On the third floor of Peaceful Restaurant, in an elegant and quiet reception room, a middle-aged man dressed in a brocade robe, with a fair complexion, no beard, and eyes that revealed the shrewdness of a merchant, was already waiting.
Behind him stood a composed and sharp-eyed old man, clearly his Soul Master bodyguard.
As the door to the reception room opened, his gaze was immediately drawn to Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing.
A warm yet measured smile immediately spread across his face as he stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said:
"This must be Elder Xiao Yan."
I am Hundred Herbs Pavilion Qian Baichuan, the owner of Baicaoxuan. I have come here without permission and hope Elder Xiao will forgive my intrusion.
Elder Xiao is so young yet possesses such strength and talent; he's Soul King with two Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring. His future is limitless.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly, but his expression remained unusually calm.
Under Qian Baichuan's warm welcome, he stepped into the reception room, cupped his hands in greeting, and said with a smile:
" Shopkeeper Qian is indeed well-informed. I've only been in the city for half a day and you've already come to see me. May I ask what brings you here?"
Before arriving, Xiao Yan had already learned about the origins of the Hundred Herbs Pavilion from Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing was, after all, a disciple who had lived in the Zhu Family since childhood.
Therefore, I have some understanding of the various forces within the Star Luo Empire.
Although Hundred Herbs Pavilion is nominally just an organization that provides medicinal herbs and some therapeutic drugs.
However, it also attracted a group of Soul Master whose Martial Soul were remarkably effective in healing.
Within an empire like the Star Luo Empire, where battles are prone to erupt, the Hundred Herbs Pavilion business is extremely profitable.
They occupy nearly half of the market in the entire Star Luo Empire.
Of course, the fact that Hundred Herbs Pavilion was able to take such a large slice of the pie is also inseparable from the complex web of various forces behind it.
Behind the Hundred Herbs Pavilion are the military and several Soul Grandmaster families in Star Luo City.
Although no one has confirmed it, the fact that it has been operating until now is not without reason.
"Hehe."
After Qian Baichuan pulled Xiao Yan to sit down in the reception room, his smile remained unchanged as he spoke to Xiao Yan:
" Elder Xiao speaks frankly, so I, Qian, will not beat around the bush either."
The news of what happened at the city gate has spread Star Luo Empire.
Elder Xiao should understand that my Hundred Herbs Pavilion has been in the medicinal herb business for many years, and I, Qian, consider myself somewhat knowledgeable about various medicines from the mainland, but I have never seen such a rare item before.
At this point, Qian Baichuan looked intently at Xiao Yan and continued:
"I wonder if Elder Xiao has any of those miraculous pills called Snow Condensation Powder left?"
My Hundred Herbs Pavilion is willing to pay a high price to acquire it.
"Of course, if the elder is willing to reveal the method of refining, my Hundred Herbs Pavilion will certainly pay a price that satisfies you in exchange for cooperation."
Qian Baichuan's gaze was intense.
The effects of Ningxue Powder are terrifying. If it could be mass-produced, it would absolutely revolutionize the current market for treating external injuries. The profits would be astronomical.
As the largest medicinal herb merchant in the Star Luo Empire, Hundred Herbs Pavilion was naturally well aware of the enormous profits involved.
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow as he listened to Qian Baichuan's words, his fingers tracing the rim of his teacup.
" Blood Coagulation Powder... There are indeed some left, but this substance is not easy to refine. It is my unique secret technique, and the method of refining it must not be passed on to outsiders."
However, cooperation is not out of the question.
Qian Baichuan's face showed a hint of disappointment when he heard about Xiao Yan's unique skill.
But upon hearing that Xiao Yan was willing to cooperate, he immediately perked up and excitedly said:
" Elder Xiao, please speak. No matter the conditions, as long as Hundred Herbs Pavilion can do it, we will never refuse!"
Xiao Yan glanced at Qian Baichuan but didn't speak immediately. Instead, he took out another jade bottle from the Black Dragon and handed it to him.
Qian Baichuan took the jade bottle and poured out the pills inside.
However, they discovered that these were several blue pills.
It differed from the red healing pills and Blood Coagulation Powder mentioned in the message at the city gate.
"This is..."
Qian Baichuan had a bold guess in his mind.
Since Xiao Yan said that the Blood Coagulation Powder was his unique secret technique, does that mean he has other pills on him?
