Sleeping for a second increases my blood energy. I become the strongest sky-swallowing snake

Acquiring spirit plant seeds or seedlings to cultivate is currently the most economical, practical, and feasible method.

Refining spirit stones doesn't yield significant gains in a short period.

Moreover, the price of usable spirit plants for direct purchase is unlikely to suddenly plummet.

On the contrary, with the existence of the Great Sage, cultivation becomes even more preferable.

From a long-term development perspective, it's also a form of preparedness.

At least until they become powerful enough to cross the Endless Sea and reach the territories dominated by human cultivators, alchemical ingredients will remain a persistent concern.

Unless they forgo alchemy altogether.

However, lacking elixirs means losing a means to enhance cultivation.

Xu Chengxian also greatly needs elixirs.

Of course, choosing to cultivate spirit plants not only requires solving the seed and seedling problem but also facing the reality of a shortage of alchemical resources in the short term, which cannot be changed.

Therefore, he thought of pursuing both paths simultaneously.

Not being able to buy spirit plants doesn't mean they can't obtain them through other means.

For example, through bartering.

However, their capital isn't abundant.

If it were, they wouldn't need to rack their brains.

And relying on the Spirit Item Pavilion is out of the question.

In business, those merchants are undoubtedly shrewd. They certainly won't act without seeing a profit, refusing to work without spirit stones.

Not only are they difficult to deal with, but trying to take advantage of them is even harder.

So, what should they do?

"Ideally, we should find a way to get something for nothing!" Xu Chengxian said.

"...Is that really appropriate?"

"...That's too outrageous."

Ling Xiao and Ling Yunzi both wore hesitant expressions.

They probably wouldn't hesitate as much if it were a direct robbery.

But Xu Chengxian openly suggesting a scheme to take advantage of others made them feel uneasy.

"What's wrong?" Xu Chengxian's eyes, as large as wind lanterns, widened.

Good heavens, are you guys feeling embarrassed?

One wanted his brother to be a dragon-horse pulling a cart right after reincarnation, and the other casually wanted to refine people into the Myriad Souls Banner.

What right do you have to be embarrassed!

"Besides, who said I'm trying to cheat anyone?"

He clearly wanted to work together with everyone to rationally integrate cultivation resources!

Too lazy to say more to the two, Xu Chengxian directly shooed them away: "Alright, leave this matter to me. Go back to your cultivation."

"Little demons, stay. I have something for you to do."

...

Guests gradually arrived in the valley.

They were summoned by the little demons yesterday at Xu Chengxian's request.

Among them, a black bear and a tiger were particularly conspicuous.

They stood at the very front of all the little demons and demon beasts.

Xu Chengxian closed his eyes and scanned with his divine sense, discovering several ninth-order demon beasts and many more seventh and eighth-order ones.

He hadn't seen many of them before.

They should be long-time residents of the spirit vein cave dwellings, and some had arrived in recent years.

However, there were also familiar faces, such as the curly-haired lion, Black Bear Yueyalang, and Golden Tiger Li Xiaomao.

And the sneaky Wolf One and Wolf Two, peeking their heads out.

They were quite cooperative.

He released his divine sense without concealment, sweeping over the demons, exerting pressure to deter the entire gathering.

Actually, it wasn't necessary.

With the thunderous tribulation three months ago, coupled with the intimidating presence of his current massive serpent form, the demon beasts and little demons unconsciously restrained themselves after approaching the valley.

As they gathered, they revealed slightly submissive postures.

Xu Chengxian was very satisfied with this.

With such an obedient attitude, it would be easier to communicate next.

"Everyone's here? Take a seat," he said.

His voice was like a thunderclap.

Some of the weaker, timid little demons cried out in fright and collapsed to the ground.

Fortunately, they were at the back and didn't attract much attention.

After falling, they simply didn't get up and sat down on the spot.

They were quite adaptable.

Indeed.

Those who weren't clever wouldn't have come to join in the excitement.

Many guests arrived, numbering over a hundred in total.

They sat down sporadically, maintaining distance from each other based on their strength, occupying a considerable area.

As a newly advanced Great Demon, and with two Great Demon companions, Xu Chengxian's summons, related to alchemy and artifact crafting, attracted so many demons, which wasn't surprising.

At this moment, Dai Dai arrived, carrying spirit plants on her back.

The Great Sage and Little Sage stood on top, looking around with their hands behind their backs, seemingly checking the growth of the spirit plants.

Immediately, they attracted many gazes.

Some were looking at the monkeys.

Some were looking at the spirit plants.

And some were looking at Dai Dai.

"Everyone is busy with cultivation, so I won't take up too much of your time," Xu Chengxian said after seeing that everyone had looked their fill.

This time, he changed from speaking aloud to using divine sense transmission.

His blood energy surged slightly, condensing spiritual energy into his divine sense, ensuring that every future investor present could hear clearly.

"I've gathered everyone here to discuss something."

"My brother, Bai Lingyun, is proficient in alchemy and artifact crafting, as you all know. We lack spirit plants, as you should also know," he said straightforwardly.

"So, the main purpose this time is to ask everyone if you have any spirit plants in your possession?"

"Since Colonel Xu wants spirit plants, why not go to the Spirit Item Pavilion?" Black Bear Yueyalang said in a muffled voice.

"Can't afford it, too expensive," Xu Chengxian said.

"..." The demons were silent.

What did that mean?

Did he expect them to give up their spirit stones?

"Is the Colonel not planning to buy, but to seize them by force?" Golden Tiger Li Xiaomao glared with his tiger eyes.

"Of course not," Xu Chengxian shook his head.

Just as everyone was about to relax, he suddenly added: "Of course, it would be even better if I didn't have to pay spirit stones."

"..."

Silence, again silence.

Everyone looked at each other, but no one dared to leave first.

"Actually, not paying spirit stones is also beneficial for you," Xu Chengxian said, knowing that he hadn't called them here just to scare them away, so he continued.

"It's like this, our Bai Residence is preparing to open a bank."

"A Spirit Plant Bank."

"You can give us spirit materials for alchemy on credit. Then, when you need to buy elixirs, you can use them to offset the spirit stones."

"As you can all see, we can grow some spirit plants ourselves. So, those who have spirit plant seeds or seedlings can also invest them here and cultivate them together."

"Once the spirit plants mature, you can choose to sell them to us, also offsetting the cost of buying elixirs, or, after the elixirs are refined and sold, you can share the spirit stones."

For these partners, most of whom were not highly intelligent, Xu Chengxian's strategy was to lay out the plan openly.

After all, he genuinely didn't want to deceive anyone.

He sincerely welcomed cooperation.

Like Jiang Taigong fishing, those who are willing will take the bait.

However, investment involves risks, and entry requires caution.

"Of course, everyone understands that refining elixirs isn't always successful. Therefore, within the royal city, when people ask others to refine elixirs with their materials, there's a rule that if the elixir is successfully made, they pay a reward and share the elixirs. If the elixir fails, the spirit materials are wasted."

"But with my Bai Family Spirit Plant Bank, the spirit plants you deposit can be exchanged for spirit stones at any time. Although they will be converted at 60% of the market price, we guarantee that you will receive the elixirs within three months after you request the exchange."

Three months wasn't considered long for cultivators.

Even tribulations could be suppressed.

When Xu Chengxian mentioned exchanging spirit plants for elixirs earlier, only a few high-level demon beasts were somewhat interested.

But when he mentioned later that spirit seeds or seedlings could also be exchanged, all the demons became excited.

"Colonel! Colonel!" A little demon shouted in a shrill voice from the back, "Can seeds and seedlings really be exchanged for elixirs?"