Bai Mo accepted the man's Pill Token anyway.
The two exchanged names.
The chubby cultivator's name was Ren Lu. Looking at his stout frame, you could tell he lived up to his auspicious-sounding name.
Seeing Bai Mo accept the Pill Token, he was overjoyed. He grabbed Bai Mo's hand and said:
"Before the Pill Master certification, the Ren family will be holding a Pill Assembly. We just haven't set a date yet; it depends on the schedules of a few Pill Masters."
Ren Lu said eagerly, "The Ren family has a Pill Shop in the city, an Herb Store, a restaurant..."
"When you're out and about, Brother Bai, just ask around. You'll find there's only one Ren's Record in the whole city!"
Just as he was about to say more, the inspecting cultivator hurried him along.
"Don't dawdle!"
Only then did Ren Lu depart.
"Brother Bai, you have to come!"
Bai Mo watched him leave, then heard the inspecting cultivator say:
"Let's go. Up the mountain."
The caravan's elder quickly gave a shout. Everyone led their horses and followed the carts up the mountain.
The group walked past a raccoon-like Demon Beast.
The beast was lazing about, curled up, and paid the group no mind.
Bai Mo was a little curious.
"What kind of Demon Beast is this?"
Lanshan cleared his throat.
"This one is raised by the sect. It should be called a Spirit Beast!"
Bai Mo quickly corrected himself. "What kind of Spirit Beast is it, then?"
A nearby guard overheard and said:
"I don't know its name, but this Spirit Beast can identify cultivators afflicted by a Blood Curse. Those people aren't allowed up the mountain!"
"It's fine as long as it ignores you. The trouble starts when it takes notice."
Bai Mo nodded thoughtfully.
"Then aren't the Pills for removing the Blood Curse at the foot of this mountain extremely expensive?"
The guard's expression changed.
"They're astronomically expensive. It all comes down to luck."
"Some people would rather pay someone to go up the mountain and buy a Pill for them than be taken for a ride!"
After traveling for a while, the mountain path grew much steeper, and the horses could go no further.
However, a long, covered walkway had been built into the mountainside here.
The caravan's elder went over to negotiate with the walkway's supervisor. In a moment, people came to lead the horses away and unload the carriages.
A crew of burly men with muscles like iron and stone walked over. They were bare-chested, their bronze skin glistening with sweat.
From here, the cargo would be carried up the mountain by them. The horses, meanwhile, would be taken to the walkway's facilities.
Lanshan's expression shifted slightly.
"In terms of raw strength, I'm no match for these men!"
Bai Mo glanced at Lanshan's massive, ox-like frame.
"Really?"
Lan Ru also glanced at her brother in surprise.
Lanshan shook his head slightly and said softly:
"These men have most likely taken concoctions to build their strength. On top of that, they've been doing this kind of labor for years. Their physical power is immense, and their stamina could wear out an ox!"
"But that's all there is to it. Their explosive power, reflexes, and technique are nothing special."
He seemed somewhat regretful.
"Men like these wouldn't stand a chance in a real fight. What a waste of all that strength."
While they waited for the cargo to be unloaded and sorted, the caravan's elder walked over, having overheard the last part of Lanshan's comment.
"You can't just dismiss them like that. Quite a few remarkable individuals have come from the ranks of these porters, some even entering the Xuandao Sect directly."
Lanshan nodded.
'That makes more sense. With such a good foundation, it's to be expected.'
The caravan elder's gaze then shifted to Bai Mo.
"Brother Bai, you accepted that man's Pill Token just now?"
Bai Mo confirmed that he had, then asked:
"Is there something wrong with that?"
The elder shook his head and smiled.
"We don't know much about the world of alchemy, but we've heard a thing or two about these Pill Assemblies."
"It's just a token. You could accept a dozen of them and it wouldn't be too many."
He added a word of advice:
"But you should be careful, Brother Bai. Some families or groups don't have enough standing to invite skilled Pill Masters or Pill Disciples."
"You'll end up going over there just to waste your time, and between their pleading and your own sense of decorum, it'll be hard for you to leave..."
