"I'll just call you Miss Xiao.
Regarding our cooperation, Miss Xiao, please take a look at the pill formula first."
Ye Yunfei placed the formula on the table.
"Quick, go fetch Elder Huang!" Xiao Chuchu instructed the shop assistant.
"Yes, ma'am."
The shop assistant hurriedly complied.
After a moment.
An elder with hair half-gray but a ruddy complexion walked in.
"Elder Huang, there's a pill formula here that requires your appraisal," Xiao Chuchu said, treating the elder with great respect.
"Very well."
Elder Huang picked up the formula from the table and began examining it seriously.
As he looked, his expression quickly grew excited, his eyes gleaming with startling intensity, and the hands holding the formula trembled sharply.
"Marvelous! Utterly marvelous!"
Elder Huang repeated his observations of the formula while mentally deducing the pharmacological principles within, feeling an overwhelming joy verging on tears.
"Oh?"
Seeing this, Xiao Chuchu's expression turned grave. She finally began to pay serious attention.
Ye Yunfei merely smiled slightly.
Let it be known that as an Alchemy Venerable, Ye Yunfei was a master of pill refinement; every formula he possessed was nothing short of earth-shattering and counted as rare treasure.
It was no exaggeration to say that if Ye Yunfei casually took out the most mediocre formula he knew, it would completely outshine all the treasured formulas collected by the entire Lingzhen Pavilion!
"Elder Huang, what's your assessment?" Xiao Chuchu asked.
"Pavilion Master, this formula… among all I've seen in my lifetime, its pharmacological combinations are the most brilliant and miraculous.
I've dedicated my life to studying pharmacology, but the way the various spirit herbs in this formula interact — the primary, secondary, and supplementary roles — is something I never dared imagine. And yet, it achieves absolute perfection. Incredible! Merely reading this formula elevated my understanding of pharmacology a full level!
Moreover, this spirit pill can purify the Spiritual Qi within a martial artist's body, solidifying their foundation. Pills with such an effect are exceedingly rare on the market.
Pavilion Master, this formula is a priceless treasure. No matter the cost, we must acquire it!"
"So remarkable!" Xiao Chuchu finally realized the formula's true value.
Her initial intent in cooperating with Ye Yunfei was merely the hope he could solve her physical ailment.
As for his talk of jointly developing a pill formula, she hadn't given it any real importance.
What valuable formula could the young master of a minor family possibly possess? The odds were far too low.
But she never expected the formula provided by Ye Yunfei would hold such immense value. This was truly a pleasant surprise.
She didn't doubt Elder Huang's judgment in the slightest.
Elder Huang was proficient in pharmacology and skilled in alchemy; within Lingzhen Pavilion, he was a figure of elder status.
That's precisely why she had specially requested Elder Huang's transfer from headquarters to Yuanyue City to assist her.
"This Lesser Liuyi Pill can not only purify a martial artist's Spiritual Qi but also cleanse all Pill Toxins.
No matter how much Pill Toxins have accumulated within the body, consuming the Lesser Liuyi Pill will immediately eradicate them — completely and thoroughly."
Ye Yunfei added.
Hiss!
Elder Huang, upon hearing this, was profoundly shaken.
One must know that every martial artist, in the course of their cultivation, relies on pills.
Within the alchemical world, there is an accepted truth: No matter how skilled the alchemist, the pills they refine invariably contain some measure of Pill Toxins.
If martial artists frequently consume spirit pills, a certain amount of Pill Toxins will inevitably accumulate within their bodies, more or less.
Cleansing these accumulated Pill Toxins is extremely difficult.
Yet, this Lesser Liuyi Pill actually possessed the divine effect of utterly cleansing Pill Toxins!
"Pavilion Master, this Lesser Liuyi Pill is truly wondrous.
It is certain to sell exceptionally well!
Pavilion Master, I have a feeling: the Lesser Liuyi Pill will cause a substantial increase in our Lingzhen Pavilion's overall sales this year!" Elder Huang declared excitedly.
"Elder Huang, are you certain?"
By now, Xiao Chuchu herself began to grow excited, her cherry-red lips slightly parted.
"Pavilion Master, I am certain." Elder Huang nodded.
The Lingzhen Pavilion was spread across the entire Great Qin Empire; its annual sales volume was a colossal figure. To achieve another significant increase on that foundation was truly challenging.
