The shopkeeper stayed by his side, wearing a grim smile, "Most Soul Masters are solitary and aloof, preferring to work alone."
"Whether he shows up or not depends entirely on his mood."
*In his heart, he was quite anxious.*
If that Soul Master arrived, the Chen Family, with access to the Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid, would undoubtedly outshine the Qin Family.
But if the Soul Master didn't show up, the showcase would turn into a one-man show for the Qin Family. The year ahead would grow increasingly difficult for the Chen Family.
The shopkeeper's worry deepened as whispers circulated about the Qin Family's treasure appearing to awaken greater potential.
It was said Qin Changsheng had successfully refined a bottle of Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid.
Although the efficiency was just one percent, the news, if spread, would be sensational.
The Chen Family's only way out was to latch onto that Soul Master's influence.
At that moment.
Jiang Fan walked to the center of the two exhibition platforms.
He glanced at Qin Changsheng, who was vividly explaining the Low-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid.
Qin Changsheng noticed him too, curling his lips into a mocking smile, "The young man down there, everyone knows him, right? Jiang Fan, the future son-in-law of the Xu Family!"
"He foolishly competed with Young Master Lu Zheng, and as a result, I revoked his purchasing rights for the Low-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid!"
"He panicked and, desperate for a bottle of Low-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid, sought help from the Chen Family's Treasure Pavilion in vain."
"By now, he's likely lost the competition and been ousted by the Xu Mansion, correct?"
"All for one bottle of Qi Cultivation Liquid—he lost his wife. None of you would want to end up like him, would you?"
"So, buy while you can. When you no longer qualify to purchase, you won't be able to purchase at all!"
The live demonstration instantly drove the Martial Artists who had been observing to flock towards the Qin Family's booth.
Within moments, several hundred bottles were sold.
Qin Changsheng grinned from ear to ear as he quipped, "Young Master Jiang, you're the epitome of a cautionary tale—far more effective than anything I could ever say a hundred or a thousand times."
"Why not come to my Qin Family? Stand at our store's doorway and recount the story of how you lost your wife over a bottle of Low-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid. It'd surely drive our sales sky-high."
*Listening to the taunts, Jiang Fan displayed a playful smile. He picked up a brush and wrote, "Qin Family Head, you're laughing too soon."*
Qin Changsheng let out a hearty laugh, "You guessed right! I have even better news to announce—it'll be worth laughing about later!"
*Jiang Fan's smile deepened as he wrote, "Let's see if you can keep laughing until the end."*
After finishing his words, he turned and walked into an alley.
Qin Changsheng scoffed dismissively, "What are you? Thinking you could laugh at my Qin Family? Better look at the caliber of the people we're collaborating with!"
"A Ninth-grade Spirit Root—a future peerless expert!"
Little did he know.
Soon after, a mysterious figure emerged from the alley, draped in a thick, long robe and wearing a mask.
This person would become a nightmare for him and the entire Qin Family!
Jiang Fan climbed the stairs to the Chen Family's exhibition platform.
Chen Silin was pacing back and forth when she caught sight of a looming black shadow. She furrowed her brows slightly and asked, "Who are you?"
The shopkeeper also turned to look. With just one glance, he recognized the attire, and his heart began racing wildly as he stammered, "M-Miss, it's him, it's him!"
*Chen Silin's heart trembled slightly but quickly approached and bowed respectfully, "Siling greets Senior!"*
The shopkeeper hurried to introduce, "Senior, this is the young lady of the Chen Family, tasked with managing family affairs on behalf of her father."
Jiang Fan showed no interest in Chen Family matters.
Speaking in a muffled voice, he asked, "How much Qi Cultivation Liquid can you afford to buy?"
*Chen Silin hid her joy internally.*
*So, this Soul Master truly intended to cooperate with the Chen Family!*
Her eyes subtly turned, and she replied, "Our Chen Family has prepared ten thousand taels of silver."
"At market price, we can afford ten bottles of Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid."
Hearing this, Jiang Fan frowned.
*He didn't have any Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid; he only had Top-grade.*
Chen Silin, having received no response for a long time, assumed her prepared funds weren't sufficient and had displeased him. She said:
"Senior may not know; our Chen Family offers ten thousand taels of silver for your Qi Cultivation Liquid—a fair price indeed."
