C8 Green Forest Pill

Chen Xing couldn't help but smile. His uncle truly had a knack for these situations.

Making such a decision was no small feat. Chen Lingran must have spent the last couple of days diligently preparing the family elders for this moment.

To stand by him under these circumstances was more than a show of faith in him—it was a testament to their trust in his uncle!

At those words, Chen Haoran's face turned ashen.

Suddenly, everyone with a say in the room was backing Chen Xing for the family head. What choice did that leave him?

"You all better think very carefully about what you're doing! And Chen Lingran, remember, I'm your brother!"

"Exactly because you're my brother, I know what you're like. Handing the future of the Chen family to you would be hopeless," Chen Lingran spoke with gravity.

The family elders hung their heads, clearly in agreement with his statement.

With Chen Lingran's support for Chen Xing, they saw even less hope for Chen Haoran.

"Fine! Fine! The Chen family has made its choice!"

Yang Yongjun huffed in fury. He hadn't expected that the Chen family would dare to defy an alchemist like him!

"Defying the Alchemist Association takes guts! You still have a 50% discount now, but when it drops to 40%, 30%, you'll be begging me to take your medicine, and no one will want it!"

With that, Yang Yongjun turned on his heel and stormed out.

"As for a mere level two alchemist branch president, we'll see who ends up begging whom," Chen Xing muttered under his breath. They were better off without such a fair-weather friend.

He held up three fingers, "Give me thirty days. I guarantee I can keep the Chen family running smoothly. If not, I'll willingly step down as Patriarch. Also, we need to train a new batch of stewards for the family. Uncle, that task is yours."

"Mm," Chen Lingran nodded, impressed. His nephew had obviously been holding back his true capabilities.

"Do you have any idea what you're doing? Offending the Alchemist Association means no one will dare buy our medicine! You think you can keep the Chen family afloat for thirty days? That's a fool's dream! You're playing with the family's fortune!" In a fit of rage, Chen Haoran stamped his foot and ran after the departing Yang Yongjun.

"It seems less like he's an elder of the Chen family and more like a grandson from the Alchemist Guild." Chen Xing scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. "You're all dismissed!"

Once back in his room, he set to work on refining pills.

Tomorrow was the weekend, and there was no need to attend Starfall Academy, making it the perfect opportunity to tackle the current issue.

Truth be told, Chen Xing estimated that he wouldn't need thirty days to resolve the Chen family's problem; at most, two weeks would suffice. He had given the thirty-day timeframe simply to avoid coming off as overly boastful.

Arrogance, like Long Yi's, only added to one's burdens—a truth that applied to humans just as well.

...

The following day.

Chen Xing, with dark circles under his eyes and clad in a black robe, left his home early without rousing Taotao.

"Refining pills with low medicinal effects is truly a thankless task. It's all too easy to overshoot and end up with an 80% efficacy, which is incredibly frustrating and disheartening."

He hadn't slept all night and had managed to refine only a small backpack's worth of pills, their potencies ranging from 60% to 70%.

The one he was most proud of was a pill with a 55% medicinal effect, which he had crafted by accident in his sleep-deprived state. It was a rare feat indeed.

"I need to make it to Traessey before dawn."

His current attire was far too conspicuous. If he didn't arrive in Traessey before daybreak, he risked drawing unwanted attention.

With this in mind, Chen Xing channeled the spiritual energy within him, gathering the peak sixth-level Body Tempering power at his feet, creating what looked like a miniature whirlwind.

Windstride!

This was the initial stage of the Windstride Nine Steps, designed to enhance speed. It was one of the martial techniques Chen Xing had developed for the humans in his domain a hundred thousand years ago. When executed with full force, it could increase his speed tenfold in a short span—ideal for swift travel.

"I still feel it's too slow. If I were in my dragon form, this distance would be covered in the blink of an eye," Chen Xing muttered, somewhat displeased.

Fortunately, it was still before dawn, and no one had heard his words. Otherwise, they would have been infuriated! The speed he was demonstrating was indicative of a high-level Vastitas martial skill! A high-level Vastitas martial skill! Many would never attain such a skill in their lifetime! It was one thing to use it to travel swiftly and show off, but to complain about it as well?

As dawn approached, Chen Xing finally reached Traessey.

In contrast to Aqua Town, Traessey immediately struck one with its grandeur and magnificence.

It truly deserved its status as one of the five main cities of the Purple Wind Empire.

Chen Xing surveyed Traessey, blinking in recognition.

This Traessey... it felt familiar to him.

"After a hundred thousand years, I never expected to encounter such ingenious design. The architectural style of Traessey is identical to that of my time as a Lord."

A look of mutual understanding crossed his face as he proceeded into the city.

Golden Ruyi Auction House!

The Golden Ruyi Auction House was an established and prestigious institution in Traessey, boasting a rich history and formidable strength. It stood as an equal to the Lee family's auction house.

With a conflict between Chen Xing and the Lee family, he naturally avoided their auction house, opting instead to patronize their rival and add fuel to the fire.

"Sir, may I assist you with anything?" A poised woman inquired as Chen Xing approached.

"Yes, I'm interested in viewing your selection of pills."

The Golden Ruyi Auction House didn't just handle auctions; it also operated as a merchant guild, selling common items directly to customers.

