Chapter 95: Chapter 95: Kunlun Profound Lady
Very quickly, after sitting in the resting area for a moment, the servant who had received Ji Chen earlier returned once more.
However, aside from the servant, another person accompanied him.
This was an old man over fifty years of age. Judging by his appearance, he seemed to be a figure of authority in the Treasure Pavilion.
Led by the servant, the old man approached Ji Chen.
The servant respectfully said, "Steward Li, this guest wishes to purchase ’Moonlight Grass’."
"I see. You may go about your duties." The old man, called Steward Li, nodded and gestured for the servant to leave.
Soon after the servant left, Steward Li clasped his hands towards Ji Chen, smiling as he spoke, "I am Li Xu, one of the stewards of the Treasure Pavilion. May I know your name, young friend?"
"I am Ji Chen."
Ji Chen stood up, slightly cupping his fists in respect.
"Young friend Ji wishes to purchase Moonlight Grass?"
Steward Li sat down in the empty seat beside him. As he spoke, he took out the list of herbs Ji Chen had previously written and placed it on the small table between them. He continued, "These herbs are quite rare and difficult to find even within our Treasure Pavilion. However, we happen to have one Moonlight Grass in stock right now."
"Steward Li came to find me personally; could it be that the price of this Moonlight Grass is too high?" Ji Chen inquired.
Steward Li shook his head, "Not exactly. Young friend may not be aware, but Moonlight Grass is an extremely expensive herb, used only in the refinement of high-grade elixirs. Therefore, to prevent waste, we at the Treasure Pavilion do not simply sell it to just anyone..."
It was not that he was deliberately making things difficult, but such was the reality.
Generally speaking, the sale of ordinary herbs did not warrant scrutiny from the Treasure Pavilion.
But for higher-grade herbs like Moonlight Grass, the Treasure Pavilion conducts a certain level of examination to ensure that such rare herbs do not fall into the hands of ordinary people, leading to waste.
"Since young friend has come to purchase herbs, it is presumably for alchemy purposes. However, considering your age, even if you are an alchemist, your level might not be very high. This Moonlight Grass must be something you are acquiring on behalf of someone else?" Steward Li asked.
Ji Chen understood that the other party was probing his background to see if he qualified to purchase such a high-grade herb as Moonlight Grass.
Without speaking, he flipped his hand, producing a special token which he handed to Steward Li.
"This is..."
Steward Li was initially taken aback, closely inspecting the token. Moments later, an expression of astonishment appeared on his face, "An Honorary Elder token from the Alchemy Master Alliance?!"
"Indeed." Ji Chen nodded.
This token was sent to him by Zhuang Miao not long after the Celestial Essence City beast tide incident.
Due to the matter of the Face Stabilizing Pill, he garnered attention from the Alliance headquarters, and Ji Chen’s establishment of a grand array in Celestial Essence City showcasing his extraordinary proficiency in the Array Dao, brought him significant attention from the Alchemy Master Alliance.
The Grand Alliance Leader even repeatedly expressed a desire to meet with him, though due to being busy, it had yet to happen.
Following the southward move of the Imperial Capital, Zhuang Miao sent this token to Ji Chen at the Lingyun Sect.
Currently, he was no longer just an ordinary alchemist within the Alchemy Master Alliance but had become an Honorary Elder.
It was no exaggeration to say that, with the status of Honorary Elder, within the entire Alchemy Master Alliance, aside from the Grand Alliance Leader and Sub-Alliance Leaders like Zhuang Miao, there were few who could be compared to Ji Chen.
Though the Alchemy Master Alliance is located within the Profound Domain, its fame far surpasses first-rate sects like the Sword King Sect and Lingxiao Palace.
This is because the occupation of an alchemist is exceptionally rare.
And the influence wielded by the Alchemy Master Alliance is not something many in the Northern Nether can underestimate.
"Over the years, we’ve had frequent exchanges with the Alchemy Master Alliance involving elixirs and herbs. I hadn’t expected that young friend, at such a young age, would already be an Honorary Elder of the Alliance. Please forgive this old man’s oversight."
After confirming the token, Steward Li quickly stood up, his attitude towards Ji Chen taking a significant turn.
After all, as an Honorary Elder of the Alchemy Master Alliance, in terms of status, Ji Chen was not someone a mere steward could compare to, and he naturally wouldn’t dare show any disrespect.
"Steward Li, you’re too kind. Let’s discuss the matter of the Moonlight Grass." Ji Chen smiled, putting away his Honorary Elder token.
Steward Li said, "Since young friend is an Honorary Elder of the Alchemy Master Alliance, there shouldn’t be any issue selling the Moonlight Grass to you. As for the price..."
"Moonlight Grass is an extremely precious herb, usually priced around 68,000 Spirit Stones. Given our Pavilion’s recent interactions with the Alchemy Master Alliance, we offer discounts to members of the Alliance. So... let’s round it off to 60,000 Spirit Stones. How does that sound to you?"
"Thank you very much, Steward Li." Ji Chen cupped his fists slightly.
This price was within an acceptable range for him.
After all, Moonlight Grass is indeed an extraordinary herb, or he wouldn’t have been searching for it for so long.
As for Spirit Stones, he had plenty.
Currently, he was in collaboration with Zhuang Miao, regularly auctioning the Face Stabilizing Pill, creating quite a stir in the Profound Domain, with each auction reaching extraordinarily high prices. A mere 60,000 Spirit Stones was nothing to Ji Chen.
Very soon, the transaction was completed.
After handing 60,000 Spirit Stones to Steward Li, it wasn’t long before a wooden box containing Moonlight Grass was placed in Ji Chen’s hands.
After ensuring everything was in order, Ji Chen took his leave without lingering further.
He arrived at an inn, casually ordered a few simple dishes and a pot of fine wine, intending to rest for a moment.
"At the upcoming grand celebration of the Ye Family Ancestor, quite a few have arrived. It’s said even members of the Desolate Ancient Emperor Race are present."
In the inn, as Ji Chen drank alone, conversations like these filled the air, "In recent years, the Desolate Ancient Emperor Race has seldom interacted with the outside. However, their presence this time is likely not just due to the grand celebration but mostly for the forthcoming Kunlun Tradition Ceremony..."
"Kunlun Tradition Ceremony?" someone, including Ji Chen, curiously asked.
"Aren’t you aware? It’s said that not long ago, the Kunlun Saint Master accepted a new female disciple and will shortly hold a tradition ceremony to pass down the Ancient Kunlun Scripture to her. Many influential figures will attend to observe, making the occasion far more lively than Bicheng at present."
Upon hearing this, an exquisite silhouette flashed in Ji Chen’s mind.
If he guessed correctly, the person mentioned was likely Qu Luoning.
Ji Chen hadn’t expected that after arriving at Kunlun, Qu Luoning would receive such attention and now even be accepted as a direct disciple of the Saint Master, with a tradition ceremony to be held soon.
Such tradition ceremonies aren’t afforded to just anyone.
Only initially when Si Ruyan was appointed as the Saintess was such an honor granted.
"The Kunlun Saint Master ranks among the most notable powerful women in the Northern Nether Nine Domains today. Besides the Saintess Si Ruyan, I wouldn’t have expected her to accept another disciple. A direct disciple of the Saint Master... equates to the status of the Profound Lady, a position of prestige second only to the current Saint Master and Saintess."
"A Kunlun Profound Lady? Curious which fairy it might be and what her name is," someone wondered aloud.
"It’s said to be... Qu something... ah, Qu Luoning! I think she’s the Eldest Princess of the Chu Kingdom in the Profound Domain."