Chapter 6 - Truth or Bluff, Let's Cut to the Chase

That night, Su Ye slept blissfully.

Ever since being diagnosed with leukemia, she hadn't had such a good night's sleep.

Just as Su Mu had thought, practicing the Qi Cultivation Technique couldn't cure Su Ye's illness, but it could alleviate her pain and make her life more bearable.

In the next room, Su Mu stayed up late into the night.

He was perfecting his money-making plan.

Despite going to bed late, Su Mu woke up early.

There was no choice; the perfect version of the Qi Cultivation Technique absorbed the morning vitality best between five and seven o'clock. With the examination for cultivation fast approaching, he couldn't miss any chance to practice.

The lack of sleep made Su Mu somewhat listless, until he took a cold shower and felt rejuvenated. Then, together with Su Ye, they took the perfect version qi refining pill at precisely five o'clock to start their cultivation.

After the cultivation session, Su Mu's spiritual qi value rose to 914, while his sister's progress slowed, increasing by only 3 points.

Still, this pace was considered fast for early-stage cultivators, especially with the assistance of two perfect version pills.

To prevent attracting the wrong kind of attention, Su Mu cautioned his sister to keep her cultivation results to herself.

After breakfast, Su Mu packed some 9-point version qi refining pills to give to Liu Peng.

Liu Peng was his good brother who had shared the secret of line adjustment with him; it wouldn't be fair to just give him the 8-point version. But Su Mu didn't want anyone other than himself and his sister to know about the perfect version, so the 9-point version was the most suitable gift for Liu Peng.

Upon arriving at Liu Peng's house, it was Mrs. Liu who answered the door.

After inviting Su Mu in, Mrs. Liu said, "Liu Peng is still asleep; I'll go wake him."

Soon, Liu Peng emerged from his room, wearing only boxer shorts and with hair as messy as a bird's nest, rubbing his bleary eyes and yawning in complaint, "Are you insane? Who doesn't sleep in on a Sunday? What's the rush this early?"

Before Su Mu could respond, Mrs. Liu scolded, "Have you no shame? The examination for cultivation is coming up and you're still oversleeping, with no sense of urgency! Can't you be more like Su Mu, getting up early to feel more spirited? Haven't you heard that the morning sets the tone for the whole day?"

Liu Peng, scolded into silence, shrank his neck looking pitiful and weak.

Fortunately, Mrs. Liu soon went into the kitchen, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Shooting Su Mu, the cause of his troubles, a resentful glare, he lowered his voice and asked, "What brings you here so early? Have you decided to go with me to Guizhou Province for the cultivation examination?"

Su Mu shook his head: "No, I'll stay in Shu Province."

If the Golden Finger hadn't been activated, he might have been torn about the decision. But now, with the Golden Finger, not only was the passing mark of 940 within reach, but even 1000 seemed possible. Why then should he travel far to Guizhou Province and make his sister suffer?

Liu Peng frowned, "Are you out of your mind? The cutoff in Shu Province is 940; do you really think you can make it?"

"Don't worry," Su Mu said with a smile.

Liu Peng looked at him, puzzled by his confidence.

Su Mu didn't elaborate. He returned the Huawei smart band to Liu Peng and handed over the plastic bag he was holding: "I told you yesterday I had a surprise for you. Here it is."

"What's this?" Liu Peng took the plastic bag, looked inside with curiosity, and immediately furrowed his brow, "Qi refining pills? What kind of surprise is this supposed to be?"

Su Mu gave a mysterious smile, "What if I told you that their effectiveness is more than three times that of a regular qi refining pill? Would that be a surprise?"

"Really?" Liu Peng was astonished.

"If you don't believe me, try one right now," Su Mu suggested.

With a mix of skepticism and curiosity, Liu Peng took out a qi refining pill and swallowed it. He immediately felt a warm current rise in his stomach.

"Holy smokes, is the medicinal power this strong?" Liu Peng was shocked. He quickly opened his smartphone, played a music file, and amid the commanding voice and stirring music of "The era is calling... ready, begin," he started practicing the 7th Set of National High School Qi Cultivation Technique.

During his practice, Mrs. Liu came out of the kitchen once and saw Liu Peng practicing so early and with such focus. She was both surprised and relieved, quietly thanking Su Mu. It was clear to her that her son's diligence was influenced by Su Mu.

