Noticing Qin Chu and Qing Yi returning to the Vermilion Bird Sacred Clan's stronghold, Qi Qingqing smiled, "Not bad! His physique, appearance, and demeanor are all excellent. He truly makes one's heart flutter."
Qi Qingqing did not make a move because she knew Qing Yi was a master. Although he was a sixth-rank, he could still hold her off for a while, which would create variables.
Within Sky Sword City, Qi Qingqing dared not act recklessly because of the Sacred Martial Enforcement. She had never clashed with them and didn't know their strength.
Qin Chu and Qing Yi returned to the Vermilion Bird Sacred Clan's stronghold. Qin Chu went to Cultivate, while Qing Yi and Qin Lingxi exchanged words.
"Qin Chu has excellent connections. Both the Alchemist Guild and the City Lord's Mansion hold him in high regard and respect," Qing Yi told Qin Lingxi.
Yuan Qi, Chu Shan, and Lin Hanyue's attitudes towards Qin Chu pleased Qing Yi, as this was a success in navigating the Jianghu, indicating that Qin Chu's future path would be smooth.
"This might be related to his upbringing. The heirs of various forces grow up under the protection of their Family elders, so they don't have many external connections, and the respect they receive doesn't stem from themselves. Qing Yi, I'll trouble you to look after Qin Chu during this time. He is currently in a growth phase, and if someone ruthless targets him, he won't be able to withstand it," Qin Lingxi said.
Qing Yi nodded, "I will. When the Young Madam and Young Clan Chief return, I will present them with a perfectly unharmed Young Lord."
"You've worked hard!" Qin Lingxi whispered to Qing Yi.
"You don't need to be so polite with me," Qing Yi shook his head.
"You do. I see all your struggles, and I keep them in my heart," Qin Lingxi said.
"You also have your difficulties. I'll help you shoulder as much as I can," Qing Yi said.
Qin Lingxi turned her head and wiped the corner of her eye. She understood some things; in fact, her brother and sister-in-law had mentioned them twenty years ago. However, the Vermilion Bird Sacred Clan then suffered a blow, and some matters were put aside.
Returning to his courtyard, Qin Chu took out the Vermilion Bird Stone, continuing to nourish it with the Vermilion Bird Sacred Fire while Cultivating Origin Qi.
After resting for two days in the stronghold, Qin Chu, accompanied by Qing Yi, went to the Alchemist Guild to sell Medicinal Pills and accept Alchemy orders. The old rule for orders still applied: three sets of Materials for one Medicinal Pill.
Qi Qingqing arrived at the Alchemist Guild and approached Qin Chu's stall.
"Alchemist Qin, hello!" Qi Qingqing greeted Qin Chu, who was busy with Alchemy.
"You're too kind. Do you need any Medicinal Pills?" Qin Chu didn't look up, continuously processing the solidification of the Medicinal Pills in the Pill Furnace.
"I want top-grade Heavenly Origin Pills, but I don't have the Materials for Heavenly Origin Pills," Qi Qingqing said.
Qin Chu looked up, "If you don't have Materials, you can purchase them with Spirit Stones."
"I don't have Spirit Stones either!" Qi Qingqing shook her head. She was there to make contact with Qin Chu. If the interaction ended in just two or three sentences, it would be boring.
Taking the Medicinal Pills out of the Pill Furnace, Qin Chu wiped his hands with a towel. "No Materials, no Spirit Stones, that won't do! If everyone was like that, I wouldn't be able to make a living."
"Alchemist Qin, don't get excited. I don't have the Materials or Spirit Stones for Heavenly Origin Pills, but I have other things. How about Jade Spirit Flowers?" Qi Qingqing produced a jade-colored flower.
Qin Chu's hand trembled slightly. The Jade Spirit Flower was a top-grade Material, the main ingredient for Jade Bone Pills, which strengthen the body's bones, and also one of the main ingredients for Profound Spirit Pills, which instantly replenish Origin Qi energy.
"Is this acceptable?" Qi Qingqing asked, looking at Qin Chu.
