https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-77-The-Art-of-Exorbitant-Demands-and-Grounded-Bargains/12831551/
Chapter 76: The Bright Moon Gathering
Chapter 76: The Bright Moon Gathering
Ten days isn't a long time, but it's not short either.
During these ten days, Luo Chen focused entirely on his daily cultivation of the Eternal Spring Technique and consuming two Qi Nourishing Pills. He put aside all other matters.
He didn't practice any spells, engage in combat, or visit anyone outside.
Qin Liangchen and the others only saw Luo Chen shut himself in his house, tinkering with something.
Occasionally, there would be a few explosions.
They didn't know what Luo Chen was doing, but the restless atmosphere within the Broken Mountain Gang grew more intense.
They were forming a Pill Hall!
This was undoubtedly a monumental event!
Throughout history, among the four major arts of cultivation—pills, formations, artifacts, and talismans—pill refining has always been the most prestigious.
It's difficult to learn, requires strict cultivation conditions, and demands significant investment.
Even if a genuine alchemist is successfully trained, without a suitable mainstay pill, they often can only meet internal needs and cannot generate external profits.
Therefore, only sects and major families have been able to cultivate alchemists and establish Pill Halls.
Some large cultivation families would try to cultivate one or two alchemists if they found a family member with alchemy talent.
Famous alchemists almost never come from solitary cultivators; they all hail from major sects and families.
Now, the gang leader has revealed that the Broken Mountain Gang is about to form a Pill Hall.
What does this mean?
It means that Uncle Mi Huahua has somehow recruited an alchemist!
An alchemist!
If they have an alchemist in the gang, the pills they refine will naturally be prioritized for internal use.
If the pills are related to cultivation, that would be even better.
Even if they aren't, as long as they can be sold, everyone will benefit to some extent.
In short, once the Broken Mountain Gang establishes a Pill Hall, its future development will only improve.
When newcomers hesitate about joining, the presence of an alchemist within the gang can solidify their decision.
Thus, during this period, anything related to forming the Pill Hall was almost always approved without any resistance.
A new hall was rapidly taking shape, with its own territory, personnel, magical artifacts, and even supply channels.
Ten days later, Luo Chen emerged from his seclusion.
Dusty and with bloodshot eyes, his once handsome face now looked quite haggard.
Even the hem of his Daoist robe was singed.
Seeing this, Murong Qinglian asked with concern, "Are you okay? Why did you push yourself so hard?"
"It's nothing. Just some setbacks and failures that are part of the alchemy process."
Luo Chen waved his hand, looking at the three people waiting outside and estimating the time.
"Is it today?"
"Yes, it's today."
Luo Chen's lips curved into a smile. "Then let's go!"
This was Luo Chen's second visit to the Broken Mountain Gang's headquarters.
Apart from the first celebration banquet, he had mostly been to the Slanted Moon Valley.
The Medicine Hall was located there, and it was rumored that the Pill Hall was also being built in the Slanted Moon Valley.
The gang's explanation for not building the Pill Hall at the headquarters was that the Slanted Moon Valley was safer and more suitable for alchemy.
Luo Chen didn't comment on this.
He let them handle the initial matters.
But now, it was time for the nitty-gritty details.
When they entered the Bright Moon Hall, almost everyone had gathered from outside.
This was Luo Chen's first time facing all the important members of the Broken Mountain Gang.
The four elders, Wang Yuan, Qin Liangchen, Luo Wudi, and Sikong Shoujia.
The eight hall leaders: the ailing tiger Zeng Wen of the Combat Hall, the dragon coiled tiger Yang Wei of the Combat Hall, Luo Wudi who also held an elder position. Murong Qinglian of the Medicine Hall, Ke Yuelin of the Beast Hall, Zhang Shicong of the Mining Hall, Mi Junping of the Merit Hall, and the newly appointed leader of the Loach Hall, Wang Yuan.
If the upcoming Pill Hall and its leader, himself, were included, these eleven people would become the highest-ranking and most powerful figures in the Broken Mountain Gang.
Of course, above these eleven was the highest-ranking and most powerful cultivator, Foundation Establishment cultivator Mi Huahua.
