When Jun Changxiao was randomly boasting earlier, the Alchemy Hall high-ranking officials were somewhat confused. The words sounded very reasonable, but they had nothing to do with alchemy!
Naturally.
Dog Leftover didn’t understand alchemy, so naturally couldn’t boast anything impressive. He could only deliberately say some irrelevant yet thought-provoking things.
If so, why did he complete the epic quest?
Because of the Bluffing Garment!
When Jun Changxiao gradually released his alchemy aura, Bai Chaoyang and others were immediately stunned!
This wasn’t a master.
This was a grandmaster!
Being able to hear him discuss alchemy today was truly an immense honor!
Simply put, when Jun Changxiao released his alchemy aura, even saying random things would make people imagine deeply, even believing it contained some alchemy mystery. This perfectly satisfied the core condition of discussing alchemy techniques.
“Third Elder.”
Bai Chaoyang transmitted, “Did you record everything Sect Master Jun said?”
“All recorded, not a single word missed!”
“Good, good!”
Bai Chaoyang’s face showed a smile, thinking, “Later we’ll have it printed and distribute copies to all Alchemy Hall members. Perhaps they’ll comprehend something from it.”
This day.
Every sentence Dog Leftover randomly boasted was recorded by the Alchemy Hall in a compendium, historically called Dog… Jun Studies.
Using words unrelated to alchemy to successfully fool a group of alchemy masters—only someone who could cheat could pull off this operation.
“Only five Experience Talismans?”
Jun Changxiao still wasn’t satisfied with the quest completion reward.
Because each revolution had no finer level divisions, he could only rely on Experience Talismans to advance, knowing when he’d reach full value and trigger epic quests. Naturally, he hoped for more.
“Sect Master Jun.”
Bai Chaoyang smiled, “The food and wine are ready.”
“Oh.”
Jun Changxiao responded, then withdrew his released alchemy aura, returning to that ordinary state.
Without the Bluffing Garment’s enhancement, it was completely impossible to sense any alchemy aura. So Bai Chaoyang and others immediately marveled inwardly, “Controlling aura freely—truly an alchemy grandmaster!”
…
Relying on the prestige item to cheat, Jun Changxiao successfully shaped himself as an alchemy grandmaster before the Alchemy Hall.
The power of cheating made people look up in awe.
“Please!”
“Please!”
Jun Changxiao sat at the table.
Worried about making fools of themselves before him, Bai Chaoyang and the accompanying high-ranking officials didn’t discuss alchemy the entire time. The atmosphere was still quite harmonious.
“Sigh.”
After three rounds of wine, Jun Changxiao sighed.
Bai Chaoyang inquired puzzled, “Why does Sect Master Jun sigh?”
Jun Changxiao said with a bitter face, “Hall Master Bai should know my Eternal Sect just ascended from the Lower Realm, right?”
“Your sect withstood the Boundary Hall’s Ten Thousand Tribulation Heaven Thunder Formation and successfully led disciples to ascend. This is known throughout the Upper Realm. Bai admires Sect Master Jun immensely!” Bai Chaoyang said.
Not flattery, but genuine admiration. Throughout history, no one had brought an entire sect to ascend. Such a feat would surely be recorded in history!
“Sigh.”
Jun Changxiao smiled bitterly, “Jun originally thought ascending to the Upper Realm would allow pursuing higher realms. Only after arriving here over two years ago did I realize how difficult it is to gain a foothold!”
“Indeed.”
Bai Chaoyang and the high-ranking officials nodded deeply in agreement.
Most of them had ascended through alchemy. They’d all experienced the enormous sense of falling from high above to the bottom.
Being able to make it in the new world system—this process was truly too difficult.
Bai Chaoyang smiled, “Sect Master Jun need not worry. Your sect will eventually have a place in the Upper Realm.”
“Hall Master Bai must be thinking that because my master is Daoren Tonggu, making it in the Upper Realm is natural.” Jun Changxiao said.
“Uh…”
Bai Chaoyang smiled awkwardly yet politely.
Yes.
That’s what he thought.
As one of the Upper Realm’s top experts, aside from those pinnacle Immortal-Grade sects, who wouldn’t give him face? With such backing, Eternal Sect’s rise was merely a matter of time.
