Chapter 191: Matters In Southern Sky City
“Yang Kun does have some means. In just a few months, he opened up the business deal between Yun Cang Town and Southern Sky City. Five thousand First-order Origin Stones—that shows some sincerity.”
Five thousand First-order Origin Stones converted to gold would be seventy to eighty thousand taels, enough for an ordinary True Intent Realm Martial Artist to cultivate for several months.
Yang Kun had this capability right upon arriving in Southern Sky City, which was enough to prove his abilities.
However, the bigger the business, the easier it was to attract others’ covetous eyes.
Yang Kun and his brother joined hands to integrate the resources produced by Golden Ape Martial Arts School and several other places, transporting them together to Southern Sky City for sale. The profit was much higher, which was the moneymaking aspect.
Besides that, the most crucial thing was the Feral Beast Essence Blood condensed by Blood Bees.
The Feral Beast Essence Blood condensed by Blood Bees contained faint traces of Malevolent Energy and Insect Blood, with higher purity and better effects than ordinary Essence Blood.
This was a specialty product, directly acquired by Red Moon Pill Workshop. However, with Red Moon Pill Workshop’s Blood Yuan Pills selling hotly now, this source had been targeted by others.
Su Yan went out the door and directly controlled the Six-Winged Blood Centipede, flying down the mountain toward Southern Sky City.
Upon entering Southern Sky City, Su Yan changed his appearance, put on the black robe again, donned the mask, and went all the way to the location left by Yang Kun.
The courtyard had two sections, neither big nor small. The courtyard walls were high, laid out like a deep large courtyard.
“Who is it?”
As he approached, two gatekeepers at the door—Blood Moving Realm Martial Artists—came forward to block him.
“Call Yang Kun out to see me.”
The two were stunned, but they were not overbearing types: “Please wait a moment.”
One went to report, and soon Yang Kun came running out, bowing: “Mister, the subordinates below were ignorant. Please come inside to talk.”
“Mm.”
Su Yan followed Yang Kun inside, passed through the front courtyard, and arrived at the hall in the back courtyard.
Yang Kun dismissed his subordinates, then respectfully said: “This subordinate was rude just now. Please forgive me, Lord.”
“No matter.”
Su Yan waved his hand and asked: “How many people do you have now?”
“I, Yang Lun, Ding Meng, Wang Cang, Cai Peng—five True Intent Realm Martial Artists; two Half-step True Intent Realm Martial Artists; seven Spirit Nurturing Realm Perfection Martial Artists; and the remaining hundred Blood Moving Realm, Spirit Nurturing Realm, and Muscle and Bone Realm Martial Artists, recruited from Grindstone Stockade, San Die Stream, and Southern Sky City.”
Yang Kun told Su Yan about the recent situation, explaining carefully: “Worried that others might figure out our details, this subordinate took the liberty to move out from the previous residence. The mobilized subordinates are not all Yun Cang Town Martial Artists.”
“Your caution is correct.”
Yang Kun was able to organize so many people in a short time. Plus, the subordinates from Grindstone Stockade and San Die Stream were not even counted—this setup was already pulled together very well.
“Our materials are supplied to Red Moon Pill Workshop?”
“Blood Bee Essence Blood was monopolized by Red Moon Pill Workshop at a high price. The remaining materials are sold separately to the shops of Ouyang Family and Liu Family.”
Selling separately made it hard for others to control them—Yang Kun naturally understood this principle.
“Who has targeted the Blood Bee Essence Blood?”
“Two rivals of Red Moon Pill Workshop: Tian Yuan Pill Workshop and Da Chuan Pill Workshop.”
Yang Kun said: “In Southern Sky City, the best in the pill refining business is Danxiang Pavilion. After that are Ouyang Pill Workshop, Tian Yuan Pill Workshop, and Da Chuan Pill Workshop. Red Moon Pill Workshop is still below those three.”
“Ouyang Family hasn’t made a move?”
