Chapter 69: Chapter 69: The Girl in the Purple Skirt
Xu Chang’an put away the freshly refined Healing Spirit Pill and prepared to head to Jin Ling’er’s place.
The matter of his promotion to a Quasi-second-rank Alchemist was best handled sooner rather than later, so he planned to go and inform her.
Just as he reached the second floor, he heard a commotion from downstairs.
It seemed the Little Demons in the shop were having a dispute with a customer.
"I’ve come in person! Are you still not going to bring your Chief Alchemist out here?"
The voice was clear and melodious, but the tone was anything but pleasant.
’Looking for me?’
Xu Chang’an frowned.
He had been planning to go out anyway, and since they were inside the Marketplace, he had nothing to fear.
When he walked into the first-floor hall, he saw a petite, adorable young woman with her hands on her hips, yelling at the surrounding Little Demons.
Beside the young woman stood a Barbaric Bear Demon with a powerful and imposing physique.
Even though the first-floor hall of the Langlang Mountain Elixir Workshop had been designed with immense ceilings to accommodate the massive bodies of Demons, it could barely fit the creature’s enormous bear head.
The Little Demons around the young woman were trying to placate her, not daring to cause any offense.
"Miss, our Elder Grey Rat is currently in seclusion, refining an elixir.
Please be patient. As soon as the Elder is finished with his Alchemy, we will notify him at once."
Before Xu Chang’an had entered seclusion to refine the Healing Spirit Pill, he had told the Little Demons not to disturb him.
"If he won’t come down, I’ll go up there myself. Get out of my way!"
The young woman seemed incredibly spoiled and headstrong, completely ignoring the Little Demons’ attempts to stop her.
Xu Chang’an’s gaze fell on the young woman. She was petite and dressed in a short purple skirt, which revealed a pair of impeccably fair thighs.
From head to toe, she retained no trace of any demonic features.
To the naked eye, she looked completely and undeniably human.
However, no Human Race Cultivator would ever come to the Lujiao Mountain Marketplace.
This young woman was merely using a rather high-level Illusion Technique.
It was rare to see a Demon that could completely transform into a human form.
Ordinarily, even those who used Illusory Transformation would retain one or two features of their own race.
For example, when a Fox Spirit took on human form, it would deliberately keep its fox tail.
When a Rabbit Spirit took on human form, it would keep its own fluffy little ears.
As for those who had perfected their human Illusory Transformation, Jin Ling’er was the first one Xu Chang’an had ever seen, and the young woman before him was the second.
’Ah, I forgot.’
’There’s also Yu Ruyan!’
’But hers wasn’t an Illusory Transformation. She had used her Demon King Bloodline to achieve a true physical transformation!’
’Besides, who knew if she had kept any of her demonic traits.’
’Yu Ruyan never did answer that question I asked her!’
"Elder Grey Rat, you’re out of seclusion!"
Seeing Xu Chang’an come down, one of the Alchemy Little Demons’ eyes lit up as he hurried to greet him.
"Mm."
Xu Chang’an gave a slight nod, then immediately asked.
"What’s going on?"
"Elder Grey Rat, it’s like this. This customer came in and immediately demanded to see you.
She wouldn’t answer when we asked what she needed.
Since you said you were in seclusion for Alchemy and shouldn’t be disturbed, we didn’t notify you right away.
The customer got agitated and tried to force her way upstairs."
The Little Demon spoke quite articulately.
They had all learned a lot after working at the Elixir Workshop for so long.
It was a far cry from when they had first arrived, knowing nothing, acting recklessly, and relaying messages in a jumbled, incoherent mess.
’As long as one becomes a Demon and is properly nurtured, they all have great potential!’
’Not bad at all!’
Xu Chang’an was quite satisfied.
"You’re the Chief Alchemist here!?"
The young woman in the purple skirt noticed Xu Chang’an.
"I am."
Xu Chang’an replied politely.
’A customer is a guest. As a humble Mouse Demon, my attitude is impeccable!’