"Certainly, what kind are you looking for?" Though momentarily taken aback by Chen Xing's youthful voice, the woman quickly regained her composure and continued courteously. Meanwhile, a male attendant nearby cast a furtive, mocking glance in their direction.

"Perhaps second or third grade," Chen Xing responded nonchalantly. "Or anything of a higher quality that's available."

"Of course, just a moment, please." The woman bowed slightly and retrieved two small vials from a nearby counter, handing them to Chen Xing.

"The pill on the left is a second-grade Body Tempering Pill, while the one on the right is a third-grade Susu Pill."

Chen Xing nodded, uncorked a small bottle, took a whiff, and slightly furrowed his brow before returning it to the woman.

Inside were pills with only thirty percent efficacy. Some didn't even reach that.

"Do you have any pills with forty percent efficacy?"

"Pills with forty percent efficacy are only available at auctions. Such precious items aren't sold here."

Chen Xing fell silent.

A fourth-grade pill was considered precious? It looked like he had to redouble his efforts. The journey ahead was long indeed!

"How much for these pills?"

"A second-grade pill starts at 200 gold coins each, with ten in a bottle, totaling 2,000 gold coins. A third-grade pill starts at 800 gold coins each, also with ten in a bottle, so 8,000 gold coins in total," the woman explained with grace.

Holy smokes! Chen Xing was astounded.

This was outright highway robbery! The markup on these pills was at least tenfold, if not twenty or thirty times the profit compared to the medicinal herbs he sold. And for a third-grade pill, the profit was even more astronomical! No wonder alchemists were held in such high esteem; the profit margins were massive!

The Chen family's net income for a quarter was about 40,000 gold coins, which, when distributed, allowed everyone to live comfortably. Yet here, an alchemist could earn the same with just 50 third-grade pills at thirty percent efficacy. It was staggering!

Chen Xing sighed. The pills in his backpack, with sixty to seventy percent efficacy, including several fourth and fifth-grade pills, were perhaps too ostentatious?

The male shop assistant approached with dissatisfaction upon hearing Chen Xing's sigh. "Sir, if you have no further business, please leave. These pills are quite valuable. Return when you've earned enough money; we still need to make a living."

"Make a living?" Chen Xing was taken aback, recalling that auction houses were typically open around the clock.

The woman's expression softened with a hint of apology, "Sir, there's no need for concern. We're not off work yet. We'll only go for a meal after the next shift arrives, which is some time away. Please, feel free to browse at your leisure."

"Take your time? I'm famished. You show up at the crack of dawn, asking endless questions, shrouded in that black cloak – too embarrassed to admit you can't afford it, right? And inquiring about a pill with 40% efficacy, which is priced in spirit stones! Kid, you'd better go consult with the elders of your Chen family!" The male shop assistant dismissed him with a wave of his hand.

"Wood!" The woman's frown deepened as she shot the male shop assistant a glare. "If you want to leave, then go ahead. I refuse to abandon my work halfway through."

The male shop assistant, named Wood, looked visibly taken aback. "Qin Fei! We had an agreement!"

"Thump!" Chen Xing took out a pill bottle and rapped it on the counter, giving both of them a start. Wood's face twisted with anger, but before he could retort, Chen Xing spoke calmly, "I'm not here to buy, but to sell. A Green Forest Pill with 55% efficacy – does that qualify as business?"

"55% efficacy? A Green Forest Pill?"

Wood was left speechless. The Green Forest Pill, a third-grade pill brimming with spiritual energy, could significantly enhance cultivation, particularly for warriors with a Wood Root. It was highly sought after in the realm of third-grade pills.

What's more, this pill boasted an efficacy of 55%?

This was undoubtedly a precious auction item, one that could boost the appeal of any auction house. During off-peak seasons, it could even serve as the grand finale for a smaller auction!

"Please hold on a moment, sir. We're not equipped to authenticate a pill of this caliber. I'll immediately call for Alchemist Lu Ming from the auction house to perform the appraisal," said the female shop assistant, Qin Fei, with a quick bow before heading backstage.

Meanwhile, Wood's face had turned a pale shade of shock as he shook his head in disbelief. "No, it can't be." How could someone, who sounded so young, possibly possess a third-grade pill with such potency?

Shortly thereafter, an elderly man with graying hair was escorted out. Adorning his shoulder was the badge of the Alchemist Association, distinguished by three golden stars, indicating his status as a third-grade alchemist.

Lu Ming scrutinized Chen Xing, clad in black. Early in the morning, he had heard rumors of a third-grade Green Forest Pill up for auction, boasting an impressive 55% efficacy. The news had piqued his curiosity and skepticism.

As he observed, Chen Xing abruptly brought his palm down on the table with a resonant "thud."

"Inspect it quickly! No need for pointless scrutiny!"

"Yes, my apologies for the oversight." Lu Ming bowed his head slightly. Accustomed to the pride that came with being an alchemist, he had nearly forgotten the protocols of the Golden Ruyi Auction House.

He uncorked the pill bottle on the table and inhaled gently, his face immediately taking on a grave expression. After a brief hesitation, he inhaled deeply once more, his astonishment growing with each breath.

Finally, after a prolonged moment, he slowly set the pill bottle down and gave a confirming nod.

"This is, without a doubt, the Green Forest Pill."