Su Ming’s breathing quickened slightly.

This kind of power, this kind of single-use consumable, was absolutely hard currency in the cultivation world.

Especially for those wandering cultivators who licked blood off knife blades year-round, or for sect disciples preparing to explore secret realms, this was practically a divine artifact for preserving life and turning the tables.

“But this thing is too dangerous and too ostentatious.”

Su Ming quickly calmed down, his brow furrowing slightly. “If people found out I made it, the Vessel Hall bunch would probably be the first to jump out and cause trouble. It might even attract the Enforcement Hall’s attention.”

“Who told you to sell it directly?”

Lin Yu rolled his eyes. “We are the ‘Repair Hall’; our main business is ‘repairing.’ We can sell ‘spirit purification services’ or go through black market channels. Besides, isn’t that good brother of yours, Wang Defa, always looking for a chance to prove his loyalty? This kind of dirty, heavy work is the perfect time to test him.”

Su Ming pondered for a moment, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table.

Risk and reward always coexisted.

The injury to his Dao foundation couldn’t be delayed; the three hundred thousand spirit stone deficit pressed down on his head like a mountain.

If he didn’t take a gamble, he could only wait passively for death.

“Let’s do it.”

Su Ming suddenly looked up, a flash of determination in his eyes. “But we have to change the name. Can’t call it ‘Yin Thunder Pellets’; that sounds too demonic. Since it’s made from the Spiritual Plant Garden’s soil, with water and fire harmonized…”

The corner of his mouth lifted into a pure, harmless smile. “Let’s call it ‘Bumper Harvest No. 1’ Soil Loosening Pills. A specialized agricultural tool for reclaiming wasteland and blasting apart stubborn rocks.”

“…Your naming ability, this teacher concedes defeat.” Lin Yu’s mouth twitched. “What the hell kind of name is Soil Loosening Pills.”

……

Early the next morning, Repair Hall.

Wang Defa was leading several menial disciples in taking inventory of the worn-out magical implements recovered yesterday. Seeing Su Ming walk in, he hurriedly went to greet him.

“Hall Master, good morning!” Wang Defa beamed, his face glowing. Ever since following Su Ming, he had straightened his back even within the outer sect. Who wouldn’t call him “Brother Fa” when they saw him?

Su Ming nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Wang Defa.

“Old Wang, come with me to the backyard.”

Arriving in the backyard, Su Ming activated a soundproofing barrier.

Seeing this, Wang Defa’s expression immediately turned serious, instinctively lowering his voice. “Hall Master, has something happened? Did those grandsons from the Vessel Hall come to cause trouble again?”

“It’s not a bad thing; it’s business.”

Su Ming retrieved a newly refined, dark red sphere the size of a walnut from his sleeve.

The sphere’s surface was rough, looking just like a lump of red mud that had been kneaded into a relatively round shape. It emitted no spiritual energy fluctuations, so ordinary that no one would pick it up if thrown by the roadside.

“This is?” Wang Defa took it, puzzled. It felt slightly heavy and a bit warm in his hand.

“This is a new… auxiliary tool our Repair Hall has developed.”

Su Ming pointed at a large bluestone rock in the corner of the yard used for testing swords. “Stand back a bit and throw it at that rock. Remember, when you throw it, channel a wisp of spiritual energy to activate it.”

Though Wang Defa didn’t understand why, he never hesitated in carrying out Su Ming’s orders.

He retreated five zhang as instructed, exhaled a wisp of spiritual energy, and flicked his wrist.

The “mud pill” traced a parabolic arc, landing precisely on the bluestone.

Boom!

A dull, explosive roar suddenly erupted.

There was no earth-shattering flash of light, only a dark red shockwave mixed with countless tiny fragments that instantly burst forth.

That bluestone, hard as iron and capable of withstanding chops from a low-grade magical implement, actually had a corner instantly blasted to pieces. Its surface was blown into a deep pit the size of a bowl, surrounded by dense, spiderweb-like cracks.

Even more terrifying was that the dust from the explosion seemed to carry a fire poison that caused one’s spiritual energy to stagnate.

Wang Defa’s mouth hung open, staring dumbfounded at the rock, then at his own hand.

That thing just now… was caused by that mud pill?

“This… this power…” Wang Defa’s throat felt dry. “If it hit a person…”

“This is for blasting rocks.”

Su Ming corrected him calmly. “Of course, if one encounters some unseeing demon beasts or certain cultivators with ill intentions, it can also be used to ‘invite them to the other side.'”

He looked at Wang Defa, his gaze profound. “Old Wang, you’ve been around the outer sect for many years. You should be familiar with black market channels, right?”

Wang Defa’s body shuddered.

Looking at Su Ming’s young yet steady face, he suddenly understood that this Hall Master’s ambitions were far from just repairs and patches.

This was a large ship.

A ship that could ride the wind and waves, but could also run aground and sink.

But Wang Defa didn’t hesitate in the slightest. Having struggled at the bottom for so many years, he understood all too well how fleeting opportunities were.

“Familiar!”

Wang Defa gritted his teeth, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes. “Hall Master, rest assured. How to sell this thing, who to sell it to, how to keep us clean—I, Wang Defa, know the ropes perfectly! Even if the Enforcement Hall investigates, they absolutely won’t find a single hair from Clear Stream Valley!”

Su Ming nodded in satisfaction, patting Wang Defa on the shoulder.

“Good. This thing is called ‘Bumper Harvest No. 1.’ Remember, we are selling agricultural tools, delivering warmth to those hardworking wandering cultivator brothers reclaiming wasteland.”

“Additionally,” Su Ming changed the subject, “help me keep an eye out for any news on the market about ‘Water Jade Marrow.’ Even if it’s fragments or just a clue, tell me immediately.”

“Yes, sir!”

Wang Defa accepted the order and left, his steps heavier yet more resolute than when he arrived.

Su Ming stood in place, looking at the shattered bluestone, gently rubbing his fingers together.

“Master, the first step has been taken.”

“Mmm, quite a stir.” Lin Yu commented. “However, relying solely on these ‘Soil Loosening Pills’ to earn three hundred thousand is still a bit precarious. We still need to dig up something with higher added value.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep