Lin Yang's eyes flashed. He spoke lightly, as though brushing the matter aside.
"I merely happened to create two medicines. Please don't laugh at me, Uncle Ning."
"A joke for you?"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head, his expression turning serious in an instant.
"Xiao Yang, if you go outside and ask around you will discover that these two medicines have already become standard equipment for every Soul Master."
"Habit is a terrifying thing. Once everyone grows accustomed to the convenience of these pills, you should understand better than anyone how enormous the profits will become."
It was perfectly clear.
Lin Yang now felt that his supply of gold soul coins would never run dry.
This was the profit remaining after the three parties had divided the shares.
Lin Yang understood the hidden intent behind Ning Fengzhi's words.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—one of the three great sects—already possessed immense wealth coveted by countless others. The even more lucrative medicinal business was naturally even more tempting.
Because Poison Douluo stood guard, no one had dared to move yet.
Should even more powerful individuals or forces intervene, however, Lin Yang would be forced to choose.
Either hand over the formulas and join that faction… or die.
Although Ning Fengzhi did not state it outright, both men understood the terrifying power involved.
It was the Spirit Hall—a crushing burden upon every soul master.
On the surface Ning Fengzhi's words were an analysis of Lin Yang's advantages and disadvantages.
Simultaneously, however, they were skillfully guiding Lin Yang into a carefully prepared position.
Poison Douluo might not be overwhelmingly strong, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect possessed two Title Douluos—Sword and Bone.
The Ye family operated pharmacies across the continent. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect also controlled trading companies, caravans, and numerous other enterprises.
People feared comparison.
Had it been anyone else, they might have abandoned the Ye and Dugu families out of fear of the Spirit Hall and sought shelter with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect instead.
Unfortunately, Lin Yang's confidence did not stem from the Ye or Dugu families—it came from himself.
He understood his own goals with perfect clarity.
He possessed a supernatural physique brimming with infinite potential.
Given sufficient time he could grow into someone everyone would respect.
Even the Spirit Hall would become nothing more than a minor obstacle on his path.
Yet Ning Fengzhi had reminded him of one crucial fact: the Spirit Hall had not acted against him not because they were unable, but because they were unwilling.
Therefore he needed to prove his value once more.
If asked what a pharmacist's greatest strength was…
Strength? No.
A source of funds? Not exactly.
It was… connections.
The most striking quality of a top-tier pharmacist was the vast network of relationships they had built.
Whether Dugu Bo or Elder Ye, they had initially gathered around Lin Yang for personal gain.
Later, after their granddaughters became romantically involved with him, their bonds had grown even closer.
Now they genuinely cared about Lin Yang himself.
Thanks to Lin Yang they glimpsed the possibility of advancing further.
And such people… were by no means few.
Coincidentally, Lin Yang possessed something capable of moving both Ning Fengzhi and the Crown Prince.
With that thought Lin Yang raised his head. His smile remained calm, yet his eyes held deeper meaning.
"I understand what Uncle Ning wishes to say."
"Understood!"
Ning Fengzhi nodded with satisfaction, a faint smile on his lips. Matters were progressing far more smoothly than expected. Now it was Lin Yang's turn to state his conditions.
"Uncle Ning, I wish to make a deal with you."
Xue Qinghe stood expressionlessly to the side, yet his eyes grew increasingly deep, revealing nothing of his thoughts.
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "As you say. Whatever my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is capable of, we will accept without hesitation."
Lin Yang smiled lightly. Two small vials containing milky-white liquid appeared in his hands.
"This is the Jade Bone Spirit Potion I concocted."
Ning Fengzhi was momentarily surprised, yet his expression remained unchanged. Countless thoughts raced through his mind.
Jade Bone Spirit Potion? He had never heard of such a thing. Was it similar to Soul Burning or Soul Returning pills?
Were they employing the same tactic again—binding the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with yet another potion?
This would not do. It fell short of his expectations.
What he truly desired was not merely gold soul coins, but Lin Yang himself.
At that moment Lin Yang continued.
"This Jade Bone Spirit Potion contains only two doses. Its effect is… to permanently increase a soul master's cultivation efficiency."
Bang!
The teacup in Chen Xin's hand exploded instantly!
Tea sprayed in every direction, yet before it could touch anyone it was pulverized by a layer of fine sword qi.
No one paid him any attention. Every gaze was locked upon the two milky-white vials. Minds went blank.
"Permanently… increase cultivation efficiency?"
This was outright cheating!
Was this the reason Lin Yang's cultivation speed was so extraordinary?
Ning Fengzhi was not the only one thinking this.
Qian Renxue was thinking the exact same thing. He truly possesses a potion that aids cultivation.
Ning Fengzhi's throat felt dry. Events were unfolding in an entirely unexpected direction.
"How much improvement does it provide?"
Lin Yang spoke quietly. "Five percent."
Phew—!
Ning Fengzhi secretly exhaled in relief.
Fortunately the increase was only five percent, and there were only two doses—enough for merely two genius disciples.
Before he could fully relax, however, Lin Yang added calmly:
"Incidentally, this potion has no restriction based on soul power level. Even Title Douluos may use it."
Bang! Bang!
Two loud explosions rang out as the chairs beneath Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo shattered into splinters.
Both men stared fixedly at the two potion vials.
Chen Xin was relatively composed; a trace of excitement flickered in his eyes, yet he maintained basic calm.
Bone Douluo was different. His emaciated face displayed nothing but naked greed.
Had the circumstances been different, Lin Yang suspected the man might have attempted to snatch the vials on the spot.
This five percent must not be underestimated.
Even a mere one-percent increase in cultivation efficiency would be an immeasurable boon to a Title Douluo.
At their level, advancing a single step was extraordinarily difficult.
Yet with each step forward the gap in strength grew enormously.
Currently Sword Douluo Chen Xin stood at level 96 while Bone Douluo Gu Rong stood at level 95.
Despite this single-level difference Chen Xin could suppress Gu Rong—this illustrated the true disparity in their power.
And now… was there a chance to advance further?
Tell me—who would not be tempted?
Ning Fengzhi drew a deep breath, forcibly calming himself, and spoke in a low voice.
"Xiao Yang, does this potion have any side effects?"
Lin Yang shook his head. "Rest assured, Uncle Ning. There are no side effects. Not only I, but Elder Du and Elder Ye have already taken it."
"If the potion worked only on the first use, these two vials would no longer exist."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed.
Especially Chen Xin and Gu Rong, who had previously met Dugu Bo—they noticed his aura was indeed stronger than before.
That veteran poison master had remained stuck at level 91 for over a decade. There was no logical reason for him to advance now.
The most likely explanation was this Jade Bone Spirit Potion.
With that realization both men regarded the vials with even greater interest.
..