Sneak Attack!

"Qi Li, Blood Pill, Zeng Yuan..."

After Chen Xia scanned the shop's medicines, he shook his head inwardly!

A Qi Li Pill to increase Qi and Blood cost at least nine thousand yuan, and it wasn't just one or two pills, but a course of treatment.

Who could afford that?

Moreover, these pills had no side effects. Even if Chen Xia had the money, he wouldn't choose them.

Chen Xia didn't give up. He continued to search in the store and then discovered that the store also had high-grade flawed pills.

For example, he saw a Third Grade Lingpo Pill!

It was a red pill contained in an exquisite round glass box.

The Lingpo Pill could greatly increase the strength of meridians, Qi and Blood, vitality, and primal Qi. It was a precious pill for martial warriors to use when breaking through to a higher stage. After taking it, there was a high chance of advancing a stage. The side effect was a small chance of damaging the Dantian. Repeated use could cause Dantian leakage in severe cases.

The Lingpo Pill was priced at ninety-eight thousand eight hundred yuan.

Its medicinal effect was comparable to a Grade 4 pill. Because of its side effects, it was rated as Grade 3. However, compared to Grade 4 pills that cost hundreds of thousands, it was much cheaper. Even so, it was still expensive for ordinary people.

"If I used this Third Grade Lingpo Pill, the effect would be just right. Unfortunately, it costs nearly a hundred thousand yuan!"

One hundred thousand yuan was not a small sum for Chen Xia. His family had too many places where money was needed. Even if he had it, he wouldn't use it on himself.

The pills with side effects in large pharmacies were all Grade 3 and above, used for breaking through stages. Low-grade medicines had fewer side effects. So Chen Xia looked around and left helplessly.

He went to other pharmacies, seven or eight of them, big and small.

The medicines in these stores were slightly cheaper, but he couldn't find what Chen Xia wanted.

This was normal. For items with significant side effects, regular stores had very poor sales performance. Few people bought them, so they generally wouldn't stock them.

No choice, Chen Xia continued to wander around, spending about an hour.

Fortunately, hard work pays off.

Chen Xia found a pharmacy called Hongguang and managed to find something suitable for him.

It was a pill that was both cheap and could maximize his benefits.

The ancient pill was called Qianyang Pill. It was placed in the most obscure corner of the shop counter, looking like it could be taken off the shelves at any moment.

According to the introduction, the Qianyang Pill was refined from an ancient incomplete pill formula. Not many people refined it, but because the formula was relatively cheap, some people still made it. However, sales were poor, and not many were left on the market.

The pill's efficacy description was simple: after taking it, it could temporarily enhance the body's Yang energy potential, stimulate Primal Qi and Qi and Blood, and provide an amplification effect. The side effect was that it would consume a person's lifespan. The specific amount consumed was not clearly stated, but long-term use would shorten one's life.

When Chen Xia saw the pill's description, he felt an inexplicable surge of excitement.

If it were anyone else, they would definitely not joke with their own lifespan, but Chen Xia liked this kind of pill. The greater the side effect, the more he benefited.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Xia suppressed his excitement and looked at the female shop assistant in front of him, slowly asking, "Does this pill cost six thousand yuan?"

The female shop assistant said, "Yes, sir. This pill can enhance Primal Qi, but it has the side effect of consuming lifespan. Would you like to purchase it?"

"Can I get a discount?" Chen Xia asked after a slight hesitation, looking at the description of the pill.

The female shop assistant smiled slightly, "Sir, the effect of the Qianyang Pill in enhancing Primal Qi is stronger than that of a pill worth thirteen thousand yuan, but it cannot be taken long-term as it can lead to a shortened lifespan, so the price is a few thousand yuan cheaper. This is already the lowest."

The female shop assistant explained the benefits and side effects of this pill to Chen Xia. She was quite honest, telling him that not many people bought this pill and advising him to consider carefully.

