“Speak freely!”

“However, after Fifth Brother went into seclusion, the supply of second-grade pills was cut off. Although Uncle Yanfeng successfully advanced, his pill success rate isn’t high. He can only refine Qi Gathering Pills, which has led to a decrease in income! Especially the more profitable Vein Protection Pills and Obstacle Breaking Pills—they have been out of stock for over a year!”

The Li Family cultivator listening nearby secretly rejoiced. Their talismans had ample raw materials, and their business was doing much better than the Wang Family’s pill trade, with annual profits already exceeding ten thousand Spirit Stones!

Wang Hao had anticipated this shortage. He took out over thirty bottles of pills from his robe.

“These are the pills I refined over the past two years. You can put them on the shelves!”

Among them were five bottles of second-grade mid-tier Clearing Rhyme Pills and two bottles of Face Preserving Pills.

Wang Wenyan’s eyes gleamed with desire upon seeing them, while the Li Family cultivator was even more shocked. Wang Hao was already a second-grade mid-tier alchemist and could even refine the rarely seen Face Preserving Pills?

Noticing everyone’s reactions, Wang Hao smiled lightly.

“The Face Preserving Pills are priced at three thousand Spirit Stones, but with one condition: they can only be purchased by those holding our shop’s VIP token, and each person is limited to one pill. As for the VIP token, anyone who spends over five thousand Spirit Stones on other pills in our shop can obtain one.”

This idea was borrowed from the Treasure Clarity Pavilion—using a gimmick to attract customers. The Face Preserving Pills were priced reasonably low, making them highly attractive. Coupled with the decent quality of their other stock, he believed female cultivators would find it impossible to resist.

One of the Li Family’s female cultivators couldn’t help but ask, “Elder Wang, can we Li Family cultivators purchase them?”

Li Derong shot her a glare, but the allure of the Face Preserving Pills made that clan member look at Wang Hao with hopeful anticipation nonetheless.

“Of course,” Wang Hao replied.

Seeing that the Li Family, including Li Derong, had only three female cultivators present, he took out three more Face Preserving Pills.

“Since we’re preparing to go out to sea to hunt demon beasts, how about the Li Family trades some talismans for them?”

Li Derong was also tempted. Upon hearing this, she accepted the pills and took out several stacks of first-grade spirit talismans from her Storage Bag, along with over twenty second-grade low-tier spirit talismans, settling the account.

Li Derong tossed the Face Preserving Pills to the other two female clan members and said coldly, “Your stipends will be suspended for the next three years, and each month you must produce one hundred talismans for the family!”

The cost was significant, but the two clan members clearly showed more joy than worry—a testament to the powerful allure of eternal youth.

Wang Hao then turned his attention to Wang Wenmei, Wang Yanlang, and Wang Wenwu—the Wang Family’s three new Foundation Establishment cultivators. Seeing their auras were stable, he smiled with satisfaction.

With a wave of his hand, he brought out several spiritual artifacts obtained from Huang Youcheng.

“According to family rules, Foundation Establishment cultivators are entitled to receive a spiritual artifact for their use. Each of you may come forward and choose one!”

The three were overjoyed and eagerly stepped forward to select their artifacts.

The two Li Family Foundation Establishment cultivators watched with evident envy, while Li Derong grew somewhat angry, gritting her teeth.

What was the meaning of this? Wasn’t this making her look bad?

She didn’t have any spiritual artifacts to give to the Li Family’s two new Foundation Establishment members; she had only given them a few second-grade spirit talismans.

Back in Qingniu Market, the Li Family’s strength and wealth surpassed the Wang Family’s. Their family treasury also stored spiritual artifacts, but she hadn’t brought them along! Unlike Wang Hao, who seemed to carry an entire arsenal in his pockets.

Wang Wenmei chose a Crimson Heart Sword. Wang Yanlang selected a Crescent Moon Blade. After some hesitation, Wang Wenwu opted for a defensive spiritual artifact—the Guardian Shield. As a body cultivator, he wasn’t accustomed to using lighter artifacts; strengthening his defense suited him better.

Three artifacts remained on the floor.

Wang Hao looked at the Li Family’s other newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivators. “Fellow Daoists, if any catch your eye, I can offer them to you both for seven hundred Spirit Stones each!”

The two were naturally interested. Seven hundred Spirit Stones wasn’t overly expensive. Their income in Wanxiang City was high; their annual stipend alone was two hundred Spirit Stones. Combined with their share from talisman production, they could likely save up enough in about a year.

