Chapter 73: A Tool with Dignity?

"Have I heard that you are a pill refiner?"

Heard?

Heard from where?

Luo Chen was far from being a household name.

Even though the business of the Wondrous Pill was doing well, the people who bought such pills wouldn't go out of their way to promote him.

How did I catch the eye of this Foundation Establishment cultivator?

It was because of Wang Yuan!

Luo Chen understood this clearly, and a look of fear appeared on his face.

"I've only refined some low-quality pills, just for fun. I can't be called a pill refiner."

Without knowing when, Uncle Mi had a bright red, jelly-like pill in his hand.

"This is not a low-quality pill, it's a first-grade mid-quality pill!"

His voice was filled with unbridled admiration.

"What! A mid-quality pill!"

Qin Liangchen, standing beside him, was shocked as if a cat had stepped on a mouse.

He had always thought that Luo Chen only refined low-grade fasting pills, and even the Wondrous Pills were just some low-end aphrodisiacs.

But now, a Foundation Establishment cultivator was telling him that his little brother had actually refined a mid-quality pill!

What did this mean?

Even though he had once taken high-quality pills, buying and consuming them was one thing, but refining them was another!

It represented countless failures and excellent alchemical talent.

Especially since Luo Chen was just a mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivator, without family support or sect assistance, he couldn't afford too many failures.

So, it was obvious.

The other party possessed alchemical talent that could be described as terrifying, even monstrous!

"My little brother, you've been hiding your abilities well!" Qin Liangchen looked at Luo Chen with a resentful gaze.

Unbeknownst to him, Luo Chen was already drenched in cold sweat.

Have I finally been noticed?

What will happen to me next?

Facing the young man who was still taller than him even when he bowed his head, Uncle Mi seemed to have thought of something.

He patted Luo Chen on the shoulder.

"Look up!"

"Even though your cultivation is low, you must not lack pride!"

Luo Chen lifted his head as instructed and saw the kind, elder-like smile on Uncle Mi's face.

He was inwardly alarmed.

But on the surface, he showed a determined expression.

"Little Luo has learned!"

Uncle Mi smiled in satisfaction and then said, "Now that the Mountain Breaker Gang has the Seven Tigers Hall and Wang Yuan's Dragon Hall, everything is on track, thriving. What do you think if we establish a Pill Hall?"

Qin Liangchen hesitated, his gaze falling on Luo Chen.

"Ruo Chen, you should be the head of the Pill Hall!" Uncle Mi said with a smile.

Luo Chen was flattered and quickly waved his hands, "Little Luo's cultivation is low, and my pill refining skills are not up to par. I fear I am not fit to be the head of a hall."

"Young man, be more confident!"

Uncle Mi turned around, hands behind his back, and walked forward.

"I have high hopes for you!"

"After the Pill Hall is established, the other eight halls will also support it as much as possible."

"I have some books related to alchemy and a couple of pill formulas that I will let you see."

"Additionally, the Mountain Breaker Gang will purchase a shop in the inner city, where the pills produced by the Pill Hall will have a place."

"Little Luo, don't let everyone down!"

"Lord Luo, please take good care of us in the future!"

"Brother, you're joking! I don't deserve such a title!"

"Ha ha, you two chat, I'll go rest."

Mourning Qinglian placed a pot of wine and left gracefully.

The two men were left in the living room, one deep in thought, the other smiling bitterly.

After a while, Qin Liangchen came to his senses.

In front of Luo Chen, he cast a talisman.

"This is a soundproof talisman, which can block Qi Condensation cultivators from eavesdropping. Although it can't stop Foundation Establishment cultivators from probing, it will ignite the moment it is touched."

Looking at the talisman, Luo Chen understood that Qin Liangchen had something serious to discuss with him.

Mentioning serious matters, it might seem a bit funny.

Qin Liangchen neither had the same kind of relationship with Luo Chen as Wang Yuan, nor the camaraderie with him like Old Daoist Chen.

But this scene felt natural.

Just because the two of them felt like they had met too late and were kindred spirits.

Especially after fighting together for a while, they found each other's temperaments very compatible.

Therefore, when Qin Liangchen took this stance, Luo Chen also became serious.

"Brother Qin, speak your mind!"

