Although they were both within Peacock Demon City, a clear and vast gulf still separated the Outer City from the Inner City.
The fact that the Black Sheep Spirit could partner with an Elixir Workshop from the Inner City was a clear testament to his power and connections.
While this was largely due to the influence of the powers backing him, the benefits that trickled down to the Black Sheep Spirit, the Manager Shopkeeper, were a form of impressive energy in their own right.
The Butterfly Spirit frequently visited the Gray Rat Demon, leading the Wart Hog Spirit to initially believe the two would eventually become involved.
But he never expected the Black Sheep Spirit to enter the picture.
"Grey Rat, you know what they say: you snooze, you lose! When it’s time to make your move, you have to do it. Hesitate, and you’ll miss your chance!"
The Wart Hog Spirit said to Xu Chang’an, his tone full of meaning.
The Butterfly Spirit had a Qi Refining Sixth Layer Cultivation and was also an Alchemist.
For an ordinary Demon, she was quite a good choice for a Dao Companion!
It was a real pity that the Gray Rat Demon had missed his chance with the Butterfly Spirit.
But then again, the Black Sheep Spirit’s advantages were just too obvious.
Xu Chang’an glanced at the Wart Hog Spirit, slightly surprised.
He knew the Wart Hog Spirit must have misunderstood something.
However, Xu Chang’an wasn’t in the mood to explain.
He wouldn’t let such a trivial matter bother him.
He planned to formally inform Pill Master Ye of his successful promotion to Tier Two Alchemist in another two months.
Then, as per their agreement, he would go to the Flame Leaf Alchemy Workshop to preside there for ten years.
He could use those ten years to polish his Alchemy Skill and build his reputation.
As such, he probably wouldn’t have much interaction with the other shopkeepers here on Pear Blossom Lane.
The few demons chatted for quite a while before finally dispersing.
"I’ll see you two tomorrow."
Xu Chang’an said, cupping his hands.
"See you tomorrow."
The two demons replied.
Xu Chang’an closed the door to his Elixir Shop and went upstairs to study his Pill Art.
The Spider Spirit leaned against the door of the Cultivation Supply Shop, her eyes glinting as she watched the Gray Rat Demon disappear from view.
On the second floor of the Gray Mouse Elixir Shop.
’This Spider Spirit... what is she after!?’
Xu Chang’an’s face was impassive as he pondered this internally.
While he had been talking with the other demons just now, the Spider Spirit’s attention had been mostly on him, and she had been sizing him up repeatedly.
Although the Spider Spirit’s actions were subtle, they could hardly escape Xu Chang’an, who possessed a keen intuition backed by his Demon Sense.
He could have understood her behavior if this were their first meeting. But now...
’Clearly, the Spider Spirit has some other design on me.’
’But what exactly is her goal?’
’I don’t care what your purpose is, just as long as you don’t mess with me! Otherwise... you’ll only have yourself to blame for what happens!’
Xu Chang’an sneered to himself.
Once a month, late at night, a Water Buffalo Demon would secretly visit the Spider Spirit.
The Water Buffalo Demon’s cultivation was at the Peak of the Ninth Level of Qi Refining.
For him to be in contact with the Spider Spirit and act so secretively... it was clear the Spider Spirit was hiding a big secret.
He hadn’t been interested in prying before, but now that he sensed she had designs on him, he had to investigate.
To possess information was to possess the upper hand.
When the matter didn’t concern him, he was content to ignore it. But now that it involved him, he had to take it seriously.
「Five days later.」
Late at night, a Water Buffalo Demon entered the Cultivation Supply Shop across the street, Concealing its Breath and hiding its presence.
Inside the Gray Mouse Elixir Shop, Xu Chang’an sat cross-legged in meditation.
The Water Buffalo Demon’s Breath Concealment Technique was decent, but it couldn’t fool Xu Chang’an’s Demon Sense.
