Hearing that Jun Changxiao wanted to acquire storefronts in the city, Lu Deshui immediately stated: “Sect Leader Jun can freely choose from storefronts on any of the city’s major streets!”

Before long.

Servants rushed over from the marketplace, delivering various alchemy facilities and books on medicinal materials, medical techniques, and other subjects.

“City Lord Lu, how much?”

Just as Jun Changxiao was preparing to pay, Lu Deshui hurriedly cupped his fists: “These daily necessities don’t cost much money—consider it Lu’s gift to Sect Leader Jun!”

“Uh…”

Dog Sheng didn’t decline either, cupping his fists: “Many thanks!”

“Will Sect Leader Jun have a home-cooked meal first before viewing the shops, or go now?” Lu Deshui smiled.

“Let’s go now.”

“Please!”

Under Lu Deshui’s guidance, Jun Changxiao toured all the major streets of Linyuan City. Finally, in the west district, he selected four storefronts with decent locations: “City Lord Lu, what’s the price?”

“Name your price!”

The man was truly very generous.

The always particular Jun Changxiao, after some consideration, decided to spend the market rate of five million Profound Stones to purchase the four shops.

After all the procedures were completed, Lu Deshui smiled: “Sect Leader Jun purchased so many alchemy-related items—are you planning to open an alchemy shop?”

“Indeed.”

“…”

The System said speechlessly: “Why do I want to hit him so badly?”

Lu Deshui’s expression turned serious: “The east district and north district have two long-established alchemy shops. If Sect Leader Jun doesn’t have any special features, it may be difficult to gain a foothold in Linyuan City.”

Alchemy and weapons/equipment businesses were undoubtedly the most popular in the Upper Realm because demand was high, but they were also monopolized by many established shops. New entrants had difficulty surviving.

Looking at the entire world, countless shops opened every day, and many closed down as well. Not only might they lose money in the end, they might even make many enemies.

Jun Changxiao smiled: “Many thanks for City Lord Lu’s reminder.”

He had all kinds of materials, the shops too. After chatting politely for a while, he bid farewell and returned to the sect.

Lu Deshui very enthusiastically saw him off outside the city gates. Only after the figure completely disappeared did a guard ask puzzledly: “City Lord, you seem to regard this Sect Leader Jun very highly.”

For a sect master who hadn’t even reached the Profound rank to receive such treatment from a city lord was truly contrary to common sense.

“This child.”

Lu Deshui said: “Is not simple!”

His assessment wasn’t based on the cultivated medicinal materials, but on being able to bring an entire sect ascending to the Upper Realm!

Many people regarded this city lord as Ai Shangni, when he was actually more like Xie Guangkun. Readers who guessed wrong in the chapter comments, please line up and slap your own faces.

…

Jun Changxiao returned to the Eternal Antiquity Sect along the way. As for City Lord Lu’s reminder about the established alchemy shops in the east and north districts, he didn’t take it to heart at all, because if he was going to do business, he’d definitely have core competitiveness.

You sell Vitality Cultivation Profound Pills, I’ll definitely sell them too, and the effects are ten times yours. I don’t believe there won’t be a market or users!

After returning to the sect, Dog Sheng summoned the high-level members to discuss opening an alchemy shop. On the spot, he received Yuan Feng’s strong support.

“It’s decided then.”

Jun Changxiao made the decision: “When the next batch of medicinal materials matures, use them all for refining pills. Then open the Eternal Antiquity Alchemy Shop in Linyuan City. Old Yuan, decoration and other matters for the shops in the city are entrusted to you.”

“Yes!”

Young Master Yuan set out for Linyuan City that very day, accompanied by Feng Guichen.

Jun Changxiao wanted to arrange City Lord Lu clearly and thoroughly, so he could receive much care in the future.

Sure enough, when Lu Deshui confirmed that the Alchemy Hall’s chief alchemist really was the Eternal Antiquity Sect’s hall master, he became even more polite toward Young Master Yuan, even addressing him as brother.

“Incredible, incredible!”

