Xia Qingyi and Xiao Yi each took out two jade bottles from their persons and handed them to Guan Sheng.
Guan Sheng opened the jade bottles, poured out the pills, carefully observed them for a while, then brought them close to his nose to sniff them. He revealed a satisfied look after smelling them, "Good, the quality is acceptable."
"The pill that Xia junior brother has is the Lingmu Pill, and Xiao junior brother's is the Focus Pill. In terms of quality, they both belong to the category of common pills."
"As per old rules, we'll value them at 80% of the market price. The Spirit Stones will be settled later. If you wish to buy pill formulas and alchemy materials here, you can enjoy a 10% discount."
Han Yi was not surprised by the scene before him.
Seven days ago, Guan Sheng had already explained this to him.
For disciples sent out by the sect, in theory, they need to complete their assigned tasks after being dispatched. These tasks are arranged by sect industry managers like Guan Sheng.
This essentially provides a channel for dispatched disciples to have opportunities to practice cultivation on their own.
Of course, Han Yi had already understood the many detailed points before he came down the mountain.
In truth.
When the higher-ups of the Xuandan Sect first established this strategy, they hoped that the dispatched disciples whose outer peak residences were taken away would continue contributing to the sect's industries after leaving the mountains.
At the same time, the dispatched disciples can also gain a somewhat more stable cultivation environment compared to loose cultivators.
This is a win-win approach.
Of course.
Dispatched disciples can also choose not to accept tasks from the Pill Shop. They can purchase their own materials, make their own pills, and develop their own sales channels.
In this case, apart from having the status of an outer disciple of the Xuandan Sect, they would be no different from loose cultivators.
The most important thing is, they need to bear the risks on their own.
In the cultivation world, it's not easy to get by as a loose cultivator. Murder and robbery are all too common behind the scenes.
As Han Yi's thoughts swirled, Guan Sheng had already put away the Lingmu Pills, then spoke again.
"As per old rules, let me first talk about the best-selling pills in the shop. Last quarter, our top sellers were the exorcise evil spirits pills, Breaking Stage Pills, Containing God Pills, Nurturing Qi Pills, Lingmu Pills, Focus Pills…"
"You can choose to concoct the best-selling pills, or you can choose to refine the pills you are most adept at."
Han Yi was overjoyed.
The Nurturing Qi Pill was also one of the best-selling items, and he had three bottles of it on him.
After that, the foursome chatted a bit more, mainly the other three chatting while Han Yi listened.
Through this conversation, he gained a deeper understanding of the relationship between dispatched disciples and the sect's industries.
A moment later.
Xiao Yi and Xia Qingyi made a satisfying purchase of spiritual medicine and herbs, then left contentedly.
After the two of them left, Guan Sheng looked at Han Yi, his eyes flashing.
"Junior Brother Han doesn't need to hurry. You've only been down the mountain for a few days, so you're probably still adjusting."
"In addition, with Guan Di involved, I don't see you as an outsider."
Upon hearing this, Han Yi felt more at ease.
The cultivation world is also a society composed of people, and connections still hold sway.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Guan."
"Senior Brother Guan, I've concocted three bottles of Nurturing Qi Pills, which I intend to sell directly to the pill shop."
After he finished speaking, Han Yi took out three transparent jade bottles. Inside, white pills the size of a fingernail were quietly placed.
Guan Sheng raised an eyebrow: "Junior Brother Han, have you made a breakthrough in your alchemy skills?"
Han Yi clasped his hands: "It can be said is luck. After descending the mountain, I had a small realization which allowed me to fortuitously concoct these three batches of Nurturing Qi Pills."
Guan Sheng's gaze flashed, and the smile at the corner of his mouth widened.
"Good, very good. Now, you have a greater chance of passing the evaluation to return to the sect in a year."
Saying that, Guan Sheng took the Nurturing Qi Pills, uncapped the bottle, sniffed the Dan Qi, and his eyes brightened, "Good, although the quality is average, it's a bit better than that of Junior Brothers Xia and Xiao."
"Three bottles, twenty-six pills... let's do it like this. This is your first time, so I'll buy them at 90% of the market price. That makes it forty Spirit Stones, alright?"
Upon hearing this, Han Yi was overjoyed.
The price Guan Sheng offered was very reasonable, even four more than he had expected.
A big profit.
Seeing the obvious joy on Han Yi's face, Guan Sheng pondered for a bit, then continued:
"Junior Brother Han, now that your alchemy skills have improved, you can try concocting the exorcise evil spirits pills."
"Exorcise Evil Spirits Pill?" Han Yi was momentarily taken aback.
