Chapter 3: Working off Debt is Hard
While telling the story of Moby-Dick to the elf woman Bai Xiang still didn't know the name many hours passed and surprisingly nobody had come into the store. It even slightly unnerved Bai Xiang, why was nobody coming to buy an alchemy pill? In a xianxia world aren't pills one of the most important things for someone's cultivation? When he finally stopped talking his sole listener gave him a light clap and looked up at him.
"I have to admit it was a much more interesting story than I originally thought, I think it should be fine if you come to tell stories here every day to pay off your debt. Since you came with 10 silver coins why don't we make it so each day you tell me a good story it will be 10 silver coins towards your debt?" Bai Xiang could not be happier, a broad smile bloomed on his face as he looked at the woman in admiration and gratitude, who would have thought it would be so easy?
"That sounds amazing! How much is the pill worth if you don't mind me asking?"
As soon as he saw a beautiful smile bloom on her face he suddenly felt that he was suddenly in a dangerous situation.
"Don't worry too much, it is only 500 gold coins! If you work hard it is only a little over 13 and a half years, It would really be very hard for anyone else bar the mayor of the city and some nobles to afford pills."
It suddenly felt like a bucket of ice water was poured on his head, 13.5 years? Doesn't this sound more like slavery than working off a debt? What a vicious woman to hold the chance of becoming immortal behind such a ridiculously long time of work!
"No wonder there is nobody here, the prices are really too much! How can you stay in business if only a few people in the city can even buy what you sell?"
He could not even hold back the anger and sadness from his voice, he would definitely have to be this woman's dog since it was better than dying a normal human without attempting to cultivate. In response to his question, his new part-time owner gave a charming chuckle and responded.
"Little fellow it is your fortune our Aquae Vitae is even here, this world was just recently evolved into a high-level small world, the lowest level that the Alchemy God cares enough to sell pills in! This city is the smallest in the world we have a branch in, it is not an exaggeration to say this is the alchemy store with the smallest and poorest customer base across the entire starry sky!"
Upon hearing her explanation Bai Xiang had an enlightened expression, there were truly heavens beyond the heavens!
Seeing him she couldn't help but laugh at his expression.
"Haha that is right, it is your privilege to come here to tell me stories, not many would be able to do something similar! It is not all bad for you though, not many in this world would have the opportunity to be acquainted with a cultivator from the highest realms."
Feeling like he was suddenly in a winning situation Bai Xiang help bliss throughout his body, what a lucky chance!
"This disciple greets master!"
As he got down to worship her she suddenly slapped him with enough for him to stagger back.
"Oi, you little gremlin who said anything about being your master, I won't help you cultivate or teach you any techniques, the best you could hope for is a warning if you are about to kill or cripple yourself. How did you even cripple yourself already at such a young age to begin with?"
Bai Xiang's expression turned slightly strange as he thought about what his father said earlier this morning, that was the only hint he had so he said it with full confidence.
"The moment I formed by core it was crippled, I am not really sure why but that is all I know."
Instantly the way she looked at him was different like all hope for his future was lost.
"That would usually only happen if you had a very damaged soul, to begin with, if that is the case then it would be impossible to become a cultivator of the core formation realm. Not all hope is lost though, give me your hand so I can see if this is the case."
Instantly after hearing the news, Bai Xiang had a feeling that since he took over this body he replaced the previous soul, hopefully, that meant that that would no longer be an issue if the previous host suffered from that problem.
He slowly extended his hand out for her to inspect and upon feeling her slender fingers grasp his palm and wrist to inspect him he felt a shiver down his spine, this was too much stimulation from such a beauty!
After a few seconds, she released his hand and looked at him with a small smile.
"It seems like your soul is not the issue, in fact, it is quite strong for someone below the soul strengthen realm. It would not be surprising for you to gain strength in the future."
When he heard that news it definitely made him happy, with a strong soul and his system wouldn't he be unstoppable? Unfortunately seeing his gaze she immediately cut him down to size.
"Having a strong soul is definitely nice, it can help you cultivate faster than some people but it is obvious you are not very talented, there are uncountable amounts of geniuses that would even be able to cross realms to defeat you. That is why practice is the most important."
Normally in the novels he read, it was always the protagonist crossing realms to win battles, how embarrassing would it be for him if others crossed realms beat him? It was definitely something he could not allow.
Finally, she took a small bottle with one pill from under the counter.
"Here is the pill that will heal your core, take it and go cultivate, come back in 3 days and you can start paying your debt back. You will come here in the morning for 2-3 hours to tell stories and then leave after I make sure you a not cultivating some strange method that will get you killed and you will leave. I cannot have you defiling the dignity of this store and the Alchemy God himself by having you loiter around here."
Bai Xiang was pleasantly surprised, didn't that mean that the rest of the day he could cultivate? It seems his evaluation of miss...?
"Miss what can I call you since I will feel bad thinking of you are store lady or pill woman."
After straightening her back she spoke in a somewhat proud tone.
"You can call me Miss Amanda, direct subordinate to Miss Emily, overseer of Aquae Vitae of this world. You are lucky I am laid back unlike most employees in other branches, they might kick you out for that comment just now."
Bai Xiang was surprised that her name sounded very western instead of the Chinese names he heard on the street and he had. It made him slightly confused as to what kind of world he was in, Miss Amanda took the opportunity to tease him though.
"If you are surprised that we are named in a different way from you humans then you better get used to it because if you make that kind of face in a higher world when hearing a new style of naming everyone will label you as a country bumkin. Now go leave, didn't you come here to repair your core, you got the pill so get out."
Bai Xiang quickly bowed and left the store in a hurry, wasn't he very close to being able to start the journey toward immortality? It would be uncommon for someone to not be excited in such a situation.
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