“Just Master Feng’s golden signboard alone—once the Eternal Antiquity Sect opens an alchemy shop, it will probably cause a huge sensation!”

What Lu Deshui imagined was also what Jun Changxiao considered, so that very day he ordered Li Luoqiu to spread the news that the Alchemy Hall’s chief alchemist was about to open an alchemy shop to more distant cities.

“…”

Knowing about this matter, Feng Guichen smiled bitterly: “I’m no longer that free-spirited person who loved traveling the world.”

His old persona had collapsed. A new persona was erected. He was now the Eternal Antiquity Sect’s Alchemy Hall master and the Eternal Antiquity Alchemy Shop’s chief alchemist.

Fortunately, the Alchemy Hall was a non-power organization. Except for needing to report at fixed times, it generally didn’t restrict members’ activities or interfere with their side jobs.

Just look—the other seven chief alchemists were either honorary elders at top-tier sects or honored guests at various top-tier families. If they learned Feng Guichen had joined an obscure sect, they might cast disdainful glances.

…

One month later.

A new batch of medicinal materials all matured.

Feng Guichen began taking charge of refining various pills.

Sun Bukong and others, having contacted alchemy dao for too short a time, could only help out.

Jun Changxiao didn’t idle either. He took out a small portion of medicinal materials to refine First Revolution Body Shaping Pills, then distributed them to disciples, striving to achieve comprehensive sect-wide coverage as soon as possible.

“Sect Leader!”

Feng Guichen also ate a Body Shaping Pill. After sensing tremendous improvements in his physical body, meridians, soul, and other aspects, he said shocked: “What pill is this!”

“The Eternal Antiquity Sect’s ancestral pill!”

“I’ve researched alchemy dao for so many years and have never seen a single pill that can have multiple enhancement effects!”

As a higher-level Upper Realm, alchemy techniques were very advanced. Naturally there were pills involving physical body, meridians, soul, and other aspects, but one pill gathering multiple enhancement effects with extremely obvious improvements—this absolutely didn’t exist.

“Hall Master Feng must remember.”

Jun Changxiao said: “Our sect’s first tenet is to act in a low-key manner.”

“…”

Feng Guichen’s mouth twitched: “Sect Leader, how do I remember you previously said the first tenet was: be a person of iron bones and integrity, do deeds of iron bones and integrity?”

“Hall Master Feng.” Sun Bukong said quietly: “Our Eternal Antiquity Sect’s first tenet changes according to the Sect Leader’s mood. You’ll get used to it later.”

Black lines rose on Feng Guichen’s forehead.

The sect created by Senior Tonggu wasn’t rigorous at all!

…

Linyuan City.

Gongs and drums roared, firecrackers rang out in unison.

After a moment, Jun Changxiao, dressed formally, stood before the decorated shop and pulled open the red cloth hanging on the plaque, announcing the official opening of ‘Eternal Antiquity Alchemy Shop.’

“Congratulations, congratulations!”

Lu Deshui, his face full of smiles, cupped his fists in congratulations.

On the shop’s opening day, the street gathered warriors from all walks of life. After all, the publicity was thorough, and the Alchemy Hall’s chief alchemist presided.

Initially they just held a trial mentality entering the shop to purchase pills, but upon learning that many pills had effects ten times higher than ordinary pills, they were immediately stunned.

“City Lord Lu.”

Jun Changxiao handed over a Vitality Cultivation Profound Pill, smiling: “You can try eating one.”

“Alright!”

Lu Deshui pinched it with a questioning heart, then tossed it into his mouth. When the medicinal effects fully opened and his blood vessels and pores seemed to open instantly, madly absorbing heaven and earth’s attributes and laws, he said shocked: “Incredible, incredible!”

Many family heads saw this and thought secretly: “That exaggerated?”

Actually this wasn’t even exaggerated. You must know, Lu Deshui had taken one yesterday to try in advance. The expression that surfaced was even more exaggerated. Today having him cooperate a bit, his performance was subpar. This couldn’t help but remind one of Lingyuan Continent’s Ke Jinnan—now that was a true golden partner.