Jun Changxiao said, “When my master accepted me as a disciple, he said the sect’s development could only rely on myself. He wouldn’t provide any help.”
“…”
Bai Chaoyang and the high-ranking officials were speechless.
Developing a sect in the Upper Realm was no joke. As a master, not providing help was somewhat… Senior Tonggu must be teaching Sect Master Jun that in a cruel world, relying on others is inferior to relying on oneself!
Great masters were indeed great masters—such painstaking effort!
This level of mental gymnastics was so exaggerated that even Ye Xingchen, He Wudi, and Demon King Zilin would have to admit defeat.
“Therefore.”
Jun Changxiao said, “Jun began thinking about how to develop the sect. After much consideration, I decided to first establish businesses, so I opened a pill shop in Linyuan City.”
Bai Chaoyang’s left eyelid, which had calmed down, suddenly began twitching wildly again.
Could financial fortune be coming?
A high-ranking official said, “This humble one had the fortune to take pills from Sect Master Jun’s shop. The seemingly ordinary Essence Nourishing Profound Pills had tenfold effectiveness—truly unbelievable.”
“These pills were refined by Feng Guichen.”
“Ah?”
Everyone was immediately stunned.
They acknowledged Feng Guichen’s alchemy skills, but how could he refine such powerful pills?
“Of course.”
Jun Changxiao added, “The pill formula differs from ordinary formulas.”
With this statement, everyone understood.
So the pills ten times more effective than ordinary Essence Nourishing Profound Pills relied not on Feng Guichen’s alchemy skills but on an exclusive formula.
Jun Changxiao said, “Master constantly admonishes Jun that whether cultivating martial dao or alchemy dao, the ultimate purpose is benefiting the world. So I refined these special formula pills for external sale.”
“Ptooey!”
The system finally couldn’t hold back.
Clearly taking it out to make money and support the sect, yet shamelessly claiming to benefit the world—shamelessness had reached a new high!
“Sect Master Jun’s action truly benefits the world!” Bai Chaoyang raised his cup seriously, “Bai toasts you!”
“We also toast Sect Master Jun!”
All high-ranking officials raised their cups, eyes full of admiration!
The Alchemy Hall wasn’t a profit-seeking organization but belonged to a public welfare research and development organization. Whenever new discoveries and achievements emerged, they’d announce them publicly, benefiting the entire alchemy world.
This bore striking similarities to Jun Changxiao taking out exclusive formulas for sale, aiming to benefit the world.
Impressed!
Deeply impressed!
“Sigh.”
After drinking, Jun Changxiao said bitterly, “Unfortunately, due to limited ability, Jun cannot let more martial artists enjoy the benefits brought by high-grade pills.”
“You could open branches.” Bai Chaoyang said.
Hearing this, the system finally understood the host’s routine, blurting out, “Holy crap, hustler!”
“Sigh.”
Jun Changxiao sighed, “If there were more alchemy talents…” At this point, he glanced at everyone, “Jun is confident I could spread pill shops throughout the Upper Realm’s major cities, letting everyone afford and access high-grade pills.”
“My Alchemy Hall has alchemy talents willing to assist Sect Master Jun in benefiting the world!” Bai Chaoyang said solemnly.
The system said helplessly, “He’s been led astray.”
“This…” Jun Changxiao said, “How could I trouble your esteemed hall?”
“Sect Master Jun need not be polite.” Bai Chaoyang said, “My Alchemy Hall’s founding purpose was benefiting the world. As long as you don’t mind, we’ll do our utmost to help promote high-grade pills!”
“Correct!”
All high-ranking officials expressed support.
“If so.” Jun Changxiao poured wine, “How many alchemists does the Alchemy Hall have?”
“Third-tier alchemists: 260,000. Second-tier alchemists: 76,000. First-tier alchemists: 43,000. Alchemy Masters: 18,000.” Bai Chaoyang said.
Tiers one through three and Alchemy Masters were the Alchemy Hall’s rank divisions. Even the lowest third-tier alchemists had Profound-grade level by Upper Realm standards—major sects would scramble for them.
“Holy crap!”
Jun Changxiao thought, “So many people?”
