36: Chapter 36 Since ancient times, money has never been borrowed simply by talking.

Putting away the Perfect Foundation Establishment Pill, Zi Yun took out four thousand Spirit Stones and pushed them in front of Xiao Ye.

To her surprise, Xiao Ye didn't even reach out his hand, saying with a smile, "Exchange it all for materials for Foundation Establishment Pills."

Zi Yun was stunned for a moment and glanced at him; without asking further questions, she turned around to the warehouse to fetch the goods.

A short while later, Xiao Ye walked out holding a large bundle of Spiritual Materials—once these materials were refined into pills, they would be worth eighty thousand Spirit Stones.

Before leaving, he didn't forget to look back and "show respect" to the large D-cups on Zi Yun's chest, his gaze filled with thirty percent appreciation and seventy percent greed.

Truly greedy. So greedy that he wanted to go back and enjoy Bai Susu's milk bath.

Unfortunately, it took three days by Flying Boat to get from the Hehuan Sect to Qingshan Town; distant water couldn't quench immediate thirst.

He could only endure for now, wait until he corrupted these "good girls," and then go back to enjoy himself slowly.

For the next three months, Xiao Ye lived a monotonous three-point routine—buying materials at Treasure Pill Hall, refining pills at the Lakeside Courtyard, and selling pills at Treasure Pill Hall.

Repeating the cycle, his profits soared.

Spirit Stones poured in like flowing water, and his pockets bulged even more exaggeratedly than Bai Susu's G-cups.

After three months, Xiao Ye didn't even know how many Spirit Stones he had—anyway, there were so many he was too lazy to count.

Meanwhile, the Disciples of the Hehuan Sect gradually learned that a Great Grandmaster-level Alchemist had arrived in the Sect who could refine Perfect Foundation Establishment Pills.

When the news spread, it caused a massive stir.

Those old Disciples who were previously at the Perfection of Qi Refining and stuck at a Bottleneck grit their teeth and bought one of Xiao Ye's Foundation Establishment Pills. They swallowed it—Boom! They broke through.

One, two, three... more and more people crossed that threshold because of this tiny pill.

Xiao Ye-branded Perfect Foundation Establishment Pills were instantly in high demand.

Some sensed a business opportunity and became Scalpers. Treasure Pill Hall bought pills from Xiao Ye for two thousand Spirit Stones each and resold them for two thousand five hundred.

The Scalpers were even more ruthless, charging three thousand each—take it or leave it.

When Xiao Ye found out, he was dumbfounded.

"Three thousand each? My pills?" He counted on his fingers for a long time, his face full of disbelief. "My cost is only a hundred! This thing is more powerful than a money-printing machine?"

He completely failed to realize exactly why the Perfect Foundation Establishment Pills he refined were so valuable.

To put it simply—

Some Disciples with poor talent simply couldn't break through using ordinary Foundation Establishment Pills (70% efficacy).

The Spiritual Qi wasn't enough, and the medicinal power was insufficient, like off-roading up a slope; Prados and Wranglers look intimidating, but if the engine isn't good and the slope is too steep, they just can't make it up.

But what about the Perfect Foundation Establishment Pill? With 100% efficacy and surging medicinal power, one step on the gas is like a BYD Fangchengbao—no matter how steep the slope, you just go for it and reach the top with ease.

So for those Disciples with poor talent, the Perfect Foundation Establishment Pill wasn't just "better," it was the "only" way. Without it, they would be stuck at the Perfection of Qi Refining for the rest of their lives.

After hearing this explanation, Xiao Ye was silent for a while, then slapped his thigh. "Then why am I still selling them for two thousand? I'm raising the price tomorrow!"

Wang Defa, who was beside him, quickly stopped him. "Don't, don't, don't. A steady stream lasts longer. If you raise it too much, the Scalpers will go even crazier."

Xiao Ye thought about it and felt it made sense. A steady stream was better, so he temporarily suppressed the idea of raising the price.

