In the deathly silent meeting hall, fervent gazes fixed on the small jade bottle Feng Qingyan placed on the table.
They could hardly believe that it contained pills superior to Rejuvenation Pills.
“I don’t believe it. How could this kid get such fine medicine?” Yang Yijun shouted first.
Having completely fallen out with Qingxu Academy, he had no ties left. If Ling Xiao truly produced such pills, it would spell trouble for Shenhuang Academy, where he planned to go, which was bad for him.
“Whether you believe it or not doesn’t matter. You’re no longer part of Shenhuang Academy, so just get lost!” Huo Pili cursed.
“Damn it! Let’s go!” Yang Yijun wanted to stay but had no choice. Having severed ties with Qingxu Academy, he could only leave.
There was no place for him here anymore.
He also wanted to report this to Sun Shang quickly, so Shenhuang Academy could prepare.
But he was doomed to fail. Sun Shang, so arrogant, would never believe him, especially since Yang Yijun hadn’t seen the pills in the jade bottle.
As Yang Yijun left, Huo Pili turned to Ling Xiao. “Kid, though that guy’s no good, I’m skeptical about your pills too. Can we test their effects?”
Ling Xiao nodded. “Go ahead, Vice Dean. I have both Rejuvenation Pills and Rejuvenation Spirit Pills. Try them and see.”
The pills’ effects were immediate, and the comparison would soon reveal which was better.
Huo Pili swallowed one of each, feeling their effects.
Everyone watched him tensely, as these Rejuvenation Spirit Pills could be the key to saving Qingxu Academy.
“Kid, how many of these pills do you have?” Huo Pili asked excitedly moments later. “I can’t believe such pills exist. It’s truly eye-opening.”
“Vice Dean, as I said, I’ve prepared ten thousand initially, enough to seize the market. If they sell well, I can make more. Driving Shenhuang Academy out of the pill market shouldn’t be an issue,” Ling Xiao said calmly.
“Ten thousand!” Gasps filled the hall.
Ten thousand such fine pills were a godsend.
“Ahem, don’t just stare. Say something,” Ling Xiao coughed, snapping the shocked crowd back to reality.
“Hahaha, sorry, your feat stunned us,” Huo Pili laughed, his view of Ling Xiao now entirely different.
Before, he’d been dismissive but protective, as Ling Xiao was an academy disciple. Now, it was pure admiration.
Producing so many high-grade pills wasn’t something an ordinary alchemist could do. There must be a master behind Ling Xiao.
“Ling Xiao, you surely know the academy’s situation,” the white-bearded elder sighed. “Pills have always been our main income, but since Sun Shang arrived, our revenue has shrunk, especially after the Rejuvenation Pill incident. We’re now losing money.
Your stepping up with so many Rejuvenation Spirit Pills is astonishing and touching. These aren’t just pills, they’re the cure to save Qingxu Academy.
Here’s my offer: we’ll take the pills, and all spirit stones from sales go to you. As long as we don’t lose money and can reclaim the market, profit doesn’t matter. What do you think?”
The dean of Qingxu Academy was far-sighted. He’d sell the pills without taking a single spirit stone.
This wasn’t generosity but long-term thinking.
Even if they lost money initially, regaining the market would make future profits easy.
More importantly, he knew they couldn’t afford to offend Ling Xiao.
Showing even a hint of greed could push Ling Xiao to offer the pills to Shenhuang Academy, dooming Qingxu.
“No,” Ling Xiao shook his head firmly.
The elder frowned slightly.
Huo Pili snapped, “You brat, I admit your pills can save Qingxu Academy, but they’re not the only way. Don’t push it. We’re not taking any spirit stones, and you’re still not satisfied? Do you expect us to pay you more?”
“Ling Xiao, the academy has always supported you. When Yang Yijun suggested handing you and your friends to Shenhuang Academy, the dean expelled them,” a teacher reminded.
“Enough. Bullying a kid? These pills weren’t even made by him. Are you asking him to use his own spirit stones to pay that master?” Feng Qingyan waved dismissively. “Ling Xiao, speak. Even if that senior demands more spirit stones, we’ll accept it.”
Ling Xiao gave a wry smile. “You’ve misunderstood. I’m not asking for more. My point is, selling and promoting these Rejuvenation Spirit Pills will cost a lot. As a Qingxu Academy student, saving the academy is my duty.
Let’s split it four-six. You take six, I take four. The materials cost money, and the master needs some reward. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even want payment.”
Hearing this, the initially frustrated and indignant academy leaders were stunned.
They’d thought Ling Xiao was unhappy with the profit share, but he meant the opposite. They’d misjudged him.
“Kid, you’re a good one. I was too hasty. My apologies!” Huo Pili said, straightforwardly apologising.
Though hot-tempered, he was honest.
Other teachers also apologised to Ling Xiao.
They’d secretly grumbled about him.
As Feng Qingyan said, even if Ling Xiao demanded all profits and more, they’d have little to say.
But he proposed a four-six split, with the academy taking the larger share, leaving them overjoyed yet slightly embarrassed.
Feng Qingyan frowned. “Ling Xiao, this might not satisfy that master. What if you offend him?”
“Don’t worry, Vice Dean. I say it’s fine, so it’s fine,” Ling Xiao said, waving his hand.
“Alright, since you say so, the academy owes you a favour. If you ever need help, we’ll do our utmost,” Feng Qingyan nodded.
