I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

With just a bit of promotion, cultivators will come in an endless stream. On the territories of the three big families, they could even transform all other shops into Tangneng First-class. At that time, their share won’t just be the profits from a single shop but a tenth of the profits from half of Aolai Country.

The number of Spirit Stones involved is absolutely massive!

“Alright, our families will open the shops, Young Master Li will provide the resources, and together, we will spread Tangneng First-class throughout Aolai Country!”

The other two families also realized the key point—the Tangneng First-class bathhouse was essentially a monopoly industry, an unequivocally lucrative business.

They didn’t expect Li Xiaobai to hand over the recipe, but even just cooperating with him would mean reaping enormous benefits.

Moreover, it would provide an opportunity for the disciples and elders in their families to enhance their cultivation level, fulfilling the purpose of their trip.

“However, the range of our families’ influence is quite limited, and many territories are controlled by other families, making cooperation difficult. To spread our shops across the entire country will take a considerable amount of time,” Beichen Dao said slowly. He was naturally tempted by 10% of Aolai Country’s revenue, but it was not yet feasible.

As long as the power struggle between the Third Family Head and the Great Family Head did not conclude, they would not be able to dominate the market.

“There’s no need to rush this matter. We’re in a monopoly industry with zero risk, zero investment, high returns. As long as we open the stores, even families like the Situ Household will not be able to resist coming in for consumption,” said Li Xiaobai with a smile.

“Understood, I have no objections!” Beichen Dao nodded, acknowledging that earning Spirit Stones was the lesser goal; the primary aim was for the disciples in their family to rapidly improve their cultivation levels.

“A wise choice indeed. I know very well what you’re all thinking. Indeed, Tangneng First-class has its limitations. If cultivators wish to reap sufficient benefits, they must soak for extended periods, and given the limited space, many cultivators will inevitably be turned away,” Li Xiaobai continued with a light smile.

“But in my hands, I have resources that are not limited to Tangneng First-class only. Gentlemen, try this.”

With a faint smile, Li Xiaobai casually took out a few sticks of Huazi and scattered them around.

“This is called Huazi, and just taking one puff will bring significant benefits to cultivators.”

As Li Xiaobai lit up a stick of Huazi, he said softly.

The others, with a flash of curiosity in their eyes, followed suit. They stuffed the Huazi in their mouths, lit them, and took a small puff.

Instantly, their eyes shone brightly with intelligence—this Huazi could enhance one’s comprehension!

Bang!

A wild, beast-like aura erupted from within Nangong Wan’s Dantian, accompanied by vibrant, cracking sounds—the sound of certain internal restrictions being shattered.

Her Primordial Spirit Power roared and surged, stirring up thousands of ripples in the bathhouse.

Nangong Wan had actually broken through.

Li Xiaobai couldn’t help but take a few more glances. This woman indeed had good talents; the cultivators in Aolai Country possessed commendable aptitude. Huazi could enhance a cultivator’s comprehension, but whether they could grasp anything substantial still depended on the individual cultivator.

For Nangong Wan to break through at her first contact with Huazi showed her exceptional talent.

She was truly a prodigy emerging from an ancient family.

“This Huazi can actually enhance comprehension. With just one stick, my strength could advance by at least one layer!”

“Exactly. Recently, I have been struggling to develop a new Cultivation Technique with slow progress. With the aid of this Huazi, not just one new Cultivation Technique, even deciphering ten would be a breeze!”

After tasting the effects of Huazi, astonishment was even more prominent in the eyes of the several elders.

“`

This Huazi is even more shocking to them than the bathhouse, in the journey of cultivation, sometimes insight really plays a decisive role.

If one lacks in Spiritual Power, it can be accumulated over time, but if one’s comprehension and talent are not sufficient, being stuck in a realm for decades without a breakthrough is also common.

Now, this tiny stick of Huazi can actually enhance one’s comprehension to an extremely terrifying level, even a pig could probably become a mighty power, couldn’t it?

“Brother Li, you’ve actually been hiding such a good thing!”

“Give me another one!”

The little brat Zong Hu’s face showed shock.

“What’s a kid like you doing with Huazi? Go play over there.”

Li Xiaobai glanced at him and quietly put away the Huazi. Although the item was good, giving it to a little brat somehow felt odd.

“Thank you, Young Master Li, Wan’er will remember your kindness today!”

Nangong Wan bowed slightly and spoke earnestly, she had been hoping to make a breakthrough before the big competition, but the more anxious she was, the slower her progress seemed.

Never did she expect to encounter such an opportunity with Li Xiaobai today, truly worthy of a big shot, even the items he casually handed out benefited her greatly.

With the upcoming competition a few days later, she felt even more confident about securing a good ranking!

“It was a simple effort, although Huazi can enhance comprehension, in the end, it still depends on the cultivator’s own enlightenment. Miss Nangong’s talent is extraordinary indeed.”

Li Xiaobai chuckled.

“The bathhouse boosts Spiritual Power and cultivation level, while Huazi can enhance one’s comprehension and break through shackles. With the aid of these two treasures, one can say there are no more obstacles in the path of cultivation!”

“No wonder Young Master Li is so formidable, I am impressed!”

The usually silent and reserved Beichen Shixi suddenly spoke up, almost instinctively realizing the miraculous effects of combining these two treasures. In his view, there probably wouldn’t be any formations or elixirs in the Immortal Spirit Continent that could surpass the effectiveness of the bathhouse and Huazi.

With Tangneng First-class and the Fine Good Shop opening, the elixir industry might well be out of business.

“Does Young Master Li mean, you are willing to open a shop to sell these Huazi as well?”

Old Master Dongfang Bai asked, unable to hide the excitement in his eyes.

“That’s right, Tangneng First-class might not make a killing, but Huazi definitely can. You set the price, I’ll ensure the supply; as much as you want, there will be!”

Li Xiaobai nodded and said with a smile.

Hiss!

Upon hearing this, everyone gasped in astonishment. A treasure that could even enhance the comprehension of Great Crossing Realm Cultivators implied an absolutely vast incorporation of Heaven and Earth Treasures. That Li Xiaobai could mass-produce it was indeed somewhat unimaginable.

The group scratched their heads and grew even more eager to know the recipe.

They understood that the ability to mass-produce meant the ingredients were not hard to find, perhaps Li Xiaobai had discovered an alternative use for a certain herb, or he had fashioned a different combination of medicinal herbs that, when mixed and ignited, produced such miraculous effects.

“Good, it’s a deal then. No time like the present, we’ll head back and clear out all our stores to make room for Young Master Li’s shop!”

The few elders were visibly excited, swiftly getting to their feet. This was a heavenly business opportunity, one they could not wait a moment longer for.

After a moment of hesitation, Nangong Wan turned to Li Xiaobai and asked, “Wan’er has one more question she hopes Young Master Li can clarify.”

“Miss Nangong, please feel free to ask.”

Li Xiaobai said with a smile.

“May I know how old Young Master Li is this year? Are you really the young genius as described in the portraits?”