Goddess Painting

Li Qingtian smiled mysteriously:

"The master is unaware of something."

"Ever since the news of my daughter's recovery spread, Shen Wanshan, the head of the Shen family, has been extremely envious!"

"He has repeatedly inquired of me about your name and whereabouts, Master, his words filled with high praise, even bordering on a desire to befriend you!"

"After all, for a businessman like Shen Wanshan, the worst thing is for something to happen to him. To befriend a miracle doctor who can bring the dead back to life is an opportunity he couldn't ask for!"

"If the master is willing to meet him, as long as you give him a hint, that old bastard will absolutely be begging to join us!"

Qin Feng pondered for a moment.

This was an unexpected surprise.

Now that we've already made a name for ourselves, let's make the most of it!

"Can."

Qin Feng nodded and said calmly, "Then you can make the arrangements."

Li Qingtian was overjoyed: "Since Master Feng has agreed, let's not wait any longer! That old bastard must have been waiting for a long time!"

"Someone! Go and invite Patriarch Shen! Tell him Master Feng is at Fengze Tower, and ask him to have a chat!"

……

It only takes the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

The door to the private room was pushed open in a great hurry.

A slightly overweight, middle-aged man with a prosperous-looking face strode in.

He was dressed in a dark gold robe and held two top-grade jade walnuts in his hands.

Although his steps were somewhat hurried, the calm and steady aura emanating from him could not be concealed.

The head of the Shen family, Shen Wanshan!

Behind him followed an elderly man with a restrained aura and piercing eyes, clearly a trusted and skilled bodyguard.

"Brother Li! Are you serious? Master Feng is really here?!"

As soon as Shen Wanshan entered, his eyes eagerly scanned the private room.

"Hahaha! Brother Shen, look how anxious you are!"

Li Qingtian stood up with a smile, pointed to Qin Feng in the main seat, and introduced him:

"Come, come! Let me introduce you!"

"This is the divine physician who saved my daughter's life and made even the successor of the White Bone Healer bow down in admiration—Master Feng Qin!"

Shen Wanshan's expression turned solemn. He quickly walked up to Qin Feng and bowed respectfully.

"I, Shen Wanshan, have long admired your esteemed reputation, Master! To meet you today is truly an honor beyond measure!"

Qin Feng slightly raised his hand, his tone calm: "Patriarch Shen, you're too kind. Please have a seat."

After Shen Wanshan sat down, his gaze remained subtly observing the mysterious "Master of Wind".

The aura was obscure, its depth unreadable.

But that calm and composed demeanor was truly extraordinary.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Li Qingtian didn't waste any time and went straight to the point:

"Brother Shen, besides introducing Master Feng, I've invited you here today to discuss a business deal with you."

"I want to raise the prices of the medicinal herbs that our two families hold..."

"Moreover, the supply is limited to certain specific Dan Pavilions and families."

Shen Wanshan was drinking tea when his hand trembled, and he almost spilled it.

He put down his teacup, his brows furrowing into a deep frown, and looked at Li Qingtian with a puzzled expression:

"Price gouging? Limited quantity?"

"Brother Li, what kind of act are you putting on?"

"The market is already stable. Although our two companies can control the market by joining forces, if we go too far and incur public anger, it will be no laughing matter."

"Has this old fox taken the wrong medicine today?" Shen Wanshan muttered to himself. "Is it really worth taking such a big risk just to make that little profit?"

Li Qingtian had anticipated this question and, without hiding anything, replied directly:

"To be honest, this is to retaliate against the Lin family and Wang Tianyi."

"They acted too domineeringly, actually joining forces to block the cultivation resources of the Tian Shu Peak disciples, cutting off their opportunities."

"I just couldn't stand by and watch, and I wanted to teach them a lesson!"

"Tian Shu Peak?"

Shen Wanshan was even more bewildered.

"To offend the powerful Lin family for a long-declining, dilapidated mountain stronghold?"

"Brother Li, are you alright? This deal is a losing proposition no matter how you look at it!"

Shen Wanshan had a look on his face that said, "Are you crazy?"

Li Qingtian wasn't angry; he just smiled meaningfully and pointed to Qin Feng beside him:

"Brother Shen, this wasn't my idea."

"This is... Master Feng's intention."

"Master Feng has a long-standing relationship with Qin Feng of Tian Shu Peak. The master couldn't bear to see Qin Feng being schemed against by a villain, so he decided to lend a helping hand."

boom!

A flash of inspiration struck Shen Wanshan, and he instantly understood!

That's it!

This old fox is willing to do this thankless task not for Tian Shu Peak at all, but to curry favor with Master Feng!

If you help with this, Master Feng will owe you a favor!

The miracle doctor's kindness!

That's a lifesaver in a critical moment!

How can this be considered a loss-making deal?