Sending one Alchemy Master to manage each pill shop with several first, second, and third-tier alchemists as assistants—they could definitely open over ten thousand branches. The daily profits generated…
“No, no.”
Jun Changxiao covered his forehead, “The wine is strong, I’m getting dizzy!”
…
Over this meal, Eternal Sect and Alchemy Hall reached an agreement for sincere cooperation to jointly promote high-quality pills throughout the Upper Realm.
Of course.
Contracts and agreements definitely needed signing.
After all, even between close brothers, accounts must be clear. Better to avoid unpleasant situations later.
Having the Alchemy Hall obligatorily send people to refine pills was definitely unrealistic, so Jun Changxiao planned to pay them salaries.
“Sect Master Jun.”
Bai Chaoyang said, “Why don’t we calculate based on commission?”
“Huh?”
Jun Changxiao was dumbfounded.
Big brother! For something that benefits the world, you’re taking commission—isn’t that a bit much!
Or rather, what you said before was just hot air, actually just wanting to cooperate and make money together!
“Moreover.”
Bai Chaoyang said, “Your sect’s pill shop in Linyuan City—Bai has inquired about the prices. They seem a bit low and need raising.”
Hearing this, Jun Changxiao could confirm this guy just wanted to make money and split profits together!
Damn!
Why did he have a feeling of being counter-hustled!
In fact?
Correct.
Dog Leftover was hustled by Bai Chaoyang.
More precisely, recently his left eyelid had been twitching madly. High-ranking officials reminded him fortune was coming. Hearing the other party wanted to promote pills, he immediately realized—wasn’t this fortune! Wasn’t this opportunity!
Since you want to benefit the world, and my Alchemy Hall cares for all living beings, of course we’ll fully cooperate!
Many thought Bai Chaoyang’s left eyelid twitching meant calamity approaching. Little did they know, this time it truly was fortune coming. Only when people like Old Man Taixuan and Daoren Tonggu sensed ominous premonitions were they truly about to be scammed by Dog Leftover.
Of course.
Actually, no one was hustling whom.
After all, Jun Changxiao’s side provided high-grade materials, the Alchemy Hall provided people to refine pills. Both sides mutually benefited, joining hands toward win-win outcomes.
“Sect Master Jun, rest assured.”
Bai Chaoyang said, “My Alchemy Hall will distribute corresponding profits based on personnel sent. The lion’s share still goes to your Eternal Sect. We definitely won’t be greedy!”
“…”
Jun Changxiao despaired, “Can’t I just pay salaries!”
At this moment, the capitalist’s face was completely exposed. He just wanted the Alchemy Hall to take fixed salaries, at most giving some year-end bonuses and benefits.
“Sect Master Jun.”
Bai Chaoyang said with difficulty, “My Alchemy Hall’s alchemists also need to live, to support families. Just giving salaries definitely won’t work. Unless… monthly stipend starts at ten million!”
Jun Changxiao immediately rolled his eyes, “If your household stipends are that high, I’ll send my disciples to work for you tomorrow!”
Originally a ‘benefiting the world’ good deed, but after both revealed their merchant faces, the entire meal turned into marketplace haggling, each fighting for maximum benefit!
Looking back at this chapter’s title, regarding these two it truly was—
…
Linyuan City.
Luxurious inn’s private room.
“Gentlemen.”
Young Master Yuan sipped tea and smiled, “Any objections to this price?”
The family high-ranking officials, whose prices had been haggled down for several hours straight, were now dizzy. Finally, they could only compromise, “No objections!”
“Pleasant cooperation.”
Young Master Yuan cupped his hands, rose and left the inn. Then he looked up at the sky, thinking, “Sect Master should have reached Matchless City by now, right?”
…
“Fine.”
Alchemy Hall headquarters. Jun Changxiao compromised, “Let’s go with what we just discussed. Your Alchemy Hall sends people to assist my Eternal Sect in pill refinement, settling based on quantity of pills refined.”
“We must first agree—different tier pills have different prices!”
“Aaaah!”
Jun Changxiao held his head, despairing, “Hall Master Bai, not going into business is a complete waste of your talents!”
Alright!
Just wait!
When there’s time, I’ll bring Old Yuan here for a three-hundred-round battle with you!