"Is there any other way?" Tang Yan asked with interest.

"Although the pill market of the Azure Dragon Academy is almost completely monopolized by the Sacred Pill Alliance, there are still many smaller alchemy factions surviving in the cracks.

Some of these factions have even begun to take shape, possessing their own pill sales points and alchemists.

However, from a macro perspective, under the relentless suppression of the Sacred Pill Alliance, the development of any other pill organization is exceptionally difficult."

"The Azure Dragon Academy has a massive student body. Although the pills we sold today are expensive, they are still not the mainstream. The pills with the highest sales volume are still the basic ones used for cultivating True Qi."

"If we want to use pills to build our financial strength, relying on your strength alone makes it difficult to scale up. At the very least, the supply of pills won't be able to keep up.

I want to absorb an alchemy faction that is on the verge of bankruptcy but still possesses decent strength!"

Du Shu carried an air of commanding authority, as if pointing out the layout of the realm: "Although our faction is currently small, even when compared to the Sacred Pill Alliance, we hold distinct advantages!

The absorbed alchemists will be responsible for supplying ordinary pills.

Brother Yan will provide Peerless divine pills to serve as the marketing gimmick to hype up our shop.

By then, a considerable portion of the customers attracted by the hype will conveniently buy some ordinary pills. This model guarantees that the business will be profitable without loss.

Of course, when we open, we can run discount events. Peerless divine pills combined with promotional benefits will definitely achieve a booming start.

At the same time, we can run a Top-Up Promotion. For example, a one-time top-up of five thousand Star Value will gift an additional five hundred Virtual Star Value. A one-time top-up of ten thousand Star Value will gift one thousand two hundred Virtual Star Value.

This will cultivate the habit of spending in our shop. In the future, whenever they want to buy pills, they will subconsciously come to our shop first.

As long as the operations are handled correctly, we might even be able to replace the Sacred Pill Alliance's position entirely! This is also the first plan in my business blueprint!"

"Hey, what's wrong with you guys?" Du Shu had just finished speaking when he noticed Wan Fei and the others staring at him in utter shock.

Fang Xuan exclaimed in admiration, "Du Shu, we've known each other for so long, and this is the first time I've realized you actually have a handsome side!"

"You certainly have much more presence than before," Wan Fei nodded in agreement.

"Get lost, get lost! Am I not handsome every single day?" Du Shu retorted, unconvinced. Then, he looked eagerly at Tang Yan: "Brother Yan, is there any flaw in what I just said?"

Tang Yan was in no hurry to pass judgment and continued asking, "Is this just your initial goal? Do you have a longer-term plan?"

"Hehe, although the Azure Dragon Academy is very powerful, its market is limited after all.

If we can establish a firm foothold in the Azure Dragon Academy, we can break out and expand our market to the Eastern Region, Mao City, Wind-Snow Valley, and even the Imperial City!

If we can flourish everywhere across the Tingxiang Kingdom, then the Northern Spirit Realm is also within my grand blueprint!" A glint of burning ambition flashed in Du Shu's eyes.

"What?" The others were completely stunned.

"As big as the market is, that's how big I'll make it!" Du Shu's words were shocking, leaving everyone dumbfounded.

Tang Yan and the others were completely blown away.

Although Du Shu's ambition sounded absurd on the surface, none of them found it laughable.

Tang Yan patted Du Shu on the shoulder and laughed heartily, "Then we shall follow your plan and take it step by step!"

"Brother Yan, you... you actually support me?" This time it was Du Shu's turn to be surprised. He had thought he would be scolded as a madman by the others, but the result was completely opposite to his expectations.

"Why wouldn't I support you? A man must always have dreams. What if they actually come true?"

"Pfft!" Hearing Tang Yan's words, the others couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Although my idea is very beautiful, there are still many difficulties along the way. For example, the very first step-how to take over an alchemy faction-is a bit tricky," Du Shu said with a bitter face.

"Don't worry about this. Today, compile a list of the existing alchemy factions and their respective strengths, and then I'll handle it.

As for the pills, I will give you regular support. Go all out!" Tang Yan instructed.

