Chapter 24: Fond of Imitation?

Fearing he might offend the master, Luo Qian hastily added, "This spiritual herb was promised by our Myriad Treasures Pavilion; we will certainly bid for it on your behalf when the time comes. However, given our current shortage of spirit coins, we were wondering if we might collaborate with you once more. Would that be acceptable?"

Qin Liang’s expression remained unchanged, as he was playing the role of an intermediary and needed to remain detached.

He had to convey the message in one go, so he asked, "And if the master asks how you propose to cooperate?"

Luo Qian explained, "Our Myriad Treasures Pavilion is willing to provide the medicinal ingredients for refining Spirit-Transforming Pills. We need the master’s help to refine them. Once the pills are successfully produced, we will auction them and split the proceeds equally. This will significantly increase the success rate of our bidding."

Qin Liang remained expressionless and nodded. "Rest assured, Manager Luo, I will convey your words exactly."

"Many thanks, Young Master Qin."

Luo Qian bowed, produced a spiritual herb, and smiled. "A small token of my appreciation, please accept it, Young Master Qin."

He felt that Qin Liang was, after all, still just a child. Being caught between adults could easily make him a pawn, and it was a pity for a young boy to be exposed to such things so early.

"This..." Qin Liang feigned hesitation. Being two people at once meant he could collect two sets of rewards.

"Please, take it, Young Master Qin. Do not let it weigh on your mind." Luo Qian forced the herb into Qin Liang’s hand.

"Very well, then. Farewell!"

Qin Liang offered a helpless, shy smile, tucked the herb away, turned, and disappeared into the street.

"Such a youth... he will surely be an extraordinary person in the future," Luo Qian remarked before departing.

A short while later, Qin Liang re-emerged from an alley. Watching Luo Qian’s retreating back, he fell into deep thought, finally realizing he had made a grave mistake.

"Everyone’s gait and posture are unique. Even if I disguise my appearance and voice, I cannot change my stride. Once viewed from behind, my cover will inevitably be blown."

"What to do?"

Qin Liang paced back and forth in the alley. He had to find a solution before his next meeting with Hua Zhiqiao.

In three days, the auction list would be finalized. Therefore, he had to secure a partnership with the Myriad Treasures Pavilion within the next two days to earn the spirit coins needed for the auction—this might be his only chance to gather enough for the dowry.

He had only two days left; he had to resolve this hidden danger as soon as possible.

"I shouldn't have played both roles," Qin Liang thought with a sigh, but he soon shook his head. "The risk is higher, but collecting two sets of rewards is certainly quite nice."

"Footwork, posture... perhaps I can find a breakthrough in the 'Wind-Walking Steps'."

***

Qin Liang’s eyes brightened. With a plan forming, he headed toward the Jiang estate.

The reason he had originally chosen the Wind-Walking Steps as his introductory martial art was because it was quite sophisticated; among low-grade Yellow-tier movement techniques, it was considered a superior craft.

"When the 'Wind-Walking Steps' are mastered, one moves like the wind, chasing shadows and trailing breezes. If brought to perfection, one moves with the wind itself. Since the wind is formless, the footwork becomes formless, making it impossible for others to discern."

In the courtyard, Qin Liang began to study the technique. He could not be satisfied with the status quo; he had to seek a breakthrough.

"Treading on the wind with steady steps, crossing water without a ripple, treading on snow without a trace, passing through the wind without leaving a shadow..."

He recited the incantations silently, swaying his body. At times he was as supple as a dragon or snake; at others, as upright as a mountain; or again, like grass swaying in the wind, yet never falling. Every movement was no longer rigid.

"Perhaps this is the true essence of the Wind-Walking Steps."

Qin Liang gradually reached an epiphany. The intensity in his eyes grew, and he became completely immersed in the movement, as if entranced.

"No, if it is no longer rigid, it should not be constrained by the wind’s current either."

Qin Liang had an inspiration: "If there is no wind, what then? True wind-riding is not following the wind, but making the wind follow one's will. How can that be achieved? Perhaps one can stir the wind with footwork?"

