Chapter 581: Kowtow to Apologize?

After returning to the Qian Yu Trading Firm.

Wang Jianqiang looked at Jiang Shan, "Daoist Friend Jiang, could you tell me about the current situation of the Qian Yu Trading Firm?"

Jiang Shan nodded, pondered for a moment, and began to speak slowly to Wang Jianqiang.

"The main business of the Qian Yu Trading Firm is the sale of Magic Treasures and Pills."

"These two are also the items that Cultivators consume the most in their daily lives."

"Magic Treasures are fine; the chief Artifact Refiners of both the Qian Yu Trading Firm and the Piaoxue Trading Firm are Fifth Order, so they are evenly matched."

"It is only regarding Pills..."

"I racked my brains and spent a huge price, yet I only managed to invite a Level 5 Mid-Grade Alchemist to oversee things, while the chief Alchemist of the Piaoxue Trading Firm is a Fifth-tier High-grade Alchemist."

"The gap between the two may seem small, but as an Alchemist yourself, you must surely know what this implies."

Wang Jianqiang nodded and said, "A higher-level Alchemist can not only refine higher-level Pills, but even if both were to refine low-level Pills simultaneously, the one with higher attainments in the Dao of Alchemy will produce Pills of better quality."

"Without special circumstances, the suppression of a lower-level Alchemist is comprehensive."

"Exactly."

Jiang Shan nodded and continued, "Because of this, the Pills in the Qian Yu Trading Firm are not only suppressed in terms of the maximum grade, but even the quality of the low-level Pills that both firms possess is inferior to those of the Piaoxue Trading Firm."

"For the same Pill, who wouldn't want to buy one of higher quality?"

"Therefore, the Pills of the Qian Yu Trading Firm can only be discounted, barely maintaining operations through low prices."

Jiang Shan explained in great detail.

From the competition over Pills, he spoke of the competition over raw materials, and from the competition over raw materials, he spoke of the struggle for sales talent.

After listening to Jiang Shan's account, Wang Jianqiang nodded, "In other words, the Qian Yu Trading Firm is not inferior to the Piaoxue Trading Firm in any other aspect, and the only reason the Qian Yu Trading Firm is being suppressed by the Piaoxue Trading Firm is that the quality of the Pills is insufficient."

Jiang Shan nodded, "Whether it is the Qian Yu Trading Firm or the Piaoxue Trading Firm, the Dao of Alchemy is a major category. As fast-moving consumer goods, the importance of Pills is even greater than that of Magic Tools, accounting for nearly half of the daily sales of both firms."

"Insufficient Pill quality affects not only the sales of Pills but also leads to a loss of customers, causing the sales of other goods like Magic Treasures to decline as well."

"One hair pulled, the whole body moves."

Wang Jianqiang nodded, "Since that is the case, then it is easy to handle; if the Pill quality is insufficient, we just need to improve it."

Hearing Wang Jianqiang's relaxed words, Jiang Shan smiled bitterly and nodded.

The logic was indeed sound.

But in the past, he did not have this confidence.

After all.

A Fifth-tier High-grade Alchemist cannot be invited at will.

In terms of status and rarity, an Alchemist of this level is even above an ordinary Cultivator at the Void Refinement Stage.

That he could invite a Level 5 Mid-Grade Alchemist was already considered a stroke of extreme luck.

Thinking of this.

He could not help but look at Wang Jianqiang, "Daoist Friend Wang, I would like to confirm with you again, are you truly a Sixth-tier Alchemist?"

Wang Jianqiang smiled, "If you are worried, Daoist Friend, why not test it and find out?"

Jiang Shan nodded and fell into deep thought.

Jiang Xuan glanced at Jiang Shan, "Big Brother, haven't we already discussed this? Do you not even trust me anymore?"

Jiang Shan shook his head with a bitter smile.

It was not that he did not trust him.

It was fear.

Currently, the entire alchemy production of the Qian Yu Trading Firm is managed by that Level 5 Mid-Grade Alchemist.

