Chapter 73

Only two remained. Unless the Dan Sect offered them additional promises, she didn’t think they would be willing to transfer over.

Gu Ming looked at Xia Ye with excitement.

“Let them negotiate on their own? That makes things much easier!”

Previously, when Qilan Pavilion transferred to the Dan Sect, wasn’t it Ye-ge who made it happen?

Xia Ye was also quite pleased but remained far more composed than Gu Ming.

“In that case, Aunt Gu, please arrange for them to visit the Dan Sect tomorrow morning. I’ll meet them in person then.”

Gu Qian’s eyes flashed with admiration.

“Alright,” she agreed.

Once the video call ended, Gu Ming could no longer hold back.

“My mom is actually willing to give us four mid-level alchemists, and two of them are at the peak level! I used to think she was stingy, but now I feel like I’ve wronged her.” He wore an aggrieved expression as he spoke.

Xia Ye stifled a laugh.

“Why do I feel like Aunt Gu arranged it this way because she thinks we’re only aiming for the two mid-stage mid-level alchemists?”

Gu Ming froze.

Then, he smacked his forehead.

“So that’s what this is about! Alright, I take back what I said earlier.”

Xia Ye chuckled and motioned for Gu Ming to step back.

Then, he pulled up his communicator and initiated a video call with his mother.

The Gu family had already provided them with four mid-level alchemists—this was a huge help.

But mid-level alchemists were invaluable talents; who would ever complain about having too many?

The call quickly connected.

Xia Yan smiled at her son.

“Ye’er,” she greeted first.

“Mother Empress,” Xia Ye responded.

“The matter you mentioned before—purchasing Spirit Nourishing Pills—there’s progress.”

Xia Yan’s eyes brightened.

“Really? What’s the price?” she asked immediately.

“The base cost is 300,000 star coins per pill. However, the purchase quota must be exchanged for something else.”

“What… what do you want?” A hint of wariness flickered in Xia Yan’s eyes.

“Transfer contracts for mid-level alchemists,” Xia Ye replied with a smile.

“Each early-stage mid-level alchemist grants a quota of one pill, mid-stage five pills, and peak-stage twenty pills. The quota is valid for a hundred years.”

Xia Yan’s expression stiffened.

“You’re asking us to transfer mid-level alchemists to the Dan Sect just to get a purchase quota? And you still want 300,000 star coins per pill?”

“Yes.” Xia Ye nodded calmly.

“Mother Empress, it’s not that we’re selling the pills to you for 300,000 each—it’s that the base cost of refining the Spirit Nourishing Pills is this high.”

“You should be aware that within the Dan Sect, the selling price ranges from 500,000 to 1.5 million per pill. If we were to sell them externally, given how scarce they are, you could easily resell them for three million star coins each. Considering the hundred-year quota, the potential profits are considerable. If the Dan Sect weren’t short on funds, we wouldn’t be using this method of exchange.”

Xia Yan’s mouth twitched.

Short on funds? That 2-billion-per-person entrance fee, plus the continuous stream of licensing fees from Jade Dew Pills—just hearing about it was enough to make her envious. Short on funds, really?

“Aunt Gu has already agreed to give the Dan Sect two mid-stage and two peak-stage mid-level alchemists. You can consider it as well,” Xia Ye continued, ignoring Xia Yan’s expression.

Xia Yan’s face shifted.

She lowered her head slightly, her eyes flickering with thought.

Gu Qian had already agreed, meaning the Dan Sect had secured those alchemists. If she hesitated now, it wouldn’t look good on her part.

Fine, she would trade.

With the Spirit Nourishing Pills, she wouldn’t have to worry about quickly nurturing more mid-level alchemists. In fact, she might even be able to fast-track the development of high-level alchemists. After all, the royal family had a mid-level alchemist with S-rank mental potential.

“Alright… I’ll also provide two mid-stage and two peak-stage mid-level alchemists. However, whether they actually sign the contracts is up to you to persuade them.”

Xia Yan lifted her gaze back to Xia Ye.

Not far away, Gu Ming nearly burst into laughter when he heard this.

Whether it was his mom or Her Majesty, why did they both think the same way? They were all so generous in sending talent to the Dan Sect.

Xia Ye shot Gu Ming a warning look. Gu Ming quickly covered his mouth and turned away.

“Then tomorrow morning, please have your chosen four mid-level alchemists visit the Dan Sect as well. I’ll meet them together with the four from the Gu family,” Xia Ye said.

“Alright,” Xia Yan agreed, though she had the nagging feeling that she had been schemed against by her son yet again—but the decision had been hers to make.

Satisfied, Xia Ye ended the call with his mother. After hesitating for a moment, he then contacted his Third Imperial Sister.

While his offer wasn’t the most lucrative, it was still a good deal. After all, even if others were willing to pay more, the Dan Sect simply wouldn’t sell Spirit Nourishing Pills to outsiders.

Why let good resources go to waste? His Third Imperial Sister treated him and his wife well, so it was only right to repay the favor.

Sure enough, after hearing Xia Ye’s proposal, the Third Imperial Princess agreed to provide the Dan Sect with one mid-stage mid-level alchemist. More importantly, this alchemist had already agreed to transfer directly, requiring no further persuasion from the Dan Sect.

Still, Xia Ye insisted that she arrange for the alchemist to visit the Dan Sect tomorrow morning so they could finalize the contract alongside the others.

Once the call ended, Gu Ming looked at Xia Ye with admiration.

When it came to combat strength, he idolized Zheng-ge the most. But in terms of strategy? Ye-ge was unbeatable.

After finishing the conversation with his Third Imperial Sister, Xia Ye paused briefly before initiating a call with Zheng Yuan.

Unlike the others, Zheng Yuan’s expression was already wary the moment he answered.

Xia Ye was speechless for a moment.

Then, he got straight to the point.

“My wife has spoken. You can exchange for four Marrow Cleansing Pills, but you must provide two peak-stage mid-level alchemists. Additionally, the terms for Spirit Nourishing Pills are the same as with the Gu family and the royal family. How many are you willing to offer?”

Zheng Yuan’s heart skipped a beat.

“This…” He needed both the Marrow Cleansing Pills and the Spirit Nourishing Pills, but mid-level alchemists were vital to the military!

“No room for negotiation. If you miss this opportunity, it’s gone. The number of mid-level alchemists we’ve secured from various factions is already considerable. Think it over carefully before responding.”

Zheng Yuan gritted his teeth.

“Then we’ll provide three peak-stage alchemists!”

Aside from Qilan Pavilion’s previous transfers, the military still had four peak-stage mid-level alchemists. While their mental strength was slightly lower than Qilan Pavilion’s, the difference wasn’t significant.

The Marrow Cleansing Pills were essential for enhancing an alchemist’s potential—he had to make the trade.

Spirit Nourishing Pills accelerated mental strength growth—he had to get them, too, so that their S-rank potential alchemist could reach high-level status quickly and they could cultivate new promising alchemists.

At first glance, giving away three peak-stage mid-level alchemists seemed like a huge sacrifice. But in the long run, it was worth it!

After all, the military’s primary business wasn’t alchemy—it was selling medicinal ingredients. Even if their refining capacity decreased, they would still have plenty of opportunities to earn money later.

Xia Ye’s eyes flickered.

“Alright! Have those three report to the Dan Sect tomorrow morning as well. I’ll meet with all the transferring alchemists then.”

“Understood.” Zheng Yuan agreed and ended the call.