"Stir the wind with footwork, then ride the wind. By repeating this cycle, one might travel a thousand miles in a day."

Qin Liang became more and more absorbed, trying it as he thought. Before he knew it, a breeze began to swirl in the courtyard.

At first, the wind was faint, only enough to stir up dust. Gradually, it grew stronger, until the flowers and plants in the yard swayed, chairs rattled violently, and sand and stones took flight.

By the end, a gale was raging in the courtyard, a sharp contrast to the calm night outside.

True wind-riding meant being able to ride any wind, whether a breeze or a tempest. In a fierce battle, there would not always be a gentle breeze for him to ride, so he had to habituate himself to riding the storm, allowing him to be like a dragon in surging waves, capable of turning the world upside down.

Two days passed in a flash.

"Dawn is approaching. Tomorrow is the day of the auction."

Standing on the courtyard wall, Qin Liang looked into the distance. He had regained his composure, for his movement technique had reached perfection.

Before dawn, Qin Liang donned his black robe, lowered his voice to a deep, aged tone, and adopted a steady demeanor. He leaped from the wall and moved with the wind. From behind, there was no trace left of the young man he had been.

The Myriad Treasures Pavilion had no customers in the dead of night, but due to the agreement with the black-robed alchemist, they had kept their doors open for two days and nights.

"Cough, cough!"

Upon arriving, Qin Liang saw Manager Luo Qian on a lounge chair and gave a soft cough.

***

Luo Qian rolled off the chair, his eyes lighting up with joy. He had finally waited for him. He hurried to greet him, "Master, please follow me. The Pavilion Master has been waiting for quite some time."

Qin Liang followed him into a quiet room and saw Hua Zhiqiao once more. She was still half-reclined on her chair, though her complexion was indeed much better than before, and she wore a smile from time to time.

The two parties made a simple exchange, and Qin Liang was led back into the alchemy room to begin refining.

"Hmm?"

Watching the black-robed figure’s back, Hua Zhiqiao couldn't help but frown. The sense of familiarity she once felt had vanished.

She had previously suspected that Qin Liang was playing two roles, but looking at him now, it truly seemed as though it were someone else.

"It seems this master enjoys imitating others!"

Hua Zhiqiao chuckled to herself, finally fully convinced that there was indeed a mysterious Grade 2 Alchemist behind Qin Liang.

She could sense no fluctuations of primordial energy from the black-robed man, which she assumed meant his cultivation was unfathomable and deliberately hidden. This made her hold him in even higher regard.

"I wonder if there will be any unexpected harvest this time."

Re-entering the quiet room, Qin Liang released his mental perception, but unfortunately, there was nothing new to be found.

Before long, Qin Liang emerged with the Spirit-Transforming Pill.

This was also a Grade 1 pill, allowing a Spirit Refiner to force an extra round of refining in a short time when hitting a bottleneck. The side effect was that once successful, one would be unable to refine spirits for another year.

Therefore, most practitioners chose to use the Spirit-Transforming Pill to complete their ninth refinement, preparing them for the jump to the Condensation Realm.

The auctioning of this pill would certainly attract many experts who had reached their eighth refinement.

Even though she had known it would be of perfect quality, Hua Zhiqiao’s hands trembled as she took the pill.

"There are other pills among the auction items, but ours is the only one of perfect quality. I am certain it will fetch a high price. Rest assured, Master, the Ice Spirit Grass will be ours."

Hua Zhiqiao made her promise and watched as Qin Liang departed.

As dawn broke, Luo Qian took the Spirit-Transforming Pill to the auction house and soon met with its owner.

Qian Youcai was the owner of the auction house, known as the wealthiest merchant in all of Sulfur City. It was rumored that he had once stumbled upon a hidden treasure, sold it all, and become an overnight tycoon.

Seeing the Spirit-Transforming Pill, even his stout frame couldn't help but tremble. "Per... perfect quality?"