“That’s a pretty good hidden skill.”
“But what’s the use? My success rate in potion making is 70% lower than others. If you ask me to make potions, it’s basically a loss,” replied the other party.
“Since I approached you, it’s naturally because you are useful. If you’re willing, sign this agreement,” said Nie Yan. In the virtual world of Faith, any agreement within the scope of legal regulations is valid.
Wu Bushengdan (Bird Without Eggs Left) looked curiously at the contract Nie handed him and began to read the clauses carefully. The terms were simple: Nie Yan would purchase the raw materials for Wu Bushengdan’s potion making, but all the potions made by Wu Bushengdan would belong to Nie Yan. If there were any profits, 30% of the total profit would go to Wu Bushengdan.
This contract was roughly equivalent to those signed when guilds recruited exclusive alchemists. However, the remuneration offered by guilds was usually no more than 20%. A rate of 30% was significantly higher than what most guilds offered. Yet Nie Yan bore all the costs of cultivating a potion maker. Nie Yan’s obligations were by no means fewer.
“You want me to sign this contract?” Wu Bushengdan asked somewhat touched. Such contract terms were hard to find even with a lantern.
“That’s right.”
“I’ve been learning potion-making skills until now, and it’s always been a loss. I’ve ruined a lot of herbs. I estimate that it’s worth at least two silver coins. That’s why the Dark Ranger Guild expelled me. If you end up losing money, don’t blame me. Now is still the time to take back the agreement,” Wu Bushengdan waved the contract in his hand. He felt a bit uneasy, wondering what if Nie Yan took this agreement back.
“I’m not short of money. Even if there’s a loss, I’ll accept it. But my judgment has always been good; I’ve never misjudged anyone before,” Nie Yan said confidently with a smile.
“Is 30% too high?” Wu Bushengdan asked hesitantly. Even some better-off guilds only offered 20% to their alchemists.
“This is settled. You’re worth it,” Nie Yan waved his hand, saying that to win over someone like Wu Bushengdan wasn’t just a matter of money. He was confident in his ability to win people’s hearts.
Wu Bushengdan really didn’t know where Nie Yan’s trust in him came from. But in his eyes, Nie’s words were tantamount to recognition. When a person is in failure and depression, what they need most isn’t charity from anyone but merely a word of acknowledgment. A casual remark from Nie Yan, though insignificant, pierced through Wu Bushengdan’s defenses straight into his heart.
“Alright, I’ll sign the agreement. It’s okay if the compensation is a bit lower, but don’t blame me if there’s a loss,” Wu Bushengdan couldn’t help but add.
“Don’t worry. Even if you incur a loss, I won’t bother you,” Nie Yan said calmly. After being reborn, he was absolutely confident that he would never be short of money again. One month after the game’s launch, just before the real-world currency integration, the server would sell or auction in-game assets like auction houses, shops, and land. Guilds supported by various financial groups would definitely rush to purchase these assets. Once the real-world currency and virtual currency were integrated, the value of these virtual assets would rise geometrically. Players would discover that shops bought for dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of gold coins could be traded on the black market for up to millions or even tens of millions of credit points, while auction houses could easily reach hundreds of millions. All of this was the result of capital circulation and speculation by various financial groups, but shops and auction houses could indeed generate substantial daily income.
With Nie Yan’s foresight, future profits were absolutely not a problem, so why would he worry about supporting a Wu Bushengdan? If he really nurtured a potion master, the profits would be enormous.
The reason Nie Yan’s father’s capital encountered a Waterloo after entering Faith was also related to missing the division of virtual assets before the real-world currency integration. The major financial groups had already divided up the game assets and formed their stable markets. As a latecomer, Nie Yan’s father wanted to intervene forcefully and inevitably faced rejection and backlash from various financial groups.
Nie Yan wanted to pave the way for his father before his father decided to enter Faith, thus avoiding the tragedy of his past life.
In this month before the currency integration, Nie Yan had a lot to do. He needed a lot of money and to gather a force of his own. In the future, he would have equipment stores, pharmacies, auction houses, banks, and a large amount of land and shops under his banner. Even though Nie Yan was a reborn person, he also understood the principle that a single tree does not make a forest. What was most important in this world? It was talent, and the person in front of him was exactly that! Stealing away the future potion master of the Triumph Guild and cultivating his own potion master would weaken the enemy while strengthening himself. Why not do it?
Nie Yan offered many benefits precisely to make Wu Bushengdan work for him.
Wu Bushengdan couldn’t deny that he was genuinely moved by Nie Yan’s unconditional trust, sparking the idea of devoting himself to Nie Yan. Like a drowning man desperately in need of validation, Nie Yan had handed him a lifeline just in time. As for why Nie Yan had sought him out or why he trusted his abilities so much—none of that mattered anymore. Without hesitation, Wu Bushengdan swiftly signed his name on the agreement.
From then on, all expenses Nie Yan incurred on Niao Bushengdan would be recorded by the system. If Niao Bushengdan breached the contract, he would be required to pay ten times the penalty. If Nie Yan terminated the contract on his own, he would receive nothing.
“Follow me,” Nie Yan said, heading straight toward the auction house.
Niaobushengdan followed behind Nie Yan, still utterly uncertain about his future. Was he even suited to be an alchemist? If he incurred too many losses later, would Nie Yan kick him out? These were all unanswered questions. The cost of potion-making was astronomical—could Nie Yan really afford to support him?
The two of them walked into the auction house one after the other.
“Next, you just focus on brewing the potions. I’ll prepare some ingredients for you. If you run out, feel free to message me anytime,” Nie Yan said as he took a seat at the auction house and opened the bidding interface.
Nie Yan began bidding on items and successively purchased four backpacks.
“Why did you buy so many backpacks?”
“How can a pharmacist manage with such a small backpack?”
“Is this for me?” Niao Bushengdan asked in astonishment. Among all the guild leaders he had encountered, hardly any were willing to purchase such items for their alchemists—unless the alchemist was exceptionally talented. Only then would those guild leaders, fearing they might be poached, go out of their way to procure various items for them.
“Who else could it be for?” Nie Yan replied casually as he purchased a complete set of alchemy equipment—the premium kind that increased potion-making success rate by 5%, costing him 3 silver coins. Additionally, Nie Yan stocked up on a large quantity of herbs and recipes.
Seeing Nie Yan buy him one item after another, Niao Bushengdan was both shocked and moved. Shocked because Nie Yan was actually so wealthy—he had truly found an incredibly rich patron. Moved because Nie Yan had spent so much money on him, which showed how highly he regarded him. At the same time, Niao Bushengdan couldn’t help but wonder: Was Nie Yan really sure he could recoup his investment in him?
Nie Yan had plenty of money at hand, and he could use it to cultivate a Medicine King—a high-level pharmacist, who would be incredibly valuable in the future! In the days to come, pharmacists worth hundreds of millions would not be uncommon. In his previous life, when Niao Bu Sheng Dan was with the Triumph Guild, his value had once soared to several hundred million, ranking third among all pharmacists.
Nie Yan refused to believe that with his financial resources, he couldn’t cultivate a top-tier pharmacist.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage