"I can provide high-grade spirit plants. I wonder if your sect would be interested."
Ning Fengzhi perked up at that.
As the wealthiest sect, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had business dealings all across the continent. Their ventures had long since gone beyond appraising treasures.
Their presence could be found in nearly every industry.
"Of course we're interested. What grade of spirit plants is Dean Chen offering?"
For the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the plants' quality and grade were what mattered. As long as they were high-quality and effective, the sect could find a way to sell them at a premium.
"Please take a look."
Chen An took two sealed spirit plants from his Storage Ring, one red and one blue.
"The red one is Blood-Vitalizing Grass. It speeds up a Soul Master's recovery and can be used for both internal and external injuries. Its exact effectiveness depends on how it's processed. It can also be ground into powder and dissolved in water.
"The blue one is Soul-Returning Grass. It can greatly restore Soul Power, and I recommend taking it in pill form."
These two plants were among the most basic and commonly used varieties. They had simply grown in the Academy's Herb Garden, yet were considerably more potent than spirit plants of the same quality, variety, and effects.
"Let me have a look."
The description might have sounded ordinary, but as long as the effects were good, the quality was high, or the price was low enough to make up for the quantity, he could make it work.
He would have to inspect them himself. This was his specialty, after all. He summoned the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and began the appraisal.
As he sensed their properties, his pupils gradually shrank. A look of astonishment slowly spread across his face as he stared at the two spirit plants before him.
"Dean Chen, may I ask how many of these two spirit plants you can provide each month?"
He was eager to seal the deal.
Their quality was impeccable. In his estimation, each plant was worth three ordinary ones in terms of potency, and could also be used in place of lower-grade plants.
Chen An raised a hand and held up five fingers.
"Five plants?"
Five was a little low. If they diluted the effects, they could make three or four hundred pills. If they brought them down to the same potency as the ones on the market, they could probably make over eight hundred.
But there was no need for that. It would erase their advantage.
He could accept that much, too. At worst, he could buy them for the sect's disciples, without even having to dilute their effects.
Unexpectedly, Chen An shook his head.
"Five hundred of each, and two hundred of each that are one grade lower."
The yield could actually be higher, but Chen An was simply too lazy to harvest more. Gathering that many already took half an hour.
He also had to check them regularly for problems. To him, it was like volunteering for unpaid overtime after work.
With that, he casually brought out two more spirit plants of the same varieties, clearly a grade lower.
Even at a glance, it was obvious that these imperfect plants were still far superior to the spirit plants commonly used in medicines on the market.
"Five hundred? And another two hundred of the next grade down?"
He froze when he heard "five hundred." Five hundred plants could make over forty thousand pills—and there were lower-grade plants on top of that.
It would definitely be enough, and the profits would be absurdly high. A gulp sounded in his throat.
"I have some pills made from these plants. Would you like to try them?"
Chen An was feeling great. He'd managed to make Sect Master Ning, a man who had seen and heard it all across the continent, look like that.
He was even more curious to see what expression Ning Fengzhi would make when he tried Chen An's pills.
"These pills?"
Their Soul Power didn't spill out. Only after probing them could one sense the enormous reserves of Soul Power within.
Ning Fengzhi looked up at Chen An, disbelief written all over his face. The method used to refine these pills was nothing short of legendary.
He estimated their effects were more than ten times stronger than he had expected.
"Dean Chen, would you be willing to make medicines for me? Name your price."
He was thoroughly impressed by Chen An. Among the medicine-makers he knew, Chen An's skill ranked among the very best.
Chen An waved a hand. As he'd said, he had no interest in doing this kind of work. It would only waste his time.
"I'm not interested."
He had studied medicine-making simply so he could teach it to his students in the future. He had no interest in becoming a dedicated pill-maker.
"What a pity."
Ning Fengzhi sighed inwardly and composed himself. He took a dagger from his robes, scraped off a little powder, and tested the effects one by one using the simplest method.
He watched the wound on his palm close instantly and praised the medicine. Then he took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
"Dean Chen, I can offer ten Gold Soul Coins per plant for the Blood-Vitalizing Grass, and thirteen Gold Soul Coins per plant for the Soul-Returning Grass."
That was higher than the market price, but business was all about give and take.
"Twenty-five Gold Soul Coins per plant, regardless of variety."
Unfortunately, Chen An wasn't some old fox in the marketplace. He'd ultimately named too low a price.
"Deal, but I don't want the lower-quality ones."
The moment Chen An said it, he knew he'd asked for too little. But it was too late to regret it now; at least he'd gained some experience.
So he answered with a smile.
"Pleasure doing business with you."
They both knew this was only their first deal. There would be more collaborations in the future.
With the spirit plants settled and the contract officially signed, both of them were in high spirits.
They'd struck a deal within the rules. Doing something like that now and then was a nice little touch in life—quite entertaining.
They were now heading to meet the student Chen An had mentioned. As for why it was Zhu Zhuqing, it was entirely because Luo Xiaoshi had joined the Heart-Forging Hall. He'd said he'd been feeling a little strange lately and wanted to go there to temper himself.
Chen An would never stop him from taking an opportunity like that. He was delighted.
"Hey, Dad!"
Ning Rongrong was delighted to see Ning Fengzhi at the Academy, but her spirits immediately sank. His presence made her feel pressured; her little head was full of the thought that her father had come to discipline her.
Then she decisively threw herself toward Sword Douluo and called out sweetly,
"Grandpa Sword."
Ning Fengzhi could only shake his head helplessly. What could he do? She was his daughter, so he'd spoil her.
His worries from before their visit vanished, too. Sword Douluo's lack of reaction told him everything he needed to know.
"Dean Chen, where is the student you mentioned?"
Seeing Ning Rongrong throw herself at Sword Douluo, Ning Fengzhi decided to get down to business. After all, if Chen An could prove he was a good teacher, it would be an enormous help to the sect.
"Zhuqing."
Chen An called out and beckoned. Zhu Zhuqing understood, stopped her training, and came over to him.
"This is my eldest disciple..."
After briefly explaining her background, Chen An left out the matter of her Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring. Ning Fengzhi understood. Zhu Zhuqing had advanced eight levels in a year, and her Soul Power was deep while her foundation was solid.
Setting aside her natural talent, Chen An must have helped enormously. Medicinal baths were a given; beyond that, there were probably special meals as well. And from Ning Fengzhi's perspective, the techniques Zhu Zhuqing had just been practicing didn't seem to belong to the Zhu Family, either.
"Will the other students receive the same half-price treatment?"
They were all sharp enough to understand the difference between taking on a disciple and accepting a student.
Chen An considered it for a moment before answering seriously.
"Sixty percent."
Even that estimate was conservative. There was only one difference between the two arrangements: whether Chen An taught the student personally.
Hearing the number, Ning Fengzhi found it unbelievable. No one on the continent could guarantee that every student would grow so much while teaching so many. In ancient times, Chen An would have been worthy of the title Sage Teacher.
"Impressive."
Ning Fengzhi looked at the students around him. Chen An had no reason to deceive him, so he believed him.
Just as they were chatting amiably and finalizing the terms of their cooperation, Sword Douluo suddenly let out a cry of surprise.
Before you continue