"Alright, Brother Yan. You're so good to me, I'm genuinely touched!" Du Shu opened his arms, attempting to hug Tang Yan.

"Get lost!" Tang Yan kicked Du Shu away, then said seriously, "Right now, everyone's strength is still too weak. Tomorrow, I'll give you some pills to assist your cultivation. Train well!

Du Shu, you can start purchasing some spiritual herbs for me recently."

"What categories?" Du Shu asked curiously.

"Herbs that are less common on the market, high-grade, and rare to encounter. The purchase price should be higher than the academy's rates. If there are spiritual herbs you're unsure about, you can find me to set the price."

"Should I collect ordinary herbs as well?" Du Shu asked.

"Yes, low-grade herbs can be purchased at the academy's standard price," Tang Yan nodded.

"If it's the exact same as the academy, who would bother coming to us to sell them?" Wan Fei interjected from the side.

"Generally, when students go out on trials and specifically gather herbs, the spiritual herbs they bring back will definitely include some of higher grades.

By then, when they bring those high-grade spiritual herbs to sell to us, we won't take advantage of them on the price of the low-grade herbs either. Why would they go out of their way to sell elsewhere when they can do it all in one stop?"

Hearing Tang Yan's explanation, everyone suddenly understood his brilliant reasoning.

"Alright, everyone cultivate well. I'm heading back too," Tang Yan said with a smile.

"Wait!" Seeing Tang Yan about to leave, Wan Fei immediately called him back.

"Auntie, what's the matter?" Tang Yan asked with a mischievous grin.

Hearing Tang Yan's choice of address, a few black lines immediately appeared on Wan Fei's forehead. She gritted her teeth and said word by word, "This old lady is only twenty-two this year!"

"I know that already. What's the matter, Auntie?"

Since she needed something from Tang Yan, Wan Fei forcefully suppressed the urge to slap him with her shoe. She shifted into a coquettish, sweet voice, "It's about that Youth-Preserving Pill... could you give me and Sister Dongxue one more each?"

Hearing Wan Fei's soft, melting voice, Tang Yan's heart stirred. He hadn't expected this fierce, wild woman to sound so gentle when acting coy.

"I don't have any left." Tang Yan spread his hands and shrugged helplessly.

"Hmph!" A delicate snort came from the side. Tang Yan looked over and saw Lin Dongxue pouting discontentedly, staring at him with a thoroughly resentful, aggrieved gaze.

"Sigh, both of you are already this beautiful, yet you're still so obsessed with beauty. Are you trying to leave other women no way to live?" Tang Yan sighed and asked.

Hearing Tang Yan's smooth flattery, the two girls immediately broke into radiant smiles.

But very quickly, their expressions turned serious again.

"Last time in Yun City, a certain someone said in front of everyone that there was only one single Youth-Preserving Pill in existence!" Lin Dongxue said pointedly. Anyone could tell exactly who she was talking about.

Tang Yan awkwardly rubbed his nose, "It's not that I cannot refine it, but the necessary herbs are exceptionally hard to find. I have all the other secondary ingredients, but Clear Snow Lotus and Water-Moistening Flower are extremely difficult to come by. If I manage to gather these two main herbs in the future, I will definitely refine them for you."

Hearing Tang Yan's promise, the two women's gloomy expressions finally cleared like a sunny day.

"Du Shu, when you collect spiritual herbs, keep a sharp eye out for these two types!" Wan Fei warned fiercely.

"I'll remember, I'll remember. I'll absolutely keep it in mind." Even without Wan Fei's harsh reminder, Du Shu had already committed these two herbs to memory. Damn it, a single Youth-Preserving Pill had just fetched an astronomical bid at the auction. Who wouldn't want to engage in such a lucrative business?

"By the way, Tang Yan, Elder Huo asked you to go find him at the Pill Pavilion," Yu Juechen reminded him.

"Alright." Tang Yan could roughly guess that Elder Huo had numerous questions weighing on his mind. After bidding farewell to the group, he walked out of the residence.

Tang Yan was in no immediate hurry to head to the Pill Pavilion. Instead, he decided to visit his own master first.

Elder Zhen and Elder Huo were often found together anyway, so perhaps he wouldn't have to make an extra trip to two different locations.