“Ouyang Family’s steward passed a message asking about this matter, but after learning that Red Moon Pill Workshop had taken it all, they didn’t inquire further.”
Yang Kun paused slightly and said: “Ouyang Family is one of Southern Sky City’s eight great families. The pill workshop is just one of their businesses. They focus more on Feral Beast raising and medicine field planting—that’s their foundation.”
Ouyang Family was a great power with vast enterprises. Although Red Moon Pill Workshop’s pills had some impact, it wouldn’t interfere with their other businesses.
“Red Moon Pill Workshop took the Blood Bee Essence Blood—what pills did they refine?”
“This subordinate has already bought some. Please appraise them, Lord.”
Yang Kun took out a Porcelain Bottle and handed it to Su Yan.
Su Yan tilted the Porcelain Bottle, and a red pill the size of a fingernail rolled out, landing in his palm.
A faint Pill Fragrance wafted, and the pill’s color was smooth and round.
“Perfect appearance. The pill refining technique is quite good, and the Pill Sealing technique is interesting.”
Yang Kun introduced: “Red Moon Pill Workshop refines with Essence Blood, supplemented by Spirit Herbs. This Blood Yuan Pill is a First-order High-grade pill, priced at a hundred First-order Origin Stones per bottle of ten pills. It nurtures Qi and Blood and True Essence, slightly enhances the foundation, and is renowned for low pill toxins.”
He paused slightly, hesitating: “Blood Yuan Pill is similar to the Blood-Strengthening Pill Lord refined before, but its effects are stronger, making it a superior product among First-order High-grade pills.”
Su Yan smiled: “That’s natural. The Blood-Strengthening Pill prescription is simple, mainly relying on Essence Blood effects, and my Alchemy Skill wasn’t proficient back then, unlike this Pill Master.”
Low pill toxins, good effects—even some Martial Artists newly entering True Intent Realm could continue taking it.
Such pills would naturally become hot-selling goods.
But the hotter they sold, the more they squeezed the business of other pill workshops.
After all, mid- and low-tier pills were the mainstay of pill workshops.
“What are the plans of Tian Yuan Pill Workshop and Da Chuan Pill Workshop?”
Su Yan placed the pill aside, his gaze lifting slightly, extremely calm.
Yang Kun’s face darkened slightly, his gaze icy: “Tian Yuan Pill Workshop sent word that Blood Bee Essence Blood must not be supplied to Red Moon Pill Workshop in the future. As for Da Chuan Pill Workshop… hmph, they want to buy the Feral Beast Essence Blood extraction method for ten thousand Origin Stones.”
“Each one greedier than the last.”
Su Yan shook his head slightly, but his gaze turned a few degrees colder.
All the bustle of the world is for profit—this was no issue.
But if they tried to cut off his Su Yan’s path to wealth, that would be a big problem.
“Dong dong dong.”
Urgent footsteps came, and from outside the hall, a subordinate hurriedly reported: “Steward Yang, Da Chuan Pill Workshop’s Second Steward has brought people, saying he wants to see the boss.”
“You’ve been followed.”
Su Yan smiled faintly. Yang Kun’s face sank: “This subordinate was careless.”
“Let them in.”
Su Yan’s voice carried out. That subordinate had sharp eyes and immediately nodded: “I’ll go right now.”
Soon, the people were brought in.
There were only three people. The leader was a man of medium build in a green robe with a short beard, smiling falsely.
Behind him were two in martial attire, with black tiger-head belts around their waists, Arm Guards on their hands, thick fists, and strong auras—clearly True Intent Martial Artists at a glance.
Three True Intent Martial Artists at the door—quite the grand display.
“I’ve long heard of the Sacred Insect Merchant Guild boss’s great name. Tong Tian Dong visits rashly—please don’t mind, Mister.”
Tong Tian Dong pretended to cup his hands, his triangular eyes sizing up Su Yan, feeling slightly reassured.
