Wang Teng's Little Scheme

Early in the morning, Jia Lie Bi came to wait outside the room where Wang Teng was staying.

The previous night, as the clan leader, he had overruled all objections and made the final decision: if Wang Teng could produce good pills, they would stake the entire clan on supporting Wang Teng and fight the Xiao Clan to the bitter end.

Jia Lie Bi did not wait long before sounds came from inside. Wang Teng, fully dressed, opened the door.

"Clan Leader Jia Lie?" Wang Teng looked at Jia Lie Bi in surprise.

Jia Lie Bi smiled. "Breakfast is ready. I came to see whether Master Wang Teng was awake."

"You could have just told a servant to do that." Wang Teng shook his head.

The servants waiting outside carried hot water into the room for Wang Teng to wash up.

Once everything was done, Jia Lie Bi led Wang Teng to the main hall, pulled out a chair, and invited him to sit.

Such enthusiasm made Wang Teng feel rather strange.

Jia Lie Bi had the servants bring out the dishes, then sat down and poured Wang Teng some tea.

"Master Wang Teng, may I ask you a question?" Jia Lie Bi asked cautiously.

You weren't like this yesterday. How did you change so much after one night?

Wang Teng found it odd, but his expression remained unchanged. "Go ahead."

"Besides Return Spring Powder, are you also skilled at refining other pills?" Jia Lie Bi asked.

Seemingly worried that Wang Teng would misunderstand, he added, "I don't mean anything else by it. It's mainly because the Blood-Clotting Powder currently sold by the Xiao Clan overlaps with Return Spring Powder in effectiveness."

The marketplace competed for customers. When products were the same, it came down to price and quality.

It was not that this approach was unworkable, but it would take a long time. It was a war of attrition.

"Of course." Wang Teng replied matter-of-factly.

Jia Lie Bi refilled Wang Teng's teacup, his eyes full of anticipation. "What kinds are there, and what are their effects?"

"Strength-Storing Pills can temporarily increase strength. Detoxification Pills can counter certain snake venoms and miasma. Qi-Recovery Pills can..."

Wang Teng listed several kinds in succession, explaining the effects and side effects of each one clearly.

The more Jia Lie Bi listened, the brighter his eyes became, and the higher the corners of his mouth rose.

When he saw Wang Teng finish his tea, he hurriedly refilled the cup.

"No more. I need to refine pills." Wang Teng covered his teacup.

"Master Wang Teng's professionalism truly earns my admiration." Jia Lie Bi was filled with respect upon hearing this.

He set down the teapot and asked, "Master Wang Teng, which of these pills are you most skilled at refining?"

"Qi-Recovery Pills, Blood Surge Pills, and Combined-Strength Pills," Wang Teng answered without hesitation.

The pill formulas for these three pills had come from the system, which also explained the refining methods and precautions.

After returning to his room the previous night, he had spent a great deal of time studying and pondering them. By now, his proficiency in refining all three pills had reached the mastery level.

"Good, I understand." Jia Lie Bi personally escorted Wang Teng to the pharmacy. "Master Wang Teng, please refine in peace. The pharmacy's herbs will be replenished as soon as possible."

Wang Teng shut the pharmacy door.

Jia Lie Bi withdrew his gaze, sternly instructed the guards outside, then hurried away.

Before long, Jia Lie Ku and the others received notice and all gathered in the main hall.

"Time is tight. Don't speak yet. Listen to me first." Jia Lie Bi's expression was solemn.

Everyone present sat upright and listened attentively.

Jia Lie Bi quickly explained what he had learned just now.

"Discuss which pill we should choose." He lifted his teacup, took a sip, and set it back on the table.

Someone was rather greedy. "How about buying a little of every type of herb?"

"No. Too many kinds would only affect Master Wang Teng." Jia Lie Ku objected.

"With all kinds of pills available, we can better attract customers into the shop." The man insisted.

