Finally, Qin Ruqing spoke up, “I came this time to discuss a second collaboration with the Yang family.”

Because of her favorable impression of the Yang family, Qin Ruqing added, “Previously, I wasn’t avoiding the matter; I simply had important things to attend to.”

Yang Wenxu didn’t mind at all.

As long as they could collaborate, time didn’t matter.

As long as they agreed before the Yang family went bankrupt, it would be fine.

Qin Ruqing took out an item, pushed it forward, and smiled, “This is the item I wish to collaborate with the Yang family on.”

Yang Wenxu’s gaze fixed on the jade-like red cube in front of him, “What is this?”

He picked it up with his large hand, fiddled with it for a while, and smoothly disassembled it.

After examining it for a while, he nodded, “This seems to be a set of spirit tools meant to be used separately. The craftsmanship and materials are quite exquisite.”

Qin Ruqing was genuinely surprised.

She thought, “Is this typical of Xiling people?”

They could use spirit tools without reading the manual.

She had fiddled with it for a long time and still couldn’t figure out how to disassemble it.

Qin Ruqing’s slightly shining black eyes made the scholarly man’s face flush.

He said, “Miss Qin, there’s no need to be surprised. In Xiling, we don’t practice talismans or alchemy, only body refinement and artifact crafting. Some geniuses even practice both, but regardless, given the environment, while not everyone is an artifact craftsman, they understand the basic principles.”

Qin Ruqing understood.

Just like in countries where everyone plays soccer, even if one doesn’t play, they understand the game.

Qin Ruqing smiled and pointed at the red cube, “This is a Cultivation Accelerator.” With that simple statement, she turned to watch Yang Wenxu.

As expected, his eyes widened in shock, and he seemed to want to ask something but didn’t dare.

“By inserting a Revitalization Pill into the cube’s slot, you can enhance the pill’s effect. Previously, the Revitalization Pill’s effect lasted only three days, but with this, it can last seven days. If cost is no object, and the cube is divided into four parts, each containing a Revitalization Pill, and placed at the body’s four corners, it creates a special space. Cultivating within this space is equivalent to being in a small secret realm.”

Qin Ruqing’s eyes curved as she smiled, “With this item, can our cooperation be considered sincere?”

It took Yang Wenxu a while to find his voice.

He wiped his face with his handkerchief again before speaking in a trembling voice, “Miss Qin’s sincerity is evident to all!”

If she was genuinely willing to use this item for long-term collaboration with the Yang family, it would solve their declining fortunes.

“How does Miss Qin wish to cooperate? An auction? This time, the Yang family won’t take any commission. Please, Miss Qin, don’t refuse any of our tokens of gratitude. Otherwise, with a spirit tool of such caliber, if the Yang family gains from it without reciprocation, we would be deeply unsettled!”

Qin Ruqing explained, “Brother Yang, there’s no need to thank me entirely. My Qin family doesn’t craft artifacts. Although we have some craftsmen, their skills are average at best and cannot produce such ingenious spirit tools. This was crafted by a friend traveling with me, and he agreed to let me use it for our collaboration. If the Yang family truly wishes to express gratitude, it should be directed towards him as well.”

Yang Wenxu let out an “Oh” and quickly realized who she meant.

Qin Ruqing was referring to whom?

There were four people in the Qin family’s party that came to Xiling.

Among them, the other three, aside from the young lady, seemed to be direct descendants of the Qin family.

The remaining one, the tallest, always shrouded in a black robe, looked somewhat mysterious and was referred to as a friend by the young lady.

So, he turned out to be an artifact master as well.

“So, that black-robed brother is indeed an outstanding artifact master. It seems that someone like the young lady would naturally have friends who are exceptional individuals.”

“I don’t deserve such praise, Brother Yang.” Despite this, the straightforward way these honest body cultivators gave compliments was a bit overwhelming.

Yang Wenxu noticed Qin Ruqing’s expression and gently said, “Does the young lady think I’m flattering you?”

He pointed at the red cube in his hand, “The young lady is young but already holds the title of elder, clearly showing her sharp mind and talent.

There’s no need for me to exaggerate. As for your friend, while it might seem like he merely utilized the convenience of the Revitalization Pills to create a spirit tool that accelerates cultivation, that’s not the case.”

