Joe Di formed intricate alchemy seals with both hands, then raised his palm to reveal nine pills.
Each of the nine pills bore nine Dan Stripes, all of them unmistakably top-grade special Immortal Pills.
Instead of immediately inspecting the pills, Joe Di closed his eyes and pondered the gains and losses of this batch.
An entire hour passed before Joe Di opened his eyes. After repeatedly refining his alchemy seals and merging them with the Genesis Cauldron and his own Dao of Alchemy, he was confident that his success rate for purifying Seven Aperture Cloud Jade now exceeded ninety percent.
The nine pills in his hand were not Third-Rank Immortal Pills, but genuine Fourth-Rank Immortal Pills—specifically, Fourth-Rank Thousand Tribulation Pills.
The Thousand Tribulation Pill is a top-tier healing pill among fourth-rank immortal pills. Joe Di, having suffered many injuries, decided that the first pill he would refine as a Fourth-Rank Immortal Alchemist would be a healing pill.
According to all the alchemy jade slips Joe Di had acquired, a full batch of fourth-rank immortal pills should contain six pills. The fact that his batch yielded nine pills greatly pleased him. He knew this was because his Dao of Alchemy was different from others'.
His Dao of Alchemy is fused with the laws of all things, and because his understanding of Dao principles is far deeper than that of other alchemists, he can achieve such results.
Joe Di put away the Genesis Cauldron and tidied himself up.
Now, he could go search for Quentin Pooler. Staying in this Resting Tower any longer would only restrict his plans.
Joe Di opened the restriction and found an attendant standing outside his door—the same Golden Immortal who had originally shown him to his room.
"Hello, I'm checking out," Joe Di greeted the attendant with a smile.
This attendant was quite helpful. Without him, Joe Di might not have learned about the major pill towers recruiting alchemists.
It was clear the attendant had been waiting here for a long time, as he didn't notice Joe Di coming out right away. When Joe Di greeted him, the attendant called out in surprise, "Senior, you've finished your retreat?"
"Yes, please help me with the checkout procedures. I'm leaving," Joe Di repeated.
"Senior, I've been waiting here for several days. Steward Holly Chance from Starspire Apothecary came looking for you. She said that if you finished your retreat, you could visit her at Starspire Apothecary. It seems she has some matters to discuss," the attendant said quickly.
Joe Di nodded, "Thank you. I'll head over. If you ever need pills, come to Starspire Apothecary—I'll refine a batch for you free of charge. By the way, what's your name?"
"Thank you, Senior! My name is Luke Quinn," the attendant replied, his voice trembling with excitement.
But he quickly remembered why he'd been waiting here, and hurriedly added, "Senior, someone named Shawn Anson has been waiting for you here for nearly half a month. I told him you were in seclusion and that I'd notify him once you finished, but he insisted on waiting for you to come out."
Shawn Anson? Joe Di was puzzled. He thought for a moment—he didn't recall knowing anyone by that name.
"Where is he?" Joe Di asked.
"He's waiting for you in the main hall on the first floor of Resting Tower. If you don't want to see him, you could just continue your retreat," Luke Quinn said hurriedly.
Joe Di patted Luke Quinn on the shoulder and handed him a jade bottle. "No need. Take me to see him. This pill is for you."
Joe Di understood Luke Quinn's concern—he was worried the visitor might be an enemy. Though they barely knew each other, Joe Di had promised to help Luke with pill refinement, and Luke had remembered this favor. He must have waited here whenever he could, eager to inform Joe Di as soon as he emerged from seclusion.
"Thank you, Senior." Luke Quinn knew Joe Di was a third-rank Immortal Alchemist, and even Steward Holly Chance from Starspire Apothecary had come to see him. Later, a steward from Grand Cauldron Apothecary also visited twice, all searching for Alchemist Di. Clearly, Alchemist Di was someone truly capable.
"Are you Alchemist Di?" As Joe Di descended the stairs, a middle-aged man sitting in a corner of the hall stood up, his face lighting up with joy as he approached Joe Di.
Joe Di's eyes narrowed—this man was actually a late-stage Immortal King. For a cultivator of such strength to wait here for nearly half a month, Joe Di was certain he didn't know him. He guessed this Immortal King wasn't unreasonable; if he were, he wouldn't have waited but would have forced his way in long ago.
"That's right, I am Joe Di," Joe Di replied with a cupped-fist salute.
"My name is Shawn Anson, from Star Demon Palace. I have some matters I'd like to discuss with Alchemist Di. Would you mind joining me at the Spirit Tea House for a conversation?" Though he was an Immortal King, Shawn Anson spoke to Joe Di with warmth and courtesy.
