28. Opportunity Comes Knocking.

…

"Excuse me," the person repeats, snapping Tanji, who was lost in thoughts.

"Oh, sorry,"

Tanji steps aside for a boy who looked to be around the same age. The boy had a long hair, as white as snow and blue eyes as clear as the ocean.

The boy walks passed Tanji and Mia grabs onto Tanji's arm and pulls him away as quickly as possible.

"Huh?"

Tanji was surprised at how far Mia had pulled him in a short time. He couldn't understand how she moved so fast.

"You know who that is, right?"

"Huh?" Tanji frowns at her. He was still wondering how she moved so fast. "Did you use a movement technique?"

"No! That was Shin! One of the strongest in our class, we shouldn't get on his bad side,"

"How did you move like that?"

"What do you mean?"

"Never mind. Let's go, there are other things I want to buy," Tanji said. "I still haven't found that…"

"Excuse me,"

Someone's voice interrupts his thoughts. At the sound of the voice Mia freezes in place and gulps hard. Tanji turns around to find Shin behind them.

"How may I help you?" he asks.

Shin bowed his head slightly and said earnestly. "Please allow me buy the sun-fire stones from you. Even if it's only one you sell, I'll pay twice, even thrice the amount you bought it,"

"This matter… hmm, why don't we go somewhere private to discuss it?"

Shin nods in agreement to Tanji's words and Tanji leads the way with Mia by his side. It wasn't until they were at the edge of the market, among rolls of empty stalls, did Tanji stop and took a seat.

"May I ask why you need them?" Tanji asks.

"Forgive me I can not disclose that. I will pay you any amount for it, name your price,"

"Hmm, you said that, don't renege on your words,"

"I promise you,"

Tanji takes out the box and stretches it to him. "The price for one is a favor, do you agree?"

Shin looks at him and then at the box. "As long as it's not beyond my power, I agree,"

"That's good. There are four in there, so four favors,"

Shin takes the box and checks it. He nods and closes the box back.

"I'll ask of the first now,"

"What is it?"

"I want you to believe me when I say I can help you get rid of the poison in your body,"

Shin squints his eyes at him and takes a step forward, covering the distance between them and gripping Tanji's shirt by the collar.

"How do you know that? Did someone send you or have you been spying on me?"

"Wait, please let go of him," Mia holds Shin's hand and pleas.

"A sun-fire stone use is to store heat, but unlike the sun-blazing stone, the amount of heat it can store is limited to a small amount, that's why cultivators above the foundation realm don't bother with it. But it is quite rare so many foundation realm cultivators don't know about it, neither do they know the heat inside can be absorbed if done carefully,"

"How does this speech answer my question?"

"The only reason one will absorb that much heat is to fight a corresponding strong amount of cold. There's only one thing I know of that would give that amount of cold and that's the bone-chilling poison. It's like a parasite and it feeds on one's Qi to strengthen itself,"

Shin's eyes widen at his words. "You are an alchemist?"

"Yeah, just a third grade one though,"

"I'm sorry for how I reacted," Shin said and took his hand back,"

"It's alright, do you believe me now?"

"Well, I'm still skeptical but yes,"

"Good, so you owe me three favors now,"

"Huh?"

"What?"

Shin and Mia frowned at his words. They stared at him wondering what was wrong with him.

"Can you kill a third level beast?"

"Is it a peak one?"

"No,"

"Then it depends on where we are fighting. As long as there's enough space for me to swing a spear freely, then yes,"

"Help me kill a third level beast and I'll help you get rid of the poison,"

"That's it?"

"Yes,"

"Take me to the beast now,"

"Relax, I need to buy some things. Meet me by the entrance to the beast mountain by noon,"

"Alright, I won't be late. What's your name?"

"Tanji,"

"I'm Shin," he states and turns around.

Tanji watches him leave before turning to Mia. She sighed as he left and was finally relaxed.

"He isn't a monster though, why are you that afraid of him?"

"Hmph, I still remember what he did to those bullies who tried to pick on him,"

"Hmm, oh, I had forgotten about that,"

"How did you forget about that?"

"By the way do we have any class today?"

