Joe Di swept his divine sense downstairs and saw Quentin Pooler sitting in the shop with a late-stage Immortal Lord girl, accompanied by Sprout and Moria Lane.
Joe Di had already planned to find Quentin Pooler, but now that Quentin Pooler came to him, he immediately went downstairs.
"Alchemist Joe, I was so excited yesterday that I forgot to give you the array token for the shop. I must apologize for that. Today, I came especially to deliver the array token." Quentin Pooler greeted Joe Di as soon as he saw him come downstairs.
Though he said this, Quentin Pooler was certain in his heart that Joe Di's arraycraft was even stronger than his own. Joe Di clearly didn't need the array token, but Quentin Pooler still insisted on giving it.
Quentin Pooler saw Joe Di as a powerful immortal alchemist with boundless prospects and naturally wanted to build a strong relationship with him.
Joe Di laughed heartily and cupped his fists. "You’re too kind, Brother Quentin. I understand the circumstances. Let me first congratulate your daughter on her recovery—may she continue to pursue the Dao."
Hearing Joe Di congratulate his daughter's recovery, Quentin Pooler beamed. "It’s truly thanks to you, Alchemist Joe. If not for you, my daughter would still be in a coma. Today I’ve brought my daughter Shirley Pooler to personally thank you."
The girl beside Quentin Pooler stood up and bowed to Joe Di. "Thank you, Alchemist Joe, for your alchemical kindness."
"No need for such formality, please sit." Joe Di replied politely, inviting Shirley Pooler to take a seat.
After exchanging pleasantries, Joe Di gestured for Shirley Pooler to sit, then poured Starspire Tea for Quentin Pooler and Shirley Pooler. He took the initiative, "Brother Quentin, I actually have a favor to ask you."
Quentin Pooler’s visit was meant to thank Joe Di, but he truly wanted to befriend him. Hearing Joe Di needed help, he responded without hesitation, "If you need anything, Alchemist Joe, just say the word. As long as it’s within my power, I’ll do it."
Ever since his father Shane Pooler disappeared and his daughter Shirley Pooler's soul fractured, Quentin Pooler had barely cultivated. Now that his daughter was healed, he planned to focus on his own cultivation again.
Joe Di said a bit awkwardly, "Here’s the thing—a friend of mine needs a Soulbind Elixir. I don’t have any left, so I was hoping you could give me one."
"That’s easy," Quentin Pooler replied, pulling out a jade bottle and handing a Soulbind Elixir to Joe Di.
Quentin Pooler knew Joe Di probably still had two Soulbind Elixirs, but since Joe Di asked, he happily gave him one, earning a favor in return.
Joe Di accepted the pill, "Thank you, Brother Quentin."
Quentin Pooler put on a serious face, "Alchemist Joe, we got along at first sight. Calling each other 'Daoist friend' feels too distant. If you don’t mind, let’s address each other as brothers from now on."
Quentin Pooler was an Immortal King, and for Joe Di to establish himself in Cauldron Haven, more friends meant more opportunities. Joe Di quickly replied, "Then I’ll call you Big Brother Yuanqing."
Quentin Pooler laughed, "That’s the spirit! I’ll call you Brother Nine from now on."
Joe Di took out two jade bottles and handed them to Shirley Pooler. "It’s our first meeting, and I don’t have anything special. I just refined a few pills—these are for you, Shirley."
Now that Joe Di and Quentin Pooler were brothers, Joe Di couldn’t call Shirley Pooler 'Junior Sister' anymore.
"Thank you, Uncle Nine." Shirley Pooler saw that Joe Di and her father were now equals, so she could only address him as 'Uncle Nine.'
Joe Di felt a bit embarrassed, certain he wasn’t older than Shirley Pooler.
"Ah... This is a Grand Ether Pill with four marks, and a bottle of top-grade Thousandfold Pills..." Shirley Pooler, daughter of an Immortal King and granddaughter of an Immortal Venerable, wasn’t especially concerned about pills. But when she scanned the bottles, she exclaimed in surprise.
Her father could get her Grand Ether Pills, but a four-mark Grand Ether Pill was much rarer. And Thousandfold Pills were top-tier fourth-grade healing pills, and Joe Di had given her a whole bottle.
Quentin Pooler was delighted and thanked Joe Di repeatedly. His daughter’s cultivation had stalled at late-stage Immortal Lord due to her long illness. Now, as he planned to enter seclusion, he hoped she could break through to the Grand Ether Realm. He hadn’t expected Joe Di to gift her a four-mark Grand Ether Pill.
Although the four-mark Grand Ether Pill was far less precious than the Soulbind Elixir, it was exactly what Shirley Pooler needed. Truly, befriending a master alchemist brought many benefits.
Joe Di waved his hand, "Big Brother Yuanqing, we’re brothers now—no need for thanks over such small matters."
Quentin Pooler didn’t press the issue further. He glanced at the first floor of Joe Di’s shop, a thought forming in his mind. "Brother Nine, are you planning to sell pills here?"
(Irrelevant passage skipped)
Before Joe Di could answer, Quentin Pooler continued, "Cauldron Haven may seem stable, but the powers here are intertwined—especially the pill business, which is monopolized by several Grand Cauldron Apothecaries. If you want to sell pills, it’ll be difficult."
"Father, please help Uncle Nine," Shirley Pooler urged from the side.