Yet, Elder Huang's tone was so definitive!
This was indeed an unexpected delight!
The surprises this young man brought her were immense!
Xiao Chuchu couldn't help but study Ye Yunfei with her beautiful eyes. In her gaze, the young man began to take on an aura of mystery.
"Elder Huang, Young Master Ye's intent is to cooperate with our Lingzhen Pavilion in developing this formula, with profits split fifty-fifty.
What is your view?" Xiao Chuchu asked Elder Huang.
"This venture… would be a great gain for our Lingzhen Pavilion," Elder Huang replied.
"Excellent!
Since that's the case, Young Master Ye, I have no further questions. The deal is agreed.
Hereafter, you may visit our Lingzhen Pavilion monthly to collect your share of the pill's sales proceeds.
Alternatively, you may designate a location, and I will have someone deliver the money there each month."
Xiao Chuchu made the decision on the spot.
"Miss Xiao is decisively direct.
Henceforth, please trouble your people to deliver the monthly sales share to the Ye Residence, handing it directly to my father.
However, for now, I wish to draw an advance payment. Is that acceptable?" Ye Yunfei said.
"Not a problem."
Xiao Chuchu agreed with refreshing alacrity.
"I will advance you ten thousand Spirit Crystals now.
How is that?" Xiao Chuchu proposed.
"My thanks, Miss Xiao!" Ye Yunfei nodded.
At present, Ye Yunfei had only a pitiful few dozen Spirit Crystals on him; ten thousand was a veritable fortune.
At Xiao Chuchu's signal, Elder Huang left for a while. Upon returning, he took out a ring and handed it to Ye Yunfei.
"A Spatial Ring!"
Ye Yunfei's eyes lit up.
"This Spatial Ring is my personal gift to you.
It contains ten thousand Spirit Crystals, along with a Supreme Spirit Card from our Lingzhen Pavilion.
Holding this Supreme Spirit Card, you will receive the most favorable terms when purchasing spirit pills or herbs at any branch of our Lingzhen Pavilion."
Xiao Chuchu explained.
"Miss Xiao is most thoughtful!" Ye Yunfei accepted the Spatial Ring, instantly feeling considerable goodwill towards Xiao Chuchu.
"Miss Xiao, I must excuse myself now. I have some spirit herbs to purchase."
Ye Yunfei said.
"Wait.
Young Master Ye, haven't you… forgotten something?"
Just as Ye Yunfei was about to lift his foot and leave the VIP room, Xiao Chuchu's voice stopped him.
"Three Yin Spirit Fruits, one stalk of Celestial River Grass, one piece of Three-Fiend Divine Wood, and ten stalks of Earthroot Grass. Send someone to deliver them to the Ye Residence.
In ten days, I will treat you."
Ye Yunfei naturally knew what she was referring to. Leaving these words behind, he strode out.
"Celestial River Grass! Three-Fiend Divine Wood!
Such obscure and rare spirit herbs, yet Young Master Ye knows them!
Extraordinary!
Miss, this Young Master Ye… is extraordinary!" Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, Elder Huang was deeply astonished and couldn't help but exclaim.
With no outsiders present, Elder Huang's form of address for Xiao Chuchu immediately shifted to 'Miss.'
"Indeed, he seems filled with mystery.
Is he truly just a young master from a minor family?
I have my doubts."
Xiao Chuchu stared in the direction Ye Yunfei had departed, slightly distracted.
Simultaneously, deep within her heart, a sliver of hope was quietly born.
May this Young Master Ye truly be capable of curing her!
After leaving the VIP room, Ye Yunfei went to the front hall and purchased a large batch of spirit herbs, as well as a Pill Cauldron.
In the end, he not only exhausted the entire ten thousand Spirit Crystals but also went into arrears for a portion!
Possessing a Supreme Spirit Card allowed him a certain line of credit within Lingzhen Pavilion.
After leaving Lingzhen Pavilion, Ye Yunfei returned directly to the Ye Residence, heading straight for his own small courtyard and diving into his room.
"I hope I can ignite the Pill Flame now."
Ye Yunfei retrieved a Pill Cauldron and a large quantity of spirit herbs from the Spatial Ring, arranged them, took a deep breath, and murmured to himself.