Chapter 35: Chapter 35: A New Trade Route Late at night, the moonlight was bright. In the meditation room, Sunan sat cross-legged on the ground, gazing at the panel in front of him. [Sunan Yanest, Human Male, 17 years old] [Spirit 15.23/Constitution 12.83] [Skills] Star Ring Meditation Method Lv4 (12759/20000) Potion Making Lv3 (108/6000) Biological Transformation Lv2 (319/3000) Puppet Refining Lv2 (1701/3000) It had been nearly five months since he was promoted to a second-level wizard apprentice, and the Star Ring Meditation Method was still about one-third short of proficiency for an upgrade. "The speed of constructing the star ring is still too slow." "When I return this time, I should try to synthesize a more efficient potion using a lower-level active potion." Sunan thought to himself. With his current constitution and spiritual power, taking a higher-tier potion shouldn’t be an issue. The real key is the cost. As his potion making reached level 3, his success rate in making lower-level active potions had greatly increased, and the cost of potions had dropped significantly as well. Nowadays, the cost of a bottle of lower-level active potion was a little over 8 gold coins. And synthesizing a bottle of first-order inferior active potion costs about 100 gold coins. "To have a noticeable improvement in meditation efficiency, at least a first-order superior active potion is needed, and the cost is estimated to be no less than 200 gold coins." "200 gold coins a month, which is 2400 gold coins a year, roughly equivalent to half of Black Stone City’s annual income." "If synthesizing a second-order potion, the cost must be at least a thousand gold coins." Sunan furrowed his brow slightly. Black Stone City was currently in a phase of rapid development, whether in expanding the military or further developing the Black Stone Mine, it all required substantial financial investment. Even if Kei didn’t mind, Sunan couldn’t possibly divert too many gold coins for himself. After all, the growth and expansion of Black Stone City were equally important. "I still need to find ways to generate more income." Sunan looked at the active potion at hand, showing a contemplative expression. Perhaps he could try selling zero-level potions. Such as Strength Potion, Healing Potion, and Swift Potion. In the previous battle against the Black-scaled Lizardmen, the Cavalry Legion had used Strength Potion and Healing Potion, and the feedback afterward was quite positive. If these potions were sold, many knights would probably be interested. Of course, the potions for public sale must be distinguished from those used by the knights of Black Stone City. For instance, a bottle of potion could be diluted into three bottles. This way, more gold coins could be earned. The more Sunan thought about it, the more feasible it seemed, so he decided to produce a batch of finished products before leaving to test the waters with the Fire Fox Merchant Guild. If the response was good enough, he would expand the scale upon his return. As long as this trade route was established, he wouldn’t have to worry about the costs of synthesizing superior active potion materials. "Let’s do it!" Sunan felt slightly invigorated, got up, and walked outside. The deep night shrouded the entire courtyard in silence. Only Sunan could sense that the Hidden Dragon was lying in deep sleep at the base of the courtyard wall more than ten meters away. Over this period, he had performed over ten blood transfusion surgeries on the Hidden Dragon, forcibly enhancing its Dragon Lizard bloodline by more than ten percentage points. Now, the Hidden Dragon’s Dragon Lizard bloodline exceeded 35%, its body had bulked up again, and its physical strength had been reinforced to the level of a middle-level Grand Knight. The current Hidden Dragon could even stand against a Peak Grand Knight. For this reason, Sunan decided to take the Hidden Dragon with him to Stone Bell City this time. With its ability of invisibility level camouflage and phase transition, they wouldn’t have to worry about being detected even when entering the city. It could also serve as a mount for faster travel. Two birds with one stone. As for the original Black Rock Leopard, Sunan casually gave it to Brad. "The rune gemstones are ready as well." His confrontation with the Black Sword Knight had already proven the power and utility of the rune gemstones. Even a Junior Grand Knight couldn’t resist the power of a single lightning rune gemstone. Therefore, Sunan had produced over ten more attack-type rune gemstones over these several days. Now, the number of rune gemstones on him exceeded thirty. He’s like a hidden walking cannon. Besides the Hidden Dragon and rune gemstones, he also had Spell Scrolls and a Blood Vine Ring as trump cards. It can be said that as long as it’s not a Legendary Knight, no matter what enemy he encounters, he would at least have the ability to protect himself and escape. ... "You want to sell potions?" When Sunan placed the potions he had spent three days making in front of Kei, the latter couldn’t help but be slightly stunned. "That’s right." Sunan nodded, pointing at the potions and said: "These are all diluted potions, with effects about one-third of the original, each priced around 70 silver coins for direct sale to the Fire Fox Merchant Guild, priced at two gold coins." Kei’s eyes immediately brightened. Although Black Stone City’s income had far surpassed before, he often still felt that money was tight. If they could open up an additional money-making channel, it would undoubtedly greatly alleviate the current financial constraint. But soon, Kei was a bit hesitant again. "Would the price be too high?" Selling to the Fire Fox Merchant Guild at two gold coins, their external price would definitely be higher. And an average junior knight, unless they owned a village fief, wouldn’t earn more than 10 gold coins a year in total. Would they be willing to spend a fifth or even more of their annual income just to buy a bottle of potion? "The world is far from peaceful; conflicts are happening everywhere, especially in the Thorn Flower Duchy where the Fire Fox Merchant Guild is located, with frequent wars in recent years. If a few gold coins could buy a life-saving trump card at a crucial moment, many would surely be willing." Sunan picked up a bottle of potion and shook it gently. "Honestly, if we had channels in the Thorn Flower Duchy, we could manage this business ourselves, and the profit would be even more lucrative." Kei was tempted by Sunan’s words. Thinking carefully, many lords in the Thorn Flower Duchy were trying all possible means to expand their armaments. If a potion that could enhance the knights’ strength, even temporarily, appeared at this time, they would probably scramble for it. If you don’t buy it and it’s taken by your enemy, what then? This venture is highly promising! "Alright, I’ll contact Mu Zhuo immediately." Kei, inherently decisive by nature, didn’t hesitate once he saw potential profits. He swiftly made the decision and promptly dispatched someone to send a letter to the Thorn Flower Duchy. After making the arrangements, he turned to Sunan and asked, "Are you leaving?" "Yes." Sunan nodded. "Stay safe." Kei patted Sunan on the shoulder, "The Starfire Sect won’t easily give up after a failed assassination." Sunan responded with a smile, thinking to himself, I won’t need to wait for them; I’m going out this time to cause trouble for them. "You be careful too." Kei laughed heartily, "Don’t worry, I’ll be staying in the military camp. If any assassins dare to come over, I guarantee they’ll have no return." After exchanging a few words of caution, Sunan left the military camp. Not long after leaving Black Stone City, he suddenly felt a coolness on his face. Looking up, he saw that at some point, the sky had begun to snow, with crystalline snowflakes falling like cold raindrops on his face. It was snowing. Sunan reached out to catch a snowflake, feeling the cold crystal gradually melt into water droplets in his palm. "The first snow of the Frost Month." Sunan smiled slightly, and with a thought, a very faint halo of energy particles formed on the surface of his body, shielding him from the snowflakes. Then he leaped onto the back of the Hidden Dragon beside him. "Let’s go." The Hidden Dragon let out a low hiss, revealing itself, and began sprinting across the wilderness.