It was a success, with Mingwei’s hunger pacified. 17 4-star Greenduck Liver Refined Pills, that produced 2,200 Qi per day. The thing about pills was... well, it could be the ‘same’ pill, but the effects can differ rather wildly depending on the maker. A master’s 4-star Greenduck Liver Refined Pills can be twice, no, three times as good as one made by a regular alchemist. That was just the reality of custom-made pills in the world of cultivation.

“MIngwei.”

“Yes? Oh. It’s Elder Qing. Greetings, Elder. What brings you here?”

“I see you’ve already studied the Greenduck Liver refinement method. May I?” Elder Qing pointed at the pills on the table.

“Ah... yes.”

She sniffed it a little “Hmm, decently made. That spirit in the brush of yours seems rather knowledgeable about the ways of alchemy. Does he know how to make 7th star pills, or 2nd refinement pills?”

Mingwei just nodded. “It’s been very helpful, if not a difficult tutor.” In a way, it wasn’t hard to fake it. The memories that he received, in a way, is just like having a spirit inside him. “I would have to ask... I think... it doesn’t, or maybe, it doesn’t want to tell me.”

Elder Qing pondered the response for a moment. “I see. Never mind, these pills, are they for yourself?”

Mingwei blushed. “Ah... uhm, brother Yuehao gave me the materials, but I have already given him the pills he asked for. So... yes, I’d use them for myself.”

“Hmm. It may be wise to provide some to the young Yuehao. He may need a little more to breakthrough to the middle 3-star, and would endear you to him.”

Mingwei wasn’t expecting the people-advice from Elder Qing.

“As alchemists, healers and crafters, we are often players in the background. We depend on the more active cultivators to harvest good materials, and resources. They possess the strength to protect us while we work, and it would be wise for you to begin cultivating your relationships with the other disciples, and beyond.”

MIngwei noted the strange emphasis on the word, ‘beyond.’ “Sorry, Elder Qing?”

“The sect is not the only place you need to make relationships. You should get yourself acquainted with all the other merchants and craftsmen, they may offer you the first cut of their new products and imports.”

He paused. Back home, anything that was any good would go for auction, simply because the merchants wanted to earn the most profits, yet he could understand why this world behaved differently. No sect was going to shout or kill if a merchant offered a ‘good’ item to a person first, since this world had more resources. The perceived abundance meant personal relationships came first, since Sects would not ‘fight’ over such ‘petty’ resources.

“I see.” Mingwei had not expected the presence of abundance to change how the markets worked, but he was quick to understand it. Certainly, it didn’t occur to him until Elder Qing spoke of it.

“Redmaw town has a few importers, but those who can really pull strings for you are those in Northstar City. But you may have to run some errands or quests on their behalf before you can earn their favor, and they may call on you from time to time. A gift of your best pills may be a wise idea.”

Mingwei nodded. “Thank you for your advice, Elder Qing. This disciple will remember it for life.”

“An alchemist should have a good network of partners. And some benefactors to look after you when someone’s not too happy” Elder Qing laughed.