Chapter 13: Chen Siling's Misunderstanding

Qin Changsheng frowned. "That girl is just being mysterious," he thought. "But if the Chen family wants to go against my Qin family, they'll need genuine capabilities."

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Siling subtly curved her lips and went straight to the point: "Starting today, our Chen family will be offering a limited supply of Superior-grade Qi Refinement Elixir!" She then unveiled a red cloth on a tray, revealing a bottle of Superior-grade Qi Refinement Elixir.

The site immediately erupted in thunderous shouts. "Superior-grade Qi Refinement Elixir! It's truly superior! One bottle's effect is comparable to five low-grade ones!" "This is a top-tier spiritual medicine only available to Qingyun Sect disciples, and now it's being sold in our Lone Boat City!" "The Chen family is truly defying the heavens!"

Qin Changsheng's pupils contracted in disbelief. "Where did the Chen family get Superior-grade Qi Refinement Elixir?" This was even more devastating than the Mid-grade Qi Refinement Elixir that had appeared out of nowhere ten years ago! He couldn't comprehend how the Chen family had suddenly acquired Superior-grade Qi Refinement Elixir overnight.

He started to panic as he watched all the customers from his stall flocking to the Chen family's side. He immediately shouted, "Everyone, don't get carried away! Superior-grade Qi Refinement Elixir is worth at least 50,000 taels of silver. Are you sure you can afford it?" This made many hot-headed martial artists pause, their expressions turning awkward. Indeed, how precious was Superior-grade Qi Refinement Elixir? It was simply unaffordable for ordinary people. It made more sense to stick to buying Low-grade and Mid-grade Qi Refinement Elixirs.

However, Chen Siling curled her lips again and announced, "To thank our new and old customers for their years of support for the Chen family, we are announcing that for a limited period of one month, the price of Superior-grade Qi Refinement Elixir will be... 12,000 taels of silver!"

She had calculated it carefully. Out of 12,000 taels, 10,000 taels would go to the elder, and 1,000 was the cost of materials, leaving the Chen family with a meager profit of only 1,000 taels of silver. But even with a small profit, it was enough to crush the Qin family!

"What? Superior-grade Qi Refinement Elixir is only 12,000?" "This price is even lower than the Qin family's Mid-grade Qi Refinement Elixir at 13,000." "Only a fool wouldn't buy it!" "I'll take one!" "Me too!" "Patriarch Qin, I don't want the Low-grade Qi Refinement Elixir I just bought from you. Please refund my money!" "Refund! Hurry up and refund!"

The crowd instantly exploded. One wave surged towards the Chen family's stall, throwing down banknotes worth tens of thousands of taels. Another wave rushed towards the Qin family's stall, demanding numerous refunds. The chaotic scene continued until dusk.

Qin Changsheng stared at the piles of returned Low-grade Qi Refinement Elixirs on his stall, his eyes bloodshot. "Why is this happening? Why?" He couldn't understand where the Chen family had gotten their Superior-grade Qi Refinement Elixir, and why it was so cheap. It was as if they were deliberately targeting the Qin family. Gritting his teeth, he muttered, "Chen Siling, no matter who is backing you, you're still too naive if you think you can bring down my Qin family!" He stood up and scoffed, "I've helped Lu Zheng so much; it's time he brought out his patron to help our Qin family!"

Inside a temporarily set-up tent behind the Chen family's operations, Jiang Fan took a sip of tea to moisten his throat. After a day's work, he had refined a total of fifty bottles of Superior-grade Qi Refinement Elixir and ten bottles of Ultimate-grade Qi Refinement Elixir. He kept the Ultimate-grade elixirs for himself and sold the Superior-grade ones to the Chen family for 500,000 taels of silver.

At that moment, Chen Siling gracefully approached, holding banknotes and emitting a faint, delicate fragrance. "Elder," she said, "here are your 500,000 taels of silver." Jiang Fan accepted it expressionlessly, tucking it into his robe. "Tomorrow, I will refine another batch of Superior-grade Qi Refinement Elixir. Just prepare the silver and materials for exchange." Having said that, he stood up, preparing to leave.

