Hearing this, the shopkeeper immediately showed a bitter smile and said, "This is rather unfortunate. Master Jiang just announced he was entering closed-door cultivation the day before yesterday to concoct a batch of elixirs. I'm afraid he might not be available to receive the two esteemed seniors at this time!"
Zhou Chun was slightly taken aback, then frowned and asked, "Then may I ask how long Master Jiang is planning to remain in closed-door cultivation this time?"
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper hesitated slightly before answering, "Based on past situations with Master Jiang, if he hasn't specified the duration of his seclusion, he usually emerges within half a month."
"I see. I understand now," Zhou Chun replied.
Zhou Chun nodded, then began communicating with Zhou Daoquan by his side using transmitted voice.
After this exchange, he said to the shopkeeper, "Then I'll ask for a small favor from you. After Master Jiang comes out of seclusion, please ask him not to leave right away. We will be coming by daily for the next half month."
"Yes, junior will surely convey the message!"
The shopkeeper agreed, and then watched as Zhou Chun and the other left.
After leaving the medicinal shop, Zhou Chun and his companion took the opportunity to stroll around the marketplace.
For Zhou Chun and Zhou Daoquan, this was their first visit to Lingzhou and Dongling Marketplace.
Compared to Hongya Marketplace in Lanzhou, this place seemed somewhat smaller.
This was because Dongling Marketplace was not governed by Green Lotus Temple but by a cultivation sect of Lingzhou called Xuanzhu Palace.
Although Xuanzhu Palace does not currently have a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator in residence, it once did, and maintains a good relationship with Jingguo Country's foremost sect, the Moon Wheel Sect.
Hence, Green Lotus Temple could only allow them to continue overseeing Dongling Marketplace.
But while the marketplace might be small, the goods in Dongling Marketplace were not lacking.
After visiting several shops, Zhou Chun and Zhou Daoquan discovered that this place indeed had some unique items not found in Hongya Marketplace.
For instance, inside "Zhuyu Pavilion," a shop opened by Xuanzhu Palace itself, there were many treasures, jade beads, and other magic artifacts for sale. A magic artifact like the Bright Dawn Pendant that Zhou Chun owned was considered quite ordinary here.
Even upon seeing the two Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators, the shopkeeper recommended a second-grade magic artifact from the store, which was considered a treasure of the shop.
But since Zhou Chun and his companion did not lack magic artifacts, they naturally did not waste any Spirit Coins purchasing them.
"Each place has its own specialties. Xuanzhu Palace has these many varieties of jade beads and jade amulets because there is a Spirit Jade Vein near their sect's gate," Zhou Daoquan remarked.
"It's a pity that the situation is unclear at the moment; otherwise, I should have been traveling to various places by now, experiencing the local customs of different regions in the Cultivation World and looking for opportunities for my own Purple Mansion," he added after leaving Zhuyu Pavilion, unable to help but express his thoughts and discuss his future plans.
He knew that the Zhou Family would undoubtedly prioritize supporting Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi in his effort to develop his Purple Mansion, and he harbored no objections to that.
So if he wanted to make a breakthrough to the Purple Mansion, he would need to venture out and seek opportunities on his own.
This was a common path for many family cultivators, and even sect cultivators, who had reached his stage.
After all, the resources of families and sects were limited, and they would certainly give priority to those considered more valuable.
Those of less value who did not want to end their journey here would have no choice but to find opportunities on their own.
Zhou Chun, hearing his elder's heartfelt words, also showed a slight movement in his expression, then after pondering for a moment, replied, "Elder, if you wish to travel far, you may not have to wait much longer. As soon as the Clan Leader's cultivation level breaks through to the later stages of Foundation Establishment, it should suffice."
"Let's hope so," Zhou Daoquan nodded, but did not pursue the subject further.
After strolling around the marketplace, the two then settled temporarily in an inn within the marketplace.
In the following days, Zhou Chun would visit the medicinal shop daily to check if Master Jiang had returned.
On his way back, he would also make a point of visiting the street markets in the marketplace to see if there was anything to gain.
On the ninth day, when Zhou Chun returned to the medicinal shop, the shopkeeper finally informed him that Master Jiang had already returned and had been apprised of their request to meet.
