Chapter 28

Qu Yang didn't like this feeling, the taste of being caught by the throat was not pleasant.

In the past, it was the Danqi Sect, and now Bai Chen had added to the list. However, Qu Yang still looked at Bai Chen steadily, "Speak your mind."

"I demand that you, the Xiuzhi Sect, cease all supply of medicinal materials to the Danqi Sect from now on."

The Danqi Sect could hold other sects hostage with their elixirs, and Bai Chen intended to strike first at the Danqi Sect's Achilles' heel.

If a few more years passed, and the Danqi Sect had enough resources, they might no longer be constrained by the Xiuzhi Sect.

But as long as the Danqi Sect remained dependent on the Xiuzhi Sect, Bai Chen's move would still be effective.

Once the supply of materials was insufficient, the Danqi Sect would be unable to refine enough elixirs, and the other sects in Qingzhou City would become less dependent on the Danqi Sect.

If Bai Chen could meet the needs of some sects, the threat posed by the Danqi Sect would be minimized.

A tiger with its teeth pulled, no matter how much it roars, cannot change its fate.

Qu Yang was taken aback, falling into deep thought, calculating the gains and losses.

If he agreed to Bai Chen's demands, the stable supply of Bai Lu Dan would be resolved.

However, this did not mean that the Xiuzhi Sect would suffer no losses. After all, the Danqi Sect was still the largest buyer of medicinal materials from the Xiuzhi Sect.

Before being certain of Bai Chen's purchasing power, Qu Yang still dared not make a decision.

After all, if they lost their fundamental foothold, even the Xiuzhi Sect would be eliminated.

At that time, even with more Bai Lu Dan, it would be meaningless.

"Master Bai, you know that if we lose the Danqi Sect as a buyer, the loss to our Xiuzhi Sect will be significant."

Bai Chen understood Qu Yang's concerns, which was also a problem he currently could not solve.

Although Bai Chen could produce elixirs in quantities not inferior to the Danqi Sect, this issue arose.

Bai Chen's output and loss were completely disproportionate to the Danqi Sect.

The Danqi Sect purchased large quantities of materials because they had to accompany a large number of failed products during the refining process.

Therefore, they needed several times, even ten times more materials than Bai Chen.

Even if Bai Chen purchased materials at the same volume as the Danqi Sect, it was uncertain whether he could refine so many materials.

Even if he could refine all the elixirs, he wouldn't dare to sell them.

Because such a massive amount of elixirs would directly disrupt the environment of Qingzhou City.

The environment here was not just market saturation but also the balance between sects.

For example, some small sects might not be financially weaker than the five major sects.

Their main weakness was the lack of martial balance. Once a large number of elixirs appeared, they could quickly produce many experts, leading to unimaginable imbalance.

A hint of a smile appeared on Qu Yang's face, as if he had thought of something.

"Actually, this matter is not impossible to negotiate."

"Oh? Master Qu, do you have any suggestions?"

Bai Chen was somewhat surprised, expecting Qu Yang to make him compromise, but he didn't expect him to propose suggestions proactively.

"Within our Xiuzhi Sect, there are actually some disciples who are eager to learn alchemy, but they have always lacked a master to guide them, so their alchemy skills have remained at a low level. If Master Bai is willing to guide them, the Xiuzhi Sect can make some concessions."

This was normal. Just like the Danqi Sect developing their own medicinal resources, the Xiuzhi Sect naturally wanted to find another path.

Moreover, facing medicinal materials every day, saying they had no thoughts would be a lie.

Relying on their own exploration to achieve something was simply wishful thinking.

Even the Danqi Sect, which was primarily focused on elixirs, had very few disciples who truly became alchemists, and most were low-level alchemists who could only refine first-tier elixirs.

Someone like Qin Youwei, who had the support of the entire sect, was given almost unlimited materials to practice with.

Despite his apparent success, if the Danqi Sect gave the resources to another disciple, they might not be much worse than Qin Youwei.

The Xiuzhi Sect had sufficient materials, as they were primarily focused on medicinal materials, but their alchemy skills were far behind.

Otherwise, Qu Feng wouldn't have immediately bowed to Bai Chen upon seeing him.

It seemed the Xiuzhi Sect was also desperate, otherwise, they wouldn't be so eager to recruit a capable alchemist.

Bai Chen hesitated. On one hand, he didn't know how to teach disciples, as the alchemy knowledge and techniques in his mind were all implanted, not learned through listening.

It wasn't that he couldn't teach, but Bai Chen was a bit uncertain if he could handle it.

Another point was that he didn't want to end up like a master who starves after teaching his disciples.

"Kid, what are you hesitating about? It will take them at least three to five years to reach your current level, and by then, you probably won't have the chance to refine elixirs below the tenth tier. So it's better to cultivate some alchemy disciples now for future needs."

Jiesha's voice echoed in Bai Chen's mind. Bai Chen's eyes flashed with surprise but quickly returned to normal.

"Master Qu, you should understand that learning alchemy is not something that can be achieved overnight. Besides, I can't stay in the Xiuzhi Sect forever to teach your disciples."

