Chapter 57: Heaven-Tier, Lower Grade, Sun-Gathering Cauldron

Ning Yujiao glanced at Wu Tian, then personally poured him a cup of tea and handed it over. Wu Tian did not stand on ceremony and accepted the tea directly from her hand.

“With your words, young master, I am truly grateful. In fact, this matter concerns you, Master Wu. You are a master in the art of alchemy, and now, throughout the Kuangwu Empire and even the entire Divine Dragon Continent, alchemists are extremely rare, especially those of higher ranks. For Shunfeng Trading House to be acquainted with a master like you is our great fortune.

However, in recent years, Shunfeng Trading House has been in decline. We are in urgent need of strong support, and I believe you are exactly the help we require. Since the last auction where we sold two of your elixirs, our reputation has improved somewhat—proof enough of your extraordinary skills.

Originally, our intention was to invite you to become our resident alchemist, but we know that someone of your caliber cannot be easily retained by our humble trading house. Therefore, we can only hope for a long-term collaboration. Even so, I would like to sincerely invite you once more to join Shunfeng Trading House. What do you think?”

Wu Tian took a small sip of tea, then shook his head with a gentle smile. “Miss Ning, as I’ve said before, I cannot join Shunfeng Trading House.”

Ning Yujiao was not surprised. She smiled softly, two dimples appearing on her cheeks. “It seems I cannot change your mind. However, might we discuss a deeper level of cooperation?”

Wu Tian was taken aback, looking at her in confusion. “A deeper cooperation? Could it be that you wish to...”

“You misunderstand, Master Wu. What I mean is, could you provide us with higher-grade elixirs?” Ning Yujiao interrupted him with a shake of her head.

Realization dawned on Wu Tian. “Ah, I see. You should have said so from the start. You scholars always speak so formally.”

Ning Yujiao was not offended; instead, she smiled and said, “Master Wu, you are indeed straightforward. Simply put, we need higher-grade elixirs from you—preferably those of Earth-rank or above.”

“Well...” Wu Tian stroked his chin, hesitating.

“I understand this is a difficult matter. Even Profound-grade elixirs are scarce, and those of Earth-rank are even rarer—”

“No, no, I don’t mean it’s difficult. I just want to know why you need Earth-rank or higher elixirs,” Wu Tian interrupted.

“You are straightforward, Master Wu, so I will be as well. As I mentioned, our trading house has been declining for years and business is dwindling. We need outside forces to give us a boost. Right now, the elixir business is booming in the Kuangwu Empire, and demand is huge. Top-grade elixirs are in such high demand that supply cannot keep up. If you can provide us with such elixirs, we could host an auction to boost our reputation and revitalize our business.”

Wu Tian understood her meaning: she hoped he would provide high-grade elixirs to help Shunfeng Trading House make a name for itself and stimulate business.

He did not agree immediately. First, he currently had no Earth-grade or higher elixirs. Second, though the woman before him was beautiful, she was a shrewd businesswoman, young but certainly not simple. If he agreed too quickly, he’d surely be taken advantage of.

“Miss Ning, I’m flattered by your trust. It’s true that I have a contract with your trading house, granting you first refusal on my elixirs. However, at present, I do not have the ability to produce higher-grade elixirs. I’m sorry.”

“Master Wu, I believe in your ability. You can already create Profound-grade elixirs of Earth-rank quality—what can’t you achieve? I assume your concern is with the materials. Please rest assured—if you can provide us with Earth-rank or higher elixirs, we will supply some of the materials free of charge and even offer you additional funds.” Ning Yujiao, fully understanding Wu Tian’s thoughts, immediately extended an olive branch.

“Are you certain?”

“Absolutely. I have some say in Shunfeng Trading House! You may freely choose up to one million taels of silver’s worth of elixir materials, and I can even advance you another million taels. Furthermore, to congratulate you on winning first place in the Sect Competition, I have prepared a special gift: the Sun-Gathering Cauldron, a Heaven-rank lower-grade alchemy furnace!”

As she spoke, Ning Yujiao waved her delicate hand, and a bronze cauldron appeared before Wu Tian.

Wu Tian used his system to appraise the furnace, and his brows immediately arched.

Sun-Gathering Cauldron (Heaven-rank, lower grade): Forged from ancient bronze, specialized for alchemy. Reduces medicinal material wastage by forty percent, lowers true energy consumption by fifty percent, and increases the success rate of alchemy by fifty percent.

Seeing these attributes, Wu Tian’s eyes lit up. Good heavens, as expected of Heaven-rank equipment! Though it was only for alchemy, it was almost irresistible to Wu Tian.

He had previously used nothing more than a large iron pot for alchemy, risking explosions and failure, wasting materials and suffering low success rates. The Sun-Gathering Cauldron, by reducing material wastage and raising success rates by fifty percent, would be an enormous help.

“This is the Sun-Gathering Cauldron. It can greatly improve your success in alchemy, and the quality of the elixirs produced will be correspondingly higher. As a congratulatory gift for winning the Sect Competition, I hope you will accept it,” Ning Yujiao said with a gentle smile.

“Miss Ning, what a generous gesture—worthy of a true businesswoman.” Wu Tian could not help but admire her. For an alchemist, the Sun-Gathering Cauldron was an invaluable gift. For Ning Yujiao to offer it as a congratulatory present put him in a difficult position: to refuse would be impolite, but to accept meant owing her a favor.

“Since Miss Ning is so magnanimous, I’ll accept with thanks!” Wu Tian decided not to overthink it. Only a fool passes up a bargain. He promptly stored the Sun-Gathering Cauldron in his spatial ring.

A gleam of satisfaction flashed through Ning Yujiao’s eyes. She then asked, “Master Wu, regarding the matter I mentioned earlier...?”

“You need Earth-rank or higher elixirs, yes? When do you require them?” Having accepted her gift, Wu Tian could hardly refuse to act.

“We’ll need them in two months. We plan to hold a grand auction in the imperial capital of the Kuangwu Empire, where your elixirs will play a vital role.”

“Two months, is it? That works out well. I’ll be reporting to the Qitian Sect headquarters around then. No problem—give me two months, and I’ll have elixirs for you that will surely boost the morale of your trading house!” Wu Tian patted his chest, full of confidence.