Immortality Begins With The Alchemical Master Chapter 244: A War Without Gunpowder - Novel Cool

Chapter 244: A War Without Gunpowder

Chapter 244: A War Without Gunpowder

Within the cold and desolate cave mansion, Luo Chen sat upright on an ice chair, holding his breath and focusing his mind.

The solemnity of his demeanor was not without reason.

Sitting directly opposite him was a powerful Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator, Tan Tai Jin, a late-stage master.

The formidable cultivation of the late Foundation Establishment Stage was not concealed, creating an immense sense of oppression.

Suddenly, the oppressive aura dissipated.

The sharp-featured, handsome female cultivator, with an air of masculinity, fixed her cold gaze upon Luo Chen.

"Did you refine this Jade Dew Pill?"

Luo Chen exhaled in relief and nodded slightly, "Indeed, it is my creation."

Tan Tai Jin toyed with the jade bottle in her hand.

"You're not just here to sell the Jade Dew Pill, are you?"

Luo Chen's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained calm, "Fellow Daoist, what do you mean by that?"

Tan Tai Jin's face was as cold as ice, revealing no change in expression.

"If you're only selling the Jade Dew Pill, even though the market isn't that big, it's still manageable in the vast Heavenly Wave Immortal City."

"You sought out the Ice Fortress, probably because you've just advanced to the Foundation Establishment Stage, and your pill refinement skills are not yet proficient, resulting in low production."

"Instead of exchanging for spirit stones to recoup your costs, you'd rather maximize its value."

"So, using the Ice Fortress' reputation to conduct business is your primary objective."

"Am I right, Pill Dust Master?"

Luo Chen's eyebrows twitched.

He hadn't expected the other party to understand his intentions so thoroughly.

The last words, "Pill Dust Master," were clearly the result of a deliberate investigation into his background.

It seemed that over the past three months, they had indeed put in some effort. With this realization, Luo Chen saw no need to hide anything.

"As you've guessed, Fellow Daoist Tan, I do have such intentions."

Tan Tai Jin was surprised that Luo Chen was so open after having his thoughts exposed.

However, since the conversation had started, there was no need to beat around the bush.

"Borrowing the Ice Fortress' reputation is not an easy matter."

Luo Chen smiled faintly, "I understand that, which is why I'm being very sincere."

"Let's talk about your sincerity."

"For the next ten years, the Jade Dew Pill will be exclusively supplied to the Ice Fortress, especially for Fellow Daoist Tan."

"After ten years, within a hundred years, the Jade Dew Pill may be sold externally, but the Ice Fortress will still have the priority to purchase in bulk."

"Regarding the price, I promise it will never increase. The inferior grade Jade Dew Pill will be sold for only 500 spirit stones per bottle!"

Currently, the market price for second-stage pills related to cultivation is over 500 spirit stones, sometimes even reaching 600 or more.

Moreover, there is a clear upward trend in prices.

Most importantly, the Jade Dew Pill is different from ordinary cultivation pills. For the Ice Fortress, where female cultivators predominate and water and ice-based cultivation is the norm, the price is even higher than that of all other second-stage pills.

In this situation, if there is a bulk supply of Jade Dew Pills, the Ice Fortress is willing to pay a high price.

600 spirit stones?

No! They are even willing to offer 700 or 800 spirit stones!

Luo Chen's promise of 500 spirit stones per bottle, with a guarantee of no price increase, is a clear demonstration of his sincerity. Especially since he learned from Tai Bai Wine Shop's exclusive spirit wine supply to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, he decided to supply the Jade Dew Pill exclusively to the Ice Fortress.

This gesture is quite pleasing.

It's worth noting that in the Jade Cauldron Region, there are other sects dominated by female cultivators besides the Ice Fortress, like the Hundred Flowers Palace, which boasts three thousand female cultivators.

With such sincerity, Luo Chen expects the other party to be satisfied.

Unexpectedly, Tan Tai Jin replied, "Not enough!"

"Hmm?" Luo Chen's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"I don't want ten years," Tan Tai Jin said indifferently. "A hundred years! For a hundred years, the Jade Dew Pill can only be exclusively supplied to the Ice Fortress. If I find any leaks..."

"A hundred years it is!"

Before she could finish, Luo Chen agreed without hesitation.

Tan Tai Jin looked deeply into Luo Chen's eyes and nodded slightly.

"Senior Sister, see the guest out," Elder Shi Bo Ying, who had been silent, stood up.

Luo Chen bowed to Tan Tai Jin and followed the elderly woman out.

Only after leaving the cave mansion did the bone-chilling cold gradually dissipate.

"Fellow Daoist Shi, you've truly helped me this time," Luo Chen said as he handed over a jade bottle.

Shi Bo Ying was taken aback but subconsciously accepted the bottle.

She wanted to decline, but upon realizing it was the Jade Dew Pill, she silently kept it.