To have Wang Jianqiang help the Qian Yu Trading Firm, he must revoke the authority of that Level 5 Mid-Grade Alchemist and transfer it to Wang Jianqiang.

A Fifth Order Alchemist is already considered a master-level figure.

Which one of them does not have their own pride?

If he were to do this, that master would certainly be extremely dissatisfied.

If Wang Jianqiang had true talent and learning, the other party might not take drastic actions, and he would not fear what the other party might do.

But if Wang Jianqiang's attainments in the Dao of Alchemy were insufficient, then it would be troublesome.

Once that Level 5 Mid-Grade Alchemist left the Qian Yu Trading Firm.

The Qian Yu Trading Firm would surely collapse rapidly and be swallowed by the Piaoxue Trading Firm in a short time.

With the survival of the Qian Yu Trading Firm at stake, he had to be cautious.

After a moment of silence, he let out a long sigh.

"Since that is the case, let us go to the Alchemy Hall first."

The Alchemy Hall is a subordinate department of the Qian Yu Trading Firm, composed of Alchemists under the Qian Yu Trading Firm.

Its daily task is to refine Pills to supply the Qian Yu Trading Firm.

And the Pill Hall Master is precisely that Level 5 Mid-Grade Alchemist.

Under Jiang Shan's guidance.

The three of them soon arrived in front of a grand hall.

Walking into the hall, a vast lobby came into view.

Jiang Shan took out a Sound Transmission Talisman and sent a message.

A moment later.

The Sound Transmission Talisman lit up, and a message was sent back.

After listening, Jiang Shan looked at Wang Jianqiang and Jiang Xuan, "Master Wu is currently in the Alchemy Room; let us head over."

After speaking, he walked toward the interior of the main hall.

Not long after.

The three arrived at a quiet area.

Although this area was spacious, there was only one room.

The three arrived outside the room door.

Jiang Shan looked at Wang Jianqiang and Jiang Xuan, who were following behind, "Master Wu is currently practicing Alchemy, let us wait."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xuan frowned with some dissatisfaction, "Isn't this Master Wu's air a bit too big?"

Just a Fifth-Tier Mid-Grade Alchemist.

Normally speaking, he is indeed a remarkable big shot.

But one must also consider who he is being compared to.

Daoist Friend Wang is a Sixth-Rank Alchemist.

Compared to him, what does a Fifth-tier Alchemist count for?

To actually make Daoist Friend Wang wait for him outside the door!

Jiang Shan's heart skipped a beat, "Xuan'er, do not speak nonsense."

Jiang Xuan curled her lips and muttered in a low voice, "Come to think of it, you still don't believe Daoist Friend Wang is a Sixth-Rank Alchemist."

Jiang Shan shook his head with a bitter smile, "The survival of the Qian Yu Trading Firm is at stake; I have to be a bit cautious."

As he spoke, he looked at Wang Jianqiang, his expression sincere, "I hope Daoist Friend can understand."

Wang Jianqiang smiled and nodded, "The matter is of great importance; it is normal for Daoist Friend to be careful, I understand."

That the Qian Yu Trading Firm has been able to survive until now under the suppression of the Piaoxue Trading Firm, apart from Jiang Shan's management and planning, can be said to be entirely the credit of this Master Wu.

If they were to lose this Master Wu, the Qian Yu Trading Firm would certainly be unable to hold on until now.

How could Jiang Shan offend this pivotal figure for a matter that had not yet been confirmed?

Jiang Xuan was somewhat unconvinced.

She opened her mouth, as if she still wanted to say something.

Wang Jianqiang pulled on her slender, soft palm.

Jiang Xuan looked at Wang Jianqiang.

Wang Jianqiang shook his head.

Seeing this, although a trace of dissatisfaction still remained on her face, she did not speak again.

Jiang Shan let out a long sigh of relief.

This girl's temperament is usually not this unreasonable.

