Chapter 87: Chapter 87: A Demon’s Favor
Faced with Cheng Mengying’s accusation, Xu Chang’an could only apologize profusely.
He was just a small Mouse Demon; how could he possibly afford to provoke this little lioness?
Cheng Mengying didn’t press the matter. She had come to the Elixir Workshop, not to pick a fight with this Grey Rat.
She had been grievously injured in yesterday’s battle with that Golden Lion Spirit.
Her top priority was, of course, to take a Healing Elixir and recuperate.
However, her Storage Bag had already been snatched away by that Golden Lion Spirit.
Now, apart from a few Supreme-grade Magical Artifacts, she couldn’t produce a single Healing Elixir.
She had even been forced to abandon the Heavy Jade Ruyi!
Thinking of this, Cheng Mengying gritted her teeth in hatred.
’Damned Lion Spirit!’
Having lost a Heavy Treasure, who knew what kind of punishment awaited her when she returned to Lion’s Mane Cave.
"Miss Cheng, you’ve come all this way to find me. Is there something you need?"
Seeing Cheng Mengying’s emotions calm, Xu Chang’an asked.
"I want to buy a Healing Elixir, preferably a Tier Two."
To escape the pursuit of the Golden Lion Spirit, Cheng Mengying had been forced to retreat to Lujiao Mountain Marketplace.
Her injuries were extremely severe. After they eased slightly, she had rushed straight here to buy a suitable Healing Elixir.
The Langlang Mountain Elixir Workshop was overseen by a Quasi-second-rank Alchemist, so the grade of its Healing Elixirs was surely the highest in the Marketplace.
The few Great Demons of Lujiao Mountain probably had some Healing Elixirs in reserve as well.
’But I’m in the Marketplace. It wouldn’t be wise to publicize my injuries!’
’It would be safer to wait until my injuries have stabilized before I go out and negotiate with the Great Demons.’
"A Tier Two Healing Elixir? I am merely a Quasi-second-rank Alchemist. How could I have a Tier Two Healing Elixir?"
Xu Chang’an wore a pained expression.
Then, he added, "However, if you’re looking for a Quasi-Second Tier Healing Elixir, I did refine a few bottles recently."
"Quasi-Second Tier is also acceptable."
Cheng Mengying had expected as much. She had only asked for a Tier Two Healing Elixir on the off chance he had one.
At that, Xu Chang’an took out several bottles of Quasi-Second Tier Healing Elixirs, told her the price, and handed them to the young woman.
Cheng Mengying took the Elixirs, a hint of embarrassment on her face.
"I... misplaced my Storage Bag. I’ll have to owe you for the Demon Stones for now.
You don’t have a problem with that!"
Xu Chang’an knew Cheng Mengying’s situation perfectly well.
On the surface, however, he acted as if it was nothing, saying that it was his Elixir Workshop’s honor for Miss Cheng to run a tab.
"Don’t worry, I will give you the Demon Stones as soon as possible!"
Cheng Mengying still seemed a little embarrassed as she added that.
In all her years of cultivation, she had never had such an experience.
"It’s no trouble at all. Please, Miss Cheng, do as you must."
Xu Chang’an said with a smile, his expression one of complete understanding.
Her injuries not yet healed, Cheng Mengying had no intention of chatting with Xu Chang’an now that she had her Healing Elixirs.
She promptly bid him farewell and turned to leave.
As she turned, her short skirt swayed, revealing well-rounded, pale thighs.
Though Cheng Mengying was petite, her jade-like legs were long and fair—a pleasing sight for any demon.
’This little lioness...’
Xu Chang’an watched the young woman leave, his eyes slightly narrowed.
’Who would have thought that someone so small and delicate could be so fierce and domineering in Magical Combat.’
’Even the Elephant Demon, who had a higher Cultivation Realm and was known for his brute strength, was no match for her in a direct confrontation.’
’Even I had to use every trick in the book just to suppress her.’
...
For the next few days, Xu Chang’an stayed put in his Elixir Workshop.