"Yes, the Exorcise Evil Spirits Pill is difficult to concoct, but it is the best-selling pill on the market and can fetch a high price," it continued.
Many details about the Exorcise Evil Spirits Pill flooded Han Yi's mind, and he suddenly understood.
The Cultivation world he was in was different from what he had assumed.
The biggest difference revolved around the 'Heavenly Demon'.
In this world, the greatest harm to cultivators comes in two forms: natural disasters and man-made disasters.
Human disasters need no further explanation, while natural disasters refer to Heavenly Demons.
Heavenly Demons exist beyond the realms of the heavens, invisible and intangible, yet descend upon cultivators who break through their realms in the Cultivation world, like a shark picking up the scent of blood.
The Heavenly Demons represent the Heavenly Tribulation.
The Exorcise Evil Spirits Pill is concocted specifically to guard against the Heavenly Demon.
Simply put, a cultivator must take the Exorcise Evil Spirits Pill in advance of breaking through their realm. Even if a Heavenly Demon descends during the process of breaking through, it will not dare to invade your body because of the presence of the Exorcise Evil Spirits Pill.
Once the cultivator has broken through, the Heavenly Demon naturally departs.
Of course, if the Heavenly Demon is too powerful, such as one from the Foundation Establishment stage descending upon a cultivator trying to break from the third to the fourth Qi cultivation level, even the highest quality Exorcise Evil Spirits Pill would be helpless.
Such occurrences, however, are generally rare.
When attempting a minor breakthrough, for instance, from the first to the second Qi cultivation level, only one Exorcise Evil Spirits Pill is required. The higher one's realm, the more pills needed.
Once a cultivator reaches the seventh Qi cultivation level, the quantity of Exorcise Evil Spirits Pills becomes ineffective, and one has to consume a pill of standard quality or better to remain unharmed.
This is one of the reasons why the seventh Qi cultivation level is a watershed in this world. The power of cultivators at the seventh level far surpasses those at the sixth.
"A general quality Exorcise Evil Spirits Pill usually costs five Spirit Stones on the market, but the price can fluctuate if the cost of raw materials increases."
"A standard quality pill costs at least ten times as much, reaching the exorbitant price of fifty Spirit Stones."
"With Han Yi's breakthrough in Alchemy Skill, it will be beneficial for his future development to attempt refining the Exorcise Evil Spirits Pill," Guan Sheng continued, seeing Han Yi deep in thought.
But Han Yi felt something was amiss, though he couldn't pinpoint what.
"However, dear Brother, I don't have the Pill Formula for the Exorcise Evil Spirits Pill."
"Besides, the ingredients for the Exorcise Evil Spirits Pill are expensive, and I can't afford them."
Guan Sheng was delighted upon hearing Han Yi's words because it meant the deal was almost done. He spoke in hushed tones, "Don't fret, Brother Han Yi. Our mortal relationship is extraordinary, I can provide you with the Pill Formula for the Exorcise Evil Spirits Pill, and even the materials."
"Of course, I won't be offering this for free. As you well know, I'm a businessman."
"If you succeed in refining the pill, we'll split the profits. I take eighty percent, you keep twenty. This arrangement will stand for a year, and once you return to the sect a year later, the deal ends."
"How does that sound?"
"Throughout this year, not only will you not lose anything, but you'll also gain invaluable experience in refining the Exorcise Evil Spirits Pills, and you'll get the Pill Formula for free. This is a surefire investment."
With Guan Sheng's thorough explanation, Han Yi found himself tempted.
Nonetheless, he still harbored some doubts.
"Brother, I admit that this deal is tempting."
"But one question remains: why should I be the one refining the Exorcise Evil Spirits Pills?"
"Usually, such pricey pills should be provided by the sect since it's safer and more reliable this way."
Hearing Han Yi's question, Guan Sheng sighed.
"Han Yi, things have been quite tricky recently, and the supply of Exorcise Evil Spirits Pills from our sect to Mengshan City's Pill Shop has been dwindling. With fewer supplies, my business is affected as well."
"Moreover, I was informed that the sect won't provide the Exorcise Evil Spirits Pills anymore from next month. Each branch of Xuandan Sect will have to find their own channels and solutions."
"I have my own distress," he added.
"Trouble?" Han Yi asked, revealing his concern.
"Yes, I heard something's up, but I don't know the specifics." Guan Sheng was clearly reluctant to elaborate and quickly changed the subject.
After thinking for a while, Han Yi nodded heavily.
Either way, getting a Pill Formula for free would be beneficial for him.
As for the eighty-to-twenty split, it didn't seem unreasonable. If Guan Sheng had offered a greater share, Han Yi would have become suspicious.
"Alright, I agree," he said.