Standing behind Joe Di, Luke Quinn shivered at the mention of Star Demon Palace. Joe Di's powerful spiritual senses detected the reaction even though Luke was behind him. Clearly, Star Demon Palace was no ordinary sect.
"Of course." Joe Di wasn't intimidated. This was Great Cauldron City—even an Immortal King couldn't act against him here.
After agreeing to Shawn Anson's invitation, Joe Di turned to the attendant and said, "Please help me with the checkout and let me know how many Immortal Crystals I owe."
"Yes, Senior," Luke Quinn replied, quickly calculating the amount of Immortal Crystals Joe Di needed to pay.
"Has Alchemist Di finished his retreat? Ah, Supervisor Shawn is here too." Another hearty voice rang out as a man with a goatee walked in.
"And you are?" Joe Di asked in confusion. Why were so many strangers seeking him today?
The goateed man laughed heartily, "I'm Steward Louis from Grand Cauldron Apothecary. I've come specifically to invite Alchemist Di to preside over our guild. If you're interested, we can talk after your discussion with Supervisor Shawn."
Joe Di understood and cupped his fists, "Thank you for your offer, Steward Louis. However, I've already joined Starspire Apothecary and must decline your invitation."
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Steward Louis laughed again, "Alchemist Di, although it's not polite to speak ill of other places, I believe your exceptional Dao of Alchemy would truly shine at Grand Cauldron Apothecary. Other places might actually limit your growth."
Joe Di felt a bit displeased and replied coolly, "Thank you, but my Dao of Alchemy is quite ordinary. Starspire Apothecary suits me just fine. I doubt I could stand out at such a prestigious guild, so I'll take my leave."
With that, Joe Di turned and left, feeling a bit put off by the goateed man's arrogant attitude. The man seemed to think that seeking Joe Di out several times was doing him a huge favor.
Steward Louis frowned, about to say more, but Shawn Anson stopped him. "Since Alchemist Di already has a guild, let's drop it."
Steward Louis stared at Joe Di's back, feeling displeased. Just a third-rank Immortal Alchemist, yet he'd come in person only to be rejected.
......
At Auspicious Cloud Spirit Tea House, Shawn Anson ordered a pot of Spirit Tea and poured a cup for Joe Di before speaking. "Forgive me for inviting you here so abruptly, but I had no other choice."
Joe Di was considering entering the spirit tea business. After tasting the Spirit Tea, he secretly shook his head. Although Shawn Anson had ordered the expensive variety, its flavor was far inferior to Starspire Spirit Tea.
"So, what brings you here, Fellow Daoist Shawn?" Joe Di asked, setting down his teacup.
Though Shawn Anson's cultivation far surpassed Joe Di's, by rights Joe Di should have addressed him as 'Senior.' But it seemed Shawn Anson had a favor to ask, and calling Joe Di 'Senior' would put him at a disadvantage in negotiations. Now that Joe Di was a third-rank Immortal Alchemist, he had some standing himself.
Shawn Anson spoke gravely, "Alchemist Di, our Young Palace Lord wishes to work with an alchemist of your caliber. If you're willing to come to Star Demon Palace with me, you may name any terms you wish."
Joe Di smiled, "I'm sorry, but I don't plan to leave Cauldron Liberty Immortal City just yet."
"Then may I ask how long Alchemist Di plans to stay here?" Shawn Anson, knowing Joe Di wouldn't leave Cauldron Liberty Immortal City, instead asked about his plans to remain.
Joe Di pondered for a moment before replying, "I should be here for seven or eight years."
Moria Lane could hold on a while longer. If, after seven or eight years, Joe Di still hadn't found the Trueglass Elixir, he would leave Cauldron Liberty Immortal City to continue his search elsewhere.
Hearing that Joe Di would be staying for seven or eight years, Shawn Anson didn't try to persuade him further. Instead, he handed Joe Di a jade token. "Alchemist Di, this is my Star Demon Palace envoy token. If you encounter any difficulties in Cauldron Liberty Immortal City, you can use this token directly."
Seeing Joe Di's confusion, Shawn Anson explained, "Since you don't wish to leave Cauldron Liberty, I'll return and ask the Young Palace Lord to come here and consult you personally."
Joe Di felt a bit of goodwill at this. He hadn't heard of Star Demon Palace, but judging by Luke Quinn's reaction, it was no ordinary sect. For the Young Palace Lord to come here personally to seek his guidance, they couldn't be the malicious type.
With that thought, Joe Di accepted the jade token. "Very well, I'll wait here for your Young Palace Lord."
(That's all for today's update. Good night, friends.)