Chapter 76: 76. Alchemy [1]
Su Qinglan smiled awkwardly.
"It’s... nothing worth mentioning, Patriarch."
She lowered her head and casually reached for another stack of documents, clearly intending to change the subject.
"Now then, regarding the application to become an Eighth Rank Clan, there are still a few procedures we need to—"
"Elder Su."
Lin Xuan’s calm voice interrupted her.
"..."
Su Qinglan held his gaze for several breaths before letting out a helpless sigh.
"Ah well... the thing is..."
She gently set the documents back onto the desk.
Lin Xuan watched as she repeatedly parted her lips, only to hesitate again.
After several failed attempts, she suddenly spoke in one breath, as though afraid she would lose the courage if she stopped.
"It’s because the Young Miss recently distributed Pure Body Tempering Pills to several disciples, so... I... I ended up hoping the Qi Refinement Pills you brought might also be of Pure quality."
The words came out so quickly that she immediately lowered her head afterward.
A bitter smile appeared on her face.
The Patriarch had just donated one thousand Qi Refinement Pills to the clan.
Yet instead of feeling satisfied...
She had found herself hoping for something even more precious.
The greed of the human heart truly knew no bounds.
Lin Xuan, however, was thinking about something entirely different.
Pure Body Tempering Pills...
His thoughts immediately connected several pieces together.
So that’s how the clan suddenly produced so many new Qi Refinement cultivators.
He had expected Lin Zhaoyue to exchange most of them for contribution points and exchange it for artifacts.
Instead, she had used them to nurture the clan’s younger generation.
A faint smile unknowingly appeared on Lin Xuan’s face.
"Alright. I understand, I’ll speak with her and see if she can procure some Pure Qi Refinement Pills as well."
The moment those words left his mouth.
Su Qinglan’s eyes lit up so brightly that Lin Xuan was momentarily taken aback.
She leaned forward ever so slightly.
"Really, Patriarch?"
"Yes," Lin Xuan replied.
Of course, with the system ensuring he could refine Pure Pills every time, it was hardly a tall tale.
Su Qinglan’s face immediately blossomed into a smile.
"If that’s the case, then this old woman shall await the Patriarch’s good news."
Lin Xuan simply nodded before changing the subject.
"How are the clan’s affairs? Any major issues during these three months?"
Su Qinglan composed herself and returned to her usual professional demeanor.
"Everything has been progressing smoothly. The various halls are functioning as usual, and the elders have been cooperating surprisingly well."
Lin Xuan nodded in satisfaction.
"And our trade? How has business been?"
Su Qinglan answered immediately.
"Ever since we repaired our relationship with the Li Family, they haven’t made any open attempts to trouble us. Our caravans have been able to travel much more freely, and trade has been steadily improving."
She paused before adding,
"Although... the Zhao Family has approached us several times. They’ve been asking whether we’d be willing to sell them some of the Pure Body Tempering Pills."
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow.
"And?"
"I truthfully informed them that Young Miss had already run out."
Su Qinglan sighed helplessly.
"Unfortunately... they don’t believe it. They’re convinced we’re deliberately refusing to sell them."
Lin Xuan couldn’t help but smile.
He could hardly blame the Zhao Family.
If he were in their position, he probably wouldn’t believe it either.
"Anything else?"
Su Qinglan hesitated.
"There is... one more matter."
Lin Xuan looked at her.
"What is it?"
Su Qinglan coughed lightly before speaking.
"...Patriarch. Could we perhaps... elect a new Supreme Elder?"
Lin Xuan fell silent.
He looked at the mountains of documents covering her desk before glancing at the equally large stacks piled on the surrounding shelves.
She gave an embarrassed cough.
"Recently, I’ve barely had time to cultivate."
Lin Xuan nodded thoughtfully.
"I see."
After a brief moment of thought, Lin Xuan said,"Very well, but please understand, we’ll still have to postpone selecting a permanent Supreme Elder."
Su Qinglan looked slightly disappointed, but before she could speak, Lin Xuan continued, "Instead, we’ll appoint another acting elder to share your responsibilities.
You’ll continue overseeing the treasury.
As for the duties of the Acting Supreme Elder, I’ll transfer as many of them as possible. That should free up enough of your time."
Su Qinglan’s eyes brightened.
"...That would certainly help."
Lin Xuan nodded.
"I’ll discuss suitable candidates with the elders later. There are enough capable people in the clan that you shouldn’t have to exhaust yourself doing two jobs."
A warm smile appeared on Su Qinglan’s face as she cupped her fists.
"Thank you, Patriarch."
Lin Xuan smiled faintly.
"The clan still needs its treasurer. I’d rather not have you collapse from overwork."
After settling the matter of the Acting Supreme Elder, Lin Xuan turned his attention back to the treasury.
"Elder Su. I’d like to exchange some contribution points for medicinal herbs."
Su Qinglan immediately nodded.
"Certainly, Patriarch. Which herbs do you require?"
Lin Xuan listed them one by one.
"Spirit Strength Grass, blood Essence Vine and Earth Root Ginseng."
These three herbs formed the core ingredients used in refining Body Tempering Pills and were also among the most frequently stocked medicinal herbs within the clan treasury.
Su Qinglan quickly searched through the inventory records before looking back up.
"We still have a fair amount in storage. How many stacks would you like?"
Lin Xuan smiled faintly.
"I’ll take all of them."
"...All of them?"
"Yes."
Su Qinglan did not question his decision.
She immediately instructed several disciples to bring out every stalk of Spirit Strength Grass, every Blood Essence Vine, and every Earth Root Ginseng the treasury possessed.
Before long, dozens of neatly packed wooden boxes had been stacked before Lin Xuan.
Su Qinglan finished her calculations and handed over his identity token.
"The exchange has been completed, after deducting the cost of all the herbs, Patriarch still has forty-three thousand contribution points remaining."
Satisfied, Lin Xuan took back the token and stored every box of medicinal herbs into his storage ring along with the token.
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