https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-12-The-Grand-River-Market-Has-Its-Own-National-Character/12831351/
Chapter 11: Uncle, I Grew Up Under Your Watch!
Chapter 11: Uncle, I Grew Up Under Your Watch!
Let's put aside the story of a great cultivator who once fought valiantly, shaking the heavens and changing the winds.
Luo Chen, on the other hand, was truly reaping the benefits!
In the past, he only had one product: the Spirit Grain Pill. When customers came, it was all too obvious; there was no room for choice.
If they wanted it, they bought it; if they didn't, they left. There was hardly any room for haggling.
He couldn't even use the most common sales tactic of bundling products.
Unlike the old Taoist Chen, who could sell a high-priced Qi Concealment Talisman and, when a customer hesitated, offer, "That's the price, but I can throw in a Cleansing Talisman for free!"
Luo Chen had nothing to offer as an extra.
Now, he finally had a second product to showcase!
Well, not exactly. The Wondrous Pill, a low-level aphrodisiac, wasn't something he was particularly proud of, but it had its place.
Regardless, the sale of the first bottle of Wondrous Pills gave him hope for his future!
The price was a bit inflated—costing one Spirit Stone to make, he sold it for five.
But throughout history, anything related to aphrodisiacs, whether food, medicine, or exercise, has always remained popular.
Even in the world of cultivation, where personal power is paramount!
In fact, the situation was quite the opposite.
For low-level cultivators, especially those in the Qi Cultivation stage, the process of refining essence into qi is slow. They rely on external sources of chaotic spiritual energy, which they then refine, leading to slow progress.
This is why the market for spirit-infused rice, demon beast meat, and elixirs is so robust.
Additionally, with spiritual energy spreading throughout their bodies, low-level cultivators often struggle to control themselves. A slight provocation can easily lead to the loss of essence and qi.
To ensure the most efficient conversion of spiritual energy, many cultivation techniques include methods to lock in essence.
This is often referred to as "concealing the yin."
There are typically only two ways to address this issue.
One is for the cultivator to advance to the Foundation Establishment stage, where they gain spiritual awareness and can freely control the conversion of internal spiritual energy. From there, they grow stronger.
Otherwise, in the early stages, the continuous loss of essence and qi makes it impossible to climb the path to greatness.
The second solution is for a Qi Cultivation cultivator who has no hope of advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage to unlock the lower dantian and restore their vigor.
With the help of their accumulated spiritual energy, they can easily regain their strength.
This is why many cultivators who establish families and lineages are often those who have no hope of advancing further.
They know their limits and can't progress any further, so they return home to have children and enjoy life.
With the introduction of the Wondrous Pill, specifically designed for Qi Cultivation cultivators, the situation has been completely reversed.
The main ingredients of this elixir are Water Pearl Clams and Fire Hound Whips, which have the effect of balancing water and fire.
After consuming it, the cultivator can slightly activate the contained spiritual energy to greatly enhance their vigor without unlocking the lower dantian!
This is why Luo Chen was determined to refine this elixir, no matter what!
It wasn't because he had a personal need for it!
It was because there was a massive demand for it!
Luo Chen was addressing the urgent needs and desires of the cultivator community.
If he were on Earth, he would be a small Song Jiang, known as the Timely Rain!
When the second bottle of Wondrous Pills sold for five Spirit Stones, the old Taoist Chen's expression changed.
He compared his Qi Concealment Talisman, which cost at least three Spirit Stones, with the elegant little jade bottle.
Muttering to himself:
"This shouldn't be!"
"My Qi Concealment Talisman is made with the blood of a three-colored earth dragon and a scentless field mouse, costing at least two Spirit Stones. Could the Wondrous Pill really cost more?"
"Or do male cultivators value that aspect of their abilities more than something that could save their lives in a critical moment?"
Luo Chen didn't bother to explain.
Even when the Spirit Grain Pills were sold out, leaving only the Wondrous Pills on his stall, he remained there.
Today, he was determined to poach as many of the old Taoist Chen's customers as possible.
Whenever a cultivator came to buy a talisman, he would grab them and whisper:
"Brother, are you interested in the Wondrous Pill?"
Of course, not everyone was interested.
Those with strong wills and a focus on the path of cultivation rejected him outright.
How could they waste their thoughts on such pleasures?
Such pests would never amount to anything!
Those with strong pride would leave in a huff.
"Do I look like someone who needs that kind of medicine?"
However, most cultivators showed clear interest.