It seems that seeing Wang Jianqiang encounter "unfair" treatment caused her to lose her usual composure.

This girl...

He shook his head helplessly.

Creak~

Just at this moment.

The door in front slowly opened, and an old man with graying hair walked out from the room.

"Master Wu."

Seeing the old man, Jiang Shan stepped forward a few paces and politely cupped his hands toward the old man.

Facing Jiang Xuan's polite treatment, the old man only nodded faintly.

Immediately, his gaze fell upon Jiang Xuan, and his expression slowly turned gloomy.

"Just now, it was you making noise outside the door, right?"

Seeing Master Wu's appearance of wanting to hold someone accountable.

Jiang Shan's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over, "Master Wu, this is my little sister. She is visiting the Alchemy Hall for the first time and does not understand the rules. She disturbed your Alchemy; please do not blame her."

Jiang Shan kept his posture very low while speaking.

Moreover, he also deliberately pointed out Jiang Xuan's identity in his words.

But Master Wu seemed as if he had not heard it, or perhaps he did not care at all.

He let out a cold snort, "Absurd! The Alchemy Hall is a restricted area; how can some idlers be allowed to enter?"

"You, the person in charge, are also too childish."

"Do you know that I was just trying to break through to Fifth-Tier High-Grade? The refining of the Pill was already almost complete, but because of her disturbance just now, my Pill was directly ruined, and the breakthrough I prepared for several years has fallen short of success?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shan's expression changed immediately.

Just now, Master Wu was actually breaking through!

Xuan'er disturbed his breakthrough!

This is troublesome!

Disturbing someone's breakthrough is a great taboo!

Upon hearing that she had disturbed Master Wu's breakthrough, Jiang Xuan's expression also changed.

A flash of self-reproach crossed her eyes, "Sorry Master Wu, I~"

"Get out~"

Before Jiang Xuan could finish her sentence, Master Wu suddenly interrupted her coldly.

He looked at Jiang Xuan, his tone harsh, "Get out of here immediately; you are not welcome here."

Being scolded like this, Jiang Xuan could not help but feel a surge of anger in her heart.

However, thinking that she was in the wrong first, she ultimately held it back.

"My apologies, Master Wu."

"Everything that happened today is my fault."

She bowed to Master Wu, turned around, and was about to walk out of the great hall.

"Wait."

Just at this moment.

Wang Jianqiang suddenly grabbed her palm, "Xuan'er, you did not disturb Master Wu's breakthrough; his failure to break through is not your fault."

Hearing Wang Jianqiang's words, Jiang Xuan was stunned.

Master Wu's expression sank as he looked at Jiang Shan, "And who is this person?"

"My name is Wang Jianqiang, just a nobody."

Without waiting for Jiang Shan to respond, Wang Jianqiang had already spoken with a smile.

Master Wu shook his head, "I don't care who you are, get out of here immediately; you are not welcome here."

"Whether I get out or not is not for you to decide just yet."

Wang Jianqiang smiled, pushed past Master Wu, and walked straight into the Alchemy Room behind him.

Seeing Wang Jianqiang ignore him like this, Master Wu's expression turned dark.

He looked at Jiang Shan angrily, "Jiang Shan, look at what kind of people you have brought here? Make them all get out immediately, otherwise, I, Wu, will sever ties with your Qian Yu Trading Firm."

"From now on, your Qian Yu Trading Firm can go and hire someone else."

Jiang Shan frowned and explained, "Master Wu, Daoist Friend Wang is actually also an Alchemist; perhaps he discovered something by entering your Alchemy Room."

"If that is the case, it might even be helpful for the improvement of your alchemy."

Upon hearing this, Master Wu could not help but sneer.

"Jiang Shan, do you know what you just said?"

"Helpful to me?"

"He is merely a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, so what if he is an Alchemist? Being able to reach Fourth-tier Advanced is already considered not bad."

"What does he have to help me with?"

At this moment, Wang Jianqiang had already arrived beside the Pill Furnace inside the Alchemy Room.

