The late afternoon sun filtered through the canopies of the city as Bao, Jin, and Ying made their way towards the inn where Ling's father was lodged. The bustling city was winding down for the day, the shouts of vendors and laughter of children growing fainter.

"I think Master Ling can help us," Bao said as they maneuvered their way through the crowd, his voice barely rising above the city's hum. Jin and Ying exchanged a look, curiosity piqued.

At the inn, they found Ling's father deep in thought, his hand idly stirring a concoction. He looked up as they entered, a smile touching his lips at their sight. "What brings you youngsters here?" he inquired, his eyes twinkling.

Bao cleared his throat, gathering his thoughts before speaking. "We were wondering if, as an alchemist, you might have something that could aid us in reaching the next stage," he proposed, his voice steady.

Master Ling paused, the concoction momentarily forgotten. He gazed at them thoughtfully, stroking his beard. "It's possible," he conceded after a moment. "However, remember, cultivation is not just about the body, but the spirit too. The journey to the next stage is as much about your own resolve and will as any external aid."

Under the soft glow of the inn's lanterns, Bao looked at Master Ling, took a deep breath, and began to explain. "We understand that, sir," he said, his voice firm, betraying no trace of hesitation. "Our cultivation paths have not been without challenges, and we have strived to overcome them, mentally and physically."

He paused, running a hand through his hair. "But right now, with the tournament coming up, we are looking for a slight...acceleration," Bao continued, choosing his words carefully. "We are close to advancing, but time is not our ally."

He glanced at his friends before continuing, "We believe you can help us. Not by altering our paths or providing a shortcut, but by giving us a little push. Something that might help us breakthrough, given that we are so close."

Master Ling continued to stir his concoction, his eyes meeting each of theirs in turn. There was silence for a moment before he finally nodded, his face serious. "I see your determination," he said. "I'll see what I can do." His words carried a promise, one that filled them with a renewed sense of hope.

"But remember," he cautioned, a stern edge creeping into his voice. "The path to cultivation is built on perseverance and growth. No matter what assistance I provide, it will be your will that ultimately carries you through."

Master Ling’s fingers stilled, his brow furrowing as he thought. "The concoction will need...Ah yes, Crimson Petals, a Moonlight Orchid and...a Beast Core, ideally a mid-level one."

Jin exchanged a glance with Ying before sheepishly pulling out the Wolf Beast Core they had procured during their previous hunting adventure. It was a late-level core, pulsing with an intense, rich aura that tingled against the skin. "What about this?" Jin asked, holding it out.

Master Ling paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the glowing core. He reached out, hovering his hand just above it, sensing the potent energy swirling within. After a moment, he slowly retracted his hand, shaking his head. "Impressive find, but that is too powerful for what I need," he said with a note of regret in his voice.

Seeing their deflated expressions, Master Ling quickly added, "A mid-level beast core is what we require for this concoction. The amount of power within a late-level core... it would be too much for you to handle at your current stage. The goal is to help you advance, not send you spiraling into a core mishap."

Bao and Ling exchanged glances, recognizing the first two from their time spent poring over alchemical texts. Jin, and Ying on the other hand, was clueless about the herbs.

"Where can we get these?" Bao asked, already standing up, a hint of eagerness in his voice.

"Crimson Petals and Moonlight Orchids can be bought from the city’s Alchemist. As for the Beast Core, you'll need to check the Hunter's Market,” Master Ling advised.

With a nod, the trio stood, ready to carry out their assignments. Bao, paired with Ling, was to negotiate with the city's alchemist for the herbs. Jin, his confusion about the herbs fading away, was teamed up with Ying for the hunt at the Hunter's Market. The promise of a breakthrough was the fuel they needed to venture out into the bustling city.

"Meet back here in an hour," Bao suggested, giving Jin and Ying a confident nod before he and Ling set off for the alchemist.

Jin and Ying watched their friends leave, before turning to each other. Jin grinned, an anticipatory gleam in his eyes. "Ready to go hunting?"

With a determined nod, Ying responded, "Let's get that Beast Core," her voice resolute and focused.

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As Jin and Ying exited the inn, they fell into an easy jog, their strides matching each other's rhythm. They moved through the vibrant city streets, their eyes wide with the bustling energy and bright colors around them.

"You know, it's fascinating," Ying said, nodding towards a nearby stall filled with all kinds of intricate talismans, their surfaces shimmering with latent power. "Back in the village, you only ever see the same mundane items, but here..."

Jin grinned, finishing her sentence, "Every corner is a revelation. Like that!" He pointed at a vendor hawking what appeared to be colorful potions in glass vials. The light from the setting sun cast a rainbow of hues on the arrayed potions, lending an almost ethereal quality to the scene.

Ying chuckled, shaking her head at Jin's enthusiastic observations. "Remember, we're not here on vacation. We've got a job to do."

"Right, the beast core," Jin replied, his smile not fading but his tone taking on a more serious note. They quickened their pace, eager to complete their task and take the next step on their cultivation journey.

