Chapter 0002: The Immortal in the Mountains Selects the Immortal Seedlings

The little goat beard gazed directly at Qin Haoxuan's face. Seeing that Qin Haoxuan did not respond, he tacitly accepted Huang Jing's statement. The little goat beard then continued, "Young brother, I am currently preparing a prescription, and I happen to need Huang Jing as one of the ingredients. You can name your price for this piece of Huang Jing today, and I will buy it. How does that sound?"

While others are offering high prices, you are offering such a low price, and yet Qin Ge has still reserved it for you

Qin Haoxuan smiled slightly, blocking the hand of Old Chen that was offering him the Huangjing, and said: "Thirty taels is thirty taels. Without you, there would be no today for me! Since it was gathered anyway, it doesn't matter whether I sell a little more or a little less; consider it fulfilling your wish!"

Everyone in the town knows that Qin Haoxuan must have come to sell medicinal herbs again, and with such a grand display, it is likely that he has brought another valuable item

Qin Haoxuan took a deep breath, steadying his somewhat wavering spirit

Qin Haoxuan wrote his full name in the registration book, and a loud, almost arrogant voice came from behind him. He turned around to see Zhang Kuang, who was brimming with confidence, staring at him with a glint of sharpness in his eyes, yet he remained silent.

"Huangjing, have you harvested the Huangjing?" Old Chen's voice arrived before he did, his robust voice resonating despite being nearly eighty years old. With a rosy complexion and a brisk gait, he spotted Qin Haoxuan and anxiously exclaimed: "I heard someone is offering a high price to compete with me for Huangjing? Where is the Huangjing? Has it been sold?"

One hundred taels of silver were displayed, instantly stunning the group of young men from the mountains. Although they had been lively in their bidding, apart from Qin Haoxuan, they were all country bumpkins who had never even seen ten taels of silver, let alone witnessing such a large sum of one hundred taels at once

One hundred and twenty taels, the income of an ordinary family in Datian Town over the course of ten years. Even Qin Haoxuan would take three to four years to earn one hundred and twenty taels. A young man, his face flushed, gazed at the six silver ingots gleaming under the sunlight, feeling as if he could hardly breathe.

Old man Chen has been yearning for a piece of Huangjing for several years. If he knew that I obtained a piece and sold it to you, the price he would pay me for my medicinal materials in the future would be lower. Although one hundred taels is tempting, it cannot sever my future prospects, can it

"Here, I have kept it for you," Qin Haoxuan said as he released his tightly clenched hand around the yellow herb. A small stone, the size of a fingernail, appeared in his palm, and a faint yet rich fragrance immediately spread, overpowering the various herbal scents in the apothecary.

Even without the temptation of two hundred taels of silver each year, the prospect of being chosen by a mountain deity to become a disciple is enough to attract these young men. Qin Haoxuan also yearns to become a deity, but he is more concerned about his aging parents who would be left without support after he departs. How could he possibly go off to become a deity, leaving his parents in solitude and hardship?

Two hundred taels of silver is a substantial sum for Qin Haoxuan, not to mention that these boys, who have never seen such an amount of money, are utterly stunned by the astronomical figure of two hundred taels each year

Qin Haoxuan arrived at the pharmacy amidst a throng of young people, drawing considerable attention.

The pricing of medicinal materials is not standardized. If it is urgently needed to save a life, charging up to 1,000 taels for this Huangjing would not be excessive. However, at present, I can only offer 30 taels. " Old Chen gently pinched the Huangjing between his fingers and praised, " A good treasure, a good treasure! "

Qin Haoxuan nodded and said, "How much do you think you can offer?"

"Huangjing, it truly is Huangjing..." Old Chen, at his advanced age, could no longer suppress his emotions upon seeing the Huangjing. He hurriedly stepped forward, taking the Huangjing from Qin Haoxuan's hands, holding it carefully in his own, examining it closely, overwhelmed with excitement and tears streaming down his face

Watching the arrogant figure depart, even Qin Haoxuan could not help but feel a chill in his heart. A cunning person like Zhang Kuang, who understands the nuances of advance and retreat, must be approached with double caution if he were to be selected alongside oneself

The Chen Family Pharmacy is well-known and recognized by everyone in Datian Town. It is inevitable to sustain injuries or get poisoned while hunting in the mountains, but Old Man Chen is always able to cure ailments effectively, earning a high reputation in Datian Town

Indeed, it is outrageous, such a significant difference

Qin Haoxuan arrived at the entrance of the Chen family pharmacy, where the faint fragrance of Huangjing stood out prominently amidst the rich aroma of medicinal herbs, immediately capturing the attention of the two unfamiliar faces.

"Qin Wazi, how much do you want to sell this Huangjing for?" After a while, Old Chen finally calmed his excited expression and asked seriously, "I heard that someone just offered one hundred and twenty taels?"

Zhang Kuang, who was glared at by Qin Haoxuan, quickly calmed down. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he secretly blamed himself for being too complacent and impulsive. He shot a resentful glare at Qin Haoxuan and silently turned away in front of the many onlookers, drawing a round of sneers, truly a case of lifting a stone only to drop it on his own foot

Qin Haoxuan knew that the person before him must have a significant background. Before he even took out his Huangjing, the other party was able to discern it with a single remark. It is better not to make arbitrary offers in front of such capable individuals

Those who wish to register, please come to me to sign up. We will set off for Pozi Ridge at dawn tomorrow

It is indeed rare to see two unfamiliar faces in Datian Town. These two individuals are selecting precious medicinal materials under the enthusiastic recommendations of Old Chen's disciples, who have an air of superiority. Judging by the nearly obsequious smiles of Old Chen's disciples, they must have already purchased quite a lot. They are likely those two wealthy and extravagant outsiders.