Ever since Master Wu was reprimanding Jiang Xuan, he had been observing the Pill Furnace inside the Alchemy Room.

The reason he said Master Wu's breakthrough failure had nothing to do with Jiang Xuan was not because he was deliberately speaking for Jiang Xuan, but a conclusion reached after observation.

He reached his palm into the Pill Furnace, pinched out a wisp of residual ash, and said indifferently.

"Although the Pill has already turned to ash, there still remains a wisp of medicinal power that has not yet dissipated."

"From this residual medicinal power, I, Wang, can indeed determine the raw materials Master Wu used to refine this Pill."

"Purple Ling Grass, White Jade Flower, Heavenly Fragrance Bamboo..."

Wang Jianqiang listed over a dozen Medicinal Herbs in a row, then his gaze paused on Master Wu, "Master Wu, am I correct?"

Master Wu raised an eyebrow and sneered, "You do have some ability, that is correct."

"But what does this prove?"

Wang Jianqiang smiled, "Purple Ling Grass belongs to the yin element and requires gentle heat to extract its medicinal power; you clearly did not control the flame temperature well, causing the flame and the medicinal power within the Purple Ling Grass to form a counter-reaction, leading to excessive loss of medicinal power."

"The same logic applies to the White Jade Flower."

"And the Heavenly Fragrance Bamboo, you were also lacking when extracting its medicinal power."

"Then there is the process of fusing the medicinal power..."

Wang Jianqiang's expression was calm as he stated over a dozen shortcomings in one breath.

When he finished, his voice paused, and he shook his head, "Alchemy is a very rigorous process; failing to handle any single part well can potentially lead to the failure of the Pill formation."

"And you committed so many mistakes, so how could you possibly succeed in refining it?"

"From this point, it can also be seen that your attainments in alchemy are still very far from Fifth-Tier Mid-Grade."

"You cannot recognize your own level of alchemy and are forcibly attempting to break through to Fifth-Tier Mid-Grade..."

"That is a bit too ambitious."

"If it were just these things, it would be one thing, but after your alchemy failed, you did not properly reflect on yourself, but instead pushed the responsibility onto someone else; with such a temperament, if you do not correct it, I fear it will be very difficult to make further progress."

Wang Jianqiang's voice was very calm, without mixing in the slightest bit of personal emotion.

But to Master Wu's ears, it was incredibly harsh.

It was as if slaps were landing heavily on his face, making him feel a burning sensation.

After a good while, he finally came to his senses and snorted coldly, "What a sharp-tongued brat; I actually almost let you fool me."

"With empty words as proof, of course you can say whatever you want?"

"My alchemy attainments are not enough? I am ambitious? I shirk responsibility?"

"Just based on you, a junior, you are worthy of evaluating a Fifth-Tier Mid-Grade Alchemist?"

Wang Jianqiang shook his head, "Fifth-Tier Mid-Grade? Is that very impressive?"

Hearing Wang Jianqiang's words, Master Wu could not help but mock him, "As an Alchemist, you are actually able to say such ridiculous words."

"Not to mention whether a Fifth-Tier Mid-Grade Alchemist is impressive or not, as for you, I'm afraid you won't reach it in this lifetime."

Wang Jianqiang smiled, "Since you are so confident, how about we have a competition?"

"A joke."

Master Wu sneered, "I, Wu, am a dignified Fifth-Tier Mid-Grade Alchemist; my time is very precious, where would I have the energy to waste on you?"

As he spoke, he looked at Jiang Shan, "Jiang Shan, kick these two out immediately."

Jiang Shan frowned and persuaded, "Master Wu, my little sister and Daoist Friend Wang did not intend to offend you; I ask that you please calm your temper."

Master Wu gave a cold snort, "Jiang Shan, I will give you one last chance. Either kick these two people out, or I leave!"

"You had better think it over."

Hearing Master Wu's words, Jiang Shan's brows furrowed even tighter, "Master Wu, please calm down."