"Elder, wait a moment," Chen Siling said, a flicker of wisdom in her eyes. "The Superior-grade Qi Refinement Elixir is enough to cripple half of the Qin family's business, but they still have Low-grade Qi Refinement Elixirs, allowing them to cling to life." Jiang Fan pondered for a moment and understood. After all, only a minority of martial artists could afford Superior-grade Qi Refinement Elixir. Most martial artists still preferred to buy Low-grade Qi Refinement Elixir. The Qin family had gone to great lengths to suppress him in order to support Lu Zheng, and he intended to settle this score properly. "Elder, would it be possible to refine some Low-grade Qi Refinement Elixir as well?" Chen Siling tentatively asked.

Jiang Fan stared ahead, lost in thought. It wasn't that he couldn't refine Low-grade Qi Refinement Elixir, but the demand for it was enormous. Even if he refined it day and night, it might not be enough to meet market demand. His primary focus should be on cultivation; wasting so much time just to deal with the Qin family clearly wasn't worth it. Could he perhaps train a few Soul Master apprentices? Chen Siling's expression became slightly unnatural because Jiang Fan's gaze was directed precisely at her well-rounded chest. "Elder, what do you think?" Chen Siling subtly covered her chest and asked. Jiang Fan snapped out of his thoughts. "My apologies, I was considering whether to train a few Soul Master apprentices specifically for refining Low-grade Qi Refinement Elixir." "However, this matter cannot be rushed; selecting the right people is a major hassle." "We can discuss it in more detail when I have time." He glanced at the sky, then stood up to take his leave.

Chen Siling's heart, however, fluttered. Training Soul Master apprentices? Even Qin Changsheng, with the help of family heirlooms, was only at the level of a Soul Master apprentice. If the Chen family had Soul Master apprentices, they would never have to worry again! However, just as Jiang Fan piqued her interest, he put the matter aside. Connecting this with how Jiang Fan had stared at her chest, Chen Siling clearly misunderstood something. Biting her vibrant, tempting red lips, she sighed softly, "Is he implying something to me?" "Indeed, all men are the same."

After a long period of contemplation, she said, "Retrieve the Truth-Seeking Crystal. When he comes to the residence tomorrow, I want to see his true face." The Truth-Seeking Crystal was a family heirloom of the Chen family, capable of seeing through disguises. Before making a decision about whether to "sacrifice herself," she at least needed to know the true appearance of this Soul Master. However, most Soul Masters were very old and incredibly aged.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel depressed and wanted to find someone to talk to. "I heard Youran is engaged," she said. "I've been so busy with the exhibition these past few days that I haven't been able to congratulate her." "Shopkeeper, go to the Xu residence tomorrow and invite her to be my guest." The shopkeeper nodded slightly. Chen Siling paused for a moment, then added, "Also, ask her to bring her fiancé." "She's so beautiful, and countless talented young men admire her. This engagement must be to an exceptionally distinguished young master from a prominent family, right?" "Have her bring him along. I want to see which young master has won over the 'Pearl of Lone Boat City.'"

Chen Siling and Xu Youran had once been classmates and good friends. Although their statuses differed greatly, their personalities were compatible, and they got along very well. Hearing this, the shopkeeper gave a wry smile. "Miss, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. Her fiancé is Jiang Fan."

Chen Siling was startled. "The Jiang Fan who has been living as a dependent with the Xu family? Isn't he mute and without a spiritual root? Are you sure it's him?" The shopkeeper looked regretful. "Absolutely certain. It's already common knowledge throughout Lone Boat City!" Chen Siling was shocked. "Has Xu Youran gone mad? Marrying him? Isn't that like planting a fresh flower in cow dung?" "No, I must persuade her to abandon this marriage!" "I also need to talk to Jiang Fan. He has hands and feet; why does he need to live off others?" "Can't a dignified man rely on himself?"