Fearsome Promotion Speed

Fearsome Promotion Speed

At the entrance to the Pharmacist Association, Zhang He ran into the two gatekeepers again. Having learned their lesson last time, they immediately stood up and bowed to him humbly when they saw him.

Zhang He merely smiled and walked inside.

Seeing Zhang He smile, the two gatekeepers secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"It looks like Pharmacist Zhang He hasn't blamed us for disrespecting him last time."

"Yeah. You saw that gentle smile he gave us just now. If it had been another pharmacist, they would probably have yelled at us or told us to pack our things and get out."

The two murmured to each other. Zhang He's decision not to hold their behavior against them had eased their worries, and they were filled with gratitude toward him.

"Haha, how was your stroll around the city?" Lu Tiao burst into hearty laughter when he saw Zhang He return. "Did you see plenty of beauties with shapely hips and ample bosoms?"

Zhang He smiled. He hadn't expected Master Lu to have this side to him, much less to say something like that.

"They say good news puts a spring in your step. From the look of you, Master Lu, it seems something wonderful has happened." Zhang He blinked.

Lu Tiao smiled. "That's right. It's wonderful news, and hearing it will put a spring in your step, too. Ha!"

Zhang He's eyes widened. From Lu Tiao's tone, he guessed what it was and asked excitedly, "The appraisal is finished?"

"That's right." Lu Tiao was pleased by Zhang He's reaction and laughed. "Your Body-Tempering Potion has been appraised, and its effects are extraordinary. The higher-ups have agreed to make a deal with you. But that isn't the best news."

As he spoke, Lu Tiao laid the drawings Zhang He had made in front of him.

"We've gathered all the medicinal herbs you need. Isn't that the best news?" Lu Tiao looked at Zhang He with a beaming smile.

"What?" Zhang He was instantly excited. There was no doubt that this was the best news! He'd thought that finding the Drunken Immortal Peach in such a short time was already a stroke of luck. As for the Six-Leaf Heart-Extinguishing Flower, he'd assumed it would take at least a while to find, so he hadn't gotten his hopes up.

Now that Lu Tiao had suddenly given him the news, Zhang He felt as if joy had fallen from the heavens. Even as excitement washed over him, he couldn't help marveling at the Pharmacist Association's power. The two main ingredients he needed most were incredibly hard to find, yet they'd managed to produce them so quickly!

Zhang He now felt that joining the Pharmacist Association had been a very wise decision.

"Now we can discuss the terms of our partnership. The Pharmacist Association thinks highly of your Body-Tempering Potion, so we'd like to become your exclusive agent. You'll sell the potions you make only through the Pharmacist Association. What do you say? Of course, we won't shortchange you. We'll offer you generous benefits, whether in contribution points or money."

Lu Tiao watched Zhang He confidently. From his reaction to hearing that all the herbs had been gathered, Lu Tiao knew he wouldn't refuse.

After hearing Lu Tiao's request, however, Zhang He couldn't help frowning. Lu Tiao's heart gave a nervous thump.

"What is it? Is there some difficulty?" Lu Tiao asked.

"I have to say, it's hard to refuse an offer like that. It's just that I can only make a certain number of Body-Tempering Potions each year, not an unlimited supply. Besides, I made an agreement with Prince Qu some time ago to provide him with a set number each year. So I can't promise to sell them only through the Pharmacist Association." Zhang He smiled wryly.

Hearing this, Lu Tiao relaxed and smiled. "So that's all. Don't worry, the Pharmacist Association isn't unreasonable. You had an agreement with Prince Qu first, so we won't force you to break it. As long as you agree to sell any Body-Tempering Potions you make beyond the number Prince Qu requires through the Pharmacist Association, that's all we ask. Anyone else who wants the potion will have to get it from us. We just need you to guarantee that."

"What if I want to give some to people close to me? Do I have to follow that rule?" Zhang He asked. "For example, my family and friends?"

Lu Tiao smiled. "That's naturally fine. When I say they have to go through the Pharmacist Association, I mean it'll help expand the Association's influence. You can still give potions to your friends in private. That won't conflict with the purpose of our agreement. As long as you don't sell them to other organizations, such as merchant associations, there's no problem."

The Pharmacist Association wanted Zhang He to make these Body-Tempering Potions under its banner to expand its influence and profit from them. As long as he didn't sell the same potions to two different parties, there wouldn't be a problem.

"Good. In that case, I can agree." Zhang He thought it over, then nodded.

"Excellent. Let's sign an agreement." Lu Tiao beamed. "Do you know that once you sign this agreement, the Pharmacist Association will immediately give you a large number of contribution points, enough to promote you to Bronze-Rank Pharmacist? Ha! You'll definitely be the fastest-promoted pharmacist in the Association's history."

Seeing Zhang He's puzzled expression, Lu Tiao explained, "Across the entire continent, the Pharmacist Association has only a little over three thousand Iron-Rank Pharmacists and around two hundred Bronze-Rank Pharmacists. The higher the rank, the fewer pharmacists there are. With all those contribution points, you'll be promoted to Bronze-Rank Pharmacist. There are only around two hundred of them across the entire continent, and you're about to become one of them!"