Master Wu gave a cold snort, "I am very calm. Jiang Shan, I will only give you ten seconds. If you do not kick these two people out by then, I will immediately sever ties with the Qian Yu Trading Firm."

"When that time comes, I hope you do not regret it."

"Ten, nine, eight..."

Hearing the numbers being counted out by Master Wu, Jiang Shan's heart sank.

Just at this moment.

Wang Jianqiang's voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Master Wu's counting, "Daoist Friend Jiang, what is the level of the highest-grade Pill Formula you have here?"

Jiang Shan was startled and looked at Wang Jianqiang, "Sixth-tier Intermediate."

"Bring it here then." Wang Jianqiang smiled, "Don't you want to verify my level of Alchemy? Now, I will refine it for you to see."

Jiang Shan was stunned, then his eyes lit up as he looked at Master Wu, "Master Wu, if I remember correctly, all Pill Formulas above the Fifth Order in the Alchemy Hall are with you, kept in your personal custody, right? Please take one out."

Upon hearing this, Master Wu frowned and looked at Wang Jianqiang with a face full of mockery, "Just based on you, you want to refine a Sixth-tier Intermediate Pill?"

"Not to mention your attainment in Alchemy, with your meager strength, even if you exhausted yourself to the point of becoming a dried husk, it wouldn't be enough to cover the consumption required to refine a Sixth-tier Intermediate Pill."

"Whether I can refine it or not is not something for Master Wu to worry about; you only need to take out the Pill Formula." Wang Jianqiang smiled.

Master Wu's expression turned cold, "Jiang Shan, are you just going to watch this person mess around?"

Jiang Shan shook his head, "Master Wu, Daoist Friend Wang just wants to give it a try. Since that is the case, what is the harm in letting him try?"

"Try? Does Alchemy not require Medicinal Herbs? Can he afford to pay for them?"

Master Wu's complexion turned unsightly.

High-grade Medicinal Herbs were already scarce.

Even within the Qian Yu Trading Firm, there were not many, and he felt there were not enough even for his own breakthrough.

How could they be wasted on someone else?

Jiang Shan smiled, "Master Wu, Daoist Friend Wang is not an outsider. Even if he fails at Alchemy, the Medicinal Herbs will be counted as the Qian Yu Trading Firm's loss."

Upon hearing this, Master Wu's brows furrowed tightly.

The Medicinal Herbs in his possession, after all, belonged to the Qian Yu Trading Firm; although he was allowed to use them in his daily work, they did not belong to him.

Since Jiang Shan, the person in charge, had given the order, even if he were unwilling, he had no reason to refuse.

Thinking of this, he glanced at Wang Jianqiang, "Fine, since you want to bring humiliation upon yourself, then I will grant your wish."

As he spoke, he flicked his sleeve, and a Jade Slip appeared before Wang Jianqiang.

Wang Jianqiang took the Jade Slip, and his Spirit Sense surged into it.

"Ding, inferior Pill Formula detected. Optimization and upgrade requires Cultivation Points. Do you wish to optimize and upgrade?"

"Yes." Wang Jianqiang responded silently in his heart.

"Ding, Green Wood Profound Life Pill has been optimized and upgraded to Perfect Green Wood Profound Life Pill."

Just as Wang Jianqiang was secretly optimizing and upgrading the Pill Formula.

Jiang Shan looked at Master Wu again, "Master Wu, give Daoist Friend Wang a portion of the Medicinal Herbs for refining this Green Wood Profound Life Pill."

Master Wu nodded.

With a dark face and suppressing the pain in his heart, he took out a portion of Medicinal Herbs.

After Wang Jianqiang came back to his senses, he looked at the Medicinal Herbs before him and smiled.

He put away the Medicinal Herbs and turned to enter the Alchemy Room.

He looked at Jiang Shan and smiled, "Daoist Friend Jiang, you all should wait outside for now. My Alchemy technique is a secret transmission, and I do not wish for certain immoral people to steal it."