Qin Liangchen nodded, "I ask you, if the Pill Hall is established, do you really have the ability to sustain it?"

Luo Chen thought seriously for a moment and then nodded slowly.

Qin Liangchen's face showed surprise, not expecting the other party to have such confidence!

"Then the question is, what are your demands?"

"First, it must not affect my cultivation!" Luo Chen said solemnly, adding, "Moreover, the Mountain Breaker Gang must fully support my cultivation!"

Qin Liangchen frowned and then affirmed, "This demand is not excessive. The higher the cultivation, the better the pills refined. Uncle Mi would not refuse, and he has the ability to support a mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivator."

"Second, I must have a share of the profits from the pill production!"

"This might be a bit difficult. Your cultivation is too low, and you don't have much say."

"I can't be a mere tool!"

"Tool?"

"Meaning working for free."

Qin Liangchen frowned, thinking deeply, and then said slowly, "This point needs to be fought for. My wife and I will definitely support you, and Wang Yuan will also support you. But Uncle Mi and the other hall heads might not agree."

"If I don't cooperate, they won't make this spirit stone profit either." Luo Chen said firmly.

Qin Liangchen laughed, "You're just a fifth-layer Qi Condensation cultivator. What if you don't cooperate? Are you not afraid of death?"

"Without freedom, I'd rather die!" Luo Chen said resolutely.

"Really?"

Luo Chen's face fell, "Of course not, who wants to die if they can live?"

Qin Liangchen poured him a cup of wine and drank from his own cup.

Luo Chen also drank his wine with a worried expression.

Always trying to avoid being a tool, but never thought it would come to this.

It could only be said that a wandering pill refiner was too eye-catching.

Before, Wang Yuan had protected him, but now, those who wanted to use him were even more powerful, even Wang Yuan's superior.

Suddenly, Qin Liangchen put down his wine cup.

"Go find Old Yuan!"

"Who?"

"The old man with the broken leg who sold you the yellow pear wine!"

Luo Chen's eyes lit up, "You mean the father of Leaping Tiger, the grandfather of Xiao Yue?"

"Yes, even though his leg is broken and his son is dead, he still has a say in the Mountain Breaker Gang. Long Panhu was once his disciple, and the new mine hall head is a former subordinate of Leaping Tiger. Also, I will contact my sworn brother, Ke Yuelin."

Mentioning Ke Yuelin, Qin Liangchen paused.

Then he affirmed, "This way, half of the eight halls, plus me and another elder, will support you."

"Of course, these are just words. No one is willing to give up potential benefits. So, you need to make some promises."

"Like what?"

"Once your cultivation is higher, refine some pills that can enhance cultivation for everyone. Or, train a few pill refiners for them."

Saying this, he looked at Luo Chen, "Can you teach?"

Luo Chen chuckled, "Of course, if I can't teach, it means the other party lacks alchemical talent."

"You, indeed, are not as innocent as you look."

Qin Liangchen laughed and then asked curiously, "What is your last demand?"

Luo Chen took a deep breath and spoke frankly.

"Longevity!"

"Any method or pill for longevity, or any rare materials!"

Qin Liangchen was stunned, looking at Luo Chen in confusion, "You're only twenty-seven!"

"Twenty-eight after the New Year."

"But things related to longevity, no one will give up."

If there were such good things, who would give them to others?

Uncle Mi would probably use them himself first.

"I have five spiritual roots and was born with a deficiency. A high-ranking expert once said I wouldn't live past eighty. So, I must have longevity items."

"But—"

"Brother Qin, actually, this last demand can be put first."

"Huh?"

Qin Liangchen was taken aback, then seemed to realize something.

After pondering for a while, he laughed.

"Alright, let's do it your way."

After determining the direction of the negotiation, both of them had a clear idea.

Enjoying some small dishes and drinking some wine, Qin Liangchen talked about some of the more secretive people and matters in the Mountain Breaker Gang.

In the end, his tone was filled with melancholy.

"Little Luo, do you know what I thought when Old Mi said those things to you tonight?"

What things?

Look up, even though your cultivation is low, you must have pride!

Men, be more confident!

I have high hopes for you!

Don't let everyone down!

"At that moment, I thought—"

"It feels like it's happening all over again!"

(End of Chapter)