Zhang He asked with interest, "What about the Silver-Rank and Gold-Rank Pharmacists above them?"

"There are only a little over sixty Silver-Rank Pharmacists and just eight Gold-Rank Pharmacists. As for the highest rank, King-Rank Pharmacist, I suspect only the founder of the Pharmacist Association has ever reached it," Lu Tiao replied casually.

Zhang He could hear the pride in Lu Tiao's voice. Lu Tiao was one of those sixty-odd Silver-Rank Pharmacists!

In the Pharmacist Association, the higher a person's rank, the greater their authority. And Lu Tiao was a Silver-Rank Pharmacist!

Zhang He couldn't help wondering, If I became a Gold-Rank Pharmacist, or even a King-Rank Pharmacist, could I freely draw on the Association's resources?

"I wonder if I could ever become a King-Rank Pharmacist," Zhang He murmured, letting out a soft breath.

"Becoming a Silver-Rank Pharmacist takes five hundred thousand contribution points! I nearly got stumped just trying to make Bronze-Rank. How long will it take to reach Silver-Rank..." Zhang He immediately realized how ridiculous his thoughts were. He was getting far ahead of himself.

Lu Tiao seemed to see what was on Zhang He's mind and laughed. "Becoming a Silver-Rank Pharmacist is no easy feat, but for you, it doesn't seem all that difficult. Each Body-Tempering Potion will earn you at least five hundred contribution points. If you can make a thousand a year, you'll rise to Silver-Rank with no trouble."

Zhang He came back to himself, his eyes lighting up. That was right. Each Body-Tempering Potion would earn him five hundred contribution points. He only needed to make a thousand each year to earn five hundred thousand points with ease! So many people in the world yearned to improve their cultivation... The market for Body-Tempering Potions was enormous!

In just one year, Zhang He could easily become a Silver-Rank Pharmacist!

"At this rate, even becoming a Gold-Rank Pharmacist won't be hard! If I work a little harder and make a few thousand a year, I could become a Gold-Rank Pharmacist in less than three years..."

Zhang He's eyes gleamed.

Lu Tiao had already prepared the agreement. Zhang He quickly read through it. The terms were mutually beneficial, and each side wanted something different. The Pharmacist Association wanted renown, so Zhang He received substantial concessions on the money and contribution points he needed.

Zhang He signed the agreement. Seeing him finish, Lu Tiao breathed a sigh of relief. As the person who had introduced Zhang He, Lu Tiao would rise along with him and receive his own share of the benefits.

"Here's your identity token. From now on, you're a Bronze-Rank Pharmacist." Lu Tiao took out a prepared case containing Zhang He's bronze badge. "The herbs you need are ready, too. What do you plan to do with them? If you need help, I can arrange a few pharmacists to assist you."

Zhang He shook his head. "I'll handle it myself. Doesn't the Pharmacist Association have special Alchemy Rooms?"

"That works, too. Just let me know if you need anything." Disappointment showed in Lu Tiao's eyes. He was very curious about Zhang He's alchemy techniques. It would have been ideal to get a chance to see them, but Zhang He wasn't giving him one. Of course, Lu Tiao couldn't simply ask outright. He knew that an alchemist's techniques and recipes might be more precious to him than his own life. No one would reveal them lightly to an outsider.

There were four Alchemy Rooms in the Pharmacist Association, named A, B, C, and D. The first two, Alchemy Rooms A and B, were reserved for Bronze-Rank Pharmacists and above. Alchemy Rooms C and D were for Iron-Rank Pharmacists and ordinary pharmacists.

At Lu Tiao's instruction, a young pharmacist led Zhang He to Alchemical Chamber A. The young pharmacist deftly flicked a switch on the wall. The door to Alchemical Chamber A slowly opened, and a wave of heat immediately poured out.

"Pharmacist Zhang, this is Alchemical Chamber A. If you'll be refining for a long time, we can bring you meals. Just ring the bell inside, and we'll know. If you have any special requests, ring it to summon us." The young pharmacist looked at Zhang He respectfully. His gaze fell on the bronze badge on Zhang He's chest, and envy flashed in his eyes.

"Good. Thank you," Zhang He said with satisfaction. The Pharmacist Association had certainly thought of everything when it came to its Alchemy Rooms.

The young pharmacist was instantly thrilled. A Bronze-Rank Pharmacist had actually praised him!

"Pharmacist Zhang, if there's nothing else you need, I'll take my leave for now." Knowing the rules, the young pharmacist addressed Zhang He respectfully. As he spoke, however, he stayed put, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

Zhang He didn't notice. He merely nodded. A trace of disappointment welled up in the young pharmacist's heart. Ah, if only Pharmacist Zhang would let me stay and assist him. That would be wonderful! He knew that watching a Bronze-Rank Pharmacist work and learning a thing or two would benefit him greatly.

The young pharmacist knew he was getting ahead of himself. He quickly pushed aside his disappointment and backed out.

Thud, thud, thud.

Rapid footsteps came from behind. A middle-aged man in black, with a hooked nose and pale yellow skin, hurried in.

"Hurry up and open Alchemy Room A for me. I need it now," the middle-aged man said imperiously.