The Liu Family's Business, Purchasing Pills

Chapter 29: Liu Family Merchant House, Purchasing Pills

Returning to Qingzhou Prefecture City, Liu Ruyan headed to the Xuntian Guard headquarters to submit her mission. Due to successfully harvesting the Mystic Ice Lotus and eliminating the Ice Scale Python threat, her mission completion was rated exceptionally high, earning a "C+" (Excellent) and 1000 contribution points. As agreed, Liu Ruyan transferred 600 contribution points to Li Yifan.

With that, Li Yifan's basic earnings from this expedition were secured: 600 contribution points (bringing his personal total to 600). He understood that the Xuntian Guard's contribution point system was independent and couldn't be directly exchanged or traded in external shops. It was primarily used within the barracks' Military Merit Hall to acquire cultivation techniques, pills, and intelligence.

Next was the handling of the expedition's greatest spoils—the materials from the mid-stage Muscle Refining Ice Scale Python. The value of these materials was key to Li Yifan's plan to exchange them for a large sum of silver, which he intended to use to seek resources in the outside world.

"Captain Li," Liu Ruyan said after finishing her business at the barracks, "Regarding these monster beast materials, please accompany me to the 'Liu Family Merchant House' in the city. It's a business owned by my Liu Family. They have experienced shopkeepers, offer fair valuations, and transactions are convenient."

"I'll trouble Captain Liu for the introduction," Li Yifan agreed with a nod.

The two left the Xuntian Guard headquarters and walked through the bustling streets of Qingzhou Prefecture City. The Liu Family Merchant House was located in a prime spot in the city center, its architecture grand and imposing. Upon entering, the steward saw Liu Ruyan and bowed respectfully, "Second Miss!" his attitude one of deep respect. Li Yifan recalled idle chatter among colleagues: the Liu Family's ancestor was at the peak of the Innate realm but was aging, and the family faced a gap in Innate realm cultivators. Resources were heavily tilted towards the legitimate eldest grandson (Liu Ruyan's elder brother) in hopes of a breakthrough. However, this second daughter, with her outstanding talent and self-reliance, was also highly respected throughout the family, and the sibling relationship was very close. The steward's current demeanor confirmed the rumors.

Liu Ruyan nodded slightly, "Is Shopkeeper Sun here?"

"Yes, I'll go fetch him immediately," the steward replied, quickly relaying the message.

Soon, the head shopkeeper responsible for acquiring rare materials, Sun Dehai, hurried over. Upon seeing Liu Ruyan, a genuine smile appeared on his face, "Why has Second Miss graced us with her presence today?"

"Uncle Sun," Liu Ruyan introduced, "This is Captain Li Yifan of the Xuntian Guard. We collaborated on a mission and have some monster beast materials I'd like you to appraise."

Shopkeeper Sun looked at Li Yifan, his eyes flashing with surprise and admiration as he sensed Li Yifan's mid-stage Muscle Refining cultivation. He cupped his fists, "Sun Dehai greets Captain Li. Young and promising, my apologies for any disrespect!"

The three entered a private room. Li Yifan displayed the Ice Scale Python materials one by one. After carefully examining them, Shopkeeper Sun praised them and quoted a fair price: Python skin for 7,500 taels, python sinews for 3,200 taels, venomous fangs for 1,800 taels, venom glands for 3,800 taels, and the gall for 15,000 taels, totaling 31,300 taels of silver.

Li Yifan nodded in approval. Liu Ruyan then said, "Uncle Sun, please accept the merchant house's purchase at this price and settle with Captain Li."

"Alright!" Shopkeeper Sun agreed and asked, "Captain Li, would you prefer cash or a bank note? The official 'Huitong Bank' gold notes are the most secure."

"Exchange for gold notes," Li Yifan replied. According to the Great Xia Dynasty's official exchange rate, one tael of gold was equivalent to one hundred taels of silver.

Shortly after, a shop assistant brought a wooden box containing three 100-tael gold notes and one 13-tael gold note (totaling 313 taels of gold, equivalent to 31,300 taels of silver). Li Yifan verified the notes were correct and put them away. This substantial sum was the largest amount of cash he had ever possessed.

With the transaction complete, Li Yifan did not leave. Instead, he said to Shopkeeper Sun, "Shopkeeper Sun, your establishment likely sells various cultivation pills, correct? I wish to purchase some."

Shopkeeper Sun smiled broadly, "Of course! Please tell me what Captain Li needs." Liu Ruyan also looked at Li Yifan with a hint of curiosity.

Li Yifan stated, "I have just broken through to the mid-stage of Muscle Refining and urgently need pills to consolidate my cultivation and aim for the late stage."

Shopkeeper Sun immediately signaled an assistant to bring the pill catalog. Li Yifan carefully browsed:

"Strengthening Tendons and Bones Pill": Basic pill, 2,000 taels of silver per bottle (ten pills).