"Jade Spirit Flowers are very precious and not on the same level as Heavenly Origin Pills. It would be a loss for you to exchange them for Heavenly Origin Pills," Qin Chu said after looking at the Jade Spirit Flower in Qi Qingqing's hand again.
After observing Qin Chu, Qi Qingqing smiled, "Alchemist Qin seems different from other Alchemists. Others are afraid of being at a disadvantage, but you seem to be afraid of others being at a disadvantage."
"It's best if neither party is at a disadvantage," Qin Chu said.
"Alchemist Qin has the integrity of an Alchemist, which is admirable. However, the Jade Spirit Flower is useless to me. It's better to exchange it for Heavenly Origin Pills, which can help me improve my Cultivation," Qi Qingqing said.
Qin Chu thought for a moment, "I have a responsibility to explain the situation to you. As for how to make a decision, you should think for yourself!"
"I'll exchange them. I'll exchange for three Jade Spirit Flowers first," Qi Qingqing took out three Jade Spirit Flowers and handed them to Qin Chu.
After weighing it, Qin Chu took out five bottles of top-grade Heavenly Origin Pills and handed them to Qi Qingqing, "You're not at a disadvantage now."
"Thank you, Alchemist Qin. May I invite Alchemist Qin for a cup of tea?" Qi Qingqing asked, looking at Qin Chu.
"You're too kind, there's no need. I still have Medicinal Pills to refine," Qin Chu shook his head and refused, looking at Qi Qingqing. Drinking tea with a strange woman? It wasn't very appropriate!
After silently cursing him as a scoundrel, Qi Qingqing turned and left. She, Qi Qingqing, invited someone for tea and was actually rejected. This was absolutely impossible in the past.
Holding the three Jade Spirit Flowers, Qin Chu was very happy. After gathering the auxiliary Materials, he could refine Jade Bone Pills to strengthen his body's bones. With high bone strength, he wouldn't have his leg bones fractured by someone's kick.
Thinking of his fractured leg bone, Qin Chu thought of the masked Qi Qingqing. Qin Chu felt helpless about Qi Qingqing. It was his bad luck to encounter such an unreasonable woman.
"Qin Chu, your self-control is quite good. That beautiful woman just invited you for tea!" Qing Yi, who had been accompanying Qin Chu, said with a smile.
"Uncle Qing Yi, please don't joke. How could I have such thoughts right now!" Qin Chu smiled.
After finishing Alchemy, Qin Chu took Qing Yi to the tavern where he and Su Mu had met and had a drink before returning to the Vermilion Bird Sacred Clan's stronghold.
"This guard really sticks close!" Qi Qingqing, watching the Vermilion Bird Sacred Clan's stronghold gate from a teahouse, noticed Qin Chu and Qing Yi returning to the Vermilion Bird Sacred Clan's stronghold and muttered to herself.
Qi Qingqing was not in a hurry. She felt that if she waited, there would definitely be an opportunity. The biggest difference between a hunter and prey was that the hunter had more patience.
Cultivating diligently every day, half a month after returning to Sky Sword City, Qin Chu was about to enter Sky Sword Mountain. He planned to Cultivate Sword Intent while improving his Origin Qi Cultivation.
Qing Yi used a battle halberd and could not enter Sky Sword Mountain. In this situation, Qin Lingxi decided to accompany Qin Chu to Sky Sword Mountain. She would also temper her Sword Intent along the way.
Seeing Qin Lingxi and Qin Chu enter Sky Sword Mountain, Qi Qingqing thought for a moment and then entered Sky Sword Mountain as well. She felt that there might be an opportunity within Sky Sword Mountain, and if not, she could create one.
After Qin Chu and Qin Lingxi entered Sky Sword Mountain, they stopped in the sixth-level Sword Intent area, in front of the seventh-level Sword Intent inscription. Qin Lingxi's Sword Intent was at sixth-level Perfection, and Qin Chu's Battle Intent was not yet at sixth-level, so he planned to temper it further.
Qi Qingqing followed from a distance, observing the situation and looking for an opportunity. Qin Chu, she was determined to have him!