As for what exactly had happened, Xu Chang’an said he wasn’t too sure himself.
For the next few days, the Cultivation Supply Shop across the way remained closed.
This seemed to confirm Xu Chang’an’s story.
The Wart Hog Spirit and the Cyan Bull Demon were extremely curious. ’Just what kind of trouble did she get into?’
She had been their neighbor for many years. Her sudden disappearance was something they weren’t quite used to.
A few more days passed, and some rumors started to spread through Pear Blossom Lane.
It was said that the Spider Spirit had a fortunate encounter while acquiring goods, but was ultimately targeted by Tribulation Cultivators outside the Demon City and met a tragic end.
The story was told with such detail and conviction, it sounded completely true!
Xu Chang’an, who knew the real reason, merely scoffed at this.
The Wart Hog Spirit and the Cyan Bull Demon, however, believed it without a doubt and found it a great pity.
That Spider Spirit from across the way was so luscious!
Just seeing her around was a real treat for the eyes!
’Too bad we won’t be seeing her anymore!’
...
Peacock Mountain
Outside a grand pavilion on the mountain, an exceptionally beautiful woman leaned against the railing.
She wore a seven-colored long skirt that further accentuated her graceful figure.
A gentle breeze caressed her face, and her long black hair danced with it, carrying a faint, sweet fragrance.
The woman’s expression was cold and distant, lost in thought.
This was none other than the prodigy of this generation on Peacock Mountain, the Peacock Princess.
After taking the special Healing Elixir concocted on Peacock Mountain, her injuries had mostly healed.
Though not fully recovered, it was nothing serious and no longer hindered her.
But...
Physical wounds were easy to heal, but the wounds to her heart were another matter entirely.
’My opponent’s Cultivation was merely at the Early-stage Foundation Establishment, so why was he able to completely suppress me in battle?’
’In the beginning, I could blame it on being distracted and careless.’
’But later, I gave up chasing the Cyan Eagle to face him with my full strength.’
’So why was I still at a disadvantage?’
’His Cultivation was clearly weaker than mine. And while his various techniques and abilities were impressive, there was still a gap between us.’
’Yet during the fight, I repeatedly found myself in a passive position.’
’I had so many techniques and so much combat power, but I couldn’t bring them to bear effectively.’
’In contrast, my opponent was methodical and calculating every step of the way.’
’The more I reflect on it, the more I realize just how terrifying his calculations were.’
’From the very beginning, he had planned for everything.’
’All of my reactions and responses were within his calculations.’
’That’s what led to my ultimate defeat.’
’If not for the Third-tier Escape Demon Talisman gifted to me by the Ancestor, I would have likely died under the giant claws of that Golden Lion.’
’Those giant claws...’
Remembering the location of her previous injuries, and the scene of her clothes being torn, leaving her exposed before the Golden Lion’s eyes... waves of humiliation washed over the Peacock Princess, lingering in her heart, impossible to dispel.
’Golden Lion Spirit!’
Scene after scene from the battle flooded her mind.
At this thought, the Peacock Princess’s delicate hands clenched slightly, as if she would snap the railing in two.
She recalled the time the Ancestor had summoned her.
"Yun Rou, you have always been proud and arrogant. Your cultivation journey has been smooth sailing, without any obstacles."
"Although you’ve suffered a setback this time, it may not be a bad thing for your future!"
"If you can gain some enlightenment from this, it will be an invaluable treasure to you! It will help you more than the mere Quasi-Treasure Golden Jade Hairpin ever could!"
"What happened today is the foundation and nourishment for your future achievements!"
The Ancestor’s words seemed to still be ringing in her ears, but the Peacock Princess’s heart could not find peace.
"’If I can gain some enlightenment...’"
The Peacock Princess, Chu Yunrou, faced forward, gazing at the beautiful scenery of Peacock Mountain as she murmured to herself.
"’Frustrate his actions, that his mind may be stimulated, his patience tempered, and his inadequacies overcome!’"
After being questioned by the Law Enforcement Demon from Peacock Demon City that one time, no one else from the Demon City came looking for Xu Chang’an again.
He didn’t know if they had uncovered the truth or if the Peacock Princess had said something.
’It’s better that they don’t come investigating. Saves me the trouble.’
Another month or so passed like this.
Taking advantage of his routine monthly consultation, Xu Chang’an revealed to Pill Master Ye that he had already touched the bottleneck of a Tier Two Alchemist.
He expected to break through and become a Tier Two Alchemist soon.
This performance naturally exceeded Pill Master Ye’s expectations.
According to his predictions, Xu Chang’an should have needed another year or two to advance to Tier Two.
But now, Xu Chang’an’s speed was clearly twice as fast as he had anticipated.
It was further proof of Xu Chang’an’s extraordinary talent in the Alchemy Dao.
Pill Master Ye gave Xu Chang’an some earnest advice.
He asked if there was anything he could help with.
He was now genuinely considering taking him on as his legacy disciple.
Xu Chang’an, who had long since advanced to a Tier Two Alchemist, naturally replied that there was no need.
Returning to Pear Blossom Lane, Xu Chang’an opened his shop for business as usual.
’Once I enter the Inner City and take up my post at the Flame Leaf Elixir Workshop, this Gray Mouse Elixir Shop will have to close.’
The shop across the way had opened.
However, it was no longer the previous Cultivation Supply Shop, but had been replaced by a Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
Though named the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, it really just sold miscellaneous cultivation supplies.
Most of the items for sale were not of high quality.
They were even a bit worse than what the Spider Spirit’s Cultivation Supply Shop used to offer.
Speaking of which, Xu Chang’an actually recognized the owner of this newly opened shop.
It was the very same Butterfly Spirit who had visited him many times before, intending to befriend him and develop a... deeper relationship.
With the help of her so-called Dao Companion, the Black Sheep Spirit, the Butterfly Spirit had managed to leap up the social ladder.
She had truly become a Demon within the Pear Blossom Lane merchant circle.
When Xu Chang’an returned, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion across the way had just finished a transaction.
As she was seeing a customer out, the Butterfly Spirit happened to spot the returning Xu Chang’an.
The Butterfly Spirit was still in her human Illusory Transformation, wearing a pale yellow long skirt and looking quite lovely.
Seeing Xu Chang’an’s gaze fall upon her, the Butterfly Spirit simply smiled at him without saying a word.