Chapter 578 - 578: Astonishing Effect

In truth, ten million US Dollars for a spatial Magical Artifact wasn't a ripoff at all. After all, not only were these items highly practical, but they also carried immense prestige! They were the Louis Vuitton and Hermès of the Cultivation Realm. Carrying one or two around was guaranteed to be flashy and attract attention. So, no matter how high the price, there would always be a buyer.

It even made Zhao Yuan wonder if he should register a trademark and start selling Storage Rings and other Magical Artifacts, turning it into a famous luxury brand within the Cultivation Realm.

Just imagine it: in the future, when people in the Cultivation Realm got together to chat, they'd be saying things like, 'I just bought a Brand X Storage Ring,' or, 'I got a Brand Y Magical Artifact. It's from a major name, way better than those lesser brands.' The thought of that kind of one-upmanship was truly amusing.

"You can make Storage Rings, too? But aren't you a Pill Master?" Shan Han's exclamation pulled Zhao Yuan from his reverie.

He smiled and asked in return, "Who made the rule that a Pill Master can't create Magical Artifacts?"

Shan Han frowned slightly, feeling a little skeptical.

In her opinion, both Alchemy and Artifact Creation required an immense amount of time and energy to study. As the old saying went, you couldn't have your cake and eat it too. The same was true for Alchemy and Artifact Creation. It was hard enough to master one discipline; how could anyone possibly excel at both simultaneously?

Sensing Shan Han's skepticism, Ying Ji stepped forward to vouch for him. "There's no need to be doubtful. Zhao Yuan really did make the Storage Rings. Our Ying Family commissioned him to make some for us before. Here," she said, showing her hand, "this one was made by him. And don't balk at the ten-million-US-Dollar crafting fee, because Zhao Yuan will definitely be able to deliver several Storage Rings. If you have the right connections, you could resell them and probably turn a profit!"

Upon seeing the Storage Ring on Ying Ji's hand, the crowd gasped once more. Hao Li then stepped forward and revealed his own Storage Ring as well. With that, the doubts in the minds of Yue Tianchi, Shan Han, and the others vanished completely. They were now convinced that Zhao Yuan could indeed create Storage Rings. They also found themselves agreeing with what Ying Ji had said.

If Zhao Yuan could truly deliver several Storage Rings, then a ten-million-US-Dollar fee wasn't just "not expensive"—it was an incredible bargain!

"Little Brother Zhao, what sort of materials do you need to create Storage Rings?" Yue Tianchi asked, his face covered in a wide grin. He had pointedly switched from addressing Zhao Yuan as "Fellow Daoist" to the more intimate "Little Brother" in an attempt to build rapport.

Zhao Yuan replied, "Qi-Containing Jade. The greater the quantity, the higher the success rate, and the more Storage Rings I'll be able to produce."

Yue Tianchi slapped his thigh. "Haha, what a coincidence! I just bought a batch of Qi-Containing Jade. Little Brother Zhao, when might you have some time to make a few Storage Rings for me?"

"Sure," Zhao Yuan agreed with a nod. "But let's take care of business first. Alchemist Shan, if you would, please test this bottle of Purifying Qi Pills and see how effective they are."

Yue Tianchi nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, business first. I'll trouble Little Brother Zhao to help me with the Storage Rings after this is all settled."

Shan Han seized the opportunity. "Elder Yue, I don't have much Qi-Containing Jade, so I won't be asking Fellow Daoist Zhao to make any Storage Rings for me. I only hope that if you end up with a spare, you might be willing to sell one to me. Price is negotiable."

"No problem!" Yue Tianchi agreed with a smile, acting as if the Storage Rings were already his.

Bai Yuting was also eyeing the Storage Rings greedily, but having just argued with Zhao Yuan, he was in no position to ask for a favor. He simply couldn't swallow his pride and ask Zhao Yuan to make a Storage Ring for him. Instead, his gaze fell on Zhao Yuan, now carrying a strange and inscrutable depth.

With that promise secured, a smile bloomed on Shan Han's coolly beautiful face, a sight that could make one's heart skip a beat.

After thanking both Zhao Yuan and Yue Tianchi, she finally composed herself, opened the small porcelain bottle Zhao Yuan had given her, and poured out a Purifying Qi Pill.

Compared to the Nine Revolutions Essence Storage Pill, the Purifying Qi Pill didn't look like much. It was dark brown, about the size of a Six-Flavor Rehmannia Pill, and completely lacked the prestigious, high-class look of the green-and-white Nine Revolutions Essence Storage Pill.

Seeing its appearance, Bai Yuting breathed a sigh of relief. 'It looks so ugly,' he thought. 'The effect must be terrible!'

After hearing that Zhao Yuan could create Storage Rings, Bai Yuting had been worried that he might also be able to produce a potent Purifying Qi Elixir. But now, it seemed that while Zhao Yuan might be skilled at Artifact Creation, his Alchemy was nothing special.

Bai Yuting couldn't help but start mocking him again. "Is this really an elixir that can purify Qi? You didn't just pass off a Six-Flavor Rehmannia Pill, did you? Oh, right, what did you call this elixir again? Purifying Qi Pill? I've never heard that name. Don't tell me you just made it up on the spot to fool people?"

Zhao Yuan shot him a look and retorted scornfully, "Just because you haven't heard of it only proves how ignorant you are."

"You..." Bai Yuting was choked with anger. He snorted coldly. "Fine, then let's see just how effective your Purifying Qi Pill really is!"

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Shan Han's face. She had never heard of Purifying Qi Pills either, which meant Zhao Yuan's barb had inadvertently hit her as well.

However, despite her dissatisfaction, Shan Han didn't show it, nor would she allow her feelings to interfere with the pill's inspection. She was highly professional.

Placing the Purifying Qi Pill on a piece of pure white silk, Shan Han put on gloves, picked up various instruments, and began the inspection.

At first, her expression was relaxed. But as the inspection deepened, her face grew increasingly grave and serious. When she finally finished, she didn't announce the results right away. Instead, she stared in stunned disbelief, muttering, "How is this possible?"

"What happened?" Yue Tianchi asked, confused.

Bai Yuting, on the other hand, asked with a sneer, "Is it because this pill has absolutely no Purifying Qi effect? Alchemist Shan, just be bold and tell us the results. Don't worry about hurting anyone's feelings. Some people won't ever know their own worth unless you give them a harsh reality check."

Shan Han took a deep breath and said, "The Purifying Qi Pill... its efficacy for Purifying Qi... is as high as ninety percent!"

Bai Yuting burst out laughing, mocking him. "Hahaha, did you all hear that? The Purifying Qi Pill's efficacy at Purifying Qi is *only* ninety percent! With such a pathetic effect, you have the nerve to use 'Purifying Qi' in its name? You're truly shameless..."

He was getting worked up, but his two apprentices standing beside him looked mortified. They quickly reached out and tugged at his sleeve.

"What are you doing?" Bai Yuting glared at his two apprentices, annoyed that they had interrupted him while he was busy putting someone in their place.