After boasting a bit for everyone, Wang Hao returned to his room to rest. The next day, he and Wang Yanfeng rode down the mountain back to the market—this time on steeds, which proved far quicker. Since Wang Hao had placed among the top three in the tournament and won a Swiftwind Horse, he naturally mounted it for the journey. In just four days they reached Qingniu Market.
Wang Yanfeng warned,
"I can only stay another half a fortnight. How much you learn now depends on your own ability!"
Wang Hao laughed,
"Of course! I wouldn't dream of wasting Eighth Uncle's time. All you need do is introduce me to your import–export contacts!"
Despite its name, the Wang family's "Pill Shop" was actually a general store. Occupying five mu, the front two floors faced the street: a public hall below and private rooms above for VIP clients. Wang Yanfeng usually oversaw operations from the second floor. Behind the shop lay a spacious courtyard and the Wang family quarters—where Wang Hao would reside once he took over management, since the spirit vein there was denser and more conducive to cultivation. Of course, that convenience came at a cost: managing the shop would leave him less free time than before.
Shortly after they arrived, a familiar face entered—the broker Chang Bao, whose job was matching wandering cultivators to buyers in exchange for commission. With so many wanderers in Qingniu Market, the odds of finding rare herbs were high, but many cultivators distrusted large shops and preferred dealing through brokers like Chang Bao. Now in his forties and a Seventh-Level Qi Refinement cultivator, Chang Bao was indispensable if Wang Hao ever needed to procure spirit herbs.
"Brother Wang, you weren't very courteous—vanishing from the market without notifying old Chang," he chided as he entered.
"Ah, my apologies," Wang Yanfeng smiled. "I was urgently summoned by the family and forgot to let you know, Brother Chang. My fault."
"No offense taken—but several herb sellers are growing impatient. If you no longer need me, I can bring them to other shops!"
"Not at all! I'm back now." Wang Yanfeng handed Chang Bao five spirit stones. "Please accept my thanks—and this tea, Brother Chang—don't refuse!"
Chang Bao's face brightened like an actor donning a new mask,
"Brother Wang, rest assured—you know old Chang's character!"
Spotting Wang Hao by his side, Chang Bao asked,
"And who is this young brother?"
"Brother Chang, don't hurry off yet—I intended to introduce you. This is my nephew, Wang Hao. He'll be managing our shop from now on." Wang Yanfeng glanced at his son. "Please greet him—our business depends on your guidance!"
Wang Hao inclined his head,
"Junior Wang Hao pays his respects, Senior."
"Oh heavens, I wouldn't dare! Young Master Wang is of the clan—how could this wandering cultivator call himself 'Senior'?"
"Nonsense. We are all brothers. He's my nephew—calling him 'Senior' is no exaggeration!" Wang Yanfeng chuckled. "Brother Chang, I rely on your mentorship for him in the days ahead."
"Of course, of course!" Chang Bao agreed—though inwardly he thought Wang Yanfeng was shrewd. A young Wang clan member might yield future profit, but Chang would be careful not to overstep and jeopardize the relationship.
"Actually, I have a major opportunity to present to the Wang family," Chang Bao said, glancing toward the door. Wang Hao understood the hint and gestured him upstairs."Please, let's discuss it in private."
In the private room upstairs, Wang Yanfeng prompted,
"Brother Chang, tell us—what's this big opportunity?"
"Heh, if it's a big opportunity for the Wang family, it must involve spirit herbs!" Chang Bao grinned without hesitation. "Herbs related to the Foundation Elixir. Is that grand enough?"
Wang Yanfeng leaned forward, interest piqued,
"There are over a dozen herbs in the Foundation Elixir formula, but most aren't extremely rare. Which herb are we discussing?"
Chang Bao's smile grew wider,
"You mentioned a big opportunity—obviously not ordinary herbs!" He lowered his voice and continued,"It's the Borage Flower—one of the three core ingredients of the Foundation Elixir!"
Wang Hao's eyes lit up. He already possessed nearly all the auxiliary ingredients for the Elixir—only the Ningyuan Fruit, 200-year-old Red Blood Ginseng, and the 300-year-old Borage Flower remained missing. He had never heard of the mountain locations where Ningyuan trees or ancient Borage grew.
He knew the Elixir formula demanded three principal ingredients:
Ningyuan Fruit from a high-grade, second-order tree—it supplies the vast spirit energy needed to crystallize one's True Essence for foundation building.
Red Blood Ginseng (200 years old) to repair meridian and dantian damage at the cusp of foundation.
Borage Flower (300 years old) to strengthen meridians and dantian, enabling them to withstand the Elixir's surge; used alone, its potency can harm the body—only the right age grants both power and safety.
Auxiliary herbs provide meridian protection, vitality boosts, and mental clarity. The Foundation Elixir greatly increases success rates—in case of failure, one's body sustains only minor strain, meridians gain resilience for another attempt. Without it, failure can be fatal or devastating to one's lifespan.
"May I ask, Senior Chang, is this Borage Flower still growing or already harvested? And what is its age?" Wang Hao asked, barely containing his excitement.
"Naturally it's still growing—but only eighty years old," Chang Bao replied.
"Eighty years? Then it's worthless—only harvests of the full 300-year growth command spirit stones," Wang Yanfeng lamented.
"Brother Wang, if it were 300 years old, how would you ever hope to find the Ningyuan Fruit? Secure this now, and you'll still profit!" Chang Bao laughed. He himself had given up on reaching Foundation.
Wang Yanfeng sighed at the hardships of foundation-building, then asked,
"Where is this plant? Has it been collected?"
"Don't worry—it remains unharvested. I know the price difference, so I brought it to you first." Chang Bao made a beckoning motion. "As for its exact location… that depends on your negotiation with me."
Wang Yanfeng produced twenty spirit stones and placed them on the table:
"When the deal is done, there will be more where these came from."
Chang Bao nodded, satisfied:
"I understand the terms. I will fetch the guide now. Please discuss your plans in the meantime."
Once Chang Bao departed, Wang Hao asked,
"Eighth Uncle, is there really such a difference between harvested herbs and living specimens?"
"Absolutely! Wandering cultivators often carelessly uproot the roots, harming the plant. It can take years to recover—and potency suffers. Naturally the price reflects that," Wang Yanfeng explained.
"So essentially, we're buying the location and collecting the herb ourselves, right?"
"Exactly. But be warned, Duan Yuan Mountain is fraught with danger—and those wandering cultivators aren't to be trifled with. Theft and deaths are common. Never risk your life for a small gain!"
Wang Hao noted that, for sufficiently high reward, even the most cautious cultivator would dare the risk. After all, capitalists—old or modern—never change their nature!