His expression shifted. He cast a Concealment Spell, slipped out of the Elixir Shop, and infiltrated the Cultivation Supply Shop.
...
"Qing Shijiu, here’s this month’s shipment."
The Water Buffalo Demon tossed several Storage Bags in front of the Spider Spirit.
The Spider Spirit opened the Storage Bags one by one to inspect their contents.
A seductive smile then graced her lips.
"Brother Qing Si, the haul is quite large this month."
"Yes. Business was good this month. We hit a few extra groups of demons."
The Water Buffalo Demon said, his face impassive.
"And this month’s earnings?"
"It’s all in here."
The Spider Spirit handed him a Storage Bag.
The Water Buffalo Demon inspected it and nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. This month’s Contribution Points will be logged for you.
Also, about that Middle-grade Magical Artifact you requested—we’ve found a suitable Blacksmith to begin Refining it.
I’ll bring it with me on my next visit."
The Spider Spirit’s eyes lit up at his words.
She had exchanged her Contribution Points for a Middle-grade Magical Artifact with excellent offensive and defensive capabilities, and it had finally come through.
Once she had this superb offensive and defensive Middle-grade Magical Artifact, she would have enough power to protect herself, even if she came face-to-face with a Qi Refining Eighth Layer Old Demon.
"By the way, Brother Qing Si, you mentioned before that you were looking to recruit some demons with special Skills.
You said there would be a Contribution Point reward for any introductions or useful information provided. Is that offer still open?"
"Of course it is."
"In that case, I have the perfect candidate to recommend!"
"Location? Skills?"
"The Gray Mouse Elixir Shop, right across the street. He’s a First-rank top-grade alchemist! And from what I can tell, he’s likely even more than that.
I suspect he’s a Quasi-second-rank Alchemist!"
"A suspected Quasi-second-rank Alchemist! Are you sure!?"
"Yes. His shop doesn’t sell many Top-grade Elixirs, but their quality is exceptional.
The average High-grade Alchemist can’t achieve that level of quality.
Even if he’s not a Quasi-second-rank Alchemist, he must be an extremely experienced First-rank top-grade alchemist."
"If that’s the case, we should try to recruit him! If you succeed, you’ll get a handsome amount of Contribution Points.
However, he runs a legitimate business here in the Demon City. That’s a far cry from our line of work, where we live with our lives on the line. A normal recruitment attempt would not only risk exposing us but would also have almost no chance of success!
I don’t need to tell you how to ’recruit’ him, do I!?"
"Brother Qing Si, I understand completely."
"Good. Confirm the time, and we’ll coordinate with you."
"Excellent. Thank you for your help, Brother Qing Si."
"It’s nothing."
And with that, the matter was settled.
The Water Buffalo Demon and the Spider Spirit discussed a few other matters before he departed just as quietly as he had arrived.
...
’So that’s their game! They want to recruit me!?’
A cold glint appeared in Xu Chang’an’s eyes.
With a single movement, he vanished from the spot, leaving without a trace.
「Gray Mouse Elixir Shop」
Xu Chang’an’s eyes glinted as he sorted through his thoughts.
Based on what he had uncovered, the Spider Spirit was clearly connected to a Robbery Cultivation Gang outside Peacock Demon City; it was highly likely she was one of its members.
And her Cultivation Supply Shop on Pear Blossom Lane was a front for selling off their stolen goods.
No wonder her shop sold practically everything, from Magical Artifacts, Demon Talismans, and Elixirs to Cultivation Techniques and Magic.
The inventory was a jumble of miscellaneous items with no coherent system.
’And here I thought she was just a middleman, making small profits on high volume.’
’Who knew she was in the business of pure theft!’
’I didn’t go out of my way to hide my Quasi-second-rank Alchemy Skill, but I never thought I’d be targeted by a demon with ulterior motives.’
’Their so-called "recruitment" probably involves luring me out of the city, then using threats and coercion to force me to join them.
If that’s the case...’
Xu Chang’an’s eyes glinted.