At the auction house, while the buyers of the pills drew plenty of attention, the greatest focus naturally fell on the provider of those pills — the Dragon Phoenix Hall.
Even before the auction ended, countless media outlets had already rushed to the Dragon Phoenix Hall's headquarters, hoping to get inside for an interview.
But at the entrance, they were blocked by a somewhat simple-minded but imposing Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear powerhouse. He forced them to line up if they wanted to enter — absolutely no cutting in line. Trying to sneak in under the pretense of "interviews"? Not a chance!
This left the reporters both helpless and amused. After all, facing a Title Douluo of nine rings, none of them dared to try barging in. They could only obediently queue up.
A few clever ones tried to turn this into a story and started interviewing the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear itself. After all, a Title Douluo standing guard was a big scoop in its own right.
But the beast ignored them completely. Annoyed by their persistence, it casually swiped its claw at the ground. Its paw didn't even touch the floor, yet five deep claw marks instantly appeared on the solid ground.
The sight terrified the reporters and those waiting in line. One bold reporter snapped a few shaky photos of the claw marks before hastily fleeing. After that, no one dared to bother the beast again.
Outside the shop, three long lines stretched out, never shorter than a hundred meters. The second-floor store was overwhelmed with business; over a dozen staff members were running around frantically.
It wasn't until past 7 p.m. that the crowds outside finally dispersed. Many left with regretful, disappointed expressions, blaming themselves for not arriving earlier — by the time they came, all the pills were already sold out.
Those lucky enough to purchase the pills, however, left in sheer delight. Some even burst out laughing on their way home, to the point passersby thought they had gone mad.
After the pills sold out, Bi Ji accepted media interviews. She took the opportunity to heavily promote the Medicine King Pavilion and outlined its upcoming pill sales plan:
Five "One-Year Life-Extension Pills" per day
20 Supreme Foundation-Building Pills and 20 Supreme Breakthrough Pills per day
100 normal Foundation-Building Pills and 100 normal Breakthrough Pills per day
Among these, only Yunze could refine the supreme-grade pills. Bi Ji herself made the life-extension pills, while the other two types were produced by the Emerald Swan clan.
After over a month of relentless training, the transformed Emerald Swans had finally learned basic pill refining. Though their success rates weren't high, with enough attempts, they could still turn out sufficient quantities.
By 9 p.m., on the ninth floor's conference hall, the fierce-beast-level soul beasts sat around a long table. Ditian and Xiong Jun occupied the two head seats.
Bi Ji reported excitedly:
One-Year Life-Extension Pill: 5 billion each
Supreme Foundation-Building Pill: 50 million
Supreme Breakthrough Pill: 8 million
Normal Foundation-Building Pill: 20 million
Normal Breakthrough Pill: 3 million
"In total, we prepared 1,510 pills today — all sold out. Total revenue: 32.705 billion federal coins!"
She was trembling with excitement. Back in Star Moon City, when their pills weren't known, nobody bought them at high prices. At the time, Foundation-Building Pills sold for just 5 million, and Breakthrough Pills only 500,000.
But now that their reputation had exploded across the continent, they boldly raised prices — and still sold out.
Even at 5 billion apiece, the One-Year Life-Extension Pills had plenty of buyers. Though less cost-effective than the Hundred-Year version, ordinary people who couldn't afford that but still desperately wanted more years of life had no choice but to buy them.
To them, living a few more years was worth any price.
Bi Ji continued:"Based on our daily sales plan, if we sell out every day, our daily revenue will reach 5.906 billion!"
"Just like Young Master said before — after this auction, money will never again be a problem for us."
Her voice was full of joy. After years of managing finances, she had developed a keen sense for money. The thought of earning tens of billions a day filled her with a deep, satisfying thrill.
The other beasts also smiled. In the human world, with money, everything became easier.
But Yunze soon poured cold water on the mood:"Don't get too happy. This level of revenue won't last long. After some time, sales will inevitably drop."
"Both the Foundation-Building and Breakthrough Pills have limits. Once all suitable, wealthy soul masters have bought a few, demand will decrease sharply. Daily revenue of over 5 billion won't be sustainable."
Bi Ji's excitement dimmed, and the others also nodded, sobered by his words.
Yunze continued:"Bi Ji, your daily focus must be refining the Life-Extension Pills. After each batch, review your methods and improve your success rate. These pills are our financial backbone. As long as we can supply five per day, that's a guaranteed 25 billion in revenue."
"There aren't many who can afford 5 billion, but there are still plenty. The Life-Extension Pill will never lack buyers."
In truth, just this pill alone could make them the most profitable power on the continent. Production costs were a mere fraction of the sale price — barely one-thirtieth. As Bi Ji's success rate improved, costs would drop even further.
And the profit margins on the other pills were similarly terrifying. For example, today's revenue exceeded 30 billion, yet the total cost of herbs was only about 1 billion. The profit margin was staggering.
"Understood," Bi Ji replied, newly motivated by the guaranteed minimum of 25 billion per day.
Yunze then turned to Ditian:"In the coming days, many forces will come seeking us. You must handle them carefully."
"For the Hundred-Year Life-Extension Pill, give them a bit of hope, but not too much. Don't let them think it's easy to obtain. The balance depends on your judgment."
"I understand," Ditian replied firmly.
Meanwhile, in the south of the continent, within the Le Family's secret chamber.
Despite being called a chamber, the space was vast and brightly lit. At the far end stood a towering angel statue, seven or eight meters tall.
It was the figure of a woman, her features indistinct, but with six wings unfurled and a golden longsword in hand. She radiated both holiness and majesty, with a touch of heroic sharpness.
Before the statue sat a frail, hunched elder. His skin was withered like tree bark, his body utterly devoid of vitality, death aura already clinging to him.
"Father, this is the Hundred-Year Life-Extension Pill," said Le Zheng'en, presenting a jade-green bottle with utmost reverence.
The old man, whose eyelids drooped heavily, forced his eyes open slightly. In those death-clouded pupils flashed a sudden brightness.
His trembling hand reached out, painfully slow, as if even lifting his arm was unbearably heavy.
Seeing this, Le Zheng'en's eyes filled with sorrow. He quickly uncorked the bottle, took out the pill, and held it to his father's lips.
The rich fragrance of the pill spread instantly. The old man's body shuddered, as though his parched riverbed of a body had been touched by a sudden spring. A trace of vitality returned.
Eagerly, he swallowed the pill. His body instinctively circulated soul power, beginning to refine the medicine.
Le Zheng'en watched anxiously, his fists clenched until sweat trickled down his palms. Only when he saw his father's skin slowly becoming smoother and healthier did he finally let out a long sigh of relief.
(End of Chapter)