173: Chapter 173 Market Development

Pei Qingyun deeply agreed with this.

As the total Luck of the Family grew larger, the growth rate naturally decreased accordingly.

But ultimately, it was because the strength of the Pei Clan members was too low. The vast majority of Pei Clan members were Foundation Martial Artists, and Divine Strength Martial Artists still accounted for less than twenty percent of the total population.

As for the Five-Viscera Martial Artists, only Pei Tianrong had completed the Breakthrough from the Early stage of Five Viscera Realm to the Mid stage of Five Viscera Realm a month ago.

Although other Five-Viscera Martial Artists had made varying degrees of progress, they were still far from reaching a Breakthrough in their Realm.

"Now, the expansion of the Family territory is complete. It is time to develop the land to the north. The development of the Yuanhang Trade Caravan has also basically taken shape. If the trend continues this way, six hundred thousand taels a year is completely achievable. However, the market in Jinhuai Prefecture is far larger than this, and the biggest piece of it is the business in the prefecture city. It's just that with the current strength of my Pei Clan, we cannot take it down yet," Pei Qingyun thought to himself.

Although the Wuyang Pei Clan had been growing, the pace of outward expansion could not stop.

If one falls behind, one will be beaten.

Once a Family settles into silence, it is inevitably the beginning of infighting and the start of decline.

For a Family to prosper for a long time, both internal and external aspects are very important.

Not to mention, the Wuyang Pei Clan still had plenty of room for development. If the business in the prefecture city could not be taken, developing into neighboring prefectures was not impossible.

"Forget it, let's go check out the land to the north first. As for the matter of the prefecture city, I will go another time when I have the chance." Thinking of this, Pei Qingyun ordered the butler to arrange a carriage.

On the other side, Pei Tianqi, having heard the news, had been waiting on horseback at the northern plot for a long time.

Pei Tianqi was the Sixth Elder of the Wuyang Pei Clan and was originally responsible for the industries in Qingyang Town. Because of the need to develop this land, he had transferred Pei Tianqi back from Pingyang Town a few days ago.

In addition to the Pei Clan guards responsible for clearing out the area, beside Pei Tianqi was a young boy with a tender face, looking to be about eleven or twelve years old.

The boy was about seven feet tall and wore a dark-colored brocade robe, which highlighted a mature temperament that did not quite match his age.

And this boy was none other than Pei Sixing.

More than half a year had passed. Pei Sixing's appearance was no different from before, but his height had shot up significantly, though his skin had become much darker.

"Dad, it's been more than half an hour. Do you think the Old Ancestor won't come?" Pei Sixing looked at Pei Tianqi beside him, a hint of anxiety in his eyes.

Pei Tianqi glared at Pei Sixing, his eyes flashing with an unreadable expression. "What's the rush? It's only been half an hour, and you can't wait anymore? It seems that while I was away, you've become spoiled again. Tell me, are you itching for a beating again?"

Hearing this, Pei Sixing's body suddenly stiffened, his buttocks subconsciously shifting to one side, and he explained in a low voice, "Dad, that's not it. I'm just worried that the Old Ancestor won't come. Recently, I have been learning Alchemy with Elder Pei Yongyi, and I spend every day in the Pill Refining Room."

Pei Tianqi shook his head, looking disbelieving. "Enough, do you think I don't know your little tricks? As for your Alchemy, I can see it. It's always 'three days of fishing and two days of drying nets.' When the Old Ancestor arrives, don't you dare pull any funny business. Otherwise, don't blame your father for dealing with you when we get home."

Pei Sixing explained indignantly, "Dad, your child has grown up. Elder Pei Yongyi even praised me for being diligent and hardworking, saying I am a true Alchemy Genius."

Seeing his dear son like this, Pei Tianqi secretly laughed to himself.

How could he not know about his dear son's talent for Alchemy?

Alchemy was extremely important for any Great Family. As the Sixth Elder of the Pei Clan, he knew this well.

Don't look at the fact that he was the Sixth Elder of the Family and stronger than Pei Yongyi. Excluding seniority, his status and contribution to the Family were lower than Pei Yongyi's.

His dear son had the best Alchemy talent in the Family, so if he could become an Alchemist, he would naturally support it with both hands.

But he also knew that things going too smoothly might not be a good thing.

A little bit of provocation might have unexpected effects.

"You are my flesh and blood; do you think I don't know you? Don't explain, I'm not listening..." Pei Tianqi said.

Once these words were spoken, Pei Sixing felt a wave of sorrow, feeling as if the future was pitch black.

"Truly... a loving father."

He was exhausted in the Pill Refining Room, yet he was misunderstood by his own father as lazy and a playboy.

In the end, he was still too young.

