Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1416 - 897: Exchanging Foundation Establishment Pills for Contribution Points (2)

While the Qingxuan fruit core was a rarity to other factions, it was merely a second-order spiritual medicine to the Ten Thousand Treasures Store.

Similarly, the Foundation Establishment Pill was not considered a scarce elixir within the establishment.

However, not being scarce did not equate to being inexpensive. The Ten Thousand Treasures Store possessed ample materials and numerous alchemists capable of refining Foundation Establishment Pills, enabling a continuous supply. Despite this, the price of Foundation Establishment Pills at the Ten Thousand Treasures Store remained comparable to other markets, potentially even ten percent higher.

After a moment of contemplation, Yang Zhenshan resolved to make another visit to the Guest Elder Hall of the Wanxiang Building.

He sought out Manager Li Deming, whom Zhongli Xiayi had previously introduced to him.

Within the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, managers, much like guest elders, were stratified into nine distinct grades. This classification was determined by cultivation level, contribution points, and merit, mirroring the grading system for guest elders. The key distinction being that guest elders operated as external contractors, whereas managers were formal employees, enjoying security in all circumstances, generous compensation, and the potential for merit-based rewards.

For a guest elder, income was directly proportional to their workload.

Managers, conversely, received a baseline salary irrespective of their work output.

Naturally, if managers aspired to greater rewards, diligent effort remained a prerequisite.

Zhongli Xiayi's keenness to recruit Yang Zhenshan into the Ten Thousand Treasures Store stemmed from the fact that his joining would grant her contribution points.

In the future, the greater the contribution points Yang Zhenshan accumulated within the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, the more she stood to gain.

Consequently, she did not hesitate to expend a third-rank spiritual material to facilitate Yang Zhenshan's entry into the Ten Thousand Treasures Store.

Zhongli Xiayi, possessing late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, held the position of a seventh-ranked manager, overseeing reception duties at the front-line shops of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

Li Deming, with his mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, was an eighth-ranked manager, tasked with handling various responsibilities within the Guest Elder Hall.

"Haha, Master Yang graces us with his presence! Please, come in. Xiaoye, why haven't you served tea to Master Yang yet?"

Li Deming, a man of slight build with a round face and squinty eyes, exuded a jovial demeanor.

"Manager Li, I apologize for the intrusion!"

Yang Zhenshan offered a slight cupped-hand salute and followed Li Deming into the inner chamber.

Once the tea was served, Li Deming inquired with a smile, "Is there anything Master Yang requires assistance with?"

"No, I merely wish to exchange a few Foundation Establishment Pills for contribution points. Following that, I intend to accept the task of refining Foundation Establishment Pills!" Yang Zhenshan responded.

"Haha, that is a simple matter! Master Yang can entrust the Foundation Establishment Pills to Xiaoye. He will then arrange for their appraisal and the allocation of contribution points!" Li Deming gestured towards the young man standing beside him.

Despite his youthful appearance, reaching the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining typically meant one was at least forty or fifty years old; this individual, however, merely possessed a somewhat youthful visage.

Xiaoye stepped forward respectfully. "Master, please hand the Foundation Establishment Pills to me!"

Yang Zhenshan gave a slight nod and then presented ten porcelain bottles containing Foundation Establishment Pills, comprising four mid-grade and six low-grade varieties.

Previously, Yang Zhenshan had possessed fourteen Foundation Establishment Pills, three of which were top-grade. Yang Jizhen had utilized one, and the remaining two were gifted to Ma Qiuyan and Cui Yang.

Currently, he was left with eleven mid-grade and low-grade Foundation Establishment Pills. He decided to retain one mid-grade pill for his personal use, intending to sell the remaining ten to the Ten Thousand Treasures Store.

"Please wait a moment!" Xiaoye accepted the porcelain bottles, bowed, and departed the inner hall.

Li Deming posed a question, "Is Master Yang adept at refining Foundation Establishment Pills?"

"Not particularly skilled, but I am rather familiar with the refinement process," Yang Zhenshan replied with humility.

"Oh, I have a question, though I am uncertain whether I should ask it," Li Deming remarked, his expression one of mild puzzlement.

"Manager Li, please do not hesitate to speak freely!" Yang Zhenshan encouraged.

He was still unaccustomed to the internal dynamics of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, having known Zhongli Xiayi for merely two days.

To be entirely truthful, his decision to join the Ten Thousand Treasures Store had been rather hasty.

It was the looming threat from the Cloud Wild Alliance that compelled him to make a swift resolution.

"Well, may I inquire why Manager Zhongli extended an invitation for Master Yang to join the Ten Thousand Treasures Store?"

Li Deming's curiosity was piqued regarding Yang Zhenshan, as becoming a guest elder at the Ten Thousand Treasures Store was not an opportunity afforded to just anyone.

Within the entirety of White Cloud Immortal City, with its more than two thousand cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage, the Ten Thousand Treasures Store was graced by the presence of only thirty-two guest elders. However, this number now stands at thirty-three with the inclusion of Yang Zhenshan.

This fact alone underscores the immense difficulty in attaining the esteemed position of a guest elder at the Ten Thousand Treasures Store.

Li Deming was aware that Yang Zhenshan possessed the skills of a second-rank alchemist. Nevertheless, he knew that generally, an alchemist of such a rank would not automatically qualify for an invitation to join the Ten Thousand Treasures Store. This sparked Li Deming’s curiosity as to what specifically had captured Zhongli Xiayi’s particular favor.

Without hesitation, Yang Zhenshan revealed his secret: "I possess the ability to refine Demon Essence Pills!"

"Demon Essence Pills!" Li Deming’s eyes gleamed with recognition. "Haha, so that is the reason. I had no inkling that Master Yang was a Pill Master!"