"Across the way, the Qin Family has already refined Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid. As our two families compete in the future, sale prices will surely fall below ten thousand taels of silver."
"We're taking a loss for the sake of publicity."
Jiang Fan replied flatly, "I don't sell Mid-grade."
Huh?
*Chen Silin glanced at the shopkeeper as if to ask, 'Did you not explain this Soul Master's demands clearly?'*
*Not selling Mid-grade—did that mean Low-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid?*
*Low-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid wasn't nearly impactful enough to elevate the Chen Family's reputation.*
The shopkeeper, drenched in sweat, was frantic. He swore he'd requested the Soul Master to provide Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid for an on-site sale!
At that moment.
Jiang Fan silently took out a bottle, placing it in his palm, and said, "This is all I'll sell."
Chen Silin and the shopkeeper looked at it simultaneously.
Chen Silin managed to maintain her composure but couldn't suppress the contraction of her pupils.
Refining Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid vs. refining Top-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid were worlds apart.
The former required a First Grade Soul Master.
The latter demanded at least a Second Grade Soul Master.
And across the entire Green Cloud Sect, there was only one Second Grade Soul Master!
*She couldn't fathom the stature of the man before her.*
The shopkeeper, on the other hand, exclaimed outright, "Top-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid!"
"Senior, are you saying you're willing to sell this to us?"
Jiang Fan asked calmly, "Are you not interested in acquiring it?"
The shopkeeper hurriedly replied, "No, no, of course we want it!"
*This was Top-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid!*
*Forget Lonely Boat City—even the surrounding cities had never seen such top-tier Spiritual Medicine!*
*With this, the Chen Family could skyrocket to prominence, overtaking the Qin Family's market share and establishing itself as Lonely Boat City's leading Medicine-Refining Family.*
*As for the Qin Family's Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid? It paled in comparison.*
But the shopkeeper couldn't help but feel apprehensive as he asked, "Senior, how much do you wish to sell each bottle for?"
*Every bottle of Top-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid was priceless. Far away, they were known to value at fifty thousand taels of silver.*
If the Soul Master named an exorbitant price, the Chen Family might not afford a bulk purchase.
"Ten thousand taels." Jiang Fan replied indifferently.
What?
*Chen Silin's eyes filled with slight suspicion, her expression thoughtful, "Senior, even Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid sells for ten thousand taels of silver."*
*She couldn't help but wonder if Jiang Fan had ulterior motives.*
Then Jiang Fan took out three more bottles and placed them in front of him, speaking calmly:
"I have just one demand—destroy the Qin Family. Can you do it?"
*Chen Silin's realization came swiftly!*
*No wonder he was selling at such a low price—the Senior held a grudge against the Qin Family!*
*But had the Qin Family lost their minds? How could they provoke a Second Grade Soul Master?*
She immediately made a decision, "If Senior can consistently supply Top-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid at this affordable price, bringing down the Qin Family will be no challenge!"
Jiang Fan glanced at Qin Changsheng across the way, watching him revel in his triumphant smile, and said calmly, "Fine. Provide me with the materials for Qi Cultivation Liquid, and I'll begin refining and mass-producing Top-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid for your family!"
Chen Silin quickly ordered her people to arrange the materials and a refining site.
Noontime.
The showcase was at its busiest.
Suddenly, Qin Changsheng laughed aloud and announced, "Everyone, I have incredible news to share today!"
"The Qin Family has successfully developed Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid, priced at thirteen thousand taels of silver!"
The crowd erupted into chaos.
Despite being higher than the market price, Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid was inherently rare—its value transcended mere cost.
Getting one was already considered a stroke of luck; paying a premium seemed nearly inconsequential.
As the throngs of buyers surged forward, Qin Changsheng laughed heartily.
*Ever since allying with Lu Zheng, the Qin Family's fortunes had skyrocketed...*
"Everyone, the Chen Family also has an exciting announcement to make!"
Qin Changsheng froze for a moment, noticing Chen Silin across the way, wearing a serene smile and holding a tray veiled with red cloth.