Especially after Luo Chen repeated the story of Master Yunzhonghe using the Wondrous Pill to battle a fourth-stage Beast King.
Everyone was generous, eager to emulate the style of their predecessors.
By the afternoon, Lucas Chen had finally sold out all of his Wonders Pills.
He gave a bag of spicy beef jerky to Elder Charles Chen, who sat to the side, and Lucas Chen began to chew on the jerky while calculating his earnings for the day.
First, he sold twenty bottles of Abstinence Pills. The market was stable, and he earned four spirit stones in total.
Then came the new product, the Wonders Pills. He sold ten bottles for forty-six spirit stones.
The reason it wasn’t fifty was that he slightly lowered the price on a few bottles to open up the market.
New products always need some discounts to attract customers.
After finishing his calculations, Lucas Chen couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
His savings had finally reached the fifty-spirit-stone mark again!
This was enough to start another batch of Wonders Pills.
However, before his proficiency with Wonders Pills reached a significant level, his production rate would likely remain low.
With his current income, he couldn’t afford the regular cultivation practices for his five-elemental aptitude.
To increase production, there was only one way forward.
Expand production!
But expanding production meant higher costs and more spirit stones.
Where would he get the spirit stones?
“Lucas Daoist, may I ask, how much does it cost to produce your Wonders Pills?”
“You know it’s impolite to ask!” Lucas Chen said without looking up.
Elder Charles Chen gave an awkward laugh but, being thick-skinned, didn’t get upset.
Mainly, he had seen Lucas Chen’s earnings clearly while sitting nearby.
Fifty spirit stones!
That was what Lucas Chen used to earn from selling two hundred and fifty bottles of Abstinence Pills.
He knew it was impolite to ask about someone’s business secrets, and seeing Lucas Chen’s reluctance, he didn’t intend to press further.
But before he could back off, Lucas Chen leaned in.
“Uncle Charles,”
“Hmm?”
He’s calling me Uncle again!
“I’ve grown up watching you, no, you’ve watched me grow up. You know exactly how many spirit stones I have. You must have some idea of the cost of Wonders Pills.”
Lucas Chen spoke sincerely, his tone heartfelt.
“I can’t tell you the exact cost, but as long as you keep it to yourself, I can share a secret with you. There’s a trick to selling at a high price!”
Elder Charles Chen’s face showed hesitation as he recalled Lucas Chen’s operations for the day.
He was thoughtful, but still didn’t quite get it.
This was the difference between a Transdimensional Traveler (a person from a modern, information-saturated world) and a native elder.
Even after watching someone operate, they still couldn’t understand the underlying reasons.
“I can tell you this trick, but can you do me a favor, little Lucas?”
“A favor?” Elder Charles Chen looked at Lucas Chen with a hint of suspicion, his left eye twitching involuntarily. “Let’s be clear, I can help, but I won’t lend you any spirit stones!”
Lucas Chen grabbed his sleeve and shook it, his face showing a look of earnest pleading.
“Uncle Charles, in this cold world of cultivation, you’re the only elder I have!”
“Lucas Daoist, please have some respect!”
“Uncle! Just fifty spirit stones, and they’re low-grade. Just lend them to me once! I’ll pay you back in no more than half a month!”
“Whew, you really have the nerve to ask!”
“Uncle, you saw how much I earned today. I have the means to pay you back. You have to trust me!”
Lucas Chen grabbed Elder Charles Chen’s rough, thick hand, “Uncle, trust me! Besides, don’t you want to know how to sell your talismans at a higher price?”
Elder Charles Chen was a bit moved.
“To be honest, every time I see the talismans you pour your heart and soul into being sold for just a few spirit stones, it feels like a knife in my heart.”
“They underestimate your talisman-making skills, and they’re underestimating me, little Lucas!”
“Uncle, trust me. Lend me the spirit stones, and I’ll help you sell your talismans at a high price. We’ll become successful and create a glorious future!”
Gulp!
Elder Charles Chen swallowed hard, his wrinkled face looking at little Lucas with deep emotion.
“Really?”
“Fifty spirit stones isn’t much. You won’t lose anything by lending them to me!”
“Alright, here you go! I’m a Sixth Stage Qi Cultivator, I doubt you’ll dare to default!”
Lucas Chen quickly took the handful of spirit stones, put them in his small bag, and tied the string tightly, stuffing it into the deepest part of his inner lining.
Elder Charles Chen turned away, unable to bear the sight.
Those were his spirit stones!
“Alright, you can tell me now.”
“Elder Charles, do you know what Brand Value is?”
(End of Chapter)
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