"I don't but you have an alchemy class today,"

"Oh, that's good. I can skip it,"

"I won't let you…"

"Let's go Mia, I still got things to buy,"

"Okay, but elder brother mind the way you spend," Mia moves close and whispers. "We only have twenty thousand gold left,"

"We still have that much? I thought it was only five. In that case I can buy everything I need and still get a level three weapon. If I squeeze myself really tight I might get a level four,"

"Elder brother, that's everything you have right now and I won't get anything from the family until next month,"

"Relax Mia, you don't have to worry, I'm going to take care of you,"

"Elder brother…"

"Go get the money and meet me at Bi Bin's shop,"

Tanji interrupted her, and without waiting for a reply he vroomed away leaving a speechless Mia behind.

…

"I still can't find it," Tanji sighs. He had gone round the market and was yet to see what he was looking for. "Did I really come too early?"

He turns around. "Well, I've gotten the necessary ingredients for the pills I want to make. I should head to Bi Bin's shop, Mia must be waiting,"

~Bump~

"Watch where you are going?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"

Tanji quickly apologizes after walking into someone, but he gets tongue tied when he sees the person's face. Standing in front of him, was a boy who wore an eyepatch over his right eye.

"Would you step out of my way?"

"Huh? Sorry," Tanji moves aside and watches the boy march away. "Mos! I've seen Mia, Shin, and Mos, the only one left is Ami. It would probably take a few months to see her,"

He looks at the sky. "I wonder how she's doing!"

…

~At A Forest Not Too Far Away~

"What's wrong?" Sia asks Ami, who for some reason was staring into space.

"Huh? Sorry, I felt something just now. Must be my mind playing tricks on me,"

"Okay, prepare yourself, the next beasts you will be facing are peak fourth level beasts, they are equivalent to fifth stage core formation experts,"

"That's a piece of cake"

"If you were fighting one on one yes, but you are facing a pack of them,"

"Oh,"

"You don't have to worry too much after all you are at the sixth stage of the core formation realm,"

"Where are they? Let me begin,"

…

~In Front Bi Bin's Shop~

"Elder brother!" Mia shouts as soon as she saw Tanji. He smiled at her and walks over quickly.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting,"

"It's alright,"

Tanji turns to the shop behind her, it was a white painted building with two floors. And above its entrance on a big board was written, 'Bi Bin.'

"Here,"

Mia hands Tanji a paper while looking away. He took it and quietly read its contents

'I brought only seventeen thousand. The remaining three will be for emergency and upkeep until next month, when I receive my allowance from the family and we receive from the school,'

"We won't receive much from the school because of our low ranking, but okay,"

"It's still better than nothing,"

"I understand, let's go in,"

"Okay,"

The duo walks into the shop side by side. To their utmost surprise, the shop was quite busy. It was crowded with customers, who were buying one thing or another.

"How come it's like this when it's early?" Mia asks.

"It is the most trustworthy and reliable shop after all. You can find almost all types and kinds of level one, two and three items here. And they sell a few level four items too,"

"Do we have to wait?"

"Level four items are on the top floor, so we don't have to if it's not crowded," Tanji replies. "But first we have to get through this crowd,"

"Everyone, please may I have your attention?" a loud, yet melodious voice sounded. Everyone turned to the direction it came from. Its owner stood on the stairs, with a lovely smile on her face.

"It's Bi Lin, Bi Bin's younger sister," someone in the crowd said. "She's the one in charge of the shop,"

"Hush, she has something important to say," another yells.

"I would like to announce to everyone, level three pills will be unavailable from now on as we currently lack an alchemist of our own. Please help me inform others that we are willing to hire any third grade alchemist with a success rate of at least twenty percent. Thank you very much. I sincerely apologize for wasting your time,"

"Senior Bi Lin we understand. We'll pass on the news,"

"You don't have to apologize,"

"We love you senior Bi Lin,"

…

One after the other, members of the crowd yelled and all Bi Lin did was flash them a lovely smile.

"We better get going, let's not obstruct senior Bi Lin's business,"

"Yes, yes,"

"That's right,"

"See you senior Bi Lin,"

"We love you!"

"Who is that fool, don't let me get you,"

"Bye senior!"

"Thank you very much everyone, please have a nice day,"

One by one the crowd dispersed, leaving behind those who were buying something else or those, who were too reluctant to leave immediately. They were watching Bi Lin's lovely smile with sparkling eyes and opened hearts.

It wasn't until she climbed up the stairs and disappeared from their site, did they finally decide to leave.

"I was wondering how I'll safely sell pills, who would have thought an opportunity will come knocking so soon," Tanji thought as he made his way to the stairs. "Mia, I don't want you to say anything when we get up, is that understood?"

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