Chapter 100: Butterfly Spirit
"Gray Rat Alchemist, I just made some snacks. Have a taste."
A melodious female voice sounded from outside the Gray Mouse Elixir Shop.
Xu Chang’an looked up to see a lovely woman in a yellow dress standing outside, a small plate in her hands.
Over the past few months, besides seeking out Tier Two Alchemists, Xu Chang’an had been quite busy.
Pear Blossom Lane was home to many shops.
Life was tough for Loose Cultivators in Peacock Demon City. To survive, the neighboring shops supported one another, naturally forming their own little community.
After opening his Elixir Shop in Pear Blossom Lane, Xu Chang’an was introduced by the Cyan Bull Demon, the Wart Hog Spirit, and the Spider Spirit, and naturally joined this so-called "Pear Blossom Lane Merchant Alliance."
The lovely woman in the yellow dress before him was a Demon he had met through the Pear Blossom Lane Merchant Alliance.
She had a Qi Refining Sixth Layer Cultivation, and her true form was a Butterfly Spirit.
She didn’t have a dedicated shop in Pear Blossom Lane. Instead, she made a living by running a small stall in the market area near the lane.
As such, she wasn’t technically a member of the proper Pear Blossom Lane merchant circle.
However, since she did business around Pear Blossom Lane, she had been accepted into their group.
This Butterfly Spirit was also an Alchemist, but her skills were weak—only Tier One Low Grade.
She couldn’t survive on Elixirs alone, so her stall sold other goods as well.
Although the Butterfly Spirit’s Alchemy Skill was mediocre, she had excellent social skills and was on good terms with many of the Demons in their circle.
Ever since meeting Xu Chang’an, she had taken to visiting him often.
She would bring fresh fruit and snacks from time to time—she was very good at building rapport.
Life was tough for Loose Cultivators in Peacock Demon City. For a Demon like her, lacking any outstanding skills, she had to find other ways to get by.
"You’re too kind."
Xu Chang’an smiled and welcomed the Butterfly Spirit into his shop.
"Gray Rat Alchemist, has business picked up lately?"
As they chatted, the Butterfly Spirit asked about the state of his business.
"Not at all!"
Xu Chang’an said with a wry smile.
Initially, his plan had been to build a business around high-end, custom-made Elixirs.
But the competition within Peacock Demon City was fierce—the atmosphere was completely cutthroat.
As it turned out, his initial plan had been far too naive.
’He was just a minor Gray Rat Demon with an unremarkable Cultivation and uncertified Pill Art. What client would dare entrust him with an order for custom Elixirs?’
’Most customers would choose the large, reputable, and reliable shops, even if it meant paying a higher price.’
’The few remaining customers usually had their own established suppliers with whom they had long-term relationships. It would be next to impossible for his Gray Mouse Elixir Shop to win them over.’
’Without a reputation, without any backing, trying to make a name for himself was incredibly difficult!’
’Even if he truly had the skill, it would take a huge amount of time for groundwork and promotion to build customer trust.’
It was precisely these considerations that had led Xu Chang’an to agree to serve as a resident alchemist at the Flame Leaf Alchemy Workshop for ten years after he "advanced" to Tier Two Alchemist.
’Hone his Alchemy Skill and build his reputation—it was the best of both worlds!’
’Later, when he struck out on his own and opened his own shop, he would have a natural advantage.’
’The industry reputation of the Flame Leaf Alchemy Workshop would naturally be associated with him.’
’His status within the Flame Leaf Alchemy Workshop would serve as the best proof of his alchemy proficiency.’
’Before you stands a man who served as a resident alchemist at the Flame Leaf Alchemy Workshop for a decade, a man of superb skill and vast refining experience.’
’He specializes in high-end custom Elixirs, has participated in the refining of numerous Tier Two Elixirs, and excels at solving complex combinatorial alchemy problems.’
’A veteran Tier Two Alchemist—the Gray Rat Alchemist!’