Most people wouldn't want this kind of pill. Many people inquired about it, as it was cheaper than other pills, but customers usually preferred to pay a little more for other pills rather than this one.

So she felt that Chen Xia's chances of buying it were slim.

"I'll take this one. Please pack it for me." Chen Xia understood that such pills were usually priced fixedly, and there was no possibility of a discount. However, six thousand yuan was indeed not high, so he bought it.

After visiting so many stores, the Qianyang Pill was very suitable for him, and Chen Xia had no reason not to buy it.

"Okay, sir! Please proceed to payment."

Under the enthusiastic reception of the female attendant, Chen Xia transferred six thousand yuan and took the pill.

After leaving the pharmacy, Chen Xia turned around and noted down the sign of the Hongguang Pharmacy.

Taking the Qianyang Pill could enhance Primal Qi, and it only cost six thousand yuan. Compared to other pills with similar effects that cost seven thousand yuan more, it meant Chen Xia could save double the money.

With good effects, he could cooperate with the pharmacy in the long term in the future, purchasing in large quantities and driving down the price.

If he had enough funds, he could even directly find a factory's alchemy room for cooperation. Generally, talented alchemists were hired by companies or factories. Alchemy rooms that refined pills independently were rare.

If Chen Xia wanted to cooperate, he could only find a factory to place custom orders.

He suddenly felt a sense of anticipation. Pills with greater side effects were much cheaper than normal pills. If he could find a factory to stock up on these flawed pills in large quantities, he could save even more costs.

In the long run, Chen Xia's cultivation costs would be several times lower than that of normal people. This did not even include the subsequent costs of cultivation techniques and martial skills.

"Moreover, I heard that some pills and cultivation methods from different races can drastically increase strength in a short period. Although they have side effects, they are practically non-existent for me. If I could access these things, my cultivation costs could be reduced by ten times, or even dozens of times."

This meant that Chen Xia's cultivation would, in effect, be much faster than that of ordinary people.

However, Chen Xia's current status was limited, and he couldn't access these information channels.

The immediate priority was to take care of the present. He would first swallow the Qianyang Pill to test its effects and then make plans slowly.

Leaving the pharmacy, Chen Xia rode his bicycle home.

The sky was gradually darkening, and he quickened his pace to get back.

However, as Chen Xia passed down a familiar alley, his brow twitched.

He sniffed the air, catching a faint scent of blood.

Chen Xia was on a street outside Eight Lane in Xingou Street. This was the old district, sparsely populated but full of alleys. The smell of blood suggested a possible brawl between members of Liehuo and Gathering of Righteousness.

This made Chen Xia slightly wary. He drew the long saber from his waist.

This saber was issued by the Patrol Inspection Office, and Chen Xia carried it wherever he went, complete with a scabbard. To be cautious, he began to speed up, intending to quickly pass through the lane and leave.

On both sides of this path were many interconnected small alleys, which he had traversed many times. Just as Chen Xia was about to pass through the lane and reach the street ahead, he suddenly caught sight of a strange shadowy figure standing nearby.

As he passed, a cold glint swept from the side, heading straight for Chen Xia's left head.

Danger!

Chen Xia instantly raised the saber in his right hand. Almost by instinct, he counterattacked.

He had cultivated basic fist and foot techniques, and his Knife Technique and Seven Injuries Fist had reached a certain level of proficiency. He possessed considerable strength, and his Five Senses had also been greatly enhanced. He reacted instantly, blocking the incoming blade.

From the left came a long saber stained with red blood, accompanied by the whistling of the wind. Its sharp knife edge was extremely ferocious.

The attacker had launched a sneak attack, a swift, life-ending blow! However, the assailant seemed not to have expected Chen Xia's even quicker reaction. His Knife Technique was equally exquisite, and he caught the blow with a backhand.

"Who?"

Chen Xia roared, shaking his saber. He dismounted from his vehicle in stride. In his urgency, he immediately circulated the Inner Method of the Seven Injuries Fist, channeling power into his left fist and smashing it forward.