"Blood Exchange Pill": Rare pill, highly effective for breaking through to the Blood Refining realm, 200 taels of silver per bottle.

"Body Tempering Pill": Assists in tempering the body and strengthening the foundation of qi and blood, 1,500 taels of silver (15 taels of gold) per bottle.

"Qi Replenishing Pill": Rapidly restores true qi, 8,000 taels of silver per bottle.

"Blood Condensation Pill": Used by Blood Refining realm cultivators for daily cultivation to condense qi and blood, 200 taels of silver (100 taels of gold) per bottle. Li Yifan glanced at it and moved on; this item was still too early for him.

Li Yifan quickly calculated. He had 313 taels of gold. He intended to use it all to purchase pills to maximize his cultivation. Regarding cultivation techniques, he also inquired with Shopkeeper Sun.

Shopkeeper Sun said, "Captain Li, to be frank, the highest grade cultivation technique our establishment regularly stocks is Yellow Grade high-grade. For example, this 'Dragon Swimming Steps' (Yellow Grade high-grade) costs 800 taels of gold. As for Yellow Grade top-grade and above, those usually only appear at auctions."

800 taels of gold! Li Yifan's heart skipped a beat. This far exceeded his current financial capacity (313 taels of gold). He immediately realized that purchasing advanced cultivation techniques with his current earnings was unrealistic.

Since he couldn't afford a good technique, he decided to invest all his resources into improving his realm! Realm was the foundation. As long as his realm was high enough, his combat power would still be formidable with the quality of the 'Nine Yang Burning Heaven Technique' and 'Scorching Sun Finger'. Once his realm improved, his ability to earn wealth would naturally increase, and then he could consider acquiring advanced techniques.

With this thought, Li Yifan no longer hesitated and made his decision: "Shopkeeper Sun, there's no rush for cultivation techniques for now. I will purchase some pills for cultivation first." He opened his status panel to check.

[Name]: Li Yifan
[Realm]: Body Tempering · Muscle Refining (Mid-stage: 201/800)
[Position]: Qing Province Xuntian Guard Seventh Squad Captain (Rank 8)
[Cultivation Techniques]:
  Nine Yang Burning Heaven Technique (Yellow Grade High-grade) - Great Accomplishment (350/5000)
  Iron Bone Technique (Yellow Grade Low-grade) - Great Accomplishment (100/1000)
[Martial Skills]:
  Burning Wood Saber Technique (Yellow Grade High-grade / Incomplete Scroll) - Great Accomplishment (150/5000)
  Scorching Sun Finger (Yellow Grade High-grade) - Great Accomplishment (110/5000)
  Spirit Fox Steps (Yellow Grade Mid-grade) - Minor Accomplishment (300/500)
[Skills]: Detection - Minor Accomplishment (150/300)
[Assets]: Contribution Points 600

He decided his next step would be to cultivate the 'Iron Bone Technique' to the perfect stage and then break through to the Blood Refining realm as soon as possible.

He decided to purchase 10 bottles of 'Body Tempering Pill' and 10 bottles of 'Strengthening Tendons and Bones Pill', totaling 350 taels of gold. This total far exceeded the 313 taels of gold he had. Li Yifan's expression remained unchanged as he continued, "I currently have 313 taels of gold notes. Would it be possible to use some contribution points to make up the difference?" He asked tentatively, though he knew the chances were slim.

Shopkeeper Sun indeed showed a difficult expression and apologized, "Captain Li, please forgive me. The Xuntian Guard's contribution point system is independent. Even if we had contribution points, we couldn't exchange them for items, so I apologize." Liu Ruyan also shook her head slightly, confirming this.

Li Yifan nodded. He had only asked as a matter of course. In reality, the value of contribution points was far higher than gold and silver. For example, a bottle of 'Strengthening Tendons and Bones Pill' only required 100 contribution points, but purchasing it outside cost 2,000 taels of silver. Fortunately, he had accumulated some during his missions over the past few months, so he took out his accumulated savings to cover the difference.

Leaving the Liu Family Merchant House, Liu Ruyan expressed her approval of Li Yifan's pragmatic choice, "Captain Li, I wish you a swift breakthrough."

Li Yifan cupped his fists, "Thank you, Captain Liu. Today's gains have been substantial. I will need to go into seclusion for some time."

The two parted ways.

Li Yifan returned to his post, tallied his gains from the expedition, and updated his status panel:

Looking at his nearly depleted cash and his bag full of pills, Li Yifan's gaze was resolute. His choice this time was clear: temporarily abandon the pursuit of external advanced cultivation techniques and concentrate all his financial resources on improving his cultivation realm! He believed that once his realm broke through to the late stage of Muscle Refining or even the Blood Refining realm, everything would change.

Carrying his pills and his determination, Li Yifan began a new round of secluded, arduous cultivation.