Chapter 381: 381. Chapter 381 Special Alchemy Furnace

381. Chapter 381 Special Alchemy Furnace

Upon hearing Jiang Cheng's question, Gao Ling only smiled without replying.

Jiang Cheng felt a bit helpless.

Fortunately, the other party wasn't the sole source of information.

Gu Zhangkong is also a person from the Inner City District, so he must know something about this place; at worst we can just ask him later.

"In short, Brother Jiang, just rest assured: as long as you stay here, no one will be able to harm you."

Gao Ling said, then suddenly changed the subject: "By the way, Brother Jiang, Changlin asked me to ask you—do you want to earn some extra money?"

"What do you mean by earning extra money?"

Jiang Cheng was momentarily stunned.

"It's like this."

Gao Ling explained: "The quality of a pill depends on the potency of the herbs used; theoretically, the stronger the herb potency, the higher the quality of the finished pill. You agree with that, Brother Jiang, don't you?"

"Mm."

Jiang Cheng nodded.

"However, during the refining process, the high temperature causes a lot of herb potency to be lost, so from another perspective, taking the raw herbs directly is better. Unfortunately, we are merely mortal flesh, unlike Exotic Beasts; we cannot digest the potency, and doing so would poison us to death. That's why refining is so important. As I mentioned before, ordinary alchemy furnaces, because of their mediocre materials, cause a great loss of potency, which indirectly raises the cost of refining. If the furnace is made with better materials, the loss can be reduced to some extent, increasing profit."

Jiang Cheng's eyes lit up.

"Brother Gao, are you saying that we have such a refining furnace here?"

Gao Ling shook his head.

"Not at the moment."

"Not now?"

"Yes, because the materials required for such a furnace are hard to find; at least on this planet we currently inhabit, they don't exist, making the price astronomically high. The market price generally above a hundred hundred million, comparable to a Sixth-grade Treasure."

"Above a hundred hundred million..."

Jiang Cheng inhaled sharply.

Sixth-grade Treasures are used by Seven-level and higher Grandmasters; at that level, they are like walking human atomic bombs—one full-force strike can wipe out an entire street! Seeing Jiang Cheng's expression, Gao Ling nodded silently in his heart.

That's the reaction we want.

"Alas."

He sighed, "Indeed, a hundred hundred million— even Changlin would find it hard to raise that sum, but there's a reason for the high price.

If we use that kind of furnace for refining, it can cut the loss of potency by thirty percent, meaning the cost drops by thirty percent,

For example, now to produce one batch of pills you need ten portions of herbs, costing five million; with that furnace, a batch saves 1.5 million, bringing daily profit to six million, and a month saves 180 million! If you were refining fourth-grade herbs, the savings would be even greater."

Jiang Cheng strongly agreed.

Indeed, with lower costs, profit naturally rises, and the amount he pockets will increase.

However, the price is set here, and he had a rather uneasy feeling.

Because if the other side didn't want to buy, they could have simply not mentioned it, but now that it's been said, they probably have ulterior motives.

"Brother Jiang, are you tempted?" Gao Ling asked.

"Of course I'm tempted."

Jiang Cheng nodded repeatedly, then gave a wry smile: "It's just that the price is too high— a hundred hundred million. Even at my current daily earnings, it would take several years to reach that."

"Yes, but if Brother Jiang really wants it, Changlin could purchase it and use it for you to refine."

"Really?"

Jiang Cheng was both shocked and delighted.

"It's definitely true, but there's a condition that might put you in a bind," Gao Ling frowned. Without waiting for Jiang Cheng to ask, he volunteered the detail.

"As I said before, that furnace is prohibitively expensive, and it requires special fuel, which is also pricey, so regarding the profit split, Brother Jiang, you might have to take a slight loss."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Cheng realized this was what the other side truly meant.

The thing he feared most indeed happened.

"What is it?"

"Six-four split."

Gao Ling stared at Jiang Cheng without blinking, watching his expression, "For each batch of pills, we take sixty percent of the profit, and the remaining forty percent goes to you."

"I see."

Jiang Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Can't it be fifty-fifty? With my talent, my Alchemy Technique level will surely keep improving, and the number of pills I refine daily will increase, right? It would benefit everyone."

"That, I'm afraid, won't work."

Gao Ling shook his head.

"Brother Jiang, although your share appears reduced, you're actually earning a bit more each day. Moreover, as I mentioned, that furnace is too pricey; Changlin has many expenses and must recoup the cost quickly.

Of course, I'm only making a suggestion; I'm not demanding an immediate answer. It's fine—after you return, you can ponder it at leisure and give me your answer when you've decided."

Jiang Cheng listened helplessly.

On the surface, the other side said it was merely a suggestion, but in reality it felt more like a notice.

Otherwise, they wouldn't ask him to consider it after returning; they'd just act as if they never mentioned it.

"Brother Gao, I think what you said makes sense,"

Jiang Cheng said.

Since nothing can be changed, just agree outright; at least it will lower the other side's guard.

Only unsure how long this six-four split can last—might it turn into a seven-three split soon?

Or even an eight-two split? Money—who would consider that a lot? Gu Zhanglin is the same, and so am I.

But since the other side doesn't keep their word, don't blame them; they're not being honest.

Really?

Gao Ling was somewhat surprised, "Jiang little brother, you don't need to go back and consider it?"

No need.

Jiang Cheng shook his head, "It's just, Brother Gao, I hope we can keep a 60‑40 split going forward; if it drops lower, then …"

It won't, it won't.

Gao Ling waved his hands repeatedly.

"Jiang little brother, don't overthink it; this time is a special case, mainly because the price of that Refining Alchemy furnace is just too high. Rest assured, there won't be a next time."

That's good.

Jiang Cheng let out a sigh of relief.

"Hehehe, it's getting late, Jiang little brother, you should head back early to rest. I'll tell Changlin; maybe in two or three days the Refining Alchemy furnace will arrive, and then you can use that Refining Alchemy. Of course, the ratio will become a 60‑40 split then. As for these two or three days, it'll stay the same as now, a 50‑50 split."

Alright, then thank you, Brother Gao.

No problem, no problem, I'll see you off.

Gao Ling said as he stood up, smiling brightly, seeing Jiang Cheng off as he left. (End of chapter)