The newly opened 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. After taking it, effects 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.

“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.”