But before they could speak, Li Derong interjected.

“Choose whichever you like. The cost will be covered by the shop funds. The family should have provided you with an artifact anyway!”

Delighted, the two bowed gratefully to Wang Hao. “Thank you, Fellow Daoist Wang!”

Wang Hao returned the courtesy with a smile. “No need for thanks. With your enhanced strength, our upcoming demon beast hunt will be more secure.”

Afterward, everyone began discussing plans for hunting demon beasts.

This time, both families decided to charter a sea vessel. This way, they wouldn’t have to abandon any demon beast corpses due to lack of space and could earn greater profits. Moreover, sea vessels had large carrying capacities, allowing for extended expeditions.

With more Foundation Establishment cultivators from both families now available, they could venture into areas richer in demon beasts—though also more dangerous.

Since the Wang Family had six Foundation Establishment cultivators while the Li Family only had four—and one needed to stay behind to manage the shop—Li Derong proactively suggested that for this expedition’s profits, her family would take only thirty percent.

Wang Hao insisted on being fair and eventually allocated an additional half-percent share to the Li Family.

In the cultivation world, strength commands respect; there is no room for freeloading. This distribution satisfied both families. Had the Li Family not conceded this point, Wang Hao might not have minded personally, but other clan members would certainly have felt discontented. Before long, they might have parted ways with the Li Family.

The Wang Family contributed thirty thousand Spirit Stones; the Li Family contributed twenty thousand—together chartering a medium-sized sea vessel for one year. This price could have bought a small sea vessel outright.

However, small vessels’ holds could only accommodate around ten second-grade demon beast corpses at most—still too limited. Medium-sized vessels were several times larger; their holds could store hundreds of second-grade demon beast corpses. A single trip was potentially worth two hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

Combined with everyone’s Storage Bags, the haul could be doubled again.

Furthermore, medium-sized sea vessels came equipped with hunting gear, making demon beast hunts much more convenient. For first-grade fish schools, they could simply cast nets directly—efficiency far surpassing setting up formations and waiting.

The charter fee was fifty thousand Spirit Stones, with an additional fifty thousand as deposit. However, Wang Hao used their shop as collateral, waiving that portion. If the vessel sustained damage, Wang Hao would be responsible for compensation.

The vessel itself was engraved with defensive formations, making it difficult to damage easily. Even if besieged by several second-grade demon beasts, it could hold out for several hours.

Another advantage was that typical rogue cultivators would likely avoid targeting them. After all, breaching a sea vessel’s defenses required considerable effort. Moreover, rogue cultivators would assume anyone who could afford such a vessel represented some factional power—best not provoked. They sought profit, not pursuit!

One drawback, however, was its speed—slower compared to flying boats.

Sailing northward aboard their chartered vessel, they passed Canglan Market and continued for nearly another month, exceeding their previous expedition’s range.

They didn’t need to search deliberately; along their route, they encountered numerous first-grade demon beasts. Wang Wenmei and several other newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivators felt eager itching in their hands; unable to resist, they took action frequently, harvesting quite a few.

Although they hadn’t encountered any second-grade demon beasts yet, they still collected valuable materials from various slain beasts worth considerable Spirit Stones.

An awkward situation arose: with fewer Qi Refining clan members present now—only four brought aboard—and four Foundation Establishment experts busy hunting beasts simultaneously, the four Qi Refining members couldn’t possibly process all carcasses quickly enough.

Wang Hao thought that after this hunt concluded, he should return briefly to Qingniu Market once more to bring over more clan members.

“Fifth Brother! Look! A school of arrowfish!” exclaimed Wang Wenmei excitedly, pointing toward the sea where dozens upon dozens of blue fish sporting long needle-like frontal crests swam. “There must be over a hundred! Let’s cast nets!”

Eager also to test the fishing equipment himself, Wang Hao nodded in agreement. “First scatter some bait; don’t let the school escape!”

Bait preparation proved simple enough: just meat from previously hunted first-grade demon beasts chopped finely then tossed directly into the sea.

Arrowfish possessed low intelligence coupled with a gluttonous nature; seeing shredded meat raining down from above, they scrambled to feed voraciously.

Several Foundation Establishment experts cooperated alongside the Qi Refining clan members deploying the stern fishing net, then began maneuvering the vessel to encircle the fish school. Within moments, the encirclement was completed successfully.