It would take a great deal of time to refine the residual Demon Power from the Jade Ruyi.
Only a trump card you can actually use can be called a trump card.
Otherwise, it’s just a decoration!
Xu Chang’an understood this point clearly, which was why he focused all his attention on this matter for the next few days.
The sooner he refined the residual Demon Power, the sooner he could begin Nurturing the Jade Ruyi.
After the initial Nurturing, he would be able to command this Quasi-Magical Treasure to fight for him.
The influence of the auction had not yet faded, and business in the Lujiao Mountain Marketplace had been excellent these past few days.
Countless demons were coming and going, making the place exceptionally lively.
The Langlang Mountain Elixir Workshop even took on a few custom orders for High-grade Elixirs.
However, Xu Chang’an announced that he was currently in seclusion to comprehend new Alchemy techniques.
Custom elixir orders would have to be delayed.
Another ten days or so passed, and several Great Demons arrived at Lujiao Mountain Marketplace.
They arrived with great fanfare and a massive entourage.
Every day, they went back and forth, in and out of the Marketplace, seemingly searching for something.
He later found out they were all Great Demons from Lion’s Mane Cave.
They were likely there because of the attack on Cheng Mengying.
Xu Chang’an wasn’t concerned. He had been extremely secretive when he made his move.
He felt his actions were flawless. Even if there were some minor oversights, there was no way the trail would ever lead back to a humble Little Gray Rat Demon like him.
Meanwhile, Cheng Mengying paid another visit to the Elixir Workshop a few days later.
Given Cheng Mengying’s special status, Xu Chang’an personally went to receive her again.
The little lioness was true to her word, it seemed.
She paid back the Demon Stones she owed for the Quasi-Second Tier Healing Elixirs.
Before leaving, she also said that, including the matter of the Healing Spirit Pill from before, she owed Xu Chang’an a favor (Demon Emotions).
If he ever needed anything, he could write to her, and she would help him if it was within her power.
The girl in the purple skirt looked quite serious when she said it.
Gone was her previous pampered arrogance; standing there, her petite frame possessed a different kind of charisma.
’This little lioness! She’s been sold and she’s still helping count the money!’
Xu Chang’an couldn’t help but marvel.
’If this little lioness knew that the culprit who attacked her was none other than the Little Grey Mouse standing before her, I wonder what she would think!’
Still, with this promise in hand, Xu Chang’an was in a good mood.
If nothing unexpected happened, he might really need to cash in that favor one day.
「Three more months passed.」
During these three months, Xu Chang’an finished Refining all of Cheng Mengying’s residual Demon Power within the Jade Ruyi.
He also officially began Nurturing the Jade Ruyi. Based on his current progress, he calculated that it would take less than a year before he could formally command it.
Jin Ling’Er also returned to Lujiao Mountain Marketplace from Langlang Mountain.
She came to find Xu Chang’an, and they chatted for a while.
According to Jin Ling’Er, Langlang Mountain had changed a great deal. The number of Little Demons alone had grown to over a thousand.
With two Foundation Establishment Great Demons of immense combat prowess presiding over it, Langlang Mountain’s influence was vast and soaring like the midday sun.
When she asked about his progress in reverse-engineering the Lifespan Extension Pill, Xu Chang’an naturally dodged the question, only saying that he had run into some difficulties but that they should be surmountable.
He had wanted to find a chance to be clear with Jin Ling’Er, to thank her for the affection she’d shown him that day but also explain that he wasn’t interested and that her talk of waiting for him should be taken as a joke.
But just as he was about to explain, a Steward Demon from another shop came looking for her with business to attend to, and Jin Ling’Er took her leave.
In the days that followed, he never found the right opportunity.
Every time they met, they would either exchange a few pleasantries or the setting would be inconvenient.
「Another half-year passed.」
During this half-year, a major event occurred in the Lujiao Mountain Marketplace.
The Quasi-second-rank Alchemist, the Gray Rat Alchemist, was ambushed and injured outside the Marketplace!
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