Ye Shikai had trouble understanding the conversation between the two; in the realm of medicinal ingredients, they were the experts, and he somewhat regretted not bringing Zi Yun along. Boss Liu definitely looked the part of a typical businessman, all smiles with a slightly portly figure exuding wealth (flush with cash). The large house, named "Wanchun Pharmacy," was a pure, large-scale, traditional Chinese two-story building, capable of accommodating hundreds of people. On two columns inside hung the phrases: "Open doors welcome fortune from all directions; joyful reception of guests from every corner."
"Mr. Ye, what ailment are you suffering from?" Boss Liu inquired, glancing at Dugu Tianke before quickly apologizing, "Oh, oh, oh, my apologies, Master Dugu is here; myself, a mere medicinal ingredient Shopkeeper, spoke out of turn."
"Old Liu, this young Ye is no ordinary person; he’s someone I have taken a liking to," laughed Dugu Tianke heartily.
"Oh, that would make him a distinguished person indeed." Boss Liu looked around apologetically, "I have some matters to attend to, so I can’t host you all at the moment. We’ll follow the usual rules; just let the staff know whatever you need."
"Alright, then off you go," said Dugu Tianke, waving him away.
In Wanchun Pharmacy, all four walls were lined with large wooden shelving, and in the middle stood rows of wooden drawers, each containing a different herb, neat and tidy. The place was bustling, with not only wholesale medicinal material merchants from across the country but also some patients seeking treatment.
"This Wanchun Pharmacy is the largest in Yun City."
"No wonder there are so many visitors," Ye Shikai agreed, nodding in understanding.
"Ha-ha, young friend, things that can be bought with mere money are never the finest. As for the real treasures, they’re all here," Dugu Tianke stated, tapping the floor with the tip of his foot. Ye Shikai grew curious, and just then, a young man resembling a staff member approached.
"Master Dugu, Mr. Ye, please follow me this way," the youth said respectfully. Ye Shikai gestured to the Hidden Guards behind him to wait here.
"Master, where are we going now?" asked Ye Shikai, full of curiosity.
"My young friend, no need to ask too much, just come along."
The staff member led them into an elevator, swiped a staff card, and pressed the button for the third sub-level.
To think that there were indeed "Crouching Tigers and Hidden Dragons" here, Ye Shikai marveled, recalling the underground fighting rings Luo Shiqi had once taken him to. He guessed that this third sub-level had a special purpose.
As the elevator doors opened, a thick fragrance of medicinal herbs wafted over them.
"Master Dugu, Mr. Ye, please feel free to browse," said the staff member, gesturing invitingly.
"My friend, this place can be regarded as an underground market for medicinal materials and, well, an illicit market too," explained Dugu Tianke as he took Ye Shikai’s hand and walked him around. The organization here was similar to the floor above, with neatly arranged medicinal materials, but the decor and atmosphere were distinctly different; it had the look of a grand social hall in a luxurious hotel. Those who came here all exuded an air of "nobility."
Looking around, Ye Shikai saw that the counters displayed rare items such as Ten Thousand Ghost Grass and Bai Mountain Snow Lotus—materials scarce enough that even with ample funds they remained hard to procure in the Underworld. Indeed as Dugu Tianke had said, if something could be bought with money alone, it was not of the highest quality.
"This is a members-only area. I’ve spoken to Old Liu, and with this, you’ll be able to purchase medicinal materials here," said Dugu Tianke, handing a shiny golden membership card to Ye Shikai.
"Thank you, Master." Ye Shikai nodded and carefully pocketed the card.
"There should be some items here you’ll want to acquire before heading to the Worm Sect, and they can also serve as gifts for first meetings," continued Dugu Tianke.
"Understood." After that, Ye Shikai began browsing the various cabinets. The rareness of goods signified power, and being able to shop in this underground market was an indication of influence. Prices here were worlds apart from those upstairs in the pharmacy—starting from at least hundreds of thousands, escalating to millions, even tens of millions; the cost reflected the rarity and value of these medicinal materials.
These prices reminded Ye Shikai of the medicinal materials gifted by the Primordial Soul Great Elder of the Elves during his time in the South American rainforest, which were all top-notch and would likely fetch billions on this market, even as single items. Thinking about it, Ye realized that those materials were indeed a fortune.
Reflecting on this, Ye Shikai couldn’t help but envy the Elves who treated such precious materials so commonly...
Back on topic, as Dugu Tianke mentioned, it was customary in Huaxia to offer gifts when meeting someone for the first time, especially when asking for favors, as it was courteous to show humility.
"Ah, this gentleman seems unfamiliar. Is this your first visit?" asked a man at one of the counters as Ye Shikai approached.
"Yes, Master Dugu brought me," Ye Shikai affirmed with a nod.
"Master Dugu rarely brings someone along; you must be quite special," the man expressed in surprise. "Our store recently acquired some new medicinal materials; would you like to take a look?"
"Sure, that would be great," said Ye Shikai, nodding. He hadn’t expected Dugu Tianke’s reputation to carry such weight; indeed, as the saying goes, what’s most lacking in the 21st century is talent, and figures like Master Dugu are highly revered.
"Oh, Master Dugu," greeted the man, bowing deeply as he saw Dugu Tianke at the door.
"How’s the selection going?" Dugu Tianke patted Ye Shikai’s shoulder and smiled, then turned to joke with the man, "Old He, young Ye is my guest; make sure you don’t swindle him."
"Ha-ha, where would I dare to do so with what Master said," the man waved off before several attendants led them to a back room and placed several medicinal chests on the table.
"Thousand-year ginseng, absolutely authentic," the man opened the first box and assured, with Dugu Tianke present, Ye Shikai wasn’t worried about encountering fakes. If one dared to display goods in front of Master Dugu, they would surely be the finest and most genuine.