The Butterfly Spirit chatted with Xu Chang’an for a long while before seeing the time and getting up to take her leave.
"Take care."
Xu Chang’an saw the Butterfly Spirit to the door.
"Don’t see me out, Gray Rat Alchemist."
The Butterfly Spirit said with a radiant smile, waving her hand.
Xu Chang’an narrowed his eyes slightly, watching the Butterfly Spirit’s figure disappear from view.
’He had a pretty good idea of what this Butterfly Spirit was thinking.’
’Life was tough for Loose Cultivators in Peacock Demon City. For a mere Demon at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer with no remarkable skills, she wanted to find a way to survive in the Demon City.’
’Her best option was to find a suitable Demon and become Dao Companions.’
’And while Xu Chang’an’s Cultivation was ordinary, he had displayed Upper Grade Alchemy Skill and even owned his own storefront. He was a good choice for a Dao Companion.’
’The Butterfly Spirit had visited Xu Chang’an several times, always dressed to impress. She was clearly after one thing.’
’Or perhaps, not necessarily Dao Companions.’
’Developing some kind of long-term arrangement was also a possibility.’
Xu Chang’an’s ambitions lay on the Demon Path, so he naturally had no interest in such matters.
Though Xu Chang’an remained polite in the face of the Butterfly Spirit’s repeated advances, his rejection was clear.
The Butterfly Spirit, however, was undeterred and continued to visit frequently.
He spent his days studying Pill Art and occasionally making a few small sales to visiting customers.
Xu Chang’an’s life was quite comfortable.
The neighboring shops had been in Pear Blossom Lane for a long time. Their business was good, with a steady stream of Demons coming and going.
For instance, the Cyan Bull Demon’s Magical Artifact Repair Shop did a brisk trade with many of the smaller factions.
Every so often, a large batch of Magical Artifacts in need of repair would be delivered to his door.
The Wart Hog Spirit’s Demon Pattern business was also doing well. Though inscribing Demon Patterns was expensive, many considered it a life-saving measure.
Plenty of Demons were willing to spend Demon Stones on it.
As for the Spider Spirit’s Cultivation Supply Shop, while its wares weren’t specialized, its strength was in its sheer variety.
Furthermore, the prices were surprisingly low, making it the busiest shop on the lane.
’That Spider Spirit...’
Xu Chang’an sat inside his Elixir Shop, watching the Demons come and go from the Cultivation Supply Shop across the lane, a pensive look on his face.
Once a month, late at night, a Water Buffalo Demon at the Peak of the Ninth Level of Qi Refining would visit the Spider Spirit.
He would stay inside for about two hours before leaving quietly.
The Water Buffalo Demon’s Concealment and Breath Control techniques were quite good; none of the other shopkeepers had noticed.
But it couldn’t fool Xu Chang’an, who was a Foundation Establishment Great Demon.
Xu Chang’an had no intention of prying into the Spider Spirit’s secrets.
He was content to live his own life.
Every month, he would go seek guidance from Pill Master Ye.
Each time, he made sure Pill Master Ye could sense his progress, providing a reasonable justification for the advancement of his own Alchemy Realm.
The questions he asked weren’t entirely fabricated; some were genuine Alchemy problems he was currently facing.
Half a year flew by.
「In the second-floor Alchemy Room of the Gray Mouse Elixir Shop.」
A huge Alchemy Furnace was constantly emitting smoke.
A raging Flame burned beneath the Pill Furnace, providing a constant and ample supply of heat.
Different Elixirs had different heat requirements.
Furthermore, the heat had to be constantly adjusted throughout the refining process based on the current conditions.
Xu Chang’an focused intently, channeling his Demon Power to make constant, minute adjustments.
Time slowly trickled by.
Finally, with a flash of light, the entire Alchemy Furnace let out a deep, muffled THUM.
"A Tier Two Elixir, the Nourishing Essence Pill!"
"Success!"
A smile bloomed on Xu Chang’an’s face.