City Lord Ke, I miss you!

“Sect Leader Jun, I’ll buy a Vitality Cultivation Profound Pill.” A family head spoke up.

Jun Changxiao said: “These pills are all refined by Hall Master Feng. As the Alchemy Hall’s chief alchemist, everyone naturally won’t question his alchemy techniques, so my Eternal Antiquity Alchemy Shop’s pill prices are also ten times more expensive than conventional pills. Because quantities aren’t large, there are also purchase limits.”

Actually this time they’d prepared quite a bit of inventory, but Dog Sheng had to control volume. First, hunger marketing. Second, scarcity creates value.

Just opened for business, the Eternal Antiquity Alchemy Shop was destined to have explosively popular business because pill effects were ten times those of conventional pills.

Among them, the best seller was naturally the Vitality Cultivation Profound Pill worth one thousand Profound Stones. Taking it could last ten days, and absorption speed was also ten times that of ordinary pills!

Blood Coagulation Recovery Pills and Meridian Protection Profound Pills were also quite good, but one focused on healing injuries and one on protection. So warriors generally only prepared a few for backup rather than consuming them daily like the Vitality Cultivation Profound Pills.

“Old Yuan, Old Feng.”

Jun Changxiao arranged: “This place is entrusted to you. This Seat will return to the sect first.”

He just came over to participate in the shop opening. Going forward, operations and management would all be handed to Yuan Feng and Feng Guichen to manage. He only needed to count money at the sect.

“Have you heard? The Eternal Antiquity Alchemy Shop newly opened in the west district sells many pills with effects ten times that of conventional pills!”

“Of course I’ve heard. The neighboring Cai family head even bought quite a bit and went into seclusion after returning!”

“Let’s go, let’s go check it out.”

“Going to look is fine, but don’t expect to buy pills.”

“Why?”

“Because it sold out one hour after opening.”

News that the Eternal Antiquity Alchemy Shop sold pills with effects ten times stronger than conventional ones spread throughout Linyuan City in just half a day. As warriors from all walks circulated, it would gradually extend to other cities.

Many people rushed over excitedly, only to find the shop had already hung up a ‘Pills Sold Out’ sign.

Sigh.

Could only come early tomorrow.

The next day.

Many warriors rose early, but just arriving at the Eternal Antiquity Alchemy Shop, they found a long queue had already formed.

“Isn’t it just an alchemy shop? So many people scrambling to buy—are they selling immortal pills?”

What made people most devastated was queuing for a long time, eyes seeing it was almost their turn, when with a bang the door closed and the ‘Pills Sold Out, Come Early to Purchase’ sign was hung.

“Holy crap!”

“Waited all morning for nothing!”

Warriors who didn’t buy pills left disappointed, deciding to wake up even earlier the next day.

The explosive popularity of the Eternal Antiquity Alchemy Shop also brought impact to other alchemy shops. For instance, the two established alchemy shops in the east and north districts saw sales severely decline in just a few days. The managers were both anxious and angry.

They could only be pointlessly angry. They didn’t dare have any ideas, because with Feng Guichen presiding, offending him meant offending the Alchemy Hall!

So, in the Upper Realm, connections and relationships were very important. Jun Changxiao relied precisely on the Alchemy Hall chief alchemist’s status to have the idea of opening shops to develop sect industries.

Over the next few days, Linyuan City was destined to be very lively. Every day bright and early, one could see a long queue already formed on the street where the alchemy shop was located.

Many people were excited from buying pills, many dejected from not buying.

Of course, news about the Eternal Antiquity Alchemy Shop had already begun spreading to more distant cities. Many families of humble background and simple honesty, along with rogue cultivators, were on their way to Linyuan City.

Lu Deshui was very happy now, because the influx of outside warriors in such a short time could undoubtedly bring more revenue to the city.

“Young Master Yuan.”

To strengthen feelings with the Eternal Antiquity Sect, he specially hosted a banquet for Yuan Feng and stated: “Tax-free for one year!”

