A long line!

Su Xuan saw a long line extending from the main gate of the Nine Cauldrons Sect, with well over a hundred people waiting.

So many people are here seeking elixirs! This Nine Cauldrons Sect truly lives up to its reputation! And its wealth must be astonishing!

After all, everyone who came seeking elixirs had to pay an entry fee. For instance, just to see the Third Elder, Su Xuan himself had to pay 10,000 Moon Profound Stones. Even for those seeking a regular Pill Master instead of the Third Elder, the fee was likely substantial.

"Well, time to get in line again."

Having just waited in line at the bank, Su Xuan now started queuing in front of the Nine Cauldrons Sect. His mood soured. With a line a hundred people long, how long is this going to take?

The people waiting for elixirs didn't seem ordinary. Many of them had mounts: a black bear with fur like steel needles, a snow-white horse with a horn on its head, and even a Liger that looked like a cross between a lion and a tiger. It was a much more spectacular sight than the one at the bank.

But once again, his Gold-Scaled Crocodile inevitably became the center of attention. Many people cast looks of awe and envy in his direction. This time, however, no one offered him their spot.

"Young Master, who are you here to see for pills?"

After a while, the person in front of Su Xuan, apparently bored, struck up a conversation.

"I plan to see the Third Elder, Xie Cheng," Su Xuan answered truthfully.

"Ah?" The man was stunned. "If you're looking for an elder to refine pills, you don't need to wait in line! Just go to the front and pay the 10,000 Moon Profound Stones, and they'll let you in!"

Hmm? Su Xuan was also taken aback. There's a rule like that?

"Most of us are just here for regular Pill Masters," the man continued. "It's much cheaper—only a few hundred to a thousand Moon Profound Stones. Seeking an elder-level Pill Master is something most people can't afford."

"Thank you!"

Su Xuan quickly thanked the man and rode his Gold-Scaled Crocodile to the front of the line.

An Attendant Student with a cold expression sat behind a wooden desk, handling entry procedures for the people in line. Because he was a member of the Nine Cauldrons Sect, he seemed to possess an innate sense of superiority, exuding a lofty air.

However, when he saw Su Xuan ride up on the glittering Gold-Scaled Crocodile, that lofty air vanished instantly, and his eyes filled with undisguised envy.

"I'm looking for the Third Elder. Thank you," Su Xuan said as he leaped down from the Gold-Scaled Crocodile. As he did, he inadvertently revealed his cultivation at the Heaven Severing Late Stage Perfection realm and placed 10,000 Profound Vouchers on the student's desk.

The Attendant Student took the vouchers with both hands, checked the amount, and said politely to Su Xuan, "Please follow me!"

Disregarding the others in line, he decided to personally lead Su Xuan inside.

"What about my mount?" Su Xuan gestured toward his companion.

"You can bring it inside," the Attendant Student said. "We wouldn't want it to get lost out here."

"Good."

Su Xuan beckoned to the Gold-Scaled Crocodile, which obediently began to follow him.

"Young Master, you're so handsome!" the Attendant Student said, trying to cozy up to Su Xuan as they walked into the Nine Cauldrons Sect. "I grew up in Hua Shui City and have seen just about everyone here, but I've never met anyone as handsome as you. You must be very popular with the girls, right?"

"Not really," Su Xuan smiled.

"Where did you get your mount?" the Attendant Student asked. "I've never seen one... how should I put it... so formidable, so special, so domineering and mighty!"

"It found me on its own," Su Xuan said.

"What?" The Attendant Student's mouth fell open. "Then it must be a female, right?"

"Ha!" Su Xuan chuckled. He turned to the Gold-Scaled Crocodile. "Are you a female?"

GROWL.

The Gold-Scaled Crocodile nodded.

Su Xuan shrugged. "She really is a female."

The Attendant Student's eyes lit up. "If she has babies, could you... sell me one?"

Fearing Su Xuan would refuse, the student quickly added, "I've saved a lot of money working at the Nine Cauldrons Sect. The people seeking pills often slip me extra Profound Vouchers to get their orders done sooner. I can afford it!"

"We'll talk about that if and when she has babies," Su Xuan smiled. "But I'll remember your request."

"Thank you, Brother!"

The Attendant Student brightened up immediately. "Actually," he continued, "to see the Third Elder, you're supposed to go through three registration procedures. But don't worry, I'm here! I'll take you straight to him. He likes me a lot. He's always... um... always patting my head!"

Only then did Su Xuan look properly at the Attendant Student's head. The student's hair was tied up in two potato-like buns that looked rather cute. His voice was soft, his skin was delicate and fair, and his eyelashes were long, framing clear and refined features...

Su Xuan stared. "Are you a girl?"

The Attendant Student's face flushed red. "Don't I look like one?"

"I wasn't looking closely before, my apologies..."

The Attendant Student—now clearly a girl—pouted. "The rules of our sect are too strict. They don't allow female disciples to dress up, saying it distracts from cultivation. That's why all the girls here look like me. But if I were out shopping, I'd dress up so beautifully you'd know I was a girl at a single glance!"

"Alright. Perhaps we'll see each other out there sometime," Su Xuan said.

The grounds of the Nine Cauldrons Sect were expansive. Su Xuan followed the female Attendant Student for quite some time before they entered a quaint and elegant courtyard.

Upon entering the courtyard, the Attendant Student pointed toward an old man standing within. "That is the Third Elder."

The old man stood with one hand clasped behind his back, teasing a small bird in a cage. He carried a strong air of arrogance, exuding a clear 'stay away' vibe.

"Third Elder."

The Attendant Student ran over and whispered a few words to the Third Elder.

"What?"

The Third Elder blinked, then started walking out of the courtyard, completely ignoring Su Xuan, who was already inside.

Su Xuan could only offer a wry smile and follow the Third Elder back out.

The Third Elder went straight to the Gold-Scaled Crocodile. Taking a deep breath, he exclaimed, "A divine creature! Truly divine!"

Only then did he turn to Su Xuan, his previous arrogance having vanished completely, replaced by an approachable demeanor. "My young friend," he said, "may I touch your mount?"

"Go ahead," Su Xuan said. He was in no position to refuse, as he was the one asking for a favor.

"Many thanks!"

The Third Elder stepped closer to the Gold-Scaled Crocodile and raised his hand. But before he could touch it, the creature let out a low growl, fixing a bloodthirsty gaze upon him. It was clear that besides Su Xuan, it would allow no one else to touch it.

The Third Elder didn't dare to press the issue and withdrew his hand, muttering to himself, "If I'm not mistaken, its scales are priceless materials for pill refining. Its claws are invaluable treasures, and its very flesh is an incredibly rare delicacy..."

At this, the Gold-Scaled Crocodile's gaze grew even more bloodthirsty.

Su Xuan cut in, "Third Elder, shall we get down to business?"

Still unable to tear his eyes away from the Gold-Scaled Crocodile, the Third Elder replied, "Of course, of course..."

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