Bai Mo understood what he meant.
'A little wasted time wouldn't be a big deal under normal circumstances.'
'But with the Pill Master certification so close, I'd be better off spending that time attending a useful Pill Assembly.'
'Besides, listening to some unskilled hack spout arrogant nonsense would probably just put me in a bad mood.'
'The Ren family has quite a few businesses, so logically, they shouldn't be too bad.'
But when he recalled how desperate Ren Lu seemed for him to attend, Bai Mo grew hesitant again.
'Oh, well. I'll just ask around once I get into the city!'
Just then, Lanshan asked curiously:
"Shopkeeper Bai, can someone really tell a cultivator's skill in alchemy just by looking at them from a distance?"
At his words, the others also looked over.
This ability wasn't particularly useful, but it sounded incredibly mystical.
Bai Mo mulled it over for a moment before explaining:
"It is indeed possible. Those of us who practice alchemy year-round naturally become imbued with varying degrees of Pill Qi."
"Over the years, this makes us different from ordinary people."
After speaking, Bai Mo glanced at Lan Ru, who was subtly twitching her nose.
"It's a difference that only fellow practitioners can perceive; ordinary people can't tell."
Hearing this, Lan Ru flushed with embarrassment and quickly turned her head away.
Lanshan, however, said in surprise, "That cultivator..."
Bai Mo nodded.
"He's also a seasoned alchemist. I'd guess his skills aren't bad, just a notch below mine."
Everyone was stunned.
They never would have guessed that the chubby cultivator, with his aggressive soliciting, was actually a skilled practitioner himself!
"You really can't judge a book by its cover!"
As they chatted, the cargo from the carriages was finally sorted and ready.
The porters gave a shout, and the caravan's elder hurried forward.
Under the elder's guidance, the group started up the mountain along a set of steps.
The porters' steps were perfectly steady, and the cargo they carried didn't jostle in the slightest.
Lanshan nodded repeatedly as he watched.
Those who roamed Celestial Barrier Mountain had a natural affinity for people of such extraordinary strength.
The mountain path was high and steep.
Even though everyone present was a cultivator, it still took them half a day to reach a wide terrace on the mountainside.
Bai Mo looked up and immediately saw a tall city wall, its bricks covered in mottled marks of time.
Cultivators bustled in and out, their auras rising and falling in a lively flow. It was another scene of a flourishing age of cultivation.
Among them, Bai Mo naturally spotted many fellow alchemists, which made his eyes light up.
'There are so many of my peers here. If I could exchange a few pointers, my skills would surely improve by leaps and bounds.'
They had already been screened at the foot of the mountain, so no one came to inspect them here.
The city gate seemed to be just for show.
As the group entered the city, Bai Mo, being a newcomer, took in his surroundings.
He saw that the two halves of the gate were as thick as a man's waist, and the dirt and dust piled up beneath them showed they hadn't been closed in a very long time.
'But I can imagine that if trouble ever broke out, the moment these gates closed, Celestial Mountain City would become an impregnable fortress.'
The moment he passed through the long gate tunnel, a wave of clamor washed over him.
"Herbs! Top-quality herbs! Herbs from all corners of the world! Come take a look, have a look..."
"Iron Mark Refining Workshop! Absolute quality, the top choice for forging your weapons!"
"Fresh herbs! Potency fully intact! The best in the business, I tell ya!"
"Steamed buns! Demon Beast filling..."
There were merchants from every trade imaginable. Bai Mo was surprised to find that cultivation-related businesses were everywhere, while mundane ones were few and far between.
The caravan's elder chuckled.
"First, let's find a place to stay."
"Lanshan, how about we stick together? It'll be more convenient to travel back as a group when the time comes."
"Or are you planning to stay here with your sister?"
Lanshan quickly shook his head. He gave Lan Ru a reluctant look, but quickly concealed it.
"People like us are stuck on Celestial Barrier Mountain for life. How could we ever leave?"
The elder then looked to Bai Mo.
Bai Mo shook his head as well.
"My shop is in Immortal Arrival City, and I've only just set things up."