jade bell. As he turned to talk to the manager behind the counter, it made a very subtle tinkling sound.

Even just looking at his back, the deliberately maintained gentle demeanor almost blinded her and made her feel nauseous.

"Lin Xiao! He's actually here!"

Not only that, he was chatting and laughing with the manager, who was bowing slightly and had a fawning smile on his face, clearly very familiar with him.

Chen Jinshu felt a sudden alarm bell ringing in his mind, and he almost wanted to turn around and run away immediately.

However, the Hundred Herbs Order is related to the secret technique of "enlightening plants," and cannot be lost.

She took a deep breath, suppressing her surging killing intent and chill, lowered her head even further, focused her mind, and silently joined the end of the line.

The line moved forward slowly.

Lin Xiao seemed to be pushing a jade box to the steward. His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached Chen Jinshu's ears: "A small gift, the lotus seeds of the 'Nine Apertures Ice Heart Lotus' that I just got the other day. Consider it a small token to moisten Steward Zhao's 'Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart' throat."

The steward surnamed Zhao stroked his beard and squinted, subtly slipping the jade box into his sleeve. His laughter was hearty, yet tinged with greed.
"Master Lin, you're too kind! Your business is our business! As for the quota for 'Cold Pool Dew,' I, Zhao, will take care of it!"

After the transaction was completed, Lin Xiao turned around with a smile, his gaze casually sweeping across the lobby.

Chen Jinshu immediately turned to the side, pretending to examine a painting of herbs hanging on the wall. His figure in drab hemp clothing blended into the group of equally inconspicuous rogue cultivators.

Lin Xiao's gaze swept over her without lingering. He waved his folding fan and strolled calmly out of the Yingbin Pavilion.

Chen Jinshu's tense nerves relaxed slightly, and he quickly stepped forward.

"Test the elixir, obtain the Hundred Herbs Token." She deliberately lowered her voice, her tone low and indifferent, and placed an inconspicuous small pottery bottle on the rosewood counter.

The bottle's rough texture clashes with the opulent grand reception hall.

Manager Zhao didn't even lift his eyelids, slowly sipped his spiritual tea, and tapped his finger on a conspicuous jade plaque beside the counter, on which were engraved four characters in a flamboyant style:

"Verification of funds, 500."

Chen Jinshu silently took out five mid-grade spirit stones.

With a flick of his sleeve, Steward Zhao caused the spirit stone to disappear. Only then did he lazily pick up the ceramic bottle and uncork it.

In an instant, an indescribable pure and ethereal aura emanated, its rich fragrance instantly overpowering all the incense in the pavilion.

A purple-gold glow rose from the mouth of the bottle, and three perfectly round pills, each the size of a dragon's eye, were faintly visible, floating quietly. Mysterious cloud patterns naturally flowed across the surface of the pills, and a point of spiritual light at the core flickered like a star.

"Hiss!" Manager Zhao gasped, his previous languid arrogance vanished, his eyes widened, and his fingers trembled slightly with excitement.

"Purple Mansion Spirit Nourishing Pill? Third-tier pill pattern!"

He suddenly looked up, his cloudy old eyes flashing with a sharp light as he stared intently at Chen Jinshu's ordinary, unremarkable face:

"May I ask, fellow Daoist, who your master is? And this pill... would you be willing to part with it? Our establishment is willing to offer a high price! We will absolutely satisfy you!"

His greed was barely concealed. "Examine the pill, obtain the order," Chen Jinshu repeated, his voice indifferent and cold, carrying an undeniable sense of oppression.

She subtly released a trace of the Golden Core's pressure, which made Manager Zhao's soul tremble.

Manager Zhao jolted awake, instantly sobering up. Fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead, and he hurriedly suppressed all his thoughts.

He dared not say another word, and quickly took out a palm-sized, emerald-green, leaf-shaped token from deep inside the counter.

The token felt warm to the touch, with an intricate relief of a medicinal cauldron and herbs on the front and an ancient seal script character for "hundred herbs" on the back.

"Keep the token safe! Seven days before the start of the Pill Gathering, present this token at the entrance of the 'Hundred Herbs Secret Realm' at the valley gate to report!" Manager Zhao respectfully handed over the Hundred Herbs Token, but his eyes still couldn't help but glance at the rough pottery bottle.

Chen Jinshu grabbed the token, stuffed it into his pocket without even looking at it, put away the ceramic bottle, turned around and left, his gray-brown figure quickly blending into the noisy crowd outside the door.

Once out of sight of the welcoming pavilion, Chen Jinshu quickened his pace. On either side were towering stone walls, their plaster mottled and covered with withered vines, blocking out most of the city noise.

All she wants now is to return to Rock Residence as soon as possible and wait for the Dan Conference to begin.

However, just as she rounded a dark corner filled with discarded medicine baskets, a sweet, cloying voice reached her ears, instantly setting off alarm bells.

"Fairy, please stay."

Chen Jinshu froze on the spot, his back instantly straightening, a chill shooting from his tailbone straight to the top of his head.

She turned slowly.

Lin Xiao leaned against the mottled gray wall, his moon-white brocade robe spotless, his jade-bone fan gently waving, and his face adorned with that perfect, gentle smile.

His narrow, almond-shaped eyes curved slightly, his gaze fixed on Chen Jinshu with a mixture of amusement and intense desire.

"What exquisite craftsmanship, fairy! What a masterful technique for concealing one's aura!" He chuckled softly.

"If it weren't for the extraordinary glow and pure fragrance of the Purple Mansion Spirit Nourishing Pill from the fairy, which my nose, which has been immersed in the Dao of Alchemy for many years, could not forget, I would have almost missed the chance to meet the fairy."

He took a step forward, and the sweet, cloying scent of incense emanating from him suddenly intensified, carrying an invisible sense of oppression.

"Six days have passed since we parted at Panshiju. I have been burning incense and praying every day, eagerly hoping to meet the fairy and discuss the mysteries of alchemy together. But the fairy keeps me at arm's length, even going so far as to change her appearance... It really breaks my heart."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jinshu felt a chill run down his spine and wished he could get rid of him as soon as possible.

The anger and disgust in her heart could no longer be suppressed, and she erupted in anger.

He then rebuked her without any mercy:
"Stop with that disgusting, self-righteous act!"

"I have just arrived at Medicine King Valley and all I seek is a quiet place to cultivate in seclusion. I have no intention of causing trouble, and I disdain discussing alchemical friendships with a scoundrel like you!"

"You!" Lin Xiao's expression froze for a moment. Looking at Chen Jinshu's disdainful attitude, he was a little confused. The other party actually knew his character.

"You shameless wretch! You damned wretch!"

Seeing this, he could no longer maintain any composure, and his voice became hoarse and shrill.

"How dare you... how dare you humiliate me like this! Very well! You just wait! In this Medicine King Valley, I, Lin Xiao, will make you wish you were dead! I will make you kneel at my feet."

Lin Xiao gave Chen Jinshu one last venomous look, then turned and strode away.

Chen Jinshu's face was ashen as he watched Lin Xiao leave. He felt no relief, only a deeper heaviness in his heart.

Given his temperament, this matter will never end well.