Chapter 53: Chu Tianchen's Strategic Layout

Mu Ran immediately handed Chu Tianchen the healing elixir he had prepared, the essence stones earned from selling the fifth-grade pills obtained from Li Wenqing, and the million low-grade essence stones he had just extorted from Xiao Fan.

“Let’s split this million essence stones between us,” Chu Tianchen said somewhat awkwardly.

Though he admitted that he had thick skin, he still felt he ought to retain at least a little dignity.

“Young Master Tianchen, you were the one who demanded this money, so naturally, it all belongs to you.”

“I’ve already given the orders. Starting next month, I’ll be able to gather five hundred thousand low-grade essence stones for you from the Pill Hall every month, enough for your cultivation.”

“Unfortunately, I can’t provide any more than that. The Pill Hall still belongs to Cloudsea Academy for now. Once you take over, you can buy it outright from the academy, and then all the Pill Hall’s income will be at your disposal.”

Mu Ran continued speaking.

Upon hearing this, Chu Tianchen put all the essence stones into his storage ring, then nodded heavily.

“Have you calculated how much we’ll have to pay Cloudsea Academy to buy it outright?” Chu Tianchen asked.

“I have. Based on the Pill Hall’s income, we’d have to pay at least one hundred million low-grade essence stones.”

“These past few years, I’ve been plagued by difficulties in alchemy, and the Pill Hall’s income has suffered badly. Its current annual net income is less than ten million low-grade essence stones. That price is nearly ten years’ worth of profits.”

“In my opinion, we might as well establish a new Pill Tower from scratch.”

Mu Ran spoke frankly.

“Building a new one would require enormous resources, as well as a suitable location and a steady flow of people.”

“We certainly won’t give them one hundred million. Offer them ten million instead,” Chu Tianchen said.

Mu Ran blinked.

“Young Master Tianchen, Cloudsea Academy will never agree to ten million low-grade essence stones.”

“Even if I become a fifth-grade alchemist by then, I still won’t be able to influence their decision.”

He sounded troubled.

“They naturally won’t agree to only ten million low-grade essence stones. But if we add something else, the outcome may be different.”

Chu Tianchen smiled.

“Young Master Tianchen, does that mean you already have a plan?” Mu Ran asked hurriedly.

If they could obtain the Pill Hall for only ten million low-grade essence stones, they would make an enormous profit.

“Master the flame-control art I gave you as quickly as possible. The situation has changed. A mere fifth-grade alchemist is no longer enough to change anything. I’ll give you half a year to reach the sixth grade.”

Chu Tianchen spoke indifferently.

Those words instantly made Mu Ran’s eyes widen. He stood there blankly for quite some time before finally recovering from his shock.

“Half—half a year to become a sixth-grade alchemist?”

“Young Master Tianchen, you aren’t joking, are you?”

Although he said this aloud, excitement had already blossomed in his heart.

“Do I look as though I’m joking? The version of the flame-control art I gave you has already been annotated. You must master it within one month.”

“Also, during this period, stop refining pills. Use the flame-control art I taught you to refine healing elixir instead. Continue until your results are nearly indistinguishable from mine. Only then may you proceed to the next step.”

Chu Tianchen continued.

“Yes,” Mu Ran replied at once.

At that moment, Mu Ran had already come to regard Chu Tianchen as his master.

If he could truly become a sixth-grade alchemist within half a year, he would immediately stand shoulder to shoulder with Yun Changshan. In the entire Great Qian Dynasty, how many people would still dare to provoke him?

From then on, he would never again have to endure such humiliation.

“By the way, I intend to establish the Chu Sect. It will become the tenth sect within Cloudsea Academy.”

“If you have any trustworthy people, you may inform them and invite them to join the Chu Sect.”

“Of course, no one is being forced. Joining or refusing is entirely up to them. But if anyone joins with ulterior motives and betrays us, then no matter who they are, they will die miserably.”

Chu Tianchen continued.

“Young Master Tianchen, you’re only an outer-court disciple. Establishing the Chu Sect now is rather risky,” Mu Ran said worriedly.

But after recalling everything Chu Tianchen had done recently, he fell silent.

Although he still did not fully understand Chu Tianchen’s background, he had gained some understanding of the man himself.

Chu Tianchen never did anything without confidence.

“There are many promising talents in Cloudsea Academy’s outer court as well. I intend to gather them all together.”

“In half a year, we’ll enter the inner court together.”

“Also, our Pill Hall is only the Pill Hall of Cloudsea Academy. While you cultivate, take some time to inspect the cities surrounding the other academies. The other seven academies have no shortage of people either, so we can establish branches of the Pill Hall in those places.”

“We’ll take control of the pill trade of all eight academies.”

“For now, simply investigate their situation. There’s no need to rush this matter. We’ll discuss everything after we take over the Pill Hall.”

Chu Tianchen finished speaking.

Mu Ran had long since been stunned by Chu Tianchen’s vision, ambition, and plans for the future.

Let alone a minor Pill Hall master like himself—even Yun Changshan would never dare imagine taking control of the pill trade belonging to all eight academies.

What difference was that from openly challenging the Pill Halls of the other seven academies?

From this alone, it was clear how great Chu Tianchen’s ambition was.

And from his actions, Mu Ran could vaguely infer what lay ahead. With his plans for commerce and the creation of a new faction, the future of the Great Qian Dynasty would undoubtedly be swept by a storm of bloodshed.

The root of it all was surely connected to the destruction of the Chu family.

Yet Mu Ran had already made his choice.

From the day he went to Yuelai Inn to find Chu Tianchen, reached an agreement with him, and received the flame-control art, he had already decided to follow Chu Tianchen to the end.

Chu Tianchen had reignited the blood in his veins.

If they succeeded, they would rise together to the heavens.

If they failed, then having reached the realm of a sixth-grade alchemist in his lifetime, he would die without regret.

Mu Ran then wrote out a list and handed it to Chu Tianchen.

“Young Master Tianchen, I truly can’t do much to help with the Chu Sect. The sixteen people on this list include relatives and close friends. I’ve saved every one of their lives, and they can all be trusted.”

“As for the Pill Hall, I’ll do everything in my power.”

“If you need anything in the future, simply give me your orders.”

Mu Ran spoke earnestly.

Chu Tianchen smiled and nodded.

After speaking for a while longer, Chu Tianchen left the Pill Hall and headed toward Cloudsea Academy.

Since he intended to establish the Chu Sect, he already had an excellent candidate in mind for the position of vice sect master.

If she was willing to join, the Chu Sect would at least be able to establish a firm foothold in Cloudsea Academy very quickly.

The person he had in mind was none other than Ye Nichang.

When he returned to the outer court of Cloudsea Academy, everyone was in high spirits. Everywhere he went, people were discussing what had happened in the inner-court cultivation tower the night before.

Yet the name they were discussing was not Chu Tianchen’s, but Yin Taixu’s.

Chu Tianchen paid it no mind. The moment he returned to his dormitory, he saw a familiar figure waiting outside his door.

It was none other than Li Haizhu, who had taken him to the inner court the previous day to test his talent.