"I’ve heard that when it comes to the highest Alchemy Skill in the Lujiao Mountain Marketplace, it’s supposed to be the Chief Alchemist of the Langlang Mountain Elixir Workshop.
But looking at you, you don’t seem like it at all!"
The young woman’s nimble eyes sized up Xu Chang’an, her expression filled with doubt.
Even though Xu Chang’an’s apparent Cultivation had reached the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, his body was only about twice the size of a common squirrel.
Combined with his gray fur and his furtive, rat-like face, he looked utterly unremarkable.
"I wouldn’t dare claim to have the highest Alchemy Skill in the Marketplace, but if you’re asking for the Chief Alchemist of the Langlang Mountain Elixir Workshop, then that is I."
Xu Chang’an showed no sign of impatience, his tone gentle.
This young woman’s Cultivation had reached the Peak of the Ninth Level of Qi Refining, just one step away from Foundation Establishment.
Judging by her age, she was no more than twenty, which made her a true prodigy.
Most importantly, the Barbaric Bear Demon standing beside her...
Its Realm seemed slightly weaker, but its Demon Body, if he wasn’t mistaken, had well and truly stepped into the Foundation Establishment Realm!
The Demon Race was different from the Human Race, born with naturally powerful physiques.
Some exceptionally talented Demons, even if their Realm had not broken through to Foundation Establishment, could have their Demon Body and Spirit enter the Foundation Establishment Realm!
The Barbaric Bear Demon before him was one such case.
Its Demon Body was at Foundation Establishment, while its Realm was at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer!
In terms of combat strength, it was no weaker than a typical Foundation Establishment Great Demon!
Judging by the Barbaric Bear Demon’s behavior, it acted like the young woman’s personal guard.
Clearly, this young woman before him had an extraordinary background!
’I wonder what kind of Demon she is!?’
Xu Chang’an speculated inwardly.
Her Illusion Technique was of a high level; he wouldn’t be able to see through it without using his Demon Sense.
But if he used his Demon Sense, he might expose himself in front of the Barbaric Bear Demon.
"Since you’re the Chief Alchemist here, I’ll ask you this: can you refine a Spirit Nourishing Pill!?"
Hearing the young woman’s words, Xu Chang’an casually glanced at the Barbaric Bear Demon beside her.
’A moment ago, I was only suspicious, but now I can be basically certain.’
’This Barbaric Bear Demon at her side must have suffered an injury to its Spirituality.’
The Spirit Nourishing Pill could gently nurture one’s Spirituality and was extremely effective at promoting recovery from spiritual injuries.
It was among the most supreme types of Tier One Elixirs.
Even a typical High-grade Alchemist would have little confidence in successfully refining one!
"The Spirit Nourishing Pill... I have indeed never refined one."
"May I ask for what purpose you require it, miss? Perhaps there is another elixir in the shop that could be a substitute."
Xu Chang’an said, his expression unchanging.
"Never refined one!?"
The purple-skirted young woman’s brows knitted together.
"And you’re supposed to be the most skilled Alchemist in the Marketplace! You’ve never even refined a Spirit Nourishing Pill!
If this place wasn’t so far from home, and if Wild Bear’s injuries weren’t so urgent, I would have never come here!"
The young woman’s face was dark with indignation.
"Miss, this trivial injury is nothing. It won’t be too late for Wild Bear to recuperate after we return."
The Barbaric Bear Demon at her side suddenly spoke, his voice a low rumble, as if echoing from inside a large vat.
"No!
Wild Bear, if you hadn’t risked your life to protect me this time, I’m afraid I would have been in real danger!
Your Spirituality has been damaged. If it isn’t stabilized in time...
...even if the injury heals later, the difficulty of breaking through to Foundation Establishment in the future will increase immensely!"
The young woman’s brows were tightly knitted, her expression one of frustration.
She had been ambushed on this trip. If Wild Bear hadn’t fought to the death to protect her, she would have suffered a devastating loss—even if she had life-saving treasures that would have prevented her death.
If her actions caused Wild Bear to lose all hope of reaching Foundation Establishment, she wouldn’t be the only one upset; the elders in her family would likely hold her responsible as well.
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