“Alchemy and artifact crafting are two completely different paths. For your black-robed friend to merge them into one, making them complement each other and achieve an effect greater than the sum of their parts, requires tremendous effort and a deep understanding of both alchemy and artifact crafting.

Both of these paths demand immense talent and effort. Being able to integrate the two so seamlessly makes him truly exceptional. So, my praise for you and your friend is not flattery; it’s simply the truth.”

Wow, the more Qin Ruqing listened, the more she felt that Tang Zifeng’s artifact crafting ideas were inherently suited to complement the Qin family’s alchemy.

Unfortunately, he was determined to return to his clan and likely wouldn’t be able to serve as an elder guest in her Qin family in the future.

Qin Ruqing didn’t want to dwell on this topic and shifted back to the main point, “Brother Yang, do you think this item, when paired with the Vitality Pill, has a market in Xiling and can gain popularity?”

Yang Wenxu replied firmly, “Absolutely!”

“The previous high-priced auction has already generated some buzz. If the young lady is willing to lower the price of the Vitality Pills and pair them with the Cultivation Accelerator, I’m not boasting, but capturing half of Xiling’s market shouldn’t be an issue.”

“The price of the Vitality Pills isn’t a problem.” From the beginning, Qin Ruqing never intended to sell the Revitalization Pills at a high price.

The reason the previous auction fetched such a high price was purely because the local families in Xiling had never seen such a thing before and wanted to buy samples for research.

If the Revitalization Pills were sold in bulk, the price would naturally come down.

Qin Ruqing said, “This collaboration aims to expand the market and build a reputation. Therefore, there’s no need to follow the high-end auction route. Selling the Revitalization(Vitality) Pills and the Cultivation Accelerators directly in physical stores would be better. By the way, I forgot to ask, about Yang family’s shops…”

Yang Wenxu, thinking Qin Ruqing was doubting the Yang family’s distribution capabilities, pounded his chest proudly, “Though the Yang family has declined, we were once a prominent family. Even though we’ve sold many shops, we still have enough storefronts to occupy a few streets.”

Qin Ruqing smiled, “I’m not doubting the Yang family’s distribution ability. On the contrary, we don’t have many Cultivation Accelerators prepared this time, so I hope Brother Yang sells them wisely. Money isn’t important; building a reputation is.”

“Indeed, building a reputation is the most important,” Qin Ruqing added .

Yang Wenxu nodded in agreement.

After chatting for a bit longer, Qin Ruqing prepared to leave.

Yang Wenxu insisted on seeing her off and invited her and her companions to stay at the Yang residence several times along the way, saying it was improper for honored guests to stay in an inn.

Qin Ruqing smiled but didn’t agree.

If it weren’t for the matter of the antidote pill, she wouldn’t mind staying at the Yang residence.

The Yang family had been hospitable and had made her feel comfortable during their interactions.

However, the antidote pill would have a significant impact in Xiling.

Once the news spread, it could cause a lot of turmoil among the prominent families.

Qin Ruqing had grown up listening to her father and ancestors talk about the affairs of these families and, having managed affairs herself, she knew some families used unsavory means.

If she stayed at the Yang residence, it wouldn’t be cooperation; it would bring trouble to them.

Seeing that Qin Ruqing didn’t agree, Yang Wenxu felt slightly disappointed and was about to say something when someone approached them.

This person wore a green robe with embroidered patterns on the collar, and Yang Wenxu’s eyes widened in astonishment.

It was an old acquaintance, an officer from the Celestial Bureau.

After a glance at Yang Wenxu and a slight nod, the officer turned to Qin Ruqing, his demeanor noticeably more enthusiastic.

With a slight bow, the officer said, “Our director invites Fifth Miss Qin to the Celestial Bureau to discuss cooperation matters. Does the Fifth Miss have time?”

Qin Ruqing was surprised.

She thought the officer would just have a brief conversation with her, but she didn’t expect the director of the Celestial Bureau to invite her.

Could it be because of the earlier matter…?

With a smile, Qin Ruqing replied cheerfully, “Since the director has invited me, I certainly have time!”

As for Yang Wenxu, his eyes were no longer just wide; his mouth was also agape in astonishment.

Watching the young lady bid him farewell and leave with the officer, he couldn’t help but entertain an incredible suspicion.

Could it be that the young lady’s earlier claim about the Qin family being connected to the Celestial Bureau was actually true?