Qu Yang was overjoyed upon hearing Bai Chen's words: "Master Bai, rest assured. These disciples only need to follow you and observe when you refine elixirs. They can also become your disciples, and I don't mind that."

Become my disciples? I don't want that, Bai Chen thought to himself: "I don't have much time to teach them. It will take at least a year for them to reach the level of refining sixth-tier elixirs."

A year? Qu Yang and Yue Zhuxin both widened their eyes, looking at Bai Chen in shock.

If Bai Chen wasn't joking, he must have made a mistake.

A year was probably just enough to get started, how could they reach the master level?

Qin Youwei, a prodigy in alchemy, had been immersed in elixirs since childhood, and even now, he couldn't refine sixth-tier elixirs.

"A... a year?"

Qu Yang was worried that Bai Chen might just be making vague promises. If so, the cooperation would need to be reconsidered.

"Master Qu, let's make a deal. For one year, I will temporarily take the Xiuzhi Sect's disciples with me. After a year, I will ensure they can reach the master level in alchemy. Then they can make their own choices, whether to formally become my disciples or return to the Xiuzhi Sect. What do you think?"

Qu Yang was naturally very tempted, but the one-year time frame was too short. He feared they wouldn't learn much in a year, causing him to hesitate.

"Master Qu, if you're worried I can't fulfill the agreement, there's no need to worry. I can't guarantee other things, but alchemy is my strength. What others can't do, I might be able to."

Bai Chen expressed his confidence, which had been boosted by Jiesha's encouragement.

Hearing Bai Chen's words, Qu Yang felt somewhat reassured. If they could learn in a year, they wouldn't fear the Danqi Sect's tricks.

Even if Bai Chen broke the agreement, the Xiuzhi Sect would still have enough time to adjust during that year.

But if Bai Chen succeeded, the rise of the Xiuzhi Sect would be imminent.

"Alright, since Master Bai is straightforward, I won't say more. Within this year, any materials you need will be sold to you at a 50% discount by the Xiuzhi Sect."

In fact, a 50% discount had already hit the cost bottom line of the Xiuzhi Sect. Qu Yang was essentially selling at a loss.

However, after Bai Chen took the Xiuzhi Sect's disciples, the materials for his own disciples would naturally be provided by Bai Chen as their master. Spending his own money to cultivate other sect's disciples would make anyone uncomfortable.

Qu Yang did this to lay a solid foundation for his own disciples, so the 50% discount was actually for his own disciples' materials.

Bai Chen didn't mind spending his own money. In fact, after Jiesha's encouragement, Bai Chen had the idea of winning over those disciples to make them willing to become his disciples.

The two quickly reached an agreement. In fact, this agreement was beneficial to both sides, especially the Xiuzhi Sect. Cutting ties with the Danqi Sect would have some impact, but the Danqi Sect would also be significantly affected.

Mu Sansheng had always followed Bai Chen, silent and with a complex heart.

Initially, when Bai Chen came to Qingzhou City, the first sect he wanted to cooperate with was the Tiejian Sect, but due to his ignorance, he lost the opportunity. Now, the Tiejian Sect was on the brink of extinction, and if they couldn't get Bai Chen's help, they might really be destroyed.

Leaving the Xiuzhi Sect's mountain gate, the two prepared to return to Qingzhou City. If they couldn't reach the city gate by midnight, they would have to spend the night in the wilderness.

The night was somewhat desolate, the moon hidden behind thick clouds, and the stars were dim.

Under the night sky, it felt somewhat empty. Bai Chen finally spoke: "After we return, I'll visit your Tiejian Sect. Are you welcome?"

"Huh?" Mu Sansheng was initially stunned but quickly understood.

Visit? That means he's planning to cooperate?

How could Mu Sansheng not be excited? He quickly nodded: "Thank you, Master Bai, for your favor."

Mu Sansheng's heart, which had been hanging, finally settled. Although Bai Chen didn't explicitly state his intentions, as long as they could sit down and talk, there was a chance.

However, Mu Sansheng still regretted that if he hadn't been so arrogant that day, they might not just be talking.

Suddenly, a faint sound of hooves came from the distant official road. The sound was from far away, but the number was clearly not small, heading in their direction.

Bai Chen and Mu Sansheng initially thought it was a coincidence, but when the dozen horses stopped in front of them, blocking their path, they realized these people were after them.

"Who are you!" Mu Sansheng took a few steps forward, not losing his composure.

"Are you Mu Sansheng?" A tall horseman rode forward, his voice low. In the darkness, his face was unclear, but he exuded a cold aura.

"Who are you? Since you know it's me, why don't you move?"

"Ha... So he must be Bai Chen, then?" The man pointed at Bai Chen.

"Those who come with ill intent are not good. Those who come with good intent are not here." Bai Chen stepped forward: "Are you here to take lives, or to offer yours?"

The man's laughter in the darkness was particularly eerie: "Very well, since you're all going to die, it saves me the trouble of dealing with them one by one."