Douluo Starting with the Chaos Divine Examination

The First Elder smiled knowingly. His worldly experience allowed him to quickly discern Mu Chen's intentions.

"Young friend, so you already know my granddaughter?" The First Elder's face beamed with joy. Forming a connection with an alchemist was a rare honor, something that couldn't be achieved even with a lifetime of effort.

"Yes," Mu Chen nodded.

The Xiao Clan disciples looked at Xiao Yu in astonishment, their gazes eventually shifting to the First Elder. It was clear that this connection had increased the First Elder's standing within the family.

Particularly affected were Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan had just given up a precious keepsake, yet the benefits seemed to flow entirely to the First Elder and Xiao Yu. This left both father and son feeling a sour bitterness in their hearts.

"Young friend, how do you intend to assist our Xiao Clan?" the First Elder asked.

"It's simple. I'll provide you with a pill that can compete with the Healing Pills, helping you regain your customers. But since this is a collaboration, let me make one thing clear—I'll charge 11 gold coins per pill," Mu Chen replied.

"Eleven gold coins?" The First Elder's expression shifted slightly.

Currently, the Jia Lie Clan was selling Healing Pills for 10 gold coins each. If the Xiao Clan matched the price, they would make no profit and might even incur losses.

What the First Elder didn't know was that the Jia Lie Clan was also purchasing these pills at 10 gold coins apiece. Their decision to sell at cost was purely to destroy the Xiao and Oba families' markets and secure dominance over Wu Tan City.

"Eleven gold coins?" Xiao Zhan frowned. "At that price, we won't have any profit margin. Can't the price be negotiated further, young friend?"

"That's already a discounted price. I've put in a lot of effort to refine these pills," Mu Chen said calmly.

"Eleven gold coins… that's too high. At this rate, we might as well buy pills directly from the Mittel Auction House. Their Healing Pills are also priced at 11 gold coins each," the Second Elder said.

"If that's how you feel, then go to the Mittel Auction House. Xun'er, let's go eat noodles in the west part of the city!" Mu Chen smiled, taking Gu Xun'er's hand and heading toward the door.

"Young friend, wait!"

The First Elder, realizing what was at stake, quickly moved to stop Mu Chen. He shot a meaningful glance at Xiao Yu.

Confused, Xiao Yu looked back at her grandfather.

The First Elder signaled again, pointing at Mu Chen.

Although Xiao Yu wasn't a fool, it took her a moment to understand his intent. However, she remained frozen in place.

The First Elder walked over to her and said, "Yu'er, quickly go and ask him to reconsider. Say something on behalf of the Xiao Clan. After all, you know him, don't you?"

"Grandfather, I do know him, but… but it's complicated…" Xiao Yu's face reddened as she trailed off. How could she admit that her "acquaintance" with Mu Chen stemmed from an embarrassing incident in the water, where he had accidentally touched her leg?

"Complicated or not, just go. The survival of the Xiao Clan depends on this," the First Elder urged, even giving her a gentle push.

Flustered, Xiao Yu felt all eyes in the hall turn to her. With no other choice, she reluctantly walked up behind Mu Chen.

But what could she say?

In her heart, she still resented Mu Chen deeply. How could she possibly ask him to lower the price?

"Um… Mu Chen…" Xiao Yu stammered, unable to get the words out.

"Alright," Mu Chen responded.

"Huh?" Xiao Yu looked at him in confusion. She hadn't even said anything yet!

"Since Xiao Yu has pleaded on the Xiao Clan's behalf, I'll lower the price out of respect for her. Each pill will now cost 10 gold coins," Mu Chen announced.

"Ten gold coins!" The Second Elder frowned, his voice tinged with frustration. "The Jia Lie Clan is selling their pills for 10 gold coins. If we sell at the same price, we'll make no profit and will have essentially run an errand for you for free."

"Ten gold coins per pill, no further negotiations. Take it or leave it," Mu Chen said firmly.

"Can't we discuss lowering the price further?" Xiao Zhan asked.

"Xiao Yu, why don't you ask him again?" the Third Elder suggested, looking at Xiao Yu.

"This is already the lowest price," Mu Chen replied flatly.

"Alright," the First Elder finally agreed.

"First Elder?"

"First Elder?"

"First Elder?"

Xiao Zhan, the Second Elder, and the Third Elder all frowned, turning to the First Elder in surprise.

"Ten gold coins per pill is already reasonable. Besides, we can use the pills to attract customers and upsell other items. Given the current situation, we have no other choice," the First Elder explained.

After a brief pause, Xiao Zhan and the other elders nodded in agreement.

"Young friend, we'll have to rely on you to refine these pills for us," Xiao Zhan said.

"Here you go." Mu Chen waved his hand, and countless jade bottles appeared on the hall's floor—numbering in the hundreds.

"There are 10,000 Blood-Coagulating Pills here. At 10 gold coins each, that's a total of 100,000 gold coins. I know you can't pay all at once, so gather the money and have Xiao Yu deliver it to me later. Xun'er, let's go eat noodles!" Mu Chen smiled, taking the stunned Gu Xun'er with him as they left the Xiao Clan's hall. Behind them, the Xiao Clan members were left staring at one another in astonishment.

It wasn't until they exited the Xiao Clan compound that Gu Xun'er regained her composure.

"Brother Mu Chen, you're actually an alchemist?" she asked excitedly.

"Xun'er, you possess a Heavenly Flame. Can't you sense the fiery aura from my body? Having a Heavenly Flame and not becoming an alchemist would be a waste," Mu Chen said with a chuckle.

"So you really have a Heavenly Flame! I'm becoming more and more curious about your identity. I've heard of many clans and factions in the Central Plains, but I've never heard of one with the surname Mu," Gu Xun'er said, her tone thoughtful.

"There may not be one now, but that doesn't mean there won't be one in the future," Mu Chen replied cryptically, his gaze deep and meaningful as he looked at Gu Xun'er. Taking her hand, he led her into an inn.

"Brother Mu Chen, weren't we going to the west part of the city for noodles? Why are we here?" Gu Xun'er asked curiously.

"There's something I need to do first," Mu Chen said.

"What is it?" she asked, intrigued.

"This." Mu Chen reached into his storage ring and retrieved the ring he had taken from Xiao Yan.

"A ring?" Gu Xun'er looked at it skeptically. To her, it seemed like an ordinary piece of

jewelry.

"Yes," Mu Chen nodded. "But this is no ordinary ring. Inside it resides a soul."

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