"Brother, are you selling the formula for a second-grade premium Face-Preserving Pill?" Jin Wanshan asked, seeking confirmation. "Are you certain the formula you're selling can produce a second-grade premium Face-Preserving Pill?"
"Of course," Qin Yang replied.
Doubt still lingered in Jin Wanshan's eyes as he exchanged glances with Lou Mengyu.
Lou Mengyu gave a slight nod, confirming that this seemingly impossible matter was indeed true.
Jin Wanshan laughed heartily. "Since formulas require verification... therefore..."
Understanding immediately, Qin Yang said, "Bring the pill furnace and spirit herbs. I can demonstrate the concoction right here."
Jin Wanshan's eyes lit up with delight. "That would be ideal."
The middle-aged manager quickly gathered the materials and brought over the pill furnace.
The golden pill furnace, though merely a yellow-grade magical artifact, exuded an unmistakable air of nouveau riche opulence.
Rotating the furnace, they indeed found the inscription "Wanshan Chamber of Commerce" on its side.
While not the best among yellow-grade artifacts, it at least "looked" like the most expensive one in that category.
Qin Yang was highly satisfied. He then examined the materials - every spirit herb was of premium quality, and there were five complete sets prepared.
Qin Yang wasted no time and began immediately.
Jin Wanshan and the middle-aged manager exchanged stunned glances.
No clearing the area, no preparations—just a quick glance at the materials and he was already starting?
He's not afraid of interference or theft. To be able to work by Lou Mengyu's side, this Qin Yang is truly extraordinary, Jin Wanshan thought to himself.
Moments later, pill qi surged within the furnace. Qin Yang retrieved it and set it aside quietly.
Jin Wanshan was dumbfounded. "Is... is dan refining that easy?"
"Of course. What did you expect?" Qin Yang countered.
Jin Wanshan swallowed hard. Truth be told, he'd been convinced Qin Yang would fail. He'd even prepared himself to overlook the matter out of respect for Lou Mengyu...
But this was actually happening. What now...
Imagine—the Wanshan Chamber of Commerce's influence spanned the entire continent. With the formula for this unprecedented second-order premium Face-Preserving Pill... The potential wealth defied calculation.
If rival top-tier chambers obtained this formula, it could deal a devastating blow to the Wanshan Chamber of Commerce's standing.
"I can assure you that this formula, though only for a second-tier pill, is highly valuable," Jin Wanshan said. "Do you wish to auction it or sell it directly to the Wanshan Chamber of Commerce?"
Qin Yang replied without hesitation, "Since we're friends, why ask? I'll sell it to you directly. You can name your price."
What a joke! The fattest man in the city was the wealthiest. If he put the formula up for auction, it would end up in this fat man's hands anyway, and he'd likely get less money for it.
Better to do this friend a favor and kill two birds with one stone.
Jin Wanshan nodded. He'd definitely make this man his friend! "Since you're selling it to the Wanshan Chamber of Commerce, I won't shortchange you. But once this formula is traded..."
"I'll never pass it on to anyone else. I'll only use it myself," Qin Yang guaranteed immediately.
Jin Wanshan began counting on his fingers while the middle-aged manager beside him estimated the formula's value.
The middle-aged manager muttered quietly, "The premium-grade Face-Preserving Pill sells for ten low-grade spirit stones. Formulas are usually a hundred times the pill's value, but this formula has never appeared before..."
"Two thousand low-grade spirit stones," the middle-aged manager offered, doubling the initial price.
"Five thousand low-grade spirit stones," Jin Wanshan countered simultaneously.
Jin Wanshan nodded approvingly at the middle-aged manager, his own offer appearing even more generous by comparison.
Qin Yang blinked rapidly, his mind struggling to process the numbers. As someone still operating at the golden stage of cognitive development, spirit stones held no tangible meaning for him.
"The Jin family's wealth truly knows no bounds!" Lou Mengyu exclaimed, awed by the display.
Jin Wanshan laughed heartily. "Not at all. For our Wanshan Chamber of Commerce, these spirit stones are indeed trivial. But with this formula, we can generate far greater profits."
Noticing Qin Yang's continued confusion, Jin Wanshan suggested, "If you're not keen on selling outright, there are alternative partnership models. You could provide the formula, we handle the refinement, and then split the profits from selling the pills..."