After completing the technique, Liu Peng couldn't wait to check the results.

Despite being mentally prepared, he was still utterly blown away.

"Holy moly... My spiritual qi value increased by 0.3! It really is three times the effect of a regular qi refining pill!! Su Mu, you big shot, where did you get these qi refining pills from? The effect is just AWESOME! No wonder you're not going to Guizhou Province; with this stuff, after half a month of sprinting, you might actually have a chance of pushing your spiritual qi value to 940!"

Heh, ignorant mortals, my target isn't 940. My aim is the stars and the sea... Oops, I mean to break 1000!

Su Mu kept his true goal to himself, not wanting to scare Liu Peng. He simply asked, "So, do you think my qi refining pills are a surprise?"

Liu Peng quickly nodded, "Yes, yes, of course they are. Anyone who says otherwise is a fool!"

Su Mu chuckled and simply watched him without a word.

Liu Peng paused, then suddenly remembered what he had said earlier. With a grunt of resignation, he couldn't help but concede, muttering under his breath, "Grandpa."

"Ah, good grandson," Su Mu patted his head, laughing, "You should listen well."

"Get lost!" Liu Peng swatted away his hand, "I'll call you grandpa, but don't mess up my hair." He then asked seriously, "But really, where did you get these qi refining pills from? How many do you have?"

Su Mu had already prepared his explanation, "I had the good fortune of meeting an alchemist; these qi refining pills came from him."

"To enhance the effect of qi refining pills by such a margin, he's no ordinary alchemist. What's his name?" Liu Peng asked curiously.

Su Mu's expression turned serious, "Don't ask, lose your medicine."

Liu Peng was startled and quickly shut his mouth, afraid that he might indeed run out of supply.

Although he had already decided to go to Guizhou Province for the examination for cultivation, where the cutoff was lower, who wouldn't want a higher score? The higher the score, the better the chances of getting into a cultivation university. In such a crucial exam, a single point could determine one's fate!

Liu Peng's reaction made Su Mu laugh silently.

In fact, Su Mu fabricating a story about an alchemist was less about concealing the origin of the alchemical pills and more about creating a selling point for them. After all, compared to a high school student, qi refining pills made by an alchemist are more convincing and desirable to potential buyers.

You've seen how those small tins of tea are hyped up during marketing campaigns, claiming to be the sincere and dedicated work of master tea-makers, haven't you?

If someone were to find out that these alchemical pills were made by him, there wouldn't be much to worry about. What's openly available are just the 8-point version of qi refining pills, which Su Mu would love to sell off to make some money for his sister Su Ye's medical treatment.

It would only be a hassle for those who aren't familiar with pharmaceutical factories; otherwise, why go through all this trouble?

As for selling the alchemical formula directly to a pharmaceutical factory, that's a joke. Would they even spare the time to meet a high school student who comes knocking unannounced? Most likely, you wouldn't even get past the front gate.

Besides, the price you get from offering it yourself compared to someone seeking you out is simply not the same.

Su Mu handed a bag to Liu Peng: "The qi refining pills inside are enough for half a month, all yours. Consider it a thank you for the favor you did by telling me about the line adjustments."

"No, let me pay for them. I can't let you spend the money," Liu Peng insisted, aware of Su Mu's family situation and knowing that Su Ye's treatment required a lot of money.

Su Mu waved his hand dismissively, "Enough, don't be polite with me. I'm not giving these to you for nothing. I need your help with something."

"What do you need me to do? Just say it," Liu Peng agreed without hesitation.

As long as it involved qi refining pills, everything was negotiable. Not just one favor, but ten or even twenty!

"Do you have any spare cash?" Su Mu inquired, "I plan to buy more of these qi refining pills from that alchemist to distribute in school, so my classmates can increase their spiritual qi value. Even if they don't get into a cultivation university, they can still score higher when applying to regular universities or training institutions."

"Of course, the most important thing is, I can also make some money off of this."

Liu Peng listened with utmost respect.

Su Mu was willing to help his competitors improve their spiritual qi value. Such magnanimity and vision were truly admirable!

And as for making money, wasn't that just natural? It was already incredibly generous of Su Mu to offer such valuable items. To expect them for free was out of the question. Why should he? Su Mu wasn't anyone's parent!