So, after the shopkeeper reported to him, Zhou Chun and the hurriedly informed Zhou Daoquan soon met with Master Jiang in the back courtyard of the pharmacy.
This alchemy master looked quite old, with his head full of white hairs, it could be estimated that he was over two hundred years old.
Yet his complexion was quite rosy, and his spirit seemed very good, eyes bright and full of life.
After both parties had exchanged greetings, Master Jiang looked at Zhou Chun and Zhou Daoquan with curiosity and asked, "The two daoists seem unfamiliar; may I know where you hail from and why you seek an audience with Jiang?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chun answered truthfully, "I dare not deceive the master, we come from Lanzhou. We heard that master has a Protection Pulse Pill for sale, so we made a special trip to visit and wish to purchase the pill."
Hearing his words, Master Jiang's expression changed slightly and then he asked in a low voice, "Oh, and where did you hear that Jiang has a Protection Pulse Pill?"
"As for that... please forgive us, master, it involves someone else's privacy, and it would not be convenient for us to disclose more."
Zhou Chun shook his head, still not revealing the existence of the Wang Family.
Although the Wang Family had not asked him to keep it a secret, keeping such matters confidential was an unwritten rule in the Cultivation World.
After all, from the perspective of Master Jiang, it was apparent he would not want every move of his to be known by outsiders.
Revealing the existence of the Wang Family could possibly provoke his anger towards others.
However, upon hearing his response, Master Jiang's face clearly displayed displeasure and he said, "If it's inconvenient to say more, let's leave it at that."
After finishing his words, he took a sip from his tea, then continued, "However, I am sorry to disappoint you. The Protection Pulse Pill has another use for Jiang and I do not plan to sell it."
This gesture of serving tea to see guests off left Zhou Chun and Zhou Daoquan at a loss for words.
Clearly, it was a retaliation for Zhou Chun's earlier concealment of the source of information.
But the Protection Pulse Pill was of great significance to Zhou Chun; he could not give up so easily.
He then could only but say, "Does Master Jiang not wish to hear Zhou's terms? Zhou sincerely wishes to trade for the Protection Pulse Pill with the master!"
"If you truly had sincerity, you would not refuse to reveal even the source of the news you heard," Master Jiang replied with a cold expression and furrowed brows.
Seeing that he was indeed sending them away because of this matter, Zhou Chun couldn't help but sigh, "Why must the master be so! Knowing this will only add troubles for you, it's better not to know!"
Master Jiang remained unswayed and coldly said, "Jiang would rather have the extra trouble than one day be betrayed and lose his life!"
At his words, Zhou Chun found himself momentarily speechless.
"The Wang Family of Hongyao Valley, the message came from the Wang Family to Zhou!"
Ultimately, out of desperation, he reluctantly revealed the source of the information in a low voice.
"The Wang Family of Hongyao Valley?"
Master Jiang's expression shifted, as if he had realized something, and he appeared thoughtful.
He then nodded slightly to Zhou Chun and said, "Tell me, what have you prepared to trade with Jiang for the Protection Pulse Pill? This item is as precious as a second-order Magic Artifact, and Jiang does not lack artifacts or Spirit Coins. If you don't have something that can catch Jiang's eye, then don't even think about getting the item."
"Indeed, I understand that an alchemy master like you would not lack such things, so I have specially prepared some items that the master might find useful," Zhou Chun said as he took out several jade boxes from his Storage Pouch and opened them.
Inside these jade boxes were alchemy materials, including the heart of a Wolf Bear beast and a Red Tendril Heart Fruit, which he had brought out from the "Heavenly Spirit Trial" he once participated in.
Many of these materials were previously offered to his family but were now temporarily brought along by him.
As someone who knew his trade, Master Jiang examined the alchemy materials and seemed somewhat tempted, but he still shook his head and said, "These Spiritual Medicines are indeed rare in the outside world, but they are still not enough to trade for a Spirit Pill like the Protection Pulse Pill."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chun immediately said, "What about adding one or two Spirit Spices produced by the Fragrant Musk Deer?"
As he spoke, he took out a small jade bottle, and uncorked it.
Instantly, a fragrant aroma filled the room.