Xianxia: Establishing an Immortal Clan Through Simulation (Patreon)

Chapter 34: Opening the Pill Market

Time passed quietly amidst cultivation.

In the blink of an eye, a month had gone by.

During this month, the Lin family underwent significant changes, all without drawing much attention.

First and foremost was the Spiritual Field Valley.

Under Chu Mu's leadership, the entire valley, spanning thousands of acres, was transformed into spiritual fields, except for a few essential facilities. Although the fields were of low grade, this greatly enhanced the Lin family's foundation.

Moreover, three fifth-generation elders of the Lin family—Lin Weikun, Lin Weiquan, and Lin Weinan—achieved the Master Realm during this period. Combined with Chu Mu, the Lin family now boasted six Masters and one Grandmaster, making them unrivaled throughout the Wutong County.

Their strength had grown at an astonishing pace.

For the Lin family’s future development:

With Lin Zichen’s approval, Chu Mu planned to upgrade ten acres of mid-grade spiritual fields to high-grade ones. However, the materials required for this were rare, and the Lin family was working diligently to collect them.

Simultaneously, the Lin family increased the monthly cultivation resources allocated to their members.

The increment varied based on age and cultivation level, with the minimum increase being 30% compared to before. Outstandingly talented members saw their resources multiply several times over, with access to pills that greatly enhanced their enthusiasm for cultivation.

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"Clan leader, with our recent progress, the Lin family now has over ten low-grade alchemists. We have ample spiritual herbs and a steady supply of pills. I propose we officially enter the pill market, selling our inventory to earn spirit stones and reinvest in the family."

"I agree."

"Very well."

In the council hall, many high-ranking members of the Lin family gathered, reviewing development reports with broad smiles. Each was full of ambition, eager to achieve greater things.

Naturally, Lin Shoucheng had no objections.

As one of the six prominent families:

Even if the Lin family wanted to expand into the pill market, they wouldn’t do so directly. Instead, they entrusted this task to the Luminous Trading Firm. To ensure the firm’s safety, they also assigned two Master ancestors, proficient in concealment techniques, to oversee operations personally.

To build a reputation, after much discussion:

Xiao Yi, who had recently advanced to a mid-grade alchemist, would refine a batch of True Essence Pills, capable of increasing a Master’s cultivation by one to three years. These would serve as the cornerstone treasures. Other low-grade pills with various effects would be offered as supplementary products. They began promoting these offerings extensively in Qingfeng City.

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"Breaking news! Breaking news! In half a month, Luminous Trading Firm will host a grand auction, featuring a variety of low-grade pills. The confirmed highlight of the auction is three mid-grade pills capable of enhancing a Master’s cultivation!"

"Mid-grade pills that increase a Master cultivation? Is that for real?"

"It's true. I just confirmed it at the Luminous Trading Firm myself."

"Wow… What kind of background does this Luminous Trading Firm have? Selling a massive quantity of low-grade pills is one thing, but mid-grade pills as the highlight? If I had such pills, I’d keep them for myself, not sell them!"

As the news spread, Qingfeng City erupted in excitement.

After all, these were mid-grade pills.

Even in Wutong County, they were incredibly rare treasures, let alone in Qingfeng City, which was guarded by only a handful of Masters.

It was practically a landslide of dominance.

In the City Lord's Mansion, within the administrative hall...

The hall was filled with the presence of many powerful individuals. At the forefront stood the City Lord of Qingfeng City, his gaze flickering with excitement as he scanned the intelligence report in his hands. Occasionally, he glanced toward the entrance of the hall, as if anticipating someone's arrival.

Thud, thud, thud

Suddenly, the silence was broken by the sound of hurried footsteps outside the door, drawing everyone's attention.

A moment later, a guard with a cultivation level of the Seventh Layer of the Innate Realm rushed in. He dropped to one knee, his voice excited as he reported loudly:

"City Lord, the information has been confirmed! Luminous Trading Firm has officially announced that in half a month, they will host a grand auction, with three True Essence Pills as the centerpiece treasures."

Boom!

The City Lord's heart trembled at the news. His expression sharpened immediately.

It was true—such pills actually existed!

"Send out orders! For the next half month, mobilize all resources to amass enough spirit stones."

"Understood!"

The guard bowed and left promptly to carry out the order.

The City Lord stared ahead, his expression intense as he murmured to himself:

"True Essence Pills, capable of enhancing a Master's cultivation... they might help me break through my bottleneck and advance to the Master Realm."

By rights, a Breaking Sect Pill would be the ideal choice for such a breakthrough.

However, despite being the City Lord of Qingfeng City, his background was limited. Obtaining a Breaking Sect Pill was beyond his reach, so he shifted his hopes to the True Essence Pills, which also offered cultivation improvement.

"Don't worry," said an elderly man beside him with a reassuring smile. "With me protecting you during the refinement process, even if you fail, it won't do much harm."

"Moreover, if Luminous Trading Firm can produce True Essence Pills for auction, they likely have ties to a mid-grade alchemist. If we’re willing to pay the price, we might even acquire a Breaking Sect Pill from them."

The City Lord, Qin Xiong, shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Father, it's not that simple. Breaking Sect Pills are unlike other mid-grade pills. The herbs required for their refinement are extraordinarily rare and precious. To procure one, you must provide three sets of the necessary herbs for the pill's refinement. Without them, no amount of spirit stones will suffice. If spirit stones alone could secure a Breaking Sect Pill, I wouldn’t have waited all these years in vain."

For years, Qin Xiong had worked tirelessly to gather the materials for a Breaking Sect Pill, hoping to break through to the Grandmaster Realm.

Unfortunately, after all his efforts, he had only managed to collect two sets of herbs, still falling short of the required three.

"Ah, my foolish son," sighed the elder. "It’s my fault for lacking ability. If I had reached the late stages of the Master Realm or higher, things wouldn’t be so complicated."

The elder's self-reproach was evident.

Qin Xiong was already over 120 years old. If he couldn’t break through to the Master Realm within the next twenty years, the elder would face the heartbreaking reality of outliving his son—something he couldn’t bear to think about.

They had already been striving for so long.

"Hmph! If Luminous Trading Firm can auction mid-grade pills, they must have relevant connections. If Qin Xiong fails to break through this time, we can always confront the firm directly."

"Uncle, you mustn’t act rashly!"

Qin Xiong's tone grew stern.

"Luminous Trading Firm wouldn’t dare publicize the auction of mid-grade pills so boldly if they didn’t have formidable backing. It’s highly likely they are protected by Master -level experts, if not higher."

As City Lord, Qin Xiong had a keen understanding of such matters.

He had no intention of provoking the mysterious Luminous Trading Firm and risking a conflict between them and the City Lord’s Mansion for his personal gain.

Of course, if the pills could be acquired through legitimate means, that would be ideal.

Hearing this, Qin Xiong’s uncle and father refrained from further arguments. They, too, harbored a sense of unease about the sudden rise of Luminous Trading Firm.