Qin Yang snapped out of his daze and hastily shook his head. "No, I'll sell the formula outright. Deal."
What kind of joke was this? The formula was one thing, but the art of dan refining and success rates were entirely different matters. Not everyone could produce pills like he could.
As for future pill sales, once he had enough funds, he could always consider partnerships then.
Qin Yang immediately wrote down the formula, marking key points and listing various precautions. After ensuring everything was clear, he added, "You can find someone to refine it. If any issues arise, feel free to come to me. We're selling the formula with full support—guaranteed results!"
The transaction concluded with an unprecedented sense of satisfaction, fifty mid-grade spirit stones safely in hand.
Spirit stones were categorized into four grades: supreme, high, mid, and low, with conversion rates of 1:100 between each tier.
Seeing Qin Yang's cooperative demeanor, the true reason lay in Lou Mengyu's presence.
Jin Wanshan pondered briefly before suggesting, "With the beast tide approaching, why don't we form a team? With our combined strength, securing admission to Celestial Academy would be as certain as a hammer striking an anvil."
Qin Yang inquired, "What exactly is this beast tide? When is it expected to arrive?"
Jin Wanshan explained, "According to my father, when the beast tide comes, all demonic beasts across the continent go berserk. The Hundred Thousand Mountains bordering the Northern Plains overflow with creatures like a tidal surge, hence the name. As for why this happens, no one knows."
"Ah! Then won't the Northern Plains be overrun instantly?" Qin Yang's eyes widened in alarm.
Jin Wanshan chuckled, "That won't happen. Celestial Academy and the major powers across the continent will stand united against the threat, and we'll be prepared in advance."
Qin Yang pondered, recalling how Martial Heaven from Celestial Academy had arrived early at Thousand Hidden Sect.
"But..." Qin Yang voiced his concern, "if Celestial Academy uses hunting demonic beasts as their assessment standard, our current strength might not even be enough to scratch a beast's hide in a demonic beast tide."
Lou Mengyu couldn't bear it anymore and explained, "Don't worry. This remote area of the Northern Plains won't suffer major impacts. As an assessment zone, all factions will control this region, ensuring no exceptionally strong demonic beasts remain."
She added, "When the tide comes, you'll know."
Qin Yang nodded, noticing the spirit stone bundle still clutched in Lou Mengyu's hands. "Why aren't you storing the spirit stones? Isn't that heavy?"
Lou Mengyu froze.
Qin Yang continued, "Like how Jin Wanshan produced his stones earlier, with a simple whoosh..."
A blush crept across Lou Mengyu's face. She murmured, "He wears a Qiankun Ring. I don't have one..."
Jin Wanshan made a move to pluck one directly from the display, but at that moment, Qin Yang noticed something peculiar - the fat man's ten fingers were adorned with nothing but Qiankun Rings!
Seeing Jin Wanshan's motion, Qin Yang hastily interjected, "If we don't have one, we'll buy one. We've got the money, don't we?"
Jin Wanshan reluctantly slipped the ring back onto his finger. He'd tried giving Lou Mengyu a Qiankun Ring multiple times before, but she'd always refused. Now, with this perfect opportunity, Qin Yang had once again blocked his path.
Hmph! Even if he buys one, she wouldn't want it! Jin Wanshan thought bitterly.
"Qiankun Rings aren't ordinary magical artifacts," Lou Mengyu explained. "Even the lowest-grade yellow-tier rings, with their minimal capacity, are prohibitively expensive."
Qin Yang waved his finger dismissively. "I don't care about that. I just want to know - can we afford it?"
Lou Mengyu glanced at the bundle containing fifty high-grade spirit stones in her hand and nodded. "We can afford it."
"Then that settles it. Buy it!" Qin Yang declared.
Jin Wanshan's mouth gaped open. This didn't look like someone who didn't want one at all...
"How is this possible?! My Qiankun Ring was rejected, but this brat gets accepted? Who does he think he is?" Jin Wanshan fumed.
The Wanshan Chamber of Commerce stood right next door to the auction house. Undeterred, Jin Wanshan followed Qin Yang with renewed determination.