si-mexico Chapter 585 Undercurrent
Chapter 585 Undercurrent
Task Name: "Undercurrent" - Tracking the abnormal flow of Yuan Dan.
Task Level: Light Rain
Task source: Fengyulou Headquarters
Task Description: Headquarters has detected that high-quality Nourishing Essence Pills, which are not from official Danmeng channels, have recently appeared in several small black markets and remote towns in Ningzhou. The quantity is small but continuous.
The refining techniques of these Nourishing Essence Pills are exquisite, approaching the level of the core workshops of the Pill Alliance, but they lack the official mark of the Pill Alliance.
Task requirement: Identify the source and destination of the goods.
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Quest Name: The Secret of the Elixir
Task Level: Light Rain
Task source: Danding City General Affairs Hall.
Task Description: Recently, the prices of several common medicinal herbs in Dan Ding City have been fluctuating abnormally, seriously disrupting the order of the market.
Mission requirements: Investigate the reasons for the abnormal fluctuations in the price of elixirs, the flow of elixirs, and the identity of the person behind them.
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Task Title: "The Long-Forgotten Case of Exam Cheating"
Quest Level: Thunderclap
Task source: Fengyulou Headquarters (At the request of an anonymous guest, identity confidentiality level: Mysterious)
Mission Description: Twenty years ago, an undisclosed cheating incident occurred in the Examination Hall of the Ningzhou Alchemist Alliance branch, involving a highly talented alchemist from a poor family (codenamed "Qing Teng") who was framed and disqualified from the assessment for promotion to Grand Alchemist.
The person who replaced him was a scion of a powerful family (who is now a Grand Alchemist and holds an important position in the Alchemy Alliance).
The incident was suppressed by the high-ranking officials of the Examination and Merit Hall at the time.
Mission Requirements: Locate a complete and conclusive chain of evidence regarding the events of that year. Ascertain the list of all Dan Alliance personnel involved in covering up the incident and their subsequent career paths.
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"Shadow of Condensed Essence", Quest Level: Thunderclap...
"The Darkness of the Vault", Quest Level: Thunderclap...
"Watcher," Quest Level: World-Shattering...
"The Mark of the Pill Saint", Quest Level: World-Shattering...
"Damn it! Isn't there an easier task?" Shen Xu couldn't help but curse after reading the old task that Lao Qian had left him.
The mission levels in Fengyu Pavilion are divided into four levels: Gentle Breeze, Drizzle, Thunder, and World-Shaking. In Dan Ding City, there are no missions below the level of Drizzle.
He had originally intended to do something for Fengyulou, but now he thought better of it!
Ten thousand Nourishing Essence Pills a month? What kind of life are you living?!
Isn't it comfortable to buy and sell medicinal herbs at Feng's Pharmacy? Are those tasks even within his reach?
Just then, Shen Xu noticed that a piece of purple jade on the table suddenly lit up. He immediately realized that Lao Qian's strategic partner was coming to see him, and the things that such a person brought were definitely important intelligence.
"Such a big task right after taking office?" Shen Xu felt a little bitter.
Chi Xiaorou said she would help him, but she was nowhere to be seen all day, and in the end, he had to bear all the burden alone.
Infusing his vital energy into the purple jade, Shen Xu sat quietly at the table, his mind constantly recalling the important figures Lao Qian had introduced him to, and Lao Qian's evaluations of them. Gradually, his heart calmed down.
As soon as there was a knock on the door, Shen Xu immediately stood up and said, "Please come in."
"Master Qi!"
"This junior greets Master Qi!" Shen Xu was about to bow when Qi Jing stopped him.
“You are your uncle’s successor, and here you are no different from him, so you don’t need to bow to me.”
"Then I hope Master Qi will forgive my rudeness."
"It's alright. At first, when I learned that Feng's Pharmacy had been taken over by a young man, I didn't quite believe it until your uncle took you to see me and I realized that the rumors were true."
However, judging from the current situation, you've done a pretty good job.
"Master Qi, you flatter me. All I did was do nothing."
"What your uncle left behind is perfect enough; it's wise of you not to make any changes."