This is an incredibly profitable business!

Once he understood this, the hesitation on Shen Wanshan's face vanished instantly.

He turned his head and looked at Qin Feng with an eager gaze, as if he were looking at a mountain of gold.

"So that's what the master meant!"

Qin Feng glanced at him and said calmly, "Does Patriarch Shen have any concerns?"

"Oh dear! Master, you've misunderstood!"

Shen Wanshan slapped his thigh and said righteously:

"No hesitation whatsoever! The Shen family is determined to help with this!"

"Moreover, the Lin family has become increasingly arrogant in recent years, bullying others and suppressing their competitors. I, Shen, have long disliked them!"

"Whether from a public or private perspective, the Shen family has an unshirkable duty to do this!"

"Master Feng, please give your orders, and I, Shen, will have no objection!"

The speed at which he changed his expression made Li Wanqing, who was standing next to him, unable to help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

Qin Feng nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes:

"That's excellent."

"Since both family heads have agreed, let's discuss the specific details."

The three of them got together and quickly came up with a meticulous plan.

First, the Li and Shen families joined forces to gradually raise the base price of low- to mid-grade medicinal materials, creating the illusion of a tight market.

Then, citing reasons such as "disaster in the production area" and "monster attack on the caravan", they announced that the inventory of some key medicinal materials was running low and began to limit the supply.

In particular, for those Dan Pavilions and shops closely related to the Lin family, prices were directly increased by 30% or even 50%!

Buy it or don't, it's up to you! If you don't want to buy, fine!

The dinner ended in a pleasant atmosphere.

The two family heads acted swiftly and decisively. As soon as they stepped out of the restaurant, urgent orders were sent to every corner of the Qingyun Sect via communication jade tablets.

Even small retail investors who depended on the two companies received the unified order to raise prices.

A "herbal medicine storm" targeting the alchemy factions of sects is quietly brewing!

……

Meanwhile, at the Qingyun Sect's Pill Pavilion.

Chen Xiangdong, the steward of Dan Pavilion, was comfortably leaning back in the armchair behind the counter, playing with a jade pendant of good quality in his hand.

Several outer disciples, eager to curry favor with him, surrounded him, their faces full of obsequious flattery.

"Steward Chen has excellent taste! This jade pendant is absolutely perfect for you!"

"Exactly! Who in our Dan Pavilion doesn't know how influential Steward Chen is? Even the Lin family treats you differently!"

Chen Xiangdong listened with great pride and was in a very good mood.

Just then, a disciple who wanted to exchange contribution points for a low-priced Qi Condensation Pill walked over and carefully handed over his identity token:

"Deacon Chen, could you please help me? I'd like to exchange two bottles of Qi Condensation Pills..."

Chen Xiangdong raised his eyelids, glanced at the disciple's clothes, and snorted coldly:

"Change what? Can't you see I'm busy?"

"Go away! Get out of the way! You have no manners!"

The disciple's face turned red and white as he was scolded, but he dared not retaliate and could only slink away to the side.

Just then.

A purchasing assistant rushed in through the back door, his voice trembling as he leaned close to Chen Xiangdong's ear:

"Deacon Chen...Deacon Chen! Something's happened!"

"What's all the fuss about?" Chen Xiangdong asked, somewhat displeased.

The waiter swallowed hard and whispered:

"The Li family...the Li family just sent over a new price quote!"

"All medicinal herbs have gone up in price!"

"The price of Tier 1 Crimson Flame Grass has increased by 30%! Tier 1 Ice Heart Lotus has increased by 25%! And the main ingredients for refining Tier 2 pills have not only increased by 30%, but are also being supplied in limited quantities!"

"What?!"

Chen Xiangdong suddenly jumped up from his chair, almost dropping the jade pendant on the ground.

His eyes widened, and he grabbed the waiter by the collar:

"You didn't read that wrong?! It went up by 30%?!"

"It's absolutely true!" the waiter said with a bitter face.

Chen Xiangdong's face turned pale instantly.

Prices increased by 30%?!

This is a matter of life and death!

It's important to understand that while alchemy has a high profit margin, the majority of the profits usually go to the alchemist.

The recent price increase in medicinal herbs has directly squeezed out their profit margins!

It might even result in a loss!

"quick!"

Chen Xiangdong was sweating profusely and pushed the waiter away:

"Quickly, arrange for someone to go to the Li family and find out what's going on!"

"Why did it suddenly rise so drastically out of nowhere?!"

The waiter hesitated for a moment and asked:

"Deacon, this matter...should we report it to the elders first?"

Chen Xiangdong wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his eyes darting around:

"Don't rush to report it!"

"What if it's just a misunderstanding? If I can't even handle something this simple, the elders will scold me to death!"

"Go ask first! Find out the details before you say anything!"

"Let's see what the Li family is really up to!"