A faint smile appeared on her aged face.

"It's not a trouble, just a routine task that benefits the sect."

"This item is yours."

A snowflake-shaped magical tool landed in Luo Chen's hand.

He couldn't help but carefully examine it.

The grade wasn't exceptionally high, but it contained an incredibly unique and extreme coldness, causing those who touched it to feel an icy chill.

"This is the emblem of my Ice Fortress. You can imprint it on your shop to signify that you are under the Ice Fortress's patronage."

"It's hard to say about the future, but as long as it's the Ice Fortress's turn to manage Heavenly Wave Immortal City, no one will dare to cause you trouble."

"Even if other sects take over the management in the future, they will likely give you some face."

For once, Elder Shi Bo Ying spoke at length.

Hearing her words, Luo Chen's heart, which had been weighed down by a heavy stone, finally settled.

With this, the Luo Tianhui had truly established its roots in Heavenly Wave Immortal City.

They had their own business.

Their own strength included two to three Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

They also had a powerful backer.

Missing any one of these was unacceptable!

Next, they could start conducting business on a large scale and earn Spirit Stones for cultivation.

Luo Chen thanked her.

Then, he discussed with her the annual supply of Jade Dew Pills, when the payment would be made, and other trivial matters.

Only then did this matter come to a close.

"Fellow Daoist, please take your time. I won't see you off."

"Yes, farewell!"

Watching Luo Chen's graceful figure as he departed on his cloud, Elder Shi Bo Ying tightly gripped the jade bottle in her hand, feeling a bit uneasy.

She had lived in the Ice Fortress for a long time.

This time, it was because of her advanced age and the shortage of personnel during the Ice Fortress's management of Heavenly Wave City that she had gone out to handle miscellaneous tasks for the sect.

All along, she had never encountered such a... "bribery" matter.

To be honest, this feeling was quite peculiar.

She carefully put away the jade bottle and adjusted her mindset before returning to her cave mansion.

"Did you reach an agreement?"

A cold voice echoed.

Elder Shi Bo Ying's heart skipped a beat, and she respectfully replied, "Yes, we did. Luo Chen is indeed not yet proficient in refining the Jade Dew Pill. So, in the next few years, the supply of pills may be unstable, with a maximum of no more than five bottles per year."

If outsiders heard this, they would probably find it laughable.

Was a transaction of just five pills worth such seriousness from both parties?

But only the two parties involved knew what it implied.

If he's not proficient and can still provide five bottles a year, then what about when he becomes proficient?

Ten bottles, a hundred bottles?

Or even more!

That was why Tan Tai Jin had extended the special supply period to a hundred years.

This long period was enough for Luo Chen to improve his proficiency, and she could also gain ample benefits during this time.

It was only when Elder Shi Bo Ying was outside that she realized the implications.

Although she was old, in this aspect, she hadn't thought as far ahead as Tan Tai Jin.

"Five bottles? It's not far off from my estimation."

Tan Tai Jin glanced at Elder Shi Bo Ying, "There's no need to report this matter to the sect. The quantity is too small, and it might not only fail to earn merit but also cause unnecessary trouble."

Elder Shi Bo Ying was surprised.

Then she quickly understood.

He wanted to intercept this batch of pills for his own cultivation!

Even if it was an Inferior Grade Jade Dew Pill, for female cultivators, its effects far surpassed those of the Middle Grade Harmonious Qi Pill provided by the Medicine King Sect.

With the aid of these pills, he might soon advance to the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment!

After agreeing to this matter, she curiously asked about another thing.

"Why not recruit this person into our Ice Fortress?"

The Ice Fortress was a major Golden Core sect dominated by female cultivators.

However, this didn't mean there were no male cultivators within.

Some male cultivators suitable for practicing the Ice Fortress's techniques were also accepted into the sect.

Most of the time, they were sent out after achieving some success in their cultivation to specifically manage various industries for the sect.

Moreover, there were also powerful female cultivators within the sect who had formed Daoist pairs and resided in the Ice Fortress.

Since Luo Chen could refine the Jade Dew Pill, which could assist the female cultivators of the Ice Fortress, according to common sense, he should be recruited...

Facing the other party's cold gaze, Elder Shi Bo Ying suddenly realized.

If they recruited him now, wouldn't it be like sharing Luo Chen's resources with other sect members?

Seemingly sensing her inner doubts, Tan Tai Jin coldly said, "This time is different from that time. In the current situation, our sect will not easily recruit outside loose cultivators."

"Especially someone like Luo Chen, who is from the Grand Canal City and has ambiguous relations with the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect."

Elder Shi Bo Ying nodded.

Suddenly, she caught a piece of information from the other party's words.

"Jade Cauldron Sword Sect?"

"Could it be that my Ice Fortress has formed an alliance with the Falling Cloud Sect?"