Jia Lie Ku sneered. "Don't get it backward. Master Wang Teng came here to investigate what happened to his senior brother, not because we hired him as an alchemist specifically to refine pills for us."

Besides, judging by the alchemy skill Wang Teng had displayed, he clearly would not stay in Wu Tan City for long.

This remote little city was not his true stage at all.

Jia Lie Ku's blunt words woke everyone up, including Jia Lie Bi.

What they truly needed to consider now was how to win back their customers and build up the marketplace's reputation while Wang Teng was staying with the Jia Lie Clan.

"I propose refining Blood Surge Pills." Seeing everyone rendered speechless by his words, Jia Lie Ku's fat face revealed a smug smile.

"What is your reason?" Jia Lie Bi asked.

Jia Lie Ku explained, "Qi-Recovery Pills can speed up the recovery of Dou Qi, but they cannot directly affect the outcome of a situation. Blood Surge Pills, on the other hand, can raise a Dou Zhe's level. Those mercenaries are bound to encounter danger. If they prepare such pills in advance, it is like having another trump card."

"Combined-Strength Pills can help one break through realms. Why not choose those?" The elder from before disliked Jia Lie Ku and retorted.

Jia Lie Ku said disdainfully, "For a pill with such a good effect, do you think the ingredients would be simple?"

If they only considered the effects and ignored the costs, the Jia Lie Clan's current situation could not support it.

"Fine, then we'll choose Blood Surge Pills." Jia Lie Bi made the final decision.

He immediately began assigning tasks. "Jia Lie Ku, go to the Oba Family and discuss mortgaging the marketplace. I'll ask Master Wang Teng for a materials list and strive to begin purchasing ingredients today."

With that, Jia Lie Bi was the first to leave the hall.

When he reached the rear courtyard, he stood before the tightly shut door and reported softly.

Not long afterward, Wang Teng opened the door. Upon learning that Jia Lie Bi wanted to purchase Blood Surge Pills and have him refine them, he said, "A materials list, right? Sure. I'll write it for you now."

Jia Lie Bi is more sensible than I expected. Good. That saves me the trouble of persuading him to spend money on ingredients.

A servant brought by Jia Lie Bi stepped forward, holding ready paper and brush.

Wang Teng wrote continuously for half a quarter of an hour. The names and required ages of all sorts of herbs filled seven or eight sheets of paper.

Jia Lie Bi's hands trembled slightly as he accepted them.

Do we really need this many herbs?

"Orange Hemp Fruit, at least ten years old. Sawtooth Leaves no shorter than three fingers. Netherwater Grass, at least one hundred days old. A first-rank Berserk Tiger magic core..."

As Jia Lie Bi read, he gradually found himself unable to continue.

If they bought enough of these materials for a hundred batches, even emptying the clan's entire reserves would probably not be enough. They might have to dig into the clan's very foundations.

At that thought, Jia Lie Bi looked up. His gaze landed on Wang Teng's face, and he stared into his eyes as he asked sincerely, "Master Wang Teng, you won't be leaving Wu Tan City anytime soon, will you?"

If they gathered all the herbs only for Wang Teng to run away, the Jia Lie Clan would truly be finished.

"Clan Leader Jia Lie, rest assured. Since I said I would seek justice for my senior brother, I will keep my word," Wang Teng said seriously.

Jia Lie Bi's suspended heart finally settled, and he became excited. "Good. I will gather these herbs in the shortest time possible."

Wang Teng said nothing and closed the pharmacy door.

At that moment, he could no longer keep his expression under control. The corners of his mouth kept rising as he smiled happily.

That list contained not only the herbs needed for Blood Surge Pills, but also those for Qi-Recovery Pills and Combined-Strength Pills.

Blood Surge Pills merely accounted for the largest portion.

I can use the Qi-Recovery Pills myself. I'll also need a Combined-Strength Pill to break through to the Dou Master realm. As for the extra Combined-Strength Pills, I'll find a chance to sell them for money after I return home.