‘As expected, people from a small place. This boss is at most a True Intent Realm Martial Artist. This matter is settled.’
He sat down on a chair, smiling at Su Yan.
“Da Chuan Pill Workshop has come for the matter of Feral Beast Essence Blood?”
Su Yan said flatly.
Tong Tian Dong frowned, displeasure flashing in his eyes, but he still nodded: “Correct. Some days ago, I mentioned it to Steward Yang. The Feral Beast Essence Blood extraction is ingenious and fits perfectly with several of our Da Chuan Pill Workshop’s pills. To show our sincerity, we’re willing to exchange Ten Thousand Origin Stones for that method.”
His voice was high and shrill, grating on the ears, and his tone carried an air of superiority.
Yang Kun glared angrily, while the two guards behind Tong Tian Dong glared back fiercely.
“Da Chuan Pill Workshop has some thick skin—such great sincerity.”
Su Yan just sneered. Tong Tian Dong’s face changed.
“What, the boss is unwilling?”
Tong Tian Dong’s gaze sharpened menacingly: “This is the city, not the countryside. True Intent Realm Martial Artists aren’t the sky.”
“I thought you’d have something substantial to say.”
Su Yan’s aura rose steadily, directly pressing down on Tong Tian Dong.
Tong Tian Dong immediately erupted with aura, True Intent condensing into a Fierce Wolf clad in green flames.
“True Intent Realm Second Stage—just this?”
Su Yan just pointed a finger. Surging True Essence turned into a centipede shadow, instantly shattering the True Intent.
“Puff.”
Tong Tian Dong spat out a mouthful of blood, his body staggering and falling, crashing into the table and chairs.
“You dare to strike!”
The two Martial Artists behind wanted to act, but Yang Kun had already jumped in front of Su Yan, drawing his Ram Horn Sword with a clang.
“Stand down.”
Tong Tian Dong stopped his two guards.
His gaze was venomous: “I’ll remember this grudge. Sacred Insect Merchant Guild, well done. Hope you can keep up that tough talk in the future.”
“As you please.”
Tong Tian Dong slunk away gray-faced. In the hall, only Su Yan and Yang Kun remained.
“Da Chuan Pill Workshop has beautiful dreams. They even sent someone to probe—looks like they don’t even want to pay Ten Thousand Origin Stones.”
Su Yan smiled, then said: “Have Ding Meng and Wang Cang return. I have tasks for them.”
“Yes.”
Ding Meng and Wang Cang were both out handling matters—one responsible for goods transport, the other for hunting.
The two received Yang Kun’s message and hurried back that very night.
In the hall, Su Yan glanced at the three.
“Not bad. In a few months, all of you have reached Heart Ape Realm Minor Accomplishment. Looks like the city’s resources are sufficient.”
“It’s the effect of Blood Marrow Worms washing and refining Essence Blood and strengthening Bone Structure.”
Wang Cang’s eyes were full of admiration. Although Blood Marrow Worms were Servant Insects Su Yan used to control their lives.
But with constant integration, the Blood Marrow Worms continuously washed their Essence Blood, bit by bit strengthening their Bone Structure.
Though not as good as high-tier pills that remade the body, it had the advantage of happening constantly.
Over several months, the effects were fully manifest.
From breaking through to True Intent Realm to Heart Ape Stage Minor Accomplishment, they faced almost no major obstacles.
It wouldn’t be long before they stepped into Heart Ape Stage Great Accomplishment.
With a wave of his hand, the Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust immediately appeared in the courtyard.
A special connection transmitted, and instantly Yang Kun and the other two felt it.
They widened their eyes, full of joyful expressions.
Lord’s Exotic Insect had undergone Metamorphosis again, becoming even stronger—that meant?
Seeing their delighted looks, Su Yan smiled: “This is your reward.”
The Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust’s Tail Hook squeezed out three clumps of Essence Blood carrying faint Malevolent Energy, flying to the three.
The three hurriedly caught them, looked at Su Yan, and half-kneeled: “Thank you for the reward, Lord.”
