Sage of Humanity
Chapter 910 - 908: Made a Huge Profit on This Deal

The combined explosive power from one fire spirit stone and explosion spirit runes is considerable. Even a strong Divine Sea cultivator may withstand one explosion, but repeated blasts are not something they can endure. As for a True Lake spirit runes master, a single explosion can cause injury, and after three or five blasts, if not dead, they will surely be bedridden.

"I'm curious about how you can produce so many Explosive Fire Spirit Stones," Qian Wudang looked at Lu Ye.

"My success rate in constructing spirit runes is relatively high?"

Lu Ye found it difficult to explain that there's no possibility of failure when constructing explosion spirit runes because even if he said so, Qian Wudang wouldn't believe him.

The process of constructing spirit runes for a spirit runes master is similar to what a pill master does in alchemy; no matter how skilled they are, there's always a chance of failure. However, the greater the skill, the lower the chance of failure.

Qian Wudang laughed: "The success rate of a Divine Sea spirit runes master constructing explosion spirit runes within a fire spirit stone is around 80%. Even if you are more successful than that, how much higher can it still be? When construction fails, it inevitably leads to adverse consequences. I want to know how you ensure your safety during spirit stone explosions and the release of fire spirit power." This was why he called Lu Ye over.

If this issue could be resolved, the Haotian Alliance would have another method to face opponents, offering significant strategic value.

Lu Ye felt a bit troubled. Qian Wudang thought he had a way to avoid the threat of spirit stone explosions caused by failure in constructing spirit runes, but in fact, this wasn't the case.

How should he explain?

Thinking it over, Lu Ye could only say: "I have my own unique methods."

"Not convenient to disclose?" Qian Wudang gazed at him with a half-smile, "Don't worry, we won't ask for it for free. If you can share this method to help the provincial guard solve this issue, you'll be well compensated, including battle merits!"

Lu Ye was at a loss; truly unsure of how to respond. He finally said, somewhat helplessly: "My lord, it's not that I'm withholding secrets, but others truly can't use my methods. Even if I share them, they'd be useless... My lord, if you doubt me, I will let Heaven's Augury serve as a witness. If others can really use my methods, let Heaven's Augury punish me!"

After a moment of silence, Lu Ye spoke again: "Now my lord should believe me."

In the Nine Provinces, sometimes an oath under Heaven's Augury could indeed help cultivators resolve doubts and unnecessary conflicts, as under Heaven's Augury, no one could lie.

Qian Wudang did not expect Lu Ye to be so forthright. It seems that Lu Ye was telling the truth, that his methods are indeed for his use alone, making sharing them futile, only exposing his capabilities to others.

He sighed, showing a disappointed expression: "If that's the case, then there's nothing more to discuss. You may go."

"Yes." Lu Ye exhaled a breath of relief, turned, and left.

But upon reaching the door, he unexpectedly returned.

"Is there something else?" Qian Wudang asked, puzzled.

Lu Ye said: "If my lord wants Explosive Fire Spirit Stones, I can assist in their production."

Qian Wudang chuckled: "How much can you produce alone?" A single person's production is limited, and cannot match the expected value.

"What amount per day would meet your needs, my lord?" Lu Ye replied with a question.

Qian Wudang looked at him and found Lu Ye seemed to be earnestly discussing this with him, so he said: "For a killing weapon like this, naturally, the more, the better. But if it's only you producing them... could you reach a daily output of 1,000 pieces?"

He thought he'd hear a staggering number, but just 1,000 pieces? When it comes to actual production, it's merely a matter of briefly handling them; 1,000 Explosive Fire Spirit Stones could be done within one hour.

Despite being a Department Chief, his ambition seemed quite modest.

Nevertheless, Lu Ye also knew that some aspects are best kept in moderation; Qian Wudang believed that with his capabilities, Lu couldn't produce 1,000 a day, considering every person's energy has limits and that producing these stones entails certain risks. If he claimed more, regardless of whether Qian Wudang believed him, suspicion would inevitably arise.

"It should be possible."

Qian Wudang was instantly surprised: "Can it really be done?"

If the daily output were really 1,000 pieces, that would mean 30,000 a month—more than enough to equip a Justice Department.

"For the province's future, I am willing to give it my all!" Lu Ye replied resolutely.

"Good, good, good." Qian Wudang nodded approvingly, his face reflecting Bingzhou's promising prospects, with a heart full of satisfaction.

However, Lu Ye's next words quickly exposed his true intention: "My lord, producing these consumes time and effort; should the provincial guard consider offering some compensation?"

Bluntly spoken, which made Qian Wudang laugh; he replied, "You won't miss out on your rewards!"

After a brief contemplation, he said: "How about this: the materials for production will be provided by the provincial guard. For each Explosive Fire Spirit Stone you produce, you'll receive a point of battle merit as a reward!"

Lu Ye turned to leave.

"Two points!" Qian Wudang spoke, realizing Lu Ye was truly leaving him without any face.

Lu Ye's steps continued.

