“Second Brother wants to sell pills? And plans to open pill shops in every commandery city of Central Zun Province?”
“In the past, our Tang Family has done the pill business before, but we couldn’t compete with families specializing in pills for resources, and it ended in failure, didn’t it?”
“Too rash, too reckless!”
When Tang Ren’s preparation to vigorously develop the family’s pill market became known to the clan’s direct lineage, it immediately caused a wave of discussion.
They wouldn’t deny the second-ranked third-generation direct descendant’s business abilities, but suddenly entering the non-specialized pill field would definitely result in losses.
When the Tang Family’s upper echelons learned of it, they also expressed their lack of confidence.
This matter alarmed the Tang Family’s old master, who specially summoned Tang Ren.
“Ren’er.”
In the antique study, the elderly Tang Family head took a sip of tea and said, “Why this sudden heavy investment to develop the pill industry?”
“Grandfather.”
Tang Ren said, “Our Tang Family has been managing spirit stones for these years. Although we’ve obtained sufficient profits, if we want to achieve greater breakthroughs, we must enter other industries and gain greater influence.”
The Tang Family old master’s cloudy eyes showed appreciation.
The family had nearly monopolized the spirit stone industry, accumulating more and more wealth, but for long-term development, they still needed balance rather than singular extremism.
To put it pessimistically—
If someday a family rose up specializing in spirit stones and rapidly seized the market, the Tang Family would definitely suffer heavy damage. And because other industries had no competitive power, they might go from prosperity to decline.
“Ren’er.”
The Tang Family old master said, “Are you confident?”
Tang Ren’s gaze was resolute as he said, “Grandfather, your grandson is confident in creating a place for himself in the pill industry.”
The Tang Family old master was quite gratified and said, “Young people should boldly innovate rather than stick to conventions. Grandfather supports you—go ahead and do it!”
Tang Ren’s confidence greatly increased.
Of course—
He knew his grandfather was testing him.
If he did the pill business well and made it big, he would naturally gain the old man’s favor. If he botched it, he would definitely fall behind in the competition for family head.
…
“Second Brother.”
Just as he walked out of the study, a handsome man blocked Tang Ren’s path.
This was the Tang Family third generation’s eldest young master, named Tang Li.
“Big Brother,” Tang Ren cupped his fists.
Among peers, Tang Li was undoubtedly the most prestigious.
The two were both cousins and competitors for family succession, so their relationship on ordinary days was somewhat tense.
“Second Brother.”
Tang Li smiled and said, “I heard you just went to Southwest Yang Province?”
“Mm,” Tang Ren said.
Tang Li said, “Such a small place—you could just send a general manager. Why go personally?”
“Grandfather often says that in doing business, one shouldn’t discriminate. Even though Southwest Yang Province’s overall strength isn’t great, we Tang Family have business there, so naturally we can’t be neglectful,” Tang Ren smiled.
Tang Li smiled and said, “Second Brother probably went to visit Wangu Sect, right?”
“…”
Tang Ren remained silent.
As expected, this eldest cousin had his affairs well in hand.
“Our Tang Family has done business for generations and doesn’t focus on martial cultivation, yet in overall strength we’re not inferior to first or second-rate sects. For Second Brother to personally visit Wangu Sect is really beneath your status,” Tang Li smiled.
Tang Ren knew his eldest cousin had connections with many major sects of Central Zun Province and looked down on outer province sects, so he said nothing more and turned to leave.
“Second Brother.”
Behind him, Tang Li wore a condescending expression and said, “I also considered sending someone to establish relations with Wangu Sect, but since you went first, I’ll let you have it.”
Tang Ren stopped and said, “Should I thank Big Brother then?”
“We’re all family—thanking me would be too formal.”
“However—”
He paused, then smiled and said, “Establishing relations with these outer province sects is completely meaningless. If Second Brother wants to gain sufficient voice in the family, you still need to connect with Central Zun Province’s major sects.”
These words struck Tang Ren’s sore spot.
How could he not want to widely establish relations with major sects within the province? But hadn’t they all been claimed by you first? He could only settle for second best and identify those promising outer province sects to serve as his own political capital.