"I think so too. I wonder if Master Qi came to the pharmacy to buy or sell medicinal herbs?"
“Your uncle wouldn’t ask such a question.”
"Haha...it seems I still have a lot to learn."
"Master Qi, please follow me."
Shen Xu pressed a mechanism under the desk, and the huge map of Ningzhou behind the desk slid inward silently, revealing a deep doorway that could only accommodate one person at a time.
There was no light, only a gentle breeze.
The middle-aged man, unsurprised, followed Shen Xu into the gate.
Beyond the doorway is a narrow, short corridor, only wide enough for one person to pass through, about three steps long.
The walls on both sides are inlaid with fluorite that emits a faint glow, creating a very tranquil atmosphere.
At the end of the room is another door; opening it leads to the second room.
The space here is not large, but the furnishings are extremely exquisite, including a small and delicate set of yellow pear wood table and chairs.
The tabletop was smooth as a mirror, and on it sat a set of understated yet luxurious white jade teaware.
The walls were covered with simple silk brocade, embroidered with very faint patterns of herbs.
An exquisite incense burner inlaid with gold sat on a low table in the corner, burning with a clear and elegant fragrance of orchids in a secluded valley, which made people feel relaxed.
After both parties were seated, Shen Xu said with emotion, "When Uncle Qian took me to see Master Qi last time, he told me that among his friends, Master Qi was the most sincere person to him, and that I should definitely visit you more often in the future."
"Oh! I didn't expect Mr. Qian to have such a high opinion of me."
"He also said that since I'm new here, I must show respect to a master of alchemy like Master Qi. He told me to give Master Qi the most suitable price when buying or selling medicinal herbs, and that I must not let Master Qi suffer any losses," Shen Xu said with a smile.
"The most important thing in doing business is fairness and impartiality. How can I be treated differently because of personal relationships? As for my information, my dear nephew, just make a normal offer."
Otherwise, if others find out, your business will be in trouble.
"I am truly moved that Master Qi understands me so well."
Moreover, in a place like Dan Ding City where people's hearts are so complex, it is truly my good fortune to have met a virtuous gentleman like Master Qi.
"I wonder what kind of information Master Qi is going to sell this time?"
"I wonder if my nephew is aware of the Pill Appreciation Conference in Ningzhou?"
"I've heard a little about it. I heard it's an event organized by the Pill Alliance to encourage pill masters to improve old pills and create new ones."
All the renowned alchemists in Ningzhou would gather in Dan Ding City to submit their newly developed or improved pills.
New pills with outstanding efficacy or valuable improvements presented at the Pill Appraisal Conference will not only receive guidance and rewards from the Pill Alliance's top leaders, but will also receive a massive allocation of resources from the Pill Alliance.
It could even be included in Wanfang Pavilion's promotion throughout Ningzhou, generating substantial profits, making it one of the most important activities in Danding City.
"It seems that your time in Dan City has not been wasted. Do you know when this year's Pill Tasting Conference will be held?"
"The Pill Appraisal Conference is held once every ten years, and the Pill Alliance will probably hold its own Pill Appraisal Conference the year after next!"
"I can tell my nephew that the Pill Alliance is preparing to hold an exceptional Pill Appraisal Conference next spring," Qi Jing said with a smile.
"Oh! That's a bit strange. Logically speaking, Dan City will have a large-scale event like the Dan Alliance Competition next year. Wouldn't it be too rushed to hold another Dan Tasting Conference?"
"Could it be that the Pill Alliance felt the two major events were too close together, so they decided to hold them together to save other pill masters the time of making another trip?" Shen Xu pondered.
"My dear nephew is indeed very clever," Qi Jing praised with a smile.
“I believe your information is accurate, Master Qi, but words alone are not enough. Master Qi should know the rules of our pharmacy.”
“I do have the relevant credentials, but how much can you offer, my dear nephew?” Qi Jing’s smile became even brighter.
"This... please wait a moment, Master Qi."
Shen Xu put the written note into the drawer under the desk.
After waiting for a while, Shen Xu saw the missing note and the drawer that remained untouched, and he made a basic judgment about the current situation.