————

That day, Xiao Ye had just finished refining a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills when a hearty voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"Brother Ye, are you there? Lili and I have come to see you."

Xiao Ye's hand paused. Ma Bide?

Why was this guy here? And bringing Luo Lili with him?

Ma Bide was an Inner Sect Disciple of the Hehuan Sect, a fair-weather friend Xiao Ye had met at a Carnivorous Cultivator convention.

They had drunk together, bragged together, and exchanged Carnivorous Cultivator insights; they were the kind of friends who were "brothers at the table, but strangers once it's over."

As for Luo Lili, she was Ma Bide's Pure Cultivator Dao Companion—possessing a Mystic Grade High-Rank Spiritual Root, she had outstanding talent, a graceful figure, and a beautiful face, like a ripe honey peach.

It was said that Ma Bide had saved her life years ago, and she agreed to be his Dao Companion to repay the favor, but they were only Pure Cultivators who joined palms, never crossing the line.

This made Ma Bide very unhappy.

As a trash with a Mystic Grade Low-Rank Spiritual Root, how much cultivation could he gain through Pure Cultivation alone?

He had always wanted to engage in Carnivorous Cultivation with Luo Lili, but she absolutely refused—Carnivorous Cultivation would ruin one's Foundation, and she was someone aiming for the Golden Core Realm; how could she sacrifice her future in immortal cultivation just to repay a favor?

Since Luo Lili didn't agree, Ma Bide had no choice but to secretly engage in Carnivorous Cultivation behind her back.

Otherwise, with his meager talent, how could he have broken through to Foundation Establishment so quickly? Luo Lili still thought he was cultivating hard.

"Why did he suddenly think of coming to see me? And bringing Luo Lili..." A strange look flashed across Xiao Ye's face as he went forward to open the door.

Two figures were standing outside the door.

One was graceful and slender with a beautiful face, which was indeed Luo Lili. Beside her was a middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance and a fawning smile—Ma Bide.

System detection: Luo Lili: 83 points!

"Bide, I haven't seen you for a while, please come in." Xiao Ye showed a smile as if seeing an old friend, as warm as a reunion between biological brothers.

He led the two into the living room, pouring tea while asking, "Bide, do you have something for me?"

When they used to drink together, they called each other brothers; Xiao Ye was older, so Ma Bide called him "Brother."

Ma Bide laughed. "It's nothing, just haven't seen you in a while and wanted to drop by."

Xiao Ye rolled his eyes internally—what the hell do you have to 'drop by' for? We're just fair-weather friends who drink and visit brothels together; you only found out where I live because you stumbled here while drunk last time.

But he still kept a smile on his face, greeting Ma Bide "warmly." He spoke a whole lot of nonsense like "your cultivation has increased again lately" and "let's drink together another day."

After some pleasantries, Ma Bide finally sighed with "repeated hesitation" and a "face full of difficulty."

"Brother Ye, Lili and I have spent all our Spirit Stones to break through to Foundation Establishment. Now that our cultivation resources are all used up, I... I want to borrow some Spirit Stones from you. Don't worry, I'll definitely pay you back once I have some!"

Xiao Ye sneered in his heart.

Here it comes. It's coming.

Sure enough, every world is the same—once people know you have money, a group of people like this will appear around you.

They'll borrow money from you to build a house, buy a car, get a wife, or even to eat.

What's even more hateful is that even if he goes to a prostitute, he'll still ask to borrow money from you.

Xiao Ye put down his teacup, leaned back in his chair, and looked at Ma Bide with a smile. "Bide, since ancient times, borrowing money has never been about using your mouth."

(Of course, your wife can!)

"Brothers are brothers, but you must have something as collateral!"

He picked up his teacup, blew on the foam, and discreetly glanced at Luo Lili, who had been sitting silently the whole time.

As for the collateral—

That wife of yours, I think she's quite suitable.

Of course, he didn't say this out loud, but the meaningful smile at the corner of his mouth had already betrayed his inner thoughts.