"This is Qi Gathering Pill; after taking it, it can greatly accelerate the recovery speed of Soul Power."
"Hiss~"
His suspicions were confirmed, Qian Baichuan's eyes twitched, his heart trembling violently.
Even someone as seasoned as Qian Baichuan, with his deep-seated shrewdness and ability to weather storms, was still quite shocked at this moment.
"By the way, the effects of this Qi Gathering Pill are not much different from those of the Blood Coagulation Powder."
Xiao Yan grinned and continued speaking.
These two kinds of pills are what Xiao Yan is planning to take out now.
"We can cooperate on the Ningqi San project, but I need a large quantity of a wide variety of basic medicinal materials, regardless of age, but of superior quality."
I can regularly supply a certain amount of Blood Coagulation Powder to the Hundred Herbs Pavilion for sale, and I want 70% of the profits.
Of course, you can also try to refine it. If you can successfully replicate it, I'll gladly give you this formula.
"Seventy percent?!"
The old man behind Qian Baichuan couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, his brows furrowing. This profit-sharing ratio was too high; it was practically working for Xiao Yan.
Qian Baichuan's expression also stiffened. He forced a bitter smile at Xiao Yan and said:
" Elder Xiao, isn't this division... a bit too high?"
My Hundred Herbs Pavilion is willing to provide channels, manpower, and a guarantee of reputation, and I will also bear the sales risks, taking only 30%...
Xiao Yan wasn't stupid; he needed a large channel like Hundred Herbs Pavilion for sales.
However, the primary purpose was also to spread the message.
Seeing Qian Baichuan's furrowed brows, Xiao Yan smiled, pointed to the Qi Gathering Pill in Qian Baichuan's hand, and said:
"Don't worry, Shopkeeper Qian, we still have Qi Gathering Pill."
"You mean?"
Qian Baichuan swallowed hard, his eyes suddenly gleaming.
" The Blood Coagulation Powder will be divided 70/30. But we can split the Qi Gathering Pill 50/50."
Xiao Yan wasn't stupid; if you want a horse to run, you have to feed it some grass.
After finishing speaking, he made his request to Qian Baichuan:
"Both of these pills are now exclusively sold at the Hundred Herbs Pavilion, and Shopkeeper Qian should already have heard about their effects."
The sheer size of the profits involved is self-evident.
"I can approach Hundred Herbs Pavilion, Qiancaoxuan, and Wancaoxuan. Moreover, I believe Shopkeeper Qian understands that whether we negotiate with the Star Luo Imperial Family, the military, or the Soul Grandmaster families, we are certain to reach a cooperation agreement."
"However, as long as my cooperation with the Hundred Herbs Pavilion goes smoothly, Hundred Herbs Pavilion will have priority in selling my pills in the future. What do you say?"
Qian Baichuan wasn't stupid; upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, a shrewd glint immediately appeared on his face.
If Xiao Yan Xiao Yan able to produce Blood Coagulation Powder and Qi Gathering Pill, does that mean he has other medicinal pills on him?
Thinking of this, Qian Baichuan stopped complaining to Xiao Yan and instead showed a look of joy on his face, saying to Xiao Yan:
" Elder Xiao, rest assured, Hundred Herbs Pavilion is definitely the most suitable partner for you."
As the elder said, please also provide the list of the first batch of medicinal herbs; I will arrange it immediately.
Xiao Yan smiled and took out a list of medicinal herbs that he had already written out from his pocket.
The above lists dozens of basic medicinal materials needed to refine Blood Coagulation Powder and Qi Gathering Pill.
Of course, there are also many things he deliberately wrote in order to cover up his true intentions.
"This is the first batch you need. Price it at 80% of the market price. Once the herbs are delivered here, I will give you the first batch of Blood Coagulation Powder and Qi Gathering Pill."
Qian Baichuan accepted the list from Xiao Yan with both hands, and after a careful look, he felt somewhat relieved.
Although the medicinal materials listed by Xiao Yan are numerous and varied, they are mostly common and basic medicinal materials with low cost.
It seems that the cost of this Blood Coagulation Powder is indeed as low as rumored.
This further solidified Qian Baichuan's determination to cling to Xiao Yan's coattails.
" Elder Xiao, rest assured, I will have all the necessary medicinal herbs prepared within three days."
Qian Baichuan assured him, his attitude becoming increasingly respectful.