The originally noisy Bright Moon Hall instantly quieted down when Luo Chen and his group entered.
"Ha! Let's welcome the Pill Hall leader, Alchemist Luo Chen!"
With a hearty laugh, Mi Huahua stood up first.
The others also rose, showing the utmost respect to Luo Chen.
Luo Chen smiled and bowed to each of them, his eyes carefully noting everyone's expressions.
Wang Yuan's furrowed brow, the friendly Qin Liangchen couple, Zeng Wen's winking.
Yang Wei of the Combat Hall's scrutinizing gaze, Zhang Shicong of the Mining Hall.
Luo Wudi's and Sikong Shoujia's skeptical expressions, and Ke Yuelin of the Beast Hall.
Mi Junping of the Merit Hall showed no change in expression, standing quietly beside Mi Huahua.
The various expressions were diverse, but none of them were unfriendly.
In the absence of direct conflict, anyone would be friendly to an alchemist.
With just one glance, Luo Chen felt more confident.
"Little Luo's meager alchemy skills are truly not worthy of such high praise. Today, I am truly humbled by everyone's attention and effort."
He modestly offered these words, but his actions were natural as he sat down in the last chair.
Seeing this, Mi Huahua nodded slightly, indicating that Luo Chen had provisionally accepted his new identity.
He gestured for everyone to sit down and then began the meeting.
"The Pill Hall must be built; it cannot be avoided."
"Think about it, two thousand brothers in the Broken Mountain Gang, hungry and cold, practicing only by sitting in meditation, unable to even afford a single Qi Nourishing Pill."
"So, a complete Broken Mountain Gang must have a Pill Hall. A Broken Mountain Gang with an alchemist is truly a great place for cultivation!"
"Without a Pill Hall, how are we any different from a mere band of outlaws?"
"Though we are starting from scratch, even a sparrow has all its organs. Only by being complete can we go further!"
Everyone listened with smiling faces to these familiar words.
Over the years, they had grown accustomed to Old Man Mi's speaking style.
They knew the real talk always came after the pleasantries.
"Little Luo, I am very confident in entrusting the Pill Hall to you.
After all, you are a genius who can refine mid-grade elixirs. You are bound to make a name for yourself in the Jade Peak Domain!"
Even though everyone had known this news for a while, they still couldn't help but feel a deep admiration.
Those were mid-grade elixirs, not bought from the market, but refined by your own hands.
Luo Chen quickly waved his hands, "Leader, the mid-grade elixirs I refine are just a matter of practice. I don't deserve the title of an elixir refinement genius."
Uncle Mi smiled kindly.
"Practice is a different matter. You were able to refine mid-grade elixirs on your own. With the full support of the Broken Mountain Gang, refining high-grade elixirs will be a breeze."
Luo Chen pouted, "But the elixirs I refine don't really benefit cultivation!"
Uncle Mi still maintained his warm smile.
"How can they not benefit? Your Fasting Powder allows the brothers in the gang to hunt demonic beasts and gather heavenly materials with peace of mind. Your All-Wonder Pill is a marvel, selling for a large sum of spirit stones, which the brothers can use to buy magical artifacts and elixirs."
Luo Chen's face turned bitter. "Spirit stones are hard to earn, and cultivation is even harder! After so many years of effort, I'm still only at the Fifth Level of Qi Refinement, struggling to make ends meet."
"Don't worry about that!" Uncle Mi waved his hand, "As the head of the Elixir Hall, the gang will provide you with a bottle of Qi Nourishing Elixir every month, ensuring you have no worries about your cultivation!"
One bottle of Qi Nourishing Elixir is worth a hundred low-grade spirit stones.
This treatment was far better than what the maids and servants in the city's major shops received.
The only ones who might match this were the female cultivators at the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion, who earned their living through their skills.
Luo Chen sighed, "Unfortunately, I have a five-element defective constitution. A bottle of Qi Nourishing Elixir might not have much effect."
Are you kidding me? I can refine two Qi Nourishing Elixirs a day now.
If you give me a bottle a month, that's only enough for five days. Who are you trying to fool?
Uncle Mi's expression faltered.