As he spoke, he glanced at Master Wu.

Master Wu's complexion turned unsightly, "Sharp-tongued. Wait until you fail the refinement, then I will see how you can still be so arrogant."

Wang Jianqiang smiled with a relaxed face and closed the door.

Afterwards, he placed several Perfect Pills for restoring Spiritual Power into his mouth and began the refinement.

His Spiritual Power was not enough to support him in refining a Sixth-tier Pill.

But he had Perfect Pills for restoring Spiritual Power.

Relying on the support of the Perfect Pills, after continuing for a full day, his refinement finally concluded.

Although the consumption was immense.

He had ultimately succeeded in refining the Perfect Green Wood Profound Life Pill.

Afterwards, he did not immediately leave the Alchemy Room.

Instead, he swallowed another Perfect Pill and silently began to recover his Spiritual Power.

Outside the Alchemy Room.

As time passed.

The mockery on Master Wu's face grew increasingly intense.

"So much time has passed; it seems that the junior's refinement has already failed."

Detecting the schadenfreude in Master Wu's tone, Jiang Xuan could not help but frown, "Daoist Friend Wang has not come out yet, so how do you know he failed?"

"Perhaps he is already close to succeeding."

Master Wu looked at Jiang Xuan and gave a disdainful laugh, "What would you, someone who has never practiced Alchemy, understand?"

"The higher the grade of the Pill, the faster the consumption of Spiritual Power during refinement."

"If he were only refining a Third or Fourth-tier Pill, it might actually be possible for him to refine for a whole day."

"But for a Sixth-tier Pill, with his mere Nascent Soul Stage cultivation, it is fundamentally impossible for him to persist for this long."

"He has likely already failed the Alchemy, he just doesn't want to face the facts and doesn't dare to come out."

"Heh, an arrogant junior who only knows how to show off for a moment; how could he possibly know how difficult it is to refine a Sixth-tier Pill?"

"Let alone a Sixth-tier Pill, even a Fifth Order Pill is something such an arrogant junior would likely struggle to refine in his entire lifetime."

Hearing his mockery.

Jiang Xuan frowned even tighter, but she was not an Alchemist.

She wanted to retort, but had no way to begin.

She could only glare angrily at the other party.

Master Wu glanced at Jiang Xuan.

Then he turned his head to look at Jiang Shan, "Jiang Shan, this time I can choose to forgive you, but if you ever bring such ignorant trash to disturb me again in the future."

"I will certainly not continue to stay in your Qian Yu Trading Firm."

Jiang Shan took a deep breath, his brows furrowing.

Master Wu had always maintained an arrogant and conceited air.

In the past, he hadn't thought much of it and had always treated him with great courtesy.

But regarding the other party's previous act of trying to Repel Jiang Xuan, although he hadn't said anything, dissatisfaction had long since grown in his heart.

It was just that for the sake of the big picture, he hadn't shown it.

At this moment, seeing that the other party still hadn't restrained himself in the slightest when facing Jiang Xuan, and was still that same unscrupulous self.

The dissatisfaction in his heart could almost no longer be suppressed.

He had never even scolded his little sister.

Now that he saw his little sister being scolded one after another, how could he possibly endure it?

He took a deep breath, his voice cold as he said, "Daoist Friend Wuji's refining has yet to yield a result; it is still too early to make a judgment."

Upon hearing this, Master Wu sneered, "Jiang Xuan, you have managed the Qian Yu Trading Firm for so many years; surely you aren't as naive as your sister, are you?"

"Do you think that brat can refine a Sixth-tier Intermediate Pill?"

"What if he can refine it?"

Jiang Xuan gritted her teeth and spoke up.

Master Wu scoffed, "If he can refine it, I will immediately kowtow and apologize to him."

Creak~

His voice had just fallen.

The sound of a door opening rang out.

The Alchemy Room door opened, and a figure walked out from within.