Chapter 268: Mi Cangyuan

He Pingsheng smiled: "Senior Hongyue, you're telling me all this, but I truly don't understand your meaning!"

"Moreover, the elixirs I sell here are all standard-grade third-rank elixirs—I rarely sell first- or second-rank elixirs anymore!"

"That's exactly the problem!" Hongyue said. "Actually, if you sold first- or second-rank elixirs, there'd be no issue at all!"

"Third-rank elixirs are expensive, and only Golden Core cultivators use them!"

"They're our guild's main profit source!"

"Your elixirs are of excellent quality, yet your prices are far too low!"

"This not only steals our guild's business, but also drags down the entire Hongshi City's elixir prices!"

"This… is rather hard to justify!"

He Pingsheng did not answer.

He knew his prices were low.

Normally, a high-grade 【Juyuan Elixir】 batch should sell for between one million five hundred thousand and one million eight hundred thousand spirit stones.

Yet he sold it for only one million two hundred thousand.

Even so, he still made a fortune.

Hongyue continued: "Of course, logically speaking, our guild has no grounds to criticize your pricing. But I'm not here representing the Hongyue Guild—I'm representing the Hongshi City Governor's Office as well!"

"If this continues, it'll harm everyone!"

"So I have a suggestion."

She looked at He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng nodded. "I'm all ears."

Hongyue said: "First, from now on, don't sell your high-grade 【Juyuan Elixir】 in your own shop!"

"Sell it to the Hongyue Guild—we'll buy each batch at one million two hundred thousand spirit stones, same as your price."

"As for mid- and low-grade elixirs, you may still sell them here."

"What do you say?"

Hongyue watched He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng smiled. "You mean you'll take them, then resell them at a higher price?"

Hongyue said: "Exactly. Selling each batch for one million eight hundred thousand spirit stones is perfectly feasible!"

"Fine!" He Pingsheng agreed without hesitation.

After all, he was already selling them for one million two hundred thousand in his own shop—selling to the guild was the same price.

Why not?

Most importantly, it doesn't hurt his profits.

And it even reduces some burden.

"Any other matters?" He Pingsheng asked.

Hongyue said: "Could we meet your Master?"

He Pingsheng shook his head. "No. My Master doesn't wish to meet outsiders—it's tied to his cultivation."

"His cultivation method is simply like that."

"I'm sorry."

"I see!" Hongyue said. "Then we won't meet. But your Master is clearly a master alchemist—perhaps one day he'll craft top-tier third-rank elixirs. If he does, please let us auction them!"

"Top-tier elixirs have special uses and immense value!"

"You know that, right?"

He Pingsheng said: "I know. My Master has crafted many top-tier elixirs before—if any more appear, I'll definitely offer them to your Hongyue Guild for auction!"

Top-tier elixirs are entirely different from ordinary elixirs.

That's just how extraordinary they are.

"Alright, it's settled!" After reaching agreement, Hongyue left immediately.

Ling Zhiwang did not leave right away.

He grinned at He Pingsheng. "I looked into that thing I mentioned last time."

"I've got news."

He Pingsheng's eyes lit up. "Really?"

The two were referring to the heavenly treasures needed to break through bottlenecks.

Ling Zhiwang said: "Look… I've compiled this."

As he spoke, he pulled out a sheet of paper and handed it to He Pingsheng. "Ten thousand li south of Hongshi City lies a sect called 【Daling Valley】. Inside it grows a tree bearing 【Xueyu Zipi Zao】 fruit—these can break through Foundation Establishment bottlenecks!"

"But the fruit on that tree won't mature for another twenty-eight years."

"The Xiaoyao Immortal Sect has another heavenly treasure: the Nanqi Tree, whose Nanqi Fruit can also break bottlenecks—but it'll take another thirty years."

"Then there's the Tan family of Luling, whose earth-borne Dilian roots won't mature for seventy-two years!"

…

Ling Zhiwang listed them off like a man reciting family heirlooms.

He Pingsheng looked grim. True, there were indeed many heavenly treasures capable of breaking Foundation Establishment bottlenecks.

But the closest one to maturity still had twenty-eight years to go.

That was the 【Xueyu Zipi Zao】 from Daling Valley.

Twenty-eight years!

Just wait.

And I've got two bottlenecks to break!

"Don't rush, younger brother!" Ling Zhiwang said. "These are all the most desperate, last-resort options. Our guild regularly receives consignments of such heavenly treasures for auction."

"Sometimes they even appear at Jiaoyi Society events."

"Just attend more of them."

"You're one of our VIPs—I'll notify you of every single Jiaoyi Society event from now on."

He Pingsheng had no choice.

Wait.

Fate can't be begged for.

After seeing off Ling Zhiwang, He Pingsheng returned to his seclusion.

He pulled out a dark, glossy crystal: Spear Intent Crystal.

He had two of them, and had never attempted to absorb them.

Now, he wanted to swallow one and see if he could grasp even a fragment of Spear Intent.

Just as he was about to consume the Spear Intent Crystal, Cheng Xiaohe's voice came from outside: "Master! Master! Come out quickly—someone's here for you again!"

He Pingsheng's face twisted in exasperation. "Being famous really does bring trouble."

"Not seeing anyone!" he snapped. "I'm in seclusion!"

Cheng Xiaohe stepped out from the cultivation ground.

A few breaths later, she returned. "Master, you must see this one—he says he's an old friend of yours, from Tianqiang Mountain's Mi family. His name is Mi Cangyuan."

Who?

Mi Cangyuan?

That old man who gave me 【Tianxiang Doukou】.

Alright… I must see him.

He Pingsheng hurried out of the cultivation ground and went to the front shop counter.

It was indeed Mi Cangyuan.

The man had white hair and white beard, and wore an entirely white robe.

He was white from head to toe.

Aside from his slightly ugly features, Mi Cangyuan's overall appearance was quite respectable.

"Young brother, we meet again…" Mi Cangyuan chuckled.

He Pingsheng quickly bowed. "Greetings, Senior Mi!"

"What may I do for you, Senior Mi?"

"I'm not here to teach you!" Mi Cangyuan's expression turned serious. "I'm here to beg you."

"Beg me?" He Pingsheng said. "I'm not worthy… Senior, please come inside."

He led Mi Cangyuan into the small courtyard.

The two sat down at a pavilion in the garden.

He Pingsheng asked: "Senior, whatever you need, just say it—I'll do my best."

"Thank you," Mi Cangyuan said. "I heard you have a Master who is an extraordinary alchemist—is that true?"

He Pingsheng said: "Er… yes."

"Senior Mi, are you seeking an elixir?"

"Yes," Mi Cangyuan nodded. "Young brother, have you heard of the 【Tianxiang Elixir】?"