In fact, Pei Tianqi was already overjoyed inside.

Just then, Pei Qingyun's carriage drove quickly from not far away until it stopped in front of everyone.

Pei Tianqi, Pei Sixing, and the group of patrol members stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Old Ancestor."

Pei Qingyun nodded and said to Pei Tianqi with concern, "Tianqi, you have been in Qingyang Town for almost ten years. You have worked hard all these years. This time, I asked Tianrong to transfer you here. I intend to build a new trading market on this land. Back then, you were the one who opened up the Family's industrial market in Qingyang Town. If you have any ideas, you can bring them up."

Pei Tianqi frowned slightly. After pondering for a moment, his eyes were incredibly firm as he said, "The Family's industry in Qingyang Town could not have developed to this day without the support of the Old Ancestor and the contributions of the clansmen. I only did what I could. As long as the Family needs me, no matter where I go, I, Tianqi, will do my best."

Through Pei Tianqi's expression and tone, Pei Qingyun could also feel the sincerity in his words; it did not seem false.

At the same time, Pei Tianqi was not a person who would boast about his merits.

"With your words, I am relieved. This time, I mainly came to see you. If you have any difficulties, you can bring them up," Pei Qingyun said.

"Old Ancestor, thank you for your concern. Tianqi has not encountered any difficulties for the time being." Pei Tianqi did not speak too definitively.

Beside him, Pei Sixing did not speak but kept his eyes fixed on Pei Qingyun, clearly having something to say.

At this time, Pei Qingyun also cast his gaze on Pei Sixing.

As the Family's Alchemy Genius, he naturally could not escape Pei Qingyun's attention. Not to mention that every month, Pei Yongyi would report to him on Pei Sixing's progress in learning Alchemy.

He was almost tired of hearing it.

Before learning Alchemy, Pei Sixing was still a playful child. But after learning Alchemy, he became so engrossed that he forgot to eat and sleep, showing quite a bit of potential as a 'grind king'.

With good Alchemy talent and being such a hard worker, it was hard not to like him.

Pei Yongyi even regarded him as his successor.

It was just that on weekdays, Pei Sixing basically stayed in the Pill Refining Room.

It seems that even a hard worker needs to relax.

Pei Qingyun said sternly, "Sixing, why didn't Elder Pei Yongyi come with you? How has your Alchemy study been recently?"

However, as soon as he finished speaking, Pei Qingyun regretted it. That was really touching a sore spot.

Pei Sixing was worried about how to strike up a conversation with the Old Ancestor. Especially in such a public setting with Pei Tianqi present, if he dared to ask questions randomly, he would surely get a beating when he got home.

He was young, but that didn't mean he was stupid. He would naturally not do things that would get him beaten.

Pei Qingyun's actions undoubtedly gave him a suitable opportunity to speak.

Pei Sixing smiled and replied, "Elder Pei Yongyi had something to do and went out; Sixing came with Father. As of now, Sixing has already been able to refine three types of Tier 1 Medicinal Pills."

The most basic skill of a First-Rank Alchemist is to master the refining methods of three types of Tier 1 Medicinal Pills, and the success rate must be over thirty percent.

In other words, as long as an Alchemy apprentice can refine three types of Tier 1 Medicinal Pills, they are not far from becoming a First-Rank Alchemist.

"I didn't expect that in just over half a year, you would have mastered the refining methods of three types of Tier 1 Medicinal Pills. It seems you have indeed been working very hard during this time. Tell me, what reward do you want?" Pei Qingyun praised.

Pei Sixing said sincerely, "Old Ancestor, I don't want any reward. It's just that you once promised me that if I could become a First-Rank Alchemist within a year, you would personally teach me Alchemy."

Beside him, Pei Tianqi's brain roared. After hearing that his dear son had already mastered the refining methods of three types of Tier 1 Medicinal Pills, his head buzzed, and his emotions surged, as if a depth charge had been dropped into a calm lake.

Being chosen by Pei Qingyun to follow Pei Yongyi to learn Alchemy, Pei Sixing's Alchemy talent would naturally not be bad. But he never expected that his dear son's Alchemy talent would be this high. This was not just an Alchemy Genius; this was clearly a future Alchemy Grandmaster.

Thinking of this, Pei Tianqi could no longer suppress his excitement. If Pei Qingyun were not here, he would probably be laughing out loud. However, what surprised him even more was that Pei Sixing had actually enlightened and learned to cling to a powerful figure. Without a doubt, Pei Qingyun was the thickest thigh of the Wuyang Pei Clan. To some extent, Pei Qingyun's reputation among the Pei Clan members was now even higher than that of the Pei Clan ancestors.

"Good, very good! My son's future is limitless," Pei Tianqi thought to himself.

