“Mingwei greets elder brother Yuehao.”

“Ah, brother Mingwei.” Yuehao sat in a lotus position on a wooden platform in his room. Mingwei had just dropped by, he was curious what Yuehao wanted. There was a pill case on the table, but no pills, and based on the density of Qi in the room itself, Yuehao had probably just finished with the pills. “I have a request for you. I have managed to acquire some more Greenduck Livers and Gator Cores, and will need more pills. Would you be able to make more?”

“Certainly, but I hear that we are pressed for time?” Mingwei was still in a bowing position. Yuehao probably wanted to do well in the tournament, and perhaps get a promotion to a bigger sect. It certainly fit his profile as a typical young master who imagines this sect as too small.

“Yes. I must get ready for it. I am close, so I’m afraid I cannot leave cultivation for long or my progress will be wasted.” Yuehao pointed to a chest. “The materials are in there. Get me some pills once you are done with them? I must be swift and I must hit pinnacle 3-star.”

Mingwei nodded, and he looked at a chest next to a small decorative table. It was a rather plain chest, and inside were three storage urns. Storage urns that contained some spatial distortion effects. There would be enough for another 30 to 40 pills. “I’ll get to work immediately. Would 15 pills be fine?”

“Good.” Yuehao was pleased. He honestly didn’t know how many pills he’ll get out of it, he wasn’t very informed on the ways of alchemy. “I feel like I’m halfway to pinnacle 3-star. A bit more pills will get me there.”

Mingwei carried the three urns, and nodded. As he walked out towards his workshop, another voice called out.

“So! You’re Yuehao’s secret.” Yangmei stood at the junction to his workshop. “I’ve been wondering why Yuehao’s progress has been so quick. He even reached mid 3-star before I did, and I had a head start!”

Mingwei paused and bowed. “Greeting Elder Sister Yangmei.”

“What’s in those urn?”

“Gator Cores and Greenduck Livers. Brother Yuehao requested I assist in making pills.”

“And you agreed?” She looked absolutely bewildered.

“I see no reason to refuse Elder Brother Yuehao’s request. It is good to practice my alchemy skills, and I need not procure the materials myself.”

“So you will agree to anyone’s request?”

“If they supply the necessary materials, and I have the time, yes.” Mingwei said. “What does a forge do, other than forge?”

Yangmei rolled her eyes. “And you’re even being so easy about it. Fine. If I give you materials, can you get me some pills too?”

Mingwei bowed. “Certainly, but as Brother Yuehao asked first, I will first work on his materials. Will there be anything else, elder sister Yangmei?”

“...no.” Yangmei reluctantly stepped aside.

Mingwei walked back to his workshop, and started work. He made sure to have a good meal before he started on the Greenduck Liver.