An Explosive Fire Spirit Stone earning two battle merit points, 1,000 pieces a day translates to 2,000 battle merits—not large in quantity, yet significant enough. Mainly, the production doesn't require much effort from Lu Ye, capable of completing it within one hour.

Calculated this way, solely on this alone, he could earn 60,000 battle merits in a month.

Yet this didn't meet Lu Ye's expectations. The main consideration was that rare opportunities like this, naturally called for maximizing benefits; such opportunities don't come often.

"You name the price!" Qian Wudang was helpless now; seeing Lu Ye about to leave the Annex Hall, he hurriedly expressed.

Lu Ye turned around, held up his palm, spread his five fingers, and flipped them once.

"You brat are asking exorbitant prices from me!" Qian Wudang was furious. As the Justice Department Chief, in charge of the provincial guard's laws, stern and powerful, when had anyone ever dared to haggle with him?

He glared at Lu Ye, his tone somewhat softened, "Kid, you should know you're part of the provincial guard. The things you refine can enhance the strength of the guard. As they grow stronger, you'll also benefit."

"My lord, I understand the reasoning, but if you want the horse to run, you have to let it eat its fill, right?"

"Even though I'm the Justice Department Chief, I must prioritize the Justice Department and the provincial guard. I can't accept your asking price."

"Raising the price on the spot and paying upon delivery, that's how business is done."

"Little rascal!" Qian Wudang gnashed his teeth, "Three points then, three battle merits for one Spirit Stone, you can earn three thousand points a day, and ninety thousand a month!"

Lu Ye shook his head, "My lord, not to mention the risks in refining this item, it consumes a lot of time that delays my cultivation. I'm sacrificing my future prospects for the future of the provincial guard. You can't let me suffer a loss. I need battle merits to buy gold-hued spirit fortune sticks to make up for my lag in cultivation. How could nine thousand battle merits a month's worth of gold-hued sticks make up for that?"

Realizing the logic, Qian Wudang sighed, "Five points, this is the maximum I can decide on; any more would be impossible."

"Let's establish the Heaven's Augury Pact!" Lu Ye readily agreed; five battle merits per Explosive Fire Spirit Stone was the price he had in mind.

"Are you so sure you can complete the task?" Qian Wudang looked at him suspiciously, "You must know that once the Heaven's Augury Pact is made, if you fail to complete the task, there will be consequences."

"That's my business; you just wait and see, my lord."

"Since you're so confident, suit yourself!" Qian Wudang raised his hand, and a blank Heaven's Augury Pact with golden light descended. He quickly listed the terms for Lu Ye to review. After both confirmed there were no issues, they imprinted their marks.

Thus, the Heaven's Augury Pact was established.

"My lord, there's one more thing I must explain to you," Lu Ye spoke again.

"The Heaven's Augury Pact is already set; you can't raise the price now."

"You're underestimating me, my lord. What I want to say is that there's a loss in refining this item."

"I'm well aware of this, but the loss rate must not exceed thirty percent."

Lu Ye was overjoyed, though outwardly a bit hesitant, "I'll do my best!"

Now no need to worry about the Fire Spirit Stones required for the Talent Tree. With a loss rate not exceeding thirty percent, it means he can pocket thirty percent of the Fire Spirit Stones.

It's not his intention to profit this way, but if he achieved a hundred percent success rate in refining, it would be hard to explain, so seventy percent is best.

"So when can we start, my lord?" Lu Ye was a bit impatient.

He hadn't expected that this trip to Haotian City would not only secure a stable channel for gaining battle merits but also obtain Fire Spirit Stones.

This business deal was a big win.

"If you feel ready now, then start now."

"I await your orders, my lord."

"Follow me then." As he spoke, Qian Wudang led Lu Ye outside. Exiting the Annex Hall, they took to the sky, spirit force enveloping Lu Ye as they flew in a direction.

Soon, they landed in a small courtyard.

"This is a property of the Justice Department, usually used as a recuperation place for injured cultivators of the Justice Department. You will stay here for the near future. I will have someone deliver the Fire Spirit Stones. I won't ask about the process; I'll only look at the results. In seven days, someone will come to receive the goods."

Lu Ye nodded; this arrangement had no issues.

Qian Wudang quickly left, leaving Lu Ye alone. Yiyi could finally come out and take a breath.

The courtyard wasn't big; Lu Ye set up some formations for warning and protection.

Just as he finished, there was a knock on the door.

Lu Ye got up to open it, finding an unknown cultivator outside, handing over a storage sack.

Lu Ye took it, quickly checked, finding exactly 10,000 pieces of Fire Spirit Stones inside, nodding, "No problem."

Without a word, the person cupped their hands and turned to leave.

Qian Wudang had sent exactly 10,000 Fire Spirit Stones, and the delivery time was set for seven days later, obviously accounting for the thirty percent loss calculation, so in seven days, Lu Ye only needed to deliver 7,000 pieces of Explosive Fire Spirit Stones to complete the task, and he would earn 35,000 battle merits.

That doesn't even include the leftover 3,000 pieces of Fire Spirit Stones.

Walking back into the room, he set up another layer of protective formations.

Commence work!