Another Good Deal

“As I thought, the main issue with the Plunder-Ripe Pill and Plunder-Rich Pill is the cost and speed of concoction. You run into no issues since you have a large stockpile, never stop producing, and grow the necessary materials directly in your sect grounds–But…  You can’t expand much further without risking running into a shortage. Likewise, you can’t commercialise the product beyond occasional auctions. And even then, due to the temporary effect, few are willing to pay for just a handful”

“If they want to turn an adversary of theirs into an obedient slut for humiliation, they’ll just go to Xiaode Mountain Sect instead”

The sect leader scratched his face as the core issues with his sect were bluntly listed in front of him. Of course, only high-ranking sect members and people from the Elt clan were aware of the problems and limitations Patriarch Guild faced.

The materials required for the pills were simple enough. The forefathers had devised incredible recipes and ways to gather the more unusual ingredients in mass without even having to put one toe outside of the sect. Nonetheless, the brewing of a single batch of pills was a lengthy process, and the rate of consumption was high.

Disciples challenged each other in droves every single day. Currently, the output is good enough to keep up, especially alongside a good stock in case of troubles… But it meant that the sect could only accept so many new disciples every year without risking digging through the reserves.

“To be perfectly honest, Sect Leader Algeo, I do not believe it is possible to achieve a pill capable of permanently changing a person’s form. However, you already have a start with your most advanced punishment pill, don’t you? I can’t help but notice that you lack funding to expand your alchemy hall. You can only maintain what you have, and add a few more furnaces every once in a while... You also lack alchemists to actually make the pills”

Anoteros snapped his fingers.

“Listen, do you trust me?”

“Of course, Young Master”

“I appreciate the answer, but let’s be honest, you wouldn’t agree to give me any recipes, right?”

“Well…”

“I know the answer is no, and that is perfectly sensical. Therefore, I won’t ask for it yet. Just get me two of each type of pill you have. My fourth wife possesses an innate analysis ability. She’ll be able to detect any flaw and correctly assess the precise dosage required to bring out the best in the pills”

“My third wife knows more than academics. With her assistance, I’ll be able to come back to you with alternatives to at least some of the ingredients, allowing you to further expand your resources”

“My first wife is a talented alchemist. She’ll be able to create the perfected versions of each of these pills and further elaborate new variants. However, since her methods can’t be replicated, I’ll run it through another alchemist being nurtured by my Jhila and me. He should be able to come up with a nice in-between achievable by your alchemists”

“That’s the basic stuff. What do you think, Sect Leader Algeo?”

The young leader wiped his forehead.

“It all sounds incredible, Young Master Zixuan, but… Won’t giving you a pill be tantamount to giving the recipes thanks to your fourth wife’s ability…?”

“Indeed, but the brewing process is unique... She can not see that far into an item. Besides, I am certain that in terms of physical resources used for the pills, most of them could be easily discovered by digging through archives and finding out past trades made when the sect was still in its infancy”

Algeo swallowed his saliva.

“I see that nothing escapes your attention, Young Master”

“It isn’t much, I simply did my homework before coming here”

“Very well… I can prepare what you asked, but you mentioned that you already had ideas on how to help expand the sect. Might I hear your thoughts on the matter?”

Edrick nodded, leaning back in his seat.

“Naturally. First of all, I think you can imagine the potential of such products if they were freely sold… People love to humiliate their opponents, don’t they? And also, people are freaks in bed. Some might act like the so-called ‘regular person’ isn’t depraved, but we all are one way or the other… The sales would explode. And you can imagine that all businessmen with authorisation to run brothels would want to expand their business by using the Plunder-Ripe Pill”

“You would get several economic ties and a constant monthly income from this. Frankly, this is a product that can easily breach the borders of Leynlornd and be sold throughout several countries”

“Additionally, by intensifying the production of these pills, you could easily convince nobles to decide to give patronage to your sect in exchange for copies of your Virility Plundering Technique… The way it boosts everything is alluring and suitable for any kind of cultivator”

“Of course, to get things started, you will have my support… I might just be able to get my Jhila and Alrinir in on the deal as well”

“This… It is quite difficult to imagine Patriarch Guild reaching such a level of economic prominence… Of course, I have thought about the potential of our pills as goods, but it was never a possibility for us”

Anoteros shrugged.

“Don’t mark my works, but my second wife is studying spirit cuisine very closely. We might just be able to turn these pills into meal variants as well. It could make the whole thing more alluring to some”

“Of course, the ideal goal would be to create a perfected version of your punishment pill... A pill that can be constantly renewed by having the consumer make contact with semen. It will encourage many to buy one to create themselves a perfect dual cultivation partner. Not only to cultivate Virility Plundering Technique, but also other similar techniques”

“We could even combine it with an enhanced Plunder-Rich Pill to make the consumer keep on producing virility without stop. Of course, for the purpose of what your sect strives for, such pills would only be for commercial use. You want your disciples to keep challenging each other and fighting. If eternal pills were introduced, it would mess everything up”

“In any case, what do you think, Sect Leader Algeo? Once the money comes flowing in, you’ll be able to expand your sect and recruit even more disciples... And obviously, you’ll also acquire higher prestige in the eyes of the Elt clan. You are already well-liked for your competence despite being so young”

In the face of Edrick’s confidence, the sect leader could only nod his head in agreement. This plan sounded too good to be true, but Algeo was aware that the young master in front of him had already managed to establish cordial relations with Labyrinth Palace and Sect Of The Old Decay. To get the approval of those two sects, he would have needed more than just a glib tongue.

Hulber was an old man not easily swayed by anything, and Kaeleanth was as cold as ice. She was the sort fully willing and capable of expressing discontent directly to the Elt patriarch. Algeo knew that, because he had seen it happen.

So, for a youngster like Zixuan Elt to get into her good graces, he had to be the real deal. Hence, although Algeo was frankly uncertain about how plausible the scion’s plan was, he agreed to the proposal.

He handed Edrick a copy of Virility Plundering Technique as well as the pills he requested.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Sect Master Algeo. I quite like the structure of your sect. I might consider sending some of my future Allinos here”

“It would be an honour, Young Master”

“By the way, if you ever have other traitors in the future, do inform me once you want to get rid of them. I’ll happily take them off your hands”

On this note, Edrick shook the sect leader’s hand before leaving.

Today had been a good day.