"Be cautious with your words!" Tan Tai Jin reprimanded lightly, then continued indifferently, "Elder Sister, some things are better left unspoken, no need to spread them around."

Elder Shi Bo Ying took a deep breath and nodded heavily.

Indeed, such matters couldn't be casually discussed outside.

Currently, the situation in the Jade Cauldron Region was that the Falling Cloud Sect had formed an alliance with Ailao Mountain and Qingdan Valley to oppose the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect and the Flame Alliance.

The former boasts a grand presence, while the latter has a profound foundation.

If Ice Fortress hastily announces its intentions, it could easily invite significant trouble.

It's better to proceed discreetly.

However, with the addition of Ice Fortress, Falling Cloud Sect will have the combined strength of three sects, significantly increasing their chances of victory.

"If Falling Cloud Sect succeeds, will Ice Fortress no longer be confined to that bitter cold land?"

...

Luo Chen was unaware of the reason why Sword Sect had eagerly pursued Ice Fortress, only to find it gradually leaning towards Falling Cloud Sect.

He only knew that after arriving in Heavenly Wave Immortal City, the uneasiness that had been weighing on his mind had finally dissipated with the acquisition of the Ice Fortress emblem.

"Hey!"

"Now we also have a powerful backer."

Luo Chen didn't hesitate.

He immediately left the city and headed straight for Luo Tianhui.

A meeting was convened upon Luo Chen's arrival.

"Jade Marrow Pills can now be sold in large quantities!"

A simple statement, yet it stirred everyone's emotions.

Sima Huiwang curiously asked, "President, have you resolved the pressure from the upper echelons?"

A snowflake-shaped magical tool appeared in the center of the hall.

Luo Chen infused his spirit energy, and the snowflake slowly started spinning.

"Ice Fortress!"

"Ice Fortress!"

Exclamations of surprise came from several cultivators in the hall.

Luo Chen waved his hand, and the magical tool landed in Sima Huiwang's hands.

"Imprint this emblem on our Luo Tianhui flag, and we won't encounter any trouble in our future business."

Everyone exchanged glances.

They never expected that Luo Chen would resolve the biggest problem in such a short time.

The Ice Fortress emblem!

This meant that Luo Tianhui had successfully ingratiated themselves with Ice Fortress, becoming their subordinate force. Perhaps it wasn't that formal.

But at the very least, it would spare Luo Tianhui from the various difficulties they might face in future business dealings.

Sima Huiwang took a deep breath and said solemnly, "I'll implement it immediately."

Not only would she be busy, but the cultivators in Luo Tianhui's Battle Hall and Treasure Hall would also have to start working hard.

If the busiest time for pill refining was in the Pill Hall and Medicine Hall, then when it came to selling pills, it was time for the Treasure Hall and Battle Hall to shine.

Now, there was only one issue left to consider.

"President, what's the price for the Jade Marrow Pills?" Gu Caiyi asked.

Luo Chen didn't hesitate, "Intermediate Jade Marrow Pills will be sold at forty spirit stones per bottle, and Superior Jade Marrow Pills will be priced at eighty-five spirit stones per bottle."

Hearing this price, Gu Caiyi almost blurted out,

"So low?"

Not only her, but everyone else in the hall was also incredulous.

They knew that the usual prices for Jade Marrow Pills were fifty spirit stones for intermediate quality and ninety for superior quality.

With the ongoing war, raw material prices were rising.

Instead of following the market trend, they were lowering their prices.

This...

Facing the general disbelief, Luo Chen calmly explained, "We need to use low prices to break into the market and squeeze out the low-level cultivation pill market, except for Qi Cultivation Pills and Yellow Dragon Pills."

"Once we establish our market share, we can gradually increase the prices."

"This is a war, and only those who survive will earn spirit stones."

"Do you understand?"

A price war!

It was a simple business concept.

But for cultivators who valued their interests above all else, giving up profits was more painful than death.

Many people, even if they understood this principle, were still unwilling to lower their prices.

Luo Chen, of course, was also reluctant.

However, he knew that only by securing a substantial market share could they maximize profits.

Moreover, with Luo Chen's pill refinement success rate and cost control, even at forty and eighty-five spirit stones, Luo Tianhui could still turn a profit.

So, a price war was something he was least afraid of.

"Luo Tianhui needs this war!"

"Only by occupying the low-level pill market of small families and sects can we talk about the future."

"This war will be no less significant than the Little Heavenly Circle Mountain Battle."

"Everyone, brace yourselves!"

"Winning this war will secure our future cultivation resources!"

Each sentence was like a spell, stirring up their desires.

Perhaps there were initial doubts.

But Luo Chen's journey had been marked by deep strategic thinking, and every decision he made was the right one.

Everyone had long placed their trust in him.

After his explanation, everyone's hearts were filled with motivation.

"We're not just selling pills; we're fighting an invisible war."

"Only by winning can we secure our future and abundant cultivation resources!"

(End of Chapter)

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