Conversely, Pei Qingyun's heart sank. This kid was too shrewd; he had actually tampered with his words. He hadn't said that back then; he had clearly only said he would consider it.

Therefore, Pei Qingyun couldn't help but look at Pei Tianqi, seriously suspecting that Pei Tianqi had taught him bad habits. But at this moment, it was impossible for him to correct the wording.

Fortunately, he hadn't been idle for the past six months. With the control of a Grandmaster, combined with the perfect bearing of the Analysis Technique, and the Alchemy methods inherited after analysis, Pei Qingyun had not only mastered all common Tier 1 Medicinal Pill refining methods on the market in half a year, but his success rate was as high as eighty percent. To put it bluntly, even an Alchemy Great Master (Tier 4 or Tier 5 Alchemist) might not have this success rate when refining ordinary Tier 1 Medicinal Pills. In addition, Pei Qingyun had also begun to touch upon the refining methods of Tier 2 Medicinal Pills. Standing on high ground with so many comprehensive factors, when learning low-level Alchemy, he was, in a sense, a Genius even greater than Pei Sixing.

"A reward is necessary. This Bloodline Spirit Pill will be your reward this time. If you can become a First-Rank Alchemist within a year, my promise remains valid." Pei Qingyun flicked his finger, and a fire-red Medicinal Pill with purple-gold patterns landed steadily in Pei Sixing's hand.

"Bloodline Spirit Pill!" A happy smile appeared on Pei Sixing's chubby little face.

The guards responsible for clearing out the area saw this scene and were not only shocked but also showed eyes filled with immense envy. The Bloodline Spirit Pill was definitely one of the dream pills for low-level Martial Artists. It was a special Medicinal Pill capable of enhancing Bloodline Power. Although the Bloodline Spirit Pill was only effective the first time it was taken, it still could not stop them from pursuing it. The Bloodline Spirit Pill was not of a high grade, only a Tier 3 Medicinal Pill, but its value was still thirty thousand taels each. Thirty thousand taels was a significant amount for an ordinary third-rate family, let alone for these guards who cleared out exotic beasts. Just like when the Pei Clan was still an ordinary third-rate family, only a few people had taken the Bloodline Spirit Pill. Now the Pei Clan was powerful, but even for the direct lineage, earning thirty thousand taels was not an easy task. Unless the Materials for the Bloodline Spirit Pill could be mass-produced, the price might not come down.

Meanwhile, Pei Tianqi on the side also reacted quickly; he knew the value of the Bloodline Spirit Pill well. Don't look at the fact that he had served the Family in Qingyang Town for ten years; even after scrimping and saving, the silver he had accumulated in ten years was only twenty thousand taels, enough to buy at most two-thirds of a Bloodline Spirit Pill. Yet, as soon as Pei Qingyun made a move, it was a Bloodline Spirit Pill worth thirty thousand taels. If this wasn't favoritism, then what was? Therefore, Pei Tianqi hurriedly said, "Thank you, Old Ancestor, for your kindness toward Sixing."

Seeing that his father had said so, Pei Sixing also hurriedly said, "Thank you, Old Ancestor. Sixing will definitely work hard on Alchemy and become a First-Rank Alchemist as soon as possible."

Under Pei Tianqi's guidance, Pei Qingyun and his party entered a temporarily built residence. This temporarily built courtyard was large but not luxurious. Not far outside the courtyard, there were a large number of temporary dormitories for workers.

In fact, Pei Qingyun had started laying out plans half a year ago, but large-scale construction had not yet formally begun. In his view, this trading market was a massive project and would not be as rapid as expanding the Pei Clan territory. It was also an expansion of the Pei Clan's territory and a long-term project. At present, he was only working on the first phase of the trading market.

Shortly after entering the residence, Pei Qingyun began to communicate with Pei Tianqi.

"Old Ancestor, please have some tea." Pei Tianqi stood up straight, holding the teacup with both hands respectfully.

Pei Qingyun took the teacup, took two light sips, and said casually, "Now, you can speak."

Next, Pei Tianqi began to report on the surrounding situation. After more than half a year of clearing, it was hard to find traces of exotic beasts on the land planned by Pei Qingyun. The reason it took so long was that this place was close to the Hengduan Mountain Range, and from time to time, exotic beasts would run out from the Hengduan Mountain Range. However, after such a long time of clearing, these low-level exotic beasts had also realized the danger of this piece of land. And since there were no resources that exotic beasts fought over here, they would naturally not choose this place. Seeking advantages and avoiding disadvantages was also an instinct for survival for exotic beasts.

After the two communicated for a while, Pei Qingyun decided to officially start the first phase of the project in seven days. This trading market was also named by Pei Qingyun as Yuanhong.