Chapter 12: Laughing Too Early

The shopkeeper, accompanying them, gave a wry smile. "Most Soul Masters are reclusive and prefer to act alone," he said. "Whether he comes or not depends entirely on his mood."

He was also very anxious. If that Soul Master came, the Chen family, having obtained Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid, would surely shine brightly and completely outshine the Qin family. But if he didn't come, this exhibition would become a solo performance for the Qin family, and the Chen family's days would become increasingly difficult over the next year. What made them even more uneasy was that the Qin family's treasure seemed to have unlocked even more powerful abilities. It was rumored that Qin Changsheng had successfully refined a bottle of Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid. Although its production efficiency was only one percent, if word got out, it would cause a huge sensation. The Chen family's only way out was to secure the support of that Soul Master.

At this moment, Jiang Fan arrived at the center of the two families' exhibition stands. He glanced at Qin Changsheng, who was vividly explaining the Low-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid.

Qin Changsheng also noticed him, and a smirk played on his lips as he mocked, "Everyone, do you recognize that young man down there? Jiang Fan, the Xu family's future son-in-law! He foolishly challenged Young Master Lu Zheng to a competition, and I banned him from purchasing Low-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid! He's desperate; to get a bottle of Low-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid, he resorted to desperate measures, rushing to the Chen family's Treasure Pavilion to beg for medicine, but to no avail. Judging by the time, he must have already lost the competition and been kicked out of the Xu mansion, right? A single bottle of Qi Cultivation Liquid cost him his wife. I'm sure none of you want to end up like him, do you? So, if you can buy, buy quickly, because once you lose your purchasing qualification, you won't be able to buy it even if you want to."

This living advertisement immediately caused the observing cultivators to swarm forward. In a short while, hundreds of bottles were sold. Qin Changsheng was so pleased he couldn't stop smiling, and he quipped, "Young Master Jiang, your example as a negative role model is more effective than a hundred or even a thousand words from me. How about you come to my Qin family? You can stand at the entrance every day and tell the story of how you lost your wife over a bottle of Low-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid, helping my Qin family's sales grow."

Listening to the taunting words, Jiang Fan smiled playfully, then picked up a brush and wrote, "Patriarch Qin, you're celebrating too soon."

Qin Changsheng burst into laughter. "You're right! I have even better news to announce. The real reason to celebrate is yet to come."

Jiang Fan's smile deepened as he wrote, "I hope you can still laugh in the end." With that, he turned and entered the alley.

Qin Changsheng scoffed dismissively, "What a joke, trying to see my Qin family fall? He doesn't even know what kind of powerful figure we've allied ourselves with! That's a ninth-grade spiritual root, a future peerless grand master!"

Little did he know. Soon after, a mysterious figure emerged from the alley, clad in a thick, long robe and wearing a mask. This person would become the nightmare of both him and the entire Qin family!

Jiang Fan ascended the stairs and reached the Chen family's exhibition stand. Chen Siling was pacing back and forth when she suddenly caught sight of a dark figure. She frowned slightly and asked, "Who are you?"

The shopkeeper looked over as well. With just one glance, he recognized the attire and his heart immediately pounded. He stammered, "M-Miss, it's him, it's him!"

Chen Siling's heart trembled slightly. She quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Siling greets Senior!" The shopkeeper hurriedly introduced, "Senior, this is our Chen family's eldest daughter. She manages family affairs on behalf of her father."

Jiang Fan was not concerned with the Chen family's affairs. He still spoke in a muffled voice, asking, "How much Qi Cultivation Liquid can you acquire?"

Chen Siling concealed her joy. This Soul Master really intended to cooperate with the Chen family! Her eyes darted slightly, and she said, "My Chen family has prepared one hundred thousand taels of silver. According to the market price, we can acquire ten bottles of Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid."