Another unfamiliar face, who had been silent all along, interrupted the words of the man with the goat beard, saying: "If you are not satisfied with the price, I will add 20 taels, how about that?"

While drinking in the tavern, the youths heard an exhilarating piece of news: "It is said that tomorrow is the grand day when the immortals on the mountain will select their disciples!"

Before Qin Haoxuan had a chance to speak, a young man had already interjected ahead of him, saying: "I don't know whether it's Huangjing or not, but everything that Qin Ge handles is top-notch!"

Apart from some injured hunters and a few scattered herbalists coming to sell medicine, there were only two unfamiliar faces in the Chen Family Pharmacy

Qin Haoxuan did not make a bid, while the village youths who had come along to join the excitement began to shout out random offers one after another

Qin Haoxuan, I will definitely be chosen by the immortals tomorrow, and at that time, we will settle some accounts properly

The youths, unaware of what Huangjing is, argued heatedly, their faces flushed, as the prices soared from five taels to fifty taels.

Is it too much to ask for a bit of success? Brother Qin's good items are only worth 10 taels? I think they should be worth at least 15 taels!

After receiving thirty taels of silver from Old Chen, Qin Haoxuan called upon his friends and led a group of young men to a tavern in the town for a hearty drink, and they only dispersed after each had thoroughly enjoyed themselves

Qin Haoxuan was also startled by the price, his heart racing. After a long pause, he shook his head and said: "This truly cannot be sold to the two of you..."

Even though the Zhang family, whose father is the most outstanding hunter in Datian Town, earns only about 20 to 30 taels from hunting in a year, they are considered a very wealthy family in Datian Town

Old Chen, overwhelmed with emotion, was overjoyed and tightly grasped the yellow essence in his hand, fearing that if he hesitated for even a second, it would be snatched away by someone else

Two hundred taels of silver! It is still every year!

... ...

From the expressions of the group of boys, who were drooling all over the place, the two individuals believed that this deal was sealed

Upon hearing Qin Haoxuan's words, the little goat beard was taken aback for a moment, then replied: "Although Huangjing is rare, selling it to a pharmacy would only fetch about 20 to 30 taels, while I am willing to offer 100 taels..."

However, the situation is different with the annual settlement fee of two hundred taels of silver. Once selected by the immortals, this annual settlement fee can ensure that his parents live without worries about food and clothing, enjoying their old age in peace. He can also pursue the immortality skills taught by the immortal seniors with peace of mind, and surely his parents would support him in this endeavor

"Quite interesting, quite interesting." The two unfamiliar faces smiled slightly and left with great poise. Just as they had departed, Old Chen, having received the news, hurriedly rushed out from the inner courtyard.

Five taels

"Young man, are you here to sell medicine?" One of the men, dressed in a blue shirt and sporting a goatee, walked up to Qin Haoxuan and said: "This small village actually has high-quality Huangjing?"

Qin Haoxuan, along with the excited youths, registered at the mayor's office. With the flattery of a few followers, he was filled with confidence, thinking that he would soon be noticed by the immortals and would no longer be an ordinary person. As a result, he no longer instilled the same fear in others as he had before.

I will not force you; if you cannot sell it, then just take it back!" Old Chen quickened his pace of twisting, appearing reluctant to part with it. Although Huangjing is extremely rare and valuable yet not widely traded, the price he offered of thirty taels is already quite fair.

Qin Haoxuan expressed his views, and everyone present, including the two unfamiliar faces, listened with great approval. The other adults in the store who were buying medicine looked on with deep regret, wondering why they could not have a son like him

Five taels is not enough; at least ten taels are required

A modest little shop on North Street prominently displays the character "药" (medicine) hanging high. Old Chen's apprentice is busy cutting herbs and preparing medicines, and a fragrant aroma of herbal medicine wafts through the vicinity

Tomorrow at Pozi Ridge, the immortals on the mountain will select the most outstanding candidates among you to take as disciples. This is a rare opportunity, and you must all be spirited and take it seriously. Once chosen by the immortals, you will also receive an annual settlement fee of two hundred taels of silver gifted by them

The two unfamiliar faces exchanged a smile, and the little goat beard took out five gleaming silver ingots from the package, saying: "Here is one hundred taels of silver. As long as you are willing to sell me this piece of yellow essence, this silver will be yours."

Upon returning home, Qin Haoxuan slept soundly until the evening. The town mayor then sent someone to gather all the eligible sixteen-year-old boys in the town and announced this exciting news in the town square.

This price is too far from the previous one hundred and twenty taels, and before Qin Haoxuan could express his stance, the youths behind him began to make a commotion

Although the business of the pharmacy is thriving, Old Chen, who has entrusted everything to his apprentices, enjoys a leisurely life. He often sits in a rattan chair in the inner courtyard of the pharmacy, savoring tea and reading books, feeling quite at ease. He no longer intervenes in trivial matters, except for difficult and complicated cases that his apprentices are unsure about, or when the medicinal materials to be purchased are too precious for them to decide on their own.

Arrogant yet feeling that Qin Haoxuan's gaze pierced straight to the heart, seeing through the soul, unable to help but shiver, breaking out in goosebumps