“Thank you for Big Brother’s guidance.”
Inwardly, Tang Ren thought, “It’s fortunate you took that condescending attitude and ‘gave’ Wangu Sect to me, otherwise how would I have reached a cooperative relationship with Sect Master Jun!”
Casually taking out such powerful pills—
This made him certain that Wangu Sect had enormous potential. As long as he established good relations with them, once their strength improved in the future, it would definitely bring him huge benefits.
No—
Not in the future!
Having obtained distribution rights for the three types of pills and weapons, he was already benefiting immediately!
Unfortunately, Big Brother and the other family direct descendants had such narrow vision and looked down on outer province sects, ‘readily handing over’ this opportunity to him.
Indeed, this was the case.
Regarding Wangu Sect, the Tang Family direct lineage had definitely learned about it long ago.
Because it came from the remote Southwest Yang Province, nobody took it seriously.
If they had taken this sect seriously, even if they just sent subordinates to establish relations, since Sect Master Jun happened to need a business partner, whoever came would likely have reached a business agreement.
Eldest cousin, all you relatives—
Thank you profusely for looking down on Wangu Sect and letting me establish friendship with them!
…
With the Tang Family old master’s support, Tang Ren became even more active.
In just a few days, he had opened dozens of pill shops in Central Zun Province’s commandery cities.
“The Tang Family has been frequently purchasing storefronts in various cities lately to open Tang’s Pill Shops. Looks like they’re making a big move.”
“In terms of pills, the Sun Family has nearly monopolized Central Zun Province’s market. For the Tang Family to want a share will be very difficult.”
As Tang’s Pill Shops were successively established, Central Zun Province’s martial artists also discussed it. When wealthy families liked to mess around, they just watched the excitement.
Tang Ren’s big expenditure alarmed the Sun Family, whose main business was pills. At their regular meeting, they even brought it up for special discussion.
“This Tang Family won’t properly guard their spirit stone industry and is making trouble again!”
“A few years ago, they also got involved in pills, but didn’t they end up closing down at a loss in the end?”
“In terms of financial resources, our Sun Family can’t match the Tang Family, but different trades are like different mountains. Trying to steal food from our hands is absolutely impossible!”
The Sun Family upper echelons were dismissive of the Tang Family opening pill shops.
However, in the following days, a piece of news reached their ears that made them stare wide-eyed.
The news content was—
Tang’s Pill Shops would officially open on the eighth of this month, grandly launching several new pills, specifically pills that could increase spiritual power absorption speed, pills that rapidly healed injuries, and pills that neutralized a hundred poisons!
“We’ve never even heard of such pills!”
“It’s definitely a gimmick to create buzz for the opening!”
The Sun Family upper echelons calmed down and didn’t take it seriously.
Whether pills were good or not didn’t depend on hype, but on effects and quality. After the opening, the masses would verify it, and then everything would be clear!
…
The three types of pills that Tang’s Pill Shops would sell at their opening spread rapidly throughout Central Zun Province, with everyone from high-level martial artists to ordinary people learning of it.
For a time—
People across the entire province were discussing it, causing huge excitement.
Of course—
Many people were skeptical, since just the Qi Gathering Pill with its tenfold spiritual power absorption speed was exaggerated enough!
“Sect Master.”
At Wangu Sect, Li Luoqiu came to report, “Young Master Tang has established fifty-six pill shops in Central Zun Province and will open on the eighth. The three types of pills have also been spread, causing quite a stir.”
“Tsk tsk.”
Jun Changxiao sighed, “In such a short time, he actually established fifty-six pill shops. The Tang Family truly has deep pockets.”
Li Luoqiu said, “Young Master Tang has sent an invitation, hoping Sect Master can attend the grand opening.”
“Not interested,” Jun Changxiao said.
Having given the pills to Tang Ren, he could handle all operations. Jun Changxiao just needed to collect money.
Moreover—
The three-month deadline was approaching.
He still had to lead disciples to challenge the Life-Death Secret Realm’s normal difficulty. He simply had no time to go to Central Zun Province and show off.