"Pill Master?" Yang Zhenshan found this particular title to be somewhat peculiar.

Li Deming elaborated, explaining, "The refinement of Demon Essence Pills necessitates a profound grasp of pharmacology and an intricate understanding of medicinal properties. Any alchemist who can successfully refine Demon Essence Pills is duly honored with the title of Pill Master. Should one be capable of producing top-grade Demon Essence Pills, they are then unequivocally recognized as a Grand Pill Master!"

Yang Zhenshan suddenly grasped the crux of this prestigious title; it revolved around 'medicine' itself, rather than merely the 'pill.'

Indeed, medicinal properties and pharmacology formed the very bedrock of alchemy. Without the essence of medicine, no pill could ever come into existence, making the title of Pill Master remarkably fitting.

"I humbly request your continued guidance in the future, Master Yang!" Li Deming’s demeanor shifted, becoming even more deferential and enthusiastic.

"Of course, of course!"

Yang Zhenshan responded with a hearty chuckle.

Having valuable skills ensured one's respect and acceptance wherever they ventured.

Furthermore, a highly proficient alchemist was universally welcomed and held in high regard.

At this precise moment, the assistant named Xiaoye made their return, announcing, "Sir, ten Foundation Establishment Pills, comprising four mid-grade and six low-grade ones, have been appraised by Manager Lin of the Treasure Appraisal Hall at a value of six hundred contribution points!"

Li Deming turned his attention to Yang Zhenshan, inquiring, "How does Master Yang perceive this valuation?"

"Exchange them all for the necessary materials required for refining Foundation Establishment Pills!" Yang Zhenshan expressed no objections to the appraised value; it aligned with his expectations, being approximately twenty percent lower than market rates outside.

"As you wish!"

Li Deming promptly procured the compilation of materials for Foundation Establishment Pills on behalf of Yang Zhenshan.

In total, Yang Zhenshan received thirty-five sets of materials for the Foundation Establishment Pills, with a small surplus of several dozen contribution points remaining.

For these thirty-five sets of materials, Yang Zhenshan was obligated to produce a minimum of fourteen Foundation Establishment Pills, maintaining a required success rate of forty percent in his refinements.

Should Yang Zhenshan achieve a success rate of fifty percent, this would equate to seventeen Foundation Establishment Pills. Even if all of them were of the low-grade variety, he would still realize a profit of three Foundation Establishment Pills.

If Yang Zhenshan was fortunate enough to refine some mid-grade and even top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, his overall gains would be considerably more substantial.

Regrettably, the exchange of Foundation Establishment Pills for contribution points was not a particularly lucrative endeavor. A single low-grade pill could only be traded for forty contribution points, whereas a third-rank spiritual material alone commanded a price of at least ten thousand contribution points.

This starkly illustrated that he would need to refine several hundred Foundation Establishment Pills merely to acquire a single third-rank spiritual material.

Yang Zhenshan silently calculated that if he dedicated his efforts solely to refining Foundation Establishment Pills, without compromising his own cultivation progress, he might be able to accumulate enough for a third-rank spiritual material within a span of three to five years.

This projected timeframe was, in his estimation, still quite acceptable.

Having successfully obtained the necessary materials for the Foundation Establishment Pills, Yang Zhenshan departed from the Wanxiang Building. He chose not to return to the Ten Thousand Treasures Store's designated residence, but instead headed back to his lodgings at Spring and Summer Square.

"How did everything proceed?"

The moment Yang Zhenshan stepped back into his residence, Yun Xiao inquired with palpable eagerness.

"Haha, I have officially joined the Ten Thousand Treasures Store as a ninth-grade guest elder!"

"That is excellent news, truly excellent!"

Yun Xiao's face lit up with genuine joy. Yang Zhenshan's acceptance into the Ten Thousand Treasures Store also represented a significant benefit for him.

With a trusted friend like Yang Zhenshan now holding the esteemed position of a guest elder within the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, Yun Xiao felt he now possessed a crucial safety net within White Cloud Immortal City. Should any troublesome situations arise, Yang Zhenshan would undoubtedly be in a position to assist in resolving them.

He then voiced a tinge of envy: "It truly is advantageous to be an alchemist; alas, I possess no aptitude for alchemy whatsoever!"

Yang Zhenshan offered a gentle smile.

Indeed, the path of an alchemist fundamentally demanded a certain innate talent.

An alchemist blessed with talent could practice their craft with half the exertion for double the results, whereas those lacking inherent ability often found themselves unable to even begin.

Yun Xiao’s envy was fleeting, as he possessed a clear understanding of his own limitations. Becoming an alchemist not only required talent but also substantial resources.

Even if he possessed the necessary talent, achieving the proficiency of a second-rank alchemist like Yang Zhenshan would prove exceedingly difficult for him.

It was unlikely that the Xuanqing Sect would allocate significant resources to nurture him as an alchemist.

This decision stemmed not from a lack of foresight on the Xuanqing Sect's part, but rather from the immense cost associated with training an alchemist.

Despite the Xuanqing Sect's considerable size and prosperity, it supported a vast number of disciples. Notable among them were numerous Martial Artists in the Golden Body Realm, and a singular Divine Soul Realm Martial Artist, Lin Daoyuan, each demanding extensive resources for their own cultivation.

The cultivation of Lin Daoyuan, in particular, required a substantial influx of resources.

It was certain that Lin Daoyuan would not consent to any training of alchemists if it meant hindering his own advancement.

This presented a significant challenge for the Three Sects: they recognized the necessity of Immortal Cultivators, yet their current circumstances prevented them from furnishing adequate resources.

Consequently, their capacity was limited to cultivating a select few Immortal Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage. When it came to pills, artifacts, and talisman arrays, the resources they could provide were necessarily restricted.