What a Steep Price!

Not only Yukino Yukinoshita, but Kato Megumi and the others also didn't want Li Yu adding anything strange to the mix. As for making other flavors? They'd pass!

"What a shame. In that case, I guess I'll just have to dilute it with water." Li Yu sounded a little disappointed, but didn't say anything more. He fetched the bottled water he'd bought earlier and got to work mixing.

Yukino and the others were speechless as they watched. Only after seeing Li Yu at work did they realize this stuff was meant to be diluted with water.

Especially once they saw the color turn exactly like the potions sold outside, and the medicinal aroma grow fainter after he added water, they understood. So that was how these Basic Potions were made...

After mixing the potions, Li Yu began packing them into potion bags. It was his first time making them, and he'd produced about five jin in total.

Each bag held an average of 100 grams. Once he'd packed everything, he had exactly 25 bags. As Asuna and the others looked at the Red Potions lined up together, they fell into thought.

Was this diluted potion really okay? Watching Li Yu pack the remaining liquid, Asuna couldn't help asking, "Could we try some of what's left?"

Hearing Asuna's question, Li Yu had no objections and simply told them to help themselves. After all, they were his big customers.

The three stepped forward and dipped their fingers into the liquid, tasting a little. They'd all learned how to tell whether a potion worked.

They only needed to use True Qi to sense the potion. If it was effective, their bodies would quickly absorb it and restore their True Qi or magic power.

That was how the three of them tested it. The potion tasted no different from the ones sold outside: medicinal, with a slight sourness.

As their True Qi came into contact with the potion, the sour taste in their mouths quickly disappeared. Their bodies had absorbed it. Realizing this, the three exchanged a glance.

Then they nodded. Asuna couldn't help asking, "How much do you plan to sell these for? We'll take a batch!"

The potion worked quite well; it was clearly up to standard. And they'd watched Li Yu make it themselves, so they felt comfortable using it. At least he hadn't added any weird ingredients.

"What are the prices outside these days? A few hundred yuan a bottle, right?" Hearing them ask about the price, Li Yu couldn't help asking in return.

"Basic Red and Blue Potions are 300 yuan a bottle now," Kato Megumi said. "We looked into potion prices before coming here."

Li Yu clicked his tongue at that, then grumbled, "That's damn expensive. I can't afford to drink them, anyway. Let me tell you, it cost me about 1,500 yuan to make those 25 bags, so each one cost me 60 yuan."

The Basic Potions sold outside were mass-produced, so their costs would be even lower—maybe only twenty or thirty yuan each. And then they sold them for 300?

All he could say was... I'm better off mixing them myself. Selling potions really was profitable these days. As for how much to charge these customers, he'd let them decide.

Hearing Li Yu's explanation, Asuna nodded. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Then... would 260 yuan per bag work?"

Li Yu was stunned. Wow, what a steep price! I was planning to make just 40 yuan, and Asuna turns around and only knocks 40 off the price, leaving me with 200 yuan in profit.

After thinking it over, Li Yu made up his mind. He'd earn money either way, and besides, he wanted to keep a steady stream of business coming. So he said, "No need to pay that much. Let's say 200. I'm not going to rip you off."

Asuna was a little surprised by the price. "Are you sure? Won't you lose money? They're 300 outside. There's nothing wrong with charging us 260."

Kato Megumi and Yukino agreed with Asuna. Even if Li Yu charged 280, it would be fine—and still cheaper than the shops outside.

"There's no need. You know what they cost me, and I'm already making plenty at that price. If you need any other potions in the future, just come to me. This is a special price for you!" Li Yu wanted a steady stream of business more than anything.

Besides, there would be Intermediate Potions and perhaps even advanced ones later. If he could turn these women into regular customers, he'd still make a ton of money.

"Is that so? All right, then. How many can you make right now? How many more bags can you produce?" Since Li Yu had already made up his mind, Asuna didn't press the matter. Instead, she asked about his current production capacity. She planned to buy more, since potions always came in handy and had a long shelf life.

"I bought plenty of ingredients for both kinds. Based on what I used just now, I could make 150 bags of Red Potions, and about the same number of Blue Potions," Li Yu said after working out the numbers.

"Then I'll take 30 bags of each!" Asuna made her decision on the spot. Since there was only so much to go around, 30 bags each would be just right for the three of them.

They could always buy more from Li Yu once they ran low. He'd already learned how to make them on his first try, and would get faster with more practice. Thirty bags each of Red and Blue Potions would be enough for this round of Dungeon adventuring.

"Then I'll take the same." "Me too." Asuna had barely finished speaking when Kato Megumi and Yukino Yukinoshita chimed in. They each wanted 30 bags of both colors too.

"Sure, no problem. I'll still have plenty left over, and that'll be enough for me too. Just give me a little time. I should be able to finish everything before evening!" Li Yu said, then got back to work.

He was feeling pretty pleased with himself. This deal would bring in 36,000 yuan—several times his costs. It was ridiculously satisfying.

That thought gave Li Yu even more motivation. He continued extracting the medicinal ingredients, while Asuna and the others stepped in to help once they'd finalized the order.

With the three of them helping, Li Yu finally finished their entire order before dinner. Fortunately, he was in great shape these days. Otherwise, he probably would've collapsed from exhaustion.

"Finally, all done!" Li Yu let out a long breath. Looking at the Red and Blue Potions packed up and ready to go, he could finally relax.

"Let's eat first. We can take care of the rest later," Asuna called to everyone. She'd already prepared dinner.

Li Yu had been busy the whole time, so he clearly hadn't had a chance to cook. Asuna had taken it upon herself to prepare dinner for everyone.

"Sorry for the trouble, Asuna." Hearing her call, Li Yu put down his work and went over to eat. The four of them had a simple meal at Li Yu's place.

Once they'd eaten their fill, Li Yu started packing up the potions. The three women's orders were all ready. He planned to take care of his own share tomorrow.

"When you're able to make Intermediate Potions, please be sure to tell me!" Looking at the potions they'd packed, Yukino Yukinoshita said this to Li Yu with complete seriousness. She'd come around. Since these potions were going to be diluted with water anyway, she might as well buy the ones Li Yu had diluted himself!