Before they even laid eyes on the hunter's market, the distinct scent of blood, fur, and raw energy reached their senses, a tangible testament to the world of monsters and beasts. As they turned the corner, the sight that greeted them was like a painter's palette of chaos.

Rows upon rows of stalls were littered with beast carcasses, their bared muscles gleaming under the sun, while skilled hunters and butchers worked with practiced precision, disassembling the monstrous forms into sellable parts. Here, a giant scaled serpent sprawled out, its vibrant scales still shimmering with residual Qi; there, the imposing form of a Thunderhorn stag, its antlers crackling with latent lightning energy, stood like a testament to nature's power.

"D'you see that?" Jin breathed, his gaze drawn to the massive beast, its size dwarfing the surrounding stalls. "That's a Thunderhorn stag. Can't believe they took down a peak-level beast."

Ying nodded, her eyes gleaming with a mix of awe and anticipation. "Imagine the core it must have... too bad it's way beyond our league."

They weaved through the maze-like array of stalls, finally stopping at a small shop with an array of beast cores displayed. The cores gleamed in various shades, each pulsing with its unique rhythm of energy, a silent testament to the beast it once was.

As they approached the vendor, Ying stepped forward, starting the negotiation. "We have a late-stage Wolf beast core to trade," he stated, keeping his voice steady.

The shopkeeper, a grizzled old man with eyes sharper than his butcher's cleaver, glanced at the core before grunting. "I can give you a mid-stage Rabbit core and a bit of silver," he offered, a shrewd glint in his eyes.

Ying's eyes lit up at the offer, a grin spreading across his face. It seemed like he was about to accept the deal, his youthful excitement clear.

The youthful exuberance on Ying's face made Jin blink. 'That can't be right,' he thought, his mind immediately recalling the countless times he'd watched his mother haggle at the market. And so, with a confidence he hadn't known he possessed, he intervened.

"Hold on, Ying," Jin said, raising a hand before his friend could take the shopkeeper's deal. His gaze remained steady on the older man. "A wolf core for a rabbit's? You've got to be joking. That's a top-grade carnivorous beast's core."

The shopkeeper huffed, folding his arms across his chest. "Well, what would you suggest then?"

Jin's gaze flitted over the display, his eyes landing on two mid-level cores that shone brightly. "These two," he stated firmly, pointing at his choices, "are a fairer exchange."

The shopkeeper studied Jin for a moment, sizing him up. But in the end, he sighed and nodded, albeit reluctantly. "Very well, young man," he conceded, a hint of grudging respect in his tone. "Your wolf core for these two. It's a deal."

A grin spread across Jin's face, satisfied with the outcome. His haggling skills might need some refining, but he had managed a better deal, he thought. And the thrill of the exchange was oddly satisfying.

The shopkeeper wasted no time in stowing away the wolf core in a sturdy box, his hands moving with a speed that surprised Jin. He watched as the old man's face broke into a satisfied grin, and a pang of realization hit him. Perhaps he hadn't haggled as well as he thought. The shopkeeper's smirk suggested he'd still made a tidy profit.

"Ah, we live and learn," Jin muttered under his breath, accepting the box containing their newly acquired beast cores. He glanced at Ying who gave him an appreciative nod, seemingly oblivious to the shopkeeper's smug satisfaction.

As they left the market, the scent of butchered meat slowly dissipating behind them, Jin made a mental note. Next time, he'd drive a harder bargain. For now, though, they had what they came for. It was time to head back and see if Master Ling could work his alchemical magic with their acquisitions.

As they neared the inn, a clamor rose above the usual urban hum. Drawn to it, they veered off their course, pushing their way through a throng of people gathered in an open square. The crowd parted to reveal an extraordinary spectacle: a man standing in a meditative posture, unmoving and serene, as his two companions brutally assailed him with thick wooden planks.

Unperturbed by the onslaught, the man, Jian Zhong if the cries of the crowd were to be believed, absorbed every blow without as much as a wince, a testament to his peak qi gathering iron shell technique. Each thud of the plank echoed through the square, inducing gasps and cheers from the spectators.

Darting amongst the crowd, a young disciple, presumably the troupe's apprentice, was collecting donations. His pitch rang out above the noise: "Witness the invincible Jian Zhong! Marvel at his impervious iron shell! Spare a silver for a show unlike any other!"

Caught in the wave of applause, Ying and Jin joined the crowd in clapping for the incredible display. Nearby, some of the locals were sharing hushed comments about the spectacle.

"Did you know, the Iron Guard faction is based right here in the city? They ain't like those posh Hidden Jade chaps. They work for every copper, even put on these shows." One of them nodded towards Jian Zhong, who was now bowing amidst thunderous applause.

"Hmm... local faction, you say? Maybe we should toss in a bit of silver," another mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Their words piqued Jin's interest, painting a different picture of the cultivation world. It wasn't all grand battles and legendary treasures; even cultivators had to make ends meet.

As the applause began to fade and the crowd started to disperse, the young men traded one final glance with the performer before making their way back towards the inn. The day had offered them a little detour, a small glimpse into the world they were stepping into, and they were ready to face what was next.