Elder Sikong Shoujia, who was standing beside him, smiled and said, "One bottle might be a bit too little. How about two bottles? If you use them sparingly, it should last the whole month."
He then looked at Luo Chen with a kind expression.
"Little Luo, as a wandering cultivator, you probably couldn't afford many Qi Nourishing Elixirs in a month. Two bottles are quite generous!"
This must be the limit! Luo Chen thought. But that's not the main issue.
He bowed to Elder Sikong. "Elder Sikong, I am grateful. I have no objections to this arrangement!"
With these words, not only Elder Sikong and Uncle Mi, but everyone else also breathed a sigh of relief.
Two bottles of Qi Nourishing Elixir a month was nothing to these Ninth Level Qi Refinement experts.
"Little Luo, if you have any concerns, feel free to speak up," Uncle Mi said. "We won't let you suffer for refining elixirs for the gang."
"Suffer?"
"I'm not suffering!"
"I'm just worried about everyone else!" Luo Chen said with deep concern.
Everyone was taken aback, even Qin Liangchen, who knew Luo Chen's plan, was stunned.
What are we suffering from? With the addition of the Elixir Hall, the gang will have a stable source of income. This is much safer than scavenging in the mountains.
Everyone would be overjoyed, not suffering.
In front of everyone, Luo Chen looked tragic, touching his chest. "Little Luo has poor aptitude and will likely never break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, living no more than 121 years. A passing sage once said I have a weak constitution and will only live to be 60 or 70 at most."
"Ah!"
"This—"
"Impossible!"
"You look pretty healthy, though. Uh, maybe not very healthy. Did you not sleep well last night?"
Luo Chen's bloodshot eyes and haggard appearance didn't exactly exude health. There was a hint of truth to the idea that he might have a short life.
"So, Luo Chen, are you thinking of writing a will?"
The speaker was Ke Yuelin, the head of the Beast Hall and Qin Liangchen's sworn brother.
Luo Chen's face stiffened. "You write a will, and your whole family should write one too."
He reined in his exaggerated emotions and said seriously, "I need something to extend my lifespan, whether it's a heavenly material, an elixir, or even a cultivation technique."
Everyone fell silent at his words.
Luo Chen, not backing down, continued, "The Eastern Wasteland has a vast range of mountains, rich in resources. There must be something that can extend one's lifespan. I know that three years ago, our gang found a Six-Leaf Heavenly Emperor Lotus."
A Six-Leaf Heavenly Emperor Lotus adds sixty years to one's lifespan, with each leaf adding ten years.
Uncle Mi blinked. "That was just a rumor. It was actually only a Two-Leaf Lotus. And when we got it, it was sold at a high price to two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Spirit Medicine Pavilion and the Hundred Herbs Hall."
"Whatever happened in the past is irrelevant. If we encounter such a resource in the future, I must have priority."
Luo Chen clapped his hands and stood up.
Looking at his tall and sturdy figure, everyone remained silent.
This was not a request to be made lightly.
Lifespan-extending resources were incredibly valuable.
To high-level cultivators with urgent needs, they were priceless, far beyond the value of spirit stones.
Uncle Mi's extra Foundation Establishment Pill was rumored to have been obtained in exchange for that Two-Leaf Lotus.
You, a mere Fifth Level Qi Refinement cultivator, have the audacity to make such a request?
Gradually, some people's expressions turned hostile.
To be frank, they hadn't seen the profits from the Elixir Hall yet, so they couldn't make such substantial promises.
After a long pause, Uncle Mi said softly, "We'll discuss this matter later. Little Luo, you are in your prime. Who knows, you might still break through to Foundation Establishment and extend your lifespan by two centuries."
He added, "Young man, have ambition. Don't lose faith in the path of cultivation."
Old man, you're no good!
I'll believe it when I see it.
Luo Chen's face was filled with sorrow as he stood up, making sure everyone could see him.
"Fine, I was being unrealistic and causing everyone trouble."
"Then let me make another unreasonable request, and I hope everyone will consider it."
Under everyone's gaze, he said heavily, "I want half of the profits from the elixirs I refine!"
(End of Chapter)
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