Nine Yang Alchemy Emperor

"You go first, I'll be right there!" Chu Feng was almost certain that it was Li Shishi who had come.

These past few days, either the Poison Eye Dragon King or the Beixie National Master had been reporting to him and collecting elixirs. Chu Feng indeed missed Li Shishi somewhat.

"Husband, a beautiful woman has come!" Han Shuang came out from inside. Although she wore a mask and her facial expressions were not visible, her tone carried a hint of acidity – she was clearly jealous.

"Ahem… Han Shuang, don't overthink it. She's Li Shishi, someone you and Xiao Ying both know," Chu Feng hurriedly explained, to avoid any misunderstanding.

"Oh~! It's her. So, who is more beautiful, her or me?" Han Shuang's tone softened slightly.

"Of course, you are more beautiful! I'm off!" Chu Feng dared not linger and chat with her any longer. He quickly left with the elixirs he had produced that month.

Li Shishi used to be a disciple of the Wan Jian Sect Main Lineage, but not anymore.

If she wanted to see Chu Feng, she could only meet him outside the sect.

As Chu Feng passed over the big bridge of the Outer City, he saw a familiar figure standing by the guard booth at the bridge's end. The figure stood tall and straight, serving as a Gate Guarding Disciple on watch.

It was none other than Mao Wu.

It seemed that Mao Wu also saw Chu Feng approaching, and immediately felt so embarrassed that he wished the ground would swallow him up. He hung his head low, wishing he could bury it in the ground.

Previously, he thought he would soon be promoted and transferred away from the Pharmaceutical Department.

There was even the possibility that he could enter the Inner Sect.

Thus, in front of Chu Feng, he had shown off arrogantly. Now the gap between his stature and Chu Feng's had widened even further.

Seeing Chu Feng, he naturally felt quite embarrassed.

"Um… I am Chu Feng, the Medicine Mountain Master with number 106. Where are the people looking for me?"

Chu Feng intentionally stopped and asked Mao Wu.

"Er… over there!" Mao Wu still kept his head low as he pointed outside the guard booth.

"Eh, this junior brother looks quite familiar! Thanks!" Chu Feng lifted him up high, only to gently let him down.

Mao Wu felt like he wanted to die.

Being a Gate Guarding Disciple here, with the immense psychological let-down, was still not the worst part. What he dreaded most was encountering acquaintances, especially his former subordinates.

It was a blatant torture and a slap in the face.

Watching Chu Feng walk away, Mao Wu clenched his fists so tight they creaked.

When Chu Feng arrived outside the guard booth, he immediately saw a figure of charming grace – who else could it be but Li Shishi?

"Shishi!"

Chu Feng greeted her with a warm smile, his eyes firmly fixed on her.

"Shishi pays respect to the master!" Seeing Chu Feng, Li Shishi was also particularly excited.

Ever since Chu Feng left, she had missed him greatly. This time, she found an excuse to come and visit Chu Feng on purpose.

"Get up quickly!" Chu Feng caught her jade hand, helping her to her feet. "Shishi, it's been hard on you these past days, managing the affairs of the Longevity Hall. How are you doing? Are things going well?"

Although her relationship with Chu Feng was special, and her heart was filled with joy and sweetness, there were many people watching behind Chu Feng. She was a girl, after all, naturally shy and easily embarrassed.

She immediately pulled her hand away forcefully, her pretty face blushing as she said, "Thank you for your concern, master. I'm doing very well!"

She paused for a moment, possibly worried that Chu Feng might get angry, and stealthily glanced at him.

Only after seeing that he was not angered did she continue, "The business of Longevity Hall has gradually stabilized, and the Pang Ancestor Alchemy Pavilion has been completely suppressed. Other Elixir Medicine Shops in Vermilion Bird Imperial City are not able to compete with our Longevity Hall at all. However, at the moment, because our Longevity Hall only accepts pre-orders for advanced-level elixirs and limits the number of orders, most customers have no choice but to turn to the Pang Ancestor Alchemy Pavilion for their purchases."

After listening, Chu Feng nodded slightly.

The situation was almost as he had anticipated.

He did not expect to defeat the Pang Ancestor Alchemy Pavilion in one fell swoop. The latter had deep roots and intricate relations with many forces and high-ranking officials in Vermilion Bird Imperial City.

If the Pang Ancestor Alchemy Pavilion were directly crushed, it would be equivalent to cutting off many people's livelihoods.

Interfering with someone's means of making a living is akin to a mortal vengeance.

Without absolute strength, Chu Feng could not take such actions. He could only proceed step by step, like boiling a frog in warm water, which would be more beneficial for all parties to coexist.

Otherwise, if the officials in Vermilion Bird Imperial City really saw Longevity Hall as a thorn in their side, they would not hesitate to sabotage it.

Even with the support of one of the Eight Virtuous Princes, Chu Feng would not be able to withstand it.

This was exactly where Chu Feng demonstrated his brilliance, first by seizing a large market share of low-grade medicinal elixirs. Low-grade medicinal elixirs have low cost of production, shorter manufacturing time, and their quality is easier to ensure.

Moreover, they cater to a broad audience and attract numerous customers.

Even if each elixir only makes a profit of ten silver taels, selling a thousand a day would earn more than ten thousand taels of silver.

Longevity Hall is pursuing a premium strategy, and a single low-grade medicinal elixir can earn more than just ten silver taels.

The profit is substantial and may have already surpassed that of the Pang Ancestor Alchemy Pavilion.

Because although high-grade medicinal elixirs appear to earn a large amount per sale, their high cost and limited customer base mean total profits cannot compare with those of Chu Feng's Longevity Hall.

With a broad customer base and solid reputation, along with Chu Feng implementing a hunger marketing strategy,

advanced-level elixirs are only available by pre-order, and the quantity is limited each month.

This move is another masterstroke.

It creates a subconscious impression among all customers that the high-grade elixirs from Longevity Hall are superior to those from the Pang Ancestor Alchemy Pavilion.

Gradually, once this perception takes root in the customers' minds, Chu Feng would then be at a victorious vantage point.

He could steal away the customer base of the Pang Ancestor Alchemy Pavilion at any time, leaving them with no business and forcing them to close down.

"Shishi, for now, we should still focus our main efforts on the low-level elixirs. We must strive to improve even further."

"How's the establishment of your intelligence network going?"

After Longevity Hall made money and settled his debts, Chu Feng immediately allocated a portion of the income to Li Shishi for building an intelligence network.

With time having passed, with her capabilities, there should be at least a rudimentary form by now.

"Currently it is still limited to Vermilion Bird Imperial City, and many places remain unpenetrated. For example, the Imperial Palace or the residences of certain Princes and First-grade officials, and so on." Li Shishi was highly professional in the field of intelligence gathering.

Hearing her tone, it seemed likely that in the near future, even the movements of the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Emperor would be within her grasp.

The thought was somewhat terrifying.

"You go ahead and do what you need to do. Whatever funds you require, just apply directly to me. In addition, Longevity Hall may need to recruit a group of Pill Masters. Mainly for two reasons: first, those with unquestionable integrity. Second, those with high capabilities in alchemy, or those with extraordinary talent in Alchemy Dao and great potential for improvement."

"Such people are our first choice for recruitment at Longevity Hall."