“Swallow them.”
The three didn’t hesitate at all, directly swallowing the Essence Blood.
In less than two breaths, the Essence Blood dissolved in their bodies, directly merging into the spinal cord position, combining with the Blood Marrow Worm.
The Blood Marrow Worm immediately writhed, flesh and blood changing, its aura growing stronger in the transformation, entering a Metamorphosis process.
The stronger the Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust, the stronger the previously nurtured Servant Insects naturally became.
Just like how Fiend Bees were born after Blood Bees.
Blood Marrow Worms were also its hatched Servant Insects. Now obtaining Essence Blood from the evolved version, they could naturally grow stronger.
Yang Kun, Ding Meng, and Wang Cang endured the pain of Malevolent Energy Erosion and the intense pain of spine changes.
They gritted their teeth and persisted for a full half hour, faces pale as paper, sweat soaking their clothes, nearly exhausted.
Until the Blood Marrow Worm completed its Metamorphosis, a powerful surge of Essence Blood erupted from the spine, flowing through limbs and bones to every part of the body.
Muscle and Bone became more compact, Meridians more resilient, and body Qi and Blood strengthened by thirty percent in one breath.
The three’s gazes sharpened, and they immediately sat cross-legged in meditation, condensing their True Intent Beast Spirits.
True Essence circulated around them, True Intent Beast Spirits becoming more solid. After another half hour of constant True Essence gathering, their cultivation advanced further.
The three broke through almost simultaneously, stepping into True Intent Realm As Desired Stage cultivation.
Their hearts full of joy, they kowtowed to Su Yan with thuds.
“Thank you for your grace, Lord.”
Su Yan raised his hand to have them rise and said: “This is what you deserve. But from now on, you can handle Blood Bee breeding yourselves.”
The few were first stunned, then showed delight, sensing their conditions.
The Blood Marrow Worm lurked in the spine, but with a slight urge, a Tail Hook could immediately emerge from the spine.
Blood Bee Larva after Blood Bee Larva were released, and soon a hundred had been produced.
Their True Essence was consumed by a fifth before they hurriedly stopped.
Su Yan said calmly: “Blood Bees can scout and swarm attack. The absorbed Essence Blood can also nourish back to the Blood Marrow Worm. You and the Blood Marrow Worm are one—nourishing it is nourishing yourselves, perfect for your cultivation. Normally, if you have time, you can stockpile Insect Eggs in Beast Taming Bags for later use.”
Hearing this, the three were not afraid but showed joy.
Originally just passively accelerating cultivation, now they could actively absorb Essence Blood—this was great news.
Yang Kun calmed down first. After thanking Su Yan, he suddenly said: “I wonder if Blood Marrow Worms can be hosted in large Feral Beasts’ bodies. If we can cultivate one or two mother bodies for continuous Blood Bee production, our Essence Blood extraction will greatly improve.”
“Feral Beast Breeding Farm?”
Su Yan was quite surprised but reacted: “Servant Insect Breeding Farm?”
“Yes, Lord’s Servant Insects breed extremely fast and convert materials into resources with high efficiency—more suitable for breeding than ordinary Feral Beasts.”
After contacting several industries, Yang Kun had gradually learned about Feral Beast breeding matters.
Martial Artists could tame quite a few Feral Beasts—even Second-order Late-stage or Perfection ones were no problem.
But some Feral Beasts were hard to raise, and usable materials might only be certain parts, with the rest only valuable as flesh and blood. Breeding input might exceed output.
Such Feral Beasts naturally wouldn’t be raised.
Even what Ouyang Family raised were high-return Feral Beasts.
No matter how much was said, sustainable Essence Blood extraction and using the Shedding as materials seemed inferior to Servant Insects.
Su Yan’s gaze flickered slightly as he pondered: “If we specifically tame another Exotic Insect like the Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust to produce Servant Insects and harvest materials, it doesn’t seem impossible.”