Hearing this, Jiang Fan frowned. He didn't have Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid at the moment; he only had High-grade. Chen Siling didn't receive a response for a while, mistakenly assuming that the money she had prepared wasn't enough, displeasing the other party. She then said, "Senior, you might not know, but our Chen family is acquiring your Qi Cultivation Liquid for ten thousand taels of silver per bottle, which is absolutely a fair price. The Qin family opposite has already refined Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid. In the future, as the two families compete, the selling price will definitely drop below ten thousand taels of silver. Our Chen family would be selling at a loss just to gain reputation."

Jiang Fan stated plainly, "I don't sell Mid-grade."

Chen Siling couldn't help but glance at the shopkeeper beside her, implying, 'Did you not explain clearly to this Soul Master?' If they weren't buying his Mid-grade, were they supposed to buy Low-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid? Low-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid was certainly not enough to establish the Chen family's reputation. The shopkeeper was also breaking out in a sweat. He had clearly said that he invited this Soul Master to sell Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid on the spot!

At this moment, Jiang Fan silently pulled out a bottle, held it in his palm, and said, "I only sell this."

Chen Siling and the shopkeeper looked over simultaneously. Chen Siling managed to maintain her composure, but her pupils constricted sharply. Refining Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid and refining High-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid were two entirely different concepts. A first-grade Soul Master could refine the former, but the latter required at least a second-grade Soul Master! And there was only one second-grade Soul Master in the entire Qingyun Sect! What kind of prominent figure had she encountered?

The shopkeeper, on the other hand, directly exclaimed, "High-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid! Senior, are you... are you selling *this* to us?"

Jiang Fan retorted, "Don't you want to acquire it?"

The shopkeeper quickly said, "No, no, no, we do want it, of course we want it! This was High-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid! Not to mention Solitary Boat City, even the surrounding cities had never seen such a top-tier spiritual medicine! With it, the Chen family could make a huge splash, seize a large share from the Qin family, and instantly become the top alchemy family in Solitary Boat City. As for the Qin family's Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid, it paled in comparison to the High-grade!"

However, the shopkeeper grew worried again and asked, "Senior, how much do you wish to sell it for?" Each bottle of High-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid fetched an exorbitant price. It was said that it had appeared in distant places, valued at fifty thousand taels of silver per bottle. If this Soul Master asked for too much, the Chen family might not be able to acquire a large quantity.

"Ten thousand taels," Jiang Fan said indifferently.

A hint of doubt appeared in Chen Siling's eyes, and she said meaningfully, "Senior, even Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid costs ten thousand taels of silver, doesn't it?" She couldn't help but wonder if Jiang Fan had another motive.

Jiang Fan then took out three more bottles, placed them in front of him, and calmly said, "I have only one request: for the Qin family to collapse. Can you achieve that?"

Chen Siling suddenly understood! No wonder he was selling it to them so cheaply; this Senior had an enmity with the Qin family! But had the Qin family taken the wrong medicine? To actually provoke a second-grade Soul Master! She immediately made a decision and said, "If Senior can supply High-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid at such a low price long-term, what's so difficult about bringing down the Qin family?"

Jiang Fan glanced at Qin Changsheng opposite, who was beaming with delight, and said plainly, "Good. Provide me with the materials for the Qi Cultivation Liquid, and I will now refine a large quantity of High-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid for you!"

Chen Siling immediately ordered someone to arrange the materials and a place for refining medicine.

As noon approached, the exhibition reached its peak attendance. Qin Changsheng suddenly let out a hearty laugh. "Everyone, I have some excellent news to share! Our Qin family has successfully developed Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid, priced at thirteen thousand taels of silver per bottle!"

The entire venue erupted in an uproar. Although the price was higher than the market rate, Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid was originally a commodity that was valuable but rarely available. Being able to buy it at all was good fortune, and a slightly higher price was completely acceptable. Gazing at the surging crowd, Qin Changsheng laughed heartily. Ever since they allied themselves with Lu Zheng, the Qin family had been blessed with continuous good luck...

"Everyone, my Chen family also has good news to announce!" What stunned Qin Changsheng was Chen Siling from the opposite stand, who approached with a light smile, carrying a tray covered with a red cloth.