Chapter 35: A New Trade Route

In the deep of night, the moonlight was bright and clear.

In the meditation room, Su Nan sat cross-legged on the ground, gazing at the panel before him.

**[Su Nan Anestis, Male, Human, 17 years old]**

**[Spirit: 15.23 / Physique: 12.83]**

**[Skills]**

- Star Ring Meditation Method Lv4 (12759/20000)

- Potion Making Lv3 (108/6000)

- Biological Modification Lv2 (319/3000)

- Puppet Crafting Lv2 (1701/3000)

Nearly five months had passed since his promotion to a second-level wizard apprentice, and the Star Ring Meditation Method still needed about one-third more proficiency to level up.

"The speed of constructing the star rings is still too slow."

"When I return, I need to try using the secondary active potions to synthesize more efficient potions."

Su Nan thought to himself.

With his current physique and spirit, taking higher-tier potions should pose no problem.

The key issue, however, was the cost.

Since his potion-making skill had reached level 3, his success rate for creating secondary active potions had significantly increased, thereby reducing the costs as well.

Currently, the cost of one secondary active potion was about just over 8 gold coins.

In contrast, synthesizing a low-tier first-grade active potion cost around 100 gold coins.

"For a noticeable improvement in meditation efficiency, it would have to be at least a first-grade superior active potion, which would likely cost no less than 200 gold coins."

"That's 200 gold coins a month, adding up to 2400 gold coins a year—almost equivalent to half a year's tax revenue for Blackstone City."

"If I were to synthesize a second-grade potion, the costs would soar to at least a thousand gold coins."

Su Nan frowned slightly.

Blackstone City was currently in a period of rapid development, requiring a substantial financial investment for both expanding the army and further developing the Blackstone Mine.

Even if Kei didn't mind, Su Nan couldn't afford to take too many gold coins for his own use.

After all, the growth and strengthening of Blackstone City were equally important.

"I still need to find a way to increase income."

Su Nan looked at the active potions beside him, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

Perhaps he could try selling zero-grade potions.

For example, strength potions, healing potions, and swiftness potions.

During the battle against the Black Scale Lizards, the cavalry had used strength and healing potions, receiving quite positive feedback afterward.

If these potions were sold, surely many knights would be interested.

Of course, the potions sold externally would have to be differentiated from those used by the knights of Blackstone City.

For instance, he could dilute each potion to create three bottles.

This way, he could sell more and earn more gold coins.

The more Su Nan thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. He decided to produce a batch of finished potions before leaving and hand them over to the Fire Fox Trading Company for a trial run.

If the response was good enough, he could return and expand the scale.

As long as this trade route succeeded, he wouldn't have to worry about the materials needed to synthesize superior active potions.

"Let's do it!"

Su Nan felt a surge of excitement, rising and stepping outside.

The dim night enveloped the entire courtyard, which appeared eerily silent.

Yet only Su Nan could sense that the Hidden Dragon was lying under the courtyard wall, about ten meters away, sleeping soundly.

During this time, he had performed over ten blood exchange operations on the Hidden Dragon, raising its dragon lizard bloodline concentration by more than ten percentage points.

Now the Hidden Dragon's bloodline concentration had surpassed 35%, and its body had grown larger, enhancing its physical strength to that of a mid-level great knight.

Now, even facing a peak great knight, the Hidden Dragon would stand a fighting chance.

Thus, Su Nan decided to take the Hidden Dragon along with him to Stone Bell City.

With its color-changing and reality transformation abilities, it could remain undetected even when entering the city.

Plus, it would serve as a mount for traveling.

A win-win situation.

As for the original Black Rock Panther, Su Nan had casually gifted it to Braid.

"The rune gems are also ready."

His encounter with the black sword knight had proven the potency and practicality of the rune gems.

Even a powerful initial great knight could not withstand the effects of a lightning rune gem.

Therefore, over the past few days, Su Nan had been crafting more than ten attack-type rune gems.

He now had over thirty rune gems in his possession.

He was essentially a hidden human artillery.

In addition to the Hidden Dragon and rune gems, he also had spell scrolls and the Blood Vine Ring as backup cards.

One could say that as long as he wasn't facing a legendary knight, he at least had the means to protect himself regardless of the enemy.

"Are you planning to sell potions?" 

When Su Nan presented the batch of potions he had spent three days crafting to Kei, the latter was momentarily taken aback.

"Yes."

Su Nan nodded, pointing at the potions. 

"These are diluted potions, with effects roughly one-third of the original. Each bottle will be around 70 silver coins. We can sell them directly to the Fire Fox Trading Company at a price of two gold coins."

Kei's eyes lit up immediately.

Although Blackstone City's income had far exceeded previous levels, he often felt as though money was still tight.

If they could open up another profitable channel, it would undoubtedly alleviate the current financial strain considerably.

However, Kei soon hesitated.

"Isn't the price a bit high?"

Selling to the Fire Fox Trading Company would mean they would mark up the price for external sales.

And for a junior knight, unless they had territory or a village, their combined income for the year wouldn't exceed 10 gold coins.

Would they be willing to part with a fifth or more of their annual income just to buy a potion?

"This world is far from peaceful, with conflicts erupting everywhere, especially in the Kingdom of Jinhua, where the Fire Fox Trading Company is located. In recent years, there have been frequent wars. If a potion could save their lives in a critical moment for just a few gold coins, many would be willing to buy."

Su Nan picked up a potion and gently shook it.

"To be honest, if we had channels in the Kingdom of Jinhua, we could handle this business ourselves, and the profits would be even greater."

Kei was swayed by Su Nan's words.

Upon reflection, many lords in the Kingdom of Jinhua were actively seeking to bolster their military forces. If a potion appeared that could temporarily enhance a knight's abilities, even if just for a short time, it would likely spark fierce competition among them.

If one didn't buy it, what if their enemies did?

This venture had great potential!

"Alright, I'll contact Muzhu right away."

Kei, known for his decisive character, made up his mind quickly after recognizing the profit to be made, turning to send word to the Kingdom of Jinhua without hesitation.

After arranging everything, he turned back to Su Nan and asked, "Are you leaving now?"

"Yes." Su Nan nodded.

"Be careful." Kei patted Su Nan's shoulder. "The Starfire Cult won't give up easily after failing to assassinate us."

Su Nan smiled and replied, "Don't worry. I'm going out to find them this time."

Kei laughed heartily, "Rest assured, I'll be in the barracks. If any assassins dare to come, I promise they'll return empty-handed."

After exchanging pleasantries, Su Nan left the barracks.

As he stepped out of Blackstone City and walked a short distance, he suddenly felt a chill on his face.

Looking up, he noticed that snowflakes had begun to fall from the sky, glistening like crystals and landing softly on his skin.

It was snowing.

Su Nan reached out to catch the flakes, feeling the cold crystals melt into droplets in his palm.

"The first snow of the Frostfall Month."

Su Nan smiled faintly. With a thought, energy particles began to form a faint aura around his body, isolating him from the snow. He then leaped onto the back of the Hidden Dragon.

"Let's go."

The Hidden Dragon let out a low hiss and revealed its form, setting off at a gallop across the wilderness.

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