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Chi Yu pondered for a moment and finally took out a healing elixir.

Although Qin Shu didn't seem to be in serious condition, any potential internal injuries could still be troublesome.

Chi Yu handed over a small white porcelain bottle and said to Qin Shu, "Junior Sister, this is an elixir to dispel fire poison. Keep it and take it when needed. Don't let the fire poison linger in your meridians for too long, as it could hinder your cultivation."

Qin Shu was momentarily stunned as she looked at the porcelain bottle, inwardly feeling a mix of regret and frustration.

Oh, my dear little Senior Sister! If only you had delivered this earlier, I wouldn't have suffered so much!

Of course, Qin Shu had enough composure to hide her true feelings.

She clasped her fists gratefully and said, "Senior Sister, you're truly my lifesaver!"

Chi Yu's delicate face flushed, feeling a pang of guilt.

She had genuinely forgotten about it. In her family, due to their unique bloodline, incidents were almost unheard of.

It wasn't until she returned to her quarters and recalled a family elder gifting a technique to an outsider—which caused severe backlash—that she hurriedly brought the elixir to Qin Shu. She hadn't expected to arrive just in time.

After putting away the technique Qin Shu had returned, Chi Yu added, "Don't be discouraged. Choosing a technique is all about fate. If my family's technique doesn't suit you, you can always try another."

Her tone was still imperious, as if she were issuing orders, even while offering comfort.

Qin Shu found it amusing but recognized her good intentions and agreed.

"Thank you for your kind words, Senior Sister. I'll give Second Senior Brother's technique a try. If that doesn't work, I'll think of something else."

After delivering the elixir, Chi Yu took her leave.

Watching Chi Yu's original form fly off into the distance, Qin Shu suddenly found the little bird rather endearing.

Shifting her gaze back to the porcelain bottle in her hand, Qin Shu removed the stopper and took a pill.

High-grade elixirs left no residue and dissolved instantly upon ingestion. A wave of coolness spread through her body, soothing her meridians.

It felt like eating a mint during a fever—pleasantly refreshing.

She carefully stored the remaining pills and mentally noted the favor Chi Yu had done for her.

In the future, if Chi Yu ever needed her help, she would surely repay the kindness.

The next morning, Qin Shu's communication jade lit up. She opened her eyes, activated the jade, and heard He Xin's voice.

"Hey, girl! Let's go! We're heading out early today—I heard Glimmering Pavilion is running a promotion: buy one, get the second item free! First come, first served!"

Qin Shu's body jolted. Who could possibly resist a buy-one-get-one-free deal? Certainly not her.

She quickly cast a cleansing spell, tied up her hair, and hopped onto her green leaf artifact to fly down the mountain.

He Xin, bored out of her mind, was kicking stones along the path and sighing for what felt like the hundredth time.

The distance between the inner and outer sects was so vast that by the time Qin Shu arrived, the promotion would likely be over.

In hindsight, she should've messaged Qin Shu the night before to have her stay over.

But it was too late to dwell on it now. Her reluctance wouldn't change a thing.

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out from above, "Hey, girl! Hop on!"

He Xin looked up instantly and saw Qin Shu sitting on a floating green leaf, waving down at her.

Her eyes lit up, and as the leaf descended slightly, He Xin scrambled aboard.

"Wow, girl! You've got yourself an artifact now?" He Xin asked enviously.

Qin Shu chuckled and replied, "It's my Senior Brother's. It burns through spirit stones fast, so I usually wouldn't use it unless necessary."

When they arrived at the teleportation array, He Xin watched the spirit stones embedded in the green leaf dim and couldn't help but silently marvel.

This was practically burning money.

At the teleportation array, a group of eight was already waiting. With Qin Shu and He Xin, they made a full team of ten.

Having experienced teleportation before, He Xin took out a small snuff bottle, inhaled deeply, and closed her eyes before stepping into the array.

When she opened her eyes again, they were already in Crimson Gold City.

They had arrived early—the sun had yet to rise, and the city had not taken on its signature golden hue.

As soon as they stepped off the array, He Xin grabbed Qin Shu's hand and dashed toward Glimmering Pavilion. "The crowd's big today. Hold on tight, so we don't get separated."

Qin Shu nodded and quickened her pace. When they arrived at Glimmering Pavilion, a sizable line had already formed.

He Xin pulled Qin Shu to the end of the line and craned her neck to count the people ahead.

"No worries, only about thirty people. We should still be able to buy something."

Qin Shu hummed in agreement. She wasn't worried about availability—she was more concerned about whether she could afford what she wanted.

"What are you planning to buy?" Qin Shu asked.

He Xin shook her head. "No idea. I'll figure it out when I get inside."

Qin Shu had assumed He Xin had a specific target in mind, but it turned out she was just here for some impulse shopping.

Glimmering Pavilion had its own rules, allowing only ten people in at a time to ensure quality service.

By the time Qin Shu and He Xin entered, two quarters of an hour had passed.

Glimmering Pavilion was the largest marketplace in Crimson Gold City, offering everything from elixirs and artifacts to techniques, beauties, and beasts. If it had a name, you could likely find it here.

They were greeted by a young attendant, about fifteen or sixteen years old, who treated them with utmost courtesy despite their youthful appearance.

He Xin eyed several items but found herself short on funds. Her modest savings of forty or so lower-grade spirit stones were hardly sufficient in this grand marketplace.

Qin Shu, on the other hand, spotted a necklace with the ability to alter her appearance. When worn, it could make her unrecognizable to anyone below the late Foundation Establishment stage.

She turned to the attendant and asked, "Does the buy-one-get-one-free promotion apply to everything?"

The attendant smiled warmly. "Yes, both of you need only pay for the more expensive item."

Qin Shu continued, "Can we trade other items for payment?"

The attendant nodded again. "Certainly, but the items for trade must be appraised by our elders. Any surplus value will be refunded, and deficits must be covered."

Qin Shu found the policy quite accommodating.

After browsing, He Xin settled on a hairband with basic barrier-breaking abilities and a dress. Since the hairband was more expensive, she ended up paying forty-nine lower-grade spirit stones.

Despite her best efforts, she could only scrape together forty-two spirit stones and had to supplement the rest with some spirit-replenishing pills.

Qin Shu, meanwhile, decided on the necklace.