Lu Deshui had thought that with Feng Guichen presiding, the alchemy shop would definitely be popular once it opened, but he hadn’t expected it would be popular to this degree. Judging from current trends, once news spread through surrounding cities, it would definitely be even more terrifying!

“City Lord Lu.”

Young Master Yuan drank a mouthful of wine and smiled: “Although Linyuan City’s scale is larger than any city in the Lower Realm, placed in the Upper Realm it’s unremarkable, because…” He paused, then said: “It lacks memorable special features.”

Lu Deshui fell into brief silence, then clapped his hands: “Tax-free for three years!”

He understood. The other party was telling him that the Eternal Antiquity Alchemy Shop establishing itself in Linyuan City was a treasure, was the greatest special feature. So collecting less tax and drawing more warriors would definitely be super worthwhile.

“I heard the Sect Leader say that later he’ll also open a medicinal materials shop in the city and actively contact other cities, hoping to build this into a large market integrating alchemy and medicinal material operations.” Young Master Yuan said quietly.

“This…”

Lu Deshui’s eyes widened, then he said generously: “From now on, your shops don’t need to pay taxes. Whatever needs you have, Lu will fully assist!”

“Then I’ll trouble City Lord Lu!”

Young Master Yuan raised his cup.

Lu Deshui also hurriedly raised his wine cup.

The two happily drank for half an hour before dispersing and leaving.

Actually Jun Changxiao really did have ideas about opening a medicinal materials shop, but hadn’t decided when to implement it, much less decided to build some medicinal materials and alchemy grand market. Young Master Yuan saying this had elements of fraud, but wasn’t it also striving for the sect’s greatest benefits?

…

The Eternal Antiquity Alchemy Shop operated in full swing. Disciples within the Eternal Antiquity Sect also diligently cultivated. Major realm and minor realm breakthroughs came wave after wave.

Jun Changxiao didn’t idle either. Because the alchemy shop’s explosive popularity was within expectations, but he couldn’t keep doing hunger marketing forever—otherwise it was easy to play with fire and get burned. So he could only step on his flying sword and start running around to surrounding cities, hoping to buy more medicinal material seeds.

With Yuan Feng, who managed internal affairs, transferred to Linyuan City to operate the alchemy business, and the Sect Leader often away from home, high-level members and disciples would go to Hua Meigui to discuss anything, after all she was the sect’s madam.

Dog Sheng didn’t make any statement either.

Or rather, he deliberately pretended not to know.

Just like that, Hua Meigui, who clearly held no actual position, imperceptibly became the Eternal Antiquity Sect’s second-in-command. Many internal affairs were handled by her.

The empress who commanded an entire plane naturally had no problem managing a sect. So when Jun Changxiao was out, she arranged many matters in perfect order.

One day, nighttime.

Jun Changxiao returned from purchasing medicinal material seeds in other cities, landing in Dragon Head Peak’s courtyard. Seeing light still in the neighboring study, that woman still sat at the table organizing sect materials, exactly like the empress who used to stay up late reviewing memorials.

“Touching or not?” the System said.

“Scram!”

Jun Changxiao rolled his eyes, then stepped toward the courtyard. But for some reason, he suddenly turned and walked toward Hua Meigui’s courtyard. Just as he was about to enter, he turned back again.

Hua Meigui, who was organizing files, sensed something. She pushed the door open and walked out, seeing him pacing back and forth outside the gate. Puzzled, she asked: “What are you doing?”

“Swish!”

Dog Sheng changed from his hesitant state to performing the ninth set of broadcast calisthenics at maximum speed: “Morning exercises, of course!”

Hua Meigui said surprised: “Doing morning exercises in the middle of the night?”

“I like it!”

Jun Changxiao acted like a big fool continuing his exercises. Only after doing several cycles did he turn around: “I’m tired. Going to sleep.”

“…”

Hua Meigui was speechless.

Just before entering his residential courtyard, Jun Changxiao stopped, saying coolly and indifferently: “When doing anything, you must be like me—always pay attention to balancing work and rest.”