Chapter 4013 — The Elixir Trade Fair
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
Even if a shortage arose at short notice, there were surely channels through which it could be swiftly replenished. To bring about a severe shortage across the Mid-Island headquarters and all four branches, and to pin it precisely to this critical moment—the difficulty of such a feat beggared the imagination.
"In that case, they have truly been scheming with the deepest calculation. But to go to such lengths, their aim surely cannot be merely this Four-Island Auction Exposition; I fear there are more formidable moves to come," Wei Zhao said in warning.
"Indeed. They have come on with great force this time, and the auction is only the beginning. If we show ourselves too weak and let them seize a hold over us, it may well be that the Hong Trading House faces an unprecedented crisis," Hong Zhong said anxiously.
Their opponents were many factions joined together; at the outset perhaps many were merely watching and waiting. But if the Hong Trading House showed itself too soft, and they judged there was profit to be had, and came swarming in from all sides—then ruin would truly be near.
Conversely, if at this Four-Island Auction Exposition the Hong Trading House could find a way to weather the crisis safely and display its deep reserves, then these watching factions would withdraw of their own accord, and the killing intent would dissolve.
"Manager Hong, if enough lots could be assembled at short notice, would that answer this crisis?" Wei Zhao asked suddenly, as if something had occurred to him.
Hong Zhong nodded. "It would. But at an auction of this caliber, goods of an ordinary grade simply will not do; shipping them over would only make us a laughingstock. And goods of the right grade cannot be replenished at short notice. It leaves a man utterly helpless."
"Then what about elixirs of the caliber of a top-grade Foundation Establishment Barrier-Breaking Pill—would those be of the right grade?" Wei Zhao asked again.
"Of course. Foundation Establishment cultivators are the foundation and the backbone of every faction. To them a top-grade Foundation Establishment Barrier-Breaking Pill is a treasure one may encounter but cannot seek out—more coveted even than some divine weapons. To any faction it counts as a strategic-grade elixir, a thing priced beyond the market!" Hong Zhong nodded again and again in affirmation.
At that, the corners of Wei Zhao's mouth curved faintly upward. "If that is so, then I should be able to lend a small hand. Since they are all putting on a Four-Island Auction Exposition, why don't we hold a Top-Grade Elixir Trade Fair?"
"A Top-Grade Elixir Trade Fair?" Hong Zhong's eyes lit up, and he said hastily, "Do you mean to say, Young Master Lin, that you have many top-grade elixirs on hand?"
"No," Wei Zhao said, shaking his head flatly. The two top-grade Foundation Establishment Golden Pills had gone to Shangguan Lan'er, and the thirteen top-grade Foundation Establishment Barrier-Breaking Pills had all been sold to Hong Zhong; he had not a single elixir left.
"Then… this Top-Grade Elixir Trade Fair—where would it come from?" Hong Zhong could not help but feel disappointed.
Wei Zhao smiled. "Manager Hong, you already know I am an alchemist. I may not have any